Cafe Camellia
In early 2023, the New York Times named Cafe Camellia one of the "50 Best Restaurants in the United States"—but nobody at this neighborhood eatery seemed to notice. Or if they noticed they didn't let it go to their heads....or their menu prices. A meal here is still fairly-priced, especially if you share a bunch of "small plates" most of which carry a price tag of just $12, but contain such hearty and tasty treats as fried green tomatoes, red beans and rice, baby back ribs with jezebel sauce, and collared greens lovingly braised with pork shoulder. (They're "small plates" in name only). Of the entrees, I'm most enamored of their just-spicy-enough blackened catfish ($22). And you are not allowed to leave the premises without tucking into their tartly terrific key lime pie. While the look of the place is forgettable (not ugly, just a bit sleekly dull), the genuine smiles of the waitstaff make up for the lack of style. As does the easy reservation process: this is one restaurant that's not trying to build buzz by holding back the most convenient dining times. You can easily get a 7pm reservation one or two weeks in advance, which counts as a big win in Gotham.
In early 2023, the New York Times named Cafe Camellia one of the "50 Best Restaurants in the United States"—but nobody at this neighborhood eatery seemed to notice. Or if they noticed they didn't let it go to their heads....or their menu prices. A meal here is still fairly-priced, especially if you share a bunch of "small plates" most of which carry a price tag of just $12, but contain such hearty and tasty treats as fried green tomatoes, red beans and rice, baby back ribs with jezebel sauce, and collared greens lovingly braised with pork shoulder. (They're "small plates" in name only). Of the entrees, I'm most enamored of their just-spicy-enough blackened catfish ($22). And you are not allowed to leave the premises without tucking into their tartly terrific key lime pie. While the look of the place is forgettable (not ugly, just a bit sleekly dull), the genuine smiles of the waitstaff make up for the lack of style. As does the easy reservation process: this is one restaurant that's not trying to build buzz by holding back the most convenient dining times. You can easily get a 7pm reservation one or two weeks in advance, which counts as a big win in Gotham.
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