Foxface Natural: A New York Restaurant Redefining Creative Dining in the East Village

Foxface Natural Introduce

In a city saturated with incredible restaurants, Foxface Natural stands out as a destination for those seeking a truly unique and adventurous dining experience. Located in the heart of New York's East Village, this women-owned establishment has quickly become a standout, earning critical acclaim and a devoted following. It's not a place for the traditionalist, but rather for the diner who wants to be surprised and delighted by creative cuisine and an exceptional wine list. The restaurant’s philosophy is to serve unique selections of wild fish, seafood, and game from a wood-burning kitchen, all while maintaining a cozy, romantic, and trendy atmosphere. It’s a place that pushes culinary boundaries in a confident and informed way, offering a one-of-a-kind meal that is both challenging and exhilarating.

The ambiance of Foxface Natural strikes a perfect balance. While the exterior might be unassuming, stepping inside reveals a warm and welcoming space with a clean, modern aesthetic. The interior is long and narrow, centered around a beautiful bar setup that has been praised as one of the best for solo diners. It is the kind of place where you can feel well taken care of without the service ever feeling overbearing or rushed. Staff are described as friendly and welcoming, keen to get feedback on the dishes, which speaks to a passionate and dedicated team. While the space can get a bit loud, as one solo diner noted, the overall experience is a great one, and the food more than makes up for it. The restaurant also identifies as LGBTQ+ friendly and a transgender safe space, reinforcing its commitment to being an inclusive and comfortable environment for everyone.

Foxface Natural prides itself on its innovative and seasonal menu. Dishes are made with local ingredients, and the menu is frequently updated, ensuring a fresh and new experience with every visit. Patrons who have opted for the tasting menu have raved about the fresh, vibrant flavors in every course. While some of the dishes, like goose barnacles or venison, may be a little outside some people’s comfort zones, they are an opportunity to try something new and exciting. Standout dishes from a recent tasting menu included the Red Shrimp Roll and the sunchoke, both praised for their exceptional seasoning and pairing with wine. The focus is on making proteins shine through deep relationships with the main ingredients rather than through "wacky flavor additions or fancy bullshit."

Located at 189 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009, Foxface Natural is perfectly positioned in one of Manhattan's most dynamic and accessible neighborhoods. Avenue A is a bustling thoroughfare in the East Village, known for its mix of unique restaurants, bars, and shops. The restaurant's address makes it a convenient destination for locals and those visiting from other parts of the city. For those using public transportation, the area is well-served by multiple subway lines. The L train at First Avenue is a short walk away, as are the 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, and W trains at the Union Square station. This makes it an easy trip from almost anywhere in Manhattan or Brooklyn.

For those who drive, both free and paid street parking options are available, which is a notable convenience in a crowded urban area. The restaurant also offers wheelchair-accessible restrooms and seating, demonstrating a commitment to accessibility. Its strategic location and amenities make it a comfortable and accessible choice for a special evening out.

Foxface Natural offers a specialized set of services and dining options focused on providing a high-quality, sit-down experience.

Dine-in Service: The restaurant is a dine-in only establishment, with a focus on table service to ensure a personalized and attentive dining experience.
Reservations: Due to its small, cozy size, dinner reservations are highly recommended and can be made through popular platforms. This helps with planning and ensures you get a table for your desired time.
Full Bar Onsite: The restaurant features a bar onsite that serves a range of alcoholic beverages, including beer and a highly acclaimed wine list.
Late-Night Dining: For those looking for a late-night meal, Foxface Natural serves food late, making it a great option for a post-show dinner or a leisurely evening out.
Private Events and Tastings: The restaurant hosts special events, such as its New York New Wave wine evening, offering unique tasting menus and pairings for those who want an even more curated experience.

What makes Foxface Natural a truly special and memorable dining destination?

Creative and Adventurous Cuisine: The menu is constantly changing and features unique ingredients like goose barnacles and kangaroo tartare. This is a restaurant for the adventurous eater who wants to try dishes they won't find anywhere else.
Exceptional Wine List: The wine list is a major highlight, praised for its sustainable and natural selections from artisanal producers. It has been recognized for its thoughtfully curated list that takes its beverages "very seriously."
A Welcoming and Cozy Atmosphere: Despite its creative menu, the restaurant maintains a cozy, romantic, and friendly vibe. It’s a great spot for a date night or for solo dining, where you feel well looked after.
Dedicated and Attentive Staff: The service is consistently praised by customers for being friendly, helpful, and not overbearing, making the experience all the more enjoyable.
Woman-Owned and Inclusive: As an identified women-owned business and a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community, the restaurant embodies a modern and inclusive ethos that is important to many New Yorkers.

To plan your visit or make a reservation, here is the contact information for Foxface Natural.

Address: 189 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009, USA
Phone: (646) 270-1449

So, what is worth choosing Foxface Natural for? It's the ideal spot for a diner who wants to step outside their comfort zone and embark on a culinary journey. It’s a place that successfully marries ambitious, high-quality food with a warm and inviting atmosphere. While it may not be for everyone, particularly those who prefer more traditional fare, for the adventurous New Yorker, it is a perfect spot. The combination of a top-tier natural wine list, a creative and ever-changing menu, and a team that genuinely cares about your experience makes it a destination worthy of a special occasion or a spontaneous desire for something different. It’s a testament to the fact that New York’s dining scene continues to evolve and push boundaries, and Foxface Natural is at the forefront of that movement.

Foxface Natural Details

From the business
Identifies as women-owned

Service options
Dine-in
Delivery

Highlights
Great wine list

Popular for
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Healthy options
Late-night food
Wine

Dining options
Dinner
Dessert
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Gender-neutral restroom
Restroom

Atmosphere
Cozy
Romantic
Trendy

Crowd
LGBTQ+ friendly
Transgender safespace

Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards

Parking
Free street parking
Paid street parking
Parking

Foxface Natural Photos

Foxface Natural Location

Foxface Natural

New York New York County New York Avenue A

189 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009, USA

Foxface Natural Reviews

An average rating of ★4.6 from 215 user reviews.

kangarootartarecreativewine listtasting menubluefin tunawine pairinghalibutboer goatgoose barnacles

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Foxface Natural has been on my list for a while for its creative cuisine, and it totally lived up to the hype. The servers were friendly and I felt well taken care of throughout the meal. I did the tasting menu and loved the fresh, vibrant flavors in all courses. It was my first time trying goose barnacles, which are a little tricky to figure out at first, but once you do, they’re so good!! The space does get pretty loud. It didn’t bother me too much since I was dining solo, but it was a little hard to hear when they were introducing the dishes. Overall, a great dinner though and I’d definitely go back for the food.
July 13 · ReedH
I visited Foxface Natural for the first time to experience their New York New Wave wine evening. I usually lean towards more traditional/classic restaurants but has read so many good things about Foxface that it had been high on my list to try. I saw that they were hosting a special dinner offering 7 NY produce focused courses paired with 7 Finger Lake wines so that sounded like the perfect opportunity to check the restaurant out.The building from outside is pretty inconspicuous (I actually walked by and had to walk back) but once you enter the staff are really welcoming and it feels quite cozy, despite it having a more clean and modern esthetic. I was sat at the bar and I have to admit that this was one of my favourite bar set up's that I have experienced.As mentioned the menu was made up of 7 courses and, personally, some stood out for me more than others. Most of the dishes were well executed but some were definitely a little outside of my comfort zone (namely lamb tartar) however, the venison was very underdone. I had just assumed this was how venison should be served and didn’t enjoy it due to personal preference so didn’t mention anything at the time. I have since been told by several people with more experience with this protein that it is not how it should be served so I really wish I had said something at the time. The stand out dishes for me were the Red Shrimp Roll (delicious and so well seasoned), the sunchoke (which paired beautifully with the wine that was served with this, a real case of the dish enhancing the wine and vice versa) and the Girella. As well as the venison another disappointment for the evening was the panacotta, for me this was not as set as it should have been and was just generally a bit underwhelming.I also have to comment on the service. As a solo dinner they have really perfected making you feel looked after without being overbearing or rushed. I really enjoyed my interaction with all of the staff and they really seemed keen to get feedback on dishes.I don't know if I would return to Foxface Natural, it definitely made me realise I am more of a traditionalist when it comes to dining. I did enjoy how it pushed me out of my comfort zone and I tried dishes that I never normally would. I think if you like slightly more adventurous/exciting combinations then this would be your perfect spot. I did leave having enjoyed my evening and being very pleased that I had moved out of my comfort zone slightly.
April 09 · Helen S
Us two ordered a seafood pre-fix and a regular pre-fix and a la carte Kangaroo tartare. The highlighters were their sourdough bread and butter and Kangaroo tatare. Also, their SAUCIER IS DIVINE! I wished they could bottle all the sauces for sell.They do sell the sourdough bread on weekends but I live tooooooo far away from them to take advantage of it.Apps:Berkshire Pork Head & Pickled Oyster BiteThe rich gelatinous pork head paired perfectly with the tangy, salty pickled oyster—absolutely seamless combo.Seafood Fritters & Karasumi (House Cured Mullet Roe)Crispy and light, packed with umami. The mullet roe adds depth—well layered and satisfying.Raw seafood platterGriddle Point Oyster + Montauk Razor Clam + Bang Island Mussels + crab 🦀Super fresh and clean-tasting. Safe but solid picks. Bonuses for citrus 🍋‍🟩 on the razor clams.North Carolina Bluefin Tuna BellyServed with house XO sauce, braised scallion (negi), and pomelo.Rich, fatty tuna with a kick from the XO—balanced by the citrus. Loved the XO sauce, extra homey for me.Hiramasa “Pastrami”Didn’t care much for the fish flavor, but that firm but bouncy texture is quite appealing. The sauce on the side is incredible.White AsparagusWith Montauk whelk, cured egg yolk, seafood sauce, and tarragon oil.Elegant plating, but the asparagus and whelk combo is more textural than flavorful. Glad they didn’t overcook the asparagus. Ohhh the white sauce on the side is nothing like you would image. It is more than just creamy. You have to try it to figure out yourself.Kuroda CarrotsWith wild boar ham, spinach goat cheese sauce, and hazelnuts.The carrot is deliciousssss! Hidden underneath the salty ham. The ham itself doesn’t spark me that much.Kangaroo TartareWith spinach purée and Sardinian flatbread. The tartare has a strong scallion oil flavor that covers up the gaminess—smart move. The cracker is additive, crispy and tasty: I can eat a whole bag of this. The puree!!!!! OMG how did they make spinach purée tasted like truffle! This one is a killer.Maine Uni PascalineScallop and sweet prawn custard topped with Maine uni and fish roe.Delicate texture, with a whole lot of cream in it. Tasteful until the second bite. Also, two sides of the same coin: they used the whole scallop so kudos to sustainability yet I taste the fibers from the scallop shell and these made scallops tasted like daikons to us (both of us thought they were daikons initially).EntreeBBQ Boer GoatWith recado negro, sour orange, and polenta beignets.Smoky, tangy, with a nice contrast in textures. Earthy and bold. By this point I am already full but that lamb packs smokiness and flavors. The beignets, however, was underwhelming. Quite dense in texture and does do much on the plate.SheepheadYep you heard me right. A deep sea fish named Sheephead. Delicate in texture and flavor. Served with local long-island rice and tomato-based curry stay sauce.DessertFat Cat CheeseWith nigella & pistachio sauce, cranberry membrillo, and house-made cracker.Nutty, sweet, and savory all at once—fun cheese course. Cracker is thick and dense. Not sure if my cat likes them.Tahini GelatoWith pomegranate molasses, sablé, and pistachio.Creamy and nutty, with bright acidity from the molasses. Beautiful finish. My favorite out of the three.Toffee PuddingLike the presentation, but it feels more like a cake than a pudding. A bit tooo dense in the middle. Caramel sauce, however, is a saving grace to that.Unfortunately didn’t get the percebes (seasonal), but I wasn’t disappointed at all. Their hospitality is great and they gave us a great spectrum of flavors and textures and nudged the creativity to the edge. (Also I really digged the silverwares! Funky and metallic). I am already planning on going again.
April 19 · Daphne Shen
We had a 5 year anniversary dinner here and found everything to be excellent. We tried both of the two different tasting menus and this provided a great balance. Really great staff.
May 18 · Jordan P
It hit the spot.I am a big seafood fan and was pleasantly surprised at the depth of experiential flavors. Starting dish was oysters on fried hogs head, followed by a delicious trio of raw oyster, clam and razors. It was my first time trying percebes (gooseneck barnacles), flown from Portugal, which have a delectable taste sitting between lobster and clam. Then I gratefully enjoyed the falling-off-the-bone halibut with homemade harissa. Partner had hiramasa pastrami, turnip with boar ham, and a spicy main of Boer goat with excellent sour habanero sauce. Dessert was cheese and a fantastic sticky toffee pudding that tasted of melted Werther’s Originals.Did not get the wine pairing, but was recommended excellent wines by the glass and a salty water (Vichy Catalan) that was so nice I got one to go. Excellent refreshment to match the food punches. Partner and I were seated at the dining counter, where the seats were high and the atmosphere snappy and energetic.Highly recommend Foxface Natural if you want something daring and tasty. Can tread right on the edge of your comfort zone or slide straight into taste oblivion.
February 24 · Laura B