I like brunch.

Fanellie’s

Restaurant Information:

94 Prince Street  

New York, NY 10012-3219 
Get Directions  

(212) 226-9412


Service 13/15 or 86.67%

  • Hostess(N/A)

    There was one but really we blew right past her as we were seated, so I can’t really give her a grade. I would imagine they are quite good here though.

  • Promptness(4/5 points)

    I stood by the bar while I waited for my friend to join me. After only a minute or two, I was asked if I wanted a table or a drink. When my friend arrived we were immediately seated in the back room. Our orders were taken shortly there after and the food arrived before I even had time to think about it. Our plates were cleared shortly after we finished and the bill came right then.

  • Alertness(4/5 points)

    Our waitress was on point. My cup of coffee was never empty, nor was my water. If I have to stop you from refilling my beverage, it means you’re doing your job correctly.

  • Friendliness(5/5 points)

The people that work here are amazing. I was thanked by the bartender, waitress, and hostess as I left. What made this a five though was a waitress quickly diffused a pair of children having a temper tantrum at the table next to me to which the parents had given up hope. Your dining experience can be ruined by the people around you; they know that here and it shows.


Food and Drink 13/20 or 65%

  • Price(3/5 points)

    The pricing here is average, but the portions are large. Also, this is more of a lunch and dinner place with a few brunch items, so I think they priced it according to that. I really would like if they had a brunch menu, but I think that would both attract the wrong kind of crowd and go against their essence, old bar in a great location with zero pretension.

  • Quality of Food(4/5 points)

    The French toast is not only the best I’ve had, but was so bountiful that I couldn’t finish it. My friend had a buffalo burger which I didn’t know you could get in NYC. I tried her French fries and was quite impressed. The home fries were good but by no means anything special.

  • Quality of Beverage(3/5 points)

    The coffee was so so. Their selection of beer is impressive and this really is a place I’d love to become a regular of the bar. I have a very good feeling that the keeps know how to pour a great drink.

  • Presentation(3/5 points)

    There really wasn’t anything special about presentation. The French toast was presented on a plate of its own, which it deserved and I liked. The sides all had their own dishes which made them more manageable. The fries were served with the burger as normal.

Decor and Space 17/20 or 85%

  • Cleanliness(3/5 points)

    This place was about as clean as you would expect. I’m sure it could use a little dusting, but the dishes, etc. all were clean as could be. On second thought, the dust is where it should be. Cleaning the place might take away from the ambiance.

  • Theme(5/5 points)

Established in 1890 with the liquor licenses posted on the walls to prove it. The pictures on the walls are mostly black and white, only adding to the old New York feel. The ceilings are black tile which brings the lighting down a bit. This place just oozes welcome.  

  • Adequate Seating(4/5 points)

They spaced this perfectly.  Also, there is a back room with even more seating and larger tables if you have more than four people.  The downside here is that my chair was actually a folding chair and didn’t feel right height-wise.

  • Location(5/5 points)

You couldn’t get a better location if you tried.  It’s dead in the middle of SoHo and only a block from the train station.  Enjoy watching people out the window as they shop and you wait for your table or sit at the bar. I must have passed the place a hundred times and never noticed it.


Bonus(5 points)

One point for easily being the oldest place I’ve visited.

One point for the bravado to post your liquor licenses from 1890 to present on the wall. It’s the kind of bad ass statement that says “I’ve been here, I’m going to be here, don’t even try to change me; I’m the real thing.”

Overall 43/55 with bonus 45/55 or 81.81%

Joe Doe

Restaurant Information:

45 East 1st Street New York, NY 10003-9320
Get Directions

(212) 780-0262

chefjoedoe.com

Map:
View Larger Map

Service 11/15 or 73.33%

  • Hostess(N/A)
There isn’t one and there wouldn’t be room for one.
  • Promptness(4/5 points)
After arriving, we were seated immediately and handed menus.  We were then asked what we would like to drink and when our waiter returned with our drinks a few moments later, our orders were taken.  Before I knew it, our food was served.  This would have gotten a five, but I had to ask for a refill on my coffee and water twice.
  • Alertness(3/5 points)
I would say the alertness was about what I expect.  I think my waiter was a little out of sorts that day or was just having a bit of trouble with the table next to us that wanted to split the bill in some ungodly manner.
  • Friendliness(4/5 points)
I’ve been to this place twice now and the first time I would say it scored a five and the second time a three.  The owner/chef was beyond kind when we talked to him.  This score is really a four leaning hard to a five.


Food and Drink 19/20 or 95%

  • Price(4/5 points)
I think the prices are really fair here and you get some great food for what you pay for when you dine here.  The downside is that this is clearly a place that is run by a chef that has to charge you slightly more than you would at some other place that’s very corporate and doesn’t care half as much about their ingredients.
  • Quality of Food(5/5 points)
You are not going to find better quality of food anywhere.  More creative, possibly, larger portions, maybe, but not higher quality.  Every meal is served with fresh biscuits and butter.  I had an egg chorizo scramble with avocado and various vegetables.  The menu has a few standard dishes, but for the most part it changes regularly as the chef sees fit.  Also, there will be meats and cheese of the day on special.  I’d also offer the caveat that if you don’t know what something is, ask.  There are some applications of meats that you wouldn’t normally eat or be offered for brunch, but it’s good to know what you’re getting into before you start the adventure.
  • Quality of Beverage(5/5 points)
I had to cut myself off after the third cup of coffee—it’s that good.  Water was served as it should be and the glasses were neither too big, nor too small.  They also have a selection of microbrew beers on tap that just make me drool looking at the list.  I haven’t sampled any of the alcoholic beverages, but I’m sure they don’t disappoint.
  • Presentation(5/5 points)
I think I saw at least three different types of plates for different dishes.  When my order came, I looked at it and thought to myself, “this is how every meal should be served.”  We taste with our eyes first, then our nose, then our mouth;  I was half way through the meal before the plate even was placed on the table.

Decor and Space  15/20 or 75%

  • Cleanliness(5/5 points)
This place is spotless.  I’d be amazed if I found a dust bunny anywhere.
  • Theme(5/5 points)
This might be my new brunch location.  The interior is almost all wood.  What isn’t wood, is used for cooking or making drinks, or there for decorative purposes to make you feel more at home.  If I could put a bed in the corner and my clothes in a closet, I would live at this place.
  • Adequate Seating(2/5 points)
It’s just such a small space.  The place is wonderful when it isn’t packed, but when it’s packed, everyone is in everyone’s way.  I do think they did a great job with the lay out of the seats though.  The space becomes more of an issue in the winter when people take off and put on their coats.
  • Location(3/5 points)
The score would have been higher, as it’s a short walk from the 2nd Avenue subway stop, but on your way to this gem, you pass Prune and several other places where all kinds of brunch chaos is waiting outside.  Let them be foolish and tarry on to your destination.

Bonus(3/5 points)

One point for using specialty foods of local farms.

One point for using ambitious ingredients.

One point for a menu that changes regularly.

Total score 45/55, with bonus 48/55 or 87.27%

Le Barricou

Restaurant Information:

533 Grand St Brooklyn, NY 11211
Get Directions

(718) 782-7372

lebarricouny.com

Map:

View Map

Service 12/15 or 80%

  • Hostess(N/A)

If there was one, I blew right past her on my way to meet my friends.

  • Promptness(4/5 points)
I was given a menu right as I sat down and the waitress was ready to take my order after just moments.  Before I knew it, my brunch was sitting right in front of me.
  • Alertness(4/5 points)
We had a party of twelve people and I was amazed at how well our one waitress took care of all the drinks and food.  When we all had finished our meals she was there with a bus boy ready to clear the table and let us enjoy our company.
  • Friendliness(4/5 points)
I really like the waitress and the other people we interacted with there were friendly as could be.  These people clearly enjoy their job and you’ll get that when you visit.


Food and Drink 12/20 or 60%

  • Price(3/5 points)
I would say it was fairly priced for what I got.  Nothing really to push me higher or lower though.
  • Quality of Food(3/5 points)
I got the ham omelet and it was pretty good, but I felt like it needed something more to compliment it.  One of my friends swears this is the best eggs benedict she’s ever had.  I think the portions were just smaller than what I needed that day.
  • Quality of Beverage(2/5 points)
The coffee was horrible and the water was served in absolutely tiny glasses.  I think this is another reason I didn’t feel like the food was enough; I need more water and coffee!  I will say that another friend said that the bloody mary is the best she’s ever had, but I don’t much care for the drink.
  • Presentation(4/5 points)
I was impressed.  Everything was arranged neatly and extra touches were made to let you know they didn’t just throw your food on a plate and send it out to the table.

Decor and Space 15/20 or 75%

  • Cleanliness(3/5 points)
It was as clean as I would expect, nothing more, nothing less.
  • Theme(5/5 points)
I loved the decor and seating in this place.  I really felt like I had just walked into a cafe in Paris.  Part of me really wants to go back here one night and hang out at their bar.
  • Adequate Seating(4/5 points)
I thought this place was okay seating wise, until I realized they have a huge back room for larger parties.  We had twelve people at our table and they had no problem accommodating us.  I dare you to try to get twelve people seated at any other brunch restaurant; it just won’t happen.
  • Location(3/5 points)

The location isn’t great, but it isn’t horrible either.  It’s just a few block from the Lorimer L stop, and you can take a lovely stroll down Grand Street after you eat while your food digests.  I probably would have rated this higher, but the shock from inside(lovely as can be) to outside(dollar stores and miscreants) of this place is what keeps it right in the middle.


Bonus(5 points)

No bonus was awarded.

Total score 39/55 or 71%

1 of 1
Themed by: Hunson