Freeman Alley, New York, NY | Directions 10002
40.721956 -73.992460 View WebsiteView More
View Less
“have been to Freemans about 4 times over the last few years and although I really like the food and the, unique space and atmosphere, I would never go back on Saturday night.”
“We were about to order dessert.”
“After waiting for 5 minutes my group of three found room at the comfortable bar in the back (I?”
“The food here is overall very good ( have been there for brunch numerous times), but it's THE spot if you love warm artichoke dip.”
“had read about owner/chef William Tigert extensively on blogs and in New York/NYT, and all stories praised his creative cocktail menu.”
“Once up on a time it was a great little place in an alley in NYC.”
“have been to Freemans about 4 times over the last few years and although I really like the food and the, unique space and atmosphere, I would never go back on Saturday night.”
“The people who don't like this place are probably from flyover states.”
“Then the bill arrives and it just adds to the satisfaction (great prices).”
“was a little too late the night was in full swing and the wait for 3 was pretty long!”
Here's the main thing about Freemans: it's really cool. Not cool in the way of too many New York restaurants, whose sleek designs and haughty hostesses try way too hard; this is an effortlessly funky room at the end of a secret, one-way alley, which serves A+ rustic American food (including a laudable number of game dishes) and some great cocktails. The cat is out of the bag at this point, and Freemans is nobody's secret, but you still have to want to go there, because it's really not easy to find. But it's worth the effort.
No Tourists!. This is the kind of place that you just don't 'stumble on.' It's down at the end of an alley that you would have no reason to walk down unless you already knew that the restaurant is here. Having said that, it almost feels like you're part of a private club. It's very romantic. My husband and I came here for my birthday and they paid attention to every detail. It really was a "special" place. The food was fantastic, the ambiance was superb! The staff was young and hip...definitely coming back here!
love love love ARTICHOKE dip!!!!.
oh man i crave their artichoke dip...so warm and tasty and delish!!
the ambience is so chic yet down home. they are all really cool and make me feel welcome.
i love taking out of towners down the alley to the secret location - it makes it extra exciting. if you want a table, you might need to eat senior citizen style - i go around 630...
Terriffic first time experience.
A friend of mine mentioned this place to me while ago and though I was dying to try it, I was a little apprehensive because of all of the bad reviews ESP. Regarding the snotty service. Just left my yoga clas so my hair was up and I was dressed down and though I would be making a real mistake by coming in so casually but man am I glad I did! The hostess ws surprisingly nice nd with kitchen closing, they st me right away and let me order from the brunch menu. I sat at at the counter because I was alone but i was pretty comfortable and the stff were so incredibly nice and polite to me!!! The model behind the counter really took care of me and she was very attentive! I only ordered the pancakes; which were great but the people next to me ordered the artichoke dip and a sandwich looked amazing.... Just like it does in the pictures. The restaurant is really warm, with low ceilings and a lot of little rooms so there's plenty of seating. It suvh a great place to
just hang out and relax with a friend. Like most people, I read the reviews before trying anything and pay special attention to the negative ones because anyone, including the staff, can write a positive review but this was surprisingly different.... Not what I expected. I am really
glad I stopped and can't wait to come again.
Worth coming for one thing only.
I made reservations and informed the hostess that this was a special evening - a birthday. We still ended up waiting about 30 minutes for our "table" - which was barely able to fit 2 people, let alone 3 of us. It was in the worst spot and the waiters constantly had to squeeze in between one of the chairs and the wall to get through. The hostess was unbelievably rude about us even being there even though when we showed up the place was virtually empty!
The food: really the only thing that still stands out is the artichoke dip which was phenomenal. My guests liked the Devils too. The entrees were forgetable and overpriced, and honestly the service really just ruined the experience.
Come here for the speak-easy locale and the dip, and drinks too, but leave without sitting down.
Decent brunch.
Went here for brunch on a Saturday. We were seated in a booth, which was nice. I ordered the buckwheat pancakes while everyone else in my group got the skillet eggs. The pancakes were ok...I wished they were a little fluffier, but that may be the buckwheat's fault. The eggs were good as well. I ordered a side of hash potatoes, which turned out to be the best aprt of my meal.
Overall, it was a nice meal, but I didn't leave as satisfied as I would have liked. I've definitely had excellent brunches in New York before, but I didn't leave Freeman's with the same feeling, which prevents me from giving it 4 or even 5 stars. Solid, but could have been better
Nice Cocktail, but Hostess ANGELA ruined my night!. Plain and simple, my one hour and change wait turned into 2 hours. I was "next" for about 45 minutes, and she refused to make eye contact with me when I politely asked her what our status was. She made me feel as though it was my fault!! When we asked for her name, she refused to give it to us THREE TIMES. She refused, but I had gotten it earlier anyhow. Disgusted and she should be ashamed of herself and her lack of any regard for customer service.
Unclean and rude.
I didn't mind the 90 minute wait and the relatively rude staff, until I used the restroom and there were "critters" (the big brown ones that City Search won't let me type) all over it. When I informed the host and hostess (both completely blase) they barely reacted and seemed to go "handle it." Then, when my father and my boyfriend both used the bathroom later in the evening, there were still ahem, "critters" all over it -- even in the sink.
The food was decent - the decor and atmosphere are the real draw. But after a 90 minute wait, I expect to be treated in a friendly manner, rather than made to feel like the staff is "put out" to wait on us or seat us, and our waiter even made snide comments on what one of the guests at my table ordered -- seriously?.I've lived in New York for 20 years, its rare that you find this sort of snobbery.
Honestly, if there are that many critters in the bathroom DURING service, imagine what is running around the kitchen and dining room of this place when the lights go out AFTER service. Filthy.
Delicious dinner down Freeman's Alley. This place was great. My lady friend and I were seated immediately at 6ish on a Sunday night. We ordered the cheddar toasts (they had a bite of horseradish to them), a green salad with apples and radish, the rabbit, and a fish special of monkfish over squash and brussel sprouts. Everything was really delicious and the perfect amount of food. Based on what we'd heard, we thought Freeman's might be an overly trendy spot but the service was good and the patrons were of all walks of life. We really enjoyed the taxidermy on the walls and warm atmosphere.
unpleasant staff.
My friends went there for brunch. Carlos, the host, told us that it was at least an hour wait for 2 & walked away before we can put our names down. He rolled his eyes when we gave him a name. The list means nothing. You'll get a table if he finds you somewhat tolerable & not disgusted by the sight of you.
We were able to get seats @ the bar after waiting for an hour. The food is average. Don't bother going unless you like to be given dirty looks by the staff & treated like you don't exist.
Sign in with Facebook Sign in with Facebook to see what your friends are up to!
Do you have a review of Freemans on your blog? If you include the Citysearch image link (shown below) in your post, we'll automatically link to your review from the business profile page. Here's how our Linkback system works:
The Linkback system is free and automatic. It's really that easy.
To link to our business profile page, copy the html below to your web page.
Get the Citysearch Mobile app so you can spend less time searching for great places, and more time enjoying them.
