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cortez Feb 12, 2008 07:09 AM

West Village recommendations?

I'll be spending a week in Manhattan in late March, staying in the Meatpacking District -- Hotel Gansevoort. I'm looking for chowhound recommendations for great places to eat in the immediate neighborhood and West Village (walking distance).

On previous trips, I enjoyed The Spotted Pig and Cafe Cluny -- smaller, more intimate places with a neighborhood feel and good to excellent food. I want to avoid the "big show" places, eg. Buddakan, Spice Market, etc.

Any chowhound suggestions?

Thanks very much.

  1. v
    VillageGirl Feb 14, 2008 10:27 AM

    You must check out Blue Ribbon Sushi. The ambience, food, sake, service-- all spectacular. Hands down one of my favorites. Aquagrill is also great. Pepe De Rosso is tiny and very casual but excellent (love their sauteed calamari). And if you like Thai that's not too greasy, I would check out Boyd Thai on Thompson St.

    1 Reply
    1. re: VillageGirl
      c
      cdog Feb 15, 2008 05:04 AM

      AOC Bedford is a nice option and one that doesn't get a lot of ink. they have a great pre-fix menu. i also vote for Crispo, kingswood, perilla, august, Otto and barbutto

    2. w
      west village foodie Feb 13, 2008 02:54 PM

      Little Owl has a wonderful brunch. For small and friendly (and reasonable) I like Petite Abeille on Hudson near Barrow. Two spanish places near you: El Cid on 15th between 8 and 9 Avenue (for tapas and sangria only) and El Faro on Greenwich as others have mentioned. For exquisite croissants try Claude's Patisserie on West 4th between 6th and 7th. Another sweet place without much fanfare is Jarnac, on Washington and W. 12th.

      1. c
        clcg28 Feb 13, 2008 11:20 AM

        I love Antica Venezia. Fantastic italian. On West St at 10th. Not a bad walk at all.

        1 Reply
        1. re: clcg28
          e
          eatergrLnyc Feb 15, 2008 04:17 AM

          In my opinion, Antica Venezia felt like the quintessential tourist trap. Check out Maremma...

        2. 1
          180macd Feb 13, 2008 07:38 AM

          Da Andrea is great for Italian. Stop into Employees Only for cocktails before.

          1 Reply
          1. re: 180macd
            i
            idia Feb 13, 2008 08:08 AM

            Blue Hill offers a wonderful dining experience but it's not in the immediate area.

          2. l
            Lucia Feb 12, 2008 02:54 PM

            Crispo, Spotted Pig, August, Snack Taverna, Little Owl

            1. f
              FoodFanNYC Feb 12, 2008 12:47 PM

              Any particular type of cuisine?

              1 Reply
              1. re: FoodFanNYC
                c
                cortez Feb 12, 2008 02:33 PM

                As to type of cuisine, I'm very flexible. Price point: also flexible, but prefer no formal dress up requirements.

                Ex. For Italian, I've enjoyed Lupa over the years. Had fun at Cafe d'Alsace for its Germanic/French mix. For Spanish, I like Boqueria and want to try Mario Batali's tapas place. For Japanese, Bar Masa.

                Places that I've liked less (atmosphere + food < price):
                * Babbo (too hectic to enjoy)
                * Le Bernardin (sommelier too stuffy; not relaxing)
                * Bar at the Modern (ear splitting noise; more for a drink than food)
                * Spice Market: (rushed; poorly organized)

                Big bucks that I've enjoyed:
                * Per Se (better than French Laundry)
                * bar at the Ritz Carlton CPS (upscale but relaxed and fun)
                * King Cole Bar (ditto)
                * L'Atelier Joel Robichon (fun at the bar with multi course menu)

                Again, thanks for your help.

              2. c
                cimui Feb 12, 2008 12:10 PM

                I'm surprised no one's mentioned Fatty Crab. That place is great and it's close to your hotel.

                -----
                Fatty Crab
                643 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

                1. f
                  FoodFanNYC Feb 12, 2008 12:07 PM

                  Just went to (last Friday) to Pardo's (Peruvian) and then to Sushi Samba across the street for drinks. The food at Pardo's was very good and there are a million things to do in the vicinity.

                  The only thing is...it's on 7 Ave and Grove. A bit of a hike by foot but about a 20 min walk (less) from the hotel. And it's a charming/bustling strip - - but not as busy as the Meatpacking District.

                  If you click on my user id, you can read my review for Pardo's.

                  1. i
                    idia Feb 12, 2008 11:37 AM

                    Crispo for fine Italian.

                    1. r
                      rrems Feb 12, 2008 11:04 AM

                      Perilla, Snack Taverna, Crispo, Bar Blanc, Wallse, O Mai. For French bistro food, I'd choose Jarnac over Paris Commune, which IMO is overpriced and ordinary. Le Gigot also gets a lot of positive mentions on this board, but I have not been there.

                      1. h
                        Hungry Brooklyn Mike Feb 12, 2008 09:46 AM

                        It all depends on your expectations...
                        El Faro -- Old school Spanish (love it)
                        Crispo -- 14th St., but worth a little extra walk
                        Malatesta -- neighborhood, affordable Italian
                        Paris Commune -- Great French, also affordable
                        Wallse -- A little nicer, but well worth the price, this is a must...

                        Hope that provides some variety, good eating...

                        1. m
                          mc123 Feb 12, 2008 09:44 AM

                          My vote is for Florent... especially with all of the talk surrounding their lease expiring sometime this Spring, I'd suggest you get there before the rumor of them closing down becomes a truth!

                          1. c
                            Chuck Lawrence Feb 12, 2008 09:15 AM

                            Florent - still cool
                            Barbuto - quieter at lunch
                            Gottino - wine bar
                            Village
                            Mama Buddha - cheap, cheerful and healthy
                            Corner Bistro - burgers
                            Good - brunch
                            Cafe 202 - breakfast/lunch
                            Omai - Vietnamese 9th Ave/19th St
                            Bergamote - pastries 9th Ave 20th St
                            Murray's Bagels - 6th Ave/13th St
                            a bit further:
                            Snack Taverna
                            'Ino - wine bar
                            Little Owl
                            Blue Ribbon Bakery
                            Bar Pitti

                            1. LeahBaila Feb 12, 2008 07:18 AM

                              I love August and Perilla

                              www.thelunchbelle.com

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