Cellar Bar
NAME: Shawn Sugrue
ESTABLISHMENT: STK (26 Little West 12th St., 646-624-2444)
WHY YOU NEED TO KNOW HIM: No steak is complete without the perfect Manhattan, and Sugrue is so good he can adjust the strength of your drink to the temperature of your steak.
HOW TO GET HIS ATTENTION: Tell him, “I like bourbon.” You won’t remember too much after that.
NAME: Chris Rosado
ESTABLISHMENT: Tanuki Tavern (Hotel Gansevoort, 18 Ninth Ave., 212-660-6766)
WHY YOU NEED TO KNOW HIM: Nothing impresses a date at a sushi restaurant more than a fine knowledge of that dangerous Japanese liquor, sake. Thankfully Rosado is an expert and can help you bluff your way to libational bliss.
HOW TO GET HIS ATTENTION: Ask him —in Japanese—how his night is going. (Ogenki desuka konban?)
NAME: Kristin Muri
ESTABLISHMENT: Cellar Bar (Bryant Park Hotel, 40 W. 40th St., 212-869-0100)
WHY YOU NEED TO KNOW HER: Catering to models and the fashion crowd at Cellar Bar has taught Muri how to make delicious drinks with half the calories. This lady can make you a “skinny girl” version of just about anything.
HOW TO GET HER ATTENTION: When she’s not slinging drinks, Muri is traveling the world with her ATV. Debate the merits of the single-cylinder engine to get her talking for hours.
NAME: T.J. Lynch
ESTABLISHMENT: The Breslin (16 West 29th St., 212-679-1939)
WHY YOU NEED TO KNOW HIM: The New York Times called the latest of Ken Friedman’s gastropubs, The Breslin, “Hogwarts for Hipsters.” If that’s the case, Lynch is its Harry Potter: cute, a little wicked and magical with a mixer.
HOW TO GET HIS ATTENTION: Order the house specialty, the Pickle Back—Jameson chased with a shot of homemade pickle juice—and try not to wince.
