BLACK TAP

By Irene Toscano

I'm not one for the long lines. I usually give up if the hostess tells me there is more than 25-minute waiting. Well, we all know New York City's standard of a 40-minute wait is normal, but whatever, right? We are New Yorkers after all, and the suffer-in-silence, stoic-expression, we-love-lines and bring-it-on face comes with the territory.

But one Friday night, I made an exception to my golden rule and armed myself with plenty of patience, and an extra smile for the bouncer, and internalized my waiting in line for about an hour and half to finally reach the holy grail, which for any 20-something year old in the city nowadays goes by the name of Black Tap.

If you haven't seen their "oh, so popular," over the top, extra colorful, Instagram-ready, Charlie chocolate factory kind of shakes, then you are probably living in an alternate reality. And probably you haven't heard the words Instagrammers & Insta-famous – yes, it’s a thing – but rest assured you are in for a crash-course. For a real treat that would totally make you forget you just waited outside, standing, for almost 2 hours alongside a bunch of self-absorbed Instagrammers (Lol, I guess I’m one of them … )

But let’s talk abut what we came here for. Is the food worth the hype? So, the menu is basic, as their decor, staples Americana Food and it all rotate around their selection of shakes, beers, and burgers – but yes, oh so up to par.

I've been following their Instagram for quite a while - you should follow them too! - but I don't think I was ready for their actual shakes. Of course I had to order the ever-popular cotton candy shake. Because why not, right? I mean you are probably breaking your organic - vegan - no gluten, no dairy, no nuts, no nothing food diet which you will end up regretting it in the morning anyway, so why don’t "go out in style"? Other than say that it was just perfection, I really can’t describe it. 

My friend played a bit boring for my taste and went with a traditional Cookie Shake - I know, right? - but surprise of all surprises Black-Tap’s Cookie Shake "ain't your regular Joe’s" Cookie Shake either. Even I have to admit it was equally impressive. By no means, Black Tap does anything standard. 

And since I was there, and I had already broken my golden rule, my diet routine and eliminated any health consciousness I have. I ordered the burger, too.  We opted to share the wagyu beef burger with house buttermilk-dill and blue cheese & arugula called “THE GREG NORMAN” - by the way I haven’t figured out the naming system they have yet, another visit is in order! - and ta-da! it was perfect, too. What is it with junk foods and endorphin? 

Black Tap is definitely an experience, probably worth going back at least a few times to taste the different options they have, but give yourselves few weeks in between, will ya?! We wouldn’t want to do our next chat on how to lose 10 pounds pronto, would we?

INFO

Prices: Low to Mid   |   Good for: friends night out; easy date |   Vote: 2 Thumbs Up & then some   |   Click here to visit Black Tap website

MORE FOOD & DRINKS