The Sumptuous Silver Platter

Conveniently situated alongside West 23rd street where thirst and tiredom meets temptation, lies a french cafe specializing in the provincial art of macarooning. Concocting cream stuffed puff cookies, Madeleine Patisserie infuses their desserts with a hint of lip licking goodness and antediluvian flair. From pistachio balls to soup-bowl sized cappuccinos, all food is served on a silver platter to be enjoyed from your personal choice of flee market couches. The rustic atmosphere consumes the book worms hidden within the nooks and crannies of the ottoman poofs and velvet thrones. Luckily having grabbed the last berry macaroon, we pleasantly indulged in the layered flavors of raspberry pastry and cranberry mouse, chased by creamy cappuccino foam with a side of espresso. Feeling entitled to have my cake and eat it too, I enjoyed every bite sans reserve, immersed in the quasi euro atmosphere which had to be laced with the guilt free bug.

Straight from the Utter

We were walking down Irving looking for some un-pretentious place to eat when we stumbled upon this gem. The outside awning looked like it should have been stocked with day old flowers like every bodega in NYC, but the people sitting at tables on the other side of the window were a dead give away that this was in fact a restaurant.

With seating upstairs you might as well be in a barn: fake preserves on the shelves, faux wood burning fireplace, wanna be farmers serving dinner (the wait staff uniform is blue jeans and plaid shirts) but for all this kitch it was really one of the most fulfilling meals I have had in a while.

First of all, forget the day old loafs many places pass off, hot cornbread served with apple butter. Awesome!

Daily cheese platter specials, I respect any restaurant that includes the cheese platter, but this place did it right. One cheese served with multiple fixings, so that you can really appreciate the complexity of the cheese. The cheesemonger in me awards 4 stars.

What really makes Friend of a Farmer special is the freshness of the ingredients used in the food. There is no earth shattering recipes at work, but the ingredients just Pop and that's a feeling you just can't beat.

For a meal that left me ready to undo my belt it didn't wreck my wallet; the wine is inexpensive and they have a good selection of some heady specialty beers. I am ready for more, just not immediately after, i need to find a bed after that.

Fancy Potations

A brisk stroll and silent entrance to a west village speak-easy led us down a flight of steps into a world of live jazz, flapper specials, and prohibition era decor; all in the name of a hooting-free, no name-dropping good time. The bar rules set the scene: no star-f**king, no play fighting, no talking about fighting. Do not linger outside the front door, and smoke only on the 7th avenue side of the building. Most notably Little Branch requests that you do not bring anyone into their establishment that you would not trust alone in the comfort of your own home. The oldie-but-goody rules of the game still apply, making the experience of drinking your bartender's choice cocktails all the more authentic. Drinks range in quirky titles from "a bee's kiss" to "south side fuzz," and are served alongside a perfectly suited heap of sourdough pretzels. The individual booths and dim lighting set the mood to a layed-back and worry free night- one derived from an other time, which we only read about in Gatsby-esque fiction. Completely in the hands of the mix-ologists to whom we left our taste trust and curiosity, we muttered simple requests of "chocolate cake in a glass," or "put a twist on a gin and tonic." The drinks were fabulous, the fashion was classy, and the night was exactly what we never knew we wanted. To that, we hold this holler-free potation hub in high regard, already planning our inevitable return.