I can talk about restaurants all day, especially in my neighborhood. I have a couple of favorites:
- 'ino - 21 Bedford Street & Downing - This small wine/pannini bar really only has seating for 20 people. I do not recommend going here if you are over a party of 2! If you are in the mood to catch up with a good friend and talk for hours over great wine & cheese, this is the spot. The atmosphere is very cool, there are no airs here. Music is always fabulous. The staff is always incredibly helpful and cool. I highly recommend starting with the bruschettas, namely Ricotta Fresca/Basil Pesto/Caponata Goat Cheese. If you do not want to go with bruschetta, try the Truffled Egg Toast, unreal. I also enjoy the cheese plate and cured meats. The panninis are all wonderful, you cannot go wrong. For desert, the nutella pannini & fruit in balsamic are a must!
- Marinella - 49 Carmine Street & Bedford - Do you want to go to a dinner in the West Village and not wait, yet eat wonderful food? Do you want to go where the locals go? This is your place. Great italian food, classic spot, nothing trendy about it. Just good food. The manager, Mike, is the best! If you start going here enough, the wine will be flowing. You must get the mini-meatballs to start! Everything on the blackboard is good! If you have a bigger party, you can get the back room, non-descript, but more private. Skip dessert here. Just focus on pastas & blackboard specials.
- Bar Pitti - 268 6th Avenue & Bleecker - (pictured here) Ok, so yes, this place is a place to be seen. I have seen numerous celebs here! More here than Da Silvano. Not to mention, the food is half the price and MUCH better. No wonder they come to this people-watching restaurant! They do not take reservations for parties less than 6. The waiting here can be a tad painful. Make sure you get there early! If you find yourself in the 7-9pm waiting crowd, ask them for a glass of vino, it helps. I'm telling you though, the wait is worth it. You never see a wait at its next-door neighbor! The service is fast, but nice. Obsessed with the tall guy who calls you "dahling" (my favorite!). I'm sorry, but the food here is fab! I have a good meal here everytime. Start with the veal meatballs or eggplant parmigiana. The rigatoni Pitti is a MUST! End with the pannacotta. Slap five with the hipsters as you walk out.
- Dallas Jones BBQ - 178 W. Houston & Bedford - This, primarily, take-out BBQ joint is awesome! The guy that owns/runs it is the best! He gave us his wall-street career to try something different and I would say he's succeeded. They have a smoker on-site, and offer two-types of ribs. You can eat at the restaurant, but there are only a couple tables. The meats are where it's at. Pulled pork, ribs, chicken, etc etc! Don't go for the sides, eventhough the mac&cheese is pretty tasty. I actually enjoy their chicken-noodle soup when I'm sick with a cold. Tough to find good soup in the area! Takeout is ideal here, they service most of lower Manhattan.
- Blue Ribbon - 35 Downing St & Bedford - Comfort food at its best. Very cute atmosphere, great breads to start, warm-welcoming staff. The starters are all excellent and fresh. I am not a vegetarian, but find myself always ordering the Hummus plate. I like their market salad. Also, the fried chicken is out of control. Everything you get at this place is tasty. You feel like you're at home. Desserts are even good, bread pudding anyone?
