Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Eating
8
Freemans
$$$
AMERICAN
Tucked down a back alley, the charmingly located Freeman's draws a mostly hipster crowd
who let their chunky jewelry clang on the wooden tables as they lean over to sip overflow-
ing cocktails. Potted plants and taxidermic antlers lend an endearing hunting-cabin vibe - a
charming escape from the bustle (when there isn't a crowd inside).
(
212-420-0012;
www.freemansrestaurant.com
; end of Freeman Alley; mains lunch $12-19, dinner $22-32;
11am-11:30pm Mon-Fri,
from 10am Sat & Sun;
F to 2nd Ave)
9
Hearth
$$$
A staple for finicky, deep-pocketed diners, Hearth has coziness down pat with its warm,
brick-walled interior. Swill a soul-coaxing red and ponder the seasonal menu; an Italo-cent-
ric affair which might see roasted sturgeon paired with lentils and bacon, or rabbit papar-
delle with fava beans.
(
ITALIAN
646-602-1300;
www.restauranthearth.com
;
403 E 12th St, at First Ave; mains $21-48;
6-10pm Sun-Thu, to 11pm Fri, 11am-2pm & 6-11pm Sat, 11am-2pm Sun;
L to 1st Ave; L, N/Q/R, 4/5/6 to 14th
St-Union Sq)
10
Meatball Shop
$
Elevating the humble meatball to high art, the Meatball Shop serves up five varieties of
juiciness (including a vegetable option). Order those balls on a hero, add mozzarella and
spicy tomato sauce, and
voila,
you have a tasty, if happily downmarket, meal. The LES
branch boasts a rock-and-roll vibe, with tattooed waitstaff and prominent beats. There are
four other branches in NYC.
(
ITALIAN
212-982-8895;
www.themeatballshop.com
; 84 Stanton St, btwn Allen &
Orchard Sts; mains from $10;
noon-2am Sun-Thu, to 4am Thu-Sat;
2nd Ave; F to Delancey St; J/M/Z to Essex
St)