Dine Out : Buvette

Buvette is a cute cafe just west of Seventh Avenue on Grove Street in the West Village which you can easily locate by spotting the bicycle with the basket filled with wine corks sitting outside. The concept is modeled on Parisian bistros and the menu from chef Jodie Williams features a number of French food staples. A long marble counter runs along the bar and closely set small tables and chairs fill up the 1,000 square foot space which is decorated with flea market chic knick knacks. There is a dining room with a long table for large groups situated in the back adjacent to a narrow outdoor garden area. They're known for their steamed eggs which are cooked with the steam wand of an espresso machine. We got the one with goat cheese, sundried tomatoes and capers. These had to be the softest and fluffiest eggs I've ever tasted and the flavor was totally on point. We also had the Salade De Poulet with roasted chicken, haricots verts, butter lettuce and potatoes in mustard vinaigrette and beets with a horseradish creme fraiche. Both of these dishes were delicious. This is definitely a place where you go for the food but I would note that their portions are not meant for hearty eaters. The cozy space is somewhat cramped and the tiny tables and chairs actually made me feel like I was oversized. Our service was good and the members of the wait staff that I interacted with were all pleasant. They don't accept reservations so expect a wait if you arrive during meal rushes. They are open late until 2am and have also opened up a branch in Paris. There were some menu items that I wouldn't mind returning to try. I'm a little behind on my Dine Out posts right now since it was about a month and half ago that I met up with my blogger friend Andrea for lunch at Buvette. You're really never sure what to expect when you meet someone you've only interacted with on the internet and it's always a pleasant surprise when the person actually turns out to be pretty much like what you'd expect from their online persona. After settling into a comfortable conversation, it just felt like we were old friends. Andrea is one smart and cool lady. She writes about her adventures in LA having just moved there recently from NYC on her blog inBusinessandLife. Go say hi and tell her I sent you!

Are you a fan of French cuisine? What's your favorite dish?

Buvette
42 Grove Street
New York City
212.255.3590
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