This little piggy became a sandwich

The only block in the East Village that was featured in Time Out New York's best of New York City, was 7th street between 1st and ave A. However true, the focus seemed to be on full course, sit-down dining. Yet there are also a few quick (and wallet friendly) bites you'd be a fool not to try...
I love Caracas, an Arepa Bar that always has a line out the door. My favorite is La del Gato. It starts with the arepa, a delicate corn cake-like pocket that is crispy, soft, chewy, and gritty all at once. Then they fill it with guayanés cheese, which has the texture of mozarella with a more tart flavor, then fried sweet plantains, and avocado slices. Ah! Heaven. It's an explosion of Latin flavors and delicate textures.Yes. It is as good as it looks. There is also a new seafood place next door to Caracas, but I haven't tried it yet. Lunch tomorrow? On down the block, across from the Bourgeois Pig (which has half price bottles of wine on Monday and Tuesday) and one of my favorite Village vintage stores, is Porchetta, http://www.porchettanyc.com. They have all of 10 items on the entire menu. I tried the sandwich. Now I'm from North Carolina, where they know a thing or two about cooking a pig. But I have to say, I have NEVER had anything like this. The meat is sweet and juicy, rubbed to perfection, and accented by the crunchy bits of pork skin that are tucked away inside. I tried to only eat half of it, but let's be honest...I'm lucky I didn't run back for another one. It was truly incredible.
Back across the street to Butter Lane (http://www.butterlane.com). Now I know Magnolia has the run of the cupcake business, but Butter Lane has many more flavors of cake and frosting (and they taste better). They use farm fresh ingredients, rich cocoa, and real vanilla beans, and they serve Seattle's own Stumptown Coffee. Try a Banana cupcake with peanut butter frosting, or one of they're seasonal varieties, I had chocolate with mint-chocolate frosting. Hey, you know I love Chocolate.
And on top of all that, on the corner is 7A a 24-hour diner that serves good food at any hour, and I have been there at most of them. These places may not be at the top of the gastro pyramid, but maybe they should have included this part of the block. I guess the moral of this story is that 7th street is full of choice places to satisfy your appetite, and I'm lucky enough to live on 8th!