Downing St, West Village

Downing is very quaint and in the hustle and bustle of the West Village. Granted, the West Village doesn't a lot of hustle and bustle to speak of; but, any that it does boast is right around Downing. The buildings are pretty much entirely from the 19th century so there's a old time New York feel to the street. There are a fair amount of trees and flowers and it's very picturesque. The real estate is incredibly expensive but one walk through the area and you can understand why. I, personally, wouldn't want to live on Downing because if you live in the West Village you do so to avoid traffic. And, there is quite a lot in this area. It's mostly foot traffic, but it's traffic nevertheless. And, it can be quite loud and crowded on the weekends relative to the rest of the neighborhood. It's much quieter than nearly every neighborhood downtown but it's also much more expensive.
Downing is noticeably clean and green considering how many popular restaurants are on it and I think that's a testament to the neighborhood in general. There are some places on the street that are musts for a New York dining experience. It's pretty rare to find more than one restaurant to recommend to someone on a particular street and Downing has three. Blue Ribbon on the corner of Downing and Bedford is the first restaurant I ever ate at in New York City -- I didn't even live here yet. And, I still love it. The food isn't to die over, but everything else is and the food is good enough. It is tiny and lively and cozy and that is hard to pull off. My first Halloween in New York found me at Blue Ribbon having oysters and champagne at 2 am and it that is one of my favorite New York memories. The place was packed, everyone was in a good mood, and there's really nothing like having a late night meal in a real restaurant sitting next to people dressed as a nun and a panda bear.
10 Downing is right on the corner of 6th and it doesn't have the ambience and snuggly feeling of Blue Ribbon, but the food is outstanding. There are a lot of great lobster rolls in New York, and this one is one of my favorites. And, there's something really lovely about sitting outside on 6th Avenue watching the street traffic in the spring with a glass of wine. It's just a lovely place.
Ditch Plains is right across the street from Blue Ribbon and it's a fantastic place too. They have a great menu and I quite like the aesthetic. If you can only pick one, I say Blue Ribbon, but if you've got time, you have to try all three.
Downing is really well rounded street in my favorite neighborhood in the city. It's centrally located, beautiful and there's something to do or eat within fifty steps. The street is really a no brainer for tourists and locals alike.

It is almost as if Downing Street had not been included in tourist guides. It is right there in the heart of the Greenwich Village but few people ever pass by. The result is that Downing Street is perfect to enjoy the shape and color of its townhouses. However, its quietness comes with a little surprise, since there are good restaurants in this street. They are a perfect option for a pleasant night in the Village.

Downing Street is just an average street in Manhattan. It's nothing spectacular, but it's not a troubling spot either. It seems to lack some personality but it does have a few little gems along the way. Mas Farmhouse is a true gem hidden on a mediocre street.Downing Street Bar is a nice little spot to stop in for a glass of wine and a conversation with a friend. Other than the above listed stops Downing doesn't offer much more, but there is nothing wrong with the street either.