Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The Best of the West: Guide to the West Village

The West Village is known for it's vibrant community, expensive real estate and of course, the bevvy of dining options that are not only strong in quantity, but quality.Whether you are looking for some late night eats, a place to impress a first date or your significant other or birthday party spot, here you go. by Lauren Saiger
Squid Ink Paella, Alta
Photo: Jennee Wong
1.  Alta 64 West 10th Street nr. Sixth Ave. Great for LARGE PARTIES.
Their small plates, strong sangria and private room is absolutely the perfect venue for a party.  

2.  Anfora 34 Eighth Avenue nr. Jane St. Great for FIRST DATES. Their cozy banquettes, wine selection and impressive cocktail menu will give your date a sense of your impeccable taste right off the bat.

3.  Annisa 13 Barrow Street nr. 4th St. Great for SPECIAL OCCASION DINNER. It's modern, elegant and the food is perfect.  Opt for the tasting menu. It's worth it!
  
4.  Bar Pitti 268 Avenue nr. Bleecker St. (no website) Great for PASTA and PEOPLE WATCHING. Not only is Bar Pitti a great place for celeb spotting and al fresco dining, but the food is out of this world. Grab your favorite friends, ask for a round table and chow down on their famous Rigatoni Pitti (turkey sausage, peas, cream, tomato, parmagiano).

Barbuto
5.  Barbuto 775 Washington Street nr. 12th St. Great for SUMMER DINING. Their garage doors open in the warmer months so every seat feels like you're sitting outsideThey've got a full bar, delicious food and it's the perfect spot for any occasion. They've also got a Chef's Table for up to 14 guests in the kitchen.
 
6.  Buvette 42 Grove Street nr. Bleecker St. Great for LATE NIGHT DINING. A perfect spot for a delicious midnight snack meant for the most epicurious Francophile. They're open until 2am and serve the most delicious croques monsieur.  Perfect ending to a night out!

 7.  Cafe Asean 117 W. 10th St. nr. Greenwich Ave.
Fresh breakfast pastries, Cafe Cluny
Photo: Cafe Cluny
Great for CASUAL DINNER. Our favorite Pan-Asian restaurant in town. Make sure to try one of their noodle dishes like the Mee Udang - shrimp, egg, water spinach, pork belly, and noodles in a spicy broth. You will surely be back for more. 
 
8.  Cafe Cluny 284 W. 12th Street nr. West 4th St. 
Great for BREAKFAST MEETINGS. They open at 8am sharp in time for an early morning meeting or a hearty breakfast after the gym.  It's charming and the perfect venue to start off your day.

9.  Commerce 50 Commerce St. nr. Bedford St.
Great for DOUBLE DATES. It's located at the end of Commerce Street on a charming tree lined street.  The food is delicious and perfect for sharing whether it be their chicken, porterhouse or stuffed branzini.
 
Cubano sandwich, Coppelia
Photo: Coppelia 
10.  Coppelia 207 West 14th St. nr. Seventh Ave. Great for 24 HOUR EATS. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, late night or early AM when the bars close and you just need a grilled cheese. We're a huge fan of Chef Julian Medina.  Everything on the menu is great, but the fish tacos are extraordinary. No matter what you do, make sure to order them. Oh, and don't forgot to try one of their Pisco cocktails - one more drink won't hurt you at 4am.

Corner Bistro's burger
11.  Corner Bistro 331 West 4th St. nr. Jane St. 
Great for BURGERS AND FRIES This place is no frills and that's what makes it so special.  The juicy burger, melted cheese and a slab of bacon served on a paper plate is one of my favorite dishes in New York. Always bustling with a great crowd - it's a sure thing. 

12. 11th St. Cafe 327 West 11th Street nr. Greenwich St. Great for HEALTHY BREAKFASTS. Located in the heart of the West Village, it's probably one of my favorite spots for breakfast. The scrambled egg bowl is not only healthy, but filling and delicious. You can pick your ingredients and add a antioxidant-filled smoothie for the perfect balance and the best way to start of your day.

Black Tea Rose Latte, Grounded
Photo: Blog by Grounded
13.  Grounded 28 Jane Street nr. 4th St. 
Great for COFFEE AND WI-FI. It's a great place to grab a cup of joe, one of their jumbo peanut butter cups and check your Facebook to see who's poked you recently. It's almost like a really trendy library - very quiet and the perfect place to be productive and stay caffeinated in a perfect Village enclave. Make sure to try their specialty coffee and tea beverages, like their Black Tea Rose Latte! 


14.  Hudson Clearwater 447 Hudson Street nr. Morton St. Great for DINNER AND A MOVIE. It's hidden so make sure you know where you are going!  Once you find their hidden door, you'll be greeted by rustic decor, great food and strong drinks. After you are satiated, head to the IFC Center to catch a great indie flick.
Negroni, I Sodi
Photo: I Sodi 
15.  I Sodi 105 Christopher Street nr. Bleecker St. Great for COZY ITALIAN DINNERS. Chef and owner Rita Sodi knows exactly how to make her customers happy. It's small with only about 15 tables and a great bar that extends the entire length of the restaurant. They serve four different types of negronis which are all equally amazing - the classic being the best in the city in my opinion. The best part of I Sodi is it feels like a place for the neighbors, through and through. Regulars and newcomers are treated with a great warmth felt through the energy and the food. What's not to love about that? 

16. Perilla 9 Jones Street nr. West 4th St. Great for DINNER WITH THE FAMILY. Top Chef Season 1 winner Harold Dieterle has created this perfect neighborhood spot that is perfect for dining with your loved ones - it's not too loud, the food is diverse and expertly executed, and Make sure you start with the spicy duck meatballs. They are perhaps some of the best meatballs in the Village.

 17.  Morandi 211 Waverly Place nr. Charles St.
Great for AL FRESCO LUNCH. It's hard to pinpoint Morandi for being good for one thing, but the best time to come without a wait is for lunch. In the warmer months, pull up a chair at one of their patio tables and waste the day away over their paninis made with fresh focaccia bread and lamb-filled ravioli. Lunch just got a bit more delicious in every sense of the word. 
Lobster rolls, Pearl Oyster Bar
Photo: Pearl Oyster Bar 
18.  Pearl Oyster Bar 18 Cornelia Street nr. Bleecker St. 
Great for SEAFOOD. They've got the best seafood around including my favorite - the lobster roll.  Hearty and delicious lobster salad on a buttered roll topped with chives. They don't take reservations but trust us, it's worth the wait.

19.  Perla 24 Minetta Lane nr. Sixth Ave. Great for PRIVATE DINING. Perla's downstairs cellar is the perfect venue for a special occasion where you just can't dine with the masses. Everything from the cocktails to the and holds up to the 56-day dry aged ribeye for two ($95) will be memorable. The room seats up to 10 people, so choose your friends wisely.

Dinner at Red Farm
Photo: Evan Sung 
20.  Red Farm 529 Hudson Street nr. Charles St. Great for CHINESE. Not only do they serve the best Chinese, it's cooked with the freshest ingredients and the owner Ed is classic New York. Must-try dishes: 'Pac Man' shrimp dumplings, Kowloon Filet Mignon Tarts, soft and crunchy vegetable fried rice and the three chili chicken. 
 
21.  Rosemary's Enoteca and Trattoria 18 Greenwich Street nr. 10th St. Great for LOCAVORES. Pick, prepare and serve. That's what they do here. They've got a rooftop garden where they grow and then prepare their scrumptious Italian dishes. The chopped salad "siciliana" features some of the best picks from the garden, including cherry tomatoes off the vine, escarole, artichokes and raisins.
Falafel sandwich, Taïm Photo: Dhale Bautista
22. Taim 222 Waverly Place nr. Seventh Ave.
Great for FALAFEL. I don't know how they do it, but they make some of the best tasting falafels I've ever tasted. A must-try is their mixed falafel platter to get a taste of their salads and assortment of sauces - the harissa is pure addiction! Such a bargain for the quality and quantity! 

23.  Tartine 253 W. 11th Street nr. 4th St. (no website)
Great for BYOB This place defines the West Village. It's low key, friendly and delicious. Their French food is perfectly cooked and everything on the menu is scrumptious and perfectly priced.

24. Tertulia 359 Sixth Avenue nr. Washington Place Great for SPANISH TAPAS. Chef Seamus Mullen has proven to the West Village and beyond that he knows how to craft and execute tapas. This small-plates restaurant is authentic and every dish screams España in the most delicious way possible. Whether you're in the mood for a small, delicious light bite or a full meal, Tertulia will deliver the goods.

25.  Wilfie & Nell 228 West 4th Street nr. Seventh Ave.
Great for GASTROPUB GRUB Meat pies, pigs in a blanket wrapped in bacon and Berkshire pork sliders accompanied by one of their cocktails or beers makes a perfect, casual evening with friends. It doesn't get better than this. This is what The Spotted Pig used to be - friendly, inviting and filled with the neighborhood that just wants to sit back and relax. 

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