Café Habana is the coolest eatery in NYC. What’s the secret behind their permanent 30 to 45 minute wait and constant mob of people hanging out in front? It’s the crack they put on top of their Mexican style grilled corn of course. Once you’ve dabbled in it, it’s nearly impossible to not come back for more. Situated on an ideal corner in the heart of Soho, Café Habana is the big ticket. People come from far and wide to witness greatness at work. They cram themselves into the tiniest spaces, literally sitting on top of strangers next to them. Comfort is not something Habana achieves in the traditional sense; it’s something they achieve through their food. Their menu is straight up dirty (in a good way). Everything is cheap. Everything hits the spot.
The self-proclaimed “first pizzeria in America,” Lombardi’s has long been at the top of the list for tourists looking for a taste of real New York City pizza. Rightfully so, as this Neapolitan style coal oven pizza is top-rate. Unfortunately, to get a taste you’ll have to wait in line behind the gaggles of people being dropped off by the double-decker bus load. The room is Little Italy meets The Olive Garden, and the staff in front sport headsets, which must help keep the place from falling into chaos … that or it makes the guys eating with their Bluetooth earpiece in feel a little more at home. Either way, it’s worth making the trip and waiting it out every once in a while. A word to the wise, don’t sleep on the clam pizza. And make sure you don’t get any sauce on your foam Statue of Liberty crown.
A reliable place for a low key brunch, lunch, or dinner in Nolita, visit this little South American cafe for its eclectic crowd, cultural flavors, and communal feel. Although the tables are scrunched together and a bit uneven (assorted chairs and space at a minimum), it works. On weekday mornings, patrons sit solo with their paper and cup of coffee. On weekends, the place is packed with downtown brunchers and usually comes with a short and painless wait. 45 minute long jam-up at Habana? This is your backup plan. My one complaint, as usual, is that the menu is about $5 more expensive than it should be.
In a city where Chipotle dominates the cheap Mexican game, finding a quality and quick taco isn’t easy. I’m pretty sure there are pockets of greatness in the outer-boroughs, but as far as Manhattan is concerned, the pickings are pretty slim. Enter Pinche Taqueria, an Infatuation mainstay in Nolita (and now in NoHo as well) that comes in handy when you want to stuff your face on the cheap. At $2.50 per taco ($3.50 for fish), you can mix and match plus grab a corona for under $10. Order at the counter and eat in their small storefront or the sidewalk benches in front. Better yet, order them to the comfort of your own home and experience one of the fastest delivery operations around. Just don’t order delivery online as encouraged on their website. You may never see your food.
I once witnessed Rachel Ray making it rain $100 bills in Peasant like she was Pacman Jones at a strip club. In her standard not-so-subtle way, she worked the room for everyone to see, slipping hundreds to the chef, waiter and even bus boy. I remember asking our server if I was seeing correctly. “Yeah man, she just slipped me an extra bill on top of the tip she left on the check. She does it all the time.” Hey, if you got it, spend it, right? Hopefully the Infatuation will be rolling into our favorite spots with duffle bags full of cash in the relatively near future. Until then, we’ll leave the balling to Rachel and Pacman.
Peasant is a classic spot, a spacious room that feels more like a rich person’s Tribeca loft than a Nolita restaurant down the block from Cafe Habana. Baskets of apples, potatoes, firewood and produce line the kitchen in the back, where everything is cooked over an open fire. The food is consistent in the sense that some dishes are always excellent and others always mediocre, but if you order right, you can have a solid meal. Whatever you do, eat the spaghetti vongole which will be gushed about in the food rundown below. While Peasant isn’t an Infatuation go-to, it’s definitely a spot we enjoy. The quality service, welcoming space and addicting bread help make up for Peasant’s hit-or-miss menu and inflated prices.
Giveaway: Dinner On Us
