Lunch: Pulinos, DBGB, Freeman's, or Locanda Verde?

[hungrycomposer]

I'm looking for a place to have lunch on Monday near Bowery and Houston that is quiet enough for conversation. I'm considering Pulinos, DBGB, or Freeman's. Another possibility is Locanda Verde because it's close to another destination I need to go to later in the day (and it might be superior to all of the above). I don't get out for lunch much, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

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Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013

DBGB
299 Bowery, New York, NY 10003

Pulino's
282 Bowery, New York, NY 10012

[hungrycomposer]

Thanks, Kathryn and Sam.
We planned on eating at Prune, but there was a very loud jackhammer in front of the restaurant which would have made our meeting a little difficult. So we went around the corner to DBGB. I had the fois gras torchon, spaetzle, and sausage. Everything was good, service was good, the place was pleasant enough, but not earth shattering. It's a little corporate. In the end it wasn't a bad choice, but I can see why Prune and LV are superior.

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DBGB
299 Bowery, New York, NY 10003

[sam1]

i havent been to dgbg but thats pretty much what i expect from it.

real shame about the jackhammer...prune for lunch is very enjoyable...maybe next time.

[cafin8]

Next time you should check out il Buco for lunch. Very mellow, and relaxed at lunch - unlike dinner which is too busy and loud for my taste - but they have the best food in the neighborhood. (and sam is right about prune, its great too)

[hungrycomposer]

That's funny, Il Buco was another possibility - but the weather was so nasty we wound up at DBGB quicker. And I hadn't heard any reports on Il Buco for years.

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Il Buco
47 Bond St., New York, NY 10012

DBGB
299 Bowery, New York, NY 10003

[sam1]

freemans is a ghost town for lunch. i think peels also works here and is surprisingly much more lively for lunch...probably due to its location on bowery. pulinos is not as bad as people say...it just had unreasonably high expectations. could be a bit loud but im not sure how crowded lunch could be.

id actually recommend prune for lunch but it may be a bit further east than you would like. great food, great environment and service. very enjoyable weekday lunch.

[hungrycomposer]

Prune is a great idea, thanks!

[kathryn]

Even if Pulino's is only 1/2 full, I have to imagine it's pretty loud with the tiled walls and ceiling and floors.

Prune (and LV) are a notch up from Pulino's, DBGB, Freemans, IMO. I've eaten at all five and I like all five but I think Prune and Locanda Verde are much more ambitious (if you go to LV don't miss the sheep's milk ricotta served with olive oil, sea salt, and herbs).

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Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013

DBGB
299 Bowery, New York, NY 10003

Pulino's
282 Bowery, New York, NY 10012