Hidden BYOB Gem

Picture a nearly empty Soho-esque neighborhood with a smallish and dimly lit cafe pouring a unique mix of reggae and euro pop onto the sidewalks. Eclectic wooden folding chairs line the exterior brick wall for the anxious New Yorkers awaiting their fix of tenderly prepared french/carribean cuisine and the equally satisfying BYOB sans corking fee bonus (that's right, I said NO corking fee in an NYC restaurant)! The arthouse-style interior creates a warmly inviting setting capable of accommodating both intimate tables for two or groups as large as the 10-person birthday bash I was hosting. As if their atmosphere and BYOBness wasn't enough, Ivo & Lulu's is a hidden hotspot serving a minimalistic menu of proudly organic creations (see MENU here). When you take into account our sampling of all nine appetizers, ten dinners and the five bottles of Trader Joe's vino we shamelessly carried in with us, this $198 dinner was a fan-freakin'-tastic treat that I am selfishly wondering why I choose to share. But we all know BYOB restaurants in NYC don't stay BYOB forever, so plan to sample Ivo & Lulu's gourmet meals with your own gourmet vino deals while this policy still stands.

Highly recommended: Escargot, smoked muscles, scalloped potatoes and roasted pear with blue cheese appetizers (any of their appetizers really) ($9-11), duck confit (hand's down best duck entree you may ever try) ($14) and the apple souffle ($7).

FYI: Despite what other websites are listing, I & L do take reservations and are now open on Sundays. Also note this is a cash only restaurant but let's not forget that Trader Joe's wine shop is only a hop skip or short cab ride away (14th btw 3rd/4th Ave) and are one of the rarities in the village that give cash back for purchases made with debit cards. Trader Joe's Hours: 9am-10pm (Mondays-Saturdays) and noon-9pm (Sundays).

Ivo & Lulu's

(French/Carribean)

558 Broome St (btw Varick St/6th Ave)

New York, NY 10012

212-226-4399

Price: $$

Hours: Now open 7 days a week for dinner only (6:00PM-11:30PM)

Payment: Cash only

Reservations: Accepted (necessary on weekends and for groups)

Subway: C, E to Spring or 1 to Canal