Spelunking on the LES

January 23, 2004 A pal forwards us a press release with this tantalizing start: "Cave exploration on the Lower East Side? Now it can be done while enjoying a delicious cocktail!" Damn if someone hasn't picked up on our closest-held dream! (And some people say the LES is played. Fie! Fools!) The release continues: "On a trip to Europe, owner Nick Adjari decided to come back to the Lower East Side in order to introduce something fresh to the landscape." Something... fresh? Could it be?... Yes! An Italian restaurant! Actually, we've been negligent in checking this joint, La Caverna (Rivington @ Essex/Norfolk), out, given that it's just a few doors down from The Magician. From the street, La Caverna is just a hallway. Around the corner, it gives way to a stairwell decorated—yes—like a cave... albeit a cave from a really cheesy fairground haunted house. But then, at the bottom of the stairs, the room opens into a giant cavern, complete with faux stalactites, waterfalls, and more. This is Suba on some serious fucking acid—one of the trippiest spots we've ever seen. Definitely worth a peek.

interesting space, yes. they also serve food there. i don't recommend the food.
at.
all.

Posted by: rich at January 26, 2004 01:36 PM

I found the bat in port wine sauce very yummie. One can pick out their own bat from the bat room and in 15 minutes, it's sizzling on your plate.

Posted by: Morty at January 27, 2004 09:45 AM

I actually thought the food was decent...and the chef came out and showed us just why the foccaccia was so damned good. It's a little like a Disney ride, but worth checking out.

Posted by: Sara at January 28, 2004 03:32 PM

Who wants to eat in a basement made up of toxic foam? God what do people think? Did you ever go to Opaline? Odd to be underground like that. No dice. Maybe if it has strippers.

Posted by: Morty at January 28, 2004 09:52 PM

i don't know.. there were 4 of us. the food looked all the same even though we had different dishes. the owners and chefs all stopped by our table - sure they were friendly, but the food came off as very instituitional grade grub.

Posted by: rich at January 30, 2004 10:09 AM

We had a birthday party dinner there last week and it was great. The owners were as nice as could be...the food, albeit uninventive, was pretty damn tasty. A good crowd pleaser when you have a big party of people.

Posted by: Hailey at February 24, 2004 09:37 AM

Rumour has it DJ Avocado might spin a week-night there. The atmosphere is incredible and it is major potential to a the hotteset lounge after 10pm. The food is incredible, bruchetta is out of this world. A MUST DO. drinks are great as well...

Posted by: Jessica at March 2, 2004 09:47 PM

LOL!! Well, I guess it safe to assume who ole Jesse's curling up in bed w/ on these cold spring nights...:)

Great place, but clean the bathrooms.

Posted by: buster at April 8, 2004 12:47 PM