The soul of old New York lives on in the West Village’s Jack & Charlie’s No. 118

In Manhattan’s West Village—a neighborhood of winding, tree-lined streets and historic brownstones steeped in bohemian legacy—old-world charm effortlessly blends with contemporary cool. This classic village atmosphere sets the stage for Jack & Charlie’s No. 118, a cozy corner restaurant that feels like a portal to New York’s golden age of hospitality. From the moment you arrive at its Greenwich Avenue address, you sense a delightful fusion of classic Manhattan elegance and neighborhood intimacy.

Tucked along a historic stretch of Greenwich Avenue, Jack & Charlie’s No. 118 evokes a sophisticated nostalgia that’s timeless of-the-moment. Step inside and you’re greeted by moody, sultry lighting and the glow of a classic fireplace, illuminating walls of dark wood and emerald-green leather banquettes. Geometric tile work underfoot and Art Deco touches in the décor lend a cinematic, 1920s supper club vibe, as if you’ve wandered onto a beautifully preserved film set. The space—about 3,000 square feet divided into four distinct rooms—reads like an intimate Prohibition-era club elegantly revived for modern bon vivants. Each area offers a unique mood, from the lively Bar Room to the cozy Turner Room, the elegant Astor Room, and the vibrant Oyster Room, with a crackling fireplace making the main dining salon especially inviting.

Despite the period décor and vintage touches, Jack & Charlie’s is no mere time capsule. There’s a refined energy here: the low murmur of conversation and the clink of martini glasses conjure images of old New York glamour. The design was very intentional about blending nostalgia with now—the team drew inspiration from the legendary 21 Club, aiming to create a place that “felt like it had been around a century” while still delivering a Gatsby-era elegance.

Jack & Charlie’s bills itself as a modern American brasserie, a concept that guides its food and drink in delicious ways. Executive Chef Ed Cotton—a Top Chef finalist who earned his stripes under culinary icons like Daniel Boulud, Barbara Lynch, and Laurent Tourondel—brings serious pedigree to the kitchen. His menu is a love letter to New York’s mid-century dining sensibilities, filtered through a contemporary lens.

The kitchen’s secret weapon is a blazing wood-burning oven retained from the building’s past life as a pizzeria. The chef also sources locally and lets the menu rotate with the seasons. Highlights of the menu range from the raw bar to sandwiches and selections to house-made pastas. Even the humble meatloaf gets a luxurious twist here—Jack & Charlie’s signature “bone-in” duck meatloaf is a rich, gamey pâté-like dish, served with whipped potatoes and charred broccoli.

On weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jack & Charlie’s No. 118 offers a polished yet relaxed brunch experience in the heart of the West Village. Begin with cinnamon donuts served with warm coffee anglaise, or take a spin at the build-your-own Bloody Mary cart. Menu favorites include smoked salmon and avocado toast, chocolate babka French toast, Jack’s Stacks buttermilk pancakes, and a vanilla bean waffle topped with lemon-curd whipped cream and mixed berries. The brick-chicken Caesar stands out as one of the best Caesar salads—if not the best—our team has ever had. For heartier appetites, options like the prime rib panini French dip, turkey club, and bacon cheeseburger round out a menu that feels indulgent yet timeless.

To complement the cuisine, Jack & Charlie’s bar program is firmly rooted in the classics. In true supper club fashion, the martini is king here—there’s a dedicated martini menu offering riffs from the perfect gin martini to seasonal variations. The cocktail list in general pays homage to vintage drinks (think Negronis, Manhattans, French 75s) with a thoughtful modern polish. If you prefer wine, the cellar boasts 80+ bottles with a focus on food-friendly Old World selections, and more than a dozen by-the-glass options for pairing with those steaks and pastas.

Part of what makes Jack & Charlie’s No. 118 so distinct is the sense of history and personality infused into every corner. The restaurant was created as a love letter to old New York, an homage to the icons and institutions that shaped the city’s dining scene. Even the name Jack & Charlie’s itself nods to Manhattan lore—it calls to mind the original founders of the famed 21 Club, one of the city’s most legendary speakeasy-turned-supper clubs.

The service style at Jack & Charlie’s No. 118 further sets it apart from many Manhattan hotspots. It’s polished yet personal, with a team that clearly prides itself on hospitality. You’ll get the formality of classic fine dining without any of the fuss or snootiness.

Whether you’re a local seeking an indulgent evening or a visitor yearning for a taste of Manhattan’s yesteryear, Jack & Charlie’s No. 118 is more than a restaurant—it’s an experience. As one recent profile proclaimed: “Glamorous, warm, and wonderfully self-assured, it reminds us that great dining is as much about atmosphere and emotion as it is about food.” From the moment you slide into a leather banquette to the final toast by the fireplace, you’ll feel the embrace of classic New York hospitality.