Foodie Alert! The Place - Manhattan

THE PLACE

310 West 4th Street (near 12th Street)
(212) 924 2711 

Update: Sadly, it appears that The Place has closed.

Hotel Note: If in need of accommodations in the West Village take a look at: The Walker Hotel.   

After New York City's sweltering July heatwave (the hottest recorded month in the past 100 years according to the New York City Weather Archive), August feels like the new September. Temperatures at night have been in the 70s with no humidity and New Yorkers all over town are scurrying about enjoying this gorgeous weather. (I probably just jinxed it.)

Christopher Park

Strolling through the West Village I passed by Christopher Park. Located between Christopher, Grove and West 4th Streets, it's also across the way from the historic Stonewall Inn. The white sculptures you see were created by George Segal to honor the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights movement.

4th Street and West 12th Street

Cobblestone streets peppered with boutiques, cafes and restaurants, this is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Manhattan. One huge challenge in this town is...where to eat? And that's not for lack of restaurants. It's because there are so many to choose from. Continuing down West 4th Street I came across one of my favorite haunts, The Place.

The Place - 310 West 4th Street

It's charming, friendly and they donate 10% of all profits to local children's and global green charities. Choosing from their Restaurant Week menu, an appetizer and entree is only $29.99! My dining partner Bud and I, ordered a bottle of Ca'Donini Pinot Grigio, which was dry, clean and had subtle notes of apple and pear. (My brother John is shaking his head right now!)

I ordered the grass fed lamb meatballs served over soft polenta with a sweet onion relish and a fire-roasted tomato and okra sauce. Devine! The meatballs were juicy and flavorful while the relish and the sauce gave it a great kick. And the creamy polenta was sinful. I could have eaten an entire bowlful of it. Bud had the char-grilled calamari paysanne served over a warmed plum tomato, baby leaf spinach and roasted garlic salad with calamata olives and herbed croutons. It was grilled to perfection.

For an entree I had the pan seared Caribbean red snapper served over an endive and lady apple salad with mixed baby greens, toasted pistachios and a lemon vinaigrette. The snapper was cooked to perfection and the combination of apple and endive made the dish so bright. Bud had the oven roasted chicken breast with herb roasted fingerling potatoes, sauteed french beans and a natural sherry wine reduction. There was not a speck of food left on our plates. 

The two appetizers and entrees we ordered are also on their regular menu but because of their Sizzling Summer Special, we saved $13.02. Now that's a bargain! The great food and wine coupled with the inviting ambiance and super nice waitstaff made for a delicious evening. Thank you, The Place!