Sara Asks:
“I need a Happy Hour place on the Upper West Side for tonight for 3 girls to catch up. Cheap drinks and eats. Any suggestions?”
I haven’t been yet, but I’ve been hearing some really good early feedback about Gus and Gabriel Gastropub on 79th between Amsterdam and Broadway. It’s diner/bar food done well — I’ve heard unbelievable things about the mac and cheese, the corn soup, and the deserts. They also have a really extensive beer and liquor list. Prices seem pretty reasonable.
Silk Road Palace on Amsterdam and 81st is a pretty typical Chinese (Szechuan) spot and the food is pretty good. The real reason that anyone really goes is that they serve you unlimited free boxed wine when you order an entree. Like I said, the food is usually nothing that awe-inspiring, but it’s pretty solid Chinese and it tastes pretty awesome after 4 or 5 glasses of cheap wine.
The only other option I know of doesn’t have a full bar (although they do serve beer and wine) but it is very cheap and very delicious. Hummus Place on Amsterdam and 74th st is probably the best hummus (and a really solid shot at the best falafel) in the city. It’s pretty hard to spend much over $15/ person when entrees are $6-$9 and the space is actually really nice. I also love their shakshuka, which is a a tomato sauce sauteed with two eggs over easy served with pita… simple and really nice.
Let me know how it goes and thanks for trying out my site!
Art Asks:
“I need a nice, comfortable, romantic place to eat… Preferably in the West Village. It’s for a first date with a good friend, so it can’t be too extreme. Price doesn’t really matter… So far I’m thinking Extra Virgin, Otto, or maybe the rooftop of Sushi Samba.. But I’m totally open to suggestions!”
I personally don’t find either Sushi Samba or Otto terribly comfortable… I like them both, but they can both get really loud and the service can be a bit inconsistent. They can be fun.. personally I think they work better as second or third date destinations. Extra Virgin (http://www.extravirginrestaurant.com/) would be a better bet in my opinion. Food is great, the volume is turned down and I think it’s much more warm of an atmosphere.
Another thing to note is that I personally can’t stand the in-your-face, candlestick-and-rose kind of romantic restaurant. I feel like everyone around me is celebrating anniversaries and it feels forced. From the places you’ve mentioned, it seems like you agree… so another place you might want to look at is Pearl Oyster Bar (http://www.pearloysterbar.com/) on Cornelia Street. It’s pretty much all seafood — I think the best lobster roll in the city. It’s a cozy little place and the fish is awesome… plus I think there’s something inherently romantic about fish.
Another nice and simple spot is Snack Taverna (Menupages here…) on Bedford, right near 7th Ave. It’s modern Greek food with small plates, meant for sharing, which I think is nice on a first date. Again, it’s a pretty small place with some great staff. There’s some nice, affordable Greek wines on the menu which never hurt, either.
All of these places are also a pretty short walk to Grom, the new-ish gelato place that opened on Carmine and Bleecker. It’s great, authentically Roman gelato across the street from Father Demo square, a beautiful place to end the evening.
Those would be my suggestions for now if you want to stay within the West Village. I hope I was of some help… good luck!
