East Village's Kindred Restaurant Now Serves Brunch
In the heart of New York City, a new culinary gem has emerged, promising a unique dining experience for wine enthusiasts and vegetarian food lovers alike. The newly rebranded Ruffian, formerly Eddy, is now nestled at 342 East Sixth Street.
Ruffian prides itself on offering a menu that emphasizes Italian flavors, with a strong focus on natural wine. The restaurant's intimate, small bar atmosphere caters specifically to oenophiles, boasting an extensive wine list with over 250 selections by the bottle. With a strong emphasis on natural wines, Ruffian's wine selections focus on lesser-known grapes from Italy, as well as those from Slovenia and Croatia.
The food at Ruffian is equally impressive. The à la carte menu features a variety of vegetarian dishes, such as White Bean Lobio, Burdock Brandade, and Maitake Kebab. For those seeking a more immersive dining experience, a tasting menu is available, thoughtfully paired with the restaurant's wine offerings. This pairing highlights Ruffian's dedication to combining Italian-inspired flavors and natural wine selections to create a refined and holistic dining experience.
The weekend menu at Ruffian offers a variety of dishes, including Breakfast Gnocco Fritto, Brandade Benedict, Italian Brunch Torte, Red Lentil Hashbrowns, Adult Mac & Cheese, Corzetti, and Chicken Fried Sweetbreads & Buttermilk Waffles. Housemade creme fraiche is served with the Red Lentil Hashbrowns, adding a delightful creamy touch to the dish.
Beverage options at Ruffian are just as diverse. In addition to the extensive wine list, guests can enjoy sparkling carrot water, seasonal iced tea flavored with rooibos and toasted coconut, and alcoholic cocktails like the Green Snapper, Bloody Mary, and Breakfast Manhattan. The Green Snapper cocktail includes aquavit, celery, fennel, cucumber, caraway, and salt, while the Bloody Mary contains spicy radish vodka, tomato, anchovy, Calabrian chili, and lemon. The Thyme to Wake Up Mimosa is made with pineapple-thyme shrub and Prosecco, offering a refreshing twist on the classic brunch drink.
Cardamom, salt, star anise, black walnut, and Fever-Tree lemon tonic water are among the ingredients used in the drinks at Ruffian, adding layers of flavour to each beverage.
In summary, Ruffian is a destination for those seeking a curated natural wine experience paired with thoughtful vegetarian and Italian-flavored dishes presented in a cozy, intimate setting. Whether you're a wine connoisseur, a vegetarian food enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique dining experience, Ruffian is worth a visit.
At Ruffian, the focus on Italian-inspired flavors extends beyond the wine list to the food-and-drink offerings, with a range of vegetarian recipes that cater to home-and-garden lovers eager to try new cooking methods and ingredients. Guests can explore the restaurant's lifestyle section, which showcases recipes from Ruffian's kitchen, offering insights into the cooking process and tips for recreating the unique dishes at home.
