good east village date?

[rebecca2180]

anyone know a nice, not overpriced date spot on the LES or east village? looking for something fun, chill, and not crawling with people from murray hill who came downtown for the latest "dish".

[vegansusan]

Cacio e Vino on 2nd ave is nice- big open windows and kick-ass pizza.
Le Miu on Ave A b/n 6th and 7th for sushi- a little $$$, but the quality is the best in the EV.
Assenzio on 4th steet b/n A and B- really cozy, neighborhood Italian
Grape and Grain on 6th Street is my favorite. The staff makes the visit worth it.
Nomad- Unique Moroccan on 2nd Ave at 4th Street.
Tigerland- Organic Vietnamese on Ave A and 5th Street.

[Palo Alto Foodie]

I have fallen in love with Pizza Gruppo (Avenue B between 11th & 12th). Decidedly-affordable fare that some rank as the best NYC pizza. Others prefer thicker-crust, more-filling pizzas (such as at John's on Bleecker), and some complain that they eat an individual-sized pie and leave hungry. I like the lower carbs from the thin crust, and like laving a bit of empty space at the end of the meal (either for dessert or to keep the overall calorie intake low). Favorite toppings: Sweet Italian sausage, ricotta cheese, carmelized onions, roasted red peppers, basil.

[ronoc]

The mushroom pizza there is unreal - 4 different kinds of shrooms

[kayonyc]

Falai, Chubo, Perbacco, Danal, The Orchard, Itzocan cafe (although it is teeny), Inoteca (borderline murray hill-ish) in descending order.

[elizabeththinks]

I have to say, I'm not a fan of Falai. Maybe it was a case of too high expectations, but for the price: portion:quality ratio, I wasn't impressed. On top of that, with reservations for 3, we waited 15 min to be jammed at a table for two.

[centrejack]

Sorry, I don't get the Murray Hill comment? Please give us more detail - I have no idea what that means and would like to understand it for future reference.

That aside, Cacio e Pepe is reasonable and good, La Palapa is ok but not a great value.

A great date place would have been the Garden at Miracle Grill, but it is no longer there and the new place (I think it is called Imagine Bar and Grill - vomit) still has the garden, but pretty bad food. Does anyone know if it has changed ownership, or closed yet - they had no business last time we went there.

[foodie4life]

Jack's and Mercadito are great ideas. I would also add Dok Suni for Korean BBQ.

[egit]

I love Supper, but personally I'd rather go somewhere for a date that's not *completely* overcrowded, with no certainty of when I may get a table, whether there'll be somewhere even to stand after I get a drink at the bar, etc.

Otherwise I really am a fan of Supper. I suppose during the week it may be a better option.

[Palo Alto Foodie]

Supper (2nd Street between A and B) has become a favorite of mine, and others I have taken there have been impressed both by the quality of food and the relatively-low prices. Showing up earlier in the evening seems to help.

[emilia]

Supper's one of my favorites but note that a lot of the seating is at communal tables, so privacy may be an issue. although you might luck out and get a private table if you come at the right time. otherwise, love the lemon spaghetti and the fennel with parmsean.

[Pan]

Galbi/Bulgogi? Hmmm...the only dish I ever get from Dok Suni is the Hot and Spicy Broiled Squid. It's a decent place and a good date, though.

Remarking on some of the other restaurants mentioned upthread:

I'd say Lavagna is not exactly overpriced but certainly not cheap. The last time I went there (some time ago - maybe 2 years or more), I paid $112 for two, though I think that included the tip. It's romantic, though, and does serve good food.

Nomad is OK (some dishes are better than OK) and romantic.

Assenzio really underwhelmed me when I went several months ago (maybe over a year ago, I don't really remember). I was not tempted to go back. It also seemed kind of cramped.

I actually liked Imagine, but it was quite some time ago, and the place may well have deteriorated. When I went, it tasted like Miracle Grill, which wasn't surprising because according to the New York Times $25 and Under review, the chef was the same. Perhaps they changed chefs?

[elizabeththinks]

Cacio e Pepe is good and also the Mermaid Inn is great. I really like Winebar as well.

[wanderluster]

Second on Mermaid Inn. Awesome food and service every time.

[whiterabbit]

lavagna is the move, cozy, easy staff, great wines to impress, or just by the glass. Supper's no slounch either, and to make a third I would say il Bagatto. My fave would still be lavagna.

[Pan]

Soba Koh, 5th St. just east of 2nd Av.

[CorgiLover]

will second cacio e pepe, although i think mercadito is a little murray hill.

mermaid inn?

[egit]

Skipping over Murray Hill altogether and coming down from Midtown East...

La Vagna and Le Tableau are both very nice spots.

[financialdistrictresident]

I prefer La Vagna (cozy, small, dark, intimate) over Le Tableau. La Vagna also has an amazing wine list.

[daryllaine]

perbacco

[jmo9]

Casimir - French bistro on 7th & b

Jack's Oyster bar

La Palapa - Mexican

Mercadidto - Tapas

[Lucia]

Enoteca Barbone, Cacio e Pepe, Azul Bistro, Apizz