Exchange Bar & Grill - the stock market comes to the nightlife

There is nothing like the New York City nightlife. It's 24 hours (if you know where to go) of something always happening, with people from everywhere you can imagine. It's lively, and most of the time fun. But it is equally expensive, whether you live there or just vist.

Like every issue in NYC there is always an alternative. Often quite innovative. This next idea just struck me as one of the more unusual.

Imagine this. Let's say you like Budweisers, and Guiness, and say Becks. But you are a bit low on cash. Now imagine that you can go out, and bid on your beer. By that i mean that if everyone in the bar that night is buying say Coors Lite, your beer will be cheaper. Possibly by as much as $2. So instead of $6 it will only cost you $4. Sound like a deal?

How about bar food. You love hot wings, and chicken fingers. They too are based on market prices. So if everyone is out for cheese fries, you can be in luck and have your food at a cheaper price.

Mind you that the more popular items will be more expensive to the exact opposite of the popular items. The deal works on 2 levels, the popular stuff will cost a bit more because it's good. The cheaper stuff will cost a bit less because it to is good, but not in at the moment.

This concept is the core of a new bar called the Exchange Bar & Grill. The bar will be opening on April 1st. You can find it in Grammercy Park in Manhattan.

Will this be a great idea? Will it catch on, or even be successful? I can't say. I haven't been there yet. But considering NYC is the center of the U.S. stock markets, plus the penchant of New Yorkers for something new and innovative, I think it's worth a nite out to see how it all works.

If anyone is in the City and at the bar on the 1st, I would love to hear your thoughts and any photos/video you can provide.

Review of the Instinct Resturant and Nightclub Part 2 - 8.16.2007.2

Continued from Review of the Instinct Resturant and Nightclub Part 1...

The salads were a bright display of colors and a tasty combination of lettuce, tomatoes and additional vegetables. Very crisp. Moving on to the main meal I had the Monaco Filet Mignon with roasted potatoes and my guest had the New York Strip with rice pilaf. The presentation was quite good.

While I enjoyed the Filet, I found the roasted potatoes to be slightly underdone, but that is because they are intended to be made that way. You can have them done in a more traditional manner by request as the waitperson takes your order. My guest equally found the meal satisfying. The merlot complimented the meat quite well. The portion size was easily filling, and my friend could not finish the New York Strip.

Other options that we could have had included Ahi Tuna, Jamaican Pork Chops, Rock Lobster Tail, Riviera Veal Chop (Thursday through Sunday) and Oven Roasted Duck to name a few. Throughout the menu, like the wines, Romania dishes are sprinkled along with other cuisine of a similar exotic nature.

In terms of pricing, Instinct is a bit more expensive than some of the other restaurants in the area. My meal with my guest and 1 bottle of wine worked out to about $35 per person, not including the tip. So it was far from exorbitant for locals, and a huge discount for those familiar with the prices found in say New York City.

Overall I found Instinct to be a lovely departure from the norm of most Binghamton area fare. It has a relaxing atmosphere and upscale look. The food is good, served in a timely manner, without the rush or crowding some posh fine dining restaurants seem to always include. The pricing is reasonable and far less than what could be expected for the quality that is provided. I can easily say that this is a place worth stopping at if you are driving through the area, or desirous of a trip to an out of the way, less fast-paced place.

If you would like to find out more about the hours, menu, specials, wine list, or other activities and events at Instinct you can check www.instinctnightclub.com or call 607-757-9977.