In preparation for my weekend in Memphis, and to satiate Bennett’s craving for USA BBQ, we had some supper at R.U.B. I jumped on the meat plate (above pic). I augmented a delicious plate of pastrami, brisket and pulled pork with a quarter rack of St. Louis style ribs. Slaw and greens for good measure. Washed it down with a sweet tea. But that is the standard. The app was what got me.
Bennett and Jen were both really excited about getting a Frito Pie. I was not paying attention and thought that it was named for no particular reason. In all my BBQ stops I had never heard of this. I suppose it is a HUGE oversight. At least from the girls perspective it was. When it arrived along side the hush puppies (pic above) I realized what it actually was. For those who don’t know either, it’s a bag of Fritos oped up flat. Then chili and cheese are dumped on top. Boom, it hits the table. I have to say it was good but I am all biz in a BBQ joint. I realized that this Pie simply is something that can make me eat less ribs and that is a bad thing. So a few bites in I resigned the fork and let the girls have at it.
We ended the night by checking out Sweetiepie, the new hot dessert shop in Greenwich Village. As soon as I walking in I knew the experience would be interesting. A giant birdcage with a table inside of it sat to my right and to my left was a row of tables stretching the length of the restaurant. One of the 50’s style, bow-tie wearing, hipster, waiters pointed to Bennett and Jen sitting at the last table on the back of the restaurant. As I walked towards them I realized that every patron in the store was a woman. A young, attractive woman no less. I reached the table and sat down on the ornate, high backed, red leather seat. A white, marble-ish table was slide against my stomach and the ornate menus were handed to us by the buddy Holly glasses wearing waiter. They ordered the Sundaes pictured below and I ordered a coffee. My coffee came in this girlie-girl frilly tea set that pushed me deeper into this dollhouse fantasy/nightmare I was “really” living. I lifted my eyes up from the table and took in the entire restaurant, front door to the cup in my hand. It was an extremely well designed restaurant with every detail matching the theme. Not that I could hear, but the patrons were all clearly engaged in girl talk as they paused only to put something chocolate or whipped between their lips.
To say that Sweetiepies is only for woman is a lie. In fact, as a single guy in NYC, this might be the perfect place for a guy. Of course, you have to like Cinderella, have a fast metabolism and know the latest on Brangelina to get a word in edgewise. So, with that I am off to pick up the latest copy of US Weekly and start studying.
R.U.B.
208 W 23rd St
New York, NY 10011
(212) 524-4300
Sweetiepie Restaurant
19 Greenwich Avenue, at 10th Street
New York NY
