What is better than hot apple cider? Hot apple sider with rum.
Last Tuesday night, while the rest of New York City panicked over the impending snow storm, I relaxed in the lodge-like ambiance of Bua Bar, located in the heart of the East Village on St. Marks Place. Dimly lit, Bua (Gaelic for “victory”) perfectly combines chaos with class—the two-room-large space flooded with a twenty-something crowd reeks the thrill of a dive bar, while the speakeasy décor of exposed brick walls and long, oak tables and benches leaks a sophisticated essence onto the scene.
Effortlessly finding a space at the bar (not always an easy feat at Bua on non-snowy or weekend nights), I was greeted by the bartender as if we were old friends.
While waiting for my cider to be prepared, my friends and I commented on the rotating chalkboard-quote posted behind the bar. Tonight it read: “We always admire the other person more after we’ve tried to do his job.” by William Faulkner. (My personal favorite William Faulkner quote is “I never know what I think about something until I read what I’ve written on it.”)
Soon, my collins glass cocktail was ready, its presentation polished with a garnish of dried apple slices. Seduced by the apple cinnamon steam that rose from the rim, I took my first sip. At first I was startled by the barkeep’s heavy-handed rum spike, but then my swallow finished with a sweet cider taste and warmed my body from the winter winds.
Bua’s menu, also presented on a wall-mounted chalkboard, is short but full of flavor. My friends and I ordered dinner. The pulled pork sliders, three challah rolls stuffed with Berkshire pork, arrived first. The meat was moist and smoky; the challah fluffy and sweet.
Grilled cheese is Bua’s specialty. Available in three varieties, aged cheddar, tallegio, and gruyere, it is served on thick-cut Pullman slices. Our sandwich arrived, buttery but not greasy, crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside.
Both the sliders and grilled cheese were served with Bua’s house pickles and wholegrain mustard. The “icing on the cake” is Bua’s mustard on the sandwich, bringing my meal into perfection. And, after sharing the $9 sliders and $6 grilled cheese, I still had some money left in my pocket.
Outside the snow continued to fall. Bartender, another round!