Happily revisiting Cloister Cafe-- and other East Village institutions

The Cloister Cafe at 9th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues is one of those few East Village institutions (like Gem Spa and Cafe Orlin) that has survived the past couple of decades intact and carries a lot of memories for those (like me) who arrived in the early 80's to a post-Lou Reed, pre-Madonna St. Mark's Place. When I revisited it about 13 years ago I had a nostalgically pleasant experience, but at one point it turned into an expensive restaurant and had lost is appeal as a place to hang and feel a part of the East Village crowd. Luckily we revisited it this weekend and I'm happy to announce it has an extremely affordable menu (eggplant parmigiana 6.99, salads around 5.99, pastas at around 9.99, fish and meat more expensive) and its outdoor charm is intact. It's a great place to take the family if they are in town and you want to impress them with an East Village experience without the craziness. They do offer hookah pipes also, for what it's worth.

Also recommended for that "East Village" vibe:

Cafe 7A --&th Street and A...budget prices, always cool vibe

Cafe Orlin - 41 St. Marks (bet. 1st and 2nd)-outdoor and indoor cafe...cool vibe also
Veselka Second Avenue and 9th Street -Ukranian, usually packed, slightly more expensive

Yaffa Cafe bet. 1st and Ave A --97 St. Marks Place

Cozy Cafe (middle eastern hookah lounge)- $$$ 43 E. 1st St. Haven't been here but looks interesting for an "event" type dinner
Ferrara Bakery and Cafe (more old Italian, for desserts-- not really funky but still an institution)

ChickALicious- dessert bar, highly rated-10th between 2nd and 1st

Khyber Pass- 34 St. Marks. Another EV institution. Afghan food.

Lucky Chengs - First Ave. bet. 1st and 2nd St. Drag queens and Chinese food! What more could you ask for??

Momofuku Milk Bar 2nd Ave and 13th St. - famously crazy goodies... like "Crack Pie" and "Cereal Milk" soft serve

Moustache- 10th bet, 1st and Ave A- Middle Eastern pizza and other dishes, inexpensive

Odessa -Ave. A between 7th and 8th - famous diner with pirogies and other Ukrainian specialites, where you can chose between the 1950s lounge or the the more modern diner next to it. I've had Thanksgiving dinner here in the ancient lounge--which was truly frightening. In a good way.

Phebe's Tavern and Grill-Bowery and 4th. yes, Phebe's is still here!

Pommes Frites- 2nd bet 7th and 8th. That's what they serve--deliciously greasy Belgian french fires.

Two Boots- Ave A and 3rt St. Still, I think, the best pizza ever. Can be noisy when kids are here.