The Waverly Inn

Graydon Carter’s much-publicized West Village restaurant started life as an exclusive, somewhat maddening, semi-private dining club for the former Vanity Fair editor and his many showbiz and publishing cronies. Carter has left Vanity Fair, of course, and leads a quieter life these days, and we’re happy to report that his restaurant has morphed, over the years, into pleasantly reliable neighborhood joint. The snug little pub room up front is a good place for a drink, and the solid bistro menu included a decent rendition of Dover sole, the last time we checked, a decent brasserie burger, and a sturdy chicken potpie, which is best consumed, in classic gastropub fashion, on a cold winter night.