Baker Street in NYC: The Place to Go for Relaxed Food and Lots of Fun!

Where can you find reasonably priced food and drinks, authentic atmosphere, and a crazy Irish Quiz Master in New York City? (Okay, probably at a lot of places, but read on to find out about my favorite). Why, at Baker Street Pub, located on the corner of 1^st Avenue and 63^rd Street!

This charming pub is filled with posters and insignia for English and Irish football (read: soccer) and rugby teams, and during the week you can find any number of these games on the many television sets, as well as the games of the local teams, depending on what season it is. On a more cultural note, the pub was the location of the first TGI Friday's back in 1965, and was used in filming Tom Cruise's 1988 hit (depending on who you ask) Cocktail.

Baker Street is chock full of primarily Irish wait staff who are efficient and friendly, though if you arrive with only half of your party on a busy night (such as the Wednesday night pub quiz), you won't get seated until everyone has arrived. This can be somewhat of a frustration when you want to snag a table by the Quiz Master! The food and fun more than make up for it, however. Some recommended dishes:

1. The Pesto Chicken Panini. This flavorful, simple sandwich, paired with the most amazing and uniquely shaped French fries (they poof up like little pillows until you put them in your mouth), is an excellent choice for someone on a budget.
2. French Onion Soup. I am an extremely picky French Onion Soup eater, and even once stopped going to a particular restaurant when they changed their recipe, and I must say, Baker Street has the best around.
   
   It might even beat the original recipe at my old favorite haunt! Almost.
3. Spinach and Grilled Chicken Salad. It's simple, healthy, and provides more than enough food to keep you full and happy throughout your time at the pub.
4. Apple Pie. Get it. Just do it. Topped with cream, it's crumbly, warm and delicious. You can't go wrong. Heaven in pie form.