One Weekend in the West Village
a hit list for a brief visit
I hope you all had a restful weekend and are taking care of yourselves. The last 7 days have felt like an onslaught of bad news, and it feels strange to be far enough away from it all to continue with business as usual.
It is devastating to see what Los Angeles has endured in just a matter of days. It has been incredible, though, to see how friends, both personal and industry, are banding together to support the city.
put together an incredibly comprehensive list of how to help—I hope you all can take a moment to offer support in whatever way feels right for you. I’ve been following day in and day out Chloe Walsh’s efforts to provide supplies wherever she can and cook for others, and especially appreciated note about the tenacity of the service industry, and their unwavering commitment to their community.Writing this week’s newsletter has been a welcomed distraction, I hope it can be for you too.
A high school friend requested some help scheduling an upcoming weekend in the city with the following specs:
Staying in the west village, small plates welcome, Italian, Mediterranean, any Asian food are leading category contenders.
I don’t spend a lot of time in the West Village—I average about one visit per month for a scheduled reservation or the odd afternoon exploration. There’s so much food over there, lots of which I’m sure I haven’t yet discovered. Beyond the sheer mass, it is also the home to some of the more instagram-popular locales, and seems to be the default second location for expanding restaurants.
I gathered ideas for coffee, pastries, lunch, and dinner in and around the neighborhood to offer a hearty and well balanced list of recs. I’m doing something this week I don’t often do, which is include places I haven’t yet been. There will always be a disclaimer if that’s the case. Below is what I think is a perfect itinerary, with more options than you need.
If you have an occasion you are planning for, as always, I am here to help. In the archives you’ll find…
Your West Village Weekend Itinerary
Day 1:
The Bleecker street outpost of the Long Island mainstay is one of the West Village’s strongest draws. Buttery biscuits, flaky scones, and the most enormous chocolate chip muffins with a coffee cake-like topping. Simple egg sandwiches and paninis are available, as are pies that look like they belong on an upstate farm stand and not near West 4th. Skip the coffee, and stroll North to Partners and/or Hungry Ghost—two reliable espresso pulls, and collect a warm beverage before you inevitably start shopping your way down Bleecker St.
Okay I haven’t eaten here but I have wandered through. There are few things I love more than provision shopping, especially at an Italian market well-stocked with marinated artichokes and San Marzano tomatoes. The tiktok kids will tell you this is the best sandwich in New York. I can not substantiate that claim, but a big ol’ Italian sub is just what you need to fuel a long day of walking around the city.
And to round out a carb-forward day, treat yourself to a big bowl of noodles. I STILL haven’t been to Jeju, and am dying to. Their bone broth ramen and pork katsu bowls are perfect for a February dinner, and I desperately need toro ssam bap. If you can’t swing a Jeju reservation, Raku will do the trick. One of my enduring favorites, Raku is always a bit of a gamble with a mostly walk-in seating arrangement. I dream about slipping into a booth on a chilly night for a big bowl of steaming hot broth with chewy Udon noodles and crisp tempura. More on Raku here!
Day 2:
Small wooden booths and a handful of standing tables line the lobby of the Merchant Square Building, perfect for catching the crumbs of a supremely flaky croissant and a fresh baguette. If you have any use for a Corn Porridge loaf, get one. I am partial to their plain croissant, though the savory egg croissants are always incredible (the last I had was with wilted kale and gruyere…sigh). The croustillant with seasonal fillings (a croissant meets a jelly donut) is more dessert than breakfast but I won’t tell. The coffee here will do the trick.
You can’t come to New York without a superb pizza experience, I don’t make the rules. Lucia Pizza has been a New York mainstay—a destination many were more than willing to travel to Sheepshead Bay for. Now, they’ve spread the wealth and opened I think four(?) additional locations across the city. Luckily, there is a location now in Soho for all your thin crust, not-too-greasy, cheese slice needs. If you are feeling more adventurous, L’Industrie is not much further north, but expect a line. The Williamsburg slice shop has expanded West offering their famous (and rightfully so) burrata slice for Manhattan dwellers. It is a really good piece of pizza. Maybe stop at Happier Grocery on your way from Frenchette and grab a smoothie for the road, in case you have a wait ahead of you—or want to mix in a vegetable.
Close your day out with laid back Mediterranean. I finally made it to Moustache last week and could not have been happier to sip my cup of tea packed with fresh mint leaves and dig fresh, stretchy pita into a big bowl of hummus. The mujaddara is not to be missed, and the muhammara and green salad with feta were a perfect addition. Next time, I am getting a big plate of falafel, and the pitza we were admiring on the table next to us. 12 Chairs has similar offerings, though I reliably go for their greek salad, which is one of my favorites in the city. Top it with chicken schnitzel or falafel, I promise you’ll be happy. Moustache doesn’t take reservations, and 12 Chairs can be reserved via Resy, or hedge your bets and stroll on in.
Day 3:
Another one I haven’t been to, but what’s a New York weekend without a big brunch? I want paper thin griddle cakes and over easy eggs at an oddly late hour after a long weekend. You’ve earned it, especially after waiting in line for that table.
Round it out with a special dinner—it’s date night, go big or go home. Demo and Quique Crudo both receive rave reviews from diners, and for good reason. Demo is serving steak and focaccia in a sexy dim wine bar, more on that here. For something a little lighter, Quique Crudo from lauded chef Cosme Aguilar is offering a menu full of crudos, tostadas, and light Mexican bites that are nearly impossible to choose from. This is very very high on my hit list.
Or…choose your own adventure:
Breakfast treats
Kerber’s, Frenchette, Salts Cure
Quick and easy lunch
Miznon (in Chelsea Market, from famous Israeli chef Eyal Shani. I dream about these green beans), L’Industrie, Lucia Pizza, Faicco’s
Lowkey dinner
Moustache, Omen Azen (another Japanese noodle option in the area), 12 Chairs, Raku
Big night out
Demo, Dame (a forever favorite, more on Dame here), Quique Crudo, King (famously the chicest little corner with a mouth-watering southern Italian menu—definitely a splurge), Zimmi’s (the hot new WV spot, allegedly a perfect French bistro. Had a res last week I cancelled but I’ve heard nothing but good things), Jeju Noodle Bar
So much lined up for this month, but if you need a little right on Franklin guidance, I LOVE doing these. I have two reservations at Ha’s this week, and an opening night table at Pitt’s. Where are you all eating this week??
See you soon xo
Faicco’s is so lovely - the sandwich’s are amazing and the staff is so friendly and have lived in the area since it’s open.
For a casual wine night I’d also suggest Gottino Enoteca e Salumeria! Nice bites and lovely outdoor seating🍷
Dame and Quique Crudo were 2 of my top 5 eats in all of 2024