Styled after classic Irish and British pubs—beloved as low-key spots to sit and share a drink with your mates—The Snug lives up to its name with all the vibes of a neighborhood bar and an elevated take on pub grub and cocktails.
Open just two weeks, the owners of The Snug have plenty of bragging rights—they brought a relaxed yet refined locals spot to Fillmore Street, and are serving high-quality, innovative food and delish drinks. Plus, no hefty prices promises the place is already packed.
This is a spot for first dates, catching up with old friends, meeting up with coworkers, or even a catch-up with your parents. And snugness abounds, with a glowing back-lit bar and a second-story balcony that overlooks the action. The Snug is a collaborative project from four industry guys—Shane Matthews, Jacob Racusin, Zack Schwab, and Brian Shin—who've worked at such cocktail havens as Alembic, The Monk's Kettle and Jeffrey in NYC.
On the food side, Shin, who's done stints at Benu and In Situ, is even incorporating a tandoor oven left behind by the former occupant, the Indian restaurant Mehfil, to create fresh takes on naan—such as with sesame and shiitake hummus. Expect classic bar eats with a twist like Korean fried chicken wings, crispy tater tots with horseradish sour cream, and even a poke dish with ginger and a sweet chili sauce.
By now you've reached the "large plates" and there's one must-make decision here. Walking away from this meal, the Bodega "burger" is hands-down the best thing on this menu. Named after the chopped cheese sandwiches sold in East Coast–style bodegas, this burger is griddled with cheese for max caramelization before being topped with shredded lettuce, slices of plump tomato, shavings of white onion, and a Thousand Island-esque special sauce. The whole thing ends up being a bit messy, but the good meaty-juicy-drippy kind of unkempt you'll still find yourself wanting to the lick the plate clean for.