West Village brownstones, red-sauce Italian, and the corner of MacDougal where Joe's Pizza has been folding slices since 1975.
Jody Williams and Rita Sodi's Grove Street West Village room serves Tuscan-leaning food in New York City. No reservations; the line outside is its own institution.
Signature: Insalata verde, Cacio e pepe
Order: Insalata verde, cacio e pepe, chocolate budino.
Tip: Walk in at 17:00 sharp for the first seating, or join the list around 20:30 for the second wave.
The Elk on Charles Street runs a quiet, daylight cafe in the West Village, New York City. Counter-roasted beans, maple latte, sourdough toast with cultured butter.
Signature drink: Maple latte
Tip: Two tables, four counter seats, no laptops at peak weekend hours. Tuesday afternoons are quiet enough to work.
Employees Only on Hudson Street has poured classic cocktails in the West Village, New York City since 2004. White-jacketed bartenders, late kitchen, deep wine and Champagne list.
Signature drink: Ginger Smash
Food: Bar bites and full kitchen
Tip: The back dining room runs walk-ins; the front bar fills by 21:00. Order the Ginger Smash and the chicken liver mousse.
White Horse Tavern on Hudson Street has poured Guinness in the West Village, New York City since 1880. Dylan Thomas drank 18 whiskeys here in 1953; the room has not changed.
Signature drink: Guinness draught
Food: Burgers and pub food
Tip: Sit in the front room; the back is reserved for diners. The burger is the second order after the first pint.
Jody Williams's Grove Street gastrotheque has poured espresso and steamed eggs in the West Village New York City since 2011. No reservations; the line is the institution.
Order: Steamed eggs and tartine au jambon.
Tip: Weekday 09:30 is the fast seat; weekends run 60 minutes by 11:00. The tartine au jambon is the brunch order.