JOSEPH LEONARD

If you speak to any New Yorker living in the West Village, they will tell you that Joseph Leonard is a mainstay in their restaurant repertoire. The bite-size neighborhood spot serves up American food in a cozy, tavern-style setting, all the while using fresh ingredients that bring lightness to the dishes. Open all day, seven days a week, Joseph Leonard has perfected the brunch scene all the while maintaining a jam-packed dinner business since 2009.

Speaking of which, the first thing to know about Joseph Leonard is that they don’t take reservations, and the seats fill up quickly with few tables. We recommend dining here in small groups – or solo! Order a few cocktails at the bar while you wait for one of the window banquettes to open up, and enjoy some top-notch West Village people-watching.  For brunch, order the Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles for Two… for one. For dinner, start off with the Pate de Campagne followed by Cod, served with parsley sauce and a garlic confit. Regardless of what you order, you’ll have a fantastic meal at one of Downtown’s most unpretentious restaurants.