Spin, Din & Fresh Salt

Many of my pals are politically inclined. None more so than my friends Celeste and Tom, who actually work in city government. So, it was apt that our Friday night plans were to sit in front of the tube to listen to the Presidential debate.

Entertainment aside, I gotta say that the Malaysian fare that was brought in from Jaya was top-notch. Tom and I practically inhaled our huge order of Pork with Ginger, rich, fragrant and meaty, puncuated by slices of zucchini. Even the white rice, as Celeste noted, was particularly tasty.

It was hard to focus our attention away from the food and on to the television screen. But, the political thrust and parry, was definitely worthy of our attention. Fearing we might have given politics short-shrift over our plates, after the debate concluded, we sought out a pundit-free environment to discuss the candidates.

Where did we go? A bar of course. Lord knows, no one ever gets up a soap box and begins political rantings and ravings at a water hole. (Note: Last line should be read with appropriate level of sarcasm.)

Since Celeste and Tom live in the South Street Seaport area, I had to admit that I was unfamiliar with the bar scene in their 'hood. Luckily, my VittlesVamp skills were unnecessary. They already had a brand-new drinking spot in mind: Fresh Salt. Only open a month and situated on an off-the-beaten-path block of Beekman between Water and Front, a stones throw away from what will soon be the former location of the Fulton Fish Market, it's one of those great, hidden bars that's worth a pit stop, if you happen to be in the nabe for business or pleasure. Besides, any place that can make a proper Sidecar and a proper Negroni is alright by me.

Not sure what I'll be up to for the next debate, this Wednesday. But, if Celeste and Tom want to pull another Jaya/Fresh Salt evening, they've got my vote.