Mini Bar

After housing a candle shop for many years, this tiny space has recently played host to a game of musical restaurants. After the latest incarnation—a charcuterie-heavy spot called Cure—went bust, Mark Heiner, the owner of neighboring Slate Salon, decided to take a turn. For the time being, Mini Bar only lives up to the first half of its name, but a beer and wine license is set to come through in the next month. Heiner credits an African safari lodge as inspiration for the eclectic, slightly whimsical decor, saying he wants guests to be "transported out of New York to somewhere different," when they walk through the door. A Madonna-inspired menu includes salads ("Lucky Star" features beats, Asian pear, goat cheese, roasted peppers, pine nuts and mixed greens), sandwiches on Sullivan Street bread ("Express Yourself" includes tuna, avocado and prosciutto), and an assortment of mostly homemade sweets. Breakfast offerings range from bagels and smoothies to Frosted Mini-Wheats with organic milk (try to wrap that around your brain?). Just don't come here looking for Counter Culture or Stumptown coffee—Heiner intentionally eschewed these high-profile beans for an "underdog from Massachusetts" called Red Barn.

See more: East Village restaurants, Baked good restaurants, Salad restaurants, Sandwich restaurants, Soup restaurants