Centro Vinoteca

74 7th Avenue
New York, NY 10014
212.367.7470
www.centrovinoteca.com

If you watch the Food Network, you'll probably recognize the executive chef right away when you walk into Centro Vinoteca and look into the open kitchen. It's both surprising and impressive that she's been there every time I've ate at Centro Vinoteca since a lot of famous chefs these days seem to be absentee (Anne Burrell has since left to pursue more of a TV career but she was there). I've always just wandered in for a late night dinner or a good start to the evening and it has quickly become one of my favorite meals and settings.

Elettaria

33 West 8th Street

New York, NY 10011

212.677.3833

www.elettarianyc.com

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Elettaria is a hidden gem on an unfortunate street caught in-between everything and located at nothing.  The stretch that the restaurant is located on is through way connecting the West Village to Greenwich Village and you'd never expect to find an intimate, eclectic and hip place beside all the discount shoe stores and fro-yo kiosks.  The rich red door is your first indication that this place is different from its surroundings and the low ceilings, dark interior and long, inviting bar top confirms this.

Dell'Anima

38 8th Avenue
New York, NY 10014
212.366.6633
www.dellanima.com

We first discovered this place when we were craving a late night snack and while we thought we wanted burgers from Corner Bistro, we changed our minds once we got there.  Dell'Anima is located just across the street and while they only offered their pasta dishes that late at night, they were enough to have me come back again and again.