I like brunch.

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%

Egg

Restaurant Information:

135 N 5th St # A

Brooklyn, NY 11211-3214

(718) 302-5151

pigandegg.com

Map:
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Service 13/20 or 65%

  • Hostess(4/5 points)
I was impressed by her, I really was.  She was friendly, you knew where you stood in line, and she gave an accurate time estimate for our wait.  She also was very respectful when she asked us if it would be okay for us to split a table with another group of two.
  • Promptness(2/5 points)
Do not come here expecting to get seated right away because it’s just not going to happen.  We were told a forty five minute wait and that’s exactly what it was.  We headed around the corner to a bar for a beer and chit chat before coming back to the restaurant; I suggest you do the same.  The wait for our food was short, but chasing down a waiter to pay the bill was a bit trickier.  They took our dishes right at the perfect moment when both my friend and I had finished our meals.
  • Alertness(3/5 points)
I’d say they were about average when identifying our needs.  I do, however, feel that a lot of their responsibility was shirked off to us due to The Water Bottle Problem compounded by the individual French presses our coffee came in when served.  I couldn’t give them a higher rating because of those issues.
  • Friendliness(4/5 points)
Every one we interacted with were quite friendly.  You got the feeling that the people that worked there really cared about making their little restaurant thrive.  Other waiters and staff were happy to stop by and help out when we needed so it felt like we had more than one waiter.


Food and Drink 15/20 or 75%

  • Price(4/5 points)
Considering the high quality of all the food products put into our meals, I want to say this was definitely a deal, especially when compared with some of the other places I’ve reviewed.  I’ll probably go back here and try something else when I get the time.
  • Quality of Food(4/5 points)
The biscuits and gravy were perfect.  They had just the right amount of spice, came out steaming hot, and the biscuits sopped up enough of the gravy for you to not really need a spoon.  The cheese grits I had were as close to the right consistency as you can get with out being there; I don’t know if it was the way the grits were cooked or the cheese that made them a bit too mushy for my taste but I devoured them any way.  My friend’s eggs and bacon were over cooked, which is a bit ironic if you think about it.  Overall the quality of food was very good, but not good enough for five points.
  • Quality of Beverage(4/5 points)
The coffee was exceptionally good, but not amazing.  My friend said her juice was really good as well; I’m sure it was fresh squeezed from their farm or at least with organic oranges.  I also should note that they suffer from The Water Bottle Problem AND your coffee is served in individual French presses.  This meant no refills on coffee and I don’t even think I was asked if I wanted more when I finished my mini-carafe; it was large enough for about one and a half cups of coffee, not nearly enough for me.  Also the French press annoyed me for the same reasons The Water Problem annoyed me.
  • Presentation(3/5 points)
Nothing really impressive here in the presentation.  You got what you ordered and it was arranged in a decent manner on your dish.  Plenty of room on your dish to move things around, so no worries there.

Decor and Space 11/20 or 55%

  • Cleanliness(2/5 points)
I found crumbs on my cheese grits dish.  They either came from the toast of my friend or from somewhere else; I don’t want to know, but minus one point.
  • Theme(3/5 points)
I’m probably being generous giving this a three but everything was very simple and that’s what they were going for in their theme.  There were fresh flowers in a vase on the table.  Also, there was a brochure about their farm and crayons to color on the paper table cloth if you wished to do so.
  • Adequate Seating(2/5 points)
We split a four top table with two girls that had to be the most vapid people I’ve run into in a while—one of  them didn’t know what the word lexicon meant and the other couldn’t explain it.  This place is popular and packed.  I also think it is a converted garage which doesn’t help.  They really probably need a bigger place for the number of people that get packed into here.
  • Location(4/5 points)
A short walk from the L at Bedford and you’re there.  Also, it’s a block off Bedford Avenue so it’s far enough from the foot traffic and cars that it’s not annoying to be there.


Bonus(3/5 points)

One point for having home made biscuits. One point for having cheese grits on the menu.  One point for growing their own materials and using free range chickens.

Total score 39/60, with bonus 42/60 or 70%

Life Cafe 983

Restaurant Information:

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

lifecafe.com

Map:
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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%

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