Joseph Leonard

170 Waverly Pl (@ Grove)
646.429.8383
www.josephleonard.com

Wide windows on Waverly Place and Grove Street are open invitations to Joseph Leonard, the brand new restaurant by Gabriel Stulman of the Little Owl. The cuisine is branded seasonal American, but the menu offers hints of French and Italian, with dishes like mussels with fries and crispy braised pork hock. The real deal is the delicious oysters from the raw bar, which come cheap: $1.50 a pop.

The interior is stacked with antiques and features rich wood paneling, making for an authentic, creaky-but-comfortable dining experience. As the restaurant is merely the latest inhabitant in the 175-year-old building, the traditional hearty cuisine and old-fashioned digs are a perfect fit.