Sunday Night Small Plates

[Elyssa]

Hi All,

I'm coming into town for a work trip next week and have Sunday night free to catch up with an old friend. I was thinking that maybe we could go to a small plates restaurant for dinner.

What are some of your favorite small plates restaurants in Manhattan proper? Not looking for anything outrageously expensive (working off a not so generous expense account). I'm open to all types of cuisines---new American, Asian, Italian, French, Middle Eastern etc. I'm not really looking for classic Spanish tapas though....we have a number of great Spanish tapas restaurant in DC.

I've been to Stanton Social before and really liked it but would like to try something new. A place where old friends can grab a cocktail, some small plates and catch up.

Thanks!

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Stanton Social
99 Stanton Street, New York, NY 10002

[Elyssa]

My plans ended up changing on Sunday night and it was just me for dinner. That said I had a wonderful meal at Caselulla. This is the perfect little NYC neighborhood restaurant, which I wish was in DC!

The service was incredibly friendly. It was busy (the place is tiny) but they were incredibly helpful and paid the perfect amount of attention to me (sometimes as a solo diner I feel ignored...but not here).

To start I got an order of 3 cheese. If you like cheese this place is a find. They have a long, nice list and every single cheese comes with a different garnish. I knew I wanted to try one blue cheese in particular (an award winning cheese from Oregon) and then allowed the cheese monger to choose 2 additional American made cheeses for my platter. All 3 were delicious with perfect garnishes to match (poached pears for the blue, a lemon curd for the soft cheese, and candied pine nuts for the harder cheese). They also helped me choose a nice glass of a jammy red (my favorite).

For my 2nd dish I ordered the chicken liver. I thought this was going to be 2 pieces of toast with the liver already on it. Instead it was a small bowl with a thick layer of white fat (it looked like frosting) and pink peppercorns on top. It was served with crostini and fig jam. SO DELICIOUS and decadent. This dish easily could have served 3 people (there is only so much rich liver one can eat).

Overall it was the perfect end to a hectic, stressful travel day. I only wish I could stay in the city long enough to explore all these other restaurants. I come a couple times of year though so I think I will keep Kuma Inn and L'Oubli on my list.

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Casellula
401 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019

Kuma Inn
113 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

L'Oubli
188 Suffolk St, New York, NY 10002

[kathryn]

Can you define "outrageously expensive"? How much per person would you like to spend before tax, tip, drinks?

Note that not all of the small plates restaurants will have full liquor licenses, some just serve beer and wine.

See also:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/752178

[Elyssa]

Yes....I probably should have been more specific on the pricing (especially since this is NYC :)). Per person (before tip/tax) I would like to keep the check below $45 or so.

Also it's ok if it's just beer and wine.

[strangemd]

I would consider Txikito. The small plates are excellent, the wine list is reasonably priced, the sangria is good and strong. A nice place to hunker down, eat, drink and chat for a few hours.

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Txikito
240 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001

[kathryn]

OP said:
"I'm not really looking for classic Spanish tapas though....we have a number of great Spanish tapas restaurant in DC."

[kathryn]

Does the $45pp include beer/wine?

At many small plates restaurants in Manhattan, I find myself spending $40-50 before beer/wine/cocktails, such as at Momofuku Ssam Bar.

Those small dishes can really add up.

Although you'll find it much easier stay in your price range at Kuma Inn given that they are BYOB.

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Momofuku Ssam Bar
207 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Kuma Inn
113 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

[Elyssa]

It might include a glass of wine or a cocktail....but doesn't have to. And I should mention that would be $45 per person---even though we will be sharing dishes.

[Upperwestsider]

These are all good suggestions, and would add two more: If you find yourself downtown, you might want to try either Vintry (on Stone Street near Willam) or L'oubli, (Suffolk & Houston). Both are very reachable by subway. Both offer small plates, so you can control the $$, but have very different vibe: Vintry is a very classy (yet not formal) place--part of Harry Poulakoukis enterprises downtown, and L'oubli is a very hot spot run by Ben DeMarchelier (son of Eric) on the LES. Please lets us know what you choose and give us a review. Enjoy!

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Vintry Wine & Whiskey
57 Stone St, New York, NY 10004

L'Oubli
188 Suffolk St, New York, NY 10002

[Elyssa]

L'Oubli's menu looks great and a good price range. I'll definitely put that on my list.

A friend also recommended Chom Chom (because of a recent obsession with Korean food). Thoughts?

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Chom Chom
40 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019

L'Oubli
188 Suffolk St, New York, NY 10002

[Riverman500]

I'd avoid Chom Chom. Go to Ma Peche or Benoit instead and share some small plates at the bar.

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Benoit
60 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019

Chom Chom
40 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019

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

[uwsister]

I haven't been personally, but I have a Korean friend who actually liked Chom Chom quite a bit. He was surprised because he went in with low expectations. Too bad Danji is closed - I really liked those sliders.

[Elyssa]

Any thoughts on the following places????

Yakitori Totto
Caselulla
Kuma Inn
Danji
Beauty and Essex

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Yakitori Totto
251 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019

Casellula
401 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019

Kuma Inn
113 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

Danji
346 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019

Beauty & Essex
146 Essex St, New York, NY 10002

[kathryn]

Yakitori Totto is beer & wine only, I believe as is Caselulla.

Kuma Inn is BYOB, if I recall correctly. They charge a small corkage fee.

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Yakitori Totto
251 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019

Kuma Inn
113 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

[Elyssa]

Danji sounded awesome but apparently it isn't open on Sundays :(

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Danji
346 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019

[H Manning]

I love the bar menu at Picholine. Also try the Modern Bar Room, Tertulia, Casa Mono, or Empellon.

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Casa Mono
52 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003

The Modern
9 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019

Picholine
35 West 64th St., New York, NY 10023

Empellon Taqueria
230 W 4th St, New York, NY 10014

Tertulia
359 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011

[kathryn]

2nd Bar Room at the Modern. Decent cocktail list. Excellent small plates. Sleek modern decor. Great desserts.

I wouldn't get cocktails at Tertulia, and their cuisine is more classic Spanish tapas.

Same comment for Casa Mono. I don't think they even have hard liquor. Their cuisine is not exactly Spanish tapas but still pretty Spanish influenced.

Also note that Empellon is a Mexican restaurant and all their cocktails reflect that (tequila/mezcal base).

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Casa Mono
52 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003

Empellon Taqueria
230 W 4th St, New York, NY 10014

Tertulia
359 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011