Cafe Gitane

• Cuisine(s): French, Moroccan
  Hours: Sun-Thu 9am-0am, Fri-Sat 9am-0:30am
  Price: $$
  Payment Types: cash
• Attire: Casual
  Features: Patio/Sidewalk Dining, Takeout, Delivery
  Serving: Dinner, Late Night, Lunch
  Alcohol: Beer, Wine
• Reservations: Not Accepted
  Parking: No Parking

Description

So many svelte Europeans regularly dine here; you half expect to get your change in Euros. Still, you don't have to be from across the Atlantic or in the fashion industry to enjoy a meal at this longtime Nolita favorite. The kitchen serves French cuisine with Moroccan accents like the baked feta with olives, capers and tomatoes, Moroccan couscous and the organic meatballs in turmeric tomato sauce. Of course, you don't get such a fabulously fit crowd without serving great salads. Arugula is matched with beets, olives, walnuts and toasted goat cheese croutons while hearts of palm is served with avocado, orange and endives. Lunch here is as much of a scene as dinner, air kisses being thrown around the small quirky space complete with purple stools and antique cash register. During warm weather the sidewalk tables provide an ideal spot for people-watching plus, who knows, you might end up in the tabloids when you realize you're sitting next to a cast member from Gossip Girl.—Keith Wagstaff