New York Daily Photo Analytics

Friday, November 25, 2011

Business as Usual


Do you trust me? Yes? Good.

I'm going to tell you about a restaurant where you will not be disappointed. This is a place that locals love. There are restaurants that are very good and there are restaurants that are very expensive. But as diners know, unfortunately, expensive does not always equal good. Restaurants tend to be overpriced in New York City, and plenty of places offer the convenience of eating out only with high prices and just average food.

North Square restaurant is located in the Washington Square Hotel at 103 Waverly Place in the Village. They run a TIGHT ship. Everything is professionally done. And lest we overlook the most important - the food is outstanding. The restaurant, like the hotel, is owned by the Paul family. The kitchen is headed by executive chef Yoel Cruz. You can find the restaurant's website here.

When my family announced that they were coming to New York City for Thanksgiving, I began perusing lists online of restaurants offering holiday specials. I was pleased to find that North Square was among those open and offering a prix fixe dinner. Only steps from my home, why go elsewhere? However, Thanksgiving was only two days away and, as I feared, it was fully booked. I returned on Wednesday in person in the off chance that there was a cancellation. Through some small miracle, a table for 4 was available.

The 3-course Thanksgiving extravaganza was $55 per person, including a choice of appetizer, entrée, dessert, and coffee/tea - not bad in the scheme of things for this city, and a real value for the extraordinary selection of nine appetizers, ten entrées, and eleven desserts. Everything went without a hitch, smooth as silk. Our waiter, Nick, provided sterling service. The dining room was elegant and perfectly lit. We were not rushed at all, as is often the case on holidays in restaurants where patrons are often treated as cattle to be moved.

After our meal, and before returning to Connecticut, my family and I took a quick stroll in Washington Square Park, which is footsteps away from the restaurant. It was a very pleasant afternoon where temperatures had reached 60 degrees. The park was more populated than is typical for a Thanksgiving Day. As you can see from the bottom photo, holidays make no difference for some, where it's Business as Usual...

Related Post: Pick Two

9 comments:

s.c said...

Wow. A havy reportage quit good illustrated. Thanks for showing

Mary P. said...

O.M.G! That park photo is most unappealing! If you'd have posed it, it could not be more unattractive!

The restaurant looks wonderful, however, and I checked the "complete dinner" menu today, and they have 3 courses for $24.07, no time limit noted. So I think my gang will head over there one night soon...

If you look up in the evening, before you step into the restaurant, you will probably spot one or both of our pair of Red-Tailed Hawks tucked in for the night at the "Red Roost Inn" (on the rungs attaching the restaurant vent to the hotel along side. It's probably warmer there these chilly nights.)

As we can see in your photo, we have all manner of wildlife in WSP.

Mary P. said...

I just checked their web site and note that the 3-course dinner is $38.00.

They had better update the listing in front of their restaurant!

Brian Dubé said...

Mary P. - I was excited about the $24.07. Bordering on false advertising. If someone pressed the issue, they should really honor that price. Anytime I have had an error like that in my business, we always roll with the customer.

Anonymous said...

Excuse me, is that you?https://www.facebook.com/dubejuggling

If not it's a nice coincidence..

Rick Rakow said...

Just thinking about this restaurant makes my mouth water. It is a great place to eat and a wonderful place to sit and enjoy.

Unknown said...

We had dinner at the North Square recently and it was lovely, but I do believe brunch is the better meal there. They also offer life jazz with brunch on the weekends, or at least they did at one time. Cannot beat the location. WSP is always a treat.
We chose to eat out this year as well and went to Atlantic Grill at Lincoln Center. It did not disappoint.
www.tracysnewyorklife.com

Mary P. said...

12-2-11 they updated the price for three courses to $38.- on their outside menu!

CRISIS said...

Hummmm!