Free panini night

Last night, Jackie and I spent a delightful hour at Vero, a restaurant and wine bar on 53rd Street at Second Avenue. A few weeks ago we learned that every Monday night, Vero will feed you for free if you order a cocktail, beer or glass of wine! Always in the mood for wine and desperate for a free meal, Jackie and I followed our source (Shecky's) to the popular midtown bar and were pleasantly surprised. Vero is a cross between an intimate bar and hoppin' restaurant. The clientele reminded us of, well, us - middle class, young New Yorkers. Jackie's "Sexy Sangria" and my glass of Shiraz were delicious and moderately priced ($11 each), but as we were each awarded a free panini with our beverage purchase, we were more than happy to part with less than $15 (including tax and tip). Our pressed sandwiches provided the perfect balance between bread, cheese, vegetables and (in Jackie's case) meat; and they tasted like more.