Bash Compactor: Raise a Glass

If you’re going to eat healthy, you might as well have a little fun, too. Last Wednesday, Jimmy’s No. 43 in the East Village was offering an intriguing five-course organic vegetarian meal accompanied by brewskis—one of the “Meet the Brewers” dinners that owner Jimmy Carbone hosts. Perfectomundo! I’m a carnivore who is 100% in favor of eating vegan whenever possible, for both health and ethical reasons. Of course, some nights I have a big hunk of rare steak—a girl needs her protein.

On this night, Six Point’s brewer Shane Welch was supposed to be the hops honcho, but by the time I arrived he had already hightailed it back to Red Hook.That was OK, though, because we were having fun eating and meeting people like Lorenzo Caponetti, a farmer from Tuscany who’s touring the States with his organic olive oils.

When I was growing up, daddy drank watery brands like Rheingold, Miller, Schlitz, Budweiser and Narraganset—all beers sold in Boston—and there wasn’t much else. Nowadays, imports and microbreweries have taken over. It just so happens that East 7th Street between 2nd and 3rd avenues is a primo spot for beer with three venues: Standings, Burp Castle and Jimmy’s No. 43.You may have passed by it, a little cave down a flight of stairs, but entering the crowded candle-lit rathskeller, you can tell you’re on the right path.

We sipped five tasty beers, my favorite being the Six Point Bengali Tiger IPA, assertively hopped with a strong malt taste, and while the grub was organic, it was still good. I liked the roasted beets with polenta that was paired with Mason’s Black Wheat ale. The risotto of spelt was a mite too earthy, but my pal Karen enjoyed it. And the pairing of the walnut bread pudding and Six Point Otis stout hit the spot. “How’d you like it?” Carbone wondered. I’d be back, though next time for the $4 happy hour special.