Finding a place in the East Village to partake in a little post-work imbibing is not a problem. Finding a place that is reasonably priced, relatively quiet during happy hour, and not obnoxiously tres chic usually ends in resignation with $3 wells at random pub standby number one or a desperate scramble on CitySearch.com. So after a friend recently suggested Lil’ Frankie’s, I gave it a shot.

When I heard it was a popular destination for celebrities in the neighborhood, I shuddered with flashbacks from a night waiting in line at B-Bar, but I was surprised to find the space both quaint and adorable. It proved to be an ideal go-to spot to start the night off with friends for drinks and even tasty eats. Sitting at the small 8-stool bar was a good choice; there’s a great breeze from the street (the front of the restaurant opens up al fresco style), and it’s close to the bartenders. The front dining area was nearly empty when we arrived, and I was relieved to see the absence of bar room televisions. The bedazzled, low-lit chandeliers, cheeky family photos, and rows of old medicine bottles lining the interior walls are all great for decoration and conversation starters, but the real gem is the specialty brew found right on the tap; Lil’ Frankie’s Six Point Ale, which the bartender claimed to have helped brew with the Six Point master himself. The 12-inch brick-oven Margherita pizza was a gooey, filling complement and only $10. We enjoyed a few pints before a sizable crowd wandered in for dinner, which included a mammoth 26 oz. t-bone steak for two special. The sweet scent of fresh basil quickly permeated the room, and it wasn’t until the bartender revealed a tray of mojitos (made here with basil instead of mint) that I realized we might just stay at Lil’ Frankie’s all night long.

Lil’ Frankie’s Pizza is located at 19 1st Avenue between First and Second Streets in Manhattan.
(212) 420-4900

http://www.lilfrankies.com/