The sun was injecting life into New York City so I needed a Spritz injected straight into my bloodstream. We were just wandering around the West Village, looking for any place where we could be photosynthesized by the sun. I had St. Jardim bookmarked as I walk by there all the time and their outdoor seating is about as idyllic as it gets, but they went all Hollywood on us and were fully occupied. While We Were Young was right next door and had an open table, so we snagged it quick because it was one of those days where everyone is looking to grab a spritz in direct sunlight. I cannot hate a man who has the same dreams as me. They have eclectic drink names here that range from "Plan B" to "Texts From Last Night" to "F@$king in the Morning." This got a good laugh out of me. I respect this riskiness. You gotta take risks to be great. You gotta risk it for the biscuit. I just got my spritz because you know why I'm here, but my girlfriend got a drink named "One Night Stand" .... DAMN THAT HURT... I'm still licking my wounds from that tbh... but it did taste fantastic at least. Tequila, Watermelon, Chili Agave and Lime is a beautiful mixture. We got a second round because the spritz and the One Night Stand were both performing at a high level, and the weather compelled us to stay outside. I could be hit by a bus tomorrow. Another extinction event could hit at any time really. Might as well enjoy these days while I can. IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov_reviews
Maria G.
This place is so cute for girls night. It is tiny so make a reservation. They had non-alcoholic versions of their beautiful cocktails (pregnant) which I loved because usually the NA list is a separate selection but I wanted to try the drinks they are most known for. This spot has my new favorite kale salad, I'll be dreaming about it and for my entree I got the spicy duck ragu which was excellent. I'll be back when I can for the cocktails!
Travis V.
What a great little restaurant! The interior is gorgeous, the cocktails were amazing, and the food is delicious, Our bartender was so friendly! Overall a great experience! I'll definitely be back!
Alex M.
(Overall: B) - This past weekend, I checked out a new and intriguing brunch place in West Village! Overall, I felt that While We Were Young offers some upscale brunch options with unique premises that almost hit the mark for me, but have some fine grained details that could be perfected. They have innovating menu items and respectful staff, with a cute interior and a very intriguing design for a toilet. I found the place to be a bit cramped and the window seats to get a few too many direct rays from the sun, but otherwise a pleasant experience. (Chicken & Kale Waffles: C) - The chicken and waffles is presented with a large piece of chicken breast, which was surprisingly juicy throughout the entire piece and seasoned spicily on the exterior. The waffle was equally crispy as the chicken and was quite pleasant with the refreshing green color from the kale. The hot honey buffalo butter also added some unique flavor profiles as your palette is hugged with notes of sweet, butter, and spiciness. However, given the richness of this dish, I think the palette needs some sort of fresh acidity that could come from fresh berries or other fruits to help cut through the richness of this dish. It is also kind of expensive at $25, but very interesting otherwise. (Kale Salad: B) - We opted to add the steak accompaniment which totalled to $30, which is kind of pricey for a salad, but it tasted quite good. The beef was thoroughly seasoned all round with the fat nicely rendered; I would've liked to see it cooked a minute or two less as it was a medium toward medium well starting to lose its juice. The kale was light and refreshing and did not associate with any unpleasant common with raw kale; the acidity and vibrantness of the greens worked well with the nutty complexion of the peanut sauce and was overall very tasty and a good meal to start the day. (Something Fruity with Gin: B) - The base of the drink is gin, which was prepared expertly to be quite mellow instead of sharp so it is quite pleasant. However, given the name of the drink, I wish it was indeed more fruit-forward as I was getting more hints of the lemon hibiscus rather than the peach, which I think would be more comforting. The presentation is quite elegant with that controlled layer of bubbles and clipped basil. (Kale and Pear Drink: C) - This drink was rather unpleasant with the lumpiness of the pair compounded by the combination of pear's natural subtleness and the strength in flavor coming from the kale. I feel like kale drinks could work with perhaps other fruits, but this one feels like something one chooses to drink while trying to appear to be healthy rather than choosing it for enjoyment. -- Food: E Presentation: +1 Price: E Atmosphere: E Service: +1 Menu: +1 Overall: +3 B Insta/Beli: @amei_eats
Naomi B.
Cute restaurant perfect for the girlies! The cocktails are fantastic with even cuter names. I had the pesto gnocchi and it was absolutely delicious!
Alix C.
Food took forever and the customer service was weird and unwelcoming. People who sat down way after us got food very fast while, the people who sat at the bar were left unattended and ignored. Hope this helps!
Rachel S.
Hands down my favorite restaurant in the city!!! Everything from the service to the decor is absolute perfection (probably the most stunning restaurant in NYC). The staff is so fun, welcoming and truly go above and beyond to make the experience amazing. They pay close attention to my dietary restrictions and the food is fantastic every time. Not to mention the drinks... almost too good-- and presented in really cute/clever ways! Such a fun spot for the girls or an intimate date night. I could honestly write a dissertation on this restaurant, but you should probably just go experience it yourself. It is tiny, so it can be hard to miss-- but it's the definition of a hidden GEM.
Erika H.
Small and cute restaurant in a great location. Perfect spot for a girls night or date night. The salmon was super good and the drinks were all really creative.
Jackie M.
My friends were coming to visit from the DMV area and wanted something festive and girlie after a jazz session nearby. I've seen this place for years all over social media and kept it in my "must see" places. We loved it, it's super sweet, intimate, smallish space but the staff was so sweet and accommodating and drinks were top notch. Our waitress was awesome, I wish I got her name, I would have given a shout out.
Ania Vlada
Came here for brunch with my friend - it was just ok.Service was great and friendly, but after an hour and a half of dining we were told that the next reservation was coming in. Kind of trashy to kick guests out after only an hour and a half.Also, needed to put in a $70 deposit for the reservation for 2 - always think it’s kind of gross when restaurants demand credit cards for booking.The space was also much smaller than the photos online show - maybe 5-7 tables inside total and a small bar area.and it was definitely not as nicely decorated as the photos online. No fresh flowers or pretty wall decor.food was good , but the portions were tiny for the prices.The cocktails were not bad , not amazing but not the best either.
outstanding service, food and cocktails! I was really impressed with the food and quality. I still dream about the kale salad. the drinks were well crafted and had a lot to variety. a really nice way to spend your day!
Ana Valle
Just had brunch here and can't complain! The atmosphere was lovely, the staff was helpful and friendly and the drinks were yummy with great presentation! Really the ideal brunch place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Uma Mahto
I came here around 4p on a Saturday when looking for a cocktail bar to sit down at with a couple of friends. When we entered I had a $11 drink from Matchaful that I’d just bought. The server let us know that he could seat us but we couldn’t have any outside drinks. I gave him my drink after asking if he’d put it aside for me for later. Could’ve been a miscommunication but the drink was full and the server made no indication they would throw away my drink immediately.The three of us split a bottle of rose that came out to $20pp with tip and was fine. I think they’re more known for their cocktails and I didn’t appreciate the response I got from the server when I asked for my drink as we were leaving. He didn’t seem to acknowledge any miscommunication on their end or feel too apologetic for throwing away an $11 cup of matcha. I would’ve naturally stayed outside to finish my drink if they would’ve thrown it away but they positioned themselves in a way indicative of otherwise.Overall the place was fine, the server’s response was disappointing and with so many other places on the same street for the same price, you’re better off elsewhere.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Uma M.
I came here around 4p on a Saturday when looking for a cocktail bar to sit down at with a couple of friends. When we entered I had a $11 drink from Matchaful that I'd just bought. The server let us know that he could seat us but we couldn't have any outside drinks. I gave him my drink after asking if he'd put it aside for me for later. Could've been a miscommunication but the drink was full and the server made no indication they would throw away my drink immediately. The three of us split a bottle of rose that came out to $20pp with tip and was fine. I think they're more known for their cocktails and I didn't appreciate the response I got from the server when I asked for my drink as we were leaving. He didn't seem to acknowledge any miscommunication on their end or feel too apologetic for throwing away an $11 cup of matcha. I would've naturally stayed outside to finish my drink if they would've thrown it away but they positioned themselves in a way indicative of otherwise.Overall the place was fine, the server's response was disappointing and with so many other places on the same street for the same price, you're better off elsewhere.
Tina S.
Cute vibe but a little weird customer service...right off the bat there was an unwelcoming energy when we came in. no one greeted us or even looked in our direction. It wasn't until we fully had to walk up to the bar and ask them for service. We asked if we could grab one of them many open tables and they said "... yeah..? Sure... that should be fine " I replied "awesome thank you I can grab any?"And long story short it was a weird interaction before they decided we could be seated in the empty restaurant. As we sat at our table and drank out beverages, the waitress came by and dropped the bill before we were even done... only to us and no other table..There is no line and no one waiting to take our table... so I'm confused as to why they did this when no one prompted any sign for the bill as of yet...I have a strong tinkering it's because we were the only Asians... It was transparent that how the staff treated us was tremendously different than how they treated the rest of the tables -whom were all non poc individuals. Nonetheless, i think it's safe to say that this restaurant/bar is a bit on the racist side... not sure if it's the restaurant as a whole or the particular collective of staff working tonight but it was definitely not a welcoming or good experience ...Sad to say that establishments like these still exist..Entered in silence and left in silence. Ignored both times.. The drinks themselves were relatively ok.. not super unique but cute.. don't think it was worth the racism tho L o L
The sun was injecting life into New York City so I needed a Spritz injected straight into my bloodstream. We were just wandering around the West Village, looking for any place where we could be photosynthesized by the sun. I had St. Jardim bookmarked as I walk by there all the time and their outdoor seating is about as idyllic as it gets, but they went all Hollywood on us and were fully occupied. While We Were Young was right next door and had an open table, so we snagged it quick because it was one of those days where everyone is looking to grab a spritz in direct sunlight. I cannot hate a man who has the same dreams as me. They have eclectic drink names here that range from "Plan B" to "Texts From Last Night" to "F@$king in the Morning." This got a good laugh out of me. I respect this riskiness. You gotta take risks to be great. You gotta risk it for the biscuit. I just got my spritz because you know why I'm here, but my girlfriend got a drink named "One Night Stand" .... DAMN THAT HURT... I'm still licking my wounds from that tbh... but it did taste fantastic at least. Tequila, Watermelon, Chili Agave and Lime is a beautiful mixture. We got a second round because the spritz and the One Night Stand were both performing at a high level, and the weather compelled us to stay outside. I could be hit by a bus tomorrow. Another extinction event could hit at any time really. Might as well enjoy these days while I can. IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov_reviews
This place is so cute for girls night. It is tiny so make a reservation. They had non-alcoholic versions of their beautiful cocktails (pregnant) which I loved because usually the NA list is a separate selection but I wanted to try the drinks they are most known for. This spot has my new favorite kale salad, I'll be dreaming about it and for my entree I got the spicy duck ragu which was excellent. I'll be back when I can for the cocktails!
What a great little restaurant! The interior is gorgeous, the cocktails were amazing, and the food is delicious, Our bartender was so friendly! Overall a great experience! I'll definitely be back!
(Overall: B) - This past weekend, I checked out a new and intriguing brunch place in West Village! Overall, I felt that While We Were Young offers some upscale brunch options with unique premises that almost hit the mark for me, but have some fine grained details that could be perfected. They have innovating menu items and respectful staff, with a cute interior and a very intriguing design for a toilet. I found the place to be a bit cramped and the window seats to get a few too many direct rays from the sun, but otherwise a pleasant experience. (Chicken & Kale Waffles: C) - The chicken and waffles is presented with a large piece of chicken breast, which was surprisingly juicy throughout the entire piece and seasoned spicily on the exterior. The waffle was equally crispy as the chicken and was quite pleasant with the refreshing green color from the kale. The hot honey buffalo butter also added some unique flavor profiles as your palette is hugged with notes of sweet, butter, and spiciness. However, given the richness of this dish, I think the palette needs some sort of fresh acidity that could come from fresh berries or other fruits to help cut through the richness of this dish. It is also kind of expensive at $25, but very interesting otherwise. (Kale Salad: B) - We opted to add the steak accompaniment which totalled to $30, which is kind of pricey for a salad, but it tasted quite good. The beef was thoroughly seasoned all round with the fat nicely rendered; I would've liked to see it cooked a minute or two less as it was a medium toward medium well starting to lose its juice. The kale was light and refreshing and did not associate with any unpleasant common with raw kale; the acidity and vibrantness of the greens worked well with the nutty complexion of the peanut sauce and was overall very tasty and a good meal to start the day. (Something Fruity with Gin: B) - The base of the drink is gin, which was prepared expertly to be quite mellow instead of sharp so it is quite pleasant. However, given the name of the drink, I wish it was indeed more fruit-forward as I was getting more hints of the lemon hibiscus rather than the peach, which I think would be more comforting. The presentation is quite elegant with that controlled layer of bubbles and clipped basil. (Kale and Pear Drink: C) - This drink was rather unpleasant with the lumpiness of the pair compounded by the combination of pear's natural subtleness and the strength in flavor coming from the kale. I feel like kale drinks could work with perhaps other fruits, but this one feels like something one chooses to drink while trying to appear to be healthy rather than choosing it for enjoyment. -- Food: E Presentation: +1 Price: E Atmosphere: E Service: +1 Menu: +1 Overall: +3 B Insta/Beli: @amei_eats
Cute restaurant perfect for the girlies! The cocktails are fantastic with even cuter names. I had the pesto gnocchi and it was absolutely delicious!
Food took forever and the customer service was weird and unwelcoming. People who sat down way after us got food very fast while, the people who sat at the bar were left unattended and ignored. Hope this helps!
Hands down my favorite restaurant in the city!!! Everything from the service to the decor is absolute perfection (probably the most stunning restaurant in NYC). The staff is so fun, welcoming and truly go above and beyond to make the experience amazing. They pay close attention to my dietary restrictions and the food is fantastic every time. Not to mention the drinks... almost too good-- and presented in really cute/clever ways! Such a fun spot for the girls or an intimate date night. I could honestly write a dissertation on this restaurant, but you should probably just go experience it yourself. It is tiny, so it can be hard to miss-- but it's the definition of a hidden GEM.
Small and cute restaurant in a great location. Perfect spot for a girls night or date night. The salmon was super good and the drinks were all really creative.
My friends were coming to visit from the DMV area and wanted something festive and girlie after a jazz session nearby. I've seen this place for years all over social media and kept it in my "must see" places. We loved it, it's super sweet, intimate, smallish space but the staff was so sweet and accommodating and drinks were top notch. Our waitress was awesome, I wish I got her name, I would have given a shout out.
Came here for brunch with my friend - it was just ok.Service was great and friendly, but after an hour and a half of dining we were told that the next reservation was coming in. Kind of trashy to kick guests out after only an hour and a half.Also, needed to put in a $70 deposit for the reservation for 2 - always think it’s kind of gross when restaurants demand credit cards for booking.The space was also much smaller than the photos online show - maybe 5-7 tables inside total and a small bar area.and it was definitely not as nicely decorated as the photos online. No fresh flowers or pretty wall decor.food was good , but the portions were tiny for the prices.The cocktails were not bad , not amazing but not the best either.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
outstanding service, food and cocktails! I was really impressed with the food and quality. I still dream about the kale salad. the drinks were well crafted and had a lot to variety. a really nice way to spend your day!
Just had brunch here and can't complain! The atmosphere was lovely, the staff was helpful and friendly and the drinks were yummy with great presentation! Really the ideal brunch place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I came here around 4p on a Saturday when looking for a cocktail bar to sit down at with a couple of friends. When we entered I had a $11 drink from Matchaful that I’d just bought. The server let us know that he could seat us but we couldn’t have any outside drinks. I gave him my drink after asking if he’d put it aside for me for later. Could’ve been a miscommunication but the drink was full and the server made no indication they would throw away my drink immediately.The three of us split a bottle of rose that came out to $20pp with tip and was fine. I think they’re more known for their cocktails and I didn’t appreciate the response I got from the server when I asked for my drink as we were leaving. He didn’t seem to acknowledge any miscommunication on their end or feel too apologetic for throwing away an $11 cup of matcha. I would’ve naturally stayed outside to finish my drink if they would’ve thrown it away but they positioned themselves in a way indicative of otherwise.Overall the place was fine, the server’s response was disappointing and with so many other places on the same street for the same price, you’re better off elsewhere.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
I came here around 4p on a Saturday when looking for a cocktail bar to sit down at with a couple of friends. When we entered I had a $11 drink from Matchaful that I'd just bought. The server let us know that he could seat us but we couldn't have any outside drinks. I gave him my drink after asking if he'd put it aside for me for later. Could've been a miscommunication but the drink was full and the server made no indication they would throw away my drink immediately. The three of us split a bottle of rose that came out to $20pp with tip and was fine. I think they're more known for their cocktails and I didn't appreciate the response I got from the server when I asked for my drink as we were leaving. He didn't seem to acknowledge any miscommunication on their end or feel too apologetic for throwing away an $11 cup of matcha. I would've naturally stayed outside to finish my drink if they would've thrown it away but they positioned themselves in a way indicative of otherwise.Overall the place was fine, the server's response was disappointing and with so many other places on the same street for the same price, you're better off elsewhere.
Cute vibe but a little weird customer service...right off the bat there was an unwelcoming energy when we came in. no one greeted us or even looked in our direction. It wasn't until we fully had to walk up to the bar and ask them for service. We asked if we could grab one of them many open tables and they said "... yeah..? Sure... that should be fine " I replied "awesome thank you I can grab any?"And long story short it was a weird interaction before they decided we could be seated in the empty restaurant. As we sat at our table and drank out beverages, the waitress came by and dropped the bill before we were even done... only to us and no other table..There is no line and no one waiting to take our table... so I'm confused as to why they did this when no one prompted any sign for the bill as of yet...I have a strong tinkering it's because we were the only Asians... It was transparent that how the staff treated us was tremendously different than how they treated the rest of the tables -whom were all non poc individuals. Nonetheless, i think it's safe to say that this restaurant/bar is a bit on the racist side... not sure if it's the restaurant as a whole or the particular collective of staff working tonight but it was definitely not a welcoming or good experience ...Sad to say that establishments like these still exist..Entered in silence and left in silence. Ignored both times.. The drinks themselves were relatively ok.. not super unique but cute.. don't think it was worth the racism tho L o L