It's Time You Warm up to Noodle Bar

With Meghan on a "Girls Night Out", I finally had the chance to check out Noodle Bar on Carmine Street around the corner from me. Meghan and I walk by this place all the time, me with great interest, she with grave disinterest. I'm not sure whether it's because I'm thick-headed or pathetically Panglossian, that despite always getting a "no" from Meghan, I continually suggest that we stop in for a quick bite. Her nettlesome naysaying usually triggers my favorite question, "But why?"

"I don't like Noodles."

Unless you happen to be attending a "Living with Celiac Disease" convention, this is a statement rarely heard by the general public. Nonetheless, it is Meghan's preference, and I respect it.

Moving on, with my gluten-processing functionality in full mode, I popped in around 7 pm to find out that I would have almost the entire place to myself. Unlike one of those trendy Manhattan monikers that tacks a "Bar" on to end of its name for cache, Noodle Bar is what it says it is: a bar at which you order noodles (among other things). Still, kitschy red-pleather upholstered circular stools and a metal-rimmed counter separating customer from cook, immediately make me wonder why they didn't call this place "Noodle Diner". Either way, who cares...I was hungry.

The menu pays homage to almost every corner of Asia, offering a nice selection of small plates that range from Indian Roti and Korean Kimchee Pancakes, to more well-known favorites like Crab Rangoon and Pan-Fried Dumplings. A trio of pressed sandwiches, and a bunch of Salads round out the menu which is of course, dedicated to noodles. Cold, Wok-fried, or in Broth, there must be at least 25 noodle dishes to suit your fancy.

Trying to eat light, I skipped all apps, and went for the BBQ Pork & Crispy Vegetable Wonton soup. Within a minute of ordering, the kind man behind the counter handed me a giant bowl of steaming brothy goodness. Thick broccoli spears, crunchy snow peas, and thin slices of pork crowned a bundle of translucent vermicelli mixed with wet won-tons all soaking comfortably in a beautiful golden-brown broth. Delicious and filling, this was the perfect remedy to tonight's cold, rainy, depressing demeanor. After I loaded the soothing elixir up with an inordinate amount of Sriracha (Thai hot sauce), my sinuses were as clear as my stomach was satisfied.

Full, warmed throughout, and readily regaining my spirits, I thought I'd treat myself by finishing things off with a tall glass of French-Vietnamese Iced Coffee. This deacadent drink combines equal parts of super-strong espresso and sweetened condensed milk, making this perfect post-prandial potable as much dessert as digestif.

A great menu, and a friendly staff make this small cupboard of a restaurant on Carmine Street as appealing to those who like noodles and those who don't. But who doesn't like noodles?

Noodle Bar
28 Carmine Street (@ Bleecker)
Food: A-
Ambiance: A-
Service: A
Value: A-