BAR OF THE WEEK: COUNTRY CLUB
BY ELIZABETH THOMPSON:
You'll be hard-pressed to find blue blazers and Talbot's
sweater sets at Country Club, the newest velvet-roped
addition to West 14th Street from owners Will DeMeo
and Cincinnati Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo. But judging
by the club's proximity to the Meat Packing District,
and leggy waitresses teetering around in stilettos the
night we visited, you won't see many clothes at all.
Located in the former Dirty Disco space, interior designer
Jeani Ziering has created a snazzier take on the stodgy
clubhouse, forgoing oil portraits and wingbacked chairs
for '40s-era light fixtures, and banquettes upholstered
in faux alligator skin and green and white striped fabric
evocative of the Beverly Hills Hotel's pool deck chairs.
(We've seen Troop Beverly Hills like a milli times).
Their extensive bellini menu, however, is the real draw.
Here, the classic prosecco cocktail has been reworked
into 10 renditions with flavors like Roasted Pear, Blood
Orange and, for the brave, Chocolate Espresso (made
with Patron XO coffee liqueur). Snacks include a truffled
grilled cheese sandwich, peaches wrapped in prosciutto
and basil and caramel corn. The crowd-weary should undoubtedly
avoid this place on weekends, but reserved as an early
after work drinks go to (it opens at 5 p.m. on Tuesdays
and Wednesdays), CC is sure to provide be a leisurely
time.
Country Club
248 W. 14th St.
(212) 367-0822
Closed
Sundays and Mondays!
Papermag
August 2008
