Our obsession with Freemans is truly an Immaculate Infatuation. The worn wooden frame, the taxidermy on the walls, and the beards and flannel employee dress code give this old New York style spot a very hip, yet very Vermont vibe. When this place first opened, it was everyone’s best kept secret, but in recent years Freemans has completely blown up. Since Freemans doesn’t take reservations for parties less than six, prepare yourself to go across the alley to Lorely and have a couple of drinks before you’re awarded your table. While the waits are usually quite long (we’re talking hours during prime-time), if you’re committed, it’s well worth it. Everything on the menu is good and priced right. As long as you’re willing to make a night of it, whether you’re taking out a significant other or just looking for a solid place to go with your friends, Freemans is a slam dunk. Thankfully, new chef Michael Citarella has left former chef Jean Adamson’s signature dishes on the menu virtually untouched. Thus, for those who are were used to the artichoke dip into steak filet dinner setup, it’s still the main attraction. Also, in addition to dinner, the brunch is legit, though a little expensive. If you happen to find yourself at Freemans on a Sunday afternoon, we suggest you check out the brisket and eggs dish, which is out of this world.
It’s been a few years since Momofuku Ko opened, and now that the restaurant world is done freaking out over it, we figured it was time to check in on the place and see how it’s holding up. Well, that and it took us this long to finally get a reservation. By our calculations, that means we’ll be hanging out at the Boom Boom for the first time sometime during the summer of 2016.
In fairness to the Momofuku Ko system, it’s actually a very democratic, albeit competitive process for securing a reservation. No special treatment, no secret phone number, just log onto the website and pray that one of the 70 available dinner seatings for the week will be open. Repeat. Should you manage to secure a reservation, this is what you need to know. It’s going to be an expensive meal. It’s $125 per person just to eat dinner, and drinking will cost you quite a bit more. That hefty price tag affords you very little in the way of traditional luxuries. No white tablecloths (no tables, actually), no doting waiters, and no busboys with breadcrumb scrapers. Just a front row seat to some of the most creative cooking you can find anywhere…and some really good tunes. If you’re expecting fine dining for that kind of money and want to show off your new boat shoes at dinner, allow us to suggest Eleven Madison Park. We love that place too. But if you’re looking to put a notch in your culinary experience belt, Momofuku Ko has to be on your list. Good luck getting in.
Photo Credit: Noah Kalina
From the outside looking in, this place looks like a mafia hang-out. I would have never expected this establishment to house some of the best food and drink in the East Village. They’ve gotten a lot of hype for their cocktails (and deservedly so, one of the best Dark & Stormys I’ve ever had) yet the food is just as good. Each dish was presented with a nice mix of Latin flavors from all across South America. At first glance, I thought the menu was a bit expensive, but the quality of the food totally justified it. For a compact restaurant, they do well with that space so you don’t feel cramped – plus the bar area is great for drinks while you wait for your table. The staff was extremely friendly and very attentive. The owner was around the entire time, making sure everyone was taken care of and everyone from the waiters on down to the bus boys/girls were on top of their game. Good drinks. Good food. Good service. Good vibe. What more can you ask for?
Straight up, if you and I don’t see eye to eye on Westville then we need to end this relationship immediately. Like, now. And I don’t think we can “just be friends” either. My go to of all go tos, I literally eat here or get delivery three times a week. It’s permanently entrenched in my weekly routine and I don’t know what I’d do without it. It’s worth the 15 minute wait during prime time and they usually deliver within 20 minutes (granted, I live around the corner … but still). Westville is the ultimate utility spot that delivers the goods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and does it in affordable fashion. It’s not necessarily cheap, but it won’t break the bank and you get top quality plus respectable quantity that’s sure to fill you up. Let’s talk food, shall we? I’ve pretty much eaten everything on this menu twice, so this could be long …
For the money, Max is the best Italian in all of New York City. A long-standing Infatuation favorite, Max has been in heavy rotation for years. It’s the kind of place that seriously cares about customer satisfaction and it’s apparent through their food as well as their service. Don’t love a dish? They’ll happily bring you something else. If they recognize you as a regular, don’t be surprised if dessert is on the house. The vibe is low key and homey; it feels like eating in your Italian friend’s grandma’s dining room. In the back of the restaurant, the huge outdoor patio area is key for warm weather hangin’ and grubbin’. Portions are generous and for an average of eleven dollars per entree, you can’t go wrong.
