Best West Village Restaurant

[ktfood]

New to the West Village... trying to find all the best spots. Whats your favorite West Village restaurant... and why?

[cimui]

I had a set of favorites when I lived in the Village (generally inexpensive enough to eat at frequently) and now a different set of more destination-y places now that I don't.

Inexpensive neighborhood favorites that aren't necessarily the best food the village has to offer, but are lovely places to dine, include

* Gray Dog for a sandwich and Monica Lewinsky sightings (remember her?).
* 'ino for a panini sandwich and glass of wine on the cheap
* Snack for Greek tapas
* Galanga for Thai -- I was in love with their corn fritters
* La Palapa Rockola for thebotanas /chalupas, as well as chuletas served with creamed chayote
* Pearl Oyster Bar
* Blue Ribbon Bakery for a late-night meal of artery clogging comfort food that you can sort of feel ok about because the setting is so nice -- and you know you'll sleep through breakfast and lunch the next day, anyway
* Corner Bistro for that equally horrible for you late-night burger

(... and who can forget the red wine pasta at the now-closed 50 Carmine and the now-moved Shopsin's?)

We also dropped into Babbo to sit at the bar quite a few times. For a long time, we had no idea that Babbo was hard to get into.

Nowadays, I head down to the WV specifically for Soto.

[Deb Van D]

Missing from this list is one of my favorite places, Barbuto. We've had some spectacular meals there, wonderful codfish cakes, lamb stew, meltingly tender short ribs over polenta. Respectable wine list.

And yes, Annisa, pretty and pleasing. And the under-mentioned North Square, a very favorite, cozy, reasonable and dependable place.

[RGR]

In reading through this thread, I was surprised not to find any mention of Annisa.

[jsmitty]

the tasting menu at annisa is spectacular

[ballulah]

Blue Hill is just a wonderful place to eat and have a bottle of wine, if I want a place to celebrate where I know the food will be delcious, the service impeccable and nothing annoying or out of place about the evening, this is the place I choose. And I agree with the recommendation for Las Ramblas.

While not a culinary destination, I will always love Tortilla Flats on Washington and 11th St for the good times they've afforded me...Monday night bingo with pitchers of margaritas and hulahooping. For really good Mexican I love Mi Cocina on Hudson and Jane. For a great burger and beer and pub atmosphere I love the Bayard's Ale House on Hudson and Charles. Cowgirl Hall of Fame is good for those times when you simply must have some fried catfish and a margarita in a Mason jar. A Salt and Battery on Greenwich and 13th has great fish and chips.

[ktfood]

I just went to Bayard's two days ago and really liked it. Great service there.

[ballulah]

I am so glad to hear it!! I stumbled upon the place for the first time about a month ago and loved it immediately. I was meeting a friend for drinks at the White Horse and we couldn't get a seat, so we wandered south until we found something promising...which was Bayard's. I decided to have my birthday party there a week later, and they treated me like an old regular even though it was my second time there. Great simple food, Old Speckled Hen on draught and they have my favorite whiskey which is hard to find (Tullamore Dew).

[banjolinana]

You should add August and Piccolo Angelo to your list too.

[jsmitty]

Piccolo Angolo

[kenito799]

my WV favs are Pearl (simple perfect lobster, fish, oysters) and Las Ramblas (reasonably priced Spanish wines and reasonably authentic tapas)

[shechow]

Moustache on bedford streets for the best lentiil soup and delicious innovative pizzas. all of their traditional middle eastern food is also great. great windows and a great space if not a little cramped.
I absolutely second Faicco's for their rice balls. mmmm mmmm!

[billyeats]

I must add Cafe Asean to the mix - my favorite place in the WV for asian food. It's technically southeast asian food.

[Lucia]

Crispo, Little Owl, Po, Wallse, Lupa, Snack Taverna
Honorable mentions: Cornelia St. Cafe, Westville, Cafe de Bruxelles, Agave, Cornelia St. Cafe.

[baconstrip]

kudos to blue hill, mas and wallse! all grown up and sophisticated without the attitude. great food and service.

[FIFO22]

Chanto - Japanese on 7th Ave (around 10th)
Palma - Mediterranean/Italian on Cornelia
Le Gigot - Rustic french on Cornelia
I second Rocco's for a cannoli (great napoleans too)
Philip Marie for brunch

Blech to Magnolia cupcakes - but banana pudding - YUM!

[pstella]

Second Gigot. Pitch perfect.

edit: Also second snack taverna.

[jdmetz]

The overall best restaurant in the Village has to be Blue Hill. Mas is also very good. For something more casual Little Owl, Blue Ribbon Bakery and 'ino are probably tops.

[kobetobiko]

Looks like jdmetz and I got about the same taste for restaurants (at least in West Village). I will add Sumile for as my fusion-Japanese favorite

[jinet12]

Mamouns for falafel and hummus...Rocco's for Black and White cookies and excellent cannoli...Actually everything looks great there....Faicco's Pork store for Rice Balls...Home for brunch, lunch, or dinner....Magnolia Bakery for chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting

[nycmegs]

Have got to disagree with Mamouns. Go to Taïm if you are in the mood for falafel and hummus. It is on 222 Waverly near 7th. Best falafel in the city and their fries with aiol mayo are amazing.

[a_and_w]

I don't think Taim is the best in the city but it is indeed very, very good. I, too, love the fries with saffron aioli but wish they would cook them a little longer. The sabich (fried eggplant with hard boiled egg) is also awesome.

[Pan]

Which do you find the best?

[nycmegs]

What do you think is the best? Please do not say mamoons.... Chick Pea is pretty good. I'm limited as I have only done falafel in the villages.

[a_and_w]

Azuri Cafe. I'm beginning to think it's the best in the US -- there's certainly nothing like it on the west coast.

[evbos]

I completely agree! Azuri Cafe is the best.

[LFeinberg]

Second Magnolia...and I don't care what ANYONE says!!!!!!!!!!!

[froggio]

Little Owl coz they have the best pork chop and it's just a well run restaurant

[tsiblis]

There are lots of fun places, depending on your mood. My favorite sushi place is on 7th Ave. South below Bleecker - Tora. It's reasonably priced and has great stuff.

Agave on 7th Ave. & W. 10th has great drinks, fun atmosphere, good southwestern food. I favor the shrimp tacos.

There are two tapas places - Ostia & Tasca, both pretty good.

Cafe Condesa, not much in ambiance, is nice for brunch.

Cafe Deux Gamins is good at any time of day.

Bar Pitti on 6th Ave. near Bleecker (cash only) also has little ambiance but wonderful food.

There's a fun sausage/hot dog place on Grove west of 7th Ave. - I don't remember the name

[JulieL]

Tartine-I've actually had dreams about the spicy chicken with guacamole and fries.

[Bugsey34]

I agree, at the moment it would be Little Owl. For dinner at least. Meatball sliders and pork chop very good. Very clean and simple food done well. Friendly service in a nice setting.

[jsmitty]

I fully agree with Little Owl
others on my wvillage list
Wallse-creative austrian, great room
Sack Taverna-fresh, modern greek in a bright, not too vast space
Spotted Pig-looks like a pub, really isn't in terms of the serious food. great burgers, even better gnuddi(sp?).
mary's fish camp/pearl oyster bar- i listed them together b/c i love them both. i would give pob the nod on the lobster roll, but only by a nose
blue ribbon bakery-bread, fresh food, professional service. you can smell them baking the bread from the bathroom..
daddy-o a bar on bedford. i think among the best burger i've eaten in manhattan. great bloddy mary's too
joe's pizza-my favorite slice in nyc!

i also like aoc bedford, agave, moustche
good luck any questions please let me know

[meatfan]

I can tell you the best coffee is Jacks - I go to the one in the seaport but I think the original is in the west village!