UPDATE: Today on our fourth or fifth visit now, the chef was like "I see you guys in here a lot." It's true. It's become our lunch spot of choice. Today: the Tahitian coucous salad with roasted vegetables over greens ($10) and Axel had the sandwich/soup combo ($8) with wild mushroom soup and ham sandwich. I stole bites, it was delicious.
The great thing about catching a restaurant in its opening throes is that you can watch it either get better or watch it simply face plant. Yes, I am that sadistic. Prince St. Cafe opened two weeks ago and it appears to be accelerating in the former category.
Axel, nee Ben, and I found this cafe the day after it opened. Located in a long slot-like space on Prince and Elizabeth, it was opened by Gary Volkov, formerly of One if by Land...(which is overrated I think). The place is comfortable, benefits from two high-def TVs quietly playing baseball on one and NY1 on the other, and the service is awkward and European and refreshingly sweet.
And the food is good! And the prices very good (for Nolita)! We like it! Axel likes sauteed shrimp quesadilla wrap ($8) and I've made a running start on the sandwich board (all $7.50): grilled chicken with avo and cilantro aioli one week, and a grilled cheese on baguette with fig confit and pancetta the next.
They have other tempting things: Homemade gnocchi with wild mushrooms; Ukranian borscht and red velvet cupcakes. In addition to being comfortable it's un-prententious unlike the other neighborhood haunts Cafes Gitanes and Havana.
Prince St. is your basic upscale cafe and feels gourmand without feeling bourgeois. It's perfect for eating alone or with others. There is a great backroom where you can escape from the street and is illuminated with massive skylights. I like it. Go there if you are in the neighborhood.
Where: Prince/Elizabeth Streets
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