Hoot! Hoot!

As a lifelong “sister” of Chi Omega sorority (yes, a sorority girl lies within me somewhere…), I spent most of my college years surrounded by owls or owl insignias. Creepy right? Well that was our mascot, so yes, owls galore. Rumor has it we were locked in coffins with dead owls for initiation … I’ll never tell …

So the idea, or look of owls never thrilled me. That is, until dinner on Tuesday night at the West Village’s, The Little Owl. Hoot! Hoot! me ANY day.

Having received tons of hype about a year ago when the economy tanked, this truly is the new New York restaurant. Or type of restaurant. It’s small, warm, homey, cheap(er), locally supplied, unpretentious, delicious and of course, hard as hell to get a table.

Since my parents have recently joined the early-bird-special-crowd at the ripe young age of 49 … I decided our best bet for getting a table without a reservation (which I tried to get for weeks), was to show up at 5:30 PM … on the dot. That, and I smiled. What can I say except to use all tactics when needed? And it worked.

Not only did we love the ambience, the food (lamb shank is TO DIE FOR), the chef personally told my father the red snapper special was the best cut of meat he’s seen in years. The kitchen is the size of my Soho kitchen, and it impressively produces some of the best food in the city that I’ve had in years.

Beyond charming and delicious, The Little Owl is smart. Here are some few pointers that I’ll take with me when I open my own restaurant:

1. When a table orders a bunch of appetizers the chef plates each portion to each individual’s plate. Not only does this reduce clutter of sides plates for each person but prevents people from reaching, mangling, and digging into appetizers. This way everything you’d want to take a bite of it already prepared for you. Genius!

2. When you ask for a “doggy bag” the server holds it in the kitchen wrapped and warm so that it doesn’t sit at your table and look tacky, get cold, or clutter your surroundings. Again, so thoughtful and smart.

3. Checks arrive in a small journal where everyone can write comments, compliments, and (yes, I’m sure there are) complaints. A little hoot! for everyone to share. I personally spent the time look for signatures of famous people.

These, among many other small touches marked my meal at The Little Owl as one of the best I’ve had in a while. With the warmth and genuine wholesomeness of someplace like Gramercy Tavern, on a smaller scale, budget, and venue. Worth the time, money, and wait.

And that’s hard for three VERY critical diners to say. The owl flies on … hoot! hoot!

Top 3 Recommended Dishes: sliders, lamb shank, fried chicken

90 Bedford St., NY, NY