Second Avenue Deli
ÂÂThe Authentic Second Avenue Deli now sits at 162 32nd Street, closer to 3rd Avenue, and received a design overhaul when it moved into its new space. The restaurant retained the ‘deli’ feel, but also added warm and modern decor to its old world charm. The logo is the first visual you notice when walking in and I love that the English letters mimic Hebrew letters. There is also a clock hanging outside with Hebrew letters instead of numbers. Kosher salamis hanging from the deli counter greet you at the entrance to the venue, which boasts meats and salads. The restaurant even sells t-shirts, hats and pre-packaged 2nd Ave Deli foods. Counter service is available for about four people (I noted how many stools were available). I notice that the restaurant is broken down into sections. The logo is repeated on a high glass partition, so the space is actually cozier and more intimate than your usual open space. You can seat large and small parties and are not sitting on top of one other. The aisle down the middle (between partitions) makes it easy access for the wait staff to move through the seated areas, without disturbing the patrons. There are also a few small charming booths to dine in.
Second Avenue Deli
The heritage and history of this restaurant can still be seen in the Yiddish photographs and newspaper headlines that frame the walls. Custom lamps are affixed to the wall, which I was pretty impressed with. Brown, blue, and white tiles form a pattern on the floor, which then extends to the walls and is also mirrored in the menu design. Paper placemats, which have a painting of the older Second Ave Deli location, lay on each tiled table, which I think is a nice added touch against the new modern style. This is a very popular spot and is usually crowded. I felt they wanted to turn over the tables quickly, so be prepared to order extra refills or dessert!
Whenever I am downtown in the Nolita area I enjoy stopping by Wild Ginger. A cozy spot tucked away on bustling Broome Street. It’s a Pan-Asian Vegetarian café. On this particular visit a vase of sunflowers greeted us as we walked through the doorway’s fabric curtains, which are tasteful and inviting. Exposed brick surrounds you on two of the three walls and the back wall is painted a lime green. Lamps hang from the ceiling and at night the soft glow really intensifies the coziness of this place. It’s a quiet place to sit with friends or on a date. The music is atmospheric and adds a background layer to your dining experience. The restaurant boasts thirteen wooden tables with a long bench running alongside the right wall. Small pillows are spread out over the bench seating and tables can easily be pushed together for larger parties. It’s the clean, laid back, friendly attentive service that really makes my visit a memorable one. I was very impressed with the food presentation and I took some culinary visual observations to use during my own hospitality.
