May, 2011

3

Buttons Bursting

Prune – The Waiting (is not) the Hardest Part

Pants at a Glance
  • scene: Survival of the fittest... or hungriest. Find small groups and weekend couples galore!
  • sip: Did I mention the Bloody Mary menu with 10 variations?
  • savor: Not one thing, even the macerated fruit with mint, sounds bad to me. The Monte Cristo can change your life, and they hand old Alka Seltzer at the door for a reason...
  • sit: Apparently there's a downstairs room with a communal table, but the group that went down there right before had the highest pitched voices ever. The upstairs room is tiny, and the seats at the front are key on a nice day.
  • spend: $$
  • address: 54 East 1st St., btw 1st and 2nd Ave.
  • phone number: (212) 677-6221
  • website: www.prunerestaurant.com
2

Buttons Undone

Crispo- All Good in the Hood

Pants at a Glance
  • scene: Cozy front room with private nooks for larger tables; larger back room with retractable roof for al fresco dining in the summer and fireplace dining in the colder months; tables in the bar area get a little loud and a decent amount of traffic walking by
  • sip: mainly italian wine list; don't expect much help from the waitstaff with the vino, but each wine has some descriptive wording below for you to better figure out what you want
  • savor: hot stuffed peppers; trofie al proscuitto; Dora's meatballs; chicken
  • sit: this is a great date place, and also good for large groups
  • spend: $$
  • address: 240 West 14th Street, between 7th and 8th
  • phone number: 212-229-1818
  • website: www.crisporestaurant.com
3

Buttons Bursting

Dame Dame Mas(farmhouse)

Pants at a Glance
  • scene: Downtown cool - local foodies who are both fashionable and in the know mixed with some special occassion diners
  • sip: Enticing cocktail list (Mas Champagne, please), and an extensive wine list hitting all sorts of budgets
  • savor: Not too many misses... Fresh seasonal offerings, Yellowfin Tuna l’Occidental, Steamed Zucchini Blossoms, Pan Roasted Salmon
  • sit: The main dining room is where you want to be above the roof off to the side. Bring a date, parents, or your significant other for an impressive birthday/anniversary
  • spend: $$$
  • address: 39 Downing St. (near Bedford)
  • phone number: (212) 255-1790
  • website: masfarmhouse.com
1

Button Open

The Essex… All You Can Brunch for $18

Pants at a Glance
  • scene: Mixed groups of students, downtown wannabe hipsters, and out-of-towners
  • sip: There is a full service bar; brunch comes with 3 bloody mary's, mimosas, or screwdrivers
  • savor: Baked Eggs w/ crispy ham, mushrooms, roasted peppers, and jack cheese; The Aristocrat; Mexican Matzoh Brei
  • sit: With the your sunday funday crew, a girls brunch to discuss the night before, a big birthday group
  • spend: $
  • address: 120 Essex Street (at Rivington)
  • phone number: (212) 533-9616
  • website: www.essexnyc.com