Alejandro S.
Google
Tight Quarters, Modest Flavor — but Quality Has Slipped
We returned to Wild in the West Village for dinner on a busy Friday night, a spot we’ve visited many times over the years. The place was buzzing — every table inside full, the narrow dining room and tiny kitchen making movement tight, especially with the bathroom tucked right next to it. Guests and staff share this single restroom, which makes for awkward congestion when there’s a line. In summer, outdoor seating eases the squeeze, but in winter it’s elbows all around.
Wild’s fully gluten-free menu leans Mediterranean, but this visit was disappointing. Our calamari arrived in a small portion, lukewarm, and with little care in presentation — a far cry from past visits or other calamari worldwide. For mains, we had the pepperoni pizza, the “Skinny B—ch” vegetarian pizza, and chicken Parmesan with rigatoni. Portions were modest, quality mediocre, and everything arrived cold. The chicken Parmesan was thin and undersized, while the rigatoni in red sauce looked like something from a much lower-tier restaurant.
We finished with caramel crunch cake and tiramisu — both standard, rich desserts, but nothing memorable. Service felt rushed, with the server keen to move things along, even bringing the check unprompted while we were mid-conversation. Considering the portion sizes, quality, and overall experience, the cost of dinner simply didn’t feel justified. The space would benefit from an upkeep-focused remodel that preserves its charm while improving flow and comfort. The bathroom, still gas-station-esque, remains a sore spot.
Once a standout for casual gluten-free dining, Wild’s quality has noticeably slipped over the years.
#WestVillageEats #GlutenFreeNYC #SmallSpaceBigFlavor #DiningInNYC