LOWER EAST SIDE
les= (Houston to Canal; Bowery to Clinton)
Bianca: Italian. 5 Bleecker @ Bowery-Eliza; 23/17/$34; 260-4666; Date spot; Great value; Steal; Authentic food; Homemade pastas; Lasagna with béchamel & meat ragu; Attentive service; Cash only; Small.
Peasant: Italian. 194 Elizabeth @ Prince-Spring; 24/21/$54; 965-9511; Unique menu and amazing setting; Opera-set open kitchen; Romantic and sleek; Romantic wine bar downstairs; Rustic & urban chic
Public:
American. 210 Elizabeth @ Prince-Spring; 23/24/$53; 343-7011; Wonderful eclectic menu; Unique offerings, incredible surroundings; Hip, trendy feel; Popular date spot. Creative dishes – even Kangaroo on occasion & Tasmanian Sea Trout.
Congee: Chinese. 98 Bowery @ Grand-Hester; 20/13/$22; 965-5028; Gigantic portions for the Chinese cravings we all get; Kitschy décor; Fun experience, laid back, and tasty- exactly right.
Congee: Chinese. 207 Bowery @ Rivington; 20/13/$22; 766-2828; Gigantic portions for the Chinese cravings we all get; Kitschy décor; Fun experience, laid back, and tasty- exactly right.
Pho Grand: Vietnamese. 277C Grand @ Eldridge; 20/12/$25; 965-5366; Extremely authentic restaurant with large menu featuring soup, pork, and prawn dishes; Exotic spices and combinations; Dirt cheap for lunch or dinner. Go Pho it! Same owners as Pho 21.
Apizz: Italian; 217 Eldridge @ Rivington-Stanton; 24/21/$45; 253-9199; Off the beaten track location is only reason tables available- but it’s close to tons of nightlife; Brick oven classics; Romantic and toasty vibe; Mascarpone Ravioli; Whole fish; Variety of classics.
Kuta Satay: Pan Asian. 65 Rivington @ Allen-Eldridge; 23/16/$34; 777-5882; Just a terrific menu sampling multiple southeast Asian cuisines including Indonesian; Amazing curries; Very inexpensive; Sleek, sexy décor; Hot new option in area. Major winner.
Kampuchea:
Cambodian. 78 Rivington @ Allen; 22/17/$33; 529-3901; Fun lively spot; Noodle dishes are focus; Artful and energetic scene; Street food at right price; Communal tables; Oxtail stew and spicy corn on the cob stand out.
Oliva:
Spanish. 161 E Houston @ Allen; 21/16/$34; 228-4143; Tapas galore; Fun, energetic setting; Bartenders are great. Killer sangria; Loud crowd but cheap pricing. Crab with terragon & cognac.
Congee: Chinese. 100 Allen @ Broome-Delancey; 20/13/$22; 941-1818; Gigantic portions for the Chinese cravings we all get; Kitschy décor; Fun experience, laid back, and tasty- exactly right.
The Orchard: American. 162 Orchard @ Rivington-Stanton; 23/22/$51; 353-3570; Tables well spaced; Innovative Med-inspired fare; Top for the area. Hip but mature types; Sexy vibe and great wine list.
Little Giant: American. 85 Orchard @ Broome; 22/18/$42; 226-5047; New American cuisine; Daring dishes; Cool décor; Happy staff; Rising star; Small open kitchen; Seasonal ingredients; Mac n Cheese!
Café Katja: Austrian. 79 Orchard @ Broome-Grand; 24/20/$30; 219-9545; Known for nearly perfect sausages & fine wine and beer; Cozy setting, this authentic, friendly and affordable Viennese spot is a star.
Stanton Social: American. 99 Stanton @ Ludlow-Orchard; 24/23/$52; 995-0099; Ultra cool, popular, hip spot; Eclectic food; Trendy as hell; Young, good looking crowd, often celebs; American small plates and more; Food is outstanding and best if shared; Two levels; Red Snapper Tacos; French Onion Soup. Kuma Inn: Thai / Filipino; 113 Ludlow @ Delancy-Rivington; 24/15/$35; 353-8866; Small but unreal food and very affordable; Foodies heaven; Located on 2nd floor. Small plate format; BYO policy; Essentially Pan-Asian small plates. Strong service.
Tides: Seafood. 102 Norfolk @ Delancey-Rivington; 24/23/$41; 254-8855; Gorgeous bamboo ceiling; Incredibly affordable fresh seafood; Lobster Rolls stand out; Attentive staff & gorgeous setting; Simply a bargain for what you get; Must try; Soft Shell Crab in season.
Azul Bistro: Argentinean. 152 Stanton @ Suffolk; 23/18/$41; 646-602-2004; Steakhouse that is inexpensive for this genre; Good wine; Meat lovers paradise. Sizzling meat and melt in your mouth empanadas.
Falai: Italian. 68 Clinton @ Rivington-Stanton; 24/19/$50; 253-1960; Extremely unimaginably good Italian food. White on white décor; Exquisite dishes; Extremely inventive and creative use of ingredients.
Alias: American. 76 Clinton @ Rivington; 22/15/$36; 505-5011; American comfort food; Like an upscale diner but better than that; Creative cuisine in a welcoming setting. Cool Lower East Side vibe in a spot that gets popular in the evening; Solid if not spectacular.
Cube 63: Japanese. 63 Clinton @ Rivington; 22/15/$34; 228-6751; Great, ultra tasty sushi and special rolls; BYO to save money; Discounted, yet wildly fresh sushi; Great find that gets crowded so go early.
Sachiko’s on Clinton: 25 Clinton @ Houston-Stanton; 25/17/$56; 253-2900; Japanese; Sushi so fresh it might bite you; Food artfully presented; Inventive menu.
