(watering)holes - Barcade Part 3 - the Interview

the Taps; Newark and Barrow

With a very busy opening weekend still on many minds and more than 1500 Facebook friends to chat about it, Barcade JC has certainly made its presence known. Touting 24 brilliant taps, joysticks a step away and enough space to stretch out the sudden hand cramp, Barcade JC is a good reason to let your game-geek show over some great beer. If you've been following my blog you know that I've attempted to use this platform to get a "press pass." It worked. Paul Kermizian, co-owner and director of the documentary American Beer, took a few minutes out of his wild schedule to answer some of my questions. If on main page click read more just below.

(chow)down - on Search for that Slice

Living most of my life in the NYC metro area has had a huge influence on my style, politics, interests, and palette. As a kid, a slice of pizza was sure to be the highlight of school lunch. While that might say more about my school's menu than it does pizza, the perfect combination of cheese, tomato sauce and dough cannot be denied. A slice is my idea of comfort if it's cooked to a crisp with a healthy dose of cheese. With that being said, I often look at the pizza options in JC with ambiguity. While I can read off a list of slices one must have while in Manhattan or Brooklyn, I struggle to find a slice in JC that I can stand behind 100%. After a few discussions with friends and reading over pizza threads on JC List, I thought it was time to put JC slices to the test. Over the coming weeks I will happily ingest as many slices as my wallet can afford, documenting each pizza shop and slice for all to read. A quick glimpse in the yellow pages provides the addresses of way over 100 spots to choose from. I do not have the time, energy, funds or abs to hit them all. That's where the folks of Chilltown come in. While I already have a few spots on my hit list, I am looking for suggestions in helping me find the best slice. If you think your local joint needs to be reviewed, leave a comment so I can check it out. I'm not doing this quest alone. As I prefer my slices plain, I am bringing a meat lover and a veggie lover along for the ride. So hit me up with suggestions, spread the word and check back for what will hopefully be a successful quest of ingestion.

(the)Skinny
All slices will be rated on the quality of cheese, sauce and dough. Any variation in slice i.e. meat, veggie, deep dish etc will be highlighted and rated separately. I doubt the best slice is in downtown, so be sure to tell me of other joints worth a visit.

If you're in Manhattan or Brooklyn and in need of a slice, here are 4 suggestions not to be missed.
1. Co. - 230 9th Ave. (at 24th Street) Chelsea
2. Ben's Pizza - 123 MacDougal Street
3. Grimaldi's - 19 Old Fulton Street Dumbo, Brooklyn
4. Otto Enoteca Pizzeria - 1 Fifth Ave. (at 8th Street)

(watering)holes - the Bar that Could

a Little Patience; Newark and Barrow

After months of whispers and speculation, the much anticipated Barcade seemed set for an opening at the end of this month.  I myself could not hold back the slight delight I felt as I walked past its location and saw the sign going up. That was weeks ago and the end of the month is in t-minus a day. Stories of the Brooklyn-based bar making its way across the Hudson started many months ago and have since turned into its own urban legend. Similar to that of the supposed Whole Foods that has yet to grace us with its presence. A fellow Velvet Undergrounder, who may have landed a job at Barcade, told me recently that it was set for an April 3rd opening. That too seems to be in question after reading this on Barcade's facebook page:                                     

Barcade 

Dear friends,
 We were very close to being ready to open but we were told to add some additional sprinklers. Consequently, our architectural plans and calculations need to be re-drawn and then approved by the city, which takes time. Hope to resolve this setback soon.

(the)Skinny

I'll leave the City bureaucracy to speak for itself. On the flipside, when it does finally open, it will be a sweet addition to the local scene. Similar to that of its BK sibling, the bar will offer all American craft breweries on draft. I'll have a Southampton please. Delicious. 

Though they have yet to announce their game lineup, an owner has been quoted as saying that there will be 33 games, all from the 70s and 80s. You'll know as soon as I do; or vice versa.