Extra Virgin

REVIEW

July 21, 2009


CUISINE: French, Italian, Mediterranean
NEIGHBORHOOD: Greenwich Village, West Village

 

259 W 4th St Between Charles and Perry St

(p) 212-691-9359

 

Basing our opinion on a number of meals at the restaurant, we’ve concluded that at EXTRA VIRGIN, a bad meal is hard to come by.  The Roasted Artichoke Parmesan, served with pancetta, poached egg and hollandaise, is a lovely light dish during the summer months and we have yet to find a risotto that beats their winter offering which is served in a miniature pumpkin so supple you can cut it with your fork. The West Fourth Street spot doesn’t take reservations and gets quite crowded, so give yourself enough time to enjoy a glass of wine at the bar or to stroll through the idyllic surrounding blocks...

 

If you’re lucky, you will manage to snag one of the coveted sidewalk tables, arranged so that you can sit and people-watch as you eat.  On a recent Saturday afternoon, we spotted two celebrities strolling by within five minutes (neither were Clive Owen, so we didn’t throw the table aside to lunge after them.)  Once the sun has set, EXTRA VIRGIN turns the lights down low, to the point that you might need to hold one of the candles over your menu in order to read it — in other words, it makes for a great date, but don’t plan a working dinner here. When you are first seated, the waiter will give you a choice of olive oils to accompany your crusty bread; we suggest trying them all, using the different options to enhance the flavor of what is sure to be a delicious meal.

 


Posted in FOOD on July 21, 2009 12:42pm by Rachel Hochhauser | 0 comments




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