Michael & Anna's East Village Guidebook

Anna + Michael
Anna + Michael
Michael & Anna's East Village Guidebook

Dinner and a Show

For when you want some entertainment along with your meal.
BATSU! The Live Japanese Gameshow Experience. A shockingly funny Japanese-style punishment game show - complete with tasty sushi and booze.
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Batsu!
67 1st Ave.
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BATSU! The Live Japanese Gameshow Experience. A shockingly funny Japanese-style punishment game show - complete with tasty sushi and booze.
Make a reservation for a Thursday or Saturday evening & ask to sit upstairs for the free flamenco show. They do two seatings for each night (7:30 and 9:30), so make sure to come on time.
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Nai
84 2nd Ave
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Make a reservation for a Thursday or Saturday evening & ask to sit upstairs for the free flamenco show. They do two seatings for each night (7:30 and 9:30), so make sure to come on time.
Great neighborhood spot with Tuesday Trivia & Wednesday Comedy at 8pm, as well as $20 bottles of wine. Make sure to arrive early, as seating is based on a first come, first serve basis and tends to get pretty crowded.
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Poco
33 Avenue B
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Great neighborhood spot with Tuesday Trivia & Wednesday Comedy at 8pm, as well as $20 bottles of wine. Make sure to arrive early, as seating is based on a first come, first serve basis and tends to get pretty crowded.
Classic steak frites, expat waiters & nightly live jazz bring a touch of Paris to St. Marks Place.
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Jules Bistro
65 St Marks Pl
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Classic steak frites, expat waiters & nightly live jazz bring a touch of Paris to St. Marks Place.
Two stages, great comedians!
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The Stand
116 E 16th St
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Two stages, great comedians!

Late Night Eats

Great options for when your night on the town ends later than intended.
Inexpensive and delicious hole-in-the-wall spot with amazing quesadillas and massive nacho platters. Open until 2am Sunday-Thursday and 4am Friday-Saturday
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Taqueria Diana
129 2nd Ave
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Inexpensive and delicious hole-in-the-wall spot with amazing quesadillas and massive nacho platters. Open until 2am Sunday-Thursday and 4am Friday-Saturday
Amazing loaded hot dogs with a secret bar through the telephone booth. Open until 2am Sunday-Thursday & 4am on Friday and Saturday.
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Crif Dogs
113 St Marks Pl
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Amazing loaded hot dogs with a secret bar through the telephone booth. Open until 2am Sunday-Thursday & 4am on Friday and Saturday.
Longtime local Middle Eastern chain serving falafel, shawarma, kebabs & more. Open until 1am Sunday-Thursday and 4am Friday/Saturday
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Mamoun's Falafel
30 St Marks Pl
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Longtime local Middle Eastern chain serving falafel, shawarma, kebabs & more. Open until 1am Sunday-Thursday and 4am Friday/Saturday
24-hour Ukrainian spot, known for borscht & pierogis.
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Veselka
144 2nd Ave
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24-hour Ukrainian spot, known for borscht & pierogis.
While the pizza runs at a pretty steep price ($5-6 per slice), you won't be disappointed (and one slice will likely be enough to fill you up). Our favorites are the Artichoke and Staten Island slice. Open until 5am, nightly.
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Artichoke Basille's Pizza
321 E 14th St
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While the pizza runs at a pretty steep price ($5-6 per slice), you won't be disappointed (and one slice will likely be enough to fill you up). Our favorites are the Artichoke and Staten Island slice. Open until 5am, nightly.
Originally a cart on 53rd St and 6th Ave, this is the quintessential late-night New York meal, get the combo over rice with their famous white sauce.
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The Halal Guys
307 E 14th St
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Originally a cart on 53rd St and 6th Ave, this is the quintessential late-night New York meal, get the combo over rice with their famous white sauce.
Old-school, cash-only joint offering wood-fired pizza & other casual Italian eats, plus a full bar. Closes at 2am Sunday-Thursday and 4am Friday-Saturday.
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Lil Charlie's NYC
19 Kenmare St
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Old-school, cash-only joint offering wood-fired pizza & other casual Italian eats, plus a full bar. Closes at 2am Sunday-Thursday and 4am Friday-Saturday.
Iconic little spot where they've been serving fried Oreos, beignets, soft serve, and egg creams since 1974. Maybe you'll even see Ray himself.
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Ray's Candy Store
113 Avenue A
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Iconic little spot where they've been serving fried Oreos, beignets, soft serve, and egg creams since 1974. Maybe you'll even see Ray himself.

Craft Cocktails / Speakeasies

Not your run-of-the-mill bars. All taking the art of mixology to new heights.
Iconic speakeasy on the second floor past an unmarked door of inside of a Japanese eatery.
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Angel's Share
45 Stuyvesant St
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Iconic speakeasy on the second floor past an unmarked door of inside of a Japanese eatery.
Craft cocktail bar on Avenue B with a very cool menu organized by how you like your poison.
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Pouring Ribbons
225 Avenue B
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Craft cocktail bar on Avenue B with a very cool menu organized by how you like your poison.
Deemed Most Influential NYC Cocktail Bar by Thrillist. Bartenders in bow ties & suspenders recall the speakeasy era at this dark, moody cocktail lounge.
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Death & Company
433 E 6th St
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Deemed Most Influential NYC Cocktail Bar by Thrillist. Bartenders in bow ties & suspenders recall the speakeasy era at this dark, moody cocktail lounge.
Tiny bitters bar, with a perfect Old Fashioned
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Amor y Amargo
95 E 6th St
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Tiny bitters bar, with a perfect Old Fashioned
Speakeasy behind a phone booth inside of Crif Dogs (pick up the phone, put your name down, and get some hotdogs while you wait)
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Please Don't Tell
113 St Marks Pl
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Speakeasy behind a phone booth inside of Crif Dogs (pick up the phone, put your name down, and get some hotdogs while you wait)
Speakeasy behind a barbershop, which turns into a club-scene late night from Thursday-Saturday
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Blind Barber
339 E 10th St
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Speakeasy behind a barbershop, which turns into a club-scene late night from Thursday-Saturday
Cozy coffeehouse & saloon pairing java, pastries & more with a bar hidden behind sliding doors.
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The Roost
222 Avenue B
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Cozy coffeehouse & saloon pairing java, pastries & more with a bar hidden behind sliding doors.
Stylish bar for mezcals & tequilas (served solo or as cocktails) with nachos & other Mex bites. Great cocktails & very "instagrammable"
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Ghost Donkey
4 Bleecker St
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Stylish bar for mezcals & tequilas (served solo or as cocktails) with nachos & other Mex bites. Great cocktails & very "instagrammable"

Casual Places to Drink

Quaint and cozy Irish pub, perfect for a nightcap
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Swift Hibernian Lounge
34 E 4th St
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Quaint and cozy Irish pub, perfect for a nightcap
Basement bar near Tompkins Square. Follow the neon pink heart.
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Lovers of Today
132 1/2 E 7th St
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Basement bar near Tompkins Square. Follow the neon pink heart.
Underground sake bar offering a large list of varietals along with Japanese snacks. One block up from the apartment.
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Sake Bar Decibel
240 E 9th St
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Underground sake bar offering a large list of varietals along with Japanese snacks. One block up from the apartment.
One of the longest horseshoe bars in the city, featured in a lot of music videos and shows.
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7B Horseshoe Bar aka Vazacs
108 Avenue B
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One of the longest horseshoe bars in the city, featured in a lot of music videos and shows.
Funky Polynesian-style bar with live music and tiki drinks (you can keep the cups for $5 .. we have a few on top of the kitchen cabinets).
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Otto's Shrunken Head
538 E 14th St
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Funky Polynesian-style bar with live music and tiki drinks (you can keep the cups for $5 .. we have a few on top of the kitchen cabinets).
Low-key downstairs bar with Skee-Ball & a photo booth that offers a free mini-pizza with each drink.
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Crocodile Lounge
325 E 14th St
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Low-key downstairs bar with Skee-Ball & a photo booth that offers a free mini-pizza with each drink.
New York's oldest Irish bar dating back from 1854. It only serves 2 kinds of ale (light and dark) and has sawdust on the floors just like it did when Abraham Lincoln would visit. Cash only!
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McSorley's Old Ale House
15 E 7th St
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New York's oldest Irish bar dating back from 1854. It only serves 2 kinds of ale (light and dark) and has sawdust on the floors just like it did when Abraham Lincoln would visit. Cash only!
low-key bar with pool, arcade games & darts
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Ace Bar
531 E 5th St
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low-key bar with pool, arcade games & darts
Neighborhood favorite with decent happy hour.
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Goodnight Sonny
134 1st Ave.
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Neighborhood favorite with decent happy hour.

Nightclubs / Lounges

Put on your dancing shoes!
The VNYL- Vintage New York Lifestyle
Put on your dancing shoes!
The original inspiration for the movie by the same name, this saloon's complete with all female bartenders, bar-top dancing & body shots.
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Coyote Ugly
233 E 14th St
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The original inspiration for the movie by the same name, this saloon's complete with all female bartenders, bar-top dancing & body shots.
Iconic club in the East Village that still hosts 1980s themed parties every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
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The Pyramid Club
101 Avenue A
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Iconic club in the East Village that still hosts 1980s themed parties every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
Awesome music, young crowd. Gets really busy Friday and Saturday nights.
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Dream Baby
162-164 Avenue B
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Awesome music, young crowd. Gets really busy Friday and Saturday nights.

Food Scene

Really good and really really cheap with some "interesting" choice for decor. Directly across the street from the apartment. They also give free cotton candy at the end of the meal.
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KENKA
25 St Marks Pl
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Really good and really really cheap with some "interesting" choice for decor. Directly across the street from the apartment. They also give free cotton candy at the end of the meal.
Casual Indian with thousands of Christmas lights covering the ceilings. Great date spot.
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Panna II Garden
93 1st Ave.
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Casual Indian with thousands of Christmas lights covering the ceilings. Great date spot.
Jamaican with island-inspired cocktails
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Miss Lily's 7A Cafe
109 Avenue A
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Jamaican with island-inspired cocktails
Upscale Tuscan-American restaurant in a warm setting with an open kitchen & a large wine list.
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Hearth
403 E 12th St
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Upscale Tuscan-American restaurant in a warm setting with an open kitchen & a large wine list.
Opens at 6pm and will already have a line. No reservations, but amazing food. They also have glow in the dark adult capri-suns. Go early.
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Thursday Kitchen
424 E 9th St
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Opens at 6pm and will already have a line. No reservations, but amazing food. They also have glow in the dark adult capri-suns. Go early.
Andrew Carmellini's restaurant. Really good pasta and happy hour.
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Bar Prima
331 East 81st Street
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Andrew Carmellini's restaurant. Really good pasta and happy hour.
No frills inexpensive Mexican. Great for large groups.
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Taqueria St. Marks Place
79 St Marks Pl
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No frills inexpensive Mexican. Great for large groups.
One of David Changs East Village staples.
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Momofuku Ssäm Bar
89 South Street
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One of David Changs East Village staples.
Cozy, hip spot featuring Chinese dry pot with a choice of spice level, plus appetizers & dim sum.
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MáLà Project
122 1st Ave.
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Cozy, hip spot featuring Chinese dry pot with a choice of spice level, plus appetizers & dim sum.
Casual "craft" tacos & margarita joint
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Empellon Al Pastor
132 St Marks Pl
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Casual "craft" tacos & margarita joint
Ramen place with INCREDIBLE pork buns. There is typically a long wait, but there is a great bar/billiards hall with other games such as darts right down the block called Amsterdam. Ippudo will take down your number and text you when your table is ready, so it's a great spot to kill time.
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Ippudo NY
65 4th Ave
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Ramen place with INCREDIBLE pork buns. There is typically a long wait, but there is a great bar/billiards hall with other games such as darts right down the block called Amsterdam. Ippudo will take down your number and text you when your table is ready, so it's a great spot to kill time.
Moroccan food right down the block from the apartment. Best hummus I have ever eaten.
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Cafe Mogador
133 Wythe Ave
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Moroccan food right down the block from the apartment. Best hummus I have ever eaten.
Incredible fried chicken sandwiches!
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Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken
28 E 1st St
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Incredible fried chicken sandwiches!
Homestyle Vietnamese food. Very highly rated.
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Madame Vo
212 E 10th St
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Homestyle Vietnamese food. Very highly rated.
Some of the best soup dumplings in the city.
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The Barrel
10 Stuyvesant St
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Some of the best soup dumplings in the city.
Narrow dark space full of neon lights. Nothing on the menu is over $20, so a great option for an inexpensive and exciting Taiwanese dinner.
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26 St Marks Pl
Narrow dark space full of neon lights. Nothing on the menu is over $20, so a great option for an inexpensive and exciting Taiwanese dinner.
Italian trattoria featuring traditional Roman pasta prepared in a giant wheel of pecorino cheese!
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Cacio e Pepe
182 2nd Ave
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Italian trattoria featuring traditional Roman pasta prepared in a giant wheel of pecorino cheese!
Upscale French-Mediterranean restaurant with a show-stopping main dining room by The TAO Group.
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Cathédrale Restaurant
112 E 11th St
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Upscale French-Mediterranean restaurant with a show-stopping main dining room by The TAO Group.
Vegetarian small plates & cocktails in an embellished setting with plush banquettes.
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Ladybird
111 E 7th St
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Vegetarian small plates & cocktails in an embellished setting with plush banquettes.
Iconic Italian spot, known for making guest appearances in shows like Masters of None.
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il Buco
47 Bond St
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Iconic Italian spot, known for making guest appearances in shows like Masters of None.
Perfect for fresh pasta cravings, and just so happens to be one of the most affordable Italian spots in NYC.
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San Marzano
117 2nd Ave
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Perfect for fresh pasta cravings, and just so happens to be one of the most affordable Italian spots in NYC.

Brunch

Giant bottomless mimosas and frozen margaritas for an insane price. Get the pulsd deal, which is $39 for an entree + 120 minutes of bottomless drinks for TWO people (tax and tip not included).
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La Palapa
77 St Marks Pl
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Giant bottomless mimosas and frozen margaritas for an insane price. Get the pulsd deal, which is $39 for an entree + 120 minutes of bottomless drinks for TWO people (tax and tip not included).
San Marzano is a big, bright corner space on 2nd Avenue, and yet it’s one of the most affordable real restaurants in the East Village. Everything on the menu - like eggs benedict, omelettes, and paninis - is less than $10. Take advantage of the $10 bottomless mimosa deal! Come early.
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San Marzano
117 2nd Ave
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San Marzano is a big, bright corner space on 2nd Avenue, and yet it’s one of the most affordable real restaurants in the East Village. Everything on the menu - like eggs benedict, omelettes, and paninis - is less than $10. Take advantage of the $10 bottomless mimosa deal! Come early.
No-frills, solid food.
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The Kitchen Sink
88 2nd Ave
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No-frills, solid food.