Rate-A-Restaurant, #133 in a series

(Flickr photo by Warsze.)

Restaurant: The Little Owl

Location: 90 Bedford Street -- corner of Bedford and Grove (New York)

Type of restaurant: American Nouveau, Mediterranean

We stipulated: I know, another New York restaurant review. But I really tried hard to check out a bunch of places I'd never been too on this visit (sacrificing some of my faves in the process). For my last night in town, pals Hank and Lisa suggested that I check out The Little Owl.

What they stipulated: It's a small dining room, so reservations are necessary, and sometimes tough to nail down the day of. While you're waiting for a table, they may clear out the risers next to the door where the wine is stored. That's kind of awkward, however, as you're essentially sitting on bleachers looking down on diners.


Gravy Meatball Sliders. (Flickr pic by Beurremanie.)

What we ordered: Appetizer: Gravy Meatball Sliders, $10 (beef, pork, veal and pecorino). Entree: Crispy Chicken, $19 (Asparagus homefries, sherry and dijon)

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Crispy Chicken. (Flickr pic by Beurremanie.)

High point: Those sliders are what have made The Little Owl famous, and wow, they did not disappoint. And even though, yes, I pulled off the skin -- which was heresay to my dining companions -- the chicken still rocked as well.

Low point: They promised us a 9:15 seating, but it wound up more like 9:45. But that wound up being a minor quibble, as the service was solid and the food strong.

Overall impression: Just the kind of neighborhood restaurant (it's in the West Village, in the building used as the exterior shot for the gang's apartment building in "Friends") that makes me fall in love again with New York every time I visit. Great cozy size, excellent food, and an overall late-dining-in-New-York experience.

Chance we will go back:: If Maria comes with me next time, she's got to try those Gravy Meatball Sliders!

(For our complete list of over 130 restaurant reviews, visit our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.)