Way back before the likes of the Waverly Inn turned the West Village into a collision of comfort food and celebs, Grange Hall (and before that Blue Mill) served the same homey fare to the neighborhood's regular folk. A changeover or two later, and the space has relaunched as Commerce, with a New American menu from Harold Moore (March, Montrachet).

And though the new restaurant has retained some of the decor from the former tenants, the crowd (and the prices) have changed with the times. Bernadette Peters was heading an entourage the night we night dined there, and the couple dining next to us inspired a game of "early Mother's Day dinner" or "cougar on the prowl"? But, all that aside, how was the food? Click through to read our review, plus find looks at desert spot Mama's Mudsliders and eight more new and notable restaurants.

(Photo by Katherine Bryant)