New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [190]
Woo Lae Oak.
$$ | KOREAN | Not so much an authentic Korean eatery, Woo Lae Oak uses traditional Korean flavors to create an elevated cuisine in a tony SoHo setting. The food is spicy and flavorful: kimchi burns the lips and prepares the palate for such dishes as ke sal mari (Dungeness crab and leek wrapped in spinach crepes), and o ree mari (duck slices wrapped in miso blini sweetened with plum sauce). But fans of tabletop grilling will still be able to get their tender sliced beef bulgo gi. Since this is SoHo, the tables are dark granite slabs and the lighting is low. | 148 Mercer St., between Prince and W. Houston Sts., SoHo | 10012-3256 | 212/925–8200 | www.woolaeoaksoho.com | AE, DC, MC, V | Subway: R to Prince St.; 6 to Spring St.; B, D, F, M to Broadway–Lafayette St.
NOLITA
In NoLita, SoHo’s trendy next-door neighborhood of indie boutiques and restaurants, the spirit of old SoHo prevails. Modest eateries are squeezed between boutiques featuring products from up-and-coming designers.
Peasant.
$$$ | ITALIAN | The crowd at this rustic restaurant is stylishly urban. Inspired by the proverbial “peasant” cuisine where meals were prepared in the kitchen hearth, chef-owner Frank DeCarlo cooks all of his wonderful food in a bank of wood- or charcoal-burning ovens, from which the heady aroma of garlic perfumes the room. Don’t fill up on the crusty bread and fresh ricotta, though, or you’ll miss out on other flavorful Italian fare like sizzling sardines that arrive in terra-cotta pots, or spit-roasted leg of lamb with bitter trevisano lettuce and polenta. | 194 Elizabeth St., between Spring and Prince Sts., NoLIta | 10012-4255 | 212/965–9511 | www.peasantnyc.com | Reservations essential | AE, MC, V | Closed Mon. No lunch | Subway: 6 to Spring St.; R to Prince St.
Public.
$$ | ECLECTIC | Public’s space is complex and sophisticated, with soaring ceilings and whitewashed brick walls, skylights, fireplaces, three dining areas, a vast bar, and even the occasional elegant bookcase. The menu flaunts its nonconformity, and brunch at Public is a local favorite, with exotic dishes like coconut pancakes topped with fresh ricotta, mango, and lime syrup, and a juicy venison burger. Australian barramundi fish, served with vanilla-celeriac puree and braised garlic greens, demonstrates a light yet adventurous touch. Standout desserts include a chocolate mousse with tahini ice cream and sesame candy. | 210 Elizabeth St., between Prince and Spring Sts., NoLIta | 10012-4213 | 212/343–7011 | www.public-nyc.com | AE, D, MC, V | No lunch weekdays | Subway: 6 to Spring St.; N, R to Prince St.; J, M to Bowery .
LITTLE ITALY
If you want authentic Italian food, don’t head to Little Italy: most of the pasta factories along the main strip of Mulberry Street have developed reputations as tourist traps. It’s a better bet to snack your way through this area instead of stopping for a full meal.
Lombardi’s.
$ | PIZZA | Brick walls, red-and-white checkered tablecloths, and the aroma of thin-crust pies emerging from the coal oven set the mood for some of the best pizza in Manhattan. Lombardi’s has served pizza since 1905 (though not in the same location), and business has not died down a bit. The mozzarella is always fresh, resulting in an almost greaseless slice, and the toppings, such as meatballs, pancetta, or imported anchovies, are also top quality. Lombardi’s is perhaps best known for its toothsome clam pizza, which features freshly shucked clams, garlic oil, pecorino-Romano cheese, and parsley. | 32 Spring St., at Mott St., Little Italy | 10012-4173 | 212/941–7994 | www.firstpizza.com | No credit cards | Subway: 6 to Spring St.; B, D, F, M to Broadway–Lafayette.
EAST VILLAGE
With luxury condos on Avenue C and the continued glamification of the formerly seedy Bowery, the East Village—once Manhattan’s edgiest enclave—has become yet another high-rent neighborhood. But it still offers some of the best meal deals in the city, and the influx of flush new residents