Ruby’s reminds me of college for some reason. You know the on-campus snack bar that only took cash or bonus bucks, a half step up from the dining hall? That’s what the food here brings back fond memories of. It isn’t winning any culinary awards anytime soon, but their simple salad, pasta and sandwich concoctions will strike a chord with your taste buds.
This tiny Australian spot might have the smallest kitchen in Manhattan. It’s so small you almost have to wonder if all the food is actually being prepared back there. The dining area is equally as cozy, with three communal tables squeezed into a space that fits max 15 people. When one person needs to get up, everybody’s gettin’ up.
Food Rundown:
Pear and Walnut Salad
I’m big on salads and appreciate Ruby’s sizeable green mixtures, especially this one with chicken, pears, walnuts and arugula.
Grilled Chicken Breast Panini
Their sandwiches are pretty basic, nothing life changing. For a quick bite though, they’re money – especially the chicken breast. The aioli dressing really ties this thing together.
Whaleys Burger
People make a big deal out of their burgers; I’m not really sure why. The meat tastes a little off and the beet, pineapple and fried egg topping on this specific burger sound way better on paper than they do in your mouth. Yes, the panini it’s served in is awesome, but I just don’t see what the big deal is.
Creamy Chicken Pasta
Thick rigatoni, which is probably Barilla out of the box, served in a bowl of heavy cream and tomatoes. It looks like a big bowl of cereal, just a lot more fattening. If you’re going pasta, I highly recommend starting here.
Rigatoni al Ragu
Another solid pasta option, this rigatoni in a thin meat sauce is heavy on tomatoes and peppers; a full step up from the Prego.
