The Bridge Cafe

279 Water St. New York, NY 10038

Focus: Whiskey Bar and Tavern

While it is temporarily closed due to damages caused by Hurricane Sandy, it would be impossible to discuss historic Financial District hot spots without mentioning “the oldest drinking establishment in New York City.” Located in the shadow of the Brooklyn bridge, the building can trace its roots all the way back to 1794, and the business has been around since 1847. At various times a saloon, wine and grocer, boarding house and brothel, The Bridge Cafe has history in spades. The menu features appetizers of salmon-and-corn chowder, herb-breaded calamari, homemade duck cakes and pumpkin ravioli and entrees like smoked pork chop and medallions of filet mignon layered with blue cheese along with daily pasta and fish specials. They also claim to have the best soft shell crabs, rib-eye steak and lobster rolls in all of New York. In terms of drinks, there is a moderate wine list, but the focus here is on whiskey. The whiskey list--yes, it has its own list--alone is over four pages long, and features an almost overwhelming array of choices from 34 year old Bruichladdich Islay Malt to 23 year-old Vintage Handcrafted Rye.

The New

Wall & Water

75 Wall St. New York, NY 10005

Focus: Farm-to-Table Fine Dining

For those looking for the elegance of fine-dining without the pretentiousness, Wall & Water is an excellent option. Simplicity and elegance are the guiding principles here, and they are reflected in everything from the menu to the decor. The interior was designed by the Rockwell group, and echoes the modern sophistication and natural focus of the cuisine. Chef Máximo López May has created a modest menu based around precisely executed American dishes. Wall & Water uses the market-to-table approach, and ingredients such as fish, meat, cheese and farm-fresh fruit and vegetables are sourced from Hudson Valley farms and markets. As a result, the menu is seasonal and incorporates locally produced fresh ingredients. Classic dishes are prepared using traditional cooking methods such as smoked meats, as well as simple yet delicious baked goods. New York Times reviewer Sam Sifton recommends “the salt-cod casserole...with peas and potatoes and cream; or pork-belly confit out of the modern age, with sautéed collards and rosemary-scented apples, with a fat-cutting horseradish sauce.”

Demi Monde

90 Broad St. New York, NY 10004

Focus: Vibrant and Sexy Cocktail Lounge

This destination promises a night of bacchanalian delights, and what else would you expect from a cocktail lounge that takes its name from an antiquated term for “mistress?”  The website description makes it out to be a safe-haven for “hedonistic lifestyle[s]” and “endless exploration,” but don’t let that scare you off. A simple cafe by day, Demi Monde may not be quite as racy as they would lead you to believe. With that said, the black leather couches, red velvet curtains and the all-female waitstaff decked out in see-through outfits and high heels do set a certain sultry mood. Set in an area not known for its spicy nightlife, Demi Monde’s ambience and DJ after 10 PM make it a great destination for a late date.

The clientele is generally wealthy businessmen (and their clients or dates), but there is no strict dress code and the prices are more than reasonable for the area. The food menu, designed by Vandaag and Mother Ruin’s Phillip Kirschen-Clark, consists largely of seafood, including Vermont pickled oysters, caviar and cream cheese tea sandwiches, and pork tenderloin with a risotto of apple and licorice. While appetizing, it is not an extensive menu, and if you’re looking for large selection and multiple-course meal, you should consider looking elsewhere. The emphasis here is on the drinks, and Demi Monde features a list of almost 100 varieties of cocktails. Champagnes, wines, and homemade sodas are also available.