Photo Courtesy of Wendy Longo

Here at Gobbl we know that eating out can be a serious matter for your wallet.  New York is an expensive place to eat, not to mention the staggering effect that markups on wine and liquors at most restaurants can have on your pocketbook.  Therefore, we’ve concocted for you a Take Five of the best Bring Your Own Booze (BYOB) establishments that Manhattan has to offer. So, grab a bottle of your favorite go-to drink from home and head out to one of these spots for a good meal and a great time.

Cube 63 Photo Courtesy of New York Mazagine

Cube 63

When they say that a restaurant is minimalist, they are not just referring to the decor.  Be prepared to sit practically on top of the table next to you at this sliver of a restaurant that has only six tables, but the sushi is definitely worth it!  Order any permutation of rolls at this restaurant that specializes in the delicate creation of raw fish and sushi dishes.  While the flagship Cube 63 in the Lower East Side remains BYOB, a Cobble Hill location serves Brooklyn sushi fiends some sake and wine.

Cube 63, 63 Clinton Street (Between Rivington & Stanton Sts.)

Chez Brigitte

This walk-in closet sized space holds only eleven stools, often occupied by endearing regulars and local residents who come in to this quirky West Village establishment for their nightly take-out of affordable French cuisine.  Opened in 1958, Chez Briggite is an iconoclast in the  BYOB scene.  While the dishes here have increasingly lost their French flair, especially as the clientele become more and more Eastern European, the French names remain nonetheless, as this place continues to serve up its own interpretations of Boeuf Bourguignon, Poulet Roti, Ragout de Veau, and Cotes de Veau.

Chez Brigitte, 77 Greenwich Ave. (at 7th Street)

Tartine Photo Courtesy of New York Magazine

Tartine

There’s always a wait at Tartine, another popular and miniature West Village French hole in the wall.  But don’t fret, enjoy your time outside in an informal line (which frequent diners say often resembles a block party, especially when bottles of wine and beer are opened a tad prematurely).  Once you and your liquor of choice do find a table, you’ll be treated to inexpensive French fare and of course the tartes du jour that make this place famous.

Tartine, 253 West 11th St. (At 4th St.)

Ivo & Lulu

This Soho BYOB is a successful offshoot of the Upper Westside’s itty-bitty French-Caribbean cafe, A.  Sharing A’s commitment to organic produce and rare game, Ivo & Lulu offers a delicious and bargain-priced menu, coupled with a soothing dinner party atmosphere.  One should never miss out on Ivo & Lulu’s exquisite pheasant terrine swathed in a Brie and herb crust or the jerk duck leg confit which pairs beautifully with a red wine from home.  The best part about this French fusion BYOB is that corkage is free.

Ivo & Lulu, 558 Broome St. (Near Varick St.)

Photo Courtesy of Peking Duck House

Peking Duck House

An elegant, uncompromising, and large (for BYOB standards) locale in the heart of Chinatown, the recently renovated Peking Duck House doesn’t disappoint its patrons, which frequently include lunching downtown attorneys, court officers, and the occasional tourist .  While the decor is elegant and inviting, the duck specials are presented with careful attention to presentation.  The cuisine here includes dishes from myriad regions, but this restaurant’s delicacy is of course the crisply brown Peking duck.  Enjoy quaffing a nice pale ale, as you carve into the thin slivers of tender duck, rolled up into pancakes with scallions, cucumbers and hoisin sauce.  Not a big duck fan? Well, you’re in luck, as the Peking Duck House also serves Peking-style shark’s fin, sea cucumber and other adventurous delights.  Gobbl recommends the Peking duck dinner for two or more diners for an affordable sampling of several different duck preparations.

Peking Duck House, 28 Mott St. (Near Mosco St.)

Tags: BYOB, chez brigitte, cube 63, hole in the wall, ivo and lulu, Peking Duck, small spaces, tartine