Badaboom + Olmo — A Girl's Guide to Drinking Alone

Folks, it’s here. We’ve reached peak spring in New York City. The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, it’s not too hot so the street garbage isn’t stinking and you’re not sweating through your clothes on the subway platform. What a glorious three days it was. And on a 10 out of 10 Saturday in Brooklyn, a girl whose plans fell through must find other reasons to be outdoors!

My partner Tom is away for the weekend so after stopping by his place to hang out with his sweet cat, I decide to stroll through beautiful tree-lined Bed-Stuy in search of somewhere to drink a glass of wine outside. I find that and then some, in the form of a surprisingly delicious Mexican dinner.

Badaboom, 421 Bainbridge St at Howard Ave, Bed-Stuy

The Place: A wine bar and, apparently, “French rotisserie chicken restaurant” that was mentioned in the $40 half-chicken exposé in the Times. But I am not here for chicken (which is $32, by the way).

The Time: Saturday May 16, 5:45pm. A delightful eastward walk from Tom’s apartment leads me to this all-blue corner spot on a quiet street with several tables (also blue) set up outside.

*A glass of white, bread and butter, and my book du jour*

The Vibe: I’m shocked when I see only one person dining al fresco, with a full meal and a very well-behaved, adorable doodle. I peek inside the restaurant to find the host and it’s empty inside also! Have I been Stockholm-Syndrome’d by the crowds at my neighborhood bars and restaurants into thinking that’s normal? Possibly! Or, there are greater socio-economic forces at play between a cocktail bar in Cobble Hill and a French restaurant on the eastern border of Bed-Stuy and Bushwick, but that’s for someone else to write a dissertation about–I’m just here for the wine!

The Bartender: Because I’m sitting outside, I only interact with the host and the server. I accidentally order from the host, who is friendly! Get the wine from my server, who is not really! But that’s ok, I am achieving my mission of drinking a glass of wine outdoors.

The Drank / The Dish: A glass of Spanish white that’s very nice. Can’t tell ya what it is, the server sweeps away my menus very quickly. I’m not super hungry yet, but I know the dangers of drinking on an empty stomach, so I also get an order of bread and butter. It arrives slightly warm, and the butter has an impressive amount of Maldon salt sprinkled over the top. The wines by the glass are around $15 and the bread is $5. Why am I surprised and thrilled that it’s only $5 and not $11 or something? New York has ruined my brain when it comes to the cost of things.

Was I Hit On? / Did I Make Friends?: When the other solo diner gets up, I smile at their dog, but they think I’m smiling at them, so they give me a little wave, and of course, I have to wave back. It’s actually a nice acknowledgement–we’re part of the same club. Otherwise, I just sit and drink my wine, read my book, and enjoy a little people-watching. (The best is overhearing one brief line of a phone conversation: “a duplex is tricky. You know what you need? You need lesbians, lesbians will climb the stairs.”)

Should You Drink Here Alone?: Based on my experience, absolutely. I wouldn’t seek out Badaboom again, since there are a plethora of wine bars in this city that offer a similar experience, but it certainly checked my boxes.

Olmo, 103 Saratoga Ave at Decatur St, Bed-Stuy

The Place: A delicious and charming Mexican cantina only a block away from Badaboom—and it has a Bib Gourmand!

The Time: I head out around 6:30 after checking Google maps and discovering Olmo. Mexican small plates are much more my jam right now than a roast chicken or a schnitzel.

The Vibe: Almost the exact opposite of Badaboom. It’s bustling, but there are several open spots at the bar and I am happy to occupy one of them. The interior is light pink, with plenty of plants everywhere, like a millennial home decor pinterest board. The music is bumping and the energy is great. Olmo is Spanish for “elm,” so I imagine that’s why there are so many wood accents: there are wooden communal tables with seats that are basically tree stumps, and the bar stools are trapezoidal and just comfortable enough for a few drinks and snacks.

The Bartender: There are two, both wearing graphic tees and jamming to the music. One says to the other: “I think I did karaoke to this song at the holiday party!” and I always enjoy when the staff is clearly having a good time at work. Eddie, who guides me on the menu and ultimately becomes my pal, is wonderful and I discover he’s also head bartender.

*Black bean sopes with queso fresco, plantains, and a side of salsa macha*

The Drank / The Dish: I’m in the mood for something light, so I order the Ponte Trucha, made of strawberry-infused aperitivi, tequila, lemon and soda. It’s exactly what I’m looking for and perfect for this weather. On Eddie’s recommendations, I get the black bean sopes and the potato tacos. The sopes are super tasty–chewy and creamy, and when I slather them with the smoky salsa macha on the side, it’s truly a perfect bite. I also enjoy the potato tacos, but the sopes are the star. Both of my apps are better eaten by hand, after being a little tricky to cut with a knife, and I marvel at how human teeth can be sharper than the average dining utensil. Everything is $18, lol.

Was I Hit On? / Did I Make Friends?: Oh, Eddie and I are probably gonna go on a double date soon since he and his partner live a few blocks away. So like, kinda the best of both?

Should You Drink Here Alone?: Yes! That’s really all I have to say!