Zipper Factory

I couldn't believe it!

by jjud

Seeking a spot for a birthday dinner on Memorial Day Monday, I checked the Zipper Factory website, which specified only that they were closed on Sundays, so I called the restaurant directly on the Thursday preceding Memorial Day. The woman who answered confirmed that they would be open and took my reservation for a party of four, along with my phone number.

When we arrived on schedule, we found the restaurant closed. A phone call elicited an announcement that they would "be closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday," reopening "for lunch on Tuesday."

No phone call, no apology, no kidding!

Really enjoyed this place

by carolineann

My friends and I needed a place on the west side that was close to the port authority, and this is really close.

We didn't know what to expect, but were pleasanly surprised. We walked into a warmly lit, neighboorhoody, comfy, funky decor. The hostess was very sweet and our waiter really was nice and helpful even though it was only his 2nd day. They have an interesting cocktail menu, but i really liked the wine list, and was able to find a lovely savuignon blanc for $24.00. The menu is varied , with some vegetarian choices. We each selected an entree, and were quite satisifed with our choices. The portions are a good size, and my lamb burgers were very tasty. I found only a couple of draw backs...we ordered a 3 cheese plate appetizer from a nice selection of cheeses, but found the slices to be a on the small side, and i would have perferred crackers or fruit instead of a plain white baguette. The second was we did not realize that our meals came with a large mound of fries, so we each ordered an extra side, which were not needed or eaten. That being said, desserts were delicious. The apple tart is big enough to share, i loved my pumpkin cheese cake, and the baked pear was soft and creamy with out being mushy. I will definitely be going back

and bringing more friends with me. P.S. not for small children, so get a sitter and enjoy yourselves.

• Pros: warm atmosphere, very nice staff, good size portions and reasonable wine list
• Cons: cheese plate slices were small, all cocktails are $10.00

A great place in a location that needs one badly

by rikfokko

This is a great place to relax and spend a night, especially if you are going to see a show next door.

We enjoyed getting drinks, getting some appetizers, another drink, and the main course after which we had another drink in the theater bar which we took into the show (our lady J; awesomely excellent!).

We were a crowd of six and ordered quite a variety of appetizers and entrees. Our favorites were the home smoked sausages (bratwurst was gorgeous), and we enjoyed the variety in the menu choices.

This is not a gourmet restaurant, it is a good stick to your ribs style restaurant of which I think there simply aren't enough in NY, or for that matter the entire world.

While the food was quite good, the real reason for going to the Zipper factory is to enjoy the atmosphere and decor. The decor makes very inventive use of almost random leftovers, colors, light and material.

I am a booth person and we enjoyed a nice spacious booth in the back of the place, but there is so much variety in the restaurant that anybody's seating preference can be catered to.

The wait staff was friendly and helpful.

The overall package with reasonable prices make this a recommended restaurant.

• Pros: Very relaxing, great ambience
• Cons: Not sure if the service speed will hold up if the place is full

Looks good, but... where's the food? Where's the Manager?

by fitzschall

Stopped in the Zipper Factory Tavern before the Joy Behar show. We were especially looking forward to the themed specials picked by Joy: Italian...mmm.....

The appetizers were ok, nothing special, but we were really looking forward to the pasta. And, although we were there 90 minutes before showtime, 15 minutes before the show our server informed us that our dinners would be ready in 8 minutes! Needless to say, we did not get to eat.

When we asked to speak to the Manager, she wouldn't speak with us. Bad service is one thing, but when the Manager snubs the customers, that's unacceptable. We will skip this place if we want to eat before another Zipper Factory show.

• Pros: Close to the Zipper Theater; nice interior, good drinks.
• Cons: Management could care less about the customers. Dreadful!

Great Room and Menu....Disappointing Entrees and Service

by fosterdeux

We were very excited to try the Zipper, as we loved the menu, and were seeing a show in the adjacent theater. As we walked into the room, we were very impressed, and the appetizers we had were great as well. Unfortunately, the entrees (duck and mussels) were bland and disappointing, and the server never seemed to be around. (The busstaff, however, were very attentive).

It's a shame, because it is a cool room, and hopefully we will try it again, but maybe we will just stick to starters...at the bar.

• Pros: Decor
• Cons: Service, Entrees