Whole movement happening now where being secret and low-key about something is almost as important as not not telling someone else about the secret. Imagine a secret you don't tell anyone about? Shocking.
There are three of four places in NYC that are secret establishments, and the fact that I know about them might mean they aren't doing a great job of keeping them so secret. Tonight I took a colleague to one of these locations in the city called PDT (Please Don't Tell) at 113 St. Marks Place. This is a real low-key, tight (meaning small) spot with a great vibe and killer cocktails. You enter through a phone booth inside Crif Dogs of the same address. Simply walk in the phone booth, lift the phone, press the button and someone answers and cracks the wall without saying a word. I said, "Two at the bar, please" and she opened it all the way with a smile.(more photos here)
The bartender was a super-nice guy who told us all about the drinks, the beginning of the bar, and how long they'd been open, almost a year. I didn't feel like a newcomer to the room, and not like a tourist either. Just like one of the folks there to enjoy a drink, a hot dog (I mean Crif Dogs is next door - so they serve the menu), and some quiet conversation. The music wasn't too loud, the employees weren't cheesy or pushy, and everyone in the bar looked like they were just sitting at home having a drink and not trying to be seen or pick up someone for a date.
Low key, conversational, friendly - now that I think of it, maybe I shouldn't write this entry and just keep the place my secret?
