I’m a little delayed with this posting, but having been (basically) out of town for the last two weeks (I can’t help it I have summer fever!) I haven’t had much “New York Stuff” to talk about.
On Tuesday, in true form, I went crazy. Well, not crazy, just all-out.
After a whirlwind of meetings during the day and fighting with several Chinatown parking garage attendants … yes I moved garages, twice, because the gypsy owners weren’t sticking with their posted prices … I decided to treat myself to lunch at a spot I’ve heard “rave” things about in my neighborhood.
In moments of nostalgia I’ve been feeling lately, spurred by the fear I’m going to have to move from my apartment downtown, I have been desperately trying to eat/drink/stalk every hole-in-the-wall in my ‘hood. Ruby’s is one of them.
The best part about Ruby’s is that it’s local. It’s small. It’s cash only (I didn’t know this and spent time after my meal looking for the nearest Wachovia … might as well be in Winston Salem). And it’s got killer burgers. Actually, they’re more like patty melts … on Ciabatta Bread. Reminded me of Katie Lee (Joel)’s burgers that won the NYC Burger Bash a few years ago.
The kitchen’s tiny. When I say tiny, I MEAN tiny. You have to give a chef props for something like that, check it out when you visit the bathroom. It practically is the bathroom … but it’s not … because that would be gross … but let’s just say it’s about the size of a bathroom, next to the bathroom.
But again none of this matters. From 2-7 pm their Happy Hour includes a $7 burger and free PBR, a little ghetto sounding … but also really cool sounding. What New York establishment (that’s reputable) sells a $7 burger?! And while many gastro-pubs love the free pint and beer shtick, it’s usually something frilly and “specially made” for the distinct pub. Ruby’s is badass enough to serve PBR and own it.
To make the situation even better, Ruby herself walked in. She lives in the walkup above the restaurant. Am I the only one who pictured “Ruby” as a man? Well, she’s not. In fact, she’s an incredibly adorable, red-headed Jewish woman with more 80′s costume jewelry than Madonna in her “Material Girl” video.
There are so many interesting things happening in New York restaurants, subways, and on streets, put down your Blackberrys, take off your Gucci glasses, and LOOK PEOPLE, you’re missing it!!
Like I said, I got a little rowdy after that.
After pitchers of beers, stalking reserved tables, and stealing beer (my bad), my girlfriends and I headed to the (apparent) Lakers bar in Chelsea called The Ainsworth. We aren’t Lakers fan … hell, I’ll admit it, we’re not really “fans” of anything except the idea of flirty men and getting crazy on a Tuesday …
But we had fun! I got a little unusually fresh with some bankers, probably due to my intake of cheap beer since 2 pm that afternoon, but yet another day in the life of a fabulous person … HA! If only.
Yet again, I’m off traveling this weekend, as it seems the summer is shaping up to be one full of that, as it is with many New Yorkers, but I’ll be back. In the meantime, go check out Ruby’s …
