You wake up to the pattering rhythm of raindrops against the window. In the streets, you walk through the wind, puddles seeping into the soles of your shoes. As spring settles in, you find yourself on those wet and brisk days when all you want to do is curl up in bed and have a hot, comforting meal that’ll make you feel like you haven’t traveled far from your bed. Here are three places in LES where you can take cover from the rain and cozy up with food that’ll be sure to warm both your heart and stomach.
Raku
342 E 6th St, NY / 48 MacDougal St, NY
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Duck Udon from Raku
Raku is a Japanese hotspot, with two locations in East Village and Soho, specializing in udon noodle soup. The restaurant’s minimalist wooden decor, generous ceramic bowls of broth, and soft, bouncy udon noodles will make you feel right at home. Their broth comes out piping hot, the steam wafting up to warm your cheeks.
Try the Nishin (Hokkaido herring) Udon with a poached egg on the side to dip the noodles in; the chewy noodles make a perfect pairing with the silky yolk. If you’re in the mood for something heartier, the Kamonan (duck breast & Tokyo Negi) Udon will hit the spot! At the end of the meal, frozen grapes will always be complimentary, a sweet finish after a nourishing bowl of soup.
B&H Dairy
127 2nd Ave, NY
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Tuna Melt and Matzo Ball Soup from B&H Dairy
An East Village staple, B&H Dairy is an old-school kosher diner serving up all the classics. Albeit a bit cramped (like any other NYC restaurant really), you’ll be warmly greeted by staff and met with an extensive menu that has all your favorite nostalgic dishes like their fluffy Challah French Toast and their melty Grilled Cheese.
Dig into their Matzo Ball Soup and Tuna Melt at the lunch counter where you can see all the action on the griddle up close. They have a fresh rotation of weekly specials if you’re feeling indecisive or adventurous about your choosing. It’s a humble and no-frills establishment, but the home-cooked quality of the food is perfect on a dreary and chilly day.
Mille-Feuille Bakery Cafe
552 LaGuardia Pl, NY
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Espresso and Nutella Plié from Mille-Feuille Bakery Cafe
Tucked right behind Kimmel, you’ll know you’ve stumbled upon this small bakery when met with the old French ladies sitting outside with their headscarves and espressos. When you step into Mille-Feuille, the aroma of freshly baked baguettes and pressed espresso will transport you to a quaint Parisian cafe.
Mille-Feuille offers a selection of seasonal pastries, sandwiches, and desserts. Stop by in the afternoon when the morning rush has subsided to study at the counter, table, or bar seats. There’s free wifi and a quieter atmosphere than other bustling cafes. Their almond croissant and daily quiches are always a reliable treat to enjoy in the warmth of the cafe while people-watching or to grab on the go for a quick lunch.
Fun fact, Mille-Feuille offers macaron and croissant baking classes, where you can learn their technique and recipe while taking home a stash for yourself! The croissant-making class will instruct the different variations of the croissant, starting from laminating the dough, rolling out and shaping the pastries, to proofing and baking the croissants. It’s definitely a labor of love that’ll challenge your baking skills!
Croissants from Baking Class atMille-Feuille Bakery Cafe
Although this is just scratching the surface of the comfort-food scene in the LES, these are three options that are affordable and emulative of the home kitchen in all its different forms, whether it’s the tender atmosphere of Raku, the bustling scene in B&H Dairy, or Mille Feuille’s contemplative ambiance. Hate or love the rain, a warm meal is what everyone needs on a cold day.