Joseph Leonard

REVIEW

January 4, 2010


CUISINE: American (New), French
NEIGHBORHOOD: Greenwich Village, West Village

Photo: NY MAG

170 Waverly Pl. at Grove St.

(p) 646-429-8383

 

Dining at Joseph Leonard is an exercise in patience. First, there's the inevitable wait —  usually between one and two hours — and then the space itself, which is unbearably small.  There are only seven tables, most of which fit two people plus the knees and elbows of waiting diners. It was so packed that I couldn't lift my arm without unintentionally poking the girl next to me. Run by Gabriel Stulman, JL bares a striking resemblance to Stulman's former haunt, The Little Owl, in that they are both nestled in teeny-tiny west village corners and are decorated in a rustic, low-key fashion. But unlike The Little Owl, Joseph Leonard does not take reservations, and the food isn't worth waiting for. CONT'D

 

 


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Posted in FOOD on January 4, 2010 5:43pm by Jena Steinbach | 1 comment





Minetta Tavern

REVIEW

November 2, 2009


CUISINE: American (Traditional), French, Steakhouse
NEIGHBORHOOD: Greenwich Village, West Village

photo: NyTimes.com

 

113 MacDougal St at Minetta Ln

(p) 212-475-3850

 

Minetta Tavern has been around for almost a century, but last spring Keith McNally turned it into a trendy steakhouse, attracting foodies and scenesters alike. Living up to its namesake, the space is very tavern-like: checkered floor, red leather booths, wooden bar, all very dark. But the McNally touch is obvious. Though not as hip as when it first opened, it's still a scene, housing models and trendy older people and loud-mouthed girlfriends from New Jersey trying to get a table. The walls are creatively littered with caricatures of strange men — regulars like 'the well dressed truck driver.'  House cocktails, like the Murray Sour (whiskey, cardamom, nectar, fresh lemon and orange) add to the overall effect of the place, and they taste pretty darn good. The bar itself is a grand beauty; rows of shiny liquor bottles and cocktail glasses line the cherry-wood shelves like something out of a Mad Men episode. CONT'D

 


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Posted in FOOD on November 2, 2009 11:43am by Jena Steinbach | 0 comments





Five Guys

REVIEW

September 29, 2009


CUISINE: Burgers
NEIGHBORHOOD: Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO, Chelsea, Greenwich Village, Midtown, Park Slope, West Village

 

138 Montague St at Henry St 

(p) 718-797-9380

 

296 Bleecker St and Barrow St

(p) 212-367-9200

 

If Michael Pollan condoned fast food, Five Guy just might pass the test. The chain, which started in Virginia, is often compared to the West Coast favorite, In N Out, and for good reason. They both deliver soft burgers and salty fries in a paper bag, but with a healthier mission statement. There's no trans-fat and no frozen meat; they use only peanut oil and their fries are from Idaho potatos. It's high-brow fast food, and it works. CONT'D.

 


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Posted in FOOD on September 29, 2009 10:04am by Jena Steinbach | 3 comments





Baoguette Pho Sure

REVIEW

July 22, 2009


CUISINE: Sandwiches, Vietnamese
NEIGHBORHOOD: Greenwich Village, West Village

 

120 Christopher St at Bedford St

(p) 212-929-0877

 

After eating so many cans of tuna fish that the stuff was beginning to feel like cat food, I was excited to skip my standby lunch and check out Pho Sure, which sells $5 Banh Mi. Banh Mi, a Vietnamese baguette sandwich, is traditionally made with thinly sliced, pickled carrots and daikon, onions, cucumbers, cilantro, jalepenos, and meat or tofu. I ordered the classic Baoguette, which came fully loaded with the traditional accompaniments in addition to pork terrine, pate and pulled pork. I paired my sandwich with a $2 Grape Fruit Mash-- a tangy, grape fruit soda-- that pushed my tab to just under $8.  After placing my order, I took a seat in the front, counter-style half of the restaurant, and waited for my food with at least ten other Pho Sure enthusiasts...

 


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Posted in FOOD on July 22, 2009 9:22am by Jena Steinbach | 1 comment





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...

 


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