A few years back I became very resentful of the Brooklyn Renaissance. Besides losing friends to cheaper rents and bigger spaces, it seemed like all the articles related to food and beverage were about Brooklyn. I just felt like Brooklyn was having all the fun.
When I first started writing this article, it was going to be about how Manhattan, particularly the West Village, was losing its creative bent. How the food scene was leaving the West Village because of the high rents and bigger spaces across the East River. The more I thought about the food scene in the West Village, the more I realized I would be selling my village short. So here are a few places that I think represent the creativity and style of the West Village. And I’m sure as you read this article you’ll be thinking of many more.
Sometimes I think Jody Williams is in my head when it comes to food. Her small plates of high-quality, great-tasting food, along with wine that complements the flavors she’s created, is how I want to eat. From my first bite at Gottino’s seven years ago to the last time I ate at Buvette, it’s like she knows what I want for dinner. Now she has opened Via Carota along with Rita Sodi of I Sodi and, although I haven’t eaten there, I’m thinking about it.
Ramen seems to be all the craze here and in every other borough. On Greenwich Avenue there happens to be a very good place for ramen—Nui Noodle House. Pick up some or get it delivered. The ramen won’t disappoint and the packaging is impressive.
Mighty Quinn BBQ is in Brooklyn and New Jersey and has three locations in Manhattan. The BBQ is excellent, but their wings are the best I’ve ever eaten, period. End of story.
I love a good Bloody Mary and Jeffery’s Grocery does a very good one, but what makes theirs a standout is they serve it with a small beer chaser. The server told me this is a Midwestern thing, and if you’ve ever needed a Mary on a Sunday morning, the only thing that makes it better is a short cold beer.
BYOB makes for a nice time at Tartine, but have you had the croissants? I was in Paris this past summer and when I returned to Tartine’s croissants, I felt like I never skipped a beat.
Burgers abound everywhere—three come to mind right off the top. Of course The Corner Bistro, but what makes their burger special for me is the McSorley’s on tap. I also enjoy the White Horse Tavern burger. But my favorite West Village burger is at Tavern on Jane. Besides the bun and the burgers doing their job, the fries are freshly made and the coleslaw is very good. If you’re going to make coleslaw, make it good.
I know I have not even scratched the surface of all the great dining experiences in the West Village, but I’ve mentioned enough to prove I don’t have to cross the Williamsburg bridge to find interesting, high-quality and most importantly, tasty cuisine. It was right here in my back yard all along.
If you would like to email me some of your favorite culinary gems in the West Village please do so at johnbarrera8@gmail.com; I would love to hear about them. Please help me avoid Brooklyn.
Food/Wine/Buzz Fact: The name Corned Beef comes from the corn kernel size and shape of the salt used to preserve the beef at one time.
Correction: Last month I wrote the Hamilton Soda Fountain was owned by Matt Coutinho—this was incorrect. The owner is his wife Chrysalis Coutinho and Matt’s name is Matthew Paratore. Stop by, say hi, and don’t miss the egg creams.
