Photos: Melissa Hom
Little Ruby’s an Australian all-day cafe is now open in the West Village. The restaurant sits on the historic corner of 7th Avenue South and West 4th Street, the former home of the Riviera Cafe. The new location (there are four in total) offers a vibrant and airy design serving as an oasis of calm in this bustling neighborhood. On the ground level is an intimate bar, while upstairs guests will find an open kitchen and coffee counter.
The dining rooms feature warm, natural materials including white oak and rattan furniture, travertine floors and tabletops, with oversized, custom chandeliers and large windows offering sweeping views.
The Australian-inspired menu at Little Ruby’s is known for things like Breakfast Burritos filled with scrambled eggs, chorizo, scallions, jack cheese, spicy aioli, and tater tots which arrives with a shishito hot sauce; Chicken Schnitzel with potato mash, capers, brown butter, sage, and lemon; and Steak Frites Skirt Steak au Poivre with a side of fries and arugula.
Other offerings include Little Ruby’s Crispy Rice Bowl with puffed wild rice, arugula, cucumber, pickled onion, tomato, haloumi, and sunnyside egg; Shrimp Avocado Salad; Shrimp Pasta with spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, crushed red pepper, and breadcrumbs; and Spicy Vodka Pasta with fusilli, vodka sauce, parmesan, basil and chives.
Burgers like the Bronte are topped with tomato, spinach, and swiss on toasted ciabatta, while the Fried Chicken Burger, prepared with buttermilk, comes with pickles, coleslaw, and spicy mayo on a sesame bun.
Guests can also expect inventive cocktails like the Aussie Cucumber Mule with gin, lime, cucumber and housemade ginger beer; and the Riviera Spritz with St. Germain Elderflower, Aperitivo Select, prosecco, sparkling water and mint. Large format punch bowls, perfect for sharing, are also available along with a select menu of Australian wines and beers.
Little Ruby’s Cafe is located at 225 West 4th Street, New York. NY. For more information, visit rubyscafe.com.
