Noodles Squared

Saturday at lunch time, we visited the new Noodle Shop at 641 East 59th. It was the second lunch in a row there for me - after visiting with a friend on Friday, I had to take the lovely spouse there. Simply a great place, but I see no need for me to write about it when the Moody Foodie has already written a thorough and well-written review. The only thing I would add is that the pickles plates are fascinating - people react strongly to the strong flavors, and like and dislike different items. Oh, and don't hesitate to try one of the cold noodle specials. The Noodle Shop is hip, yummy, friendly and inexpensive. If Moody Foodie and I aren't persuasive enough for you, or if you are a visual learner, Lynn has a review with pictures!

The Noodle Shop shows noodles can be hip.

Dinner showed that noodles can be square.

After catching an outstanding documentary (In the Shadow of the Moon - loved it!) at the Glenwood, we cruised up Metcalf and found a restaurant that wasn't swamped by children in suits or wobbly heels (it must have been homecoming somewhere). We found Villa Capri, and stepped into the past.

Formica tables, grapes that lit up, garish painting on the wall - it was right out of my childhood days, when we would have thought it the epitome of class. And the food was right out of the 1960s, too - iceberg lettuce salad (the guy at the next table got French dressing!), canned bland sauce, hard meatballs, and pasts cooked well past "al dente". Mega-brewery beer, no wine. Despite it all, the place had a certain charm. It felt like an elaborate set for a black and white movie - a throwback to a time long past.

In one day, noodles went from trendy to square. I'll go back to the Noodle Shop for the food, and, if I go back to Villa Capri, it'll be for the atmosphere.