Knickerbocker Bar & Grill   

33 University Pl
New York, NY 10003
212-228-8490
www.knickerbockerbarandgrill.com/

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Unlike the breeches or basketball team of its namesake, there's nothing silly about this stalwart American restaurant. Long associated with the city, Knickerbocker is actually derived from a fictitious Dutch character in a Washington Irving novel, worth noting because it helps downtown diners locate this classy, brassy bistro just above Washington Square Park. A marble bar, Al Hirschfeld caricatures and leather banquettes give the dim dining room a kind of secret-handshake clubby feel. A small sunken stage featuring live jazz helps the after-work happy-hour crowd loosen their ties. The menu, which also offers a Sunday brunch and late night snack section, is not cheap, but for the large portions and quality it's vintage value for the Village. Black lacquer duck breast, yellowfin tuna and venison nicoise salad are favorites, but it's the Kobe beef and 28 oz. t-bone steaks that keep regulars happy. Legend has it Charles Lindbergh signed his Transatlantic flight contract here; take it as a good sign he considered this his potential last meal.