New, cool vibe and good food downtown this week - similar to Kenmare or Standard

[BLover33]

Any rec's. Have a few friends coming into town and looking to take them out to a trendy or fun place with good food. Anywhere downtown.
Were thinking Kenmare or Standard Grill but both are booked.

Thanks in advance!

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Standard Grill
848 Washington Street, New York, NY 10014

Kenmare
98 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012

[pdquinn]

Travertine on that same street is also good. The food is excellent and they just opened a new club in the basement.

[Hey19]

peels? pulinos? la esquina? employees only? freemans?

as for peels? you know, def not as cool as freemans, but fine, kind of a relaxed vibe, food is not amazing, but worth a try.

I like to take out of towners to a momofuko, maybe a bit different than what you had in mind, but is argueably unique, and kind of a cool vibe.

[BLover33]

Thank you!

[loratliff]

Yeah, what about Ma Peche? I've enjoyed it every time I've been. It doesn't meet your downtown requirement but it's definitely trendy and the food is really quite good.

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Ma Peche
15 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019

[sgordon]

That might be the first time "good food" and "similar to Kenmare" were ever used in the same sentence.

That aside, if you're looking for sceney + decent food, then what everyone said above: Public, Freeman's, Peel's... also add the usual McNally joints: Schiller's, Balthazar, Minetta Tavern (if you can get a table, that is)... throw in Double Crown (same owners as Public) as well.

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Kenmare
98 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012

[BLover33]

Never eat at Kenmare so can't vouch for the food...was just saying looking for good food with a cool vibe but think you got that.
Thanks for the rec's!

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Kenmare
98 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012

[sgordon]

Reviews were pretty terrible all around for Kenmare... see NYT, NY Magazine, etc...

[loratliff]

Peels is good, but I think the owner's other place (Freemans) is better. Public, on Elizabeth, has amazing food and gorgeous interior. It's also very hip and trendy without being pretentious. I always take my out of town friends there.

[BLover33]

good to know...thank you. Public is very cool. Have been for a drink but never ate there. Anything in Meat Packing?

[loratliff]

There's always Pastis in MePa, although I think it's kind of overrated. You could do Employees Only in the West Village. They're more known for drinking, but it's hip and they do have a pretty robust food menu, same with Death & Co. The downstairs part of La Esquina would be fun too if you could get a res.

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La Esquina
106 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012

Employees Only
510 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

[BLover33]

would love La Esquina but still impossible to get a reso

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La Esquina
106 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012

[loratliff]

Really? I haven't been since September, but I didn't have all that much trouble.

[small h]

Peels? I can't vouch for it personally, but the reviews I've read make it sound like a good fit for you.

http://www.peelsnyc.com/

[BLover33]

Haven't heard of that place but will check ou the menu. Thank you!

[kathryn]

The crowd is pretty hip at Peels but the decor not quite as much.

[small h]

Yes, I know this from peering in the windows. It is the newest of all the places recommended thus far, though. Pastis is positively ancient by comparison - it opened in '99.