posted by Archana on Dinner, Vegetables, Vegging Out, West Village

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The holidays are upon us and ever since the marathon ended, I’ve basically been eating crap and it was high time I got back to my mostly-healthy meal plan. I ventured to Westville in the West Village (get it?) with a good friend on Monday night, and since we’re both big on wholesome, natural foods, it was pretty much a match made in heaven.

The restaurant sits on a lovely, quiet stretch of West 10th Street, and much like the rest of the neighborhood, its space is tiny but inviting. There are only about 10 tables with enough space for just the cooks and the restaurant-goers. If you’re waiting for a table, you put your name on a list and wait outside. Even when it’s cold? Yeah it doesn’t sound fun, but if you love different vegetables, Westville is your calling.

What’s in it for you: Watercress, arugula, pears and sweet roasted walnuts with lemon vinaigrette; veggie burger topped w/ mixed mushrooms & spicy tartar sauce; market plates (sides or four sides to make an entree)

What’s in it for them: Crab cakes with spicy tartar sauce; 12 oz. Newport steak, beet battered codfish, grilled pork chop, breaded chicken cutlet, hamburger, hot dogs

The menu seems pretty meat-heavy, I know, but once you see their market menu, which is basically a collection of veggie (and one tofu) sides, you’ll see what this place prides itself on and why. The market options are all vegetarian (99% veggies, 1% tofu). You can get one market dish for $5 (tapas size) or 4 for $13 (entree size). I initially considered the veggie burger for the mushroom and tartar sauce factor, but after realizing that I could have that anywhere, I went for the 4 for $13 plate:

That mixed bag of treats is vegetable rice, marinated seared tofu, mushrooms with leeks and herbs, and roasted zucchini with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella. Let’s go in for a closer look:

I know there are a lot of things going on on the plate, but I think we vegetarian and flexitarians know that in order to get all of our nutrients and to add some flavor to our meal, our plate can’t be one-note. We like a little of this and little of that with a little protein. My ratio of carbs-protein-vegetables was really satisfying and for $13, it was a really well-balanced meal. My only gripe was the tofu, which was a little salty to my taste. But I also rarely use salt in my cooking, so it was probably more exaggerated for me.

Their portions are pretty large (I had a decent amoutn left over for lunch the next day and my friend got to take home half of her steak salad as well), so a good deal all around.

Westville West
210 W. 10th St. (between Bleecker and W. 4th St.)
212.741.4780
1 to Christopher St.

Westville East
173 Avenue A (at 11th St.)
212.677.2033
F, V to Second Ave.