Immaculate Infatuation

The Smile is a relatively new “cafe and mixed use concept store” on Bond St. What does that mean? Well, it’s a rustic space that serves food and also sells housewares and nick-nacks to the coolest people you have ever seen. Essentially, it’s hipster Cracker Barrel.

Though The Smile has been open for close to a year now, we’re betting you haven’t heard much about it. Situated a few steps below the sidewalk, it’s a place that you have to be looking for to see, and other than the models and musicians that fill it for brunch, it remains relatively under the radar. Yes, brunch is popular, but it’s not yet overrun by the hoardes in this city that treat the meal like a sport. People eat and linger, everyone seems to know each other, and everyone looks really good – even with dirty hair and last night’s clothes on. Dinner service began only a few weeks ago, and like the breakfast and brunch menu, the food is surprisingly good. Imagine Freemans without the two hour wait. Things here feel laid back and matter-of-fact, as if those running the place have no interest in the hustle that can come along with making a New York City restaurant successful. Maybe they are simply confident that word will spread and people will come. Or maybe they just don’t want them to.

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Finally. After multiple failed attempts at getting a table here, we got lucky … and during prime time no less. Literally ten minutes after sitting down at the communal table, a mob of people gathered outside to wait for a table. Bottom line, this place is great but it’s almost always a pain in the ass to get a table. Good thing there are plenty of other options on the same block. Welcome to “Beldel” (below Delancy), one of the coolest up and coming hoods in downtown Manhattan. With the LES quickly becoming the second coming of Murray Hill, the realness factor of Broome between Orchard and Ludlow is quite refreshing.

Based on the fact that they had new records from Infatuation approved Empire Of The Sun and Phoenix on random, it’s very likely that next time we go in there they’ll have the Miike Snow disc in rotation. I mention this because Miike Snow’s show at Mercury Lounge just so happened to be what brought us to Barrio Chino in the first place. If you haven’t heard their single “Animal” yet, you’re missing out on a serious summer jam.

The restaurant itself is tiny. There are only a couple of tables, the rest of the seating is either at the bar or communal table. Prepare yourself to be elbow to elbow with the stranger next to you and don’t come with a group of more than four. The vibe, drinks, and food make up for the fact that the service is seriously lacking. Two waiters for 48 people? (I counted). Not good. At least they have amazing mustaches. Be careful, although the menu doesn’t appear to be pricey, after a couple margaritas, an appetizer, and a main, you’re dropping $50-60 a head. A little expensive but it’s worth it.

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We have covered a lot of ground in the East Village, and, on the surface, The Redhead looks like one of those places that was left behind as the neighborhood gentrified. It’s a small, nondescript bar that is not (yet) on the hit list of the post-college East Village crowd. What they don’t know (yet) is that the food coming out of The Redhead’s kitchen is some of the best in the neighborhood. The off-the-hook fried chicken has been drawing a lot of press lately, and the rest of the menu is shockingly good – the absolute opposite of what you would expect to get from a dark little East Village bar. It will be interesting to see how the regulars deal with the inevitable increase in traffic. We definitely noticed some dates going down in the room, and it’s probably a good place for that. Just be aware that it’s a relatively quiet place, which will no doubt make those awkward silences extra painful.

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Tia Pol is an ultimate Infatuation “Early In The Game” date spot. Take the edge off, have a couple glasses of wine, and maybe some sangria while you’re at it too. Conversation will be flowing freely, you’ll be sharing quality small plates and before you know it, you’ll wind up back in her apartment listening to Lady GaGa while you play grab-ass on the couch. Just beware, there’s pretty much standard half hour wait at Tia Pol; a good thing in case you realize the person next to you is a disease and you need to bail after one drink.

If dating is not your game, come here with a large group and share everything on the menu. The small dishes are a good excuse to sample the entire menu and not feel like a fat-ass. Note: don’t even attempt coming in with a group larger that 3 without a reservation.

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Danny Meyer. Gobbling up screen time on this site just like he’s gobbling up restaurant space all over town. We finally got around to a review of The Modern, and it’s about time, they needed more good press. Or wait a minute, no they didn’t. Along with a Michelin Star and constant raves, Chef Gabriel Kreuther was honored this past year with a James Beard award for Best Chef: NYC. We’re actually still waiting to find out if we won for Most Influential Food Website: Earth. They’ll call or something right?

The best way for us to give you the lowdown on this place is to explain that it’s really two different experiences: the bar, and the dining room. The dining room is a beautiful, formal space overlooking the MoMa garden with a three course prixe fixe menu. It’s fine dining for sure, and it’s incredibly good. Think of it as a more “modern” Eleven Madison Park. The bar area is quite a bit different. It’s sleek, more relaxed, and on a good night, you’ll find some Action at the Bar. The plates are smaller and a bit more restrained, but you will still get A plus service and have a decent meal. We like the bar just fine, but what it really comes down to is this: … read more