Absolute gem if you're into wine!…read more One of my friends brought here and befriended the bartender a while ago and she definitely knew so much about wine. I learned so much about the different regions and even discovered a Chardonnay that blew my mind. They don't serve orange wine FYI. I just love this place and my friend blew my mind once we went downstairs. It's connected to a cocktail bar (Experimental Social Club) so you can have your wine and then move downstairs for a swanky cocktail club vibe! Usually they need reservations but if you come through the wine bar those aren't necessary! Pro tip!

Have been here twice now and it's such a lovely and beautiful space! Definitely recommend getting a…read morereservation as it gets quite busy but is not loud inside at all. We split a bottle of a chardonnay which was so delicious and for food got the chicken sandwiches which are a must get, the baby gem salad which was also incredible and the zucca pasta which was delicious but could have been a bit warmer. Such a beautiful bar and great place to catch up!

Just a Great hors d'oeuvres spot in NEW YORK CITY! In a…read morelittle under a year, I have been to this spot uncoincidentally twice through passing- The street is bustling with enticing cuisine and merging sense of palette confusion. This STICKS OUT. It is French, it offers a sunlit outdoor patio and rests on New York cobblestone. Only the finest. We ordered their 30 dollar happy hour wine selection (their choice of white, rose or red). We went for rose as it was only approaching cocktail hour. Ended up spending $60, do your own math! As for food, this was where I had a blonde moment. The French wordings of cheese or meat was simply something I haven't even seen in France. So what to do? Tell our server we love rich goudas, goat cheeses and manchego's; but stray from any blue cheese family member or associate. He brought an array of an assortment! I do not recall the names of their cheese, two we liked one we did not appreciate. The unappreciated cheese was a reminder to my deep hatred for blue cheese and utter regret for even bringing it up to our server. TOO MUCH BREAD. Not because I am a model, but because I believe in proportion sizings, especially when it comes to the delicacies within the cheese world I aspire to be apart of. NO MORE BREAD PLEASE, I begged as I calm and swiftly maneuvered the slices into my concerned and judged mouth. We also enjoyed the escargot, 10/10. Get the escargot and wine babes xxx

Vibe was proto-typical French place. Trying to be a cafe or was it nicer place?! Food portions were…read moretrying to be high end but the preparations and proportions with a high cost - overpriced. The wine list was better than most standard bars in NYC, but not high end, but it priced as if it was.

I was looking for a spot in the area to meet a friend, and after a quick search settled on Little…read moreNed. As I walked in and saw just how swanky this place is I panicked - there was no way we could just walk in here without a reservation, right? But the hostess was, thankfully, so down to earth. I was straight up like hey I totally messed up and thought we could just walk in here, she was like you know what, let me see what we have. Lo and behold, she did have a table for us - as long as we were out in an hour and a half, which was just the right amount of time. Stepping into this place feels like you're in some secret, super special cocktail club. Decor is super high end, vibes are upscale AF. The cocktail menu is incredible -- and incredibly pricey, but truly worth it. I ordered the Valentino which was strong and sweet, really well made. They gave out a complimentary nut mix that was also delicious. Service was swift and gracious. If you're looking for a spot to impress a date, this is it.

Come to Little Ned for fantastic cocktails in an intimate setting, you won't be disappointed…read more The space is gorgeous, with bar and table seating on the main floor, as well as some standing tables next to the bar if you can't find a seat right away. There's also seating on the second floor, perfect for couples or small groups. I tried two of their cocktails when I went. The first was the Eastern Julep, a delicious twist on a classic. The mint Moroccan tea gave the drink a cool, refreshing taste on every sip. I also tried the Silver Screen, the closest drink I could find to an old fashioned. It was interesting, there was definitely a hint of a buttery taste. Overall a really balanced bourbon drink. I walked in and found room at the standing tables. A bar seat eventually opened up but I was already on my second drink by then. Definitely make reservations if you're planning a visit!

The care that was taken into each table is truly impressive. Our server was very attentive and made…read moresure everything was safe for me as I have a few food allergies. The hostess was doing just as much as our server from side work to helping the bartender with drinks to bussing tables she was on it. The manager as well was attentive to everyone dining and made sure everything went smoothly. The atmosphere was intimate and well lit so you could read the menu without the lighting being so in your face. I went for restaurant week with a few friends and the place was packed for a summer Sunday night. It was a choice of one antipasti, one pasta, risotto, or secondi and one dolce. We had focaccia for the table (not included with restaurant week), which was light and fluffy and served with salted butter and olive oil, for antipasti I was recommended the crispy baby artichokes with lemon and shaved pecorino which did not disappoint and reminded me of crispy potatoes. My friends had Beef tartare and Zucchini Fritters highly recommend as well. For the second course I had lasagna with bolognese, crispy mushrooms, béchamel (sauce that mac n cheese is based) and mozzarella and it did not disappoint. My friends had Ricotta Cavatelli and Spicy Vodka Rigatoni (which wasn't listed on the menu online and seemed to have replaced the Spaghetti Carbonara online). For dolce I had my all time favorite Tiramisu as I looooooooove coffee and while very delicious it was a bit heavy on the coffee. My friends had the strawberries & cream verrina and Limoncello (also very strong). I also had the Calypso cocktail which was good. If you like strong drinks it's the place for you, next time I will get a mocktail. I will definitely come back here for cousins night or with a date, truly an amazing restaurant experience.

{Overall: 3.5; Food: 3.5} Ambiance: 4; Service: 4…read more Carlotto is enjoyable, but on the more expensive side for what it is. The pastas are good and the ambiance is dark, romantic, and intimate. Service is good and the overall experience is pleasant. I enjoy the food, but it is not something I find myself craving, which makes it harder to justify the prices.

I met a friend here for happy hour on a weekday, and we had a wonderful time. The restaurant was…read morespacious and the marble bar was gorgeous. There's even a speakeasy lounge downstairs. The bar seating was plentiful and comfortable. There is plenty of space for people to stand behind the bar or a high top tables enjoying happy hour after work. If you go at 4:30 or 5, it's a bit calmer as the after work crowd trickles in. And as the evening went on, it started to get more and more packed, and it became a really lively vibe. After my friend left for another function, I stuck around a little bit longer for a little solo dinner. I had a glass of Prosecco off the happy hour menu followed by a dirty martini, and I did request to look at their full dinner menu because there was a couple items that I wanted to try. I wanted to try the duck Ragu and halloumi cheese, both of which were absolutely fantastic. The halloumi cheese was perfectly grilled and flavorful, and the duck Ragu was very comforting. I highly recommend both dishes. I ended up chatting with a woman sitting next to me who happened to work with select apertivo, and next thing I know one of the bartenders handed me a lovely bright cocktail to try on the house. It was a refreshing bubbly Barlume spritz that I'll definitely have to get again next time. Overall, I had a really great time at Barlume. The service was excellent from the servers and the bartenders, and they were all very attentive, personable and friendly throughout the evening. I'll definitely be back for happy hour or dinner with friends!

It's been a minute since we'd dined out (life on the other side of having a kid has been DIFFERENT…read morey'all) so we decided to go check Barlume out. Did you know this is where the Beecher's used to be?! RIP, I miss their Mac n cheese.... the vibe is completely different now (think extravagant Mediterranean vibes, it's very instagram-mable with the beautiful bar area). I had made a reservation for 5:30 (again, life with a baby is very different)- we arrived early but the staff were very gracious and were able to get us seated. They seated us in a side alcove area where they had cushioned seating, which was very helpful. What we Ordered: Drinks: Barlume Spritz and Hibiscus Mule (N/A cocktail)- drinks were good, nothing too special but we appreciated the cute stirrers Appetizer: Halloumi- grilled halloumi with roasted eggplant puree. The saltiness of the halloumi went so well with the creaminess of the eggplant. (Baby liked the eggplant puree too hah) Entrees: Lobster Arrabiatta and Duck Ragu and Truffle Pizza. My husband got the lobster arrabiatta and was raving about how delicious it was. He said it was the perfect level of spice. My duck ragu was served with busiate (a corkscrew shaped pasta) which I thought 'trapped' the sauce perfectly so you get a nice saucy bite each time. Pasta was perfectly al dente- my one gripe is that I felt the duck ragu was a bit too salty, which even managed to overpower the tomato flavor. We shared the truffle pizza, which came topped off with stracciatella, porcini mushrooms and shaved truffles. I liked the porcini mushrooms on the pizza, this was a first for me. For dessert (which we had to gobble down quickly because baby was starting to get fussy) we got the pistachio cake. SAVE SPACE IN YOUR STOMACH FOR THIS ONE!!! This was my favorite in the whole meal, the kataifi gives it that wonderful crumbliness and it went soooo well with the mango sorbet that's served with it. Recommend for a nice dinner with friends or a cool place to grab drinks! 4.5 stars

Second time being here, but the first time was in 2016 and it was great then and now even better…read more Place was packed so make sure to book this place in advance! Everything it's great however they used to have the Spanish grilled chorizo which is my favorite!

I've been to Boqueria several times, and it never disappoints. It's always a lively, fun…read moreexperience, especially during happy hour. They have a great selection of drinks and small bites, and I highly recommend starting with the red sangria. Fair warning: it goes down a little too easily. The jamón croquetas and mushroom croquetas are perfect bar snacks to pair with your sangria. We happened to be there watching Spain during the World Cup, so between the food, drinks, and cheering fans, it almost felt like we had been transported to Barcelona--minus the airfare. The service was friendly, relaxed, and refreshingly unhurried. We never felt rushed and were able to order at our own pace, which made the meal even more enjoyable. For the main course, the meatballs, chicken skewers, gambas al ajillo, and beef paella were all delicious. Honestly, every time a dish arrived, I thought, "Okay, this is my favorite," until the next one came out. The churros were the perfect ending--crispy, hot, and dangerously good when dipped into the thick, rich hot chocolate. They're the kind of dessert that makes you seriously consider ordering a second round... even when you're already full. Boqueria continues to be one of my favorite spots for great Spanish food, excellent happy hour, and a lively atmosphere. I'll definitely be back--and probably for those churros sooner than I should.

Despite being busy, the restaurant was accommodating for our group of 6 right after work. It had a…read moregood variety of food which makes it good for possibly picky eaters. The restaurant has great decor and low lighting which is just what we needed after a long day of meetings. Highly recommend the guacamole.

I got the Tacos de rib eye and Tacos de carnitas and both came with two each and were very good! I…read moreliked the corn tortilla and the amount of meat, along with the salsas they gave me to put on the tacos. Service was fast and it's so spacious inside! I do think the tacos are priced a little bit high but it's a pretty nice restaurant ambiance vs a hole-in-the-wall taco spot, so I understand the menu pricing.

An absolutely fantastic dining experience. Came with a group of 4 celebrating a birthday dinner…read more The ambiance is perfect for a date night. Music and decor sets the mood for an "elevated casual" vibe. Everyone at my table enjoyed their food. Servers were very attentive. Perfect restaurant in the city to receive a top-rated experience.

Booked ahead for dinner on a Thursday night for 4 people. I liked Craft back in the day and had…read morebeen keeping my eye on this offshoot. I tried: + Crispy artichokes + Whipped ricotta + Paccheri + bucatini cacio e Pepe + skirt steak + Gemelli - too salty + Olive oil cake + Buona notte amaro Absolute best bites were the artichokes and the paccheri. Also really liked the olive oil cake. Gemelli was too salty, but the bucatini was good. The dining room feels like an afterthought - oddly placed open kitchen and bar. I think it used to be a private dining room for Craft but don't quote me. Overall solid, but not incredible.

I LOVE Oscar Wilde - it really is iconic. You genuinely cannot beat the ever changing vibe there -…read moretheir seasonal decorations are always so unique and you never really know what you'll be stepping into in the BEST way. While the decorations are ever changing, the service and quality isn't. There are specialty cocktails, great wines by the glass, a solid beer list, and bartenders who are willing and able to help you choose something if you're stuck between options or aren't sure what to order (or can make you something off-menu if you share your preferences!). The crowd size can depend - sometimes you can't move there, other times spaces empty up and there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to why, so go in with patience. When I'm in the area, this is definitely one of my favorite spots for a pre or post dinner drink! Can't wait to come back for the Halloween and winter decorations later in the year.

We had our company dinner party here which felt like Christmas on steroids. The ambiance was super…read moreInstagram worthy, but not sure if the finance clientele matched. Nevertheless, we were treated like kings, and all the corporate finger foods were a major hit. Be sure to cop the corner bars for cocktail options before the crowd kicks in

2nd time here. In a city with so many options, the service and hospitality blew me away. During my…read morefirst visit I had made a comment, which they remembered and then proceeded to go above and beyond. Ambiance was upscale, intimate, perfect for a night out or something more casual. The dill vodka martini was dangerously easy to drink. We enjoyed every dish here, but standouts included the labneh (+simit), wagyu filet mignon, and the seasonal butternut squash. If you like uni, then the spicy tuna crispy rice or the uni pasta. Unpopular opinion, but the carrots were OK so i'd skip in favor of other options. Get the dark chocolate mousse for dessert and thank me later. We left stuffed and will be back. Shoutout to Hector!

Opto had been on my list for a while, and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to get a…read morereservation. The space feels warm and inviting the moment you walk in. But just as I'd given my name and the hostess was about to seat me, someone at the bar stepped in to greet friends, and three people stood up to meet them. By the time I could get around them, the hostess was already at the far end of the restaurant, near a back room, not having waited to guide me the rest of the way. I'd barely reached the table, hadn't sat down or taken off my jacket, when a waiter greeted me and asked if I'd been to the restaurant before. I gave him a look that said I haven't even sat down yet, but he pressed on, asking what kind of water I wanted and whether I'd decided on a drink. In that moment, the room stopped feeling like fine dining and started feeling like a diner. When my friend arrived a few minutes later -- someone I hadn't seen in a long time -- a waiter was at the table the instant she sat down, asking what she wanted to drink. They tried to clear our starters twice while we were still eating, and at one point took the cutlery off my friend's plate while she was mid-bite of her salad, just to make room for the entrées. During the entrées, two waiters and a back waiter attempted to clear our plates three separate times while we were still eating. The food was delicious, and the space was lovely. But the sense of being rushed throughout the meal was the most absurd I've experienced at a restaurant like this. I won't be going back.