Miracle on Bleeker Street, Nor'Easter on Commerce

Last Sunday might have been the first perfect spring day in New York, and we - along with many other tri-state area residents - chose to spend it wandering the sunny streets of the West Village.

In search of an easy place to meet some friends, we stumbled upon a small Southwestern restaurant called Miracle. It was warm and welcoming, a neighborhood cantina, and we ordered small plates - tilapia tacos and calamari (mine paired with a French rose, perfect for the spicy kick). The food was mouth-watering, flavorful and perfectly prepared. Unfortunately, we'd had dinner at Dos Caminos a few nights earlier and had spectacular margaritas, so Dan's Miracle version didn't live up; but the food beat Dos Caminos hands down, and the prices are far more reasonable.

On the way home we stopped in at Commerce, a neighborhood place tucked away on Commerce and Bedford, occupying the former Grange Hall. We settled into a corner for early evening cocktails amidst a small group celebrating a co-worker, and bartenders eager to make us whatever drinks we wanted. I tried their version of a mint julep - smooth, refreshing, and cut with ginger, while Dan had a Nor'easter, a drink highlighted in NY Mag. He followed up with a Brunswick, which was so good he Twittered about it. A solid recommendation if ever there was one.