I met David Rabin (and his business partner, Will Regan) back in the late-nineties, when they opened VBar at the Venetian.  VBar went on to become the white-hot center of Las Vegas nightlife and was really the first club to go micro in a city that was all about mega.  David and I remained friends through the years, and I’ve been a frequent guest at his New York venues – restaurants and nightlife – including Lotus, Double Seven, Lamb’s Club, Jimmy, etc.

Now, Rabin – along with branding maestro Kyle Hotchkiss Carone, Larry Poston (late of The Waverly Inn, Pastis, and Jimmy),  and spirits czar Johnny Swet – has another hot, hip, and hearty new restaurant catering to the cognoscenti, Cole’s Greenwich Village – and I was lucky enough to score a table for eight, while in NY, last month.

The food is decidedly upmarket and from the market (to wit, produce is acquired at the nearby Union Square Greenmarket), so it’s not only as fresh as one could imagine, but also seasonal.  This is the work of Chef Daniel Eardley, who sends dishes such as Hudson Valley Apple Crostini and Kabocha Squash Ravioli out of the kitchen as starters; and Plancha Crisped Chicken and Atlantic Salmon out as entrées.  I’m not known for grooving on “healthy” food, per se; but I’ve gotta give it up to Eardley, who makes even a Chopped Root Vegetable Salad so well that it fooled my taste buds into thoroughly enjoying it.  That said, the House-made Cavatelli with Braised Lamb Breast was so delicious that I started salivating whence I began formatting the photo for this article.

Johnny Swet’s cocktail menu is also of note, presenting new twists on classic favorites (Extra-Dry Martini and Sage Sazerac); as well as some proprietary potables (Liquid Cookie and Cole’s Cocktail).

So, if you find yourselves in the West Village, hankering for some well-made, fresh from the market, comfort food – look no further.  But call ahead, ‘cause they’re getting more and more popular with each passing week.

Cole’s Greenwich Village
Click HERE for info

Get into it!