Back to NYC Eats… and Drinks!

12 Chairs, 56 MacDougal St [CAFE]
– Technically, this sits just south of Houston but I still think of it as part of the West Village. A lovely little Cafe, just off the beaten path, it serves good Coffee and sandwiches!

Arthur’s Tavern, 57 Grove St [JAZZ BAR]
– A tiny, cramped space in the village with some of the most amazing jazz bands playing on weekends!

Biergarten at The Standard, 848 Washington St. [BEER GARDEN]
– Being a hotel, the stuff on tap is a couple of bucks more than at other such drinking venues, and your limited to only 3 Beer options. But that’s where the complaints end! The place has a great buzz – the relaxed kind which you’d be hard pressed to find in the Meat Packing – and even though the tables get packed on weekday evenings its not to difficult snagging a spot. The lines for beer and food (they have more Wurst options than Beer!) are minimal, if any, and the wait staff is friendly too. The passage leading to the rest rooms sports water fountains and baskets full of fresh Apples! And with a setting right under the High Line there’s little they need to do for decor 😉 Outdoor heaters mean this venue will still draw the crowds into early winter!

Blind Tiger, 281 Bleecker St [BAR]
– The best selection of beers in the West Village, period!

Bobo, 181W 10th St [NEW AMERICAN / BAR]
– While I’ve only patronised the cellar and bar area on a couple of occasions, I love the ambience here. Set in a century-old Greenwich Village townhouse, Bobo is a classy place, always buzzing with activity and never short of character. The bar is extremely well stocked, offering an extensive list of Bourbons and Wines, as well beautifully crafted Cocktails. Pricey for sure, but brunch or dinner here is definitely in order.

Brass Monkey, 55 Little West 12th St [CLUB]
– One of the more casual spots in the Meatpacking with good music and a rooftop patio. Completely packed to the rafters on weekends!

Buvette, 42 Grove St [FRENCH]
– I have exactly the same sentiments as their URL – I love this place too! Cramped but absolutely gorgeous interiors, reminiscent of nothing less than a cafe in Europe! Their beautifully printed Wine list reads like a mini-thesis, but thankfully their food menu is a lot less intimidating. The Pesto di Parma Tartinette and the Chicken Liver Mousse were fantastic, as was the special that we tried – Shepherds Pie. Plates are meant to be shared and the helpings aren’t huge, which is a good thing, cause you must have room to try their Tarte Tartin – its exceptional! Given the tight space, service is great, and despite people waiting for tables, they don’t rush you once your seated. Celeb sightings are a plus 😉

Fat Cat, 75 Christopher St [BAR]
– Ping Pong, Pool, Jazz and cheap beers (amongst other things!) – what more could one ask for?

Fatty Cue, 50 Carmine St [ASIAN FUSION]
– Service can be a little slow here, but there’s little else to complain about. Cool looking interiors, with a compact bar area upfront – all of it with just the right amount of lighting. Dishes are meant to be shared and run the gamut of the Asian far east. Notable dishes were the Trippa ”Malaysiana’ (Red Anchovy Curry), Shaved Raw Veggies and the Isaan-style Duck Laab. Serving sizes aren’t consistent across dishes, so its best to ask before you order.

Kathi Roll Co., 99 MacDougal St [INDIAN]
– Indian style fast food, great for after hours / late nights! More than one location in the city but this one remains my favorite!

Keste, 271 Bleecker St [PIZZERIA]
– Having recently eaten here, I can say with some confidence that their Bread is some of the best I’ve had and their ‘Burrata special’ is melt-in-your-mouth goodness! The trick here is to keep your toppings to a minimum and that way you’ll savour them as well as the dough! 😉 Currently amongst my top 5 Pizzerias in the city!

Kin Shop, 469 6th Ave [THAI]
– A much needed Thai addition to the West Village, that comes with a price tag! The Brussel Sprouts – Chinese Sausage appetizer is great, as are the Duck and Goat entrees, the latter served in a very different tasting Masaman curry. A good spot if ure looking for something inventive, bordering on fusion but definitely on the steeper side as far as this cuisine goes. Spice freaks – you’re better served elsewhere!

Little Branch, 20 7th Ave [COCKTAIL BAR]
– A smaller, sister concern (hence the name!) of SoHo’s Milk & Honey, this underground (literally!) bar is known for its signature cocktails. The bar area can get cramped but is worth the hustle for your first cocktail. Skip the menu and instead just tell the Mixologist what you like – he’ll work his magic from there on. Rustic, pre-war, dungeon like setting with lovely soft lighting. Drinks are not cheap – 13 bucks a pop – and they’re cash only! They make quite the mean toddy!

Mamouns, 119 MacDougal St [MIDDLE EASTERN]
– Hole in the wall with some of the best (and cheapest) Falafel’s in town! Their second location at Saint Marks is equally good and more spacious.

Mary’s Fish Camp, 64 Charles St [SEAFOOD]
– Tucked away on a relatively quiet corner of the Village is this cozy little eatery, with seating hard to come by! Their popularity stems from the fact that they serve one of the best Lobster Rolls in all of NYC! And having finally tried one of those, I can attest to the same. Their menu is concise and if you’re in a large enough group, its possible to sample a fair amount of it. The few starters we tried were all excellent, notably the Grilled Calamari with Punjabi Chickpea (!). Within their mains, I sampled the Scallops and Bouillabaisse – both fantastic!

Mighty Quinn’s, 75 Greenwich Ave [BBQ]
– They started out with a single location in the East Village but word spread fast and they seem to be popping up everywhere today! They do a great job of all the BBQ staples – probably some of the best you’ll find on the island – all served cafeteria-style in a no-frills communal setting. Standout items for me are the Burnt-end Baked Beans and Spicy Wings!

Moustache, 90 Bedford St [MIDDLE EASTERN]
– Slow service but worth the wait cause the food is really good. Their ‘Pitza’ is a must try as is their house bread and Baklava. Multiple locations in the city.

Murrays Bagels, 500 6th Ave [CAFE / AMERICAN]
– Known for their Bagels, these guys do a great selection of soups too – especially the Gazpacho, if you’re in the area and feel like going light for lunch! For all other times, their Bagel with Cream Cheese and Lox is legendary.

Murrays Cheese, 254 Bleecker St [CHEESE SHOP]
– Great selection of Cheese’s, along with a whole section dedicated to Charcuterie! Friendly and knowledgeable staff to help you make those tough decisions 😉

Panca, 92 7th Ave [PERUVIAN]
– Some quality Ceviche here but what trumps for me is their Lomo Saltado! Outdoor seating in the heart of the Village, efficient service, decent pricing and some outstanding desert at the end of it all – ask for the one off the menu!!

Pasticceria Rocco, 243 Bleecker St [BAKERY / CAFE]
– One of Bleecker’s oldest institutions, still serving old-fashioned Italian treats and a good cup of Coffee! The menu doesn’t cover their entire selection, so it’s best to have a look at their Bakery counter before you order. Service is sloppy at most times!

Pastis, 9 9th Ave [BISTRO]
– Good spot for brunch, overly crowded at most other times! Great location and ambiance. Food is ok.

Patio at The Standard, 848 Washington St [BAR]
– A nice chilled out patio, attached to The Standard and right under the High Line Park. Great spot to people watch in the Meatpacking!

Plunge, 18 9th Ave [ROOFTOP BAR / CLUB]
– Rooftop club at the Gansevoort Hotel – invariably overcrowded and overpriced but worth it for the eye candy and views!

Spain, 113W 13th St [SPANISH]
– Old school, homely joint with a lively bar area manned by rustic waiters. Good Sangria and Tapas.

John’s Pizzeria, 278 Bleecker St [PIZZERIA]
– Another old institution (the no reservations, cash only variety!) which still does fairly good pizza with a variety of toppings. 2 other locations in the city.

The Diner, 44 9th Ave [DINER]
– A laid back place, with a great location in the Meatpacking, serving a fairly solid brunch.

The Brooklyneer, 220W Houston St [GASTROPUB]
– “Taproom, Spirits & Brooklyn Fare” is how they position themselves but for all practical purposes they’re a gastropub! A Brooklyn-centric Beer list (obviously!), with a well thought out food menu, catering to most palettes, and offering one the chance to sample most, if not all, of what the Borough has to offer. A cosy, wood paneled interior and soft lighting lend it a fair bit of charm, and it almost never gets as hectic as Houston Hall next door!

The Lion, 62W 9th St [NEW AMERICAN / LOUNGE]
– Easily one of the classiest drinking establishments in my favorite hood in the city! “Old New York American” is how they describe themselves, and the space definitely lives up to that name. The restaurant is on the lower level (haven’t eaten there yet) while the second level features an exquisite old lounge – think museum meets period film set! Pricey but worth the splurge!

The Little Owl, 90 Bedford St [NEW AMERICAN]
– This adorable little spot on the corner of Bedford and Grove is as West Village as it gets! Cozy interiors, with the kitchen in full view; good service, and a seasonal menu that isn’t in the least bit intimidating, although their wine list certainly is! Their Gravy Meatball Sliders are delicious, as is their version of the Pork Chop. Save room for desert – you won’t regret it!

The Spotted Pig, 314W 11th St [GASTROPUB]
– A West Village institution by now, The Spotted Pig has for long attracted locals, visitors and the occasional celeb, and for good reason too. Gorgeous interiors, spread over two levels; plenty of cozy nooks for groups; a well stocked bar, and easily one of the most enticing menus in the hood! Even if your not eating, stop by for a drink and soak in the atmosphere.

Vol de Nuit, 148W 4th St [BELGIAN BAR]
– An excellent selection of Belgian Beers, plenty of nooks for seating, including a cool atrium space, and an almost hidden location make this a good local hangout in the Village.