New York - May 01, 2006

Surf’s Up

Ditch Plains Opens

Ditch Plains opens today in the West Village location that was Yumcha for fifteen dramatic, ill-fated minutes.

Always the sort of news that makes waves.

Which explains the breathless reports of Montauk- and surf-inspired lobster rolls, oyster shooters, and mac ’n’ cheese. After all, it’s been ages since Manhattan got a new seafood shack. And everyone’s really, really dying for the weather to stay hot for more than 30 seconds at 1:47 p.m.

Imagine our surprise when we found that the restaurant is a cool, industrial space that’s less Little Mermaid than Iron Giant. So where’s the beach? Except for the surf videos behind the bar, there’s nothing remotely shore-like about the place. (Then again, this is Bedford Street.)

So leave the flip-flops at home and enjoy the sweet potato chips and chorizo mussels while they last.

In these parts, things come and go like the tide.

Ditch Plains, 29 Bedford Street, at Downing Street (212-633-0202).

  Delivery, Lobster Roll, Lunch Spot, Ritzy