Small Plates in NYC?
February 10, 2018 3:56 PM Subscribe
Friends I haven't seen in ages are coming to visit! I want to find us (party of three) a restaurant to go to where we can split a series of small plates, without splurging too much. (NYC)
Basically our favorite thing to do is just order a little of as much as we can afford and put it all in the middle of the table. One of us is mostly vegetarian, but makes exceptions a few times a year. Nonetheless, a meatball-bar is probably not the best choice.
Other stuff: We aren't really into dessert or drinks. We recently had a conversation about how "chic" seems to be an acceptable way of advertising "snooty." We're all pretty poor but are able to splurge a little bit on a nice meal since it's a special occasion. Still, I'd angle in favor of being able to choose more food comfortably rather than spending the meal worrying about the end bill.
Finally, this will be on Valentine's Day. I plan to make reservations, but someplace that gets uncomfortably packed when full would not be ideal, as we'll have had enough of being surrounded on all sides by people already by that point in the evening.
Basically our favorite thing to do is just order a little of as much as we can afford and put it all in the middle of the table. One of us is mostly vegetarian, but makes exceptions a few times a year. Nonetheless, a meatball-bar is probably not the best choice.
Other stuff: We aren't really into dessert or drinks. We recently had a conversation about how "chic" seems to be an acceptable way of advertising "snooty." We're all pretty poor but are able to splurge a little bit on a nice meal since it's a special occasion. Still, I'd angle in favor of being able to choose more food comfortably rather than spending the meal worrying about the end bill.
Finally, this will be on Valentine's Day. I plan to make reservations, but someplace that gets uncomfortably packed when full would not be ideal, as we'll have had enough of being surrounded on all sides by people already by that point in the evening.
Id suggest Mediterranean/middle eastern/lebanese type place or indian. Both share friendly and veg friendly, and budget easy too The only specific recommendation i could make is a lebanese place in hoboken called Ali Babba. Soooo tasty.
posted by chasles at 4:44 PM on February 10, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by chasles at 4:44 PM on February 10, 2018 [1 favorite]
Oh, I am sort of obsessed with Buddha Bodai, was debating if it was ridiculous to come in and recommend it for the eighteenth time.
You may also enjoy Au Za'atar in the East Village if you like Middle Eastern food; or Tanoreen, if you can make it to Bay Ridge (that is quite popular for festive days though).
posted by ferret branca at 5:31 PM on February 10, 2018
You may also enjoy Au Za'atar in the East Village if you like Middle Eastern food; or Tanoreen, if you can make it to Bay Ridge (that is quite popular for festive days though).
posted by ferret branca at 5:31 PM on February 10, 2018
Murray’s cheese bar is delicious and lots of vegetarian choices (if the vegetarian eats cheese). It is a bit small and may already be reserved out for Valentine’s Day, though.
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 5:34 PM on February 10, 2018
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 5:34 PM on February 10, 2018
Thought of one more: Hangawi is a vegetarian Korean restaurant. You can do small plate sharing. Very tranquil atmosphere and lots of space.
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 5:36 PM on February 10, 2018
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 5:36 PM on February 10, 2018
How about Kefi? You can make a delightful meal of their dips and meze.
posted by praemunire at 6:51 PM on February 10, 2018
posted by praemunire at 6:51 PM on February 10, 2018
I would highly recommend Murray's Cheese Bar. Lots of sharable dishes, especially the Cheesemonger's Choice. You can pick a number of cheeses and the cheesemonger will give you a variety of choices of cheeses with jams or little side things. It's totally worth it and not prohibitively expensive. I really enjoy it.
posted by starlybri at 7:46 PM on February 10, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by starlybri at 7:46 PM on February 10, 2018 [1 favorite]
Valentines is going to make this substantially difficult and would effectively make me nix my top suggestion of La Vara in Brooklyn.
Somtum der in the east village makes really good Thai food that is pretty different from typical pad Thai and curries, lots of salads and shareable small plates (the fried chicken thigh is amazing.)
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 6:38 AM on February 11, 2018
Somtum der in the east village makes really good Thai food that is pretty different from typical pad Thai and curries, lots of salads and shareable small plates (the fried chicken thigh is amazing.)
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 6:38 AM on February 11, 2018
Oh, I would suggest The Ribbon as well (cheeses, meats, little veggie dishes that can easily substitute for entrees), but it's very popular and may have trouble on Valentine's Day.
posted by praemunire at 7:51 AM on February 11, 2018
posted by praemunire at 7:51 AM on February 11, 2018
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posted by asphericalcow at 4:31 PM on February 10, 2018 [1 favorite]