2. Narcissa
25 Cooper Sq (at E 5th St), New York, NY
New American Restaurant · East Village · 163 tips and reviews
Jacin Lee: Amazing baby chicken and lamb! Cocktails are a must too!
The New Yorker: “There’s nothing remotely rustic about the crowd, many of whom seem to be V.I.P.s ... But when it comes to the food, the grange concept rings true.” Read more.
Eater: At this sunny new restaurant in The Standard East Village, John Fraser is serving an inspired version of California cuisine. The roasted beets, carrots Wellington, and lamb saddle are early standouts.
New York Post: Must try: the French-inspired Meyer Lemon Pistachio Sundae ($9) with creamy pistachio ice cream playing off tart lemon sorbet, spongy petit madeleines and crunchy thyme-infused meringues. Read more.
Brooke: Nice atmosphere, good food, outdoor seating in the summer, nice cocktails.
Bon Appetit Magazine: Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud's downtown spot serves pork-belly-topped burgers and great sausages (try the blood and pig's head sausage) with an extensive beer list (24 on tap and 63 bottled). Read more.
4. Whole Foods Market
8.5
95 East Houston St (btwn Bowery & Chrystie St), New York, NY
Grocery Store · East Village · 309 tips and reviews
Brian Hoeft: The design of this WFM is bright, airy (especially for NYC), and fun. The 2nd-floor eatery & seating area is really nice. Like any WFM, the product offerings and service are great.
StuArt: Want overpriced food please go here
Bravo: Great selection of organic products and great selection of sugar derivatives for people with diabetes. I did a dinner and made desserts using Stevia. -Ed Cotton, Top Chef
6. Momofuku Ssäm Bar
207 2nd Ave (at E 13th St), New York, NY
Asian Restaurant · East Village · 523 tips and reviews
Tony Xerri: You genuinely can't go wrong with anything here. It's all delicious. Seriously. BUT, you must always get the lemon meringue pie with the pistachio crust for desert. Trust me on this one, life changer.
Ana Beatriz Bersano: Have the lemon meringue pie! It's a piece of heaven.
michael kantrow: Chow down on the Pork Belly Steamed Buns
7. Fools Gold NYC
8.4
145 E Houston St (btwn Forsyth & Eldridge St), New York, NY
Beer Bar · Lower East Side · 119 tips and reviews
Rula: great service, plenty of space, and amazing cocktails.
Staff Picks: Looking for some craft beer, bourbon & bites this evening? Fools Gold has just opened in the LES. Try the Truffle Popcorn or Siracha peas!
Matt Friedlander: Rub Marc's head. You know, for luck.
8. Saxon + Parole
316 Bowery (at Bleecker St), New York, NY
American Restaurant · NoHo · 282 tips and reviews
Cheryl Jasper: Bloody Mary bar and great brunch special for hot bev, brunch item and a drink from their brunch list for a decent price. Super nice staff.
Dens: If the Cote De Boeuf (ribeye... with bone marrow bernaise sauce served in a bone!) is on the menu get it get it get it cause it's the most delicious thing ever! (good for 3-way split too)
Cover: Make your own Bloody Mary. Enough said. It's tough to choose a favorite, but you can't go wrong with "The Burger." Pay with Cover and skip waiting for the check.
9. Northern Spy Food Co.
511 E 12th St (btwn Avenue A & B), New York, NY
New American Restaurant · Alphabet City · 316 tips and reviews
Linda Alicea: Delicious kale salad, Freekah risotto, flatbreads, sausage stuffing, and peach pie
Cheapism: Green-minded, hungry & on a budget? Go here for cheap, tasty, locally-grown American food. Leave room for Pumpkin Marscapone Mousse ($7). Read more.
Bastian Beyer: I got THIS for checking in!
Kathleen: I don't know how you can go wrong. So many great choices and flavored. If they have it, try the salted caramel❤
Time Out New York: Try the refreshing black-grape sorbet, it packs a clean yet potent ripe-fruit punch. It’s one of our #100best dishes and drinks of 2011. Read more.
Vanity Fair: This LES staple hosts a slew of fun gelato flavors that range from lemon rosemary to Thai chili chocolate.
13. Spot Dessert Bar
8.6
13 Saint Marks Pl (btwn 2nd & 3rd Ave), New York, NY
Dessert Shop · East Village · 353 tips and reviews
Munch On Me: Move over cupcakes! Macarons are here to stay. Gently crunchy on the outside and light as air inside, these colorful meringue cookies are the toast of New York, and nobody makes them quite like Spot. Read more.
Mary Elise Chavez: Macarons are perfection, try the Oreo and Red Velvet. Coconut Tahitian cupcake is delish too!
Aaron Beppu: When I took the first bite of chocolate green tea lava cake, it spurted warm gooey deliciousness everywhere. So did I.