The West Village is unquestionably the best part of town for great restaurants. Here are the listings:
- August (Regional European) The interior at August is right out of the "Sophisticated yet Beatnicky Handbook." The front dining room has a weathered, casually elegant (almost goth) feel to it, while the back garden is replete with natural light and friendliness. Chairs and tables are pretty basic, and the service is not overly-fawning (I'm just saying).
- Babbo (Italian) There are moments in life where everything changes. The truths that you once knew as certain are suddenly impossibilities, and the constants that you once clung to for comfort have been replaced by new realities. That’s what happened to me the first time I ate at Babbo.
- BellaVitae (Italian) Shortly after Bellavitae opened in 2005, my foodie-shirpa, Danielle, and I made the 12 block trek in heavy coats and winter gear (it was cold that night) to the warm (in every way) Bellavitae. It has influenced every Italian meal I have had since.
- BLT Burger (Burgers) In 2007, a major publication awarded BLT Burger with the “Best Burger in NY” distinction. One bite of the lamb merguez burger with yogurt sauce and cucumbers or the American Kobe burger and you’ll understand why.
- Blue Hill (American Nouveau) Perhaps the ultimate purveyors of succulent freshness, the chefs at Blue Hill do everything right. I still think the best salad I've ever had was at Blue Hill - beautifully seared chicken on a mixed green salad with tarragon dressing. That's how the courtship began, and, as everything on the menu is just as perfectly done, I'm now on the Blue Hill leash and I never stray too far.
- Charles (American) Charles is a sceney scene with that dark, urban-goth-chic feel that trend followers love. The food is as good as it needs to be for this crowd.
- Commerce (American Nouveau) The space feels a bit like vintage New York City, with tiled walls that hearken back to either the roaring twenties or to the grand central station bathroom. It gets loud, but the food is superb.
- Dell'anima (Italian) All the jaunty fellows in the West Village looking for hip Italian food head to dell'anima. It's not that this place has over the top mind blowing food or that the space is perfect and hidden from the tourists. It's just that it fires on all cylinders. The food is really quite nice, the service is consistently solid and the atmosphere delivers on jiggy and warmth at the same time - a tricky combination.
- Doma (Cafe) If you’re a fashion writer, a celebrity in disguise or a cast off from the Hait Ashbury District, Doma is the place for you. Walking in, you might think that granola and vegan stuff would be the only things on the menu. Luckily, (for me anyway) that isn't the case.
- Giorgione (Italian) They’re going to make you feel as welcome as family at this perfectly adorable (and favorite of many a foodie) trattoria. The space is comfortable, and the food is stellar.
- Good (American) Yes, it's good, but don't expect much more. It's a nice spot for weekend brunch, but overall it just lives up to its name.
- Gottino (Italian) Gottino is essentially a wine bar that serves lots of different small plates. There are maybe two tables in the back, but if you're eating here, you're almost certainly eating at the bar - which is comfortable, large and adorned with delicious bread that you should dip in the anchovie olive oil - mmmm.
- Ino (Italian Sandwiches) For over 10 years, ‘ino has been the undisputed king of Italian sandwiches in the West Village. Jason Denton opened this gem to great fanfare, and everyone from Martha Stewart (who claims they are her favorite sandwiches) to most major food critics have heralded ‘ino as the panini place to beat.
- Joseph Leonard (French) The space has a casual feel and focuses a lot on the large, curved bar that seats almost half of the restaurant’s guests. The two-tiered interior, tin ceiling and wooden bookcase round out the comfortable feel. The food never disappoints.
- Kingswood (Australian) When you walk in you feel an instant charm, warmth and whimsy. It's kinda like 3 parts Australian country house, 1 part New York garden apartment and a dash of Mrs. Havisham (the butterflies on the ceiling and the plants that seem to be growing out of the walls are what took me there).
- Lupa (Italian) Possibly the most addictive (and affordable) of Mario Batali's restaurants, there's no wonder why everyone puts Lupa in their standard rotation. So, everyone knows about it, and it's always packed. So what? The food is so good that you and gluttony will quickly become BFF's.
- Magnolia Bakery (Bakery) If you have trouble finding this holy grail of bakeries, just look for the enormous line snaking out the door and around the corner. Yes, it’s popular – but with good reason. Once inside, act quickly to snag a fresh-off-the-pan red velvet cupcake.
- Mary's Fish Camp (Seafood) Channeling the distinctive freshness and style of those lovely road-side places in Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket is the sensational Mary’s Fish Camp.
- Mas (American Nouveau) An oaky wooden door with a masculine, iron handle opens up to a precious little bar/lounge area featuring a simple couch-esque settee adorned with flowery pillows in front of a sophisticated looking bar. Get the halibut.
- Otto (Italian/ Pizza) What is it about the pizza at Otto that makes it so good? The fact that Mario Batali is an investor, should be enough of an answer. But one of the big secrets to their amazing pizza is the way it is cooked. It's done on a flat iron griddle with olive oil, making the pie (can I call it a pie here?) perfectly crispy, chewy and flavorful. The exceptionally fresh and flavorful ingredients don’t hurt either.
- Peanut Butter & Co. If you’re old enough to remember what a “general store” looks like (or you’ve seen pictures), that’s what Peanut Butter and Co feels like. There’s an old wooden counter up front, 50 year old print ads for peanut butter on the walls, old rickety shelves and basic chairs and tables. It's a great place for kids.
- Perry Street (French) The space is splendid and calm, and I have recently become a junkie for the lunches at Perry Street. $24 for a three course orgasm is rare deal in the city. I just can't get enough of that hanger steak. Mmmm.
- Po (Italian) Mario Batali is no longer involved, but the solid Italian fare still packs them in at this standby for (mostly) unfussy West Villagers. The bar is probably the most intimate of its kind in the city, and you’ll feel quite smart if you’re able to score one of the four stools that surround it.
- Tartine (French Cafe) Tartine isn’t so much a restaurant as it is an institution. The focus is on great, straight-forward French café food. The space inside would feel cramped except for the WV good vibes radiating from the staff and clientele.
- The Little Owl (American/ Mediterranean) Located on a particularly quiet corner of the west village, The Little Owl could just as easily be a smart cottage in the British countryside as the destination WV restaurant that it is.
- The Spotted Pig (English Pub/Italian) Injecting the word “gastropub” into the New York restaurant lexicon (and setting off a minor revolution in the industry), The Spotted Pig opened a little over 5 years ago to massive critical acclaim – and with good reason. It really was (and still is) the perfect restaurant.
- Wallse (German) Almost all of my friends place Wallse in their top ten NYC restaurants. It’s not just that it’s on a beautiful corner in the West Village, or that most of the local residents consider it sacred (and never tell tourists about it), or that the space inside is upscale and lovely without being predictable. What makes Wallse, Wallse, is the food.
- Waverly Inn (American Nouveau) Two things are certain at the Waverly Inn – celebrities and celebrity gawkers. I saw Angelica Huston, Salmon Rushdie and some famous pop singer…and that was just on my first visit. Most of the big names in the neighborhood are regulars here, and that’s why you’ll see the paparazzi casing the joint at all hours.