The Meatball Shop (West Village)

Apartment hunting makes me hungry… especially when the real estate agent starts listing all the great restaurants in the area.  When he mentioned The Meatball Shop, DLS glanced at me and immediately decided he wanted to go there.  I wasn’t going to argue – I’d really enjoyed my last visit, and have wanted to return since then… and it was unusual to see him make a decision so quickly, so I was definitely not going to interfere!  After we walked the few blocks to the West Village location, there was the shortest of waits before we were seated at the end of the communal table, closest to the kitchen.  A bit cramped, very dark, but very casual, and I was into it. 

I suggested we try the special meatball in slider format – lamb meatball Mediterranean style.  Good thing, because neither of us really liked it – it was super gamey and I don’t know, I didn’t think it was a good showcase of the talent at Meatball Shop.  Ah well. 

DLS ordered butternut squash risotto for his side, and was surprised that it was as savory as it was.  Guess he thought it would be sweeter?  I tried a bite but didn’t find it interesting enough to try to hijack. 

DLS chose ‘naked’ classic (beef) meatballs with parmesan cream topped with ‘the family jewels’ (fried egg) – naked just means it arrives in a bowl with sauce and a piece of foccacia.  I know he liked his balls a lot, though I found them a bit harder than I prefer my meatballs, and there was something in them that I didn’t like.  He thought I was crazy though and just kept eating.  Hahaha. 

A classic root beer float with vanilla ice cream and Abita root beer for DLS – he liked it.  I opted not to have any because Abita root beer has caffeine in it and it was a little late in the day, and DLS doesn’t allow me to have caffeine late in the day… hahaha.

Since I really, really, really enjoy the spicy pork meatballs at Meatball Shop, I ordered the naked spicy pork meatballs with parmesan cream as well.  I loved the fluffy foccacia as a vehicle to eat more of that amazing parmesan cream – described on the menu as “alfredo on steroids” all I can say is YUP.  I swiped that piece of bread through it like my life depended on it, and wound up with a nearly-clean bowl, while DLS watched with amusement.  The ever so slightly spicy porkballs were tempered nicely by the creamy sauce, and just a really delicious and hearty meal on a chilly night (unfortunately it wasn’t chilly this night, but I can definitely see myself heading over there when it’s cold, for a big bowl of balls… mmm).  The porkballs were slightly softer than the classic meatballs, and just yielded easily to my bite… love.  This has to be one of my new favorite dishes… 

I also ordered roasted beets with ricotta salata, arugula and lemon juice.  Perfect- sweet with the lemon juice cutting through that to balance and bring it all together… fantastic. 

For dessert – you can’t go to Meatball Shop and NOT get dessert, given that you can order your cookies (mix & match!) and house made ice cream, come on! – so we got the peppermint chocolate cookies (special of the day) and the caramelized white chocolate ice cream (also a special).  The ice cream was interesting – a bit toffee-like, but the texture also was interesting, it came away in sheets – but that cookie was amazeballs.  Soft, but thick and chewy, with a nice peppermint bite to it, and chocolatey… I want the recipe for the cookies!  (Are the cookie recipes in their cookbook?  Anyone know?)  Their cookies are always perfect, not just for ice cream sandwiches but just for eating out of hand too… yum. 

Yvo says: Another fantastic meal at Meatball Shop – I’m not sure why I didn’t get the fried egg! I love fried eggs, and it looks like DLS’s was fried perfectly, swoon – I can say with certainty that I will definitely be back.  There are just an infinite number of combinations available to mix and match for the perfect meal, and while my porkballs with parmesan cream already seems like perfection, I may just keep seeking more and more… or maybe I’ll stop here and keep ordering that from now until the end of time.  I’m so glad there are multiple locations now – hopefully will cut down on the insane lines at each location… maybe.  YUM!!! 
highly recommended, for casual dining and delicious meatballs