Peachy Picks McCoy American Bistro Our Coverage Sponsored by Fresh Origins
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Yes Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus, and THIS is the real McCoy. Everyone knows that we are devoted American history enthusiasts (right down to Peachy's B.A. from Boston College in American History, most Irish Catholic school and best one too in America). When we can combine our love of history with our love of cuisine especially when it includes cocktails, you know we are all about it and you will be too. How many places have you gone that are so uber-secret and exclusive that there aren't even lights and you are handed your cocktail menu with a flashlight? Only one we can count...but more on that later. If we were name-droppers we'd tell you a laundry list of celebs that frequent this joint, and this cocktail part is by invitation only by our pal Sean the owner.
Check out that original cash register, and remember, no lights. This was Peachy's flash...but back to our story, and we love it when a place has a story. And listen to the one of the guy that this was named after! William "Bill" McCoy (1877-1948) was an American Sea Captain and Rum Runner during prohibition in the United States. In pursuing the trade of smuggling alcohol from the Bahamas to the East Coast seaboard off Long Island, known as "Rum Row," McCoy who never drank, took pride in the fact that he never paid a cent to organized crime, politicians or any law enforcement for protection. He called himself an "honest lawbreaker." There were 50,000 Speakeasys alone in New York City during prohibition. Americans could not quench their thirst for alcohol. Cheap booze was being made in every basement, bathtub or farm house across America to satisfy the demand for alcohol during the Roaring 20's. Bill McCoy was known to never water down his alcohol or slap a fake label on any of his cargo. So when you were in one of the many Speakeasys throughout the city, and were served great booze, it was frequently stated:
"This is the Real McCoy."
You know that means we began with alcohol....inspired by the South African booth at the New York Times Travel Show, Peachy sipped on Mwitu Pinotage which was robust and a splendid companion to the meal.
And by the way, for more on Prohibition, we suggest you read LAST CALL and also the interview with Mover and Shaker Sascha Rothchild - we bet she is lighting up Hollywood with her talents currently - and she's the granddaughter of famed Charlie Berns of 21. (she's also a BC alum! Peachy is proud to say she convinced Sascha to come to many hockey games there with her...) Friendly waiter Sonny Nelson was fantastic to work with and did everything right all night...Sonny also happens to know Destry Straight.
McCoy American Bistro was first featured in Tasty Tidbits:
and we are pleased to announce it has joined the ranks of Peachy's Picks.
As an appetizer, Peachy chose the warm and inviting Seafood Raviolo: fresh fish (we detected salmon), crab, shrimp, clams, parmesan, and ricotta teamed up to dance delightfully in a fresh plum garlic tomato sauce. A wonderful beginning!
We absolutely adore green salads and feel they are an essential component to each meal. Peachy opted for the field greens: baby sweet greens, grape tomatoes, feta and herb vinaigrette which is thoughtfully placed on the side. Note that McCoy does offer vegetarian and vegan dishes and Executive Chef Eric McCue prepares everything in house from scratch.
This building is since 1908, and it is festively adorned with its original black and white floor and subway tiles. It is so 2013 speakeasy!
One of Peachy's favorite bistro dishes is New York Strip Steak:
This one was medium just as she ordered, and the Creekstone Farms Black Angus was highlighted by herb butter and a cabernet demi glace which was tastefully tremendous. Some crispy fries thinly sliced and the plate was complete! Every bite of the juicy steak was absolutely divine and Peachy would order this again. However, succulent as this steak was, nothing edible was a match for sipping The Millionaire, which is the Gatsby cocktail of our dreams.
At the invitation of Sean, we were absolutely thrilled to go downstairs. We'll let you in on the fun, visually:
There's the light. The only light other than the flashlight to read your menu.
Ingredients of the Millionaire!
Note the menu changes monthly so go now to try it, if Sean invites you down...
The uber-talented bartender!
See the flashlights-we are not kidding one bit!
And here's Peachy's Millionaire:
And our panelist's Ginger Beer:
Finally, a lovely flourless cake was a terrific touch to a delightful evening:
Our esteemed panelist adds:
The new restaurant McCoy looks back to the Prohibition era with stiff inventive drinks and a polished space with a glowing bar upstairs and a hidden gem that you just have to experience for yourself downstairs. The menu, however, is entirely modern, with bistro favorites like strip steak and mac and cheese balanced by dishes focused on good grains and vegetables. Devoted vegan and carnivore friends will both find treats on this forward-thinking menu.
I started with the generous crab cake starter, a plump pillow of fresh crab with little filler nicely browned and served with a classic mustardy remoulade sauce. A crown of pleasantly piquant arugula leaves rounded out the palette.
The grains and greens salad - a robust mixture of faro and quinoa with dark ribbons of rainbow chard, tart cherries and salty feta – was substantial enough to be a whole meal.
King Salmon arrived perfectly cooked with a meltingly pink center and a gently spicy coriander crust. Sides of sweet roasted carrots, nutty quinoa and a complex red pepper puree rounded the dish out. It was both light and flavorful, the kind of dish you could come back to eat again and again.
A glass of Spanish Albarino, a zesty and bright white wine, brought all these dishes to life.
Before the lush tiramisu dessert arrived, the charming owner invited us to come downstairs for a little treat.
Behind heavy drapes was a modern speakeasy. Lucky for us, no cops would be beating down the doors, but the atmospherically dark space had just the right mood and they hand out little flashlights with the menu, it’s that dark. Here, a devoted bartender mixes both classic cocktails and will create a special drink based on a customer’s druthers. I had the house made ginger beer, which was perfectly spicy and refreshing. I’d like to come back to have it in a proper Dark and Stormy.
Go, hang out at McCoy and make sure to linger after in the downstairs bar, taking in a bit of history in modern New York City.
Peachy Picks McCoy American Bistro!
McCoy American Bistro is Recommended by Whom You Know.
