Currently planning a trip to NYC without our kids for two nights in July (we’ll be in town Wed afternoon thru Friday midday). I’m looking into options of where we could eat – most likely a total of one lunch and two dinners.
We are staying on UWS, but will likely be doing things downtown and in Brooklyn, so those areas are on the table. Probably not interested in Queens/Bronx for this particular trip.
We’re not looking for anything too fancy, but it would be nice to eat at places with a festive, fun atmosphere (an outdoor patio could be nice, but not necessary), and also great, creative, interesting food. The type of place you’d go on a date night without the kids. Pescatarian or vegetarian options preferred (though we’d likely eat some meat too). Based on reading things here, and also looking at Eater, below are some places I’m considering.
Feel free to comment on these, and/or offer other suggestions.
By the time you get here in July, my wife and I will probably have gotten to Le Jardin Bistro in its new-ish location. I know you liked it in the past & so did we. The new place’s menu seems slightly different (I didn’t see my favorite herring/potato appetizer listed on line) but they do advertise a roof deck outdoor area that looks promising. I’ll write it up if we go.
As for the rest of your list, I cant say that we go to any of them & I’ll look forward to hearing about them if you do.
Vegetarian New Yorker here. I prefer Shuka over Shukette. Shuka is definitely worth a trip and you’ll have a lot of vegetarian options. My other standbys are:
Cookshop - large patio right on 10th Ave, consistently good food and drinks, vegetarian friendly. I’ve been going there for years and years and it doesn’t disappoint.
I Sodi - I haven’t been since they moved, but this is a good option for Italian that isn’t for kids. I think the new space has a patio.
Cafe China on 37@6th. No outdoor space as far as I know, but it’s a good date night choice because there are so many wonderfully spicy dishes.
I haven’t been to Zimmi’s but close by is Market Table, which is quite good.
Yeah, I really wish the old Le Jardin Bistro still existed
The roof deck looked like a possibility for a later-evening snack or drink though, so I’ll definitely be on the lookout for your report. FWIW, the reviews on OpenTable aren’t great.
I love Le French Diner, but they don’t take reservations, so you’d be rolling the dice. Also a fan of Shukette. Not on your list, but I was very impressed with Smithereens and have not stopped wanting to return.
I’ve been to Wayan a few times and liked it a lot, but I’ve not been to most of the others on your list (although SHUKA AND SHUKETTE are right there at the top of my list) so can’t compare… Most of the others on my own list are Asian.
I SODI is very nice and reliable but I do’t find it too exciting; I guess I’m in the minority with that opinion.
I like KOLOMON a lot…it’s beautiful and they do a great Wienerschnitzel and a decadent duck liver pate. The chef was formerly at BATARD which was lovely if crashingly loud.
Here are a few I saved. I’ve never been to any of these and would love to hear if anyone has comments:
VAN DA
PHO GA VANG
SUN HING LUNG
YI JI SHI MO (rice rolls; I’m having an ongoing craving; wrote bout this craving on another thread but have had to postpone dining out due to bad cold/cough thing…)
RAKU (which location?)
UNCLE LOU
Also, I like a lot: GRANDMA’S HOME, but have not been in about six months. Just writing this I’m about ready to dash out of the house RIGHT NOW for Chinese food. But both of us have had some horrible cold/cough for about a week now, so have to wait a while before I go anywhere…
I really liked PINCH CHINESE and right after they opened, I went a few times in quick succession (I do that. lot when I develop a 'crush" on. restaurant; same thing happened with WAYAN). But I’ve not been back in a few years and, looking at the menu, it does look pretty expensive. But what is not expensive now?? Any current opinions on PINCH?
Just read an article about a new West Village cultural phenomenon - the “West Village Girls” - recent college grads from big universities who gravitate here as a result of certain influencers… apparently I Sodi and its sibling restaurant are big favorites of this movement resulting in huge waits and perhaps sitting with these young women and their dates. https://www.thecut.com/article/nyc-west-village-neighborhood-new-generation-women-girls.html Not sure you would be without the kids in this context!
