We were trying to figure out where to grab dinner one evening as it was getting late, and suddenly…read moreremembered that it had been quite a while since our last visit to Native. That was reason enough to head downtown and check it out again.
It was a lovely, cool end‑of‑summer evening, and while the interior of the restaurant has a very cool vibe and décor, the patio was calling to us. Dining outside overlooking Geva Theatre, Washington Square Park, and the bustling intersection made for a perfect setting as the sun went down.
We started with the Street Corn dip. One of our diners is vegetarian, so we asked for the bacon on the side, which they gladly accommodated. The dip--loaded with queso fresco, mozzarella, cheddar, jalapeños, scallion, and served with crostini--was incredibly craveable. We couldn't stop eating it, and the portion size was spot‑on for sharing.
For mains, we enjoyed the Pasta Primavera (The Pasta Shoppe bucatini, pesto, shaved Brussels sprouts, cherry tomato, mushrooms, gremolata). The pasta was perfectly cooked, and the light, summery sauce with fresh veggies and bright flavors made this dish a standout.
We also had the Heritage Pork Chop (14oz bone‑in chop, Dennis cherry black BBQ, tri‑colored potatoes, seasonal veg). The chop itself was beautifully cooked and paired with a lovely sauce. It was fantastic--but the seasonal vegetables actually stole the show. They were incredible and elevated the entire dish.
Service throughout the evening was attentive and friendly. Between the gorgeous patio, the great food, and the relaxed sunset atmosphere, it turned into a truly lovely dinner. We're not sure why it had been so long since our last visit, but we definitely plan to remedy that. Native delivered a wonderful meal in a perfect downtown setting.