NYC's Best Joints To BYOB
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<p>Flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/slice/470220333/sizes/z/in/photostream/">Adam Kuban</a></p><p></p><strong>Lucali Pizza</strong>: GQ once rated <a href="http://gothamist.com/2006/12/14/the_hungry_cabb_32.php">Lucali</a> as having the <a href="http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives/2009/05/alan-richman-gq-magazine-best-top-25-pizzas-in-the-us-america.html#308783">second best pizza in the country</a>, and they're still going strong. Regulars rave about the simplicity of their pies (cheese isn't grated until it's about to go on) and of course, their BYOB policy with a scant $4 corkage fee. However, one <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/lucali-brooklyn-3">Yelp reviewer warns</a>, "You WILL wait hours for a table if you aren't there right when they open."<p></p><em>575 Henry Street, Brooklyn; (718) 858-4086</em>
<strong>Afghan Kebab House:</strong> Plenty of the hookah bars on Steinway Street are BYOB (some even offer to run to the deli and get beer for you!) but <a href="http://www.afghankebabs.com/index.html">Afghan Kebab House</a> is worth eating at besides the booze. Try the Aushak Goushti (dumplings with ground meat and minted yogurt) as an appetizer, and you can't go wrong with any of the kebabs. Just know that you might have to share space with teenagers come to eat fries and impress their dates by blowing smoke rings.<p></p><em>2589 Steinway Street, Queens; (718) 777-7758</em>
<strong>Cherin:</strong> We've got a great date idea for you: meet your beloved in Union Square, grab a few bottles of two-buck Chuck at Trader Joe's and head to <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/cherin-sushi-new-york">Cherin Sushi</a> for the Early Bird special. The 6th Street sushi joint specializes in some unorthodox rolls, like the Jenny roll (shrimp and pineapple) and the Sushi Surfer (banana, eel & crunch on unagi sauce). Patrons bring everything from wine to sake to 40s of Colt 45. On weekdays before 8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays before 7:30 p.m. their Early Bird special means you get four rolls for $12.95. Just remember to bring a wine key!<p></p><em>306 East 6th Street, (212) 388-1348</em>
<p>Flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwy/4305187096/sizes/z/in/photostream/">LWY</a></p><p></p><strong>La Sirene:</strong> It's one thing for a restaurant to offer BYOB, but when they offer free wine delivery you know you've hit the jackpot. The West Village French bistro specializes in classics like Cassoulet, seared duck breast with port sauce and seared steak with roasted garlic. To pair with wine, call Hudson Wine & Spirits down the street for free delivery between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m., with no minimum order charge. Just remember that La Sirene is otherwise cash only.<p></p><em>558 Broome Street, (212) 925-3061</em>
<p>Via <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/ottomanellis-cafe-86-new-york">Yelp</a></p><p></p><strong>Ottomanelli's Cafe 86:</strong> The butchering family's Upper East Side cafe is the perfect no-frills Italian joint. The menu [<a href="http://www.nycotto.com/ottomanelli-york-menu.pdf">pdf</a>] is very red-sauce, with Italian-American spaghetti and meatballs, veal parmesan and lasagna made with meat from their meat market. They expand into "steakburgers" and BBQ chicken, too. And to top it off there is no cork fee for their BYOB. <p></p><em>1626 York Avenue, (212) 772-7722</em>
<p>Flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/essgee/3240495051/sizes/z/in/photostream/">EssG</a></p><p></p><strong>Indian Row</strong>: Though Cherin offers sushi, 6th Street between First and Second Avenues is best known for their endless, identical Indian restaurants, all of which happen to be BYOB. There is something for everyone, from the crazy lights at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/panna-ii-garden-indian-restaurant-new-york">Panna II</a> to the live music at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/raj-mahal-new-york">Raj Mahal</a>, but stop by <a href="http://www.dualspecialty.com/">Dual Specialty Store</a> on First Avenue between 5th and 6th Streets to stock up on some Kingfisher beer beforehand.
<p>Flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pabo76/2662730816/sizes/z/in/photostream/">Pabo76</a></p><p></p><strong>Wondee Siam:</strong> This small Thai chain is small, cash only and doesn't take reservations. But once you get in the Masaman curry can't be beat, and there's no fee for BYOB. According to a <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/wondee-siam-new-york-3?q=secret">few Yelp reviewers</a> there is a secret-but-not-too-secret menu featuring dishes like minced chicken with basil and crispy pork with Chinese broccoli.<p></p><em>792 9th Avenue, (212) 459-9057</em>
<p>Flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/edenpictures/3702235079/sizes/z/in/photostream/">edenpictures</a></p><p></p><strong>Angelica Kitchen</strong>: This longstanding <a href="http://www.angelicakitchen.com/">East Village vegetarian restaurant</a> offers Asian-inspired entrees made daily from local and sustainable sources, and their composting and food donation programs make sure as little as possible is wasted. So BYOB makes perfect sense hereâwhy overstock on wine when customers can just enjoy their own? There's also a communal table in case you were worried about dining and drinking alone. Check out their daily menu here [<a href="http://www.angelicakitchen.com/pdf/menus/daily_menu.pdf">pdf</a>]. <p></p><em>300 East 12th Street, (212) 228-2909</em>