CARACAS

FIRST COURSE

Rockaway Beach in Queens has completely revamped their food scene. With a brand new selection of top notch eats, not to mention a re-done boardwalk and clean bathrooms, this is undoubtedly the number one beach destination for young, beautiful New Yorkers. Dubbed, “The Williamsburg of Queens”, this newly ultra-hip area of Far Rockaway has come a long way. Gone are the days of mediocre sno-cones and neon yellow nacho cheese dusted with sand. Memorial Day weekend debuted some new, fantastic food stalls serving updated versions of tired beach classics. Now you can nosh a Thai beach burger with pickled mango at Ode to the Elephants, or scarf some potato or chorizo flautas with a side of chips and guacamole at Rockaway Taco. A Manhattan and Brooklyn favorite, Caracas Areapa Bar, has also opened its doors on the shore, offering their signature Venezuelan style arepas and empanadas. The iced coffee is potent and flows like wine right next door at Blue Bottle Coffee, which opens early enough for surfers to catch a quick espresso buzz before riding the waves. Walk down the wooden path to Babycakes and treat yourself to a vegan donut before staking out a place in the sand. With so many choices, it’s hard to commit to just one beach side snack. Don’t deny yourself the fried shrimp goodness or the frozen chocolate dipped bananas at Motorboat & the Big Banana. And if you’re already having trouble squeezing into that teeny, tiny bikini, stick to the cucumber juice with mint and agave at Rippers.

FIRST COURSE

I am proud of where I live, and having lived there for a grand total of six weeks, I feel it is my privilege, nay, my responsibility, to report some comings and goings that are occurring. This is not a gossip piece, so much as a ‘heads up.’ In the heart of the East Village, where trendy just gets trendier, there is more to be excited about.

I never realized when I first moved in to my new apartment, just what kind of neighborhood I was getting myself involved with, and now that I’ve been living there a grand total of six weeks, I feel a veritable local, and am assuming the responsibility of showing off that I live in a cooler part of the city than you. That, and I want to draw attention to some new developments happening on 7th Street.

FIRST COURSE

Luke's Lobster
Cuisine: Seafood
Price Range: Inexpensive

East Village
93 E. 7th Street
(between 1st and 2nd Avenue)
New York, NY
(212) 387-8487

There are only a few places in this country that command an almost dream-like state. Maine on a foggy morning, with the sun cresting out of the Atlantic, the foothills and lakes undisturbed by man lying before you, is surely one of them.

If lucky enough to find yourself in the serene towns and forests of the northern state, there is truly only one thing to do that will define the experience, and that is grab a 2 lb. lobster, (smaller means younger, which means better) a cracker, and feast.

Unfortunately not everyone has the chance to venture so far for a meal, so it is with delight that I bring news of a newly opened Maine-inspired lobster restaurant in New York. Luke’s Lobster just opened at 93 E. 7th street, straddled by the two Caracas store fronts, and it’s serving up the freshest lobster, crab, and shrimp rolls delivered straight from Maine fishing harbors. Luke Holden, the proprietor of this modest seafood eatery, gets his meat directly from his father, owner of the Portland Shellfish, Inc. Luke’s is dishing out 4 oz. lobster rolls for $14, 2 oz. rolls for $8, and shrimp and crab rolls for $7 and $8, respectively. Another childhood favorite, empress crab claw, is on the menu for a dollar a piece.

Holden, only 25, started this business as side project to his day job as a financier. After finding some backing, and having the unique position of being able to call upon family to deliver recently caught Maine shellfish, the lobster shack was born.

Promising the freshest seafood possible, and at a price lower than most other restaurants selling lobster rolls, Luke’s may become a staple of those looking for a little piece of Maine in the Big Apple.

Hours:
Sunday thru Wednesday: 11 am - Midnight
Thursday: 11 am - 1 am
Friday and Saturday: 11 am - 2 am

FIRST COURSE

Caracas
291 Grand Street
(between Havemeyer and Roebling Street)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 218-6050
www.caracasarepabar.com

Manhattan's Caracas Arepa Bar expands to Williamsburg, Brooklyn this week. The original Caracas opened in 2003 at 93 ½ E 7th Street and serves up authentic homemade Venezuelan food, mainly arepas, Venezuelan bread stuffed with meat, cheese and veggies. The restaurant will offer over a dozen different arepas, from LaPaisa (mild cheese $4.50) and Reina Pepiada (chicken with avocado $6.50).