What kind of insane mad genius does this?!!! Kudos to the chef. Everything was absolutely delicious. Was willing to give up someone's first first born for that tartare! Don't change a thing! Major thanks to chris for taking the best care of us. read more

BREAKING NEWS: You heard it here first. Fedora's is closing. Fedora Dorado, who is almost 90 is packing it in after 58 years in the village's most authentic and charming little former speakeasy. My heart is a little sad right now but I support her decision because it is becoming too much of a physical task for her and I really expected it. We will miss her very much and I considered her family since the 60s. God bless and keep this fine little women. We'll never forget her. read more

From the outside, Fedora looks like it's housed in a brownstone apartment building. Once you walk in, it opens to a dim, cozy room with a pressed tin ceiling. I had never heard of the restaurant before stepping foot inside, so I wasn't expecting much. In looking at the menu, however, I thought everything looked interesting. I love bitters and most of their cocktails contained some type of it and everything on the food menu sounded good. We finally went with the following: Sweetbreads - Fried crispy on the outside, creamy on inside and served over a mayo based sauce and pickled onions. Sweetbreads were fried perfectly and paired nicely with the onions but there was too much sauce. Scallops - Again protein cooked perfectly and plated with a flavorful muscle foam, polenta and pepper confit. Brussel Sprouts - Cooked with bacon/panchetta with vinegar and maple syrup. It was a bit oily and cooked a bit too soft, but the taste was unique and addicting. The sprouts had a sweet/tangy/fatty flavor that made you come back for more. Simon's Sazerac - I love bitters and most of their cocktails contain it. This rye based drink contains a twizzler (the candy) bitter with a spray of absinthe and some syrup. It was very interesting but not quite for me. I would definitely be willing to try something else next time. While the food and drinks were great, the best part of this restaurant is the service. The waitress was friendly, knowledgeable, and very attentive. What struck me as different was the servers worked as a team. If our waitress was busy with a table and the food was ready, someone else would bring it over or take our orders without having her ask for help. This place was good on all different levels and I would definitely come back and recommend to my friends. read more

I had an amazing experience at Fedora last night. My wife and I went for our 1 year anniversary and we were treated like royalty. It was also the spot for our first date. When I called to make the reservation, I specifically asked for certain things to be prepared in advance and that it was our anniversary. They did not miss a beat. Upon greeting, they addressed us by name as did the bar staff and the wait staff - which showed they had done their homework. The service all night was sublime. We never had to ask for anything. The space itself is a cozy, downstairs space that is quintessentially West Village. The food was stunning. We had the pork, the pollock with a side of brussel sprouts. I hate Brussel sprouts, but these were amazing, amazing and amazing. They were tender and tossed in cider and bacon. Bonkers. I highly recommend Fedora. read more

I've been bad about keeping up with reviews lately but I could NOT not write about Fedora. It's one of the better meals I've had in awhile. It's easy to find a restaurant where the appetizers are phenomenal but usually the main dishes pale in comparison. However, at Fedora, the entrees, without a doubt, stole the show. Little Wisco does not cease to amaze. If you haven't been here yet, you MUST go. Today! Here's what we had: Blue fish rillette with black truffle (a special) - Blue fish tends to have a bad rep but this appetizer was amazing. So imagine a nice tuna spread but with SO much more elegance and finesse. The fish was so good that the truffle wasn't even necessary but of course, always a welcome addition. Scallop and shrimp - this dish has such distinct, dynamic flavors that danced together beautifully. They were whimsical, bold and refined like a waltz on a mid summer's night. The sweet corn was delicious and a great contrast to the hints of jalapeno. The scallops and shrimp were plump and perfectly cooked. The mushrooms added a nice smokiness. This was one of the most amazing entrees I've had. Eat bite made me sad that there was less on my plate. Yes, it was that good. The portion is small so I suggest ordering apps as well. Maple smoked salmon - The salmon was a beautiful shade of pink and absolutely perfect. It just melts in your mouth. My favorite part of the dish was the curry sauce. It was really subtle and did not overpower but added the perfect amount of zest that made this very different from your typical salmon dish. Deviled eggs - I love deviled eggs. However, these were fine but nothing super special and probably not worth $9 for 1 egg. Loved the 'Ole Graves Pendleton cocktail - bourbon and BBQ syrup...mmmm.... read more

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Good tasty cocktails; no stupid speakeasy wait here. The glasses were sticky on the outside. Last call was 2am when we went; there were still a lot of people inside though as it is totally the kind of place you would be happy to hang at late into the night. Locals place. I haven't tried the food. read more

Dare I say this is my new favorite restaurant in Manhattan? Every dish kept blowing me away. From start to finish, this was the greatest meal I've had in a long time. The atmosphere was great as well and I could see coming here for all kinds of situations, including a romantic dinner or a place for when the parents are in town. And it's in the charming West Village - what's not to love? I came here with my team at work and I don't think there were many things on the menu that we did NOT order, so to keep myself honest, I'll list them all out here: Potato croquettes - tiny flavor explosions, still thinking about these Deviled egg - much better than most deviled eggs I've had and definitely worth ordering Cured Arctic char - delish! Steak tartare - also delish! Curried pumpkin soup with foie gras - are you kidding me? Can I eat this every day? Savory cabbage - no one at the table expected this dish to be so good, but it ended up being our favorite I personally ordered the blackened porgy for my entree, which was of course delicious, but I was able to try a bite of my friend's crisped duck leg and perhaps liked that even more. The stand-out entree of the night was the beef special for two that we all shared, which was absolutely divine. Don't worry, we tried every single dessert, too... Cheesecake panna cotta - light and delicious Key lime pie - also thought this was good, even coming from a recent trip to Key West Freshly baked madeleines - light, fluffy, pillows of joy Almond semifreddo - my new favorite dessert of all time: light, bursting with flavor, and perfectly balanced with the tartness of the berries inside Needless to say, I'm coming back here as often as possible. Bravo, Fedora! I tip my hat to you. ;) read more

Fina roll up and give this one a strong Four Stars. But here's the deal - Expectations Are Everything, so pay attention to the sign out front - it sets the expectations early: BAR Fedora. I walked in expecting a restaurant and it took me some time to get my head back in the game. It felt more like an overcrowded pub. The bar was packed three deep and the amount of table seats were dwarfed by the amount of people at the bar: so...it's a bar. But that's ok- we got a seat at the bar, with a reservation and the bartender (Amy K) immediately got our minds right. We started with a good bottle of wine and that seemed to get her attention. She was very attentive and made some great recommendations: Wifey started with the Shiitake and Oyster Mushrooms with Poached Egg - it was so good she forced me to try it, and she was RIGHT. Highly recommended and can be prepared for vegetarians. I had the Pork Chop that was cooked, seasoned and sliced perfectly while wifey had a special pasta (also for vegetarians). But don't stop there and even if you don't get food - change your life with the Vanilla Semifreddo - blonde crumble and salted caramel. Boom! One you understand that this is NOT a quiet, intimate restaurant but a loud crowded bar - it will best all your expectations and then some. The drinks, the service, the food and the vibe - all worth the trip. @DivesAndDrinks read more

I had been wanting to try Fedora for years, so I was thrilled when my friend selected it from the list of dinner options that I had provided. When looking for reservations times, we were pretty limited to either 6:00-6:30 pm or after 9:00 pm. We opted for the earlier time, but arrived at a completely empty restaurant. Even when we left around 8 pm, there were still several tables available, which drove me nuts. I would recommend calling directly if you do not see the time you want available online. Ok, enough complaining - on to the good stuff! Fedora's main dining area and bar were on the ground level of a beautiful brownstone, on a quiet block in the West Village. The wooden furniture, dim lighting, rustic bar, and exposed brick wall really invoked a Prohibition vibe. That theme spilled over to the fancy cocktail list. My beverage, cutely entitled the "Lil' Smoky", had been composed of mezcal, Amaro Montenegro, elderflower, lemon, and ginger. The Amaro gave the drink a pinkish-reddish hue, and the remaining ingredients added a sweet, spicy kick that was heavenly. The shaken cocktail included several large ice cubes, which made it tough to sip at first, but, as they melted, the drink never seemed to lose its flavor. My friend had ordered the Really Very Nice and Good, which was a lighter, refreshing mix of vodka, St-Germain, lemon, grapefruit, and sage. Our beverages were paired with slices of fresh, doughy bread with mushy centers and satisfyingly crunchy crusts. We started our meal by sharing two appetizers. The Black Bass Ceviche was a stunning, colorful dish that was packed with fresh fish, zucchini, husk cherry, and corn nuts for texture. The acidity level was well-balanced and refreshing with hints of citrus. The Shitake, Trumpet, and Oyster Mushroom plate had the earthy aroma one would expect from such a hearty combination of fungi that had been roasted in a brown butter sauce. The mushrooms had been topped with a poached egg, whose yolk oozed yellow decadence over the rich vegetable blend. From there, we proceeded on to individual entrees. My Sea Scallop dish was well-portioned with four reasonably large mollusks that had been expertly sautéed. The tender shellfish was served with hearts of palm and shitake, and then covered with an XO sauce. I was not sure if it was the red spice dusting on the scallops or something in the sauce, but there was such an overwhelming amount of pepper and spice that tickled and burned my throat to the point of sending me into several coughing fits. While I loved the flavor, they could have dialed back the heat. My companion enjoyed her Skirt Steak, which was very tender, and served with marble potatoes, arugula, and broccolini. However, when I took a bite, I thought the steak could have used a bit more salt or seasoning, though it was otherwise tasty. We also included a side of the Miso Eggplant, one of my favorite things to order at Japanese restaurants. This version had a similar marinade, but was less saucy. It was also topped with a generous amount of sesame seeds, as well as cilantro and some type of yogurt or ricotta, mixing the Asian essence with a Mediterranean flare that shockingly worked. From the refined service to the creative food and drinks, Fedora supplied us with a great evening. read more

Excellent, excellent, excellent. My 5 star rating (like all my other ratings) is for the food only. The atmosphere was romantic but lively. Back to the food, excellent. 10x better food than Crown Shy where we ate a few weeks before. Starting with the Oyster Mushrooms dish: so much flavor, cooked to perfection, wanted to order a second dish although it was a nice size portion. Pork Belly dish: Nice dish, lots of flavor. Parts of the pork belly were dry and parts were more tender. Overall though am very happy I ordered. Stuffed Chicken dish: perfectly cooked chicken with an incredible amount of flavor. Absolutely devoured everything on the plate. Go here! read more

I think I photographed every page of the drink menu. Burnin' Sage in the Backyard was delicious and given the name, I had to have it even though I had sworn off drinking cocktails. Appetizers: Cheese poppers - not something I was interested in ... meh Octopus fritters - also meh to me Warm Halloumi - the fact they serve halloumi is amazing!! Loved this. I had the Hangar Steak - which was a perfect medium rare and incredibly juicy and tender. My 2 colleagues had the 32oz ribeye which came on an amazing bed of fried rice and kale. Skip the cheesecake though ... I'm not a fan myself, but from the look on my colleague's face - the re-interpretation of the cheesecake was a bit too extreme. Cool ambiance, but very very loud. read more

This is a fun place to walk into on a Friday / Saturday night. Lots of beautiful people if you like to people watch. The menu is simple and the drinks are solid. The food taste delicious initially, but morning after is the real test when your mouth and body feels like you consumed ten pounds of salt. If you're looking for a potential heart attack dine here. One last thing, the waiters are super friendly before you order and pay the bill. Seconds later don't be surprised to be asked to move from your table, it's quite shocking!! I understand you're trying to serve as many people as possible with the highest quality of professionalism, but be a bit more considerate to those who tipped you handsomely vs rushing them out. read more

Cute little subterranean place for a light dinner. The place is quite small, but doesn't feel cramped...it probably only has 7-8 tables, but it has a nice long bar area. Everything we ordered was good - the miso eggplant, cauliflower, and shiitake and oyster mushrooms (absolutely must-order thing on the menu, it'll warm you up perfectly on a chilly winter night). The portions are tiny though, and the menu is limited...which is why I mentioned that it works great for a light dinner. The cocktails were good too, and service was friendly :) read more

This restaurant is very good. It has a very comfortable speakeasy type vibe, in an easy to get to location, with excellent food. Waiters are nice, informative and attentive. The portions aren't huge but enough to share. The only thing that really surprised me was the wine pour. For $13-$16 for a glass of wine, the pour was about 1/3 of the glass. Most restaurants of this caliber don't do that, so that was very disappointing. Since the bar is such a focal point, I expected the drinks to be ample not short. read more

So super fabulous. Amazing food drinks and service. Such a fun place to have dinner if you can get in. We had the pig head and the fish head special. Both were incredible. The gnocchi entree was also so delish. Do it. read more

Fedora - Fish head - New American Near Me - New York, New York

I hesitate to write this review because I don't want this place getting over-run. Luckily, it's sort of jerk-proof: if your idea of a great bar is loud music (or any music besides classical or opera), TVs, and finding someone to hook up with, don't waste your time. This place hasn't changed since it opened in 1952 and for this reason is amazing. The place should be declared a monument and preserved forever. Fedora herself is a sweet, smart, wonderful lady and the waiters (especially George) are fun and sassy. Drinks are stiff and decently priced. Over-all it's a great way to escape the humdrum of the modern world. Gather a group of friends and go for cocktails and the ability to actually hear each other talk. Or go alone, sit at the bar with a scotch, and tell George your troubles. read more

Fedora - New American Near Me - New York, New York

There's been a restaurant here since 1917. It's been Fedora since 1952, albeit no longer family run. I went in because I liked the look of the obviously weathered Fedora sign and the fact that you needed to go down four steps to get in. It looked like the entrance to a one time speakeasy. From the outside, it evoked the image of an old Greenwich Village restaurant. It oozed a film noire aesthetic. A Hollywood location scout would definitely do a double take. Inside, there's an old dark wood bar. Great greeting once inside, especially on our first visit. The food was AMAZING. Sea scallops with parsnip purée, hen of the woods and pickled grapes was the best scallop dish I've ever had ($31). They were sweet, perfectly seared and sublimely complemented by the purée. Blackened sea bream with squid ink fried rice was another great entree ($27). The micro greens were a nice touch. Miso eggplant ($10) and roasted cauliflower ($10) made delicious sides. The wine and cocktail options ($14-$16) are thoughtfully done. It's a small place, so reservations are highly recommended. If you're nostalgic about Manhattan of Olde, and are looking for contemporary creative cuisine, you have to try Fedora. read more

LOVE THIS PLCE!! Love the food, love the service, love the ambiance. Only downside is the noise level but not a surprise. Would highly recommend for a date night, night out w friends, anything! P.S. my boyfriend for some reason didn't agree with me but thin read more

Fedora - Chicken and Pollock - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Its noisy (but not overwhelming ) its crowded (good crowd) but the food is prefect ! Taste wise , size wise , price wise . A great restaurant wrap with a great vibe . Don't miss the deserts ! read more

KenScale: 7.5/10 Fedora has long been on my list of restaurants to visit but somehow the right opportunity didn't come about. One of the longer members of Gabriel Stulman's little empire in West Village, the restaurant has been perpetually packed with its speakeasy vibe and active bar area. I've been here once just for drinks while waiting for a table at another restaurant nearby, but not the food with New-American bent. I finally had a chance to come to Fedora for dinner at the bar area; overall, a solid experience but there wasn't a show-stopper that I would remember for a long time. The menu at Fedora is more on the concise side and contains a variety of interesting dishes. Deviled eggs with American caviar were certainly a very good start to the meal (although it is hard to mess up deviled eggs). I was a fan of egg in a hole dish that had tripe ragout and cheddar. It was a decadent dish with richness that I found to be quite pleasant even though tripe is probably not my favorite dish in general. The entrees were a bit more pedestrian. Crisped duck leg that came with escarole, lardons and fingerlings was nicely cooked, but seemed to be missing that wow factor. Hampshire pork chop with Tokyo turnips, spaetzle and honey mustard also had nice balance of flavor, but I felt the meat could've been more tender and juicy. There was nothing wrong with both dishes; it's just that I was looking for something extra that would make each dish more special than a typical duck leg or pork chop dish and New York City has a ton of restaurants that can give a bit more flair to both. Key lime pie was a nice ending to the meal, with delicate sweetness that I enjoyed but again would this be something that makes me come back to this restaurant? I wasn't quite sold yet. The restaurant has that awesome old New York speakeasy vibe that draws a ton of crowd just to get drinks at the busy bar area. Getting a reservation in advance is a must. Fedora is one of the growing list of restaurants in the city that have eliminated tips. I would definitely come back here for drinks, as the restaurant offers a lot of inventive cocktail selections (although my preference has always been Old Fashioned when it comes to cocktails, which the bartender makes quite well too). If you are not inclined to do a full dinner, Fedora is certainly a nice place to visit for drinks after work with some bites to go along with them. read more

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This restaurant group has a formula and they are not afraid to use it!!! Fedora was awesome!!!!! Food: Grilled Octopus - very good. Cooked to perfection! It's very easy to overcook octopus. The couscous was amazing. This dish makes me smile to this day. Roasted Duck Breast - I love duck! This dish was good but a little over cooked. I was still get it again but ask for it be cooked a little less. Braised Beef Short Rib - was amazing! Very little fat, cooked perfectly! Brussels Sprouts - excellent. Cooked to perfection and includes bacon! The wine selection by the glass was very good as well. We had reservations and we were seated at the bar. The experience wasn't great if you are looking for an intimate meal, but we were fine. I can't wait to try the remaining two restaurants from this group. read more

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Fun and delicious meal! Atmosphere: Hidden, old school, French restaurant. There are an assortment of marble and wood tables inside. Wood walls, leather chairs, and only around 30 seats in the whole restaurant (half in tables and half at the bar). We sat 5 people around a really intimate corner with a marble table. Food/Drink: if you're going for wine, order a class of the Rhône! For some reason, at our reservation time of 10:39, we only had an assortment of appetizers and sides including the pork belly, braised greens, Brussels sprouts, lentils, and carpaccio. All were delicious. We also ordered a lot of tequila sodas, which were not amazing, but that was because of our order not the restaurants poor craftsmanship. Recommend for a party of 4 (if you can get a table) or a date night at the bar. Staff was really nice. Only 4 stars because the interior was a bit forgettable. read more

Our history with Fedora goes way back decades. The new(ish) owners have done it proud. We enjoyed a wonderful birthday dinner. Service couldn't have been better, drinks and wines were perfect. The special Sicily based menu offered interesting and delightful options. My branzino was truly memorable, I savored every bite. And who would think a "bowl of lettuces" would be transcendent? This salad lover was dazzled by the generous perfection of perfectly dressed little gems of green heaven. What a fun and meaningful return to an old favorite village spot! read more

Fedora - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Sitting here now, writing my first review in recent memory. The food, the service, the ambiance... 5 stars. Such a great Saturday evening :) read more

Fedora is a great restaurant located in a townhouse in NYC's West Village. Everything we ordered was cooked to perfection, which included scallops and roast chicken. Cool vibe in a former speakeasy with a youthful crowd and nice music read more

It was very nice place for Saturday night. A little bit noisy, but there was pretty pleasant atmosphere and people! Friendly staff and good bartender! We ordered otsters with champaigne, but it is not the best place for oysters, because of price. I liked crispy chiken and toast with liver, it was really delicious! Anyway, it was cool place and nice time there! read more

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This is such a hidden gem in a great location. Small, charming restaurant with incredible food and great service. Good choice for a special dinner. Our server was so welcoming and friendly. The menu is small, but the food is excellent. I would definitely recommend. Also - great playlist. Lots of 70's disco - perfect! read more

Date night made delicious! We ordered the steak tartare and deviled eggs to start, and both were fantastic. We only wish there was more. The waiter recommended the chicken, which has been reviewed pretty often on Yelp. It was my first time trying stuffed chicken, and it did not disappoint! The squid ink cavatelli was good, very "hearty" as many reviews here have described. The only thing I'd comment on is that I couldn't find any shrimp in the pasta! The shrimp here was part of the broth that the pasta was cooked in, I guess. We'll be back to try their new menu. The waiter said that they were going to change it soon and we can't wait for round two! read more

Walked in and was welcomed by a condescending host who would not let us sit at an empty bar without checking in, when were permitted to sit we were told dining took priority and we had to be ready to leave. I understand times are tough for restaurants but, would not return while this attitude is present. read more

I had come here a couple of years ago and I remembered that I was really impressed. Service was great, ambience was romantic, it was a Saturday early evening and my husband and I sat at the bar and savored what I recall to have been incredible cocktails. We were surrounded by great vibes and I had such a positive experience. Fast forward maybe two years, as we returned on a Friday a couple of weeks ago. It was packed with maybe a few scattered opened seats at the bar. As we asked if we could go to the bar, we were [very kindly] informed that the bar was solely reserved for patrons ordering a meal. Honestly, we were a drop-in for maybe a drink or two, with no intention of unnecessarily lingering. So we were told we were welcome to stand with our drinks in this tiny awkward standing area by the bathrooms, with a few other couples and there was a high table but was weird lingering around it. I regretted having accepted, should have left at the point. Our experience could be summarized as ordering expensive cocktails, that were good, but hard to enjoy in this setting, while standing outside the bathroom with no prospects of being seated at any point. Yes people are beautiful, nice, and the people watching is great! I'd have to say if they're trying to keep the bar reserved for eating customers only, maybe make the "standing area" a little more appealing, than a tiny little space outside the bathrooms. Maybe this place is more of a supper-club spot, as I keep reading in their reviews, and not a speakeasy to drop in for a few early evening cocktails. That's okay, plenty other bars will be willing to let me sit in empty seats at a bar! read more

Staff was rude and unwelcoming. Would not recommend. Drinks were fine, food looked fine, vibe was the best part but not worth it. Condescending and pretentious. read more

I've been putting off my review of here for a couple months since we hit the drinks menu a little hard... but I had a lovely time here, though it did not completely live up to my expectations. We had prime 7:30 pm Saturday reservations which I made about a week out, so I was surprised that about half the tables were taken. Very active bar scene though, so still felt like a happening place, but both tables next to us were empty. Nice for privacy, but didn't feel very exclusive. The decor is old school but hip, with black and white tile and legit art on the walls. The bar is the center of life and is gorgeous. We came to ball out, so we started with a crudo (I believe the striped bass crudo, but it might have been a special!), the carrots, and those famous deviled eggs. The crudo was fresh and had good flavor, and the vegetable dish made me feel healthier and had some thought put into it. I was meh on the deviled eggs; the trout roe and other toppings made it prettier but didn't add too much to the flavor. Our entrees were good! The skirt steak was cooked medium rare as requested, and though the sides are standard issue, they were tasty. My blackened sea bream was decent; I liked the squid ink fried rice. My boyfriend loved and devoured everything; I think I'm a little more jaded. Everything was well-executed and no misses, but many of these are dishes that I've had elsewhere. The beverage program is really stellar, however. I tried the Crosstown Traffic (tequila, gentian, cocchi, vemouth) and the Okie Dokie (gin, apricot, sherry, jalapeno) which were both strong but good. I favored the latter, and both were up to par with drinks I've had at Death and Co and similar places. My boyfriend went for the Untitled (scotch, coconut, velvet falernum, lemon) which was incredible. Smoky and well balanced. We ended up getting two of these and I kept making him switch with me. In general when I spend this much I expect the meal to feel a little more special, and it seems like you're paying more for the vibe than the food or the service here. The pace is appropriate (maybe two hours?) and service is knowledgeable. Noise level was good for conversation and steadily rose. Definitely romantic. Portions were decent, as we were stuffed and could have gone with a couple dishes less. And decent on the alcohol as well; we had to cab home after having two each. A shame since the location is so lovely and close to Washington Square Park. This seems more like a destination to get a fancy West Village cocktail. Use for an intimate, late-in-the-game date for drinks and a plate or two. read more

Fedora was more wonderful than I could have expected. Nestled in West Village, definitely my new favorite part of the city. We showed up around 7:30 PM on a Tuesday evening, half expecting to have to find another restaurant because we didn't call ahead. The host was so nice and even though we didn't have a reservation he made sure to get us seated and more importantly he got us a drink while we waited. We couldn't have waited more than 10 minutes and we sat at the bar with full service by our waiter / bartender Jonah. The evening only got better! Jonah was extremely knowledgeable, funny, friendly and my partner and I enjoyed every moment chatting with him getting his dinner recommendations, having him make us drinks and keeping us entertained. I would go back to Fedora strictly to spend time with Jonah again...And then there was the food... Oh man, THE FOOD!!! We devoured everything... - Deviled Eggs - Mushrooms - Scalloped Crudo - The Potatoes side dish - Pork Chop - The Polluck - and the butterscotch dessert Literally you can't go wrong with anything there, Chef Kang has an incredible menu which I'm sure I can go back and experience a whole different set of tastes without them changing a single item. The food is delectable and this is definitely a MUST TRY Dinner spot here in a city of great restaurants!!! read more

What excellence looks and tastes like. Everyone else, please take note. Off the bat, Fedora gave out a good impression: our waiter was warm while not being over the top. He recommended wonderful cocktails for both of us, Sand in the crack and Lil' Smoky. Generous drinks with deep interesting flavors (I say generous because they were in big glasses, which I really appreciate). We ordered: the Spanish Mackerel Crudo, the Steak Tartare, Shiitake Mushrooms, Miso Eggplant and the Roasted Chicken. Our waiter very cleverly suggested we start with the first two and have everything else come out together. The two raw dishes were incredible, truly a great way to open your appetite. We paired the food with a bottle of Muscadet that hit all the right notes. The steak tartare was on the chunkier side and came with herb croutons which provided a good crunch. Same with the mackerel which had garlic chips for that crunch. Everything felt fresh and hearty. The chicken was a wonderful surprise, the saltiness of the foie gras really made it satisfying to eat, so was the sauce. The mushrooms were cooked in the most extraordinary brown butter - this is a dish you don't want to miss out on. Finally the eggplants were a nice touch of sweetness. We had the dessert cocktail and the vanilla semi freddo (ugh this was a step too far in retrospect). Both were delicious. Please make a reservation ASAP and bring that person you want to impress. read more

My girlfriend doesn't eat. Well, she eats. But she doesn't Eat. When I started courting her, I plied her with all sorts of meals in the hope she'd be won over. But from Recette to Yakitori Totto, nothing elicited much more than mild appreciation. When I finally got it through my head that the way to her heart did not pass through her stomach, I despaired. The one arena where I thought I knew how to impress, and this gorgeous girl who I'd been falling for since day #1? Just. Didn't. Care. In fact, she found my fixation on food a little crazy. Fine, a lotta crazy. We got through two years of shared meals that way. Nearly 100 separate times, my dining enjoyment outstripped hers by orders of magnitude. 100 times, my dream to see her pupils dilate from eating faded a little more. By the time we got to Fedora, it was almost dead. Two hours later, she was kissing me in the street. What kind of Jedi mind trick had Fedora pulled?! Cocktails helped, so well-balanced that we excused the overly whimsical names. Our server/bartender's sheer competence was disarming too, menus and glasses smoothly gliding in and out of our hands. The bar he tended was quasi-historic, kept mostly unchanged from the property's previous life as a watering hole gone to seed. Many preservationist bloggers had been outraged, seeing this as a token gesture; to them, remaking the space for hipster appeal smacked of co-opting the past. But what co-opting! The decor was like catnip to my girlfriend, admirer of all things low-lit, wood-floored, tin-ceilinged, B&W-picture-walled. We puzzled over the menu -- "everything sounds good," she said -- until hearing the specials. I can't tell you if her pupils dilated, but mine sure did. We ordered two, salmon belly and beef tongue. I confess to looking daggers at her when she asked for her belly to be done medium, not medium-rare; she reassured me, "It'll be OK." "But, but... you eat sushi, so what's the dif..." "Shhh, it'll be alright, love," she said, patting me on the hand. I couldn't know that the word "alright" would not cross my mind again that night. The salmon belly: Maybe thinking of pork belly, we thought the portion would be the size of a deck of cards. What came, however, was more like four decks. The look on her face was somewhere between desire and terror. After all, this lady had once termed half a grilled cheese, a few fries, and a third of a dessert "a huge lunch". For once, I sympathized with the plight of the dainty eater. I was distracted by the arrival of my tongue, another slab of protein plus a small moat of gravy and a fence of wonderfully crisp sweet potato fries. I wanted to check whether I'd need a knife, so I slid my fork through the tongue. I slid my fork THROUGH the tongue. That is, it felt like I wasn't cutting anything, like the fork was just passing through a hologram. This tactile absence was so incongruous that my brain short-circuited. I looked up to my girlfriend, eager to share the discovery. Somehow she'd already eaten two decks' worth. She guiltily whispered: "It's... so good." Yes, this is what Fedora reduced my Harvard-educated companion to. Even in retrospect, it's hard to be more cogent. The belly was like... the burnt ends of the ocean. Fatty, pink sea candy, dissolving in the mouth like the body didn't want to bother waiting for it to hit the stomach. There was some citrus note and some herb, but the details were lost on me. Like subtly applied makeup, the real art was in making it seem like added accents weren't even there. The tongue was just as tender as the forking had implied. The deeply flavored gravy actually made me a little mad that they hadn't included a spoon, as I had to lap it up with the fork instead. After those mains, dessert might've slipped into an afterthought. But cheesecake panna cotta with passionfruit caught our attention anew, with the... Agh, you get the idea. I loved the damn food at Fedora. Let the cynics cite Gabe Stulman's mini-empire as sign of runaway gentrification. But acknowledge that, even after the crackling atmosphere, the classy service, the alcohol... what was on the plate spoke for itself. Great is great. Even my girlfriend, so resistant to foodstuff charm, had to admit that. The spring in her step on W 4th Street afterwards -- I'd never seen her find so much joy in being so full. The silver bullet I'd sought had been in the West Village all along. Once I'd imagined telling her, "Who's crazy NOW?", but now that the moment was here, I felt only loving warmth for her, and gratitude for the spot of enchantment that a perfect meal can conjure. So, yup, maybe this review is biased. Maybe it's influenced by the fact that, out of those many many meals we've shared, Fedora is one of only two that my girlfriend has ever brought up again later. (The other? John Brown Smokehouse. Hey, she may not Eat, but the girl's got taste.) Maybe you should find out for yourself. Probability of return within 1 year: 99% read more

We were having a drink and the server told us to move to a bench next to the bathroom, so she can make room for diners. Incredible.

We got here a little bit before 8pm and we were told the wait for two people is about 2 hours so we sat at the bar. We started our dinner off with several drinks and let me start with the fact that I usually do NOT like mixed drinks. However, I really enjoyed every drink I tried here. For the first round we got the Songbird and another cocktail that I asked for to be tequila based, spicy and not sweet. The Songbird was amazing. I would definitely order it next time which is super unusual for me but it was THAT good. I also really enjoyed my drink which is typically what I get at restaurants when I ask for that (kind of like a skinny girl margarita but with better ingredients). The second drink I got was a less-sweet take on a gin gimlet which was really good. It had cloves, nutmeg and a chili in it and had a smokey flavor. I really enjoyed the fact that the bartender cared what we thought about the drinks and kept checking in on us, especially on me, to see if I liked what I ordered. For the appetizers, we got the special which was a salmon belly and another dish which was the arctic char. Both were great but the arctic char was a small portion (maybe even too small for an appetizer) while the salmon belly was really large.. Probably bigger than what most restaurants would serve as a main dish which was fine because we shared both. The salmon was my favorite of the two... It practically melts in your mouth and it has some kind of a cream sauce on the side with carrots. It was definitely the highlight of the meal. Luckily, the dish I got as my main was on the smaller side which was fine because the appetizer was so large. I got he mushrooms which came with a brown butter sauce, bread, and a poached egg. It was super delicious and I would highly recommend it though it is more of an appetizer size. Overall the meal here was excellent and I would definitely come back (and hopefully they still have the salmon belly) read more

Sexy, laid back style. Intimate and very New York. I love the vibe this place has going on, they nailed it. Everything was impeccable: service, food, ambiance. 5 stars for sure! Was lucky enough to score a resie at this new W. Village hot spot for T's B-day dinner. Fedora was perfect for the occasion. Everyone was so incredibly friendly and took customer service to a whole new level. Had a glass of Cava at the bar to kickoff the birthday toasts. The bar area is great too. The Montepulciano we ordered also was a great complement to the meal. Decent wine list. Food... oh the food! Wow. We split a bunch of things, as I wanted to try it all! Both the Chanterelles & Shiitake and the gnocci with chicken (honestly, couldn't believe they were chicken they had so much flavor) meatball apts were amazing. The pork chop was cooked perfectly and was very flavorful. The potato pancake was good, but tasted more like a breakfast pancake. We had the Blondie (Yes, Blondie for the Blondie) for dessert, and got the whole restaurant singing happy birthday to T! (She may get me back for that one). It is safe to say we ate every last bite. Nom nom nom! read more

Well it happen, its over people, they have successfully destroyed whatever leftover culture they once held from the old west village. It just makes me angry because it really didn't have to be that way at all. Fedora now represents everything that is wrong with the la la circus that is currently NYC. Its really a shame too, last year they had a good thing, it was fun, inviting and cozy. Now it's a typical meatpacking style douch bag spot where there are "reservations" at the bar and a 20 year old hostess who is "just doing her job". It's a fucking tuesday evening there are a few seats at the bar, I walked in, sat down and ordered a drink-- Its a bar right? No longer at Fedora, now you need VIP status just to order a single old fashion. Fedora just do yourself a favor, if you want to keep out your locals just get a meat-head bouncer to work the door and call it a day, any charm you once had has been gobbled up by your own bullshit and underwhelming thoughts of self importance. Im done you will never get another dollar from my pocket. read more

I had a very disappointing meal at Fedora with my friend last night. We arrived at 9.00 and were told that we were first on the list, but then had to wait 40 minutes until we were given a table. Never mind, these things happen. However, 15 minutes into our meal, just as had received our starter, a troupe of about 40 loud, drunk office-workers who'd clearly just come from a boozy work event charged into the small space, one of them leading the pack and shouting aloud 'told you guys we'd end up at Fedora'. The problem was that the bar, which was already full before these guys arrived, is only about 4 feet from the restaurant tables, so these guys were essentially standing on top of us, shouting so loud we couldn't hear ourselves speak to each other. We spoke to the diners around us who were equally dismayed at having their calm evening ruined by this. Even our waitress complained to us that she could barely get our entrees to us because the whole space was heaving. Giving up on our meal, we decided to finish our food and drink as quickly as possible and leave, and asked to speak to the manager to complain about the noise level and ask for a discount as a gesture acknowledging that we'd now have to find a new place to spend the evening. Instead, the manager had the nerve to tell us off for not knowing that a restaurant with a '19-seater-bar' can get noisy on 4 de Maio, this while she is being jostled by the 60 or so people standing around the bar meant for 19, and even though she could easily have decided to refuse this party entry if she had wanted to. Needless to say, she refused our request for even a symbolic discount. All in all, we left angry and frustrated: not only had we spent $120 on one starter, 2 entrees and 2 drinks that we'd had to consume in 25 minutes to get the hell out of there, the manager made it clear that she didn't care one bit that by deciding to pack the place with 40 drunken loudmouths half-way through our meal she had ruined our night. I would comment on the food but except for saying that the portions were tiny, the experience didn't allow me to appreciate it much. So 2 stars for the benefit of the doubt towards the actual food. read more