PUNK SLOPE: THISTLE HILL TAVERN ROCKS

At FIPS, we may have ditched our suburban punk roots in favor of a more mainstream lifestyle.  We may have ditched our band t-shirts and studded belts for button-down shirts and pearl earrings.  Our 16-year-old selves are always in the back of our minds screaming, "TRAITOR! YOU FUCKING TRAITOR!" as we're in line at Ann Taylor, buying sensible work slacks.  But we have NOT, I repeat, NOT forgot our roots.

That's why, I was intruiged by NOFX's Fat Mike opening Thistle Hill Tavern in South Slope. 

Would Cokie the Clown be a mainstay?  Are all tequila drinks going to be served with a splash of urine?  SO MANY [POTENTIALLY HORRIFYING] QUESTIONS.

Well, I'm here to report that your fears of getting punked (see what I did there?) at dinner are just about zero.

Fat Mike and his antics are missing from the equation, and the place is helmed by an all-star threesome of proprietors—Chef Rebecca Weitzman (Mesa Grill, 'inoteca), General Manager David Massoni (Babbo, Esca, 'inoteca), and Bar Manager John Bush (2A, Niagara).

What results is a restaurant that manages to be cozy and casual, while still keeping the bar high for food, drinks, and service.  Their salt and pepper fries (which were named one of the city's "100 best things to eat and drink in 2010" by Time Out New York) are out of control amazing, but despite their namesake, they don't settle for standard pub fare—grilled octopus with black beluga lentils (I had this, it was awesome) and duck leg confit are on offer in addition to the burgers and fries.        

Thistle Hill Tavern

441 Seventh Ave (at the corner of 15th Street)

(347) 599-1262

Go there.  Now.  Run, don't walk.