Guy Brighton's New York Guide

Delicia

322 W 11 St, Btwn Greenwich & Washington, NY 10014 - Great, great Brazilian food in family/home-cooking restaurant. Consider the Muqueca de Camarao (shrimp stew with coconut milk) or Mandioca Frita (fried yuca). Menu isn't too varied so don't go the 30 times we have or you'll get bored of even the chorizo starter!! Feb 18 04

Update Thur 17 2005: Whilst the Spotted Pig remains packed at anytime, it's always quite a surprise to find this spot so empty. OK, different scene, different ambience but great food. But! Be prepared for that wait! Even for the check!

Update Sept 13 2005: He's got staff!! Well 2 right now!

Delicia Menu
Map
Price range: $$ ($15-30)

Alma

187 Columbia (Degraw/Cobble Hill W.) 718.643.5400. Alma is tucked quietly away in Red Hook (and even hidden upstairs in a pub). However, the long walk from the subway on Smith St is well worth the wait. Alma has one of the best views (if not the best) of the city on its heated deck. Simply magnificent skyline of Lower Manhattan. Oh, and the Mexican food is pretty decent too.

Website

Westville

210 West 10th West Village (& Bleeker) (212) 741-7971 - New simple food made nice restaurant. Great value. Small.

Try the Turkey Burger and the Pork Chop! Also smoky mac n cheese or corn-on-the cob.

Details, another review or see Leonardo Di Caprio ordering take out here.

UPDATE FEB 2ND!! So the ambience remains the same, but is the love for the food similar? We dunno anymore. We wouldn't quite say they've sold out but we would say that the only reason to go to Westville would be for the turkey burger. It really is the best in town. Promise.

UPDATE SEPT 12th 05!! I'm sorry to say that this place looks like it's being run into the ground. The place is dirty. It's due for a good clean up. Order the turkey burger as take out.

Guy's Diary posts about Westville
THURSDAY 8th JANUARY : WESTVILLE

Xunta

174 First Avenue (bet. 10th & 11th Sts.) NYC NY 10009 212.614.0620 - Xunta is a little hole in the wall place. Actually it looks more like one of the dive bars that neighbors it. But if that doesn't put you off, get yourself down for soem tapas that actually tastes like tapas (rare in NYC). The menu is from Galicia, wine is pretty good and on Thursday nights they do a little Flamenco. Recommended when you're just in it for the grub.

Website & Directions

Nobu Next Door

105 Hudson St. (btwn Franklin and No. Moore Sts). 212-334-4445. Nobu Next Door is the quick and more affodable to it's older sister next door. Everyone is a little more crammed in here but it wasn't as snooty as I expected. Nice staff, Japanese food tasted delcious. Fair price. Found myself in the toilet of Cafe Noir 15 minutes after we left for 30 minutes as my guts 'did a number on me'. Maybe I had a bad bit of raw fish?? Pains lasted all night.

Map

The Stanton Social

99 Stanton Street, NY 10002 - 212 995 0099 - OK, so the Stanton Social is the look of things to come in Lower East Side. Sure, I imagine some of the old locals and the hipsters hate the place but there's no denying that LES is changing. Around the corner the Rivington Hotel now opened - it's tall glass structure juxtaposed against the tenement buildings.

If you're looking for a more upmarket bar in LES this is it. Go upstairs, and yes it's full of Upper East and West Side tourists and yes it don't have an 'edge' but at the same time it's buzzing, busy and a little more fun than Pianos ever was.

And as for the restaurant? Supposedly American/French/Japanese/Sushi/Thai. Take me there!

Bar Bossa

232 Elizabeth St (south of Houston) - 212 625 23450 - Man, with this new small restaurant they seemed to have nailed it. Lovely old-feel-tiled decor, great lighting, modern Brazilian theme, good cocktails, nice small bar to sit at, tightly packed tables with friendly diners.

Whoever opened Bar Bossa did some big planning.

The only problem is that it really is all to plan. So is the food, so to speak. The menu looks varied and lively but I'm afraid it's cook by numbers. The three Mexicans in the kitchen, bless 'em, just churn out plates as the plan directs. This place is just the manifestation of a business plan - there's no love for food here.

Saying that, check it out: come just for the bar and the cocktails.

Jarnac

328 W12th St (c/o Greenwhich Ave) NY 10014 - 212 924 3413 - Despite living right next door to this place for almost a year, I had never taken the Lady to dine here. It all looks so very proper when you look through the window. So I got the chance to go when my parents came to town. Perfect location. Staff act like they're one big family. Good wine. Terrific food.

Nice English guy, Tony, with French upbringing makes sure the place is running perfectly whilst food is cooked by Maryann with love. Perfect place for an 'occasion' meal.

Menu
Website

The Blue Mill

50 Commerce Street 212 352 0009 - I haven't eaten here yet but the owners of Chumley's have taken this place over and reverted it back to it's original name and mood. Leave a comment if you go!

Josie's

565 3rd Ave (c/o 37th Street) 212 490 1558 - OK. So somehow you find yourself in Midtown around lunchtime and you're a little peckish. First recommendation woudl be to get out of Midtown, but if you can;t - get yourself some healthy lunch at Josie's. They call is 'concious cuisine'

Menu
Map
Web