I like brunch.

July 21, 2010

Jimmy’s Diner

Restaurant Information:

577 Union Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 218-7174

Get Directions

Service 9/15 or 60%

Hostess(N/A)

There wasn’t a hostess.

Promptness(3/5 points)

This is the kind of place that is quick to take your order once you get a seat, but after that, it’s a toss up in the air. My coffee came in a normal amount of time. My food was on the late side. A woman sitting next to me must have waited ten minutes longer than her friends for her food, which shouldn’t happen.

Alertness(3/5 points)

I would have given this a lower score, but it was clear what had happened: one guy made it to work on time and two stayed out late partying then stumbled in hungover. They became more alert as time passed, but it was bleak at the beginning.

Friendliness(3/5 points)

The people here were pretty friendly, but not overly so. Also, it seemed they were more engaged simply due to their own inability to handle more than one thing at a time. “Sorry, I’ll be right with you,” was muttered at least five times; it helped. I don’t know how long this place has been in business, but it’s still going through some growing pains.

Food and Drink 11/20 or 55%

Price(4/5 points)

You get a lot of food for your buck. The only thing that keeps this from getting a five is that the drinks weren’t worth half of what I paid.

Quality of Food(3/5 points)

The meal was started with a complimentary homemade donut. Unfortunately, my waiter had dropped the ball and served it the same time as my food. I ordered the “Big Boy” platter which consists of: two eggs, two pancakes, home fries or grits, bacon or sausage & cornbread. I ordered the eggs scrambled, grits, bacon. The eggs were served scrambled like real eggs, but with bits of charred food from whatever was previously in the pan. The bacon was rubbery. The grits had great consistency and flavor, but came off a little drier than I like. The cornbread was probably the best part of the meal and it was served in a triangle, a welcomed change of pace. They have some other promising dishes on the menu that I’d like to try if I ever return.

Quality of Beverage(1/5 points)

The coffee was okay at best. It wasn’t served with either milk or sugar, so I had to scavenge for those elsewhere in the restaurant. The woman next to me ordered orange juice and they handed her a small bottle of orange juice you’d get from any corner store and a glass. What taunts me is that one of their kitschy ads/decorations was for coffee that was probably much better than what was served.

Presentation(3/5 points)

They really didn’t try on the presentation. Everything was kind of where it should be with enough room here and there to maneuver your food. It didn’t look pretty, but then again I didn’t expect it.

Decor and Space 9/20 or 45%

Cleanliness(3/5 points)

Everything was about as clean as I would expect.

Theme(2/5 points)

This place kind of has a NYC kitch theme to it, but it’s very slapdash. A lot could be added to make this place more interesting visually.

Adequate Seating(2/5 points)

They used their table seating well and I’ll give them that. But, I sat at the bar and there were absolutely too many stools and not nearly enough room for all of them. A guy actually sat next to me, then promptly got back up and left the restaurant because he couldn’t fit in the open seat and he wasn’t going to wait for a table for one.

Location(2/5 points)

This place is about six blocks from both the Lorimer and Bedford stops on the L. It’s also across the street from a lovely unfinished condo building.

Bonus(5 points)

1 point for serving a donut as a appetizer.

Overall Score: 29/55, with bonus 30/55 or 54.54%

brooklyn

brunch

bad coffee

overall 50%

Sorry for the absence of posting; I was in Tahoe for my cousin’s wedding. Enjoy some pictures of the brunch we had while I was there and I promise there will be more reviews coming soon.

brunch

picutres

June 22, 2010 1 note

Poco

Restaurant Information:

33 Ave B
New York, NY 10009

(212) 228-4461

http://www.poconyc.com/

Service 6/20 or 30%

Hostess(3/5 points)

I think the hostess was the last competent person I interacted with at that restaurant.

Promptness(1/5 points)

We were seated probably twenty minutes after our reservations. Our orders were taken shortly thereafter. We ordered a starter and that came out in a reasonable amount of time. Our dishes were served much later, and when we were served three of the four dishes came out together, then there was a ten minute wait for the fourth. I even saw one woman try to chase her waitress down to pay the bill and leave. Simply unacceptable.

Alertness(0/5 points)

These people are fucking clueless; I never thought I’d give a zero, but they really worked for it. I ordered sangria as my drink of choice and I was served a mimosa. When I corrected the waitress, she just said “Oh.” Then I specifically ordered the sangria for the second drink, again I was served a mimosa. I also ordered coffee twice and was never served it until some one else at the table asked a third time; it was served with no spoon so I was forced to use my knife. The last straw came when I tried to order bacon as a side dish: I was given the “just one minute” gesture, by not one but two waiters. I gave up after that.

Friendliness(2/5 points)

The hostess was nice. The waitress we had faked nice, but obviously didn’t care. I kind of wish I hadn’t tipped her.

Food and Drink 9/20 or 45%

Price(2/5 points)

The meal was prefixed at $22, which was about ten dollars higher than it should have been. The appetizer was $12. I feel like I got scammed, I really do.

Quality of Food(2/5 points)

We started with the lobster mac and cheese; it was bland, but creamy. It really needed a hint of paprika or some kind of seasoning. I ordered the poco pancakes: chocolate chip pancakes with a dulce leche drizzle, light on the drizzle. I sampled the home fries off my friend’s plate and they tasted like over cooked potatoes, nothing more. The salmon benedict just tasted gross. I couldn’t even eat a second bite of it. My friend left it half eaten, as she faced the same problem.

Quality of Beverage(2/5 points)

The coffee was undrinkable. The mimosas tasted like they were made with the worst quality ingredients and I doubt it was even orange juice that was used. The drinks that come with the meal are served in half mason jars, which are kind of pointless.

Presentation(3/5 points)

There wasn’t anything really special about the presentation, just middle of the road.

Decor and Space 11/20 or 55%

Cleanliness(3/5 points)

Everything was about as clean as you would expect. Nothing really stood out here.

Theme(4/5 points)

It’s a Spanish restaurant and bar. It should stick to that. I loved the turquoise painted air conditioner. The walls were colored vivaciously and I loved that they opened up the windows and doors so you could feel outside even if you weren’t.

Adequate Seating(2/5 points)

They simply don’t have enough seating. Also, the table we sat at had ridiculously high stool chairs. I’m 6’5” and my feet were dangling, not touching the ground. The women I was with had to basically climb into their seats. I’m not sure if this is the greatest idea considering the amount of booze people are focused on drinking here.

Location(2/5 points)

Unless you live in the neighborhood, you’re going to have quite the hike getting to this place. It’s probably a better idea to save yourself the hassle and go somewhere else.

Bonus(5 points)

1 point for taking reservations

Total Score 26/60, with bonus 27/60 or 45%

June 22, 2010 776 notes

prettyfoods:

(by Walter_Ezell)

I wish the brunch I had this weekend was this good.

Dumont

This review was from a reader suggestion. If you have a place you’d like me to review, please ask and I’ll be happy to do so. :)

Restaurant Information:

432 Union Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11211-3420
Get Directions

(718) 486-7717

dumontrestaurant.com

Service 14/20 or 70%

Hostess(4/5 points)

The hostess was quite helpful and friendly. She asked me everything she needed to know before inviting me to the bar in the garden. What stopped her from getting a perfect score wasn’t entirely her fault. The garden bar is outside of the restaurant and can’t really be seen. She didn’t check up on me to see if I was ready when my friend did arrive, had she, she would have gotten a perfect score. I instead had to send two waiters to get her attention, which really shouldn’t happen.

Promptness(4/5 points)

We were given the menus as we were seated and our waitress came over soon after to ask what we wanted to eat and drink. After we had ordered, we were presented a small serving of donut holes and before I knew it our food was there. I will say this, the waitress was a bit too prompt when asking for our order.

Alertness(3/5 points)

When it came to handling our meal and our dishes, they were completely on top of their game. However, our drinks were another story entirely. My water glass definitely sat empty a few times and it wasn’t until both our drinks were empty that we were asked for refreshers. I think this only proves my earlier arguments about the water bottle problem: it allows the waiters to be a bit lazier than they should.

Friendliness(3/5 points)

Everyone was about as friendly as you would expect.

Food and Drink 13/20 or 65%

Price(4/5 points)

The main dishes were fairly priced and you got an excellent deal for what you were paying. The side dishes tend to lean on the pricier side, so avoid them if you’re thinking about it. I ordered the cheese grits on the side, which cost five dollars and definitely not worth it.

Quality of Food(4/5 points)

The food here is quite good. My chorizo omelet was prepared so the eggs were perfectly fluffy and blanketed the filling with out too much left on the edges. The filling though leaned too heavily on the pepperoncini which overpowered the other elements. The cheddar cheese grits I ordered on the side were well seasoned, but extremely dry and overdecorated. The home fries in my meal where crisp and not spicy at all; they played well with the other vegetables but favored onions too much. Honestly, the salad was just completely out of place. My friend ordered the huevos rancheros which looked fantastic.

Quality of Beverage(2/5 points)

I want to give them a higher score on this, but I really just couldn’t. The coffee was too acidic and a bit watery. The water was served in medium sized glasses but with the water bottle left on the table. My beer was good, but the bartender couldn’t tell me anything about it, which there is just no excuse for at all when you consider there were only three beers on tap.

Presentation(3/5 points)

The grits were presented in a bowl far too big for the portion that was given. The omelet looked delicious and was. The salad was served on top of the home fries, an unacceptable mistake that made me think the home fries had been forgotten initially.

Decor and Space 17/20 or 85%

Cleanliness(3/5 points)

Everything was about as clean as you would expect.

Theme(4/5 points)

This place really has two theme, one for each side. Inside, it’s a very well done restaurant with a classic American feel. Outside, it’s an airy patio restaurant. I found myself forgetting I was in the middle of Williamsburg as our meal progressed.

Adequate Seating(5/5 points)*

This place has nothing but space and really handles it well. I don’t think they could fit one more table in here comfortably.

Location(5/5 points)

It’s literally on the same block as the Lorimer L stop and a short walk from the subway exit. I don’t think any restaurant will ever have a better location.

Bonus(5 points)

Two points for outdoor seating.

Total Score 44/60 with bonus 46/60 or 76.67%

*The caveat here is that if the outside seating were not available, i.e. the winter months, this place wouldn’t be able to handle people half as well.

Prune

Restaurant Information:

54 East 1st Street

New York, NY 10003-9313
Get Directions

(212) 677-6221

prunerestaurant.com

Service* 7/15 or 46.67%

Hostess(5 points) (N/A)

Promptness(3/5 points)

I was seated and given a menu almost as soon as possible. The food was served shortly there after and with out much ado.

Alertness(2/5 points)

I don’t think this waitress cared at all about her job. The place was dead as could be with maybe five tables for her to look over in the entire restaurant. She spent more time talking with the bartender about some guy she just started dating than with all of her customers combined. She didn’t even attempt to refill my water or coffee. Personally, I hope the relationship works out, because her job isn’t.

Friendliness(2/5 points)

I think the waitress could have been friendly, but her indifference soured the experience. The chefs looked like they really enjoyed what they were doing and would have been open to talking if they had the time. I think the bartender definitely gets points here.

Food and Drink 15/20 or 75%

Price(3/5 points)

For the quality of drink and the excellent presentation you got what you paid for here. Otherwise, I felt like I got ripped off completely and there was more style than substance for what I got.

Quality of Food(3/5 points)

The food itself was quite tasty. I had their version of traditional New Orleans meal, Eggs Sardou. The confectioners sugar slipped into the hot sauce gently and mixed well for an excellent addition to the dish flavor-wise. It all went downhill from there. There are a few unspoken rules of brunch and serving poached eggs with bread is one of them; unfortunately, the chef was unaware of this rule. After my eggs had been popped and the artichoke hearts, eaten, the plate turned into a pool of yoke, sweet hot sauce, and little else. It was served with three small fries—honestly, they were there primarily for decorative purposes. The normal way this dish is served is over creamed spinach, but their version left that out completely. If they had included the creamed spinach and provided a proper spoon, this dish would have been executed much better.

Quality of Beverage(4/5 points)

The coffee was good, not great. However, it was served with individual sugar cubes, both raw and refined. Cream was on the side in a small pitcher, per usual. The water was served in a tiny glass.

Presentation(5/5 points)

Everything really did look quite delicious. I don’t think it would be possible for them to have done a better job on presentation. It’s so disappointing that the rest didn’t fare as well.

Decor and Space 14/20 or 70%

Cleanliness(4/5 points)

Everything was quite clean. I was impressed by the spotlessness of the tables and counter tops. All of my dishes looked brand new, save my flatware.

Theme(3/5 points)

I don’t think this place knows what it wants to be. Half of it screams Parisian cafe, half of it mumbles old Americana. I particularly love the bench on the side wall and the use of mirrors near the ceilings. I would kill for that bench.

Adequate Seating(4/5 points)

I want to give this place a higher rating for their use of seating. The layout is superb, but the size of this place is just too small. It needs to move to a much larger space desperately.

Location(3/5 points)

I thought about giving this a higher score because of it’s incredible closeness to the subway stop at second avenue. Then, I remembered Joe Doe was right across the street, does a far better job with everything Prune claims to do, isn’t pretentious, and actually likes their customers. Just go to Joe Doe, you’ll have a better time.

Bonus(5 points)

One point for serving a ginger treat with the check.

Total Score 36/55 with bonus 37/55 or 67.27%

*The caveat to this is that I visited on a Tuesday afternoon. Trying to get into this place on a weekend is a nightmare and should be avoided completely.

The Redhead

Restaurant Information:

349 East 13th Street

New York, NY 10003
Get Directions

(212) 533-6212

theredheadnyc.com

Service 16/20 or 80%

Hostess/Host(3/5 points)

The host was quite welcoming and sat us immediately after we arrived. There was a party in the restaurant before us so there were only a few minutes we needed to wait before everything was ready, an understandable reason.

Promptness(4/5 points)

Our food came out rather quickly as did our drinks. The waiter was very good at taking care of all our needs. What kept him from getting a perfect score on this was a bit of dawdling towards the end when it came to our check.

Alertness(4/5 points)

The waiter was absolutely on point at all times. The meal flowed perfectly, effortlessly. When the appetizer was done, he waited until we were ready and removed it. When both of us were eating and one finished earlier, he waited until we were both done. The only discount comes due to letting my coffee cup go empty for too long in one part of the meal.

Friendliness(5/5 points)

I don’t think it’s possible to meet a friendlier waitstaff. The bartender was kind, the host was too, and our waiter felt like someone I’d known for a year by the time my meal was done. I really think the ownership here knows what they’re doing and clearly know how to hire an excellent staff.

Food and Drink 17/20 or 85%

Price(4/5 points)

The price here is what you would expect, but what you get is far more than the price. I expect the owner could raise the prices a dollar or two and I’d still feel like I was getting an excellent deal.

Quality of Food(5/5 points)

Getting a perfect score on food is no mistake. The dishes were innovative, delectable, and savory down to the last bite. I started with the veal grillades and grits that was served with a savory tomato sauce, mixed vegetables. The dish itself was perfectly executed but what made it stand out was the fact that the grits had been so finely ground that the consistency was somewhere between risotto and mashed potatoes. My friend ordered the Newport steak which was ordered rare AND served rare, not medium as so many restaurants do. I followed the veal up with the strawberry and rhubarb pancakes; their web menu has this listed as cinnamon graham pancakes, but I believe they change it regularly. The pancakes were some of the best I’ve ever had and highly recommend you try them yourself. We finished our meal with the daily doughnut, a vanilla nut blend rolled in cinnamon sugar. I could easily see starting with the doughnut and moving on from there, but I think finishing with it is really the way to go.

Quality of Beverage(3/5 points)

I really wanted the drinks to get a higher grade than this, but you can’t be perfect at everything. The coffee was good, not great. The water was served in a medium glass. The coffee was served in a regular sized coffee mug so having the larger water glass helped; I wish more restaurants would realize this.

Presentation(5/5 points)

I literally had a moment of pause before starting in on both my appetizer and main course. I’ve had this happen before for one or the other, but never both. You can tell this restaurant is being run by chefs that really do care not only about how their product tastes but also how it looks. I left the place wishing I didn’t have to do so.

Decor and Space 15/20 or 75%

Cleanliness(3/5 points)

The restaurant was as clean as would be expected. Dishes, flatware, etc. were just as one would hope.

Theme(3/5 points)

I don’t feel like they’ve really figured out if they are a restaurant with a bar, or the other way around. A lot of it says bar to me, especially the red velvet booths, but could easily go the other way with proper lighting, or a little touch of color here and there. It’s clear to me that this place has just started to get its footing and it’s doing a far better job than others. I look forward to seeing how it evolves.

Adequate Seating(5/5 points)

This place has a TON of seating and it’s all arranged to optimize the travel for the waiters. The kitchen in in the middle of the restaurant so it works well for the waiters to have shorter trips. I couldn’t be more impressed with the seating arrangement if they tried.

Location(4/5 points)

It’s about a block or two block away from the 1^st or 3^rd avenue subway stops depending on which route you take. The only problem I really see with its location is that it’s around the corner so there’s a chance you wouldn’t even see it; this is compounded by the construction scaffolding that is currently up on the corner.

Bonus(5 points)

2 points for giving a free drink out as a promotion on FourSquare.

Total Score 48/60, with bonus 50/60 or 83.33%

June 2, 2010 109 notes

If you were wondering what my dreams look like lately…it’s a lot like this.

I would marry a woman on the spot if she ever did this for me.

Reviews of Prune and The Redhead coming soon, I promise.

ilovepinups:

burgerandprettygirls:

zyxst:

(via ilikeithotandwet)

Bitch, get the fuck out of my waffles.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm waffles

brunch

dream

May 10, 2010

Great Jones

Restaurant Information:

54 Great Jones Street

New York, NY 10012-1115
Get Directions

(212) 674-9304

greatjones.com

Service 13/20 or 65%

Hostess(5/5 points)

The hostess was quick to take my name and our party. She gave us an accurate estimate of when the table would be available. We were then invited to have a drink at the bar, which we did. What pushed her up higher was that when our table was ready and our party wasn’t complete, she told me, “you better just sit there or some one else will try to take your table.” This is exactly what should be done, not turn people away until their party is complete, as most NYC restaurants do.

Promptness(2/5 points)

This place was packed and from what I could tell there were only two waitresses. They need at least three for a weekend brunch shift. Otherwise, I think two would be sufficient. Great Jones would have normally earned a three for this, but it was very obvious that the woman working the bar didn’t know what she was doing and that only compounded the problem further.

Alertness(3/5 points)

This place really is stretched thin. They need at least a bus boy, a drink runner, or another hostess badly. I think our waitress did a great job, but the bartender was just horrible so this evens out at a three.

Friendliness(3/5 points)

The people are friendly but not overly so. It’s about what you would expect, nothing really special.

Food and Drink (12/20) or 60%

Price(3/5 points)

I’d say the food is priced perfectly for what you get, but the drinks are overpriced here.

Quality of Food(3/5 points)

Everything on the menu sounds delicious, looks delicious, but the taste kind of lets you down compeltely. The pancakes were top notch and I highly advise you to go that route. I had the smothered biscuits with sausage gravy and eggs that were just as bland as could be. The did have grits—I love love love grits—but they were really overcooked.

Quality of Beverage(4/5 points)

The coffee is okay, their selection of beers is small, but they have a full bar. I would also like to add that I was horrified by pours on my draft beers. I watched her pour, dump half of it because of foam, repour and still end up with far more foam than any one ever should have. My roommate seemed to really like her lemonade-vodka drink. I really hope she’s a part owner and doesn’t mind wasting money or she quickly gets replaced.

Presentation(2/5 points)

So disappointing. So so disappointing. Everything was just slapped on the plate. The food itself looked delicious, but just so sloppy. I was less than impressed.

Decor and Space 12/20 or 60%

Cleanliness(3/5 points)

The place looked about as clean as you would expect. I really don’t remember anything remarkable.

Theme(1/5 points)

This place is the broadway show of brunch theme-wise. Everything is bright and there are nicknacks scattered about the place alluding to a theme but not really committing to it. I kind of hate places that do this because it feels so forced. I can’t really get on board with your Lousiana/New Orleans/South theme when 1) I’ve been to all those places and this is a tacky interpretation of them 2) the entire staff looks like hipsters 3) the mediocre friendliness compounds the problem. I would love to overhaul the décor of this place; it’s really almost insulting.

Adequate Seating(4/5 points)

This place actually does a really good job of fitting enough seats in the small space with out making things uncomfortable. I think they might be able to put a stool or two more at the bar, but that’s just me being picky.

Location(4/5 points)

It’s a short distance from the subway, but NOHO guarantees some excellent eye candy for patrons. An example, two women from Agent Provocateur walked in dressed in the best stockings I think I’ve ever seen and sat down at the bar two seats away from a woman I could swear was Farrah Fausset. I wish they would knock down the walls in front and put much larger windows in for the people watching alone.

Bonus(5 points)

Minus One Point for the three fingers of foam on my first beer; that’s the perfect way to not impress a patron.

Overall Score 37/60 with bonus 36/60 or 60%

May 9, 2010

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%

Penelope

Restaurant Information:

159 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10016-8154
Get Directions

(212) 481-3800

penelopenyc.com

Service 8/20 or 40%

Hostess(2/5 points)

There were two hostesses: one completely worthless, the other very helpful. The worthless one was the first one I interacted with and she told me that the wait time was going to be a hour and a half! I had her put my name down and went back out side to wait for my friend. I entered maybe fifteen minutes later and was told I could be seated immediately. Turn out, they hadn’t been maintaining their list very well.

Promptness(2/5 points)

We were asked almost immediately after sitting what we wanted to eat. Our food and drinks came in a timely manner. However, the waitress did forget to bring the side of bacon that was ordered.

Alertness(1/5 points)

This place is a mad house. They need either more waiters or more people working on refilling drinks. I think I got my water refilled once with out asking. Coffee I had to ask for another one.

Friendliness(3/5 points)

Every one we interacted with seemed fairly friendly. I wouldn’t say anything would push me to think otherwise in either direction.

Food and Drink 14/20 or 70%

Price(4/5 points)

This was going to get a normal 3/5, because their brunch pre-fix meal is about what I would expect. Then I remembered I ordered a side of bacon and what I got was a mini-mountain of bacon for $4.75.

Quality of Food(4/5 points)

We had the pumpkin waffles and the Nutella French toast with a side of bacon. The pumpkin waffles were like an autumn explosion in your mouth. The strawberries were probably some of the best I’ve ever had. I think the Nutella French toast didn’t wow me at first, then I realized they had put the Nutella IN the bread. I think the food here is definitely worth visiting again, but hopefully I forget about all the other negatives or get there early enough to enjoy the meal more.

Quality of Beverage(2/5 points)

The coffee tasted pretty bad. The OJ was fresh but served in a mini glass. I really think they should work on their coffee. The other beverages they served though looked quite tasty so this could be an issue of bad on the basics, but good on the extravagant.

Presentation(4/5 points)

The food was carefully positioned on each plate and decorated accordingly. Even the fruits were nicely arranged. The apple slices arranged on the waffles was a delightful touch.

Decor and Space 9/20 or 45%

Cleanliness(3/5 points)

Everything was about as clean as I would expect.

Theme(2/5 points)

I don’t think there really is a theme to this place. It just looked kind of blah to me. To add to the madness, it was loud. I have very good hearing and I couldn’t hear the person sitting across from me. If they worked on the acoustics of the place, it might be a more enjoyable meal. Honestly, I couldn’t wait to get out of here and on to the NYC streets where I could understand the conversation I was having.

Adequate Seating(2/5 points)

There are far too many tables and not enough space to handle it. We had to slide our table over several times to let people out of their spots.

Location(2/5 points)

It’s a few block from the 6 line, but this area is basically dead. You’re not going to really want to look out the windows to see anything but buildings. Additionally, the type of people that visit here looked to be mainly couples in their 40s wearing gym clothes, or groups of single girls trying to out dress each other but put no effort into hiding their hangovers.

Bonus(5 points)

None.

Total Score 31/60, or 51.67%

Fanny

Restaurant Information:

425 Graham Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11211-1414
Get Directions

(718) 389-2060 * approximate times

fannyfood.com

Map:

View Larger Map

Service 8/15 or 53.33%

Hostess(N/A)

Promptness(3/5 points)

My friend was waiting for me at the bar when I got there so I just joined her. We were given menus and asked our orders right after I sat down at the bar. As for the food delivery, it took about what I would expect.

Alertness(2/5 points)

I had to ask for more coffee twice and the woman was behind the bar not more than three feet from me. Also, my glass of water stood empty for quite a long time. The woman was clearly in a rush to do a lot of things behind the bar, but that isn’t much of an excuse.

Friendliness(3/5 points)

I really had a hard time grading this one; the people were kind of invisible personality-wise. I couldn’t really judge one way or another so I just gave them a three.

Food and Drink 14/20 or 70%

Price(4/5 points)

You are definitely getting a lot of bang for you buck at this place. They also have a thirteen dollar brunch special, but I ended up ordering ala carte. My friend went with the special and we ended up with about the same bill.

Quality of Food(4/5 points)

They might have the best home fries I’ve ever tasted: not too oily, seasoned perfectly with rosemary and a blend of spices. I had the ratatouille and baked eggs, which was cooked to perfection. The times I’ve had ratatouille before this, it has either turned out too watery or has the consistency of a thick soup. They didn’t fall victim to these though and I was pleasantly surprised. The french fries were also quite good, but as my friend said, the fish sandwich might as well have been from McDonald’s.

Quality of Beverage(3/5 points)

The coffee here is well worth what you pay for it. It’s bold, not too acidic, and very flavorful. I had two cups because I liked the first so much. The bloody mary, from what I was told, was the worst my friend had ever had. After watching it being made, I don’t doubt it; it contained pretty much the lowest quality of all the ingredients needed. Sure, it looked like a bloody mary, but I can’t imagine drinking one.

Presentation(3/5 points)

My ratatouille was served in its own dish with the home fries on a side dish. My friend’s fish sandwich was served on one large white plate with the fries. I wasn’t really impressed by the presentation; it was just kind of there.

Decor and Space 13/20 or 65%

Cleanliness(3/5 points)

The place was fairly clean. All the dishes, flatware, etc. looked fine to me. The place looked like it was cleaned regularly and it was definitely a fairly new restaurant, or at least had that feel to it.

Theme(3/5 points)

I can’t say it really had a theme too it, but the color scheme and other elements made you feel like it was a minimalist’s design job. It needs more to really wow people. Right now it really feels like it could be some one’s white walled, sparsely decorated, ground floor studio apartment.

Adequate Seating(4/5 points)

There is plenty of seating in this place in the front and at the bar. Then there is a whole back room with about the same amount of space as the front. They did an excellent job of seating this place.

Location(3/5 points)

It’s a few short blocks from the Graham L stop so you can enjoy a walk after your brunch. It’s fairly easy to spot, but I almost walked into the wrong place the first time. It’s far enough away from the station that I don’t think people have really discovered this place yet.

Bonus(5 points)

one point for having a really amazing bathroom.

one point for being able to walk in at 2pm and get served immediately.

Total score 35/55, with bonus 37/55, or 67.27%

March 14, 2010 1 note

Harefield Road

Restaurant Information:

769 Metropolitan Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11211-3701
Get Directions

(718) 388-6870

Service 11/20 or 55%

Hostess(3/5 points)

The hostess was just what one would expect. She knew how long we were going to have to wait and who was in front of us. She cordially invited us to pour our own cups of coffee while we waited.

Promptness(2/5 points)

This place was PACKED when we got there. Though our waitress was quick to take our order, it might have been a half hour before we got our food. I asked twice to have my coffee refilled before it was. After the check came, I think we had to wait another fifteen to twenty minutes before the waitress came back to pick it up; word to the wise: pay cash and just leave.

Alertness(2/5 points)

This place is sprawling, add to that a very confused waitress, and you get less than great service. There basically is a triangle the wait staff circles from the tables to the bar to the kitchen. The fact that they were a victim of the water bottle problem only added to the lack of efficiency.

Friendliness(4/5 points)

The people here are really, really nice. I think this place would become my favorite bar to sit and drink if I lived closer to it. I’ve been here several times and you get that this is a family run place with all the hardships that come with it. They have a few kinks to work out, but they’ll get there.

Food and Drink 13/20 or 65%

Price(4/5 points)

I’m still amazed at how much food I got for so little money. Everything was honestly priced or far cheaper than I would have expected. If you’re in Williamsburg and strapped for cash, go here.

Quality of Food(3/5 points)

The food itself wasn’t all that impressive, but the quantities definitely were. The first time I visited, I got the French toast and I wasn’t impressed. The second time I visited, I got the huevos rancheros, which is a much better option. My guests both times haven’t really said much about their food so take that for what it’s worth.

Quality of Beverage(4/5 points)

The coffee is so so at best and I’m not a fan of the fact I had to serve myself the first cup. The orange juice was freshly squeezed and quite tasty. Also, they have amazing Irish tea here, so if you’re a tea person, go for it. As mentioned before, they suffer from the water bottle problem which annoys me to no end.

Presentation(2/5 points)

Presentation is not their forte, at all. Really you get what you order with little effort put into making it look fun to eat. Then again, you really can’t beat the price so I guess you get what you pay for here.

Decor and Space 13/20 or 65%

Cleanliness(3/5 points)

Nothing really remarkable to note about the cleanliness of this place. Everything is as you would expect.

Theme(3/5 points)

It’s an Irish bar with a kitchen. Everything screams Irish bar in the place. Wood is everywhere. I think even the owner is from Ireland. Early in the morning, this place is more like a traditional pub, but as the day tarries on it turns more into a bar and hipster hangover joint.

Adequate Seating(4/5 points)

There is a ton of seats in this place. My only complaint really is that the long bar splits the seating area awkwardly. If it’s packed, take a seat at the bar. If you can get a table, take it. Also, some of the chairs are folding chairs, which makes sitting at the table uncomfortable.

Location(3/5 points)

The location is okay. The only downside to this location really is that the sign is blocked by several others so you may not see it initially. I think it is a nice hidden gem of Williamsburg.

Bonus(2/5 points)

Two points for outdoor seating.

Total score 37/60, with bonus 39/60, or 65%

the water bottle problem

July 2, 2009

The Water Bottle Problem

I know the last two places I reviewed served the water in one big bottle and I have problems with this that I’d like to expound upon so you may have a little insight as to why it bothers me. I have two main problems with this: the water bottle takes up real estate on the table and it shirks the responsibility of the waiter off to the customer.

My problem with the water bottle taking up real estate is relative to the size, shape of the bottle and to the size, shape of the table. On a small table, that bottle is taking up space that could be used for something else. On a bar, it just looks awkward. I know what you’re going to say, “But that’s how the French and Italians do it.” Yes, it is in some of their restaurants, but this is neither Paris nor Rome. Also, it’s not high quality water that I’ve specifically ordered that we’re talking about here; it’s regular cold tap water put into a clear bottle.

My problem with the shirking of responsibility is a bit of bigger deal than the real estate issue. Your job as a waiter/waitress/bartender is to serve me, the customer. When a water bottle is placed on the table/bar it says to me, “I can’t be bothered to watch over your beverages like I’m supposed to do so why don’t you take care of it yourself.” Beverage service is a large part of the job. I shouldn’t have to stop my meal at any moment do anything other than talk, drink, and cut my food. Now, what happens if I run out of the water that was stored in the water bottle? You don’t notice, because you haven’t been paying attention to my beverage needs. Imagine walking into court after paying for a lawyer and the lawyer just slaps a stack of papers down on the table, then sits down in his chair for the remainder of the case while he says you have to defend yourself with the papers he’s prepared; you’d be livid, or probably beyond livid; I feel the same way about the water bottle. What if I’m drunk or just clumsy and I knock over the bottle? You, the waiter, have to come over and clean it up, I feel embarrassed, and we’ve both waste more time that could be spent doing something more enjoyable.

It’s just not worth it. Give me a glass of water, refill it when it looks low, and be a good waiter/waitress/bartender and I’ll tip you well. That’s all there is to it and it’s not hard.

the water bottle problem

Northeast Kingdom

Restaurant Information:

18 Wyckoff AveBrooklyn, NY 11237-2635
Get Directions

(718) 386-3864

- north-eastkingdom.com

Map:
View Larger Map

Service (6/15) or 40%

Hostess(N/A)

There was no hostess that I saw.

Promptness(2/5 points)

The bartender/waiter took my order but after that he couldn’t be bothered to follow up with anything.

Alertness(1/5 points)

On my seventh attempt to flag the bartender/waiter that was not more than two feet away from me, he finally noticed that I wanted something besides my initial order. I almost threw my fork at him. Also, this place gives you a giant bottle of water, which I is major pet peeve of mine.

Friendliness(3/5 points)

The people were just about as friendly as you’d expect.

Food and Drink (10/20) or 50%

Price(3/5 points)

I’d say the prices were fair for what you got. That being said…

Quality of Food(2/5 points)

My french toast was crunchy?!?! CRUNCHY!! @#%$#. The only thing that stopped this from getting a one point rating was the bacon; the bacon was fantastic and close to the best I’ve ever had.

Quality of Beverage(2/5 points)

The water came in a bottle that was filled with tap water and a very small glass. The coffee was so bad I thought that I had just gotten a bad cup the first time, but no, it was just bad.

Presentation(3/5 points)

The french toast looked nice until I cut into it. Everything else was just kind of slapdashed. I get the feeling that not a lot of effort is put into anything at this restaurant.

Decor and Space (11/20) or 55%

Cleanliness(3/5 points)

Everything looked as clean as you’d expect.

Theme(2/5 points)

The theme really threw me: 90% of the restaurant is a campy hunting lodge theme, but tasteful enough not to offend the hipster locals, and the 10% that makes up the wall to the kitchen looks like a bad attempt at Mondrian art.

Adequate Seating(3/5 points)

The seats were placed not too close to each other but not too far either. I saw a waiter squeeze through behind people a few times, but that’s not out of the ordinary.

Location(3/5 points)

It’s a short walk from the L stop, so not too bad. It’s a bit of a trek out this way, especially if the L isn’t running and you have to take a shuttle bus from Lorimer, which will be continuing until August.

Bonus(5 points)

No bonus points could be awarded.

Overall score: 27/55 or 49%