A new pub just opened up in Noho, and to promote themselves, they are giving away fries and a drink, if you mention the code word “Wheaten Terrier.”  They also have a happy hour everyday from 4-8: $3 pints, $4 Well drinks, $5 Cosmos and Appletinis.  Stop by before March passes you by!

Sunday was a full-on SPECIAL day.  I went straight from a boozy sunburnt brunch to dinner for the most dignified division of this undignified blog. Mim and I and a few MMG’s (Mim’s Meals’ Groupies), were seated in the back garden, which is adorable, and open year-round.  I started with the Raclette de Paradou, which was certainly heaven-sent.  It is a skillet filled with cheese topped with a few fingerling potatoes, baby pickles and French bacon.  Something the French Paula Deen would have whipped up for breakfast.  Next, I had the short ribs, which were tender and fell right off the bone (although could have used a bit more flavor), served with garlic mashed potatoes.  Mim was very excited to order the sweetbreads, a dish that was popular when she was working at Hearst in the 1930’s, but now rarely seen on menus. Sweetbreads, I learned, are neither sweet nor bread.  They are apparently the thymus and pancreas of a calf or lamb.  Not BAAAAAd.  For dessert, I had a chocolate and hazelnut tart.  Paradou also has an unlimited champagne brunch (This calls for a ReBlog), and ‘dirty bingo’ (does somebody need to call the health department??)  So, ParaDO yourself a favor, and head down to the meatpacking district next Sunday!

UPDATE! 11.25.09 – Just a day after I posted this, a horrible letter from the owner of Paradou was leaked to Gawker.  FYI the service was great when I went there, and nobody propositioned me for my email address, and I’m glad!

http://gawker.com/5409080/new-york-restaurant-owners-turn-evil

Open.  Bar.  The loveliest words when spoken together.

http://www.urbandaddy.com/nyc/weekender/7950/The_Weekender_Sexy_Slumber_Parties_Boozy_Auctions_and_Pickle_Pairings_New_York_City_NYC

]]> http://www.isntthatjustspecial.com/index/2009/11/kiss-me-on-the/feed/ 0 http://www.isntthatjustspecial.com/index/2009/11/todays-groupon-ejs-luncheonette/ http://www.isntthatjustspecial.com/index/2009/11/todays-groupon-ejs-luncheonette/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:22:18 +0000 admin http://www.isntthatjustspecial.com/index/?p=276 Check out today’s Groupon!  Only $15 for $30 value at this diner with three NYC locations.  You have until midnight, what do you have to lose?

http://www.groupon.com/new-york/

If you are into large crowds, and things like that, and are planning on going to the annual Halloween “I’m-having-a-heart-attack-because-I-am-crushed-between-spongebob-and-an-obese-belly-dancer” Parade, stop by Gonzo before and get two pizzas for the price of one!

http://www3.timeoutny.com/newyork/the-feed-blog/restaurants-bars/2009/10/cheap-eats-two-for-one-pizzas-at-gonzo-on-halloween/

Oysters are considered an aphrodisiac.  I’m not sure what about slurping raw mollusks out of a crusty shell people find arousing, but it definitely seems fancy.  And after the lobster poop incident last week, I figured I should continue my trend of ‘rich people food at poor people prices’ and go for the oysters.  Fear not all you 9-5ers, Fish’s ‘Red, White and Blue special’ is available all the time.  It consists of six blue point oysters, or clams, and a glass of wine or a PBR.  Oysters typically go for around $2 each in NYC, so this is a good deal already, and then add in some house merlot, and I couldn’t be happier.  But beware, entrees at this seafood joint are pretty pricey, so come in for the special, and then row your boat out the door before being tempted to spend $22 for seared scallops.  There is also a $19 all-you-can-eat steamed Maryland crab special from 12-3 everyday for your feasting pleasure.

The name of this restaurant sounds more like somewhere you’d walk your dog, or the title of a DVD that you would stash under the loose panel in your bedroom. But, in fact, is another all-you-can-drink brunch destination. Our meal began with a basket of freshly-baked mini-muffins. Mmm. The sign out front said ‘Brunch with unlimited drinks $13.95.’ Only partially accurate. The drinks had a 60-minute limit, which is lame, because everyone knows that the best brunches last three to four hours. (The waiter was nice though, and didn’t mind that we overstayed our welcome by a few hours.) Also, most of the entrée options on the menu said ‘plus two dollars’ or ‘plus three dollars’ next to the listing, making them NOT $13.95. So I had one of the three actual $13.95 plates, and my recent breakfast favorite, the huevos rancheros. It tasted fine, but the egg was a little rubbery, and in perfectly round patty form (a la Egg McMuffin), which made me question it’s integrity. The time limit, the higher price, and the below average food knock this down to a three hot-dog rating, but the frozen margaritas bring it back up to four. They are a perfect brunch drink that you seldom see on the menu. And who doesn’t love tequila in the morning? Not me!