The Bottom Line
When celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten opened Spice Market in 2004, it was a Meatpacking District pioneer and the hottest spot in town. Today, Spice Market still attracts crowds with a menu inspired by Southeast Asian street foods and an awe-inspiring decor featuring soaring ceilings and a Buddhist temple motif. It's a great place for wowing out-of-town visitors or bonding with a group over shared family-style plates.
Pros
- Great bar scene
- Striking decor
- Excellent for groups and out-of-town guests
- Reasonable prices for a celebrity chef destination
Cons
- Food doesn't live up to the hype
- It's still not easy to get a table during peak times
Description
- Location: 403 West 13th Street at 9th Avenue
- Getting there: A,C,E to 14th Street and 8th Avenue
- Hours:
Lunch -- 12-5:30 PM Daily
Dinner -- 5:30PM-12AM, Sun through Wed; 5:30PM-1AM, Thurs through Sat - Reservations: Call 212-675-2322
Guide Review - Spice Market Restaurant
Spice Market makes a memorable first impression. The converted warehouse space is huge, the ceilings are high, and there's an homage to a Buddhist temple dominating the center of the room.
The seating is low and casual, great for groups. Groups will also love that all of the dishes are served family-style so they're perfect for sharing.
The menu includes a wide selection of dishes based on Southeast Asian street foods. The highlights of the appetizer menu include spiced chicken samosas with cilantro yogurt, Vietnamese spring rolls, and a crunchy squid salad with ginger, papaya, and cashews.
You may want to stick with the appetizers and skip the entrees. The chicken with kumquat-lemon dressing was uninspiring and the cod with Malaysian chili sauce was a disappointment.
Luckily, the desserts ended the meal on a delicious note. The Ovaltine kulfi with caramelized bananas and spiced chocolate sauce was truly tasty. The passion fruit sorbet was surprisingly flavorful, especially when paired with the accompanying ginger cookies.
The seating is low and casual, great for groups. Groups will also love that all of the dishes are served family-style so they're perfect for sharing.
The menu includes a wide selection of dishes based on Southeast Asian street foods. The highlights of the appetizer menu include spiced chicken samosas with cilantro yogurt, Vietnamese spring rolls, and a crunchy squid salad with ginger, papaya, and cashews.
You may want to stick with the appetizers and skip the entrees. The chicken with kumquat-lemon dressing was uninspiring and the cod with Malaysian chili sauce was a disappointment.
Luckily, the desserts ended the meal on a delicious note. The Ovaltine kulfi with caramelized bananas and spiced chocolate sauce was truly tasty. The passion fruit sorbet was surprisingly flavorful, especially when paired with the accompanying ginger cookies.
