St. Marks Place dining in NYC
 

Here's a new location for me. Doing theatre (The Importance of Being Earnest) at The Pearl -- St. Marks Place between 1st and 2nd. It's a Tuesday at 7 show so over a little after 9:30. Like a casual place (not major dining) for dinner afterwards -- walking and close.
Here are a few things I found. Any comments or other suggestions?

Klong -- cheaper than dirt Thai, on the way back to the subway at St. Marks and Third. Sounds fun.

Jule's Bistro -- Casual French right across from the theatre.

Yuca Bar -- Latin food opposite Thompkins Square Park.

Mixed reviews or comments on menu pages for all. All three menus seem fine.

Patrick,

I live three blocks from there. Many many places to eat in the neighborhood, especially along Second Avenue from 12th down to 5th.

Quite close to the Pearl Theater (I've been eyeing this production as well) is Paprika on St Marks bet 1st and A. Contrary to its name, it is a reasonably priced Italian place run by Italians from Italy (meaning not second, third fourth generation here--I think they're from the Veneto). Very casual. A really great prix fixe for early diners.

http://www.paprikarestaurant.com/

Slightly more creative and pricey is another Italian favorite, Cacio e Pepe on Second Ave bet 11th and 12th. The chef is from Rome and cooks quirky things "Why should I cook what everyone else does?" he told me.

http://www.cacioepepe.com/

If you want real casual, go for Ukranian food at Veselka.

http://www.veselka.com/

Or I could make you and Lee an omelet.

By the way, I just checked the menu at Paprika's website. They recently updated the menu and the one at the website is still the old one with slightly cheaper prices.

try caracas, on 7th street and beween i think 1st and A. it's very good, venezualan. there is also telephone bar and grill on 2nd ave and 11th street. (barish, but tasty) i've been going to pauls's for burgers for years. on 2nd ave and 7th street.

OK. I vote for the omelette!
LOL

Will check these all out, but we're sort of overloaded with Italian in Hell's Kitchen and our usual haunts so was looking for a little change.

ellenem, did you see that Importance of Being Earnest was extended (until June 8)? It got a very nice review in the NYTimes. It's probably my favorite classic show of all times, so I always seek it out.

Otto, is Caracas the same as CaracasArepa Bar? I looked at that but it seemed to be more bar and snacks or tapas than a meal.

I recently ate at Cafe Mogador before going to the Public Theater. It's a neighborhood (meaning there were a lot of regulars there) Moroccan place. It was very good. St. Mark's Place betw Ave A and 1st Ave.

www.cafemogador.com

Of course, on St Marks Place you're just two blocks north of a strip of Little India on Sixth Street.

Yes--walked past Pearl last weekend and noticed the extended run. I think I could enjoy Earnest in almost any venue.

I highly recommend Klong. You don't feel like you're in a cheap restaurant when you're there because it is very nice inside and the food is great. But the prices are low.

That's very interesting. Zagat's mentions that it looks upscale and trendy (and the pictures on their website look it), but I was shocked when I looked at the menu and found most items under $10 -- GASP! I've seen little negative feedback on the place. It would be nice to have just one real bargain place during our stay -- and we both love Thai. I also saw that drinks are all 2 for 1 on Tuesday. Does that mean it would be jammed and a wait to get in at 9:45? I don't think they take reservations.

caracas does have two storefronts...one is more of a walk up place (10 people can barely fit in at the same time). i assume that's the arepa's "bar". two doors down is their sit down place, with full menu, tables, etc...

I agree with Ellen, Cacio e Pepe is one of favorites.

If that is busy Gnocco on 10th or Luzzo's.

Across from Cacio is Bar Carerra based on sleek modern tapas bars from San Sebastian.

For French Bistro Cafe Deville, Lucien, Flea Market, Casimir


Indian-Banjara, Brick Road, and Haveli

Still trying not to do Italian. I visited Menu Pages for some reviews (yes, I know to read between the lines). Casimir has nearly all raves for the place and sounds good (I love their straight forward menu which doesn't give the usual glorified descriptions and list of ingredients -- it says "chicken" or "pork chop", etc.) No pretense there, which is kind of neat. Flea Market has no comments, but Cafe Deville and Lucien have provided me with enough consistent major slams to make me clearly want to avoid the places at all costs.

I'm leaning towards Klong, but the website and menu for Jules Bistro still has me intriqued, along with nearly all very glowing reviews.

We used to have a subscription to Pearl, but I got bored after a few years with the same ensemble cast and period pieces. That said, it is a great little theater and their performances are always good.

We used to eat at Jules. Charming and adequate. Nice atmosphere.

I also recommend Hearth on E.12th and 1st Avenue.

Or, take a short cab ride to Rivington & Stanton and try Orchard.

I'm still holding out for the omelette, but the offer seems to be withdrawn.
:D

Hearth and Orchard both could be good options, but a little "more" than we want to do that night I think. As you well know, bugswife, a simple meal takes "half of us" a couple of hours to eat -- so we're saving our "big meals" for non-theatre nights to avoid an after theatre dine turning into an all night marathon. A nice single course of Pad Thai or other noodles or mussels and frites or similar sounds about right.

ellen,

Did the venerable Kiev close?

Kiev closed years ago.

You have non-theater nights? : - )
Then, by all means, go to Jules. Or you could get a hotdog and tater tots at Crif Dogs on St. Marks and Avenue A. LOVE that place. THAT would be very fast.

ooof. crif dogs. very tasty, but i paid a big price last time. or my stomach did anyway. ;-) i think the belgian room at hop devil grill must have mules and frites, also on st. marks and ave. a.

I just looked at that nearby Telephone Bar and Grill that Otto mentioned. That looks kind of intriguing also -- fun place with what sounds like good bar food (Lee loves fish and chips). Ellen, Lee could make a hot dog last at least a half hour. Add the tater tots and we're talking an hour easy. There is no "fast" with Lee and eating. Remember his hour and a half banana/blueberry pancakes at the Cupping Room? How can you chew a bite of pancakes for 5 minutes? LOL

Speaking of hot dogs, our usual is a trip to Coney Island just for fun and to have a Nathan's sitting outside. But we simply have to do a Grey Papaya next!

OK, I gotta stop. This simple project is becoming overwhelming! And I was originally worried there'd be NO place to go in the neighborhood. I'm thinking we'll arrive early before the show (we always do) and check out a few of these places for after the show, reservations not required. Thanks for all the suggestions.

OK, so non-italian, medium priced in the East Village:

You got some good suggestions, here are a few more:

Pricier but very good - Pylos - modernized Greek.

Pretty good Mexican, fresh, interesting tacos and drinks - Mercadito

For seafood - mermaid Inn

Tibetan food - Tsampa (love the momo and the eggplant)

Korean - Dok Suni ok, not wonderful

North African - Nomad - really good tagines and great prices . . .


Or you can always just go the the Veselka for their borscht and some pierogies . . .

But the good thing about Crif is that if you are done and he is not, you can at least walk down the street and eat at the same time.