The Upper West Side likes to think it’s fancy-shmancy. Whether the food be sub-par or well worth the investment, it can be difficult for a budget-savvy New Yorker to find a memorable meal in one of the ritziest parts of town. Don’t get me wrong; some of the most acclaimed restaurants in the city reside on the UWS- from the outrageously priced Masa ($600 prix fixe, anyone?) to the now deceased Tavern on The Green (sorry, Sex and the City fans)- an optimistic exploration can easily turn into a disheartening schlep when the dollar signs are just too numerous.

Well schlep no more, hungry Upper West Siders! Savvy’s found a refreshingly unpretentious spot that won’t ruin you of all your riches: Good Enough to Eat, between 83rd and 84th on Amsterdam...

The white picket fence says it all: down-home country fare without all the fuss. The cozy restaurant picks the customer right out of New York and brings them to a quiet Midwest farm- complete with brick walls, mason jars, and tons of bizarrely adorable cow décor. And while breakfast is the specialty at Good Enough to Eat (read: homemade Pumpkin Bread French Toast with pear-cranberry compote), their veg-friendly dinner menu will bring you back home. From their slightly intimidating “Vegetable Mountain” to made-from-scratch Vegetarian Three-Bean Chili, there’s no lack of variety for the famished herbivore.

I most recently ordered the Seasonal Vegetarian Platter: a gigantic plate of macaroni and cheese, sautéed kale, braised Provençal tomato and buttery corn on the cob. Man, did it hit the spot. The mac n’ cheese was the real deal: soft and creamy below the surface, with a delightfully crispy outer layer. The simple tomato was piping hot and braised to perfection, and the corn on the cob was sweet and crunchy. However, the kale was a bit too bitter for my taste, perhaps a result of over-sautéing. I was also tempted to order the “griddled corn bread,” served warm with a side of honey. It smelled unbelievable, as practically every surrounding table ordered it.

Good Enough to Eat is certainly a breath of fresh country air to the Upper West Side. Large, hearty portions and beyond reasonable prices for the area make it a reliable spot for the budget-conscious consumer. Choose from a wide variety of vegetarian dinners, and don’t forget to end with a seasonal pie. With honest food and even more honest prices, Good Enough to Eat certainly lives up to its name.


UPDATE: GETE's new winter Seasonal Platter replaces corn on the cob and braised tomato with Whiskey-Bartlett Pear Compote. Yum!