Gottino

Restaurant Information:

52 Greenwich Ave # B

New York, NY 10011-8309

(212) 633-2590

ilovegottino.com

Map:
View Larger Map

Service (10/20) or 50%

  • Hostess(2/5 points)
I’m not really sure if the woman that I spoke with was the hostess, a woman that was some how involved with the restaurant, or just a customer.  Also, the time estimates were vastly inaccurate.  When I first got there I asked how long it would be to get a table outside and I was told 30 minutes; fair, but what bothered me was I heard the same estimate given out repeatedly even though no one left in the time I was there.
  • Promptness(1/5 points)
I shouldn’t ever have to ask for my coffee twice.  Also, it took near half a hour for our food to be presented.  Our coffees actually got served at the same time our food did which spells major issue in streamlining to me.  The waitstaff clearly had food assignments as well as their regular duties and I think in trying to balance out the two they ended up being sub-par in both which was disappointing.
  • Alertness(3/5 points)
I’d say the wait staff was about as alert as I’d expect, but then again they were right in front of me at the bar so there wasn’t much of a chance for them to miss anything.
  • Friendliness(4/5 points)
Every one I encountered there was quite friendly, almost surprisingly so, considering how mismanaged everything else was service-wise.


Food and Drink (14/20) or 70%

  • Price(2/5 points)
This almost got a one on price, but I decided that the coffee was worth far more than the three dollars I paid for it.  I probably would have paid four dollars for it.  But, the food was way overpriced.  Expect to get about half the portion size of other places.  I’m pretty sure that the dishes were served on saucers or at least small plates, so you get an idea of what I’m talking about here.
  • Quality of Food(5/5 points)
Amazing.  The food was so flavorful.  Clearly the focus of this establishment was the quality of their food and they nailed it.  I had the over easy eggs with bacon, which might be the best bacon I’ve ever had.  It was served with two small slices of bread that proved a bit tricky with the flatware I was using.  Also, the food was incredibly rich.  I wasn’t full when I was done eating, but it sat heavy in my stomach.
  • Quality of Beverage(4/5 points)
This would have gotten a five, but the water was served in essentially shot glasses.  Also, the water bottle problem reared its ugly head here, but in the form of a giant bottle of water that was shared amongst several people at the bar.  The coffee was probably the best cup I’ve had yet.  It was rich, flavorful, with a hint of sweetness and bitterness, i.e. the way coffee should taste.
  • Presentation(3/5 points)
The waiter did an excellent job of presenting our food and drinks, but when I saw the small sized plates I instantly thought, “that’s it?”  The small plates were overflowing and I think that contributed to make it look kind of a mess.

Decor and Space (10/20) or 50%

  • Cleanliness(3/5 points)
The place was as clean as I would expect.  I didn’t notice anything especially clean or dirty.
  • Theme(4/5 points)
It’s a wine bar with a focus on fine food.  Marble bar with wine stacked along one wall make it glaringly obvious what they’re after in their clientele.
  • Adequate Seating(1/5 points)
I’m pretty sure the bar takes up the vast majority of their seating area.  Their indoor seating and outdoor seating looked cramped.  I’m not exactly a fan of them asking us to sit at the bar after misquoting wait times to me.  If you’re going to have that many people sitting at the bar at least give us stools that are comfortable to sit in while we’re there; I felt like I was sitting on a converted school desk.  Also, they could have taken advantage of their large sidewalk space like their neighbors did and fit a few tables there, but they didn’t.
  • Location(2/5 points)
I was going to give this three, as it is about a medium walk from the subway, but it’s located on Greenwich which means 10th Street intersects 4th Street and things get wacky if you’re not careful.  Also, it sits next to a restaurant that looked like it did a better job at seating and pricing items reasonably.

Bonus(5 points)

One point for playing Beethoven the entire time I was there.

Total score 34/60, with bonus 35/60 or 58.33%

Back Forty

Restaurant Information:

190 Avenue BNew York, NY 10009-3600 (212) 388-1990
Get Directions

backfortynyc.com

Map:
View Larger Map

Service (15/20) or 75%

  • Hostess(5/5 points)
I don’t think I’ve ever been so impressed by a hostess.  My friend had arrived shortly before I had, but the instant I got there the hostess came up to us and then asked us if we’d like to sit at a table or stay at the bar.  We were then instantly seated at a table near the window.
  • Promptness(3/5 points)
We were served in an adequate time frame.  Our main dishes came out just as our starters were being finished, but maybe a little early by a few minutes.  I hurried a little through the last half of my donut, because of this, but soon those dishes were removed.
  • Alertness(4/5 points)
There was a very alert and attentive wait staff.  At one point the hostess actually started checking on people and their coffee then went back to her normal duties when needed.  I don’t think my coffee ever got below halfway empty before it was refilled again.
  • Friendliness(3/5 points)
I couldn’t really get a feel for the friendliness of the waiter, he was just kind of there then disappeared.  He did seem a little hesitant to tell me what the jam was though, when I asked him.  The hostess was super nice and I kind of wish she’d been our server.


Food and Drink (12/20) or 60%

  • Price(2/5 points)
I felt like it was a little more expensive than it should have been, but not by much.  The three dollar cup of coffee was what sealed this as being a two instead of a three.
  • Quality of Food(3/5 points)
I wanted this to be better, I really did.  When the biscuits came, they were tasty but complemented with butter that tasted off and a rubarb jelly that was almost flavorless.  When the donuts came, they didn’t have the volume or sweetness that I would have wanted, a little brown sugar and flour could solve that easily though.  Also, I wish the raspberry sauce had been served on the side as a dip instead of drizzled all over the donuts.  I did love the hint of cinnamon flavor in them though and overall they were pretty good.  I ordered the “Eggs Southern Style” which were good, but the gravy needed a little black pepper added for spice.  They looked far better than they ended up tasting, which was disappointing.  My friend ordered the shrimp and grits with side salad, which she was hesitant to do.  I think she inhaled the shrimp and grits but lazily picked at the side salad.
  • Quality of Beverage(3/5 points)
I only had water and coffee here.  The coffee was good, but not impressive.  They served us water in a bottle and then let us serve ourselves, which I have an issue with always.  This almost was a two, but the creative coffee mugs made it a three.  The wine and beer list was notable and unexpected, though I didn’t care to use it.
  • Presentation(4/5 points)
Everything looked so good when it arrived at the table.  I could hardly wait to take a bite.  The problem with this was when I actually did take a bite.

Decor and Space (15/20) or 75%

  • Cleanliness(4/5 points)
I was quite impressed with how clean the dishes were.  The restaurant itself also looked quite clean.  I doubt you could find a dust bunny in this place if you tried.
  • Theme(2/5 points)
The entire time I was here I felt like there should be a plaque somewhere that said “Western Wall Theme by Ralph Lauren, available at Macy’s and other fine department stores.”  Also, there was a hook for a picture to be hung on the wall exposed.  To add to the confusion, they were blaring alt-rock from the 90s, which I love but it made discussion difficult.
  • Adequate Seating(5/5 points)
Very spacious seating arrangement with plenty of room for the servers to come and go as they pleased.  I think this actually helped the service ratings a bit.
  • Location(4/5 points)
It’s located in the East Village and a short walk from the 1st Avenue L train.  I think I gave this higher marks simply because it’s quiet enough and nice enough in the neighborhood that you don’t mind the walk.

Bonus(3/5 points)

One point for having home made donuts.  One point for having home made biscuits. One point for having perfect consistency in the grits.

Overall score: 42/60, with bonus 45/60, or 75%

Life Cafe 983

Restaurant Information:

983 Flushing AveBrooklyn, NY 11206-4792 (718) 386-1133
Get Directions

lifecafe.com

Map:
View Larger Map

Service (11/15) or 73%

  • Hostess(N/A) (optional)

If there was a hostess, I didn’t see her.

  • Promptness(4/5 points)
The menu was in my hand before I even got a chance to sit down at the bar and my meal was infront of me before I finished half a cup of my coffee.  There was absolutely no wait for seating.
  • Alertness(4/5 points)
My coffee and water stayed filled up constantly.  When I ran out of cream more was brought to me with out me asking for it.  The bartender/waitress even balanced out making several drinks in addition to the regular duties.  She was like a hawk.
  • Friendliness(3/5 points)
I would say there was just about as much friendliness as I would expect, no more, no less.


Food and Drink (15/20) or 75%

  • Price(5/5 points)
I don’t think it’s possible for you to get more for your money than at a place like this.  My waffles, two eggs, and bacon were 9$.
  • Quality of Food(4/5 points)
The waffle was amazing.  The bacon was a little flimsy and not as tasty as I would have hoped.  The eggs were, well, eggs.  The home made biscuit was delicious and even better with the apple butter from the waffle.
  • Quality of Beverage(3/5 points)
The coffee was okay, kind of middle of the road coffee, nothing special.  I didn’t have any alcoholic beverages here, but I’m curious about the cajun bloody mary.
  • Presentation(3/5 points)
The waffle, eggs, and bacon were all crammed on to one plate that really didn’t afford you much room to work with while cutting your food.  The biscuit came on a small saucer .  Everything was fairly generic.

Decor and Space (12/20) or 60%

  • Cleanliness(3/5 points)
All the flatware, glassware, and dishware were about as clean as you would expect, nothing extravigant, but nothing gross either.
  • Theme(4/5 points)
It’s a laid back place, but the art work changes frequently as artist present and sell their works.  I like it though, as it really works as a venue for any artist, or anything for that matter.  The restaurant is a place of comfort and their take-a-book/leave-a-book policy means you’ll never be bored while you wait, if you have to wait.
  • Adequate Seating(3/5 points)
There’s plenty of room at the bar to sit, but some of the tables are a bit squished together.  Also, there is one random table in the back that I’m sure is there just as an obstical to the waiters/waitresses and to make people coming out of the bathroom feel awkward.
  • Location(2/5 points)
It’s on Flushing Avenue, but a bit of a walk from the Morgan stop on the L train.  It really kind of sneaks up on you when you’re walking toward it.


Bonus(3/5 points)

One point for having apple butter.  One point for remembering that I like biscuits. One point for having a trivia question that wins you free food or drinks.

Overall score: 38/55, with bonus 41/55, or 74.5%

An introduction to the blog

Why did you start this blog?

In January of 2009, my favorite brunch location closed its doors forever; it was the unfortunate end of a twelve year run for the restaurant and a new beginning for me.  I put off starting my journey to find the perfect brunch location and instead brunched at various places nearby where I lived.  I soon grew tired and unimpressed.  Now, with this blog, I start my quest.  I live in a city obsessed with brunching and brunch culture, but I’ve yet to find a solid replacement for the restaurant I loved and lost.

Aren’t there other sites like yelp, city search, and zagat that do essentially what you are doing?

Well, yes and no.  Most of those sites and others break their reviews in to fairly simple elements and don’t really delve into their reasoning for what the metrics they use are and why they were rated the way they are.  Also, sites like yelp, though helpful at finding popular locations, can’t really be trusted for completely accurate data because one person that gives a place three stars could be another person’s two stars, and how different is a three versus three and a half star place?  You don’t know because it’s just one giant popularity contest.

What qualifies me to review food?  What separates me from other people?

I love food.  No, let me say that again: I love food.  As many of you know, there is a direct correlation between your sense of smell and your sense of  taste.  Before I was sixteen, my nose was completely nonfunctional.  Imagine living sixteen years with one set of tastes then having a door to a whole new world of flavor open up for you.  That’s exactly what happened to me.  I’m hyper-sensitive to smell—Macy’s perfume department makes me sick—and with that comes a more sensitive palate.  I don’t savor moments of flavor, I bask in them.

Will I let restaurants know I’m coming or alert them to the fact I’m reviewing them while I’m there?

No, absolutely not.  I want my experience to mirror exactly what you would expect to get if you were to walk in right behind me.  I feel that if you alert the restaurant or let them know you’re reviewing them while you’re there you run the risk of them trying to go out of their way to impress you and thus taint the experience.

What are my metrics?

Good question and here they are:

Service

  • Hostess(5 points) (optional)

I realize not all locations have hostesses but they do play a part in your dining experience.  They’re the first person you see at a restaurant and generally your first impression as well.

  • Promptness(5 points)

Are my requests met in a timely manner?  Does the waiter/waitress meet me shortly after I’m seated?

  • Alertness(5 points)

Is the waiter/waitress checking up on her customers or does he/she seem to be unconcerned?  Do my water and coffee get refilled when they start to get low?

  • Friendliness(5 points)
How nice are the people that I interact with while in the restaurant?


Food and Drink

  • Price(5 points)

Is the price fair?  Do I feel like I’m getting enough for what I paid or are they overcharging?

  • Quality of Food(5 points)

How does it taste?  Have I had better?  Could it be better?  Is it cooked well enough? Is it cooked too much?  If I specified cooking directions were they followed?

  • Quality of Beverage(5 points)

Same idea as above, but for coffee, water, and other beverages.

  • Presentation(5 points)

How does the food look when it arrives at the table?  Is it all slopped onto a plate or is it arranged neatly and nicely?

Decor and Space

  • Cleanliness(5 points)

Does all the flatware, dishware, napkins, and glassware look clean?  Are there spots or food bits on anything?

  • Theme(5 points)

Does is seem like there is a constant theme to the restaurant decor or is it a giant mess of things here and there?

  • Adequate Seating(5 points)
Can I sit comfortably in my seat or am I jammed in like a sardine in a can?  Does it look like they’re using their space well?
  • Location(5 points)

Is it easy to get to or is it hard to find?  Is it clearly marked?  What trains do I take to get there and how far from the station is it?


Bonus(5 points)

Up to five points based on something that I find interesting or particularly rewarding that can’t really be accounted for in the other sections, i.e. they make their own hot sauce, or the guacamole was made in front of me, and so on and so forth.

All metrics are added together and averaged both in individual catagories and cumulative.  Bonus points are added to the cumulative only.

What’s my ideal brunch?

The honest answer is that it varies from restaurant to restaurant.  I like a balance between sweet, salty, and savory.  I don’t believe that sour or bitter tastes have any place in a brunch, but that doesn’t mean I’m not open to trying something with said flavors.  What do I mean by sweet, salty, and savory?  Think pancakes, bacon, eggs with coffee and maybe juice or some other beverage.  The problem with going too sweet is that you’ll get a carbohydrate crash.  The problem with eating too much protein is that you end up feeling lethargic and heavy.  The problem with going too salty is that you spend all your time drinking water to rehydrate yourself instead of eating.  Like I said, I seek balance in the three.

Can you suggest locations to me?

Absolutely.  Just leave me a comment telling me where you think I should visit and I’ll put it on my list of places to try.

1 of 1
Themed by: Hunson