The Scene
Stepping into Wild Cherry feels like opening the door to a great night out. Newly opened inside the Cherry Lane Theater, freshly purchased and renovated by A24, it’s become one of the most sought-after reservations in the city.
It’s easy to see why. The restaurant is tucked away behind the front door to the theater, but there’s a sense of fun and liveliness, from the red and white Harlequin tiled floor below green leather banquets to the Parisian meets Old Hollywood styled horseshoe bar, that hits you as soon as you step into the warm-hued light from the many lightbulb fixtures. There are only 12 tables, but that doesn’t make it feel cramped; if anything, it adds to the lively energy like being in a secret club.
The Food
The comfort classics shine here. Order like you’re at an old-timey restaurant from the 50s, and you won’t be disappointed: The Caesar salad, cheeseburger, the alfredo made with cheese and butter rather than heavy cream, and the oysters served with the chipolata sausages. For the adventurous, the frog legs’ Kiev are the move. Battered and delicately fried, bite into the frog legs’ Kyiv to release a satisfying well of parsley-and-garlic butter.
The desserts are dramatic and filling. The coconut cake is stacked high and filled with layers of pineapple compote, and it's their signature dessert, but you can’t go wrong with their rich frozen custard sundaes, topped with brownie squares, Luxardo cherries, and chocolate shavings. Order for yourself or for the table, but be prepared to fight for your bites if you intend to share.
The Drinks
The fun doesn’t end at the drink menu. Bring a larger group to order the Scorpion bowl, a tiki rum-based drink made for four and turned sophisticated with cognac and gin layered in and topped with a bouquet of flowers.
Their cocktail menu is well crafted and exuberant. The Sherry Cherry Highball, a cherry soda for adults, and the Old Fashioned made with banana molasses were the two standouts as successful twists on old favorites.
Final Thoughts
Wild Cherry is a hard reservation, but in these seemingly never-ending winter doldrums a much-needed pick-me-up. Wild Cherry serves up a dinner experience that befits a proper New York night out on the town.
Fast Facts
Location: West Village
Cuisine: French/American
Price Point: $$$
Takes Reservations: Yes via OpenTable
The Vibe: Old Hollywood glam mixed with a lively and warm French bistro
Our Favorite Thing on The Menu: Frog Legs Kyiv, Cheeseburger, Coconut Cake
The Attire: Going out chic
Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 5 PM - 11 PM
New York City, New York, United States
