Seventh Avenue Chow: What's Your Take?
APPLEWOOD Homey, easygoing and urbanely rustic, Applewood manages to evoke the country smack dab in the middle of the city. Chalk up that feat to its quiet, tree-lined street, the green wood bench on its raised front stoop, the broad fireplace in the middle of one of its dining room’s yellow walls, and the seasonal,…
APPLEWOOD
Homey, easygoing and urbanely rustic, Applewood manages to evoke the country smack dab in the middle of the city. Chalk up that feat to its quiet, tree-lined street, the green wood bench on its raised front stoop, the broad fireplace in the middle of one of its dining room’s yellow walls, and the seasonal, locally grown produce that works its way into dish after dish.
(718) 768-2044; 501 11th Street (Seventh Avenue); $$.
BAR MINNOW
Bar Minnow’s brick walls and tin ceiling give the place the feel of a venerable tavern, inviting customers to sidle up to the stretch of marble bar. The owners, Aaron and Vicki Bashy, who are also the chef and the pastry chef, offer sandwiches, salads and bar food, often based on meats and fish they smoke at their parent restaurant, Minnow, two doors down.
(718) 832-5500; 444 Ninth Street (Seventh Avenue); $$.
BLACK PEARL
This is a new spot for seafood prepared by Frederico Duarte, who worked at Dos Caminos and Da Silvano. The menu includes lobster risotto, king crab legs, tuna burgers and thin focaccia pizzas.
(718) 857-2004; 833 Union Street (Seventh Avenue); $$.
CAFE STEINHOF
With its wraparound windows and neon sign, Cafe Steinhof is just about New York’s homiest Austrian outpost. The cooking is simple, and nothing costs more than $13. There are bacon-studded sauerkraut and thin-crumbed, acceptably chewy pork Wiener schnitzel blanketing cold, cubed parsley potatoes, and marinated cucumbers.
(718) 369-7776; 422 Seventh Avenue (14th Street), $.
MIRACLE GRILL
The popular Southwestern restaurant on 415 Bleecker Street in the West Village opened this branch last year. True to its name, the menu features grilled items including sirloin burgers, chicken and pork chops as well as a selection of quesadillas and catfish tacos.
(718) 369-4541; 222 Seventh Avenue (Third Street); $.
SETTE ENOTECA E CUCINA
This new, sophisticated Italian place doesn’t let its ambitions trump the relaxed atmosphere or distract it from trying to win diners’ hearts in direct, unpretentious ways. The chef, Amanda Freitag, formerly of ‘Cesca, has a way of taking familiar dishes and administering subtle tweaks, like tuna, rolled in ground fennel seeds before being seared and topped with olives and preserved lemons.
(718) 499-7767; 207 Seventh Avenue (Third Street); $$.
Seventh Avenue Chow [NY Times]
Diner’s Journal: Applewood [NY Times]
Black Pearl Cometh? [Eater]
Pilsener and Schnitzel [NY Times]
Minnow was the worst dining experience I’ve had in NYC ever – no question. Just my two cents… Actually, no – just my hundred bucks, down the tube….
Rosewater Rocks!!!
For Brunch, hands down Dizzy’s is still my favorite, even with the interminable wait. For a special dinner I always want to go to Convivium or Rose Water. Applewood is fine but really underwhelming given the hype. Long Tan is my favorite for Thai. And for good mid-priced Mexican with a Tequilla selection that can’t be beat I’ll make the trip to Maria’s on Union at 4th.
I think the Asian (Thai) food at Long Tan on 5th near Union is good and their cocktails are well made. The layout of the restaurant is nice, too, with well-spaced tables. Haven’t tried Kinara. Sounds great. Love Convivium for Mediterranean cuisine. It’s like being in Europe (without having to fly 6 hrs in each direction).
I wanted to put in a good word for Rose Water on Union and 6th ave. It was the first (I believe) of several PS-area restaurants started by ex-Savoy employees and while it never got the buzz of Applewood, I think it’s just as good.
My vote for best 7th Ave sushi goes to Yamato on 1st.
Best PS Indian is definitely Kinara – their samosas are probably the best I’ve ever eaten.
For Thai food I like Rice on 8th. Ate in Beet a month ago and would NEVER go back. Food was totally average, but the cramped tables, house music, annoying lighting, and smoke coming from the kitchen convinced me it was one to avoid.
And I love Steinhof for brunch. They have the MOST AMAZING french toast for only $5!
I second the praise for 12th Street Bar and Grill–always good service and very good food. Never dips in quality.
Bar Minnow is good for brunch and for hamburgers. But I agree about the service lapses.
I also second the good word re: Santa Fe Bar and Grill, up in the Northern end of the Slope. I love their burrazos. Cheap, too. Nana on 5th Ave is also good and cheap.
I’ll lob my vote in for Al Di La, Applewood, 12th Street Grill, Blue Ribbon, and best of breed: Tempo!
At one time Stone Park was worth frequenting, but I would certainly not recommend it now. There’s been a marked deteriortation in their service and for some reason nothing ever seems fresh there.
Maplewood…I think it’s worth looking at, especially for brunch. I’m hoping that their dinner menu will improve. Coco Roco is top notch and I’d recommend it without qualification.