The Frenchette guys continue to build their NYC empire of restaurants, and Wild Cherry may just be the effortlessly best one yet. Maybe it’s because of the neighborhood, where the West Village, especially on charming Commerce Street, is hard to beat. It could be because there’s something insider about the reboot of the Cherry Lane movie theater, which is the home to Wild Cherry. Perhaps it’s the food, that is reminiscent of the next level buzz that Frenchette brought to the scene. The point is that Wild Cherry NYC has that special something going on.

Atmosphere

Some places have good energy from the time you arrive, and the rebirth of the Cherry Lane Theater as Wild Cherry has that vibe. The theme is movie theater, which they lean into as the scent of popcorn greets you in enterting the concession-stand lobby. Venture further to the host just beyond the velvet curtain. Is  an upscale retro dinner with a refined supper club finish.

Food + Drinks

The experience of Wild Cherry is reminiscent of my first visits to Frenchette, where French food was both elevated yet down to earth. For what the team accomplished at Frenchette they’ve re-created that magic with American cuisine. We sat at the bar and a veteran Frenchette group guy told us that our order was legend. In particular, my order, where I combined the Dungeness crab with the frites and a green salad as my main. I have to agree, as by presentation the crab is set in shell and topped with a layer of egg white, chopped egg yolk, chive and caper. It’s also an appetizer, but for one person a perfect entree portion.

First Things First

But to back up, we started with the Caesar salad which was topped with the perfect amount of thinly shredded parm. I liked that the dressing was both rich yet light. The oysters and diver scallop on the raw bar were also exceptionally fresh and prepared with just the right sauces to make them memorable. My friend went for the thighs and fries and was not disappointed. I was just happy to partake in the fries. If I had more room I also would have ordered the fettuccini Alfredo, another speciality of the house. Instead we saved room and had both the coconut cake and sundae for dessert.

Drinks

Wild Cherry NYC shines in their cocktails. Their bartenders know how to make a martini, and do Americana cocktails proud, with a twist. The dirty martini has a hit of celery, and an Old Fashioned has mole bitters to set it apart.

The Nutshell on the Food + Bev

None of this may sound ground breaking. However, in the Frenchette method, every dish had that extra something special in execution, subtlety and highest quality ingredients to make it stand out. Wild Cherry is easily one of the best American restaurants in NYC. The Margareta has cucumber and aloe to create a more refined version. The wine list trends French but the beers bring it all back to the Americana theme.

Service

There’s no question that the Frenchette team has cultivated following, which equally applies to their experienced team. A number of servers and bartenders had previously worked together at another sister restaurant. They’re just as pumped to be at the new Wild Cherry as those of us who can score a table. It shows through in every aspect of the service, starting with a strong first impression as you enter the movie house concession. The team had me at the first offering of popcorn, and the deal was sealed by the gracious host. We walked in without a reservation and it’s refreshing to see some of the most sought-after restaruants have learned the art of being pleasant. It’s almost like so early aughts to have an attitude and although people are clamoring for a table, the maitre’d team is as genuinely helpful as can be.

Inside, the team takes their time to chat you up, which builds a nice neighborhood restaurant-type feel. The kitchen and dining room together bring out a seamless experience but also one that is personalized. Service is one of the reasons you would return.

Overall: 8.4/10

Wild Cherry made our list of the best dressed of 2025. This is a go-to restaurant, if you can get a reservation, to put on the list.

Other NYC Reviews You’ll Like

Meadow Lane Arrives in Tribeca
The 2025 Best New Restaurants in NYC 
The Apres Skate Chalets at Rockefeller Center

FAQs

Q: Where is Wild Cherry NYC located?

A: Wild Cherry NYC is located at 38 Commerce St, New York, NY 10014 in the Cherry Lane Theater.

Q: What are the hours of operation of Wild Cherry NYC?

A: The hours of operation of Wild Cherry NYC are as follows: