Fried chicken dinner at bobwhite lunch & supper counter

Be prepared to sleep in, call in or just deal on Wednesday, because this is going to be a late night.

STOP 1: BOBWHITE LUNCH & SUPPER COUNTER

Start your evening around 8:00pm at Bobwhite Lunch & Supper Counter, where even though the space is small, you won't have a problem finding a spot at the bar or handful of tables that round out the room.

The bartender may claim that his favorite dish on the short and affordable menu is the Fried Catfish Sandwich ($10, with fries or slaw). But, if it's your first visit, he will insist you order the Fried Chicken Supper, which includes 3 pieces of juicy, crispy chicken, an almost impossibly fluffy, angel cake-like biscuit and a fine slaw for $11.50. He'll also be forthright in informing you about the all day happy hour, available Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, which includes $4 drafts and $6 glasses of wine (bottles are $25 with no menu limitations).

STOP 2: RAY'S CANDY STORE

After dinner, head 2 blocks west along 7th Street to Ray's Candy Store, an East Village institution since 1974. 24 hours a day, Ray's serves milkshakes, soft serve, egg creams, very questionable looking hot dogs and even fried Oreos.

You're here, however, for the beignets. Served by the half dozen, they take a few minutes to prepare, so you'll have time to ponder just how long those hot dogs have been spinning. For your patience, you'll be rewarded with a heaping plate of doughy, crispy goodness, generously dusted with powdered sugar. The beignets are poured into a brown paper bag, so your clothes won't get the same dusting as you carry them out the door. Grab some extra napkins and enjoy them across the street in Tompkins Square Park.

STOP 3: MONA'S

Just a few blocks northeast of the park, you'll find Mona's, a pretty typical dive with a jukebox, skee ball and pool table. But, on Tuesday nights around 11:00pm, Mona's packs 'em in, as Mona's Hot Four begins a multi-set session lasting until almost 4:00am. Led by clarinetist Dennis Lichtman, Mona's Hot Four quickly becomes a hot 5,6,7 and more, as members of The Nighthawks, Stompers and other jazz musicians cram into a corner at one end of the bar. Fans squeeze in as well, filling every inch of real estate, so this isn't really a dancing affair. However, the music is some of the very best in New York, so post up at the bar and tell yourself you'll catch up on sleep this weekend.

RECAP:

Bobwhite Lunch & Supper Counter: A small and affordable East Village eatery featuring fantastic fried chicken and an all night happy hour.
Ray's Candy Store: An old-school relic from the East Village's grittier past, brown bagging incredible beignets.
Mona's: Your standard dive featuring one of the best late night jazz sessions in all of NYC.

ESSENTIAL INFO:

-Total Cost: About $50 a person, which includes dinner and drinks at Bobwhite, beignets shared for two at Ray's, beers at Mona's and a donation for the band. Tax and tip included.

-While the beignets at Ray's are $7 a dozen, the clerks are typically pretty laid back and imprecise, so you will generally get well over that amount.

-Drop by Ray's after 10:00pm and you may get to meet Ray himself (he usually works the night shift, even after 40+ years).