Make the Odyssey to Penelope

Penelope: 159 Lexington Ave. at 30th St. (Murray Hill)

Penelope was the first restaurant I knew in my neighborhood before I moved there. A year before, I had been treated to a last-day lunch there as photo intern for Shape en Español. Little did I know, that it would become my neighborhood staple, my comfort kitchen. Specializing in “homestyle cooking,” Penelope prepares “mom’s recipes” with a veggie-friendly twist all day long. My starred favorites are the Mac & Cheese and Ellie’s Spinach Pie. The cupcakes are also dangerously good and can compete with the likes of Magnolia and New York’s other cream-of-the crop cakes. The light blue and peach walls and wooden paneling provide the perfect stylistic complement to the homespun food, taking a page from June Cleaver. Be prepared that most of the portions, especially the sandwiches, are very heavy-handed. Like mom’s cooking, there are usually plenty of leftovers. Don’t rush, just let it linger and enjoy the homespun goodness. Penelope is usually packed so my advice is to avoid the brunch hour and venture over early on an off night.