Vynl
One of my favorite, cheaper restaurants in the city is, without a doubt, Vynl. I have been going to Vynl since it was in its smaller space on 54th Street and 9th Avenue (now the home of El Centro, a Mexican joint that is owned by the same people as Vynl). Vynl was so successful that they moved it to a bigger space down the street on 51st street and 9th Avenue. Throughout the recent past, the owners also opened three other locations of the restaurant, but only the one in Chelsea is still open.
There are many reasons why Vynl is fabulous. First, the food is delicious. I have had quite a bit of the menu and you get delicious food for a pretty cheap cost. For brunch I love the bacon pancakes (which used to be a special but they have now added to the permanent menu). Second, the atmosphere is fantastic. The place is interestingly decorated with bright colors and unique tables. There is always great music playing. It is a great place to take out of town guests who want to eat somewhere unique in New York. None of my guests has ever been disappointed when taken there. To add to this great atmosphere, the bathrooms at the new location are not to be missed. They are unisex, so make sure you visit all of them at some point, and don’t be ashamed to bring your camera. I have also spotted some celebrities, like the beautiful Taye Diggs, while eating here, although I can’t say celebrity sightings are a regular occurrence. Finally, the staff is always really great. If it isn’t crowded they will seat you wherever you want, they have great recommendations about the menu and they are all super nice.
All in all, this restaurant epitomizes why I love New York City. If you haven’t been, you should try it out. Interesting and unique, I hope Vynl sticks around for a long time to come!
Agree totally. Vynl is a great treat for an out of towner. New Yorkers are fortunate to enjoy it often. And the bathrooms are a MUST SEE.