City Goes Country: Food, Fashion & Fun with the Zac Brown Band

This self-proclaimed City Gal has lately been all about Country, fueled mostly by my latest primetime TV obsession, ABC’s Nashville. (Are you watching?!)

And wouldn’t ya know it, the Zac Brown Band is heading to New York City this coming weekend to play The Garden.  My friend and fellow blogger, Ryan M. of MillertimeMusicSpot.blogspot.com – totally aware of my recent obsession with Country – is heading to the show and will likely be hanging with the band.  He promises to guest post here at mom a la mode with a complete review in the coming week or so.

So I’ve been in a bit of a “chicken fried” kinda mood lately, and if you’re one of the lucky ones heading out to ZBB’s sold out show on Saturday night, here are my picks for some down-home food, fashion and fun in the Big Apple:

Food
There’s some amazing BBQ to be had in NYC, and what better way to get psyched for your show than to have something smoky, saucy and/or finger-lickin’ delicious? All of these picks are in walking distance of MSG:

Hill Country
30 West 26^th Street
(212) 255-4544

Many moons ago, I had the privilege of getting to meet and work with Hill Country’s Executive Chef, Elizabeth Karmel, and have sung the praises of her BBQ establishment ever since.  Look for authentic, Texas dry-rubs; ribs and brisket cooked low and slow; and updated Southern favorites like Longhorn Cheddar Mac and Cheese and Peanut Butter & Jelly Cupcakes.  And if the amazing food wasn’t enough, the American Roots Music will keep your toes tapping.

Blue Smoke
116 East 27^th Street
(212) 447-7733

Restaurateur Danny Meyer’s take on urban barbecue does not disappoint, with Southern and regional American specialties ranging from St. Louis, Texas, Kansas City, Memphis and North Carolina.  Be sure to get the Warm Barbecue Potato Chips with Blue Cheese and Bacon Dip as you peruse main course barbecue options.

Virgil’s
152 West 44^th Street
(212) 921-9494

Virgil’s bills itself as “New York’s original barbecue restaurant” and has evolved to include specialties like Creole, Cajun and Soul Food.  Mom a la mode especially loves the house-made hush puppies (with the most glorious whipped maple butter) and the BBQ pulled chicken.  It’s loud and in the middle of Times Square, but worth checking out for its extensive menu and saucy deliciousness (and the hush puppies – did I mention how fabulous their hush puppies are??)

Fashion
How “country” does one dress for a concert in uber-chic Manhattan?  Hold your horses, urban cowboy.  Lucky for you, country influences are omnipresent in womenswear and menswear – from slim fit plaid shirts to washed and worn denim.  And don’t forget your cowboy boots!  For style inspirations, J. Crew and Old Navy have some great, affordable pieces.

Fun
If you’re not lucky enough to be chillin’ with Zac and the guys after the show, you don’t have to go too far from the Garden to keep the party going.

Feel like getting your country song on? Consider renting a karaoke booth in Little Korea around W 32^nd Street where you and your buds can belt out the latest hits (or the oldies and goodies) by your favorite country artists!  (We won’t tell if a Spice Girls song gets thrown into the mix…)

Brother Jimmy’s is literally a stone’s throw from MSG on 8^th Avenue, and can be rowdy and fun (in a post-college kinda way) for drinks after the show.

Cold beer and fun times also await concert goers at Mustang Harry’s, where Country Music insiders tell me that the bar plays the music of the performing artist in concert at MSG the night of the show, which seems pretty cool.

So if you’re heading to the Zac Brown Band show on Saturday night, have a GREAT TIME.  Look for Ryan and tell him mom a la mode said Howdy 🙂

oxox

– mom a la mode

{I was not compensated in any way for this post.  All opinions expressed are solely mine.}