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
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
06/26/2008 Posted by chiway
If you visit Ivo & Lulu, you're pretty much just going there so you have somewhere to drink your alcohol. The food is satisfactory, but no where near delighting. Couscous acts as a side for almost every dish you order and over-seasoning in general seems to be a restaurant motto. It's really not worth going out of the way for, and if you are around the area, go next door to La Sirene instead; certainly more expensive, but unquestionably better tasting. Bottom line: Forgettable.
Pros: everything is edible.
Cons: mysteriously enough, there are long waits.... don't know why.
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