Midwestern Flair

Aspen Social Club
157 West 47th Street
New York, NY 10036-1503
(212) 221-7200
www.aspensocialclub.com


Aspen has the most unique decor of trees behind glass, deer antlers, faux fireplace and wooden booths that give off a futuristic, cozy ski-lodge vibe. Food is excellent with large portions; the mac-n-cheese is to die for and the "fall- off-the-bone" baby back ribs would make Fred Flintstone shed tears of happiness. Food and drink prices are decent, even with the 20% gratuity fee. Weekends are packed with live music at night along with their "bloody brunch" which offers delicious food options and a 2 hour all-you-can-drink mimosas, screw drivers and bloody marys...I'll drink to that!!!

Exotic Borough Locations

The Sea Restaurant 

114 North 6th Street
NY 11211-3002

(718) 384-8850
www.seathainyc.com/sea/brooklyn

In the up-and-coming Williamsburg, Brooklyn area, there is an amazing Thai restaurant called The Sea. Located in a warehouse the restaurant is huge; equipped with a long pond, a Buddha statue in the center surrounded by tables, 1970's style bubble swings and wooden swings (can support 4 people), unique futuristic restrooms in pods (with video cameras showing all angels of the restaurant while you do your business), main bar in front and service bar in the back makes this place fun to visit. The food and service is amazing; with large portions that range between $10-$30 and drinks are about $7-$10, which explains why the place is so packed on the weekends. The wait is worth it and goes by rather quick thanks to the music and scenery. Reservations are accepted for 8 or more people, if you prefer a more quiet setting come during the week when the vibe is much less crowded, more laid-back and romantic. On weekends The Sea is the perfect place to party with its uplighting and upbeat music. There is also another location in the Manhattan Meat Packing District but I prefer this one.

Surf Bar
139 North 6th Street
New York, NY 11211
(718) 302-4441
www.brooklynsurfbar.com

Across the street is another awesome place called Surf Bar with real sand on the floor and an outdoor section equipped with heat lamps for chilly evenings. It's tiki digs and wide variety of tropical drinks served in coconuts to bikini-clad womens' torsos, decorated with umbrellas and flowers will make you feel like you're on vacation. Service is friendly and accommodating and the food is top-notch as well.

Classy Venues

The Hurricane Club
360 Park Avenue South
NY 10010
(212) 951-7111
www.thehurricaneclub.com


The Hurricane club located on 28th Street and Park Ave across the street from Dos Caminos and down the block from the Ganesvoort; offers a beautiful Polynesian ambiance with a tiki-bar in the center along with a lounge area with its furnished sofas and fireplace, make The Hurricane Club the perfect place to see and be seen. Food is great and reasonably priced, drinks can be a bit pricey. However, there is 1 drink in particular that is a "must have," the vodka punch served in a giant water melon is super strong but goes down oh-so-smooth like a refreshing tropical treat. It costs about $40 but is meant to be shared with 4 people so you're really only paying $10 a person, which is an amazing deal in NYC!!! They also have other delicious options besides the infamous watermelon that are just as good.