Who to Take: Your friend who loves to mingle with strangers or that person who misses Paris
Beyond adorable, is this homey spot with traditional French fare. Buvette is an all-day-cafe with fantastic, rich dishes and a crowded, popular clientele who mingle while they wait.
On a perfect snowy day in December, friends visiting from Texas told me they were dying to head to Buvette, one of their favorite spots in NYC. I had it on my list of “places to go,” so that was that, we trekked to the village in the snow. I don’t think we could have picked a more charming and warm environment for that night, starting with its location on a quaint, quintessential West Village street.
Buvette doesn’t take reservations, so we squeezed ourselves into the end of the bar near the window. While waiting for our table, we amused ourselves with samplings of charcuterie, cheese, and cocktails. Although very crowded, the unruffled French host constantly monitored the scene, and kept us informed as to our table status.
The menu was simple, and the food presented nonchalantly, but all was absolutely superb—especially considering the prices of the entrees: $15. Chef Jody Williams spent years abroad, and has created a haven for those craving a European feel and taste.
A charming night awaits. Super decor with tin ceilings, mirrors, antiques. (seen in the photo at the top of this post)
The HOLIDAY cocktail looked sweet, but was just right. The blackboard of cocktail selections was done with flair.
Erin, who loved being able to speak French for a night, and husband Jason peruse the the book of cocktail offerings.
At the table, we were presented with their to-the-point, adorable, idiosyncratic menu. We ordered a couple of side dishes to start. The beets… and the carrot salad.
Duck. Cassoulet. Coq au Vin.
Tart Tatin. Mousse.
BUVETTE GASTROTHEQUE, 42 Grove St (btw Bleecker/Bedford), plan on waiting at least 45 minutes for a table during peak hours.
