PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW
Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of luck[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !
What was your first impression?
Out on the sidewalk standing in front of the place? Uh… Wow.
Inside the door? Huh… Not bad.
Please rate the Bar:
Nice. Spacious, comfortable, accommodating and clean, if not entirely welcoming. The bartenders are a bit frosty at first, but they warm up after a minute or so.
The glassware is… Eh.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Selections are sparse and somewhat trite… for now. I get the distinct impression they’re still feeling their way though ("… the cocktail list is pretty much what you see on the shelves…"). I mean, the liquor assortment is so oddly curated, they may very well just be sales samples from purveyors. (Hey, waste not, want not, right?)
I’d give them a little more time to sort it out.
Please rate the Dining Room:
Better than you’d think from the outside. Cozy, if you like the darkness. But, the downstairs "lounge" area is prettier and more creative than the upstairs dining room.
Please rate the BOH:
Very good. Lots and lots of potential here. The menu is relatively scant (for now?) and decidedly far more artistic than the "gastro-pub" description would have you believe. Much more impressive than I’d expected (given the operators’ pedigrees). Definitely worth keeping an eye on.
How was the staff?
Fine. Proficient and experienced, if not particularly amiable. A few familiar faces; been around the block a time or two…
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Foie Gras Torchon : Good. Nice presentation. Flavorful.
Salmon Tartare : Also good. Fresh, tasty. Personally, could have done without the fruit (not my thing), but the orange slices were not a terrible addition. Again, very nice execution.
Sturgeon Salad : Excellent. Different; not what I imagined at all. Love the poached egg "surprise." And the whole thing perfectly fried like that? Beautiful.
Bangers and Mash : If there’s one thing of which I’ll likely never tire in restaurants, it’s simple homestyle dishes done exceptionally well. Delicious.
What did you like?
That sturgeon salad was pretty impressive. The mashed potatoes were great too. Actually, I liked it all.
What did you dislike?
Oh dude, that facade… (But, I’ll live).
What was your last impression?
Go, Rocco?
Would you come back?
Sure.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thanks, and all the best…
Tags: BARS, F&F REVIEWS, GREENWICH VILLAGE
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