The West Village—or, as Google Maps refers to it, Greenwich Village—can be a confusing place. Streets stop having numbers and crisscross in hard-to-follow patterns, forcing some (me) to open up the dusty Compass app on our phones to make sure we’re heading in the right direction. With the Whitney Biennial now on through September, and the weather—finally more pleasant than not—bringing tourists and dreamy locals out to the Highline, though, it’s the perfect time to get lost in this neighborhood and find yourself with a nice glass of wine and a hearty meal, and maybe some reading material picked up at Casa Magazines. Here, some spots to visit for food and drinks.
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Buvette
42 Grove St.
This perfect breakfast meeting spot, opened in 2011 by chef Jody Williams, has locations in Paris and Tokyo, but that doesn’t diminish its neighborhoody character and warmth. Toasts, waffles, omelets and other hearty dishes one associates with an airy French bistro.
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Delice & Sarrasin
20 Christopher St.
French again, but this time vegan. A creperie with escargot made of mushrooms, cashew cheese and algae eggs that deliver on all the flavors and textures one would expect from a spot with this menu. The tiny restaurant fits right in on Christopher Street.
Existing Conditions
35 W. 8th St.
After the closing of seminal cocktail lab-slash-bar Booker and Dax, everyone wondered what would be next for Dave Arnold, who’s more scientist than bartender. The answer was this bar with the decor of an upscale pub, offering bottled cocktails out of old-school vending machines, an enviable list of zero-proof concoctions and a solid list of house drinks.
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Frankies 570 Spuntino
570 Hudson St.
Frankies abound in New York City, and the West Village outpost offers all the homey Italian goodness one has come to expect. From spaghetti and clams to eggplant marinara and all the way back to classic crostini and antipasti, it’s done right here.
High Street on Hudson
637 Hudson St.
This Philly transplant is ever-packed with guests seeking a menu grounded in the restaurant’s bread program. Now that Melissa Weller has joined the team, one can expect even higher levels of carb achievement. There’s a lot of Mediterranean influence in the beautifully plated dishes.
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Kesté
271 Bleecker St.
Pizza is everywhere, but Kesté does it better than most. There are also the homemade truffle burrata and long list of salads to munch on prior to settling in for one of their white, special or marinara pies.
Taïm
222 Waverly Pl.
This falafel spot—which also has locations in Nolita, Midtown, the Financial District and Flatiron—is essential for a quick bite, perfect for vegetarians and vegans alike.
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Via Carota
51 Grove St.
A favorite of the food-writer crowd, here chef Jody Williams of Buvette works alongside Rita Sodi of the neighborhood’s also-excellent I Sodi. The self-taught chefs cook up some of the best Italian food in the city, from the Tuscan beans and spinach on their lengthy vegetable menu to the reasonably priced fish and meat dishes.
Photos courtesy of Existing Conditions
