New York's Best Spot for a Secret Affair 2008

A secretive Lower East Side speakeasy where the drinks are the stars.

Reviews:

• “Finally after a year of serching!”
• “Milk and Honey is, to say it best, a drinking establishment.”
• “Creative and delicious drinks!”
• “Best Drinks in the City. Hands Down”
• “Zero Fun”

Tips: The list of rules is posted in the bathroom and includes a ban on men wearing hats indoors, and a request that gentlemen not approach ladies with whom they didn’t arrive. Ladies can request an introduction from the bartender if they so desire.

Milk and Honey

Sake and sashimi in Midtown east.

Reviews:

• “Delicious Japanese Food!”
• “Can’t get better than this place.”
• “Best selection of nihonshu (sake) this side of the Pacific”
• “Japanese New Yorkers appear to be keeping this place a secret !!”
• “Good food & great experience”

Sakagura

Affordable Tuscan fare and a warm neighborhood vibe in Clinton Hill.

Reviews:

• “Overpriced and Average”
• “not worth the train ride”
• “utterly unmemorable. overpriced for both portion and quality”
• “Warm, Welcoming and Authentic”
• “Expensive food, poor service”

Tips: The owners host wine-tasting dinners and opera-themed tastings, so call ahead for a schedule of events.

Locanda Vini & Olii

Williamsburg goes Japanese noir with sensational small plates and the most private of booths.

Reviews:

• “My favorite restaurant ever!”
• “Don’t expect much”
• “Great dining experience”
• “Pretty Disappointing”
• “Great evening overall”

Tips: The small plates are portioned to be shared; four or five should satiate a party of two.

Zenkichi: Modern Japanese Restaurant Brooklyn NYC or email Zenkichi: Modern Japanese Restaurant Brooklyn NYC

A Brooklyn favorite for ultra-fresh fish is reborn in Carroll Gardens.

Reviews:

• “Best Seafood and Quit Friendly”
• “Pescatarians rejoice!!! "
• “Best whole fish and seafood you CAN’T find in brooklyn”
• “Really great food and service – This will become “your place” to take friends, family or anyone special."
• “Truly Excellent!”

Tips: Petite Crevette is cash-only for now, so be sure to stop at an ATM on the way.

Petite Crevette

Covert Lower East Side bar flies under the radar of the neighborhood’s scene.

Reviews:

• “Fun place with a bit of secrecy”
• “Cool spot, bottom line”
• “Great Spot, hard to find.”
• “Very Cute!”
• “fun!”

Tips: Step back in time and use the pay phone outside the bathrooms—the novelty is worth the nickels nowadays.

The Back Room

Dressed-up American tavern serving brunch, lunch and dinner fare, with specialty cocktails and a noted wine list.

Reviews:

• “Awful service, Disappointing experience”
• “Gorgeous bar, hot bartender, great drinks”
• “Great atmosphere, coctails, and food….”
• “This place is better than expected”
• “Go to O’Nieals, it’s worth it…”

Onieal’s Restaurant or email Onieal’s Restaurant

A hidden, dimly lit and friendly wine bar in the far West Village.

Reviews:

• “great wine, nice place to meet new people”
• “Great place!”
• “Great hidden wine and beer bar”
• “The dba of the west”
• “cool but not pretentious”

Tips: Find more fine wine bars around town.

The Otheroom

Accessible speakeasy charm deep in the Lower East Side.

Reviews:

• “What happened?”
• “It’s a COCKTAIL bar people……”
• “Bad Service, Angry Bartender… but nice looking spot”
• “great cocktails,cozy spot”
• “Lousy”

Tips: Down the narrow hallway, a surprisingly large room with a DJ booth awaits the demure party. Arrive early to nab the 10-person booth, or to score the intimate nook next to the door. There’s no seating—only standing—at the bar.

The East Side Company Bar