Those who know me well, this is probably old news to you, but Australian-owned Ruby’s on Mulberry St. is my favorite hole-in-the-wall cafe in Nolita. [Interesting fact: The owner of Rubys, Nick Mathers, also opened the better-known Kingswood restaurant in the West Village].
Whenever I’m shopping in Soho, I’ll always end up at Ruby’s. The place itself is small — maybe 300 sq. ft at best — but it ends up being a cozy, intimate setting with people chatting all around you and always playing great music. They have these paninis that just taste like nothing I’ve ever had before, like the awesomeness of the Blueys above ($10.50) which is grilled chicken, cheese, sweet chili, and lemon mayo.
I went again last night, but this time ordered their Pumpkin Salad with chicken ($12.50). The generous-portioned salad can be made without chicken for $2 less, but I personally think the chicken makes the dish in this case, otherwise it’s can get too pumpkin-ey…unless you like that of course. The salad also has baby spinach, goat cheese, and pine nuts and topped with carmelized balsamic dressing.
I’ll also sometimes get the pineapple mint shake ($6), which two people can easily share considering the glass is just huge (I want to say about 20 oz.). It’s really fresh and healthy-tasting, but not very sweet. We also tried the strawberry-banana shake for the first time last night ($6), but I think it was actually too much banana and not enough strawberry. I think I’ll stick the the pineapple-mint for now.
We were STUFFED by the end of the meal, but since my other sister-in-law’s sister’s birthday just passed, we slipped in a sticky date pudding cake ($7). A customer sitting nearby had recommended it to on a previous visit to Ruby’s, but this was my first time trying it. It was so amazingly good! Soft and warm and comes with whip cream and strawberries and UFF — craving it now. Don’t order it if you go alone though — we had 4 people and we could barely finish it after our meal.
So I’m thinkin: You MUST try for a different, tangy-flavored panini! Dessert is to die for.
Let me know if you’ve ever been here and what you think!
Ruby’s
219 Mulberry St.
btw Prince and Spring
New York, NY 10003
212-925-5755
Nolita
OH yeah, and stop by Operations afterwards to shop 🙂
x
Shy
PS: Someone please buy me a better camera, preferably an SLR, for my half birthday? anyone?
Besides the fact that you love to eat i cant believe how many restaurants and cafes you are able to find. I know new york is a big place but still. i wana go here
I can’t take credit for this one — Hamid introduced it to me!!
thanks !! very helpful post!