Freemans
New York, NY 10002
Phone: (212) 420-0012
- Cross Street:
- Off Rivington Street, between the Bowery and Chrystie Street
- Directions:
- F, V at 2nd Ave
- Specialties:
- Comfort Food, People Watching
- Hours:
- Daily 11am-4pm (Lunch), 6pm-11:30pm (Dinner), Bar open daily 11am-11:30pm
Editorial Review for Freemans – by Allison Austin
The Scene
Down a dark, shadowy alley just off Bowery, the handsome, scruffy-faced men and understatedly glamorous women of the Lower East Side gather to drink wine, crowding around antique wood tables. Worn plank floors and painted cement walls, fit with moose, elk and other assorted taxidermy, give the place a quirky edge, as do the tattoed, waifish servers, who are also professional and expedient.
The Food
The affordable menu's inspiration stems from retro party appetizers and Midwest hunting lodges. Take the three best starters: nicely gamey wild boar pâté served with a few smashed raspberries and cornichon; baked artichoke dip thick with chokes; and Devils on Horseback--savory blue cheese-stuffed prunes wrapped with bacon. Whole roast trout, stuffed with thyme sprigs and served with lemon, is simple and perfectly executed; macaroni and cheese has lots of addictive crunchy Parmesan bits. Finish with the warm chocolate brownie a la mode.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
What to DrinkWines by the glass range from $6 to $12; most bottles are in the $30-$50 range, including an earthy Holoran pinot noir ($38) from the Willamette Valley.
User Reviews for Freemans
09/21/2008 Posted by mizpink
Loved this place. It looks like you're walking into a little French restaurant. You walk in, and forget the fact you're in NYC. Everything from our appetizer, entree to our wine was spectacular. I will definitely be back!!
Pros: Food was amazing, Cozy atmosphere
Cons: could be hard to find unless you're with a "local"
08/21/2008 Posted by kali2121
I've been eating at Freemans for over a year now. Given it praises to most of my friends, who became regualrs themselves; until tonight. My friend and I walked into the restaurant around 8pm. The Hostess, who I never saw before, immediately tells us that the list is closed for the night and gestures that we can use the table in the corner which had no seats. A couple comes in less that 3 minutes after us, requesting a table for two. I overheard the same hostess tell them that she'll work something out and takes their names down for a table. After pointing out what I observed to the women her only RUDE response was "you could check back in 30 minutes." I'm going to put this in here. My friend and I are African American, the couple that requested the table after us, were white. Unfortunately I've been in this situation before, where my business wasn't accepted because of my race. but I've never experienced it so blatantly in one of my favorite neighborhoods. Freemans has lost of its best customers and her friends because of this.
Pros: The Food
Cons: The Hostess, The Waiting
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
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