 The caneles with dulce de leche at Azul, where a new team is in charge.
Here’s the mid-week roundup of neighborhood restaurant news:
- The Daily News talks to the new culinary team at Azul on Stanton Street, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a revamp of its menu by Argentinian natives.
- New York Magazine’s annual “Cheap Eats” issue highlights many local favorites: Cocoron, Souvlaki GR, the turkey sandwich at Stellina and the al fresco options at Hester Street Fair.
- Speaking of cheap eats, Serious Eats offers its selections for 10 great meals under $6 in Chinatown, including nods for Vanessa’s Dumplings and Great NY Noodletown.
- The NYT’s Diners Journal checks out the new picnic outfitter on Clinton Street.
The best congee (26 varieties) in New York City can be found at this large restaurant on Allen Street, and its sister outpost on the Bowery. But there’s a huge menu (250 items long) featuring a wide variety of Cantonese and Hong Kong specialties. The crispy garlic chicken is legendary. Other favorites include: razor clams in a salty black bean sauce, sweet potato greens, roast duck with meatballs and chicken with black mushrooms. There are four party rooms downstairs, each featuring a multi-lingual karaoke machine!
100 Allen Street, near Broome
212-941-1818
Open 10:30am-12:30am Monday-Thursday & Sunday, 10:30am-2am Friday & Saturday
Web site
Delivery
Revel in the tacky decor as you slurp down big bowls of congee (rice porridge). There’s an extensive menu featuring many other Cantonese dishes.One of the best bargains in the neighborhood – and they deliver!
207 Bowery, near Rivington
212-766-2828
Open 11am-midnight every day
Web site
Delivery
A Mexican spot on Stanton Street serving all the standards (tacos, burritos, enchiladas) — plus lethal margaritas. Don’t expect speedy or attentive service, but if you don’t mind waiting, it’s a good time.
117 Stanton, at Essex
(212) 387-9115
Hours Daily 11am-11pm
Menu
Delivery
A favorite of late night bar crowds, this “hole in the wall” spot serves sweet and savory crepes until the wee hours.
135 Ludlow, near Rivington
212-979-5521 or 212-253-6705
Hours Sunday-Thursday 11am-3am; Friday-Saturday 11am-4am
Web site
Cash only, late night

CLOSED
Cambodian-style sandwiches – served in gourmet hot dog buns and stuffed with pulled pork, brisket, catfish and other interesting ingredients.
78 Rivington, near Orchard
212-253-8441
Hours Monday: 12pm-10pm; Tuesday-Wednesday: 12pm-12am; Thursday-Saturday: 12pm-2am; Sunday: 12pm-10pm
Web site
Delivery
The organic cafe in the New Museum run by Maury Rubin of the City Bakery. There’s a nice selection of pastries, sandwiches, soups and salads.
235 Bowery, at Prince
212-219-1222
Hours Wed: 11am-6pm Thu: 11am-9pm Fri-Sun: 11am-6pm
Menu
A dependable Cantonese place on Grand Street, specializing in noodles, congee and a $5.95 lunch special.
300 Grand Street, between Eldridge and Allen
(212) 925-1662
Hours 8am-10pm
Menu
Delivery, Cash only
Like the sign inside says, Carmine Morales has been “serving real Lower East Siders since 1976.” The Classic Coffee Shop is only open weekdays. The menu is super-basic: egg sandwiches, grilled cheese, pb&j, cold cuts. But the price is right. A turkey sandwich, for instance, will set you back $3.50. Coffee is a buck. This is a place to be treasured while it’s still around.
56 Hester, near Ludlow
917-685-3306
Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm; Sat-Sun, closed
Menu
Dominican diner serves up comforting stews and soups, plus a tasty cubano. The tostones (fried plantains) are also a highlight.
72 Clinton, near Rivington
212-228-0873
Sun-Thu, 8am-9pm; Fri-Sat, 8am-10pm
Menu
Delivery
The white picket fence signals your arrival at the LES’s New Orleans-style sandwich shop. Owner Din Yates offers a half dozen or so made-to-order creations. There’s fried chicken on a biscuit, pulled pork, delicious oyster and shrimp po’ boys, etc. And for breakfast, beignets and Cafe du Monde coffee. Din’s a friendly, laid back guy who quickly established a loyal following in the neighborhood. A series of glowing reviews has not hurt business.
35 Orchard, near Hester
No phone
Monday-Friday 9am-6pm, Weekends 10-6, but actually open until 8 most days
Menu
A dependable option for pizza and so much more (you can get everything from a burger to Shrimp Scampi). At least one Lo-Down reader touts the meatballs. Fast delivery, gentle prices.
525 Grand Street, near Henry
212-477-3374
Menu
Delivery
A vegan Chinese restaurant that also prepares dishes without garlic and onion (gasp!). Stay away from the mock meat dishes.
170 Allen, near Stanton
212-388-1364
Hours Mon-Sat, 12:30pm-10:30pm; Sun, closed
Menu
FEATURES
Chinese, vegan, delivery, lunch
In the former home of the legendary Garden Cafeteria, this old-school Cantonese restaurant does a reasonably decent job with dim sum, barbecued meats and seafood dishes. The price is right. Downside: they don’t deliver.
165 East Broadway, at Rutgers
212-780-0238
Hours: 7am-11pm
Menu
There’s no English sign and you can’t expect a warm welcome, but these hand pulled noodle soups and (very thin-skinned) dumplings are some of the best in the neighborhood. A bag of 50 frozen dumplings will set you back 8 bucks.
144 East Broadway, near Essex
(212) 566-6933
Menu
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