Blue Smoke: From the mouthwatering aroma of barbecue that greets you at the door to the friendly, down-to-earth wait staff, this bar/restaurant invites informality and indulgence, and they’re not just blowing smoke. Out of place in a neighborhood full of precious wine bars and themed pubs, Blue Smoke is refreshingly relaxing, unpretentious, and, above all, thirst-quenching. With 34 varieties of bourbon and whiskey, the appealing Blue Smoke Original Ale, and intriguing cocktails like Coltrane’s Resolution, one could get lost upstairs and miss the live jazz downstairs. Definitely don’t miss the Southern-style ribs, noteworthy barbecue, and of course, mac and cheese. Jazz and Murray Hill may seem an odd pairing, but the $15-$30 downstairs cover is justified by what’s on the stage, more so than what’s in the neighborhood. |
