202 Cafe

Karen Hudes

Citysearch

The Scene
Inside Chelsea Market, designer Nicole Farhi's culinary venture spreads out across the wood-beamed loft that houses her clothing and furniture line. More professionals, neighbors and tourists populate the eclectic tables during the day than at night, dining to a poppy retail soundtrack.

The Draw
New American dishes meet croque monsieur and fish-and-chips on the brief menu. A simple chicken curry holds a welcome balance of spice and sweetness, enhanced by the grape chutney, while the medium-rare steak can be tough. The fried green tomatoes are prepared as heavily breaded, cheese-topped red slices, which the chef calls "ripened." The brunch menu joins dinner dishes with a few breakfast items, including a French toast that's pleasantly fluffy but lacking a firm crunch around the edges. Seasonal fruits and veggies brighten the specials, taking the forms of nectarine relish or berry clafoutis.