Since I've been in NYC, I've had quite an adventure looking for places to smoke. One day, I was at Lincoln Center and decided to use my trusty Google Map on my iPhone to tell me if there were cigar shops close to me and where they were. So Google gave me a list and the one closest, "Torch" was just a couple of train stops away. Or so it seemed. So I walked. And walked. And walked. All over the Lincoln Tunnel. All down by Jacob Javitz. All the while navigating with my iPhone. Well, Google proved to be on the money. It led me directly there. Only it failed to mention that the cigar shop that I was sooo looking forward to finding and the cigar shop that I'd schlepped avenues for was now -- an auto body shop.
Luckily, in Atlanta, when I was rushing out of the house to catch my plane, I threw in my bag a Cigar Report magazine. Not sure where it came from but low and behold, it had a list of cigar shops in NYC! So great! Now I can begin planning my smokes all over town.
My first stop was De La Concha Cigar Lounge just south of Central Park on 6th Ave between W 56th and 57th. I didn't walk all through the shop, I was mesmerized by all the sticks I saw as I walked through the door. The prices seemed pretty reasonable, and I chose an Avo Domaine Connecticut Corona. It was almost $11 but it was, well, I'm still trying to put into words all that I tasted. My developing palate tasted on the first pull a little bitter and sweet but not overpowering but the tastes felt separate in my mouth. When they merged right before the middle of the cigar, I thought I smelled apples which explained the sweet taste. It smelled like apples peels thrown into a fireplace. So much was going on. I was telling a friend of mine of my experience and he was like "Yeah, Avo's are complex". Complex is an understatement, my friend. Definitely a smoke that I would try again, just for the simply fact that I must taste and identify all the components of this cigar! I will not be defeated...
De La Concha allows you to bring sticks in to smoke but they require that you purchase one from them. They also do not serve libations, which, didn't allow me to continue my experiment today. De La Concha only serves water, juice, or tea. And there are no tvs. Laptops are not allowed on the tables. Sounds like a downer, huh? Not at all! What De La Concha has is a huge picture window facing 6th Ave that is prime for good old New York City people watching, without the distraction of white noise. De La Concha's environment really fosters a simple communion between you and your cigar and the other patrons. Sure, you could play with your phone, but why? I really enjoyed my time there and will definitely be back!
You can find them on the web at www.delaconcha.com
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