Daily dose of my “Subway Mixing” playlist

Today’s preview, Peter Bjorn And John- “Nothing to Worry About”

You all know my new found love for brunch and I’m always looking for a new place to check out. Recently that “new place” was Southern Hospitality on the Upper East Side. Since we went to Lowcountry about a month ago I’ve been craving some more southern food. I’ll admit while I’ve never actually visited the south I can tell just from the New York impression that they have some mean cooking down there. In fact, I wouldn’t mind a visit to try out some real authentic grits. Until then, my city grits will have to do.

Southern Hospitality is deemed by my friends as “Justin Timberlake’s bar” because he is one of the founders and has been known to make appearances in the neighborhood. Along with Justin Timberlake, Eytan Sugarman, and Trace Ayalaco-own the restaurant as well that also just recently opened another location in Hell’s Kitchen. The Upper East Side is located between 76th and 77th street on Second Avenue, but is one place I hadn’t made it to yet.

At brunch I decided what better thing to get at a southern restaurant than biscuits and gravy with cheddar grits. I have to say it was a satisfying decision.

I definitely think I’m a fan of grits in general and the cheddar grits were the perfect addition to my main course. The biscuits and gravy were cooked perfectly with large pieces of sausage mixed into the gravy. Top the meal off with some over-easy eggs and you have yourself a nice start to the morning. I’d would suggest their food to anyone looking for a little taste of the south. Where else can you watch fishing on the tvs in the city while eating brunch?

Recently we headed downton for a friend’s Birthday party at a bar called the Aspen Social Club down near Times Square. Being right by Times Square I didn’t really know what to expect because it is an area filled with tourists at all hours of the day and night. Typically, if you ask any New Yorker it’s an area that people avoid at all costs, unless they work there. That being said the nightlife near there doesn’t have the best of reputation always. 

Stepping into Aspen Social Club was exactly as the name suggests, like walking into a lodge in Aspen. Animal horns (probably fake) mounted, wood wrapped walls and ceilings, and dimly lit (more so than the photos). 

The crowd there was a little less skier type than say a real Aspen club would have been and a little bit more Jersey Shore. That may be a generalization I place on girls barely wearing dresses with dark fake tans and guys with gelled overly spiky hair, but that gives you some kind of visual. 

The front part of the bar connects to a candle lit hallway with seating into another large room that was used as a dance floor. The ceiling was so cool looking with antlers (again, probably fake) wrapped in with the light fixtures.

Overall it was an okay place to go. The drinks were well out-priced while tasting pretty awful along with the bartenders being pretty rude made me second guess this place. Really, the decor was the saving grace of this place. I think I might have enjoyed it better for a Happy Hour or dinner rather than a crowded night out. I’d give it a B- at best.