"This might be the most unusual of West Village restaurant, with a layout left over from a Portuguese bar of the 1960s, but with overtones of colonial Americana added. It represents an experiment from Via Carota owners Rita Sodi and Jody Williams, who are exploring Shaker culture in an offhand sort of way. The cocktails are historic, and the food runs to roasted bone marrow, spoon pudding, melted cheese rarebit, beef tongue, and a marvelous roast chicken for two to share. Don’t miss the tomato pie." - Robert Sietsema