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Hearth
Master Critic Reviews (7 Lists)
Hearth
8.2
A Tuscan-leaning, farm-to-table dining room that feels like a calm reset from the neighborhood’s chaos—best when you treat it as a full meal with starters, a pasta, and a thoughtful main. The cooking is ingredient-driven and seasonal, with a steady, grown-up hospitality style that suits longer dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
House pasta with pork ragù, Burrata, Olive oil cake
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Seasonal Tuscan-American cooking with a polished, relaxed pace.
Who should go: Couples and food-first diners
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for the smoothest service
What to order: Burrata, pasta ragù, olive oil cake
Insider tip: Let your server sequence dishes into a natural progression.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet; limited street parking with meters. Expect difficulty after 6pm—rideshare or subway is easiest.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—nice jeans are fine, but many diners opt for jackets or polished evening wear.
Noise level: Moderate and controlled—easy conversation even during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation; longer on Friday/Saturday nights.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or a short 5–10 minute pause.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several thoughtful vegetable-forward starters and pastas, and the kitchen can adapt courses.
Vegan options: Limited but possible—best to flag preferences when seated so the kitchen can guide selections.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some naturally gluten-free mains; pasta substitutions are not a strong suit.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially if you want something calm and polished. It’s intimate without being stuffy, and the pacing encourages conversation rather than rush.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on weeknights or early evenings, but reservations are strongly recommended for prime dinner hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for older kids who can sit through a longer meal. This is more of a grown-up dining room than a family spot.
Best For
Better for: Long, ingredient-driven dinners with refined service and a quieter, more composed atmosphere than most East Village Italian spots.
Skip if: You want a loud, high-energy pasta party or a quick, casual neighborhood meal—this is built for lingering.
Hearth
7.6
A long-standing East Village dining room that leans classic New American with a comfortable, grown-up rhythm. It’s strongest for reliable sit-down meals when you want an unfussy neighborhood restaurant and a menu that doesn’t chase trends.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ricotta gnocchi, Roasted chicken, Seasonal vegetable entrée
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: A steady, classic New American anchor with a neighborhood feel.
Who should go: Adults who want a reliable sit-down meal
When to visit: Weeknight dinner or lunch
What to order: Ricotta gnocchi, roasted chicken, seasonal veg dish
Insider tip: Keep it classic—this menu rewards straightforward ordering.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited and competitive, especially after 6pm. Rideshare or walking is easier.
Dress code: Smart casual—jeans are fine, but polished and slightly dressy fits the room best.
Noise level: Moderate—lively but still easy to hold a conversation without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation; reservations strongly recommended.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days, especially earlier in the lunch window.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple thoughtful vegetable-focused starters and mains.
Vegan options: Limited—possible with modifications, but not a dedicated strength.
Gluten-free options: Some options available; staff is knowledgeable about accommodations.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—it's calm, comfortable, and grown-up, making conversation easy without feeling stiff or overly romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on weeknights or at lunch, but dinner—especially weekends—is much smoother with a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who can sit through a full meal; better earlier in the evening when the room is quieter.
Best For
Better for: Reliable New American cooking, polished service, and a calm, neighborhood dining rhythm.
Skip if: You want trend-driven menus, buzzy nightlife energy, or ultra-cheap casual dining.
Hearth
8.2
A warm, polished neighborhood restaurant where brunch feels like a proper sit-down meal instead of a conveyor belt. The best move is to split one sweet plate and one savory plate so the table stays balanced and you leave satisfied, not wiped out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ricotta Pancakes, Eggs Benedict, Seasonal Housemade Pastry
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Full-service brunch with restaurant-level cooking and pacing.
Who should go: Sit-down brunch diners and relaxed catch-ups
When to visit: Late morning for the smoothest pacing
What to order: Ricotta pancakes, a savory egg plate, seasonal pastry
Insider tip: Split sweet + savory instead of ordering two heavy mains.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited availability and competitive on weekends. Rideshare or walking is recommended.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans are fine, but lean polished—this feels like a proper restaurant, not a café.
Noise level: Moderate. Energetic during peak brunch, but still easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes for brunch without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait in the late morning or early afternoon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – multiple solid vegetarian brunch options and seasonal vegetable-driven plates.
Vegan options: Limited – a few adaptable dishes, but not a fully vegan-friendly menu.
Gluten-free options: Some options available; staff is knowledgeable, but cross-contamination precautions are limited.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The room is warm and polished without feeling stiff, and brunch pacing makes conversation easy without pressure.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes. Late morning is your best bet; peak weekend brunch hours usually mean a wait without a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? More adult-leaning. Older kids who can sit through a relaxed meal are fine, but it’s not designed for strollers or high-energy toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Sit-down brunch that feels intentional and balanced, with real cooking and pacing instead of rushed, hype-driven plates.
Skip if: You want a quick, cheap brunch or a loud, party-style scene—there are faster and more casual options nearby.
Hearth
8.4
A chef-led East Village dining room where the kitchen’s strengths show best in pastas and market-driven mains, with service that supports a paced, sit-down experience. Treat it like a structured meal—one pasta, one main, one seasonal vegetable—and it lands cleanly.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gnocchi, Berkshire pork chop, Seasonal pasta
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Farm-to-table cooking with a kitchen-forward, course-by-course rhythm.
Who should go: Sit-down diners who like chef-driven menus
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for best pacing
What to order: Gnocchi, pork chop, seasonal pasta
Insider tip: Go pasta-first, then share one main for balance.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited and competitive in the evenings, especially after 6pm. Rideshare or subway is strongly recommended.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning polished. Jeans are fine if styled well; many diners dress up for date nights.
Noise level: Moderate. Lively but controlled—conversation is easy without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation; bar seating may open sooner
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or a short wait during peak noon hour
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes. Multiple vegetable-forward pastas and seasonal mains; staff can guide substitutions.
Vegan options: Limited but possible. One or two dishes can usually be adapted with advance notice.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-free options available; pastas are mostly wheat-based but the kitchen is accommodating.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The room feels intimate without being stuffy, service helps pace the meal, and the menu gives you easy shared-ordering options that keep things smooth.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on weeknights or early evenings, but reservations are strongly advised for weekends. The bar can be a good fallback for two.
Is it kid-friendly? Better suited for adults. While not unfriendly to kids, the menu and pacing are designed for a slower, sit-down dining experience rather than families with young children.
Best For
Better for: A calm, chef-driven dinner with thoughtful pacing and strong pastas—more refined and composed than louder East Village spots.
Skip if: You want a high-energy, fast-turn meal or a budget-friendly night out; choose a more casual neighborhood spot instead.
Hearth
8.6
A warm, farm-driven East Village dining room that shines when you treat it like a paced, chef-led meal. The private dining setup works best for groups that want a calm, structured dinner with seasonal pastas and market mains rather than a loud party format.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork chop, Seasonal pasta, Wild salmon
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: A private dining room built for a paced, chef-driven seasonal meal.
Who should go: Teams, families, and celebration dinners
When to visit: Weeknights for smooth pacing and quieter energy
What to order: Seasonal pasta, pork chop, market vegetables
Insider tip: Keep the menu tight: one pasta, one main, one vegetable.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited availability in the evening, easier earlier on weeknights
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy; polished but not formal
Noise level: Low to moderate – easy conversation even with a full room
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation; longer for private dining requests
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – multiple seasonal vegetable and pasta-driven options
Vegan options: Limited but accommodating; best with advance notice
Gluten-free options: Yes – several naturally gluten-free dishes and flexible substitutions
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially if you want calm conversation and a polished but warm setting rather than a high-energy scene.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on weeknights or early evenings, but reservations are strongly recommended for private dining or weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Best for older kids who can handle a paced meal; not designed for very young children or quick dining.
Best For
Better for: Structured private dinners, business meals, and celebrations that value pacing and seasonal cooking over spectacle.
Skip if: You want a loud party atmosphere, flexible drop-in dining, or a high-energy group scene.
Hearth
8.7
A polished, calm lunch room that works when you want a real sit-down meal with enough quiet to talk, plus a menu that rewards simple, chef-forward choices. For business lunches, it shines when you treat it like a paced two-course: one standout pasta or market starter, then a single main to share.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork Ragu Rigatoni, Pork Chop, Hen of the Woods Mushrooms
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: A professional-feeling lunch with chef-driven seasonal cooking.
Who should go: Client meetings and team lunches
When to visit: Midweek lunch for the smoothest pacing
What to order: Rigatoni, mushrooms, pork chop
Insider tip: Do one pasta + one main for the table—clean, efficient, satisfying.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited availability and meter-dependent. Rideshare or walking is easiest.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning polished—jeans are fine with a blazer or clean shoes.
Noise level: Low to moderate—comfortable for conversation and note-taking.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; brief waits possible between 12:30–1:30pm
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple seasonal vegetable-driven starters and pastas.
Vegan options: Limited—usually 1–2 adaptable dishes depending on the menu.
Gluten-free options: Some options available; staff can guide substitutions but no dedicated prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—calm, polished, and intimate enough to talk without feeling stiff or overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? At lunch, usually yes if you arrive before 12:30pm or after 1:45pm; dinner is tougher without planning.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for older, well-behaved kids; the menu and pacing skew adult and conversation-focused.
Best For
Better for: Calm, professional business lunches where pacing, service, and food quality all matter.
Skip if: You want a quick in-and-out lunch or a loud, buzzy scene with casual pricing.
Hearth
8.2
A long-running East Village dining room with a seasonal Italian-American point of view and the kind of kitchen that can usually steer you toward gluten-free-friendly choices without drama. It shines as a composed, full-service meal—start with a bright vegetable plate, move into a hearty main, and let the room’s calm confidence do the rest.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal risotto, Roast chicken, Olive oil cake
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A seasoned, high-volume neighborhood institution that can typically accommodate gluten-free diners with smart ordering.
Who should go: Adults who want a calmer, polished dinner
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for the smoothest flow
What to order: Seasonal risotto, roast chicken, olive oil cake
Insider tip: Tell the server gluten-free at the start and let them steer you to the cleanest builds.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited and competitive in the evening, especially after 6pm. Rideshare or walking is easier.
Dress code: Smart casual to business casual; jeans are fine if styled, but the room leans polished rather than sloppy.
Noise level: Moderate-low — easy conversation without raising your voice, even during peak dinner.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer during peak Saturday hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or a short wait; reservations still help for larger groups.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several seasonal vegetable starters and meatless mains depending on the menu rotation.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with guidance from the server, but not a vegan-focused kitchen.
Gluten-free options: Yes — not a dedicated gluten-free kitchen, but staff is experienced and can guide you to safe, cleanly built dishes.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — it’s calm, grown-up, and polished without feeling stiff, which keeps the focus on conversation instead of chaos.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on weeknights or early evenings; weekends are much tougher, so a reservation is strongly recommended.
Is it kid-friendly? More adult-leaning than family-focused; well-behaved older kids are fine, but it’s not designed for young children.
Best For
Better for: A composed, full-service Italian-American meal with reliable service and gluten-free flexibility in a calm setting.
Skip if: You’re looking for a buzzy, high-energy scene or a fully dedicated gluten-free or vegan menu.