Restaurant Review: Provincial Euro-fare at August

This week The Luxury Spot delegation (Ashley and Matt) sat down for lunch with restaurateur Andrew Chapman at August, his cozy provincial spot in the West Village. As far as restaurant modus operandi goes, August has a very focused mission.

Largely inspired by Chapman’s cross-continental motorcycle trip, August seeks to capture the flavor and feel of small town, old world cooking. Instead of lifting recipes directly from these remote locales, August’s kitchen combines ingredients and techniques from France, Spain, Italy, and Eastern Europe to create something unique.

Upon entering, August’s dÃ©cor immediately invokes its theme, present in almost everything from the eroded walls and antique shelving to its rustic graphic design. On the way to our table we passed the wood burning brick oven, which lends a smoky accent to many menu items.

The lunch crowd was somewhat sparse but pleasant, mostly academic-looking regulars who smiled and nodded as Chapman walked in. Don’t expect to waltz right in at night, however. Dinner crowd waits can be long, as the West Village bustles and the occasional starlet, musician, or designer pulls rank for quick seating. We sat in the back room, a bright and comfortable glass covered courtyard where patrons dine under the sky. The entryway feels slightly cramped, but opens nicely into the dining area.

We decided to go family style, selecting some lighter lunch fare and vegetarian options for Ashley. Here’s a quick recap:

Breads were excellent. While not baked on the premises, all baguettes and Panini breads were flavorful and crusty, nicely complementing the main attraction.

Green Salad:
Crisp and tasty, not mind blowing. Lemon garlic dressing and manchego cheese combined nicely without weighing us down.

Mortadella Panini:
A delicious combination of Mortadella, Pecorino Romano cheese, and arugula. Tastefully applied roasted tomato mustard brought it all together. Makes us wish we could buy a jar.

Wood Fired Pizza:
Here’s where the international fusion could really shine. This dish was Ashley’s favorite, a pungent yet traditional pizza accented with wild mushrooms, dried parsley and sage, and a duck egg cracked right on top. We were wary of the egg at first, but it was a delicious touch. Turns out this technique is prevalent in Europe, Asia, South America. And brick oven pizza can’t be beat.

Tarte Flambe:
One of August’s signature dishes, this was my favorite item. The Tarte Flambe was rich and delicious, without being too over the top. Baked on a pizza-like base is a blend of onions, bacon, fromage blanc and crÃ¨me fraiche. The bacon and cooked onions form a flavorful skin over the creamy interior. We recommend getting one to split rather than trying to tackle it by yourself.

August works well as a relaxed lunch spot, or as an evening destination. Its cuisines, look, and feel convincingly conjure a Tuscan farmhouse or Bordeaux vineyard. Though the menu and wine list are brief, they are lovingly curated with options for any palate. Price is reasonable, with casual options from $9 – $15 and entrees all in the 20s.

The Luxury Spot recommends August. 4 of 5 Luxspots (New ratings system TBD!)

359 Bleecker Street
(between Charles & West 10th)
New York, NY 10014

General Information (212) 929-4774
Reservations (212) 929-8727

Fax (646) 349-3614