West 3rd Common is the place for food and board games

Published on June 23rd, 2010

Always on the look out for decently priced places to eat before I schlep back to New Jersey, last week I found myself, for the second time in the West Third Common Bar with fellow review zooer Danielle. The West Third is a decent sized place that is a slightly off the beaten path, which helps since it lends itself to a more relaxed crowd who seems to be out to eat some food, drink a couple drinks, and play a board game or two.

Oh yes, the bar has board games like it’s sister bar Common Ground.

The bar is separated into two areas, the bar with plush red sofa seats along bay windows facing the street, and a basic table seated area (also lined with plush red sofa seats) with about five large screen TV’S. That this night were playing a Mets vs Braves game, that thankfully the Mets were winning. The bar also has an eclectic crowd. People from all walks of life seemed comfortable walking in and out of it, but that is probably due to the fact that is extremely close to the NYU’s campus.

Danielle: Low key bar high class ambiance. Like that it’s off in a bit of quiet nook of the city. Feels comfortable not quite on a main road but not so far off the beaten path. The guys who ended up sitting next to us said it best “this restaurant is kind of romantic but a feel of a sports bar with games to play”. The relaxed and more sophisticated sister to common ground bar.

Andrew: They class up the joint with books. A large book shelf in the big red couch seating area houses books like the Iron Crown, Ted Kopel Off Camera, and Disney War to name a few. Heady stuff if you want to come in and read over your burger and look deep, yet approachable.

Wasn’t too packed on a Wednesday night, not a huge place but would say about a quarter full with about 30-35 people,and others continuously walking in and out. After getting some specials we decided on two of their specialty cocktails, a Jalepeno Rita and a Lychee martini.

Andrew: I’m not a big alcohol drinker so while I enjoyed the lychee-ness of the drink every time I started to like it I got a little bit too much vodka with it. But if you like lychee and you like vodka I’m sure it won’t disappoint.

For food we got their burger, which is apparently one of the or more popular items and a spicy fried chicken. Couple quick observations about the food.

Andrew McDonald: Oh my god, fries and the burger were great. Both were seasoned, and the burger was juicy moist and pretty damn big. Definitely recommended.

Danielle: The spicy fried chicken was decent, the outside was well seasoned and breaded but felt like the inside could use a little more spice. And don’t bother with the Mac and cheese unless they were having an off day, it looks great but the fries are a much better choice. Soooo good.

Funny thing is that with the Jalepeno Rita it actually adds an extra kick to the fried chicken, very yummy drink.

Chatted briefly to some guys in the table next to us who were having the dry rub wings, which looked and smelled great. It was the first thing that either of them had ever at this restaurant but both seemed to enjoy it very much and recommend. They also had the catfish which they enjoyed as well, so two positive recommendations on two different meals.

The bar had two options for desert a cheesecake and a chocolate brownie. We got one of each.

The brownie is good, and is covered with peanut butter cream and comes with chocolate Coco puffs. All and all I enjoyed it, it comes with caramelized bananas, not quite my speed but Danielle enjoyed it.

Also had the vanilla scented cheesecake, but unfortunately that night there was a glitch with the apples that normally come with it. So until we have it the way they intended we’ll defer on it.

Andrew: To wrap up our meal we played one of the board games the bar provided, Mr. Bacon’s Big Adventure. Danielle cheated, a lot, (D – Lies!) I got stuck in mustard marsh and then vegan alley. The game cheated soooo much but low and behold I won in the end. Mostly because cheaters never prosper. (D – More Lies because you won. So cheaters do prosper, ;P)

The West 3rd Common is a good place to stop in for food or to relax with a group if your in the NYU area. You can find it at the address or website below. Enjoy and tell them who sent you!

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