Ivo & Lulu
New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 226-4399
- Cross Street:
- Between Varick Street and 6th Avenue
- Directions:
- 1 at Canal St
- Hours:
- Mon-Sat 6pm-11pm
Editorial Review for Ivo & Lulu – by Dana Bowen
The Scene
It's difficult not to become a regular at this dimly-lit sliver of a storefront restaurant. The owners (who cook, serve and bus) are sincere schmoozers who cultivate a dinner-party vibe in their narrow, art-lined dining room. Like perfect hosts, they make introductions between the closely-arranged tables, then politely excuse themselves to the cubbyhole kitchen to prepare your meal.
The Food
The seasonal menu is inventive, thoughtfully prepared and entirely organic--and nothing costs more than $15. Everything's a hit on this seven-item international menu. There are blue cheese and honey-slathered roasted pears and a chunky pheasant terrine casserole, with a whiff of truffle oil under a baked brie crust. For main dishes, try gingery rabbit sausages with mustard or succulent, mango-glazed jerk duck leg confit. Order market-inspired specials: A recent riff on cassoulet yielded wild mushrooms, burstingly sweet beans and gamy merguez in an aromatic roux.
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Insider Tips
What to DrinkBYOB is the rule here. With rich and lusty fare like this, consider spicy, medium-bodied reds from Southern France, like Cotes du Rhone or Languedoc Roussillon. If you arrive empty handed, the owners will guide you to the nearest liquor store.
Know Before You GoIvo and Lulu are two artists that the owner met while traveling. Their modern art lines the walls.
User Reviews for Ivo & Lulu
08/17/2008 Posted by izzodesh
Ivo and Lulu used to be a well kept secret. They didn't used to take reservations (now they claim they do for the past ?) and had some of the most entertaining staff/ customer service. Unfortunately , the food has gone way down hill. Their best dish (appetizer) the smoked mussels is now made with shrimp..and not even normal sized shrimp. The tiny frozen ones that are the size of you finger nails. A very big let down from what it used to be. This will be our last time going down their....the BYOB policy is still great, but def. not worth the long trek. Also the main course, both duck dishes, were good but nothing to write home about...
Pros: Good prices and BYOB
Cons: cramped space, no walk ins, down graded ingredients in their food
07/23/2008 Posted by EleanorR
Whoah, really happy not to have seen all the negative comments before going to Ivo & Lulu. I thought the food was great (mussels, rabbit sausage and boar sausage in particular), the service was attentive and prompt, and you can't beat BYOB and good prices. The only con was that the air conditioning was non-existent, so the heat was a bit much. I will absolutely go again though.
Pros: Tasty dishes and BYOB
Cons: No A/C
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