The Lunch Quadrant: Chambers Street
5 photos
<p>In this week's Quadrant we visit the Pakistani Tea House, Capri Caffe, Bouley and Kitchenette</p>
<em>(via <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59445098@N00/2440141899/in/photostream/">Zach Brooks</a>' flickr)</em><br/><strong>Pakistani Tea House:</strong> For an affordable feast of Pakistani fare downtown you don't need to look anywhere else. For over 15 years this hole-in-the-wall has been serving up truly excellent dishes to hungry people from all walksâfrom the cab drivers who line their cabs up at night to the FiDi guys who walk up to indulge. While there are meat and veggie options on the <a href="http://www.pakteahouse.zoomshare.com/0.html">affordable menu</a>, we're pretty partial to the veggie side of things. And you'll definitely want to get some of the fresh breads (which start at $1.49) to go with your food. However if you are looking for a beautiful storefront this is not the place for you.<br/><br/><em>176 Church St, between Reade and Duane Streets, 212-240-9800</em>
<em>(via <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dennisandluba/3340610268/in/photostream/">Dennisandluba</a>'s flickr)</em><br/><strong>Capri Caffe:</strong> So this is kind of a cheat since Capri has seats, but as lunchtime can be so crowded in this quaint Italian restaurant and you <em>do</em> have to order from the counter you'll probably have your best luck getting their goods to go. If you are a fan of hearty pastas and solid soup and salad specials, though, you won't be disappointed by this charmer whose South American owners are almost always thereâespecially after you realize just how generous the portions are for your money. The Bolognese rigatoni is particularly fine. <br/><br/><em>165 Church St., between Chambers and Reade Streets, 212-513-1358</em>
<em>(via <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/roboppy/21348806/in/photostream/">roboppy</a>'s flickr)</em><br/><strong>Kitchenette:</strong> For a lunch of home cooked food like mom never actually made for you, look no further than this adorable keeper. The <a href="http://www.kitchenetterestaurant.com/lunch.html">menu</a> includes everything you would wantâfrom baked four cheese macaroni ($12) to make-your-own salads (starting at $6.50). The only problem we have with the space is that it is so tiny (and the decor is a <em>touch</em> "girly." Also? Try and tell us you don't want to try one of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/roboppy/21348745/">these desserts</a>. Yeah, that's what we thought. There is a second location uptown at 272 Amsterdam Avenue.<br/><br/><em>156 Chambers St., between Hudson St. and West Broadway, 212-267-6740</em>
<em>(via <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sygyzy/5164940220/in/photostream/">sygyzy</a>'s flickr)</em><br/><strong>Bouley:</strong> At $45 the five-course (plus amuse and petit fours) tasting menu at David Bouley's flagship is not a cheap eat. And the hour-and-a-half it takes to eat the whole thing is not so good if you want to dine quick, but oh is it worth it! If you've ever wanted to try Bouley's food but were intimidated by the price point and the decor (the "apple foyer" is as quirky and charming as ever) this is for you. Just bring a friend and make an afternoon of it. The meal just goes on and on, but with dishes like porcini flan with Alaska Dungeness crab and black truffle dashi followed by venison with black truffle gnocchi, blue kale and brussels sprout leaves you won't be complaining. <br/><br/><em>163 Duane Street, at Duane Street, 212-964-2525</em>