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Inexpensive dinner in NYC's Village. Recommendations?

My roommate and I are going out for dinner this Friday night. We want to try some place new (we are tired of eating at the same places all the time), and we would prefer it to be in the Village (West or East, we're not too picky) area. We are looking for something relatively inexpensive and delicious, with a nice atmosphere. We don't go out often - and we aren't looking for a sports-bar-kind-of scene (unless it's really worth it). Cuisine doesn't matter - in fact, if you can provide several different types, that would be great!

Also, I feel like I am always asking about restaurants here. Can anyone recommend a good website that has user reviews for restaurants in New York City?

Thanks so much!

14 Comments:

I like Otto on 5th avenue and 8th street. It has great little plates of italian delights and wonderful pizzas and pastas.

yelp.com is a great tool for reviews.

Hey, ovylicious, It would be helpful to know your cuisine preferences. Also, people can have very different views of what "relatively inexpensive" means. So, please give us a per person budget and tell us if that figure includes alcoholic beverages, tax & tip.

http://www.menupages.com/ has the most extensive set of restaurant listings and reviews in the city that I know of.

In the East Village, I like Paquito's (mexican) and Luzzo's (coal oven pizza, italian). Patsy's (pizza, italian) on University is not bad, either.

Sean

i second menupages.com. also try savorynewyork.com. what about lupa? i went a few weeks ago with a friend and spent about $30.

I like Smorgas Chef in the West Village. It's a Scandinavian restaurant. The only thing I've had is the swedish meatballs with lingonberries, and it is awesome! Also, they are giving customers a free bottle of wine in celebration of their third anniversary (you need to sign up via email). Can't go wrong with that!
I also like Arturo's Pizza in Greenwich Village (W. Houston @ Thompson). Arturo's paintings on the wall are hilarious and the live piano playing is a nice touch.

Caracas Arepa Bar. Nuff said end of story, I will give you a money back guaranty if you go there and don't like the arepas.

Head to the BYOB Indian places around 2nd ave and 6th st. They are fun. There is also a decent veggie Vietnamese BYOB restuarant on that street (6th). Bao 111 isn't exactly inexpensive but it's good, though I do prefer Bao Noodles at 22nd and 2nd.

Dojos- Japanese Inspired and delicious, very veggie-friendly too. Don't think you could find anything more reasonably priced for the value. There's one on St. Marks as well as one over by University.

Ah! Be careful of the Dojo's on St. Mark's - they have 61 health inspection violation points!

Pretty sure the one on St Mark's has been closed for a while, but I heard it was more because they kept getting raided for underaged drinking than health violations.

If inexpensive can go up to $25 or $30, go to Momofuku Noodle Bar or Momofuku Ssam Bar—if you polled the Serious Eats staff on their current favorite restaurants, I'm sure every single one of us would name the latter. David Chang is a master of tasty.

If trying Momofuku Ssam Bar, either make reservations (if they accept) or be prepared to wait. I tried to take some friends there recently and there was over a 2 hour wait! I'm still dying to try the place! I recommend Moustache on Bedford in the West Village. Excellent food and prices.

Neither Momofuku takes reservations—well, Ssam does, but only for a big party ordering the Bo Ssam—but if you show up when they open, you shouldn't have to wait for a table, even on Friday and Saturday nights.

Mancora on 1st and E.6th is a nice place to try for something new (Peruvian), entrees are $11-17. There are a billion good Thai places in the city, but The Holy Basil on 2nd b/t E.9th and 10th has a really calm atmosphere and great food presentation. Entrees are $10-15.

What about Moustache in the West Village? Small, cozy and yummy..try the Pitzas and the fabulous salads. Otto is a good choice too but I wouldn't call it cheap.

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