I like brunch.

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 1st or 3rd 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%

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%

Shopsins

Restaurant Information:

120 Essex Street New York, NY 10002
Get Directions

(212) 924-5160

shopsins.com

Map:


View Larger Map

Service 11/15 or 73%, alternatively 8/15 or 53.33%

  • Hostess(N/A)

There was no hostess

  • Promptness(4/5)
Once we were seated, we were immediately given menus and asked if we wanted anything to drink.  This place is all about going fast, fast, fast.  They don’t waste time doing anything.
  • Alertness(3/5)
I think the service was exactly what I expected.  Because of their promptness, they suffer a little in the alertness.  I think with what they have they manage very well.
  • Friendliness(1/5 or 4/5 points)*
I’ve given them two different scores here and let me explain why.  If you’re from New York and you’re used to hearing people say “fuck you” to each other while they work and enjoy a good spat, this place is great.  If you’re the kind of person that would be offended by this, you’ll likely leave horrified.  Also, you should know that they will kick you out of their restaurant and they dictate when the last person gets served.  This is their restaurant and you get to eat there.


Food and Drink 16/20 or 75%

  • Price(4/5 points)
You get a ton of food for a very solid price.  After looking at the menu you might think the prices are high, but when you see the portions you’ll understand that they are more than justified.
  • Quality of Food(5/5)
The food here melts in your mouth.  On top of that, they are highly creative with their food creations.  I had never heard of macaroni and cheese pancake before visiting this place, now I want to order it everywhere. S’mores pancake? Yeah, they have that too.  I just can’t explain how many different short order combinations the owner put on the menu.
  • Quality of Beverage(3/5 points)
I’d say the coffee is the definite weak point of the experience.  I would easily pay more money for them to buy better coffee and I think it would launch them as close to brunch food perfection as they could get.
  • Presentation(4/5 points)
They vary their presentation but everything comes out on adequate plates, or in some cases pans.  It really is hard to enjoy the presentation when all you really want to do is eat everything.

Decor and Space 16/20 or 75%

  • Cleanliness(3/5 points)
The restaurant is as clean as I would expect.  They make sure to wipe down each table before another customer sits, which definitely helps because some of the dishes get messy.
  • Theme(5/5 points)
It’s family owned, short order dining at it’s finest.  You feel like you’re eating in the pantry and the Mets gear lets you know you are definitely in New York.
  • Adequate Seating(2/5 points)
There just needs to be more seating for this place.  There is always a line to sit and they could likely fill a place twice their size.
  • Location(4/5 points)
It’s literally right next to the subway stop.  The only thing that stopped this from getting a perfect score was the fact that it’s inside the Essex Market and if you don’t know it’s at the south side then you’re going to spend some time finding it.  It’s also right by the Williamsburg bridge if you want to take a nice walk back to Brooklyn.


Bonus(3/5 points)

One point for creativity in naming the dishes.

One point for conflict resolution skills between feuding siblings.

One point for sticking to his guns and being the guy he always is.

Total score 43/55, with bonus 46/55 or 83%

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Themed by: Hunson