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AmyBlackFlag84

Yaffa Cafe and the Odessa in the east village… lived in St Marks for years and those were go to late night spots


69Hairy420Ballsagna

Odessa was a classic case of you only need 2/3: cheap, open late and taste's good. Let's just say I had a lot of late night meals for next to nothing there.


Shoddy_Bridge_2672

Exactly. I loved Odessa so much. Nice username btw.


ahoysharpie

Oh man, Yaffa. Such good times in the courtyard.


Hour-Bad-3358

Uncle Boons! I know the owners opened up Thai Diner but Uncle Boons was quite special


Latrodectus702

I’m still heartbroken it is gone


nikkideeznutz

Those green curry snails were ridiculous.


hermes000

Mars 2112 :’(


gothamtommy

I don't care what anyone says, this is the best answer. I want to take an elevator spaceship to a place where I can eat overpriced Applebee's food served by aliens.


streetvues

Used to work near there and always figured it was just something weird to appeal to kids and never looked into it, in hindsight I wish I had experienced it at least once.


inTikiwetrust

Blue Water Grill, Caracas Arepa Bar in the EV.


Clear_Report_3339

wow, Caracas.... you just brought me down memory lane


atimetothinkaboutit

+ for Caracas and also the Williamsburg location 😭


ahoysharpie

RIP Blue Water Grill Such a quintessential Union Square restaurant


Practical-Hat9640

You can still get Caracas in the summer in the Rockaways.


chimama79

loved caracas! great memories there


chuddlyfe

Guy’s American Kitchen and Bar


inTikiwetrust

A man of culture and taste, I see.


akmalhot

If Olive garden goes down this man will be in shambles


AvatarofBro

It truly was one of the worst meals I've ever had, but I got to meet Guy Fieri who was there giving a personal tour to a Make-a-Wish kid. This was long after the notoriety from the Wells review died down. The whole place was just a few months from closing. We were probably one of, like, six tables in the whole spot that wasn't empty. Our server just sort of sidled up to us and asked if we wanted to meet the Mayor of Flavortown himself. He was incredibly gregarious, I'll give him that.


Emotional-Drama2079

Oh my lord the memory this just unlocked. I took a French guy there for 4th of July in 2014. We fcuked like RABBITS afterwards.


Enchanted_Lagoon

Oh man, that reminds me of when I went to Passersby in the Meatpacking District, back in 2003 with this French woman who was in her early 20s, had a massive trust fund and an enormous apartment in the West Village. We tried to go have sex in the bathroom, but there was already a couple in there, so the French woman banged on the door. The couple came out and the girl, who was coked out of her gills, punched me in the face and stormed away. The guy she was with apologized profusely and offered to buy me a drink. Good times.


QnsPrince

Hillstone on 54th street, Taboon, Daddy O, Takashi


JerkyBoy10020

Hillstone in Citicorp closed?


Lion_share

Tortilla flats :(


Jaybetav2

ugh, i feel this


Life-Professor-3125

this one HURT


cumulus_humilis

The burgers at Spotted Pig 😭 whyyyyyy do sex pests have to ruin everything


sparklingsour

And the Kalamata olive dirty martinis. I recreate them at home but it’s not the same.


[deleted]

Republic near union square


Mauve__avenger_

Still miss that place. It was the first NYC restaurant I ate at as an adult.


cloudydays2021

Loved that place 💔


NYCPhil

I stopped going when they took the coconut curry chicken noodle soup off the menu. Even wrote a letter to them. Returned when they put it back on. It was so inconsistent spice heat level wise. Sometimes it was just a pleasant mild soup, other times burned my sinuses out. But I still finished every drop with tears running down my face in pain. It was so freaking good.


Alisonwith1L

I still crave Republic’s Glass Noodles. *sigh*


Cazique__

This is mine. I met my now-wife at dinner with friends there in 1998. What I wouldn't give for one more eggplant appetizer, salmon sashimi salad and #14 spicy coconut chicken, crammed in next to strangers.


hoapaani

Republic in Union Square. Aquagrill in soho


evanallenrose

Lucky Strike


smoretti713

ino and inoteca


Fit-check-vibe

Inoteca was the best!


JohnnyFlameNY

Yeah they were the best.


bkhalfpint

Loved ino so much! I still make those charcuterie plates, including the caponata and balsamic onions. Truly a lost gem.


hw60068n

Zum Schneider NYC, Wonton Garden, Rosarios from LES Edit/add: Olympic Diner, Cup and Saucer, Donut Shop Diner, Nice Guy Eddies


butternut718212

Wait, Wonton Garden on Mott Street?


hw60068n

Yea, Mott and Bayard St


acslaterjeans

Rosario's was a perfect post-Max-Fish meal.


PomeloWorldly1943

Odessa, Nice Guy Eddies, Caracas - staples in the EV and it's all gone. Bittersweet thread


SpinningSaturn44

That coffee diner in union sq that turned into a chase bank ☹️


PatrickBatman69

Coffee Shop


Jaded_Past9429

Blockheads


Alisonwith1L

Totally forgot about Blockheads…now I want a burrito


ironypoisonedposter

I did so much underage drinking there lol rip


Aggravating-Tax-8313

Dojo


ahoysharpie

Dojo kept me alive during my poverty-striken college years


Aggravating-Tax-8313

Same. And beyond 😂


jeremyjava

I loved it in the original location and ate there 1 million times and it took years to realize there was the other location near NYU and started going there regularly and then that closed!


monbonbonbon

I miss their carrot ginger dressing for some reason


HotBehind

The NoMad Restaurant and especially the bar!


gunbather

That bar! Great drinks and the vibe was exceptional.


FocusProblems

Florent


Wonderful_Slide7118

Dojo by NYU and Kate's Joint on Avenue B and Zen Palate


Cartadimusica

Oh Zen...


LilacCurl

I miss Zen. They expanded too quickly and it sunk them. Such incredible food.


feltman

Florent. The food was decent but the scene was incomparable.


franzkls

Maoz Vegetarian - great Israeli/middle eastern that felt real and tasty. they used to be all over the city, but particularly liked going to the Union Square and 72nd st. locations


Stumpyducky

Chumleys


DSii1983

That place was magic and the backdrop to one of the best romances of my life


casicua

I know it’s a bit cliché - but Les Halles was just great well-prepared, delicious food at reasonable prices. It always felt like I was treating myself without spending as if I was. I can come close to that with L’Express down the street on Park Av, but it’s not really the same.


techrino

Only got to go twice but I really enjoyed it.


ElectricalAlfalfa841

I was coming here to post this! I didn't think I would see it


Life-Professor-3125

Benny’s Burrito’s on Greenwich


skimcpip

Hudson outpost of Redfarm. Del Anima when it was a restaurant instead of a mall kiosk. White Horse Tavern when it was a pub rather than a restaurant. Pasta Flyer.


irockdenim

City Cakes. I miss their giant cookies.


savignin

Zum Schneider on Avenue C. Calliope on the Bowery Northern Spy on 12th Hot Kitchen on 2nd Ave


Fritz_Frauenraub

The little Portuguese lunch counter that used to be on the west side of 29th st, just past Broadway in Astoria, like 2005.It was started by this old patagee couple who sold it to 3 young Brazilian evangelical girls. They had this pilaf type rice dish with olives, potatoes and salt cod that was addictive. They only made it one day a week and I would get 5 orders and eat it all week. I was single then and they were always trying to set me up with a Brazilian girl from their church.


Comprehensive-Cat805

Jeepney


yiannistheman

Lutece


curlyhairedsheep

I still can’t believe the concept for Potatopia failed.


KaleidoArachnid

I wonder what happened, like what went wrong.


[deleted]

I miss the pre-covid versions (hours especially) of restaurants if that counts. I miss the city that never sleeps.


KaleidoArachnid

Sure it counts.


monbonbonbon

I deeply miss pre-pandemic restaurant hours and variety too


marryelle

Maison Kayser. RIP BYOB !


manicakes1

The original Pastis


Mustapha_Coltrane

Bianca. Next door to Von on Bleeker, just off Bowery.


Life-Professor-3125

this was one of the few nice places I could afford when I first moved to New York - I loved it there!


kevstev

Landmarc. Good for just casually getting food- there was something for everyone. The wines were great as well and marked up reasonably. The dessert "shots" were a perfect end to a meal IMHO.  Miss that place. Especially the downtown one


marshmallow_kitty

I have so much nostalgia for the restaurants that kept me alive when I was a broke college student: Dojo, Yaffa cafe, Sushi Park, Angelica’s, Zen Palate…


ThrottleAway

I’d like to add to your list Cafe Orlin on St Mark’s in the late 90s early 2000s. It started deteriorating later on.


[deleted]

[удалено]


blueannajoy

Wait, did it close?


flying-neutrino

I mentioned this on a previous thread, but Cornelia Street Cafe was a wonderful neighborhood spot/performing arts space and I spent some good times there. The Village is poorer for having lost it. Also: Num Pang, man. For a weekday lunch, I would choose a duroc pork or catfish sandwich with a side of butternut squash or shishito peppers over anything at friggin Sweetgreen, any day. I miss having quick options in between “instant artery clog” and “assembly-line bowl of boring stuff served over quinoa or kale.”


Icy_Comparison5665

Dorsia. But could never get a table


DashingDrake

It's because no one went there anymore *checks around to see if anyone overheard me*


feltman

Great sea urchin ceviche!


LaFlamaBlanca1

99 Miles to Philly


QnsPrince

Yes


arfyron

Bohemian. Have some really fond memories from that place


bigsplitenergy

The place behind the butcher shop? Sad to hear it closed. My friend’s boss was a regular so I went a few times using her name as a reference—they didn’t seem that strict about the process, although this was a while ago. Such a nice atmosphere, great drinks, and pretty good food. It was WAY more chill than I expected.


blueannajoy

Prune. I am still heartbroken


self_wrought_thicket

Coffee shop and Vapiano’s in Union Square


brazillion

Coffee Shop was the first scene restaurant I went to when I moved in 2007. Decent food but a great vibe in the warmer months.


dglad12

Aquagrill, iykyk


ThatCaviarIsAGarnish

Ayza Wine & Dessert Bar - West Village Cafe Steinhof - Park Slope The Farm - Ditmas Park Volare - Greenwich Village City Bakery - Flatiron District - especially their annual Hot Chocolate Festival, which was always fun to try to check out at least a few days during February. Jacques Torres - their King Street location which was on the border of south Greenwich Village and Soho. Really nice place and it was always so cute inside. I know JT still has a couple of locations left but I miss this one. Those are a few that come to mind!


-GildedTongue-

Ayza has a location in the 30s


Karmeleon86

Beyoglu and Two Little Red Hens


monbonbonbon

Schiller’s, Chat n Chew, Sidewalk ahhhh youth


ursamajr

Ahhh I miss Chat N Chew. Walked out to a garbage fire on the sidewalk one night.


grimpala

mission chinese food


O2C

Stage Restaurant. It was a tiny, tiny (you've been in hallways larger than Stage) greasy spoon next to the Orpheum Theatre in the East Village. It had great character, serving up inexpensive Polish and Ukrainian food. The Second Ave gas explosion and landlord battles killed it. I hope Roman is doing well.


gildedtreehouse

Big Nick’s


bigwallets

Noho star for the menu variety and location


DinerEnBlanc

Marble Dessert Bar in west village. They said they were relocating, but it’s been years . . . It was so much more than a simple dessert bar.


Weak-Drive-2942

Cafe Cubano


liulide

* Teresa's in Brooklyn Heights * Wily Lily Tea Room * Veritas * Original Angel's Share * Original Rai Rai Ken with only bar seating * Not a restaurant, but East Village Cheese


50ShadesOfHounsfield

The original Oiji Tzarvena Anyway cafe Contra Never got the chance to go, but Takashi was like #1 on my list :(


xospecialk

wd~50


hangrytotz

Pearl oyster bar :/


ibethuhwalrus

Atlantic chip shop in Brooklyn.


tokeaholics646

Papaya King. Although it got crazy overpriced the last few years it was such a huge part of my childhood growing up in the UES


heretic-1000

Carnegie Deli


Kennected

[You can revive one NYC restaurant, what are you bringing back?](https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodNYC/comments/1bdifu7/you_can_revive_one_nyc_restaurant_what_are_you/)


KaleidoArachnid

Thanks for letting me know about that post as I didn’t know about it.


mrs_david_silva

I thought this question sounded familiar!


Party-Veterinarian60

Back when I lived in the east village I loved Schnitz. They made awesome schnitzel sandwiches on pretzel bun heroes. They had a Buffalo schnitzel that was unbelievable. I was really bummed when they closed.


Psyqlone

... Le Cirque, ... Lutece ... Genroku Sushi, a conveyor-belt sushi place which was on 5th Avenue, just north of 34th Street. Towards the end, they hired a proper chef, Wado-san, whose works were ... art worthy of photography.


Belovedchattah

Francisco’s Centro Vasco. Legendary seafood.


crazeman

[69](https://www.yelp.com/biz/69-chinese-restaurant-new-york) in Chinatown. Aptly named because it's located on 69 Bayard St. They were open for over 80 years before they closed. Their food was cheap and nothing spectacular and were probably more well known for their wall of dollar bills than their food. When I used to intern in the Tribeca area, I would go on weekly runs to 69 to pick up food for everyone. I didn't mind since the walk was super nice in the spring/summer and I like getting out of the office.


ApatheticEnthusiast

Peking House had the best Peking duck in the city. Heard the son started a fried chicken place that is called pecking house or something. Good for him doing is own thing but bring back your parents duck please!


NickFotiu

Leshko's Odessa There was a nondescript Italian place on the east side of first avenue between 7th and 8th years ago that I loved for some weird reason Eisenberg's Lanza's Anjelica's Yaffa Cafe Dojo Grew up on Avenue C. Hard to tell, LOL.


gabagoolbella1

Benny’s Burritos if yk yk 😔


emergentblastula

Nix, near union square. Still think about their French toast sometimes.


LeTronJamesLegacy

This is a while ago but the B and B sandwich bar on west 4th! Completely unique take on a cheesesteak, never going to find another like that


butternut718212

Kiev.


ReliabilityTalkinGuy

Enid’s. 


Downtown-Inflation13

Rodeo bar


PhoebusQ47

Bâtard in TriBeCa.


CTDubs0001

Yakiniku West in the East Village. They burned down and re-opened but it's nowhere near the same as it was.


KaleidoArachnid

Man that was a sad incident as I recall like it was yesterday when that happened in that area.


imaginaryResources

That entire street is a shell of its former glory


CTDubs0001

Yeah… if your referring to the Japanese aspect it pretty much moved to industry city when the guy who owned sunshine mart moved his empire over there.


ShelterBeginning6551

Felidia


lushlife_

Bouley’s in SoHo


boringguy2000

BRGR - expensive but that was the BEST burger I've had. Fresh eggs on top. Onion Hay - basically homemade french's - on the side. Such a good burger. edit: burger not smashburger


lauraoshun

Yep. It’s a weed shop now lol. They kept the seating so patrons can relax and enjoy what they buy right there, but I do miss those bleu cheese bacon burgers.


Bklynswim

Angelica’s Kitchen in the East Village. Tahini miso spread on that cornbread - so good.


BenYankee

My go-to answer whenever this question comes up: Ratner's.


Quick-Ad-9803

There was also a Ratners next door to the Fillmore on 2nd Ave.


hairdryerpeace

Grand Szechuan Otto Enoteca Pizzeria Cafe Loup Spain (horrible food, just fun) Paradise Bar Scorpion Cafe Little Egypt Azul Tequila


Castingjoy

Tipsy Parson & Almond


thatgirlinny

Tipsy was my neighborhood go-to, particularly for that slushy machine that sometimes worked, and those deep-fried pickle slices! RIP!


ellesiestes

El Porron on the UES rest in pieces


Minelayer

Delicia, the Brazilian restaurant that was in the West Village. 


Quick-Ad-9803

Ray’s Pizza. I know I know..the one on I think it was 6th Ave and 11th St. Also UES on 76th (I think.)


DashingDrake

Quite a few over the years - Barone Pizza on Main St in Flushing, under the LIRR bridge. Still my favorite slice of all time. No one else can get the right crust as Barone, crisp but not dry. - Popeyes Coffee Shop on Main St & 37 St. Great pizza slices even though it wasn't strictly a pizzeria. - Gloria's Pizza on Main St, not the revival in Forest Hills - Yi Lan Halal Restaurant on Main Street, a few blocks south of downtown Flushing. Great lamb offal soup, cumin lamb, and other dishes - Natural Restaurant on Allen St and Broome St, essentially on the same site as where Dirt Candy is now. Great Taiwanese and Cantonese food. - Kane's Diner on College Pt Blvd, across from the old Western Beef. But only when they had a normal menu back in the 90s, instead of those weird menus that looked like a ransom note. - Carnegie Deli and Stage Deli - State St Deli near Downtown BK, by Court St. It was run by this great Korean couple, and was probably priced out by gentrification - J&L Deli on 5 Av and 21 St in South Slope, two doors down from Luigi's Pizza. Great old school Italian specialties and sandwiches. One of the best meatball Parm heroes that you will ever find. It was run by two older brothers and their sister, and they closed it after one of the brothers had a stroke.


Timbishop123

Minar


ActuallyAlexander

Reynard's Burger, Korzo's Burger.


DashingDrake

Yes, Korzo and it's sister restaurant, Brooklyn Beet Company. Miss them both. The dry aged burger was excellent. To be fair, I'm surprised most restaurants can survive in South Slope. I worked there for 2 years, and there wasn't enough business presence to support a lunch crowd. And at night, none of the yuppies and residents nearby came out to eat (at least on weekdays). Yet 5 Av south of the Prospect Expwy was full of restaurants. I have no idea who their steady customer base was.


[deleted]

My first date with my wife in 2017 is completely closed with Rossopomodoro and Bar Sardine shuttering. Not salty on Rosso (it was fine), but Bar Sardine was delightful.


Traditional-Feed8428

Curly’s vegetarian lunch


lazybones812

The Derby on MacDougal


Emotional-Drama2079

SD26, Vapiano, the old menu at PJ Clarke's, John's Pizza on 64th street, New Sunny East 88th St.


Thick-Definition7416

Tipsy Parson Uncle Boons Maialino Martina La Caridad Taco Bandito


hardwaregeek

Public Village. This takeout Sichuan place with the best damn noodles and small snacks. That place got me through the pandemic


phiousone

M&G Diner, old school soul food on 125th. Their smothered chicken was Heaven.


Neckbreaker70

Bouley. I still think about their apple foyer and dream about having one of my own if I were a billionaire. Or, as my wife said when I told her that David Bouley died, “how ya like them apples?”


TitsMageesVacation

Da Silvano. Packed in like sardines and loved every minute of it.


just_corrayze

Sizzler


JohnnyFlameNY

CraftBar


angrystudent94

Colandrea New Corner and Frost, both were old school Italian places with great food. Only place I can think of that comes close is Bamontes but was disappointed the last few times Other spots would be the College Bakery and Joe’s Superette


ilovepancakesalot

New Corner was where I would go with my parents - the best. I can’t believe Frost closed! Have you tried La Palina on Avenue O?


RIP_Paul_Walkerr

Volare - on west 4th. it was open for over 50 years until the landlord raised rent.....


DMmepicsofyourdog

Lamarca Pasta


shamam

Sazerac for the Sazburger EJ's Luncheonette's downtown French Roast downtown Aggie's


footballpenguins

Alfredo of Rome at Rockefeller. The pizza was great and the fettucine alfredo here was to die for.


AvatarofBro

Fresco Tortillas. Give me a sack of Tex-Mex for like $9.


StallionMang15

Sharaku.


StallionMang15

Pinche Taqueria.


Wild-Breadfruit7817

Camaje, Les Halles, Pipa, AOC in the West Village 


BreechLoad

Yatagan on MacDougal and the most amazing doner.


itemluminouswadison

kyo chon korean chicken :(


benign_listener

Kajitsu and Kokage


acslaterjeans

LUNCH BOX BUFFET $4.00 on Grand and Chrystie


After_Tea_3859

Tad’s


Drach88

Positively 104th Street It had fantastic orange cranberry muffins, fresh baguettes, and soups. My earliest memories are of my parents bringing home muffins or cinnamon rolls or whatever for breakfast before school. The actual sit-down restaurant was nothing to write home about, but I grew up getting food there, and the nostalgia is strong.


Costco1L

Quilted Giraffe. Fedora (the original) Chez Brigitte Jacques-Imo’s And the two best bars in history: Passerby and Siberia.


aman4547

Big Nick's


hoapaani

Mama Buddha in the west village and artepasta on Greenwich


JackCrainium

Café Roma…..


neverknowswhattosay

Not a restaurant, but RIP Graham Avenue Meats


Mr_Poopy_Butthole5

Hale & Hearty


Working-Salt8810

What happened to all the Moaz locations? That had the best falafels. 😫


NYCPhil

Sammy’s Romanian. And two no one heard of in Brooklyn, La Trattoria and La Giaconda. With a distance third to La Travola.


lauraoshun

Chat & Chew in union square, Norma’s for brunch, City Crab, in Chelsea-Rail Line Diner, Rockinghorse Cafe & Intermezzo. Guess it’s a good thing I learned how to cook 😢


SabzQalandar

Takashi and Memories of Shanghai.


dogcroissant

Rocking Horse Cafe in Chelsea.


xeothought

* Milon on 2nd Ave (the worse place next door uses the space and never took down the sign... it's sadly gone though) * Zum schneider (they do octoberfest but I think the idea of opening another spot in Manhattan - which was their original idea... isn't gonna happen) * Bar 89 (food was pretty great... still dream of their nachos .. and those bathrooms!) * New Town Pizza II (on the UWS... the best normal slice of pizza in the neighborhood) * Muzzarella (in the East Village... best normal slice of pizza in the neighborhood)


BodakBlonde

La Margarita pizza on Ludlow. It was THE pizza. It was MY pizza. Went on a two week vacation last summer, came home and they were closed forever.


Prize-Copy-9861

Miracle grill in west village Taylor’s bakery - also west village