A modest yet darling restaurant on an uncommonly quiet corner of the West Village that frames a meal so irresistibly thoughtful you might think you were finishing a special dinner at home.
The Little Owl is little. But the compact, 30-seat space is by no means wanting for flavor, hospitality, or style. For appetizers, the Eggplant Parm with herb marinated tomato salad hits the perfect balance of light, yet sumptuously warm flavor, while the Ricotta Cavatelli with kale pesto are rich, creamy and melty bites of comfort. My date and I told our waitress that we were splitting the appetizers, and the kitchen even split the portions for us on two plates, a special touch truly reflective of the thoughtfulness inherent in the restaurant.
The entrees themselves were nearly perfectly cooked, particularly the dense Broiled Halibut resting on a bed of corn, peas, and sprouts, served with a warm pesto vinaigrette. Yet the Pork Chop with butter beans is undoubtedly the star of the menu, cut into massive, juicy portions and seasoned with a rich balance of spices that include cayenne and cumin.
We finished our meal with a local cheese plate that our waitress lovingly guided us through, making sure we didn't miss out on any bite. We left full and passionately invested in the nicety of the space, because somehow between the large windows and smiling, earnest demeanor of the service, a dinner at The Little Owl feels like coming home.
90 Bedford St
New York, NY 10014
New York, NY 10014
