Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Tiny Dining Venues, Big Draw
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 21, 2004
Modified Mar 6, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 21, 2004
Modified Mar 6, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

The Daily News looks at the state of small restaurants, namely that they are more intimate and may be what some New Yorkers need after having to deal with the travails in bigger restaurants, where the staff may have less opportunity to see that you're getting what you want. Among the restaurants named are dessert bar Chikalicious, Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar, Ballato's, The Tasting Room, and one of Gothamist's favorites, 'ino. Ballato's owner Emilio Vitolo has three employees besides himself and tells the Daily News, "Everyone does everything here. Honestly, I wouldn't want a larger restaurant. It's small, but you can put a lot of love into it." It's true - some of the best dining experiences Gothamist has are at small restaurants, because usually people who are passionate at giving people a nice experience tend to start out with small restaurants (more affordable, in the crazy game that is the NYC restaurant world). However, the downside to small restaurants would be the waiting to get in, but usually there's another place around the corner.
What small restaurant do you like?
Tagged
bar
daily news
dining
food
gothamist
love
Luxury Oyster Bar
new yorkers
news
nyc
oyster bar
people
restaurants
tasting room
the daily news
The Tasting Room
travel
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .