Lunch | The Lo-Down : News from the Lower East Side

Ashkara

One of the few kosher options in the neighborhood, Ashkara serves a respectable falafel sandwich. You put the toppings on yourself.

189 East Houston, near Orchard

212-260-8302

Sun-Wed, 11am-3:30am; Thu-Sat, 11am-5am

Web site

Delivery

An Choi

Banh mi, delicious authentic pho and other Vietnamese specialties, in fancier digs than you’ll find a few blocks to the west in Chinatown proper.

85 Orchard Street, near Broome

212-226-3700

Open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week

Web site

Delivery

Alias

Cusine: American

Address: 76 Clinton St./map

Phone: 212-505-5011

Hours: Tue-Thu, 11am-4pm and 6pm-11pm; Fri, 11am-4pm and 6pm-midnight; Sat, 11am-3:30pm and 6pm-midnight; Sun, 10:30am-3:30pm and 6pm-10pm; Mon, closed.

Menu/web site

Reservations: yes

Delivery: yes

A pioneer on Clinton Street that’s still a neighborhood favorite. The low-key spot offers an eclectic American menu that features one of the LES’s better burgers, comfort food staples such as brisket and roast chicken and a taco plate with your choice of fish, chicken or veggies. Thuesday-Thursday there’s a nightly “blue plate special” that includes an entree, a glass of wine or beer and dessert for $20.

Mentions on The Lo-Down

A New Face in the Kitchen at Alias

A Casa Fox

Empanadas, braised short ribs and other hearty South American specialties, many of which are cooked in a wood burning oven.

173 Orchard, near Stanton

212-253-1900

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday noon-11pm

Web site

Congee Bowery

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

El Nuevo Amanecar

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

Delivery

Donnybrook

A nicely appointed but low key Irish bar on Clinton Street that caters mostly to a neighborhood crowd. There’s no kitchen, but they turn out some tasty bar grub anyway (fried oysters, fish & chips, shepherd’s pie). Weekend brunch includes a traditional Irish breakfast and a smoked salmon platter. $15 gets you free bloody mary’s, mimosas or screwdrivers (limit 3 per customer). A good place to down a pint of Guinness and watch a football game.

35 Clinton Street, at Stanton

(212) 228-7733

Hours Daily: 12pm-4am; dinner served until 11pm. Weekend brunch served 11am-4pm.

Culture Fix

The new bar, gallery and event space serves a light menu, including salads, cheeses and Spanish tapas.

9 Clinton, near Houston

646.863.7171

Hours Sun-Thu: 12pm-10pm Fri-Sat: 12pm-2am

Web site

Cocoa Bar

The Clinton Street cafe features good coffee, sandwiches, a full bar and (of course) exemplary chocolate and chocolate desserts. Cocoa Bar has wi-fi and is almost never crowded.

21 Clinton Street, near Stanton

212-677-7417

Hours: Mon-Thu: 7am-12am; Fri: 7am-1am; Sat: 8am-1am; Sun: 8am-12am

Web site

Cafe Boho

Karaoke club/Korean restaurant. The menu features a selection of noodle dishes, kimchi and sizzling hot pots, but really people go for the drinks and the Karaoke.

196 Orchard, near Houston

(212) 777-0102

Hours 11am-4am

Web site

Bun & Company

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

Birdbath Bakery

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

Big Hing Wong

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

Delivery, Cash only

‘Inoteca

inoteca

Cusine: Italian

Address: 98 Rivington St./map

Phone: 212-614-0473

Hours: Mon-Fri, noon-1am; Sat-Sun, noon-3am

Menu/web site

Reservations: no

Delivery: no

This wine bar at the corner of Rivington and Ludlow streets, one of the Lower East Side’s best places to watch the world go by, is an ideal location to spend a lazy afternoon, especially in the warm weather months. There’s sidewalk seating and a dining room that’s open to the street, providing a European feel as you sip a glass of wine and nibble from a cheese and charcuterie plate. The panini is excellent, and the pastas are very decent. Brunch is a standout; the brisket and fried eggs is a personal favorite.

Mangiami

Cozy Italian wine bar with traditional pastas and seafood.

9 Stanton St., near Bowery

212-477-7047

Open Sun-Wed, noon-11pm; Thu, noon-11:30pm; Fri-Sat, noon-midnight