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This venue is closed.

Imagine a prototypical old-school diner and, chances are, you’ll get a close approximation of Bon Vivant. Owned for decades by a Greek family, it has a huge illustrated menu, vinyl maroon booths, and chrome chairs. Benefiting from a strategic location just south of Union Square, the bright and spacious diner draws local workers, elderly couples, and NYU kids alike; lunchtime gets the biggest crowds. The kitchen whips up omelettes and pancakes until late-night closing; its serviceable repertoire includes familiar Greek dishes like an eggy spinach quiche, almost as big as a pizza slice. Among the hits, the Tex-Mex chicken burger is a good mess of slippery onions, avocado, and melted cheese—and its side of crispy fries does well even when delivered. The El Greco salad gets off to a promising start—tangy pieces of lemon-flavored, grilled chicken—but the drippy seasoning, iceberg lettuce, and lifeless olives below don’t do the diner justice. — Kate Appleton

Tex-Mex grilled chicken deluxe, $11.25