Brinkley's

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

From the folks behind Martignetti Liquors, a sleek brasserie for before-the-party meals.. Prepped-out, 20-something young execs fill this American brasserie nightly, sliding into wide wooden booths and sipping wine at comfy banquettes. A vaulted, tin ceiling casts a glow on candlelit tables and heaping plates touched by Italian and French influence. The menu's most-ordered entrees include chicken paillard made with grapes and manchego, and New York strip steak served with fries. Many appetizers--save for specialties like lobster bisque--can also be ordered as main courses.

Doesn't Recommend

i_heart_nyc

Joined 7 years ago

Overpriced, Bad Food, Terrible Service, Bad Setup. The food here was not that good. I had the duck (greasy, over-cooked, and too salty), my gf had the eggplant Martignetti (you could probably re-create something better than this with a jar of ragu and some fresh mozarella at your local food emporium, no cooking experience necessary). The prices are way more than they should be. I'd rather wait for a table at Balthazar's than go back to this place.

The service was just ok. The restaurant was completely empty and it took about 10 min to get seated. The food came quickly but our drinks did not, nor did they fill our water glasses up on a frequent basis. We always had to flag them down when they were near empty. The same goes with the drinks that we ordered, most places would ask you if you want another one but not here.

I once met friends at the bar in the basement. The bar isn't that great; it was way over-crowded. I liked the loungy seats though but you should expect them to be occupied unless you go there early.

Also, having met one of the owners made me not want to come back even more--not very friendly and a terrible attitude.

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natbirk

Joined 6 years ago

Nolita-chic restaurant meets nouveau brasserie. Low maintenance (nouveau) traditional brasserie with high maintenance clientele where Italy meets France, brasserie meets bar, and models meet financiers. High energy atmosphere with a poignant French/Italian/Southern European menu (there?s something for everyone on the menu). Intimately exciting with an after-hours speakeasy, Bella's, (down below) for those who can?t get enough.

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nyc_girl

Joined 11 years ago

OK Food, Loud Fun Scene. This is the kind of place you go w/ a few of your girls (or boys) for a lively dinner before a night on the town. This is not the place to go if you're looking for an intimate, romantic dining experience. Arrived on a Sat. night and they didn't have our reservation (which we made 2 days in advance w/ no probs) but sat us w/in 15 min. anyway. There were quite a few frat boys on the premises and the host seemed to know many of them so perhaps they just graduated college together. The space is nice sized and good location (right behind La Esquina) but too bright for a romantic ambiance. The food is also ok, but nothing special. My friend didn't finish his tuna tartare b/c the flavor was askew. My goat cheese salad was swimming in dressing and the lettuce was very dry. Our scallop dish was luke warm and the flavor was pretty bland.

Ultimately, we left before dessert because of the noise. We couldn't hear each other speak without practically yelling and there was a table of 10+ investment banker types who were so drunk they were singing and climbing out the windows (to the host's apparent delight) that it was just a bit obnoxious. Had I been w/ a bunch of my friends and not on a date (and a little drunk), perhaps that would have been somewhat appealing.

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djlimo

Joined 7 years ago

cool addition to neighborhood soho without the tourist scene. opening weekend i walked by and couldnt get a table. it was just four of us and the last thing we wanted in the hood was another balthazar or felix with tourists and crowds. i ended up going back last week and was very pleasantly pumped to see that bar martignetti (sp?) has evolved into a cool neighborhood soho spot. that is busy in a welcoming way but you are always able to snag a table. the scene was cool because we actually ended up seeing a bunch of our friends and putting two tables together... music great, food good, but my main complaint is this mythical breakfast that they say will start soon... when??? also make it to weekend brunch which was all reggae toons on if thats your scene.... oh yeah skip the duck confit, i've had better, but the lobster roll is better than pearl oyster bar...

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guerillawarfare

Joined 7 years ago

Soho Standard?. I have been to Bar Martignetti just once but can't wait to get back over there. I came in late during the week and cocktailed with one of the "brothers" after a couple sidecars I worked up an appetite and tried the lobster bisque it was intense enough for a single course. Check out this fun place to eat/drink after a late shift. It is nice to be looking.at the bar not over it once in a while, Cheers!

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ck978

Joined 7 years ago

All about the food!. I think the restaurant opened up this week -- I went on saturday and was very impressed. The space has beautiful white french windows and an large bar area with terrific cocktails; the servers and the scene is very casual and welcoming -- however it was the food that got me hooked. I recommend the bayonne ham and the oysters rockefeller for appetizers and was absolutely in love with the duck breast I had for the main course. Also, the table next to me was raving about the cobb salad and the steak frites -- it seems like a terrific value. One word of advice: the scene (and music volume) picks up later in the night so get there early if you would like a quiet meal. I definitely will be going back!!

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rockerchic178

Joined 7 years ago

yummy classic fare, attentive serivce, classic cocktails. Classic. I ate at Bar Martignetti on opening night and had a great time. The servers are attentive (and hot), the space is open and inspiring, and the FOOD is delicious. I couldn't decide what to order because everything looked amazing. One thing that's seems great about BM is that their food is well-thought out and nuanced. Our friends shared the oysters rockefeller and the ham and cheese plate ... and both made me excited to eat. Honestly try everything. This place is very sceney, but not at all pretentious -- good for groups or a lively date. Very classic, very classy.