DBGB - French Fusion - $$$$

Website
(Bowery and Houston)

I was very much looking forward to trying DBGB, but sadly, it didn't live up to my excitement. I waited for a friend at the bar and had the baby shoes cocktail which was as yummy as the bartender. The space has a nice vibe- dimly lit, open area, and shelves that are stocked with all sorts of boxed and canned goods-- the kinds that my mom and I always bring back from France.

But our waiter was less than enthusiastic that night. I expect the waiters in good restaurants to sell their menu--- that is what a good waiter is supposed to do: push the best dishes. But when we asked, he was short with his answers and bland with his suggestions. The food was overall very mediocre, and I can't justify ever coming back or spending more money at this restaurant. Not one bite of anything was "WOW!" or made me want to keep eating or come back... In fact, we were so unsatisfied that we didn't even order dessert and actually went to Mark for sliders.



- DBGB Dog
(This was OK. The bun was perfectly toasted and my friend loved this, but I didn't)



- Pan Seared Scallops and Shrimp
(This was really good. The scallops were perfectly cooked and the polenta and sprouts were a really nice add to the flavors)



- Steak Frites
(This was the only entree the waiter recommended and there was nothing special about this dish at all. The fries were better than the plain steak. It was supposedly the best quality meat that you could get, but it just wasn't one of the top steaks I've had)



- Tablier de Sapeur
(Crispy tripe with tomato tripe salad. I honestly didn't even know what this dish was until I had to ask, and then, I was not happy at all. I love tripe, but you couldn't even taste or tell what this was, other than fried. I would not recommend this at all, and in fact, the waiter took this off our bill.)



We ended up spending $50 each for a mediocre meal and then went for $2 sliders to be satisfied.

Mark - Burgers - $

Website

This place is one of the best burger places in the city. They have a small space and a super simple menu: burgers and fries. Their sliders are like a gourmet, perfected, white castle-tasting slider. Their fries are perfectly fried and crispy. Each table comes equipped with 4 different types of ketchups and sauces, all worth trying. But the best thing that Mark serves is their guiness milkshake. Yes. A milkshake made with ice cream and guiness. You have to try it.

This place is so good and cheap, that I was even able to get my vegetarian friend to take a night off and enjoy some sliders with me.



$10pp

Ashiya - All you can eat Sushi - $$

http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/new-ashiya/?restaurantid=41940&page=2

Ashiya is notorious for its all you can eat Sushi and all you can drink Sake/Beer specials. For 2 hours, your table can eat as much sushi as you can digest after sake-bombing yourselves stupid. The sushi is actually pretty decent, but you're going there for a great time- not the sushi. The place gets packed on the weekends and everyone in there is banging their way to sake-bombs all night long. It's basically NYC's version of an Asian flavored frat party. You can order all the sushi that you want, but you must eat what you order. They say that they'll charge you for leftovers, but I don't know if that's fact or fiction- we've never had any.



I've had many great nights as a result of an Ashiya pregame.

Sake-bomb, Sake-bomb, Sake-Sake-Sake-BOMB!

$40pp.

Caracas - Venezuelan - $

http://www.caracasarepabar.com/manhattan.php

This is probably one of my top 10 favorite restaurants in NYC. It is Venezuelan fare that specializes in the arepa. An arepa is like a mini pita pocket stuffed with goodness, except it's made with cornmeal. The arepas are about the size of your hand, so they're small enough to order in multiples, anywhere between 1-3, depending on your appetite. I usually just get my favorite arepa, de pabellon, which is filled with shredded, marinated beef that is spicy (flavored, more than spicy hot), and oozes out juice everytime you take a bite. They also add fried plantains which gives it a sweet flavor, and a salty white cheese layered on top. There are so many flavors happening in this little arepa. But to top it all off, every table is supplied with a bottle of their sauce that is just... heavenly. I have no idea what it's made out of, but it tastes good with everything. I drown every bite with the sauce.

The original Caracas is a tiny, hole in the wall restaurant in the East Village. You should always expect to wait at least 30 minutes for a table--- it's always packed. The Williamsburg location is a lot larger and has outdoor seating, but doesn't feel as intimate or traditional as the EV one.

- Guasacaca & chips
- Yoyos
- De Pabellon

- Papelon con limon

Your bill will be about $20pp.