HeViewSheView

Out with the old and in with the new. A mantra a lot of people use in regard to their clothes, their vices, their boyfriends and partners. I love a spring cleaning. I love to share and give (despite being an only child). But some things are far too sacred to part with...old photos, ticket stubs from first dates (OMG-mine was Armageddon), concerts, birth announcements, or even restaurants that have been around longer than me. Why not spend Cinco de Mayo at an oldie but a goodie… a place I’ve been going to since I was a kid, a college grad and even as a hormonal pregnant lady… a place that will not be thrown out with my old flared white true religions. Sometimes the old stuff is the best stuff (but not those jeans).

Sevilla

Sevilla, located in the most likable part of the West Village (West 4th and Charles) has been around foreva! This Spanish restaurant, which does not take reservations or care about your attire, will make you sit at a crowded bar endlessly refilling your red sangria pitchers to get you drunk enough to shut up about your table - or lack thereof. Upon being seated, you might feel comfy in a snug booth for four or be stuffed like sardines into that same booth for four with an adjoining ghetto round table to accommodate 6. On a Saturday night, there's no time to really peruse the menu (look on menupages before you go) as the staff really aims to get you in and out. You MUST get the homemade potato chips (which used to be free like, ya know, bread but now are on your bill), as well as the stuffed mushrooms with crabmeat, shrimp with white sauce (oily and garlicy -yum), Croquettes and Chorizo. Before your apps arrive, what HeView described as a delicious "dirty salad" comes as part of the meal - a basic salad with what tastes like Paul Newman's French dressing. Apps hot and amazing come quick to be followed by colossal pots of paella chock full of shellfish, veal "Sevilla" con mushrooms, arroz con pollo (chicken, sausage and rice), Mariscado in Green Sauce and my personal favorite and oh so fattening Sevilla go-to - Chicken Villeroy (essentially two pieces of fried chicken filled with béchamel cream)! It's a once in blue moon thing that everyone gets a bite of! No room for dessert at our table, but the flan, if you’re a flan guy or gal, is supposedly delish - I myself am not a flan fan.

However you long you wait, however quick the staff try to get you in and out, however you order, whether it be spicy or standard (broiled swordfish a healthy and low fat option) you will leave happy that you came and happy that this restaurant is on your radar or now is. Seasons change, guys/gals come and go, fashions too, but the fare and the fun of Sevilla forever will be. Don't spring clean this baby - it's a timeless piece for your collection. 62 Charles Street | Corner of West 4^th (212) 929-3189

JSR

The number Five. With two siblings, it is the number of people in my very first (original) family unit. Add a Zero to it and you’ll find quite a few ladies who think that is the approximate number of shades of grey. Say it in Spanish with an Ocho first and you’ve got Mr. Chad Johnson. Say it in Spanish again in the month of May and…. You’ve got Cinco de Mayo! For information geeks like me, this is a day much less celebrated in Mexico than the U.S. (in Mexico, it is mostly observed in the Mexican state of Puebla) and is not Mexican independence day (as is commonly mistaken), but as SheView can astutely tell you, is the commemoration of the Mexican army’s victory over the French in 1862. How many years was that before the 2012 French presidential election? Yup, thirty times five. Bottom line, this is a day celebrated by American 20-somethings everywhere and us New York old folk too.

Sevilla

Sevilla is an old-guard, been-there-forever restaurant in the perfect location, smack in the middle of Greenwich Village. In fact, they opened their doors on the corner of Charles Street all the way back in 1941. History aside, being that they don’t take reservations, it’s probably a good idea to plan on waiting at the very cramped and in-need-of-a-major-makeover bar for a cocktail or two. Once ushered to your table, it’s a fifty/fifty crapshoot on being escorted by the sweet, older manager who is all class, or his younger sidekick who is all crass. We were already a pitcher of sangria in by the time we sat down, but our joyousness was unfortunately not shared by Senor crass. We were able to move past it and once we did, five plus one of us settled into our groove and before even looking at the menu, ordered another pitcher of sangria and a couple of orders of the soft on the inside, crispy on the outside homemade chips. This was a great start to what was sure to be an order of abundance. For starters, we ordered the Croquetas, Chorizo, and two orders of the Mushrooms stuffed with crabmeat. The Stuffed Mushrooms, as usual and to always be expected at Sevilla, were delicious, balanced with delicious stuffing and big (but not grossly) – they were el Corazon of the first act. The Chorizo was dirty good. For mains, SheView ordered the Chicken Villaroy, which if Sevilla is not famous for, they should be. The other orders on the table included the Veal Sevilla (with sautéed mushrooms), Arroz con Pollo and for me, the Paella a la Valenciana (with lobster, chicken and sausage). The Paella was good as always, but there was way too much rice and I enjoyed it slightly less than my just about completely wiped clean plate indicated. Bottom line – come for the sangria, bustling classic village vibe and most of the menu… stay away for the service! 62 Charles Street | Corner of West 4^th (212) 929-3189

SJR

I love the Village. Always will, always have and forever do. I tell some people that the Village is my roots - even though I did not grow up there, I wish I had. I do hope and pray that we will be fortunate enough to raise our family in this special community. I love a place where everyone knows your name, the streets are cobble-stoned and the locals carry canvas bags chock full of organic groceries. I adore fresh flowers from Citarella and the sprinkles on the pavement from kids walking home from school. What can I say more - it's home!

Perla

And... that's what Gabe Stulman wants you to think and feel when you enter his comfy cozy Minetta Lane gem - Perla. He is the ultimate village guy, owning now four restaurants in the hood blocks from each other. I have been to Stulmans' Joseph Leonard and Jeffrey’s many times and really enjoyed both places because of the laid back vibe, customer service with friendly and low-key staff and of course, the food! At Perla, our brown leather booth in the perfect hub of the restaurant seated our party of six comfortably and nicely. We ordered cocktails and then red wine. The restaurant was bustling as it was a great reservation time - 8:15 primetime and Saturday night. The table ordered way too much food, but we were all pleased to try the salads, soft shell crabs and nice-sized, well-cooked prawns over a yummy creamy sauce. Our pasta apps preceded the fish and greens, one more scrumptious than the other-the gnocchi, spaghetti with rock shrimp (wish I ordered that as my main) and tartale bolognaise. The only issue for me was that the pastas were all a bit salty for my liking, but I still ate them contentedly. Beautiful branzinos - one filleted and one full fished arrived soon after our pastas were cleared by the owner (Gabe) who was overly humble, sincere, real and friendly just like the Village, where he and his soon to be growing family reside. Two of our diners really dug their skate entrees and the filet looked outta sight. Sadly, I didn't like my Guinea Hen not because of the flavor, but because of its thick texture. Party foul on my part because the other entrees were presented beautifully and tasted simple, yet rustic and robust at the same time. No false pretenses or airs here - Stulman cooks up a real deal and is not afraid to manage, oversee and pick up some dishes here or there (which was quite impressive) along the way. He was as cool and as easygoing as his third gnarly-in-a-cool way restaurant and the Village it lives in. Heview, please take me home!!!

Go to Perla! It will be a nice evening - leave the attitude and the pretense at the door. 24 Minetta Lane | (212) 933-1824

JSR

James Lipton, executive producer, writer and host of the Bravo cable television series “Inside the Actors Studio” asks a series of famous questions including: Who would your last meal be with? My pick always changes – by the mood, by the season and in this case, by the night. I think for this particular weekend I will go with Patti Stanger, ya know, the Millionaire Matchmaker. The brutally honest, sometimes offensive and always real Jewish gal from Jersey that dishes it out to all her millionaires and millionioaresses in her matchmaking club. Patti is not at all timid, tells it how is and has no qualms about talking sex “no sex before monogamy” is a go-to of hers. Patti might even join me for a “wet dream” or two at the Dream Hotel before we head downstairs to the restaurant, Marble Lane. After all, she and I have a lot in common – we are both strong females who wear our hearts and thoughts on our sleeves, both full of wit and zeal and most importantly (and until recently I didn’t even know it), but we are both matchmakers (just of a different sort). Welcome to MommyMatch.com at your service and I am your host- SheviewJSR.

Marble Lane

G-d, I’m so happy I lost all my pregnancy lbs because to go the Dream Hotel is to be IN or at least fake it till you make it. The hotel is bumping to the brims from the lounge to the bar to their restaurant, Marble Lane. Our party of six was given a beeper and was instructed to hang at the bar for 10 to 15 minutes give or take. 40 minutes later, we vibrated and were escorted to our circular table in the main dining section downstairs in the hullabaloo of things. Our Argentinean dad friend became our sommelier and essentially 6 semi quasi strangers that I brought together (as mommy matchmaker) preceded to chat, order wine and drinks (for me). As I had been to the bar before, I knew that they mixed a pretty delish lychee libation. Tonight to my dismay they were not making anything lychee instead were offering something quite similar, a flowery extract referred to as the “wet dream.” What the hell, it’s Saturday night primetime - I’ll take two. Circular lit orbs hung above us and we were surrounded with a packed house. The music was blasting. I might have been at a club with a little “unce unce” and as I proceeded to drink my wet dreams my behavior regressed to that of a 25 year old and one of my co-mamas and I got up and danced around the table. Drunk and giddy, our 5 beet salads and one tuna tartare arrived beautiful and bountiful. The salads with thinly striped colorful beets mixed with greens and cheese (perfect amount of zesty dressing) was delectable. All parties were pleased. Entrees came probably better late than never, but drinking these dreams blurred the time for me. My scallops arrived, all five of them perfectly cooked and seasoned over a bed of fregola, summer vegetables with spiced cashews. HeView and new dad pal with fab personality M had steaks (peppercorn filets and short ribs) and heaps of amazing fries-heaps! The other match made ordered the Bobo chicken, which he found enjoyable although he wished the portion was smaller. The duo of mamas across the table dined on sliced tuna with beans and pistachios and she gave ‘em a thumbs up where sadly our other mama mate hated her bronnzino and abhorred the two sauces meant to complement the dish even more. Good thing her Frangelico kicked in, we had good company and this encouraged her to forget about that gnarly fish/sauce experience. By 12:00, this crew was done as we we’re not only footing the bill but paying by the hour for our sitters, after we settled the tab and received complimentary after dinner drinks for the waits and the waits, we stumbled our drunk and full asses into cabs back to domesticity with some possible new Triburbian pals. I might not have eaten with Patti but Patti would be proud of me. 355 West 16^th Street | Between 8^th and 9^th Avenues (212) 229-2336.

JSR

As usual at this time of year, my bracket is busted. Coming into Saturday’s games (regional finals) my 11^th place standing out of about 25 entries had me looking very, very mediocre. Obviously I’m still voyeuristically watching games and I’ll tell you - what’s not mediocre is this Ohio State/Syracuse game. Let’s go Big East!

What’s that SheView? Yes, it’s a tie game. But it’s only a few minutes to go in the first half, so don’t worry at all, we’ve really just got plenty of game to enjoy. I’m excited too!

What’s that you say? Ohhhhhh – we have dinner plans. With a couple that we know and dig and a couple we don’t know (well) yet. Must. Pull. My. Self. A. Way. This better be worth it.

Marble Lane

I have to hand it to SheView. When she’s right, she’s right. I’m not just saying that to win back any points after my story/intro. She was right about at least three things this evening. They include: (1) her outfit; (2) our dates (both, or all four of them) and (3) especially, Marble Lane.

First off – Marble Lane knows how to pick its real estate – great area.   16^th between 8^th and 9^th, right next to the Maritime Hotel, which was cool when I was young, so probably isn’t anymore, or potentially, has gone from peak to trough to peak since “young” is not an adjective you can currently use to describe me unless I am in a client meeting with 60+ year olds. Walking in and taking in the scene at Marble Lane brings back memories of drunken nights with real and random pals and gals. In fact, these memories bring to mind at least 8 friends of the real variety I haven’t spoken to in too long! Speaking of friends, we waited at the bar for about 45 minutes as the 6-top earmarked for our group was occupied by a group of 60-year olds (not clients) soaking in every ounce of youngness our future waiter would allow them. This was no worry to us because our group of 6 was in one word, spectacular. We were a group borne of different cultures, religions, heights and dress, but we definitely had in common a likeness for each other and a readiness to have fun in a great setting.

For our starters, once they were delivered, we discovered that 5 of us ordered the Roasted Beet Salad, with pear, goat gouda and banyuls (aspertif) vinaigrette. The beets were thinly sliced, but meaty enough to get the full flavor of the delicious vinaigrette. The pears, also thinly sliced, along with the cheese, complemented perfectly. I wouldn’t describe many salads as great, but this one is. The 6^th appetizer was the Yellowfin Tuna Tartare and looked like an excellent dish. For mains, I was extremely close to ordering the Olive Crusted Salmon, and probably got upsold by the waiter when I reconsidered and went with the Grilled Short Ribs with baby carrots, a country popover and guiness jus (you read that right – guiness. jus. amazing.). I’m so glad I was upsold, because this was one of the best dishes I’ve had in a long time. The short ribs were tender, cooked perfectly and each morsel on my fork was covered in just the right amount of the most amazing sauce I could even imagine. The fact that I had a country popover to make sure no sauce was left over was just a ridiculous touch. Guiness, you can cover my short ribs any time. SheView got the Seared Diver Scallops and that and the Crackling Bobo Chicken looked great, which was confirmed by each plate’s owner. SheView was so pleased with her scallops, she even had to do a little dance to celebrate. Damn SheView, I may have to bring you here more often. For dinner sides, we got French Fries, which were delicious and just an enormous, heaping, portion. Like it was too big of a plate even for my taste. The Sauteed Wild Mushrooms were extremely salty and the only disappointment in what was a great meal. For more reasons than one, Marble Lane earned a well-deserved pass on that one. 355 West 16^th Street | Between 8^th and 9^th Avenues (212) 229-2336.

SJR

Hey downtowners, have you ever been to Good restaurant on Greenwich Ave between 8^th and Equinox? Well, I have, several times and in recent years have stopped because to me Good (the restaurant) isn’t good, in fact, it’s just okay. We in fact have a friend who loathes the concept of brunch all because of Good. Which brings me to today’s case in point, Super Linda, brand new hot spot on West Broadway down it what I like to call Triburbia. Well, again, they may have to change the name and take the Super out and possibly the Pretty too.

Super Linda

I love a new restaurant, one that’s local, one that’s trendy and especially one associated with one of my faves, Tiny’s and the Bar Upstairs (which we have reviewed before). I adore the chef at Tiny’s and now Super Linda too. He’s a gem although he never throws in a drink or an app. We got a last minute rez @ Super Linda and were stoked to go. Upon arrival, I was disappointed with this gargantuan space’s décor. The restaurant includes a night lounge downstairs so the whole space is over 2000 feet; with that type of space and the dough backing you, you have a lot to work with. I have to make a Long Island reference here for all of you readers that once resided on the Strong - Super Linda at first sight reminded me of El Torito on Jericho Turnpike. I used to go there for birthday parties when I was a young’n. My rents were always too cheap to foot the bill for that one. For others of you that do not understand this incredible reference, it’s like a cheesy Mexican diner. Our waitress, a hot AMASIAN of a gal who was sweet as agave had no experience on waiting tables so our service was downright awful. We ordered mojitos (small but good), Tostados with sweet corn and cotija cheese, Croquetas with smoked chicken and truffle and the Ensalada picada which was a chopped salad with a little bit of this and little bit of that. Our apps were underwhelming at best although I heard others rave about the ceviche verde and the tostadas with crab and sea urchin. Our dinner mates were anti-uni. Too bad for us. From the grill, the table proceeded onward with scallops, prawns and flat iron steak. All of our mains came out tepid at best although my Scallop dish with grilled mushrooms, cauliflower puree and roasted chile vinaigrette, had it been hot, would have been a hole in one. Our sides were again, mediocre, Fried Brussel Sprouts (those should’ve blown us away) and Grilled Mushrooms (plain ole’ straw shrums). I think the only way I’d return is on the early bird side with the lil view to bring back memories of El Torito birthday parties that my parents never scored for. “Super” needs to pump up the volume and the service and unfortunately a whole lot more to earn this strongly positive adjective. At this rate, I might as well go back to Good! 109 W Broadway | at Reade Street 212-227-8998

JSR

On a fortuitous “Dad-urday” last year, I had the good fortune of spending my weekend alone time with lil view on line at the hardware store. Where in the world am I going with this? I wound up beginning a quasi neighborhood-friendship with the executive chef at Tiny’s and the Bar Upstairs. One plus one equals two, I love Tiny’s, and I am really, really looking forward to a night with law school pals (and loyal readers) and the new incarnation of the Tiny’s team: Super Linda.

Super Linda

SheView and I arrived at the restaurant with much fanfare in our heads and immediately upon walking in, took in a space that was much smaller and less pretty than the big name suggested. Walk a bit further though, and thankfully you’ll see a step down and walk around a corner that leads to another area of the restaurant that was actually open through to the main bar area. Sounds great right? What isn't so great was that sitting in that stepped-down section literally feels like sitting in the cheap seats. That covers each of the décor, the diner-like feel and the service. Clearly, this is not the trifecta one hopes to hit when opening a new restaurant that should have had a lot to live up to (for some reason, it seems like the team forgot that was the case). Our waitress hovered when we sat down (although she was hot – and don’t let SheView jock my terminology), and didn’t really know up from down. She actually let me order 60 Seconds Over Buenos Aires as my initial drink, which she described as the restaurant’s version of a vodka red bull. The drink definitely had vodka, but the rest of it had espresso and something I’m pretty sure was indigenous to the rainforest (and not delicious). Once she finally replaced it with a mojito, 25 minutes later, I was actually able to concentrate on the food. We started with Croquetas with chicken and truffles, Tostada de Equitas with sweet corn, lime mayo and cotija cheese and the Ensalad Picada, with cheese, pickled onions, avocado and roasted tomatoes. The Croquetas were actually pretty delicious and came with a spicy red sauce that would satisfy the palate of anyone into hot. The Tostada was small (literally two tiny tostadas we had to cut in half for a bite each between the four of us), but well-prepared and a nice sweet. The salad was generic. I had the Flat Iron Steak, medium rare, as my main. It only made sense that it not be served hot since our overwhelmed waitress probably left it sitting in the kitchen 10 minutes too long. It was cooked right and had a delicious sauce, but steak needs to be served off the grill. SheView had the Scallops and they definitely were tepid, but they were definitely also the perfect texture and delicious! Our sides, Fried Brussel Sprouts and Grilled Mushrooms, were nothing crazy to write home about and I believe our table-resident mushroom expert agreed.  Yes it’s new and has some kinks to work out, but until I hear otherwise or find a new one, I’ll stick to the South-American women and away from the restaurants. 109 W Broadway | at Reade Street 212-227-8998

SJR

I was always a good wing woman. Heview tells me he was a good wingman. As a couple, we might be the ultimate wing peeps. We are brutally honest (especially me, with my lack of filter sometimes even rising to a detriment), natural conversationalists, and we easily adapt to any situation (ESP Heview).

Print.

Print, all the way, far, far away in no-man’s land (11th Avenue in the high 40's), supposedly the next area in the city to be gentrified (our bartender Mark validated this - aside from reports from Bloomberg) was this weekends Saturday night spot. We travelled from our land to this land in need of drinks and a fun night of banter. Our dinner mates, running late and stuck in traffic en route to Never Never land, told us to get a drink at the bar, which we did inside the hotel, Ink48. The scene was that of a Kimpton hotel-think Marriot, maybe low-end Marriot. Was this going to be a good night? The scene was mixed definitely not your Beatrice or Waverly Inn looker types. I actually felt pretty darn good about myself in this sea of non-lookers. Our dates arrived and we were seated in a lovely table in the back (restaurant about 60% full). The menu redeemed the restaurant/hotel’s population and clientele. There was an extensively elegant menu ranging from 10-15 starters and the same for entrees. As most of us continued to get our drink on, especially HeView guzzling 100% proof alcohol with mashed lemons, we chatted with our old friend and her new friend who we were meeting for the first time (well, kinda). The boys talked bonds as we talked jewels, babies and the ups and downs of life.

The men began with an outta sight gnocchi app with just about a million veggies aside of it, as well as a beet and cheese salad. My gal pal also ordered the heavenly gnocchi (I in fact do not enjoy this pasta, but this one was quite heavenly). I had a Polenta and Burrata over Proscitto Toast, which was good, but nothing to go so far west for. The ladies dined on a perfectly cooked piece of flaky white halibut while the guys enjoyed red meat, how they do. Each diner gave their meals a thumbs up and it really was delicious food. That being said, am I racing to go back to Print in the Ink hotel??? No, not really. I guess I like the whole package and this just missed the mark by three avenues and about twenty blocks! Go see for yourself - they have valet and there's no shortage of taxis in NYC! 653 11^th Avenue | Between 47^th and 48^th Streets (212) 757-2224

JSR

Men ahead of their times can fall into one of two categories: (1) the forgotten visionaries who have sadly already fallen out of the picture by the time their “time” arrives, and (2) the inspirational heroes who are remembered as founding fathers by their disciples and descendants. When I moved into West Chelsea in 2006, I was probably ahead of my time. Unfortunately, as a now-resident of family-overridden Tribeca and with West Chelsea booming, I probably fall into category number 1. It will be good to head into a desolate area of Manhattan tonight – maybe something will stir my senses.

Print.

Print., adjacent to the Ink48 Hotel on 11^th Avenue between 47^th and 48^th streets, is a farm-to-table New American restaurant in the boondocks of the next area of Manhattan awaiting gentrification. Ink48 itself is a Kimpton Hotel, and when you walk into the lobby, it reeks of a hotel catered to out-of-towners who want to be chic on a budget. I’ve been to Kimptons in other cities and gotten the same feeling. Not that there is anything wrong with wanting to be trendy without breaking the bank, but there are more subtle ways to broadcast such characteristics. Fortunately, sitting at the bar waiting for our dates gave us a chance to experience the bar in the lobby of the hotel. The bar itself is not overly different from many other hotel bars, but not every hotel bar has Mark for a bartender. Mark, quite enjoyable as a dude, also makes a mean, MEAN drink. I decided to start with De Telegraaf, which is his play on a chilled lemon martini served deliciously in a martini glass coated in absinthe. In this case, both the drink and the barkeep overwhelmingly lived up to their names (I even got the recipe). Once we sat down with our lovely dates (speaking of SheView’s counterpart), I became absorbed in the menu and a too-business-y conversation for the Shes (but just right for Hes).   Settling into my order, I strongly considered the Ricotta Ravioli to start, but once the words “Goat Cheese Gnocchi with Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, Pancetta and Butternut Squash” came across the menu and settled into my brain, I didn’t really have much of a choice. I’m glad my reflexes worked out the way they did, because the gnocchi was cooked perfectly and the dish wasn’t overpowered by the pancetta, which it easily could have been. This dish is one to get again. For my main, I decided to go with the Dry-Aged Beef Sirloin, medium rare. The meat was slightly overcooked, but lean and flavorful. I certainly polished off my plate, but I would give the dish a 7.5 at best – and that is coming from a meat lover. We actually ordered dessert this evening, which we usually do not do, and Print.’s desserts mostly reminded us of why (Flan and Marsala Cream Puff). Overall, the experience was pleasant and the food was solid, but I would only travel this far again to hang out with Mark. 653 11^th Avenue | Between 47^th and 48^th Streets (212) 757-2224

SJR