Upscale casual dinner in West Village

[carolbf]

Seeing a show at the Lucille Lortel Theatre on Christopher St. in the West Village on Saturday. Open to just about anything with atmostphere and good food. We'd be arriving early (around 5) so reservations not necessary but a plus if they take them. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[Sweatshirt Guy]

Perry St. Very nice!

[jdmetz]

Try Cafe Condessa on 10th just west of 7th Ave. Limited menu, but everything I tried was delicious. Maybe not as upscale as you are looking for, but good, simple preparations of tasty, slightly unusual dishes (I had a great plate of braised veal tongue). Good to get there early since the place was virtually empty when I got there around 7, but jam packed by 8.

[dkstar1]

Wallse

[carolbf]

My first choice is Little Owl - I called and they told me they are booked solid on Saturday but they hold 2 tables for walk-ins. They open at 5 PM.. do you think if we (2 of us) arrived at around 4:45 it would be a safe bet? We're from out of town so unfamiliar with the neighborhood. What would be a good back-up plan? Thanks so much..

[Brian S]

It's a few steps from your theater. I've never eaten there but I looked in and noticed they have a tiny bar with two or 3 seats. Maybe they would let you eat there.

[billyeats]

Little Owl should work out really well if you're there at 4:45. I highly reccomend having a good map of the west village, cause it can get confusing. Good back-ups close by could be:

Casa (brazilian just down the street)
Moustache (middle eastern also just down the street)
Malatesta (great italian, christopher & washington)

[NAtiveNewYorker]

Malatesta Trattoria is very close to the theater and has excellent Italian food.

There's a popular Peruvean restaurant right accross the street.

Snack Taverna is one block farther on Bedford than Little Owl, so a nice backup if Little Owl is too full.

[Wilfrid]

Blue Hill would be safer with a reservation - and it is borderline formal, I'd say.

[a_and_w]

Third Blue Ribbon and would add Blue Hill to the list.

[Senor Popusa]

I second the recs for Little Owl and Blue Ribbon Bakery. As you are looking to eat so early you might get a res at Little Owl. ANother option is Mas (farmhouse) - the food is excellent there.

Depending on when the show starts - Mary's Fish Camp opens at 6 and is fast and delicious.

[chow_gal]

You are smack in a great food area for "upscale casual", good food:

Casa for Brazilian; Little Owl - though there will be a wait; Blue Ribbon Bakery; Ditch plains; 'ino; AOC Bedford