Dinner and a Song

Cafe Drake always enjoys a soundtrack whilst supping, and live music is even more of a treat than a perfect playlist provided the performers are entertaining. Just around the corner lies a neglected neighborhood haunt, Pete's Candy Store (709 Lorimer Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn) where the early 2000s often found us on Sunday nights inhaling the $8 Cosmopolitans served in pint glasses (yes, that's right, there WAS a New York for adults before Bloomberg's reign of compulsory banality). We're happy to report that Pete's still has a pull, namely now in their widely expanded series of readings and musical performances. A recent visit rewarded us with soothing neo-folk stylings of an untitled band from the New Weird America school of warbling, a couple of grilled sandwiches ($7 each and the Cajun Turkey with Pickled Jalapenos was a standout) and two new cocktail discoveries - an ultra sweet but highly antioxidizing Blueberry Pomegranate Margarita ($9) and the French Gimlet ($8), a potent blend of gin, Chambord and fresh lime. We'll be returning in the next couple of weeks to check out music from the best and Young Man About Town.

Pricier and more atmospheric is Monkeytown (58 North 3rd Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn), mentioned many times on this site before but now with a new, revised menu and subtly redesigned dining room. Good news on our exploratory first visit since Fall 2006: starters were exceptional (a baby beet salad with mangoes and pickled garlic ($8) and also braised beef cheeks in a taso ham and green onion sauce ($10)). Entrees were not as spectacular but extra points for creativity to a platter of short ribs (we were obsessed with the cow on this visit after nearly three days of salads and fish) and curried oatmeal cakes, sided with haricots verts, heirloom baby carrots and a wide variety of other select produce; at $15 this is the best-priced main course in the house as well. All manner of music, video and art installation can still be enjoyed in the enormous back room - we're looking forward to an upcoming gig by Cafe Drake pals Christine Hart and Kelly Jackson's electro-duo Macaque on June 22.