All of my favorite bars are on Avenue C. My friends giggle because when pressed for where to go drinking, I will always give the same response. Two of these such spots are unequivocally Edi & the Wolf and The Third Man. When I heard that the owners of these two long time Avenue C staples were opening a new restaurant, I hauled ass there, obviously.
The architectural features are lovely. Inside the space the feeling is vintage and hip. There is a café in the front and a dining room that shares a space with a large bar. Exposed brick lines the walls, dark wood is scattered about the place, and antique (looking) light fixtures hang from the ceiling. It’s a joy to be enveloped by the casual décor whether you’re there for a full meal or just a cocktail.
The menu was created by Michelin starred chef and owner Edi Frauneder. Just like his sister restaurant, the menu is contemporary Austrian. I can’t pretend to know anything about Austrian food, but I do know what good food is, and it lives here. The plating was more elevated than I had anticipated and the options are varied. You could have a wonderful meal of smaller plates like the mussels in a rich tomato broth or perfectly dressed pea & bean salad. If you are looking for something more substantial, the skirt steak is among the greatest pieces of meat to grace my mouth. Like any self-respecting Austrian restaurant, they have a juicy fried weiner schnitzel that hits the spot. Round out the meal with their impressive beer offerings. Here’s what we had:
CHARCUTERIE
PEA & BEAN SALAD - Chervil, Pea Shoots, Sauce Ravigote
FLATBREAD – Arugula & peppers
MUSSELS - Artichokes, Lovage, Tomatoes
FREUD BURGER - Farmhouse Cheddar, Onion Jam, Potato Bun
SKIRT STEAK - Snow Peas, Wild Onions, Elephant Garlic
SACHER TORTE - Whipped Cream
Address: 506 LaGuardia Pl, New York, NY 10012
www.freudnyc.com
