SIMONE'S

134 1st Avenue (at 13th Street)
[6 to Astor Place; N, R to 8th Street]

I pass this place about once a week, but have managed not to be drawn in by the red and black decor, hipster inhabitants or great music flowing out. I finally made it inside after Anthea got chased out of a sake bar (its what it sounds like ... kinda) and we needed to find somewhere else in the area - fast. We got seated relatively quickly and the food was alright, but we were mostly drinking. By the end of the night, our party had doubled, but the waitress grew increasingly distant - that's a bad ratio.