Tartine

I've been coming here for a few months and loved it each time, the food is amazing and I have yet to order something that I will not like, the staff is great, friendly, efficient, and fast, the only problem is the tendency of the place to be crowded, making the experience a bit annoying, but you overlook it when the food comes because it is so good and you can bring your own bottle of wine!, can't get any better. more

Have been going to Tartine's for over a decade and have slowly seen it gain in popularity. Always busy but friendly waiters and of course, delicious food! My favorite is the Avocado chicken -- comes with a large serving of fries -- really hits the spot. Great comfort food and very resonably priced, even for a high schooler =) more

I adore Tartine, but the most important thing you need to know is to go strategically. The place is tiny, doesn't take reservations and is very very popular -- you do the math. As much as I love their brunch, I find it too crowded to be a a good idea. I much prefer their lunch (always pleasant) and dinner, especially early in the week. My favorite dishes include the sauteed chicken with garlic and the marvelous saucisson. My girlfriend raves about the mussels and the chicken pot pie. It's BYOB and there's no cork fee. Also, when you're looking for somewhere romantic to go for a special occassion holiday and don't want to pay exhorbidant prices, give them a call to see if they're open. We went on New Year's and didn't even have to wait for a table -- and there was no special menu or crazy fees. Fabulous place, but be prepared to be elbow to elbow with your neighbors. more

My favorite meal at Tartine is brunch...unfortunately for me, a lot of other folks share this opinion. I have never been there without having to wait, so I avoid it in super cold weather (as the waiting is done outside). I find it best to dine here in twos as a three top may be seated at a cafe table really big enough for only one and a group of six takes ages to sit (judging by past experience). The apple pancake is to die for as are the pastries that may follow your meal. Don't be surprised if it takes QUITE A WHILE to get a refill on your coffee...the service leaves something to be desired. more

I visited early on a cold Sunday morning. It was a few minutes before they opened and as I was standing outside, I had the chance to chat up a local. She said, NY Times in tow, that Tartine had good coffee, great croissants and she loved eating here. When she sat down, the dark-haired cutie who was waiting tables didn't take her order - she just brought her a cup of coffee and an almond croissant. I duplicated her order and smiled as I tasted butter rich pastry and good coffee served with real half & half. This was a scouting expedition, I will revisit for brunch and lunch in warmer weather (teens today with a wind chill). It's a cash only BYOB place so you know all you need to know to do some exciting food exploring yourself. more

I love Tartine for out of town guests who are not "new york" types (and I mean that in a good way...). They don't have a liquor license so you can bring your own wine without a corking fee. The decor is unpretentious, a little cramped but it's refreshing to dine in a place that's not "hip new york"- good food without being trendy. I love the bouche a la reine...a puff pastry filled with creamy chicken and vegetables and they also have great steak frites or mussels. To top it all off, they don't rush you out of there to finish your wine. Get there early...there's usually a line outside. But you can drink your wine out there if you want! And afterward you can take your out of town guest on a nice walk through the brownstones of the west village...and get a beer at an equally unpretentious west village bar. more

I would give this a 3.5 to 3.75, if I could. I'm rounding down, however, for good reason:

I don't know why, but women in general seem to fancy this place. True, it has a quaint atmosphere in the heart of residential brownstone W. Village. Desserts are good (probably a big reason). & it's sort of French.

Personally, I think it's a class thing. The perception of the French still looms in our psyche as something higher... I don't know if it's because the French are so nasty to us, so we feel like sucking up. Who knows? It's exactly where 'EVERYONE 'would want to live, given their druthers, if you like the charm of NYC at all. It feels just a little out of the way, cause there is little commerce around... maybe people feel like they are in the know or something. They have nice outside tables & it's all windows on the corner. Airy. Ok, charming.

Bring your own wine.

But my verdict is... It's nothing special. Average food. I'm not panning it. It's perfectly fine. But I don't understand what it is about chicks in particular. If you have a theory, please expound...
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