Meaghan Dorman’s Favorite NYC Spots for Excellent Drinks — and Food

“Milly’s is on Bedford Avenue, and that’s my neighborhood. It’s been a welcome addition, because it’s right off the train. I can either go from [the station] or on a day off, because I kind of have a rule on my days off about not getting on a train.

“It’s just very comfy. It’s one of those places that, even though it’s new, it feels like it’s been there much longer. There’s a lot of attention to detail in the sound, sometimes they have a DJ, but even during earlier service, the music is very good. The sound is great, but you can still have a conversation.

“The drinks are fantastic. My favorite nightcap there is called Temperature Rising. It’s kind of like an old fashioned riff with a little cacao and ancho chile. So especially over the winter months, that’s been a good one for me. Plus, they have chopped cheese, egg rolls, which I feel like is so fun for New York people.

“I’m ideally sitting at the bar, but they have a nice row of window seats too.”

“I was so excited for this, because I’ve had drinks from Fabiola [Juarez, chef and beverage director] over the years. I know her; she was so excited about the combination of the food and drinks there. If you’re excited, I’m excited, you know?

“The tuna tostada is so good. The food feels very familiar if you’ve had Mexican cuisine, but it feels very new to me. It feels signature. It feels like it’s their menu and their recipes are things that they’ve definitely paired to be part of the drinking experience and meant to be shared, which is fun.

“I have gone there solo most of the time, and it’s just a friendly place to go solo. But once I escaped early [from work] for happy hour, and I have to say it’s the best quality for price happy hour in New York. They’re so nice. They’re like, ‘you have five more minutes for another taco?’ I’m like, ‘yes, throw it in.’

“Every time I’m there, it seems like the agave selection is growing. So, for fans of agave spirits in New York, it would be a great place to check out.”

“I have been dreaming about this oxtail gratin that they have since I had it. It is so good, and it definitely stood out to me. I knew the drinks would be great, because Chris Figueroa is very talented. I think they do a great job with nice little aperitivo on the menu. The White Mirage is sort of on the martini spectrum, but I found it delicious before my dinner. They have a nice Champagne by the glass. I’m a Champagne girl, so I always appreciate when people are still pouring it by the glass. I know it’s a little pricey, but I always go for the real deal when I can.

“And, again, it’s really this oxtail for me. It was so delicious, so comforting and I just think it speaks to the place — that it’s so unique I’ve literally been thinking about it since I had it.

“I’ve eaten at the bar solo before, and then I brought my family in for a big dinner, which was fun, because I got to try way more stuff. But, I do think it’s definitely friendly for bar dining. You have enough real estate, it’s a comfy seat. It’s definitely meant to work for a meal.

“They just opened a little cocktail bar downstairs, which I actually haven’t visited yet. Next time I’m going to make it a dinner plus after-dinner drink experience.”

“I know it’s an industry favorite, but it’s because it’s so good. It’s always different, which is fun. You don’t know,  necessarily, what you’re walking into.

“For me, I know it’s a hard reservation to get, but I’ve had very good luck walking in either by myself or with one other person a little towards the end of service, maybe nine o’clock. I always feel like I won the lottery when they say, ‘Oh yeah, you could sit right away.’

“Especially after work, I’ve already made so many decisions for people. I’m so happy to hand it over. The staff is always so knowledgeable, and they can walk you through all the wine choices.”

“I think it’s fun, because the staff is so nice and so welcoming. This place also has very good sound. They usually have a DJ spinning vinyl, which is such a nice vibe for me. I’m a big music fan. There’s a very good selection of cool natural wines, some fun cocktails. And again, a very knowledgeable staff that can walk you through what to have.

“It’s one of those places, for me, that I don’t want to leave, which is always a sign to me that that’s a good place. I want to have one more! Or if someone asks if I want to try another place – no, not really. I want to stay.”

Walk-ins only.