The Place

Can’t believe this place has closed. I’m heartbroken.
I went here on a disastrous date, and had I been anywhere else, it would have been a wretched affair. But the servers came by and gently poured more wine, didn’t ask probing questions (such as why I was constantly alone at the table), and didn’t rush me along when it was clear after (constant abandonment on his part) that my date and I would be there a while.
The Place was a true treasure, and will be sorely missed.

Tucked away (yes I cringed too as I wrote that, but it really is ‘tucked away’) down a lovely street in the W. Village is this little joint.
I first came here pre Unilocal and haven’t been back since to review it… and honestly I don’t know why I left it so long.
Dimly lit (mainly candle light), this is a wonderful little bistro that just has the right feel of intimacy and buzz… menu is short and simple, and the food is absolutely spot on.
Yep. Spot on.

Pretty little restaurant, the decorations are romantic. Staff was friendly and help. The food was fresh, delicious and well portion.

Great ambiance. Professional staff. Quiet. Conservative. A bit Pricey. Pea and mint soup was really do tasty. Pork shoulder was also very tasty, a teensy bit dry, and the risotto was superb. Martinis were exactly as I requested and delicious (and cold!) but took a little longer than expected (wine seems to come out quickly though). Very, very impressive staff. All of them were appropriately attentive but not intrusive. This is not a place to make «buddies» with your server but the service is spot on. Seriously good service. In fact I was going to give the place a four star, but giving a five because of the staff. Thank you for a great experience. I will return with friends!

There’s nothing to hate here but there’s nothing really to love either. None of the dishes are memorable now were the drinks. The dining room has a cosy atmosphere and the staff were more than pleasant. One observation is it slightly smells of old people i wouldn’t go out of your way to go here but if you end up here it’s also not the worst choice in the neighbourhood (hat spots reserved for Extra Virgin).

This is «the» date place. Groups will be squeezed, but that might be leveraged to your advantage!
Food and service are great. Even vegetarians can wonder in the menus various options.
Order with confidence.
Note: low ceilings, cramped and the ambience is wine cellar, hobbit home themed but warm and easy to run with.

The place is a solid west village destination but nothing to write home about. Charming ambiance similar to many other cozy little spots in the area. My friends had the steak and salmon, and I had an entrée sized portion of the scallops, which was surprisingly huge. The scallops were flavorful but overseasoned. My friends seemed happy with their meals but not overly wowed. We shared the crème brûlée for dessert, which was adequate. I wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend the restaurant, but I wouldn’t warn anyone to stay away either.

Great date spot!
Atmosphere: intimate environment with dim lighting and fireplaces. Big bar in the front (good spot for a drink). Beyond the front room with the bar and a couple small two tops, there are two more rooms with tables, some large. They also host events both small and large.
Service: fantastic from the host to the waiter
Food: Seasonal menu
Appetizers: (all appetizers can be ordered in entrée portion)
— Diver Scallops: Yes! Best thing you will eat (4 – 5 in appetizer portion)
— Sweet Potato Ravioli: nice purée with very thin pasta. Great veg option
— Calamari: amazing tomato sauce. Probably wouldn’t order this one again though
Entrees: (overall not as good as the appetizers)
— Seafood Chowder: calamari, mussels, clams, lobster, and salmon. Amazing! All great except for the salmon. Oh, and you better like salt, which I do
— Duck 3 Ways: duck was a little dry, but interesting
— Cod: Very light and delicious. Good choice for a light meal
Dessert:
— Chocolate in Phyllo wrapper with mint ice cream: delicious
— Ice cream sandwich: comes with airy gingerbread cookies (I expected a crunch) but still good
Overall, great cozy, intimate spot for a date. Check it out!

Had a wonderful brunch here last weekend. There were 6 of us, all raved about their choices. They won some extra brownie points by taking my wife’s order of hot chocolate even though it wasn’t on the menu. I had a burger — i feel bad saying simply «i had a burger» — i can’t remember all the details, but it was some of the most well seasoned beef that i’ve had in a long time. Certainly a cut above a normal patty.
Our waiter was friendly and approachable — very welcoming atmosphere.

Very intimate, cozy setting. Nice spot for a date. The service was outstanding, and food was pretty good. I had the calamari and strip steak and my friend the tomato soup and chicken. The steak was a little overcooked for my liking, but still good. The chicken was incredibly tender and delicious. Would try it again.

Came to «The Place» recently for a celebratory dinner. It didn’t turn out to be as nice as we hoped for.
PRO’s:
— Cozy fireplace, very romantic atmosphere
— Scallops were awesome and a decent portion. It’s listed as appetizer for $ 17 but I had it as my main course and it was the perfect amount.
CON’s:
— We had to wait about 15 minutes until our table was ready even with a reservation. No big deal.
— Seating is pretty cramped.
— It’s loud! It was hard to concentrate on our own conversations when the women next to us are basically shouting in our ears.
— It’s almost too cozy if that makes sense. The fireplace and cramped seating makes the whole place a tad too warm and you feel relieved when you get back out and breathe some fresh air.
— The lamb was only so so. Texture was kinda tough and just not as good as at other places.
— Servers are a bit rushed. At one point he asked if we wanted fresh pepper and I say «sure» and he turns and walks away… ok.
— Drinks are expensive. No glass of wine under $ 12 and at the same time the glassware they use seems really cheap.
We enjoyed our evening, it’s a cute place but we will probably not be back.

Excellent restaurant! Wanted to give it a 4 ½ star. Great appetizers which we ended up having as our dinner. Had pumpkin ravioli, lamb meatballs, tomato soup, and scallops. Everything was exceptional. Drinks were all prepared to perfection including Mexican coffee. We had the chocolate in phyllo with mint chocolate ice cream for dessert. It was awesome.

My girlfriend Christina and I have come here for every anniversay for the past five years. This year we had a nice spot by the fireplace.
Ambiance/​Décor
The Place is a cozy, romantic restaurant in the West Village. The lights are dimly light and classic soul music is playing soflty in the background. Even though the noise level is unexpectedly boisterous for such close quarters we maintained a sense of intimacy.
Service
Our wait staff was courteous and attentive. We never felt rushed or forgotten. Our water glasses remained filled and our plates were cleared promptly.
Food
There were a wide selection of menu options focusing on predominantly american cuisine. I had the sweet potato ravioli as an appetizer. We both had the NY strip steak and we shared the spiced pumpkin bread pudding for dessert. Everything was cooked to perfection. The portions were again perfect. You really can’t go wrong with whatever you decide on.
We had a great time as always. Lovely staff, great food and the manager gave us a free dessert to celebrate our anniversary. If we are on the East Coast we will be back next year.

I came here because one of my close friends recommended it and she definitely did not do me wrong. It was my boyfriend’s birthday so I wanted to treat him and take him out to a nice romantic dinner. I made the reservations ahead of time on OpenTable which was great and when we walked in, I just gave then my name and they sat us immediately! We sat in a small little corner, but once we got ourselves adjusted it was just fine. For the appetizer we ordered Calamari which is grilled and it really was amazing. There was so much flavor in such a small dish. For our entrees, I ordered the salmon and he ordered the seafood chowder. My dish was really exquisite. The only thing that threw me off a little was that the center of the salmon was a little raw. My boyfriend told me that the waiter told me the chef suggested it medium-​rare, but I thought he was talking about the calamari. Oops! Aside from that, my dish was soooo great. My boyfriend loved his entrée and he said the broth was one of the best we ever had. We got a bottle of the Liberty School Cabernet and it paired so nicely with the dish. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a special romantic night out!

Cute place very romantic. Food is good not amazing. Scallops mussels — good. Enjoyed them don’t have to go back for them. Entrees. Chowder and shrimp pasta. Ok but again not memorable. Prices are high $ 16 a glass of wine $ 14 a cocktail. I enjoyed the ambiance but won’t be back. To many other options in NYC to try.

Came here on Friday night. I asked to get a table near the fire place and I got it ! Once again this pace pleases anyone ! The hostess is super nice and attentive. It was a bit crowded but we got our table. The food was so delicious ! I got as an appetizer, the lamb meatballs which are so good. I got sweet homemade mash potatoes as an entrée. In so sorry but I need this plate as a entrée !!! It’s the bomb !!! My boyfriend got the sweet potato as a appetizer and his favorite, the Oven roasted chicken as his entrée. For desert I got crème brûlée (don’t know if I’m spelling it right) and my BF got the spiced pumpkin bread pudding. Words can not explain how satisfied I am! Will definitely go back when I can !

My boyfriend took me here for a nice birthday dinner, and we can’t say enough great things about The Place. It’s a small, cozy spot in a building that is full of history. When I mentioned that I loved the old features, the bartender and hostess were able to give some interesting background features (for example, the floor is original from the time that it was built). We had a drink while we waited and the bartender was friendly without being intrusive.
I had the NY steak and it was delicious. It came with a side of au gratin potato that was completely out of this world. My boyfriend got duck served in three different ways and was very satisfied. Also, at the time he made the reservation, he had mentioned it was my birthday; at the end of the meal, the server presented me with a candlelit crème brûlée. Not only was it absolutely delicious and thoughtful, but it was on the house! I really appreciate that they went out of their way to make my birthday special.
I also like that it’s in a beautiful part of the city where we were able to take a nice walk after leaving extremely full. I’d definitely recommend The Place to anyone looking for a special occasion dinner!

I don’t know where all these ⁴⁄₅ star reviews are coming from.
It’s rare I go to a restaurant rated so highly and come away wishing I’d just cooked at home.
The calamari was rubbery and had no flavor other than burnt.
The lamb meatballs were okay, but underwhelming and overcooked. Honestly, the onions were the best part of that dish.
Just a really bland, disappointing experience.

The best part of our night was great service, a smiling staff, (a loud and lovely group at the bar nearby our table,) and excellent ambience. A fireplace, jazzy throw back Christmas tunes, and our perfect 4-​person table tucked into the window area. The steak was excellent, a great smoky flavor and nice salty «crust,» but my favorite were the scallops appetizer and the tiger shrimp with homemade Fettuccini with a nice kick to the sauce. Would warmly recommend!

Wonderful experience at The Place! I came here with my boyfriend to celebrate his birthday. Very romantic ambiance, perfect for a date, food was great and the service here was above and beyond.
I had made a reservation on opentable and requested in the comments for a table near the fireplace and not so close to other tables based on other Unilocal reviews. The restaurant called me to let me know that the date I planned on coming was Halloween saturday night so the west village area around the restaurant would be crazy, and the restaurant would be more crowded and noisier than usual so it might not be as quiet romantic vibe as I was looking for. However they would do their best to accommodate my request so it would be still be a romantic date night. On the day of the reservation we arrived and were shortly seated at one of the two tables next to the fireplace. I loved it! It was also a fun atmosphere that night with all the halloween decorations and trick-​or-​treaters stopping by the restaurant for candy.
For dinner I got the $ 30 appetizer + entrée deal. Appetizer of Grass Fed Lamb and herb Meatballs was really tasty and yummy tomato-​based sauce, and came with 4 meatballs, quite large for an appetizer. I had the Homemade Fettuccine with Tiger Shrimp for entrée which was also excellent. My boyfriend had the alaskan salmon entrée, he wasn’t sure if the salmon was frozen or fresh but I can’t be the judge of that. For dessert we shared the Whipped White Chocolate Mousse which we really enjoyed. It has a whipped cream/​light mousse texture (and I love anything cream like!), also big portion good for 2 to share.

Wow, what a place The Place is!
My review here can’t possibly do it proper justice, but I’m going to try. My girlfriend and I came in to celebrate her birthday. The walk through the west village is always beautiful, and nestled in on W4th street is a cute but unassuming awning.
We were a bit early for our reservation, so we pulled up at the bar for a glass of wine. The hostess, who along with the bartender made for a great and friendly way to be introduced to The Place. The gentleman tending bar was very friendly and attentive without being obtrusive to our conversation. And both were able to give some background on the building and restaurant when we asked.
Once seated, we were both blown away by just everything; the welcoming and romantic atmosphere, the friendly and attentive staff, the amazing food (I had the 3-​way Long Island Duck and the GF had the NY Strip Steak — both were FANTASTIC).
While this is a bit outside of the price of the everyday dinner for me, it was certainly worth every penny for this special occasion. The food, the drink, the ambiance (low key lighting and fairly quiet — we sat right next to a little fireplace, complete with quiet wood crackling), and the impeccable service.
I honestly don’t have anything less to say about The Place than that it was amazing in all aspects and I will definitely be returning at the first chance I have.
If you are looking to treat yourself and your special people, this would be high on my list of ways to do that.

Went there for my 4 year anniversary. They went above and beyond. They gave us a table in the corner by ourselves. The waiter was attentive but not overbearing and really knew his stuff, including wine. Not the cheapest place in the world but the pre fixe was worth it. They even gave us a complementary dessert for our anniversary! No complaints at all here!
The chicken was delicious.

I came here on a date on a Thursday night and had a great experience. It’s a great place for a date and I definitely recommend it.
We had a reservation but waited for a little at the bar while our table was set up and had a cocktail. I had some sort of gin/​lychee wine cocktail and it was alright — nothing to write home about. It was the meal to follow that was the real star.
Once we were seated, the waiter told us that they had a special where you could order an appetizer and an entrée for $ 30, which ended up being a great deal. I got the lamb meatballs as an appetizer, and the salmon for my entrée. The waiter also helped us pick a wine that went well with what we ordered which was nice.
Both my dishes were delicious. The lamb meatballs were meaty but not too heavy, and were also served with cheese — was a big fan. The salmon was amazing. The soy glaze was a great flavor and wasn’t overwhelmed, and the fish was cooked to a perfect medium-​rare.
For dessert, we split the homemade pistachio ice cream. It was unlike any other pistachio ice cream I’ve had — the flavor was so much more prominent.
The restaurant itself is really romantic and intimate, and I almost wouldn’t suggest it other for a date. But delicious food, great ambiance, and overall amazing experience.

I fell in love with this place — my group of friends and I sat outside, and we had a few tapas and plates to split, accompanied by a great wine selection.
The service was exceptional… I highly recommend trying their wines, and the ambiance is really unique, and allows for a setting conducive for a friend’s gathering, a date, or a night out with the fam.

Aww this place is «The Place» for a quiet evening with friends. Also, a perfect little West Village hideaway for lovers. Two cozy rooms with a fireplace in each with Old World décor and charm.
I ordered as my entrée, the Roasted Pumpkin and Red Beet Risotto with chives, toasted pine nuts, chablis, parmigiano reggiano and fresh sage $ 22. Delicious indeed. Everyone at my table enjoyed their dishes. Service was top notch. I highly recommend this place for groups and couples only. I would go off hours if you are alone.

Had dinner here last night. Shared 3 apps, Roasted Pumpkin and Red Beet Risotto, Grass Fed Lamb and herb Meatballs & Homemade Short-​Rib Ravioli.
They were all incredibly delicious & perfectly cooked. The flavors were strong & great dishes to share.
The ambiance is adorable, we sat at a tiny table for two next to a little fireplace. They have lights strung throughout and it was decorated for fall. Perfect date night spot!

It’s apparently been 6 years since I’ve been to The Place. Stopped by during the transition hours between brunch and dinner. Had a great couple of drinks outside and it was super chill and nice. Enjoyed the people, the drinks, and the environment. Great place. Will go back soon for dinner.

Quaint place with great food. The Place is a strong option for either a romantic date or meeting friends (large groups are tough and defiantly need a reservation). I’ve been there on multiple occasions for both dinner and brunch and I’ve never been disappointed. The staff are extremely friendly and aim to please. Some of the dishes I recommend include:
— Appetizer: Homemade Short Rib Ravioli (personal favorite), Pumpkin-​Shitake Risotto, Steamed Mussels, Homemade Duck Pasta
— Dinner: Marinated Hangar Steak, Homemade Linguine with Tiger Shrimp, Leg of Lamb
— Desert: Crème Brulee (personal favorite), Chocolate Mouse
— Brunch: All the egg dishes (scramble are extremely fluffy), Brioche French Toast, Steak Frites
When it is nice out, the front walls to bring a nice breeze into the place. For this reason, I personally like the tables near the street in the restaurant or the high top tables near the street in the bar. Either option is great to enjoy The Place ambiance and people watch. One downside is that The Place is small so the tables are tightly packed together. For this reason, I recommend making dinner reservations (not really needed for brunch).

Cozy interior with fire place which was not on during the summer. I liked their corn muffin for compliments.
Good for groop and couple, friends.
Burgers are delicious.

Worst dining experience. DO NOT COME. They brought out my lasagna and it was completely raw. I waited a half hour for them to fix it, and the same issue occurred. I was hungry and in a rush, so ate in anyway — they refused to comp the dish.
My boyfriend ordered a pasta dish and they brought the wrong dish. He didn’t say anything — but that’s just terrible service.

This PLACE has been a hidden secret forever and ever. How could such a romantic joint be popular so long in such a great neighborhood without me knowing?! Bf and I came on a Sunday evening around 8:15– to a surprisingly busy dining room. This place is great for families and small groups but most known for a romantic/​date atmosphere given the dim lighting, and fireplace.
The food is really great, we had the:
— Scallop appetizer, which was juicy and crispy at the same time with a light cornmeal crust (I think), the brussel sprout leaves in the middle was an awesome surprise
— the grilled calamari which was perfected grilled with a delicious olive tapenade– the whole dish came together with plum tomatoes and great presentation
— SWEET POTATO RAVIOLI. WOW. I don’t even like sweet potato but this gets 5 stars alone. Sweet, but not too sweet, in a buttery sauce –the taste, texture. handmade pasta. you HAVE to try it.
Mains:
Bf had the cod which was super delicious and light– I especially love currants in the parsnip. I had the duck 3 ways– seared wrapped as wonton (my fave– some good hoisin sauce), which some duck confit leg and seared duck breast (trailed behind the wonton). The greens and blood orange were good too.
For dessert, we had the housemade pistachio ice cream which was really yummy, with a nice warm chocolate sauce. If I was feeling less full I would have sampled the bread pudding– with apple, vanilla ice cream and poppy seed, it sounded like a delish combo that’s eclectic, creative and fitting for this concept. All the dishes are new American/​modern European but take on influences from global dishes.
In regards to service– A! Our server gave great recommendations, and put out the food fast. She was great with water refills too and was the right combo of checking up on us. I’d recommend this PLACE for a romantic evening in– apparently this place rocks for brunch also.

Warm, gemütlich, sehr lecker! Das kleine Restaurant im West Village haben wir übers Netz als romantisches Restaurant gefunden. In der Tat war es direkt am Kamin warm und kuschlig, allerdings dank der eng gestellten Tische nicht gerade intim. Die Karte ist überschaubar und bietet eher europäische Küche: alles sehr gut gewürzt und frisch– richtig lecker. Der Service ist nett und flink, wobei man sich als Deutscher an das Tempo, in dem 3 Gänge serviert werden, echt gewöhnen muss.
Gleiches gilt für die Preise, die vielleicht etwas über dem New Yorker Schnitt liegen.