1. Caracas Arepa Bar – Arepa Transcendence
If you like anything flavorful, spiced-up, hearty or exotic, the arepas at Caracas Arepa Bar are
going to hit the spot! What is an arepa? An arepa is a highly versatile pita- esque corn-flour
sandwich pocket, golden and crispy on the outside yet spongy, smooth and dense within.
Versatile because this Venezuelan staple dish has been traditionally eaten for any and every meal
and stuffed with nearly any kind of filling one can imagine, here at Caracas they are serving up a
wide and succulent array of the arepa flavor rainbow.
At Caracas Arepa Bar nestled into the heart of the east village, you may happily greet a clever
but to-the-point menu. Don’t be intimidated by the authentic Spanish names of each tasty arepa;
their sumptuous descriptions are simple and clear. Take a seat in the cozy, dim-lit, Venezuelan-
themed dining room and order yourself an arepa or two along with a sidekick (the craftily-named
selection of appetizers or sides) and a tangy drink to temper a bit of the coming delicious arepas
with a kick.
The general premise of the arepa “middle” offered at Caracas consists of succulent meat, salty or
spicy melted cheese, varying combinations of black beans, sautéed peppers or jalapenos, fried
plantains, or caramelized onions, and of course (this is an absolute must!) the chimi-churri sauce.
The chimi-churri sauce is a Caracas homemade specialty that can and possibly should be doused
upon every dish. The most traditional and popular arepas are comprised of De Pabellón
(shredded beef, black beans, salty cheese and fried plantains), La Sureña (grilled chicken,
chorizo, and avocado, all infused with a spicy chimi-churri) and one of the many vegetarian
options, La Mulata (grilled white cheese with jalapenos, black beans, sautéed peppers and
plantains). Many of these zesty options can be made vegetarian upon request.
As for the sidekicks, you really can’t go wrong. The Yoyos (plantains fried in cinnamon batter),
Croquetas of yucca-potato, corn and chorizo, and the Tequeños (think Venezuelan cheese sticks)
are spot-on with no BS. Cool your taste buds from the chimi-churri with a house-made fresh-
squeezed juice in flavors of the day such as mango, passion fruit and guava. This is insanely
delicious Venezuelan arepa mania and nothing less.
by: Alyssa Lauren Moorhead

2. Jeffrey’s Grocery – Don’t Let the Name Fool You...
This picturesque West Village bistro and seafood bar, set within exposed-brick walls with plenty
of elegant candles and very warm service feels more like dining with one’s own well-dressed,
quirky family than anything like a grocery store. With a rotating array of chefs from the Little
Wisco cooking family to prepare for you the freshest seafood you could ask for and a divine
dinner and cocktail menu, Jeffrey’s Grocery is all you could hope for in a west village dinner
destination, and more!
Once seated in this charming little spot, you can hardly go wrong with any of the raw seafood
choices, appetizers, or mains! But if one has to be choosy, some of the favorite appetizers
include the succulent daily catch of oysters or king crab legs as well as the roasted red beets
(pickled apples, pecans, blue cheese and honey vinegar). As far as entrees, the duck pot pie or
the poached lobster (broken spaghetti with clams, leeks and tomato) are decadent, the braised
shortribs are utterly divine, (braised shortribs atop a saturated baguette with melted gruyere
cheese all floating in an onion soup broth) and any of the daily chef specials are sure to be
deliciously memorable.
A few of the unique cocktail selections include the Panacea (Gin, Mexcal, honey- ginger liqueur,
and lemon) and the Blue Sky Lie. (coconut Pisco, Chai-infused St. Germaine Ramazotti, lemon,
egg white and lavender bitters) And don’t skip the tasty desserts, such as the chocolate cherry
bread pudding or peanut butter tart. This is a West Village dinner experience that you won’t be
able to forget.
by: Alyssa Lauren Moorhead

3. Clinton Street Baking Company; All the Classics with a
Southern Twang
Few bakeries can outshine their own legend in a single bite, but believe me when I say that
Clinton Street Baking is doing just that. What started out as an absurdly drool- worthy bakery
turning out prize-winning pies, cookies, brownies, and cakes galore has now turned into a full-
fledged restaurant as well as brunch hot-spot that succeeds in making every bite on their menu
unforgettable! Clinton Street Baking has become famous for their criminally tasty array of pies
such as chocolate-banana cream pie, blueberry crumb pie, key lime meringue pie and the classic
scratch-made fresh fruit pie of the day, and now rightfully earned themselves a legendary
reputation for and surprisingly innovative pancakes.
Furthermore, February just happens to be pancake month, which means a fresh new flavor at
Clinton Street almost every day. Some of these funky yet scrumptious flavors will include-
Pistachio frangipane with real burgundy cherries and roasted, crushed pistachios, German
chocolate pancakes, roasted organic pecans, caramel, fresh coconut, bittersweet chocolate sauce,
Japanese pumpkin pancakes with pumpkin seed streusel and warm maple butter, and many more.
While Clinton Street Baking already serves up a short version of their luxurious brunch menu as
a breakfast for dinner’ option every day of the week, for the month of February you can order the
new February flavors for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
However, don’t be fooled by the lavish pancake flavors- Clinton Street can do it up simple just as
well, and with a southern twang at that! Among mouth-watering mains you will find the
buttermilk fried chicken with honey-Tabasco sauce, a Creole-style spicy shrimp and cheesy grits
served with signature deep fried green tomatoes, and a sugar bacon burger. Some of the
slammin’ southern sides include crispy Vidalia onion rings, jalapeno cornbread, and crisped kale.
If you’re in the mood for some breakfast or brunch, Clinton Street offers a large smattering of
diverse options, including Huevos Rancheros, brioche French toast with caramelized bananas
and pecans and more. The eggs benedict is simply spectacular, served with maple-cured ham or
house smoked salmon over perfect buttermilk biscuits — all smothered with a house-made
hollandaise. Clinton Street not only has something for everyone, but also has reached perfection
on the classics that should not be missed!
by: Alyssa Lauren Moorhead