Felix: The Last Meal

Ah, Felix. I love Felix, as does Nikki. We stumbled on this lovely French bistro a few years ago when we were walking through SOHO...in reality, I was dragging Nikki in every fun shop I could find, since there are a lot! We stopped in for a drink and a break but already had plans to eat in Little Italy (at a place that highly disappointed Nikki and I have yet to live that one down). We vowed to eat at Felix the next time we were in SOHO. And here we were, our last day in New York and in need a a last good meal. Felix was the destination. We hopped on the E train and headed back to SOHO. Felix is so much fun - all of the tall windows open to a almost an outdoor cafe, very airy and bright in the daytime and then dim (the right kind of dim) in the evenings. The service is wonderful, the other diners are interesting and the food is excellent. Nikki ordered the cheeseburger and pommes frites and I ordered the cheeseburger topped with an egg and pommes frites. Both came with a small green salad, drizzled with a light vinegerette, which is always a nice addition. I love a little salad with my burger. Excellent, excellent, excellent. For a 'last meal', this was perfect. Felix had some business lunchers and a group that looked like travelers. Funny, we started our trip at a French bistro, cheeseburgers and pommes frites and ended that way too. While some might say 'why would you order a burger'...well, because these burgers are not of the usual mediocre quality you find most places. And because we wanted to - and that is all that matters (with anything, of course!). Going for the 'last meal' excuse again, I had to order dessert...and Nikki had already seen the Profiteroles come out and she knew that is what I should order. Wow, were they good. These were filled with vanilla ice cream (often, it is filled with custard). We were very full, as Felix does not scrimp on the portions. Our waiter reminded me of a French Adam 'MCA' Yauch of the Beastie Boys and I definitely love the BB crew. The burgers were both around $17, which is well worth it in my book. Felix is a great spot for a drink, lunch or dinner. Their website is currently under construction but check back soon or just get over there for a drink and a meal.

Felix is located at 340 West Broadway, New York NY 10013.

~Alex

http://www.felixnyc.com/

The Little Owl: A Favorite of the Village and Lou Reed

If you are looking for a wonderful meal in a quaint, non-touristy locale, visit The Little Owl in the Village. My mom had read an article on the Owl and decided it was our type of spot. After purchasing winning (we scored front row seats to 33 Variations with Jane Fonda and Colin Hanks the day of the play!), we hopped on the 1 train and headed from Midtown to the Village Sunday morning for brunch. Upon arrival, the small restaurant was full, but there was only a ten minute wait. The hostess said we could wait outside on the benches under the awnings or we could 'wait right up there'. She pointed to the corner of the restaurant to indicate 'up there' and it was a two-step waiting seat, almost like a balcony window but you climbed a three-step ladder to get up there and you were looking down at everyone eating! We had to have our photo taken up there because it was so funny. There were pillows and you could order drinks while you sat...'up there'. You could squeeze three to four people up there but two sat very comfortably. We ordered drinks and waited less than ten minutes and our table was ready. Seated by the window, we were able to watch the Villagers walk their dogs or take strolls on this semi-rainy Sunday. The rain does not slow down New Yorkers! I chose the Gravy Meatball Sliders, made with beef, pork, veal and pecorino, and the Asparagus endives and vinaigrette. Nikki* had the Poached Eggs fontina sausage buns, greens and Hollandaise and the Cheddar Grits. The sliders were absolutely wonderful, that melt in your mouth flavor. The asparagus was also splendid, the endives, potatoes and scallions gave the vegetable a taste twist I had not experienced previously. Nikki was very happy with her poached eggs and cheddar grits. The atmosphere was very enjoyable and apparently, Lou Reed dines there from time to time. Another bonus! My only complaint (and I should have known or asked) was the price of soft drinks...$4 and they did charge you for refills. It is soda and just a little ridiculous. I should have ordered a shot for that price. I would have certainly had more bang for my buck. While in Norfolk, I would boycott a restaurant that charged this for a soda (I NEED a diet Coke in the morning!), it is New York and my leniency is greater. I highly recommend The Little Owl. Try to sit in the waiting area 'up there' - it is a great way to see what everyone else is eating and it might help you choose your meal. I eyed the sliders from 'up there' and knew right then that those would be my selection. Hoot-hoot over to The Little Owl.

~Alex

The Little Owl is located in the Village at 90 Bedford Street, New York, NY 10014 and serves lunch and dinner during the week and brunch and dinner on the weekends. View their menus at http://thelittleowlnyc.com/