Oliva, Frank, Lil Frankie's, Barrio Chino, or....?
Help!!
I keep reading about all these great spots on the LES but have gotten really lazy about staying in Chelsea and the west village lately. Planning a super casual fun birthday dinner for my little sis (she's 25, makes me feel so old). Looking to go somewhere good, fun and cheap. By cheap I mean under $20 entrees or a place where you can share a bunch of stuff. Still it's a bday dinner so can't be a total dive. We wanted to go dancing so I was thinking light dinner at a casual cute LES restaurant and then dancing at Pianos.
Here are some options I came across that sounded good:
Oliva - looks like a fun place but also looks like the food could be bad?
Frank's or Lil Frankie's
Frankie's Spuntino
Souvlaki GR - I have been here and liked it/good food and atmosphere but not sure how it compares to other gems out there
Co-op - seems a bit pricier than I wanted but maybe worth it?
Barrio Chino
Peels or Freemans - though they seem on the higher end
If ther eis a place that has good food and dancing, then I would love a reco instead of going to Pianos...
thanks!!
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Frankies 17 Spuntino
17 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002
Barrio Chino
253 Broome St, New York, NY 10002
Freemans
Freeman Alley, New York, NY 10002
Frank
88 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
Lil' Frankie's
21 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003
Oliva
161 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
Pianos
158 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002
Peels
325 Bowery, New York, NY 10003
Souvlaki GR
116 Stanton St, New York, NY 10002
Co-Op Food & Drink
107 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002
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You don't say how many will be in your party, or what night you're going out - that makes a difference. So I'm going to pretend this is a Friday dinner for just you and your sister.
The food at Oliva is nothing to write home about, although it's a friendly place. The food at Barrio Chino IS something to write home about, but it gets scary crowded and doesn't take reservations. If you go that route, you can put your name on the list - the hostess will call you when a table opens up - and go a few doors over to have a drink at The Ten Bells while you wait.
I like Frankie's 17 on Clinton a lot as well, and (in my experience) it's a little easier to get a table than at Barrio Chino. I don't think you're going to find the magic good food/dancing combination. And I didn't realize there was dancing at Piano's - every time I go there I'm in a crowd that stands and stares solemnly at the stage. But that could just be my taste in bands.
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Frankies 17 Spuntino
17 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002Barrio Chino
253 Broome St, New York, NY 10002Oliva
161 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002The Ten Bells
247 Broome St, New York, NY 10002Pianos
158 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002›2 Replies
