Author Archive
Vezzo: Make It A Habit
photo courtesy of www.vezzothincrust.com
New Yorkers love their pizza. Thin, thick, folded or forked – everyone has their favorite. I am on a constant quest for a stateside slice that rivals the Best Pizza of My Life (found at an iconic pizzeria in Naples, Italy – go figure.)
On a recent Tuesday night, a friend and I met up at Vezzo, the Murray Hill thin-crust mecca. After splitting the Mediterranean Salad ($8) a colorful mix of radicchio, olives, cucumber, pine nuts and tomatoes, we dove into our pizzas. Personal size pies ($6.50) are accessorized with a choice of 39 (!) toppings, ranging from $1 for caramelized onions to $5 for goat cheese. I opted for the nine-grain organic crust with marinara and roasted eggplant, while my friend chose the original crust with mushrooms and artichoke hearts. The cracker-thin crust held up surprisingly well to the weight of the toppings. The best part? There’s no chance of that “too full” feeling after too much dough.
Appetizers (think bruschetta and antipasto), salads, pastas and house specialty pies round out the menu. An affordable beer and wine menu and bar seating are a welcome addition for the after-work crowd. And save room for dessert – all are homemade (pear and walnut cake with vanilla sauce, anyone?)
With reasonable prices, tasty toppings and endless choices, it’s no wonder that vezzo means ‘habit’ in Italian.
Vezzo
178 Lexington Avenue @ 31st Street
New York, NY
Phone: 212-83908300
Mon-Th: 11 AM to 11 PM
Fri: 11 AM to Midnight
Sat: Noon to Midnight
North, South, East, Westville
Known for their market-to-table menu, Westville is a small restaurant delivering huge flavor. After a 15 minute wait (not bad for a Friday) a friend and I wedged ourselves into our table, literally bumping elbows with our neighbors. Cramped quarters aside, we anxiously dove into the menu.
Part diner, part locavore haven, this West Village outpost will delight vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Both healthy and indulgent, the menu offers American favorites with a farm-fresh twist. The burgers come in equally mouthwatering veggie, turkey and beef varieties and arrive served on a sweet Portuguese muffin with a choice of salad or fries. How’s that for ‘have it your way?’
For anyone who has ever dreamed of making a meal out of side dishes or appetizers, the market plate ($13) is your answer. Diners can choose 4 side dishes from their twenty plus daily market specials. For my plate, I chose the roasted asparagus with parmesan, soy-marinated seared tofu, cauliflower dijonaisse and kale with sautéed shallots. We shared an order of their fresh-cut sweet potato fries, easily the the best I have had in the city.
One word comes to mind when I think of Westville – quality. On all 4 of my visits, the food has been consistently good. The vegetables are cooked perfectly and their seasoning merely complementary, never overpowering. Prices are on par and service is speedy. After my most recent visit, I have only one complaint. I didn’t save room for dessert!
Westville
West Village
210 W 10th Street, New York, NY 10014
Between Bleecker and West 4th Street
Phone: 212-741-7971, 212-741-4780
East Village
173 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
Corner of 11th Street
Phone: 212-677-2933, 212-677-2033
Hours of Operation
Lunch Monday-Friday 11:30a-4:30p
Dinner Monday-Sunday 4:30p-11p
Brunch Saturday-Sunday 10a-4p
Recommendations: egg scramble on a Portuguese muffin, veggie burger, sweet potato fries, any of the market specials
For nearly 55 years, Veselka has served homestyle Ukrainian fare to the East Village. We felt right at home at this cozy eatery, stomachs growling for a taste of the old country.
American classics and Ukrainian specialties make up the extensive, 24-hour menu. Freshly prepared soups tempted us with their homemade promise and gleaming cases of baked goods reminded us to save room for dessert (spoiler alert: we didn’t.)
The deluxe vegetarian plate, was a standout favorite at $13.75. Served with a choice of soup, salad, stuffed cabbage, kasha and 3 pierogi, it was the ideal “entry level” dish for Ukrainian newbies. Steaming bowls of cabbage borscht were topped with fresh dill and served alongside challah. Salads arrived crisp and colorful with a creamy dill vinaigrette.
The pierogi varied in flavor intensity. The sauerkraut and mushroom satisfied, but the potato and cheese varieties left us reaching for the salt shaker. Arugula and goat cheese was the surprise winner, rich and buttery, albeit untraditional.
Whether you go for the history, the food or the chance to see Jon Stewart (he’s a regular!), stop by Veselka, sidle up to the table and experience Ukrainian soul food…without a visit to your grandmother’s kitchen.
Veselka
144 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10013
(212) 228-9682 (one word: delivery)
Damage: $
Recommendations: Vegetarian borscht, arugula and goat cheese pierogi, sauerkraut and mushroom pierogi, Obolon Ukranian Lager.
