Graffiti Bistro & Bakery

The Scene – New Yorkers are used to small restaurants, but compactness goes to new extremes at this East Village spot. The four tables fill up quickly with dates and intimate groups, and getting to the restroom requires passing too close for comfort to the kitchen stove. Indian prints, newspaper place mats and brightly colored plastic chopsticks topped with animal shapes incite a convivial mood, as does the eternally smiling staff. – – The Food – Chef Jehangir Mehta internationally inspired small dishes looks like artful graffiti on the plate. Sweet flavors peek their…

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Editor's Tips

What to Drink:: In a stroke of genius, all 22 bottles on the wine list cost $25, and all glasses are $8. The hearty Vaucluse Cotes du Rhone provides a strong backbone for the parade of flavors.
Know Before You Go:: Despite the server's assurances, not all dishes are easily shareable: You might be better off ordering a few plates per person.
The Extras:: Mehta runs a candy-making class for kids the first Saturday of every month--call ahead for details.

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User Reviews (24)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“Overall, this restaurant has a great atmosphere and terriffic food all delivered with the most friendly service anyone could offer.” “you're not going to have a comfortable meal.” “In a large, overwhelming city, Graffiti is like a cozy oasis from all of the chaos outside.” “The decor is inviting, small, but this is the East Village.” “Such a small cozy place, with a delicious and welcoming menu to match.” “Besides the delicious food, the cozy confines are balanced by an excellent staff that not only guides your selections but goes to extended effort to make sure that your meal and experience are perfect.”
dessert	100.0% positive	“Overall delicious food (including the desserts) and incredible service.” “cant forget to mention dessert was wonderful too.”
drinks	100.0% positive	“We settled quickly to realize that the place has some really good wine.” “Oh the wine, nice organics, nice variety, $25 a bottle!” “He personally recommended wine and brought all of the dishes to the table and explained their origins and preparation.” “The food is absolutely delicious, the wine pairings very good at a great price, and the wait staff extremely sweet and knowledgale about the food.” “The pairings of flavors was incredible, and after trying almost the entire menu in a decadent 2 hour, 3 bottles of wine sitting, I speak from experience.” “not to mention serve you some of the best wine ive had.” “Did I mention $25 a bottle, who can beat that, they were good tasting wines as well.” “She recommend wines, explained why she recommended them, and detailed what to expect from every plate we ordered.”
food quality	92.1399974822998% positive	“highly recommend this place and advise those who want to have a food experience - but be sure to leave your picky eating friends at home.” “The dishes are small, meant to be shared by several, thus creating a full community dinner.” “Moreover, dishes are typically served one or two at a time so that you can share everything and enjoy a long meal.” “For me the small dishes are the real highlights, and I'd recommend the green mango paneer, the cheese flat bread, the chili pork dumplings, and the pickled ginger scallops.” “the pork buns are spiced perfectly and the crab rolls are amazing!” “The food is absolutely delicious, the wine pairings very good at a great price, and the wait staff extremely sweet and knowledgale about the food.” “Small dishes are great for sharing, but the tables.” “Such a small cozy place, with a delicious and welcoming menu to match.” “The dumplings were full of sweet and spicy tang.” “The food is delightful.” “Overall delicious food (including the desserts) and incredible service.” “He personally recommended wine and brought all of the dishes to the table and explained their origins and preparation.” “Absolutely everything we had was very tasty, and I think we sampled almost everything from the menu.” “This place had the best burger in town, and it's not your run-of-the-mill kind either.” “The dishes were creative, beautiful, and most importantly so tasty.” “The food is always amazing and I always look forward to the menu changes or additions.” “Chef Jehangir Mehta's table side manner is impeccable, carefully explaining the experience to be encountered with every dish as it emerges from the kitchen.” “Everything we had was very tasty.” “you're not going to have a comfortable meal.” “Overall, this restaurant has a great atmosphere and terriffic food all delivered with the most friendly service anyone could offer.” “would highly recommend this place not only for the good food but also how impressive it is that there are 2 people in this tiny kitchen which you can walk past on your way to the restroom whipping up some fantastic food.” “Besides the delicious food, the cozy confines are balanced by an excellent staff that not only guides your selections but goes to extended effort to make sure that your meal and experience are perfect.” “I'm heading to Graffiti pretty much as soon as work as over so I can replace my after work cocktail with this delicious Chocolate Steamed Bun I saw Chef Jehangir make on Behind the Burner.” “The chef is so creative with his dishes and very friendly and loves to explain his dishes and chat about them.” “Even so, the dishes came out great anyway.” “Since a lot of you have thrown light on the restaurant's interior and lack of space I am compelled to bring to your attention the uniquely, delicious food served there.” “No corner has been cut in presenting the perfect meal.” “This is about the delicious dishes you'll be served.”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“Oh the wine, nice organics, nice variety, $25 a bottle!” “The pairings of flavors was incredible, and after trying almost the entire menu in a decadent 2 hour, 3 bottles of wine sitting, I speak from experience.” “Absolutely everything we had was very tasty, and I think we sampled almost everything from the menu.” “Such a small cozy place, with a delicious and welcoming menu to match.” “Besides the delicious food, the cozy confines are balanced by an excellent staff that not only guides your selections but goes to extended effort to make sure that your meal and experience are perfect.” “The food is always amazing and I always look forward to the menu changes or additions.”
overall	75.0% positive	“have to tell the miserable public about such a great restaurant.” “My favorite restaurant in NYC!” “... It's a great place.” “Perhaps not the best place for a first date or intimate dinner though.”
return potential	0.0% positive	“am not disillusioned by the fact that it was a very bad accident that happened and that it could have been much worse, but I can't stand by when I witnessed the staff do everything they possibly could and have this girl's friend return a month later and”
service	90.0% positive	“Inspired by good reviews, my wife and I went there for a nice anniversary dinner, but obviously they value getting as many people into the cramped space more than the comfort of their customers.” “The other staff members are just as helpful and friendly.” “Food was fantastic and the service was awesome.” “Besides the delicious food, the cozy confines are balanced by an excellent staff that not only guides your selections but goes to extended effort to make sure that your meal and experience are perfect.” “The chef is so creative with his dishes and very friendly and loves to explain his dishes and chat about them.” “would highly recommend this place not only for the good food but also how impressive it is that there are 2 people in this tiny kitchen which you can walk past on your way to the restroom whipping up some fantastic food.” “am not disillusioned by the fact that it was a very bad accident that happened and that it could have been much worse, but I can't stand by when I witnessed the staff do everything they possibly could and have this girl's friend return a month later and” “The chef/owner is amazing, incredible and one of the sweetest people ever.” “Overall delicious food (including the desserts) and incredible service.” “Overall, this restaurant has a great atmosphere and terriffic food all delivered with the most friendly service anyone could offer.” “The restaurant was bustling with people and we had to wait a good 20 mins before we were led to those darling little tables.” “Not only was the wait staff friendly but they really wanted to you to have a good grasp on why they paired what they did on your plate so you get a full understanding for what you are eating and the flavors you will taste.” “The food is absolutely delicious, the wine pairings very good at a great price, and the wait staff extremely sweet and knowledgale about the food.” “Everything from the tiny space to the excellent service i couldnt have had a better night.”
value	100.0% positive	“The food is absolutely delicious, the wine pairings very good at a great price, and the wait staff extremely sweet and knowledgale about the food.” “Inspired by good reviews, my wife and I went there for a nice anniversary dinner, but obviously they value getting as many people into the cramped space more than the comfort of their customers.” “To top it off, I'm a huge fan of the Food Network shows and I had NO idea that Chef Mehta (almost winner of the Next Iron Chef) owns and operates Graffiti.”
wait time	100.0% positive	“Moreover, dishes are typically served one or two at a time so that you can share everything and enjoy a long meal.” “The restaurant was bustling with people and we had to wait a good 20 mins before we were led to those darling little tables.”

04/09/11

Tiny little place with some good food

by clairelin

Super tiny place. Be ready to be squeezed and pushed.

The mango paneer is A-okay.

Zucchini hummus pizza is made with fluffy Indian fried bread with interesting crunchy fried peas and layers of sliced cucumber and hummus. Recommended.

The chili pork dumpling can be skipped. You get much flavorful dumpling in Chinatown for quarter of the price. Nothing special.

Chickpea skate is flavorful and tasty.

Graffiti Burger is cooked to perfection. Juicy and tender.

The one not to be missed is warm truffle almond strawberries. You smelled the truffle aroma in the warm strawberries. Very subtle but wonderful.

Just mind you the tap add up quickly. For two of us, we spent about $100, in a very minimally furnished restaurant.

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05/10/10

Fantastic

by arbman

The flavor combination used to spice up common everyday foods is just awesome. This place had the best burger in town, and it's not your run-of-the-mill kind either. You'll be tempted to try everything, as the sizes are a tad larger than your traditional Spanish tapas places. It's not truly Indian food, per se, but many dishes utilize Indian spices and ingredients for sure. The only drawback is the space itself, which is quite tiny, and extremely cramped. If you're very tall (either way!), you're not going to have a comfortable meal. But suck it up, the food more than makes up for it!

Pros: Uniquely tasty food, good selection
Cons: Extremely cramped space

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02/01/10

WOW!!

by LauraTurn1

Thanks to Eatery Expert, we were sent to another AMAZING restaurant. To top it off, I'm a huge fan of the Food Network shows and I had NO idea that Chef Mehta (almost winner of the Next Iron Chef) owns and operates Graffiti. From start to finish - this was a dining experience worthy of foodies anywhere. The space was small, but that didn't really bother me because the food made you feel like you were dining like royalty. Thanks EE!

Pros: a dining experience!
Cons: small, but worth it!

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11/06/09

Graffiti experience

by Ben Albert

It was a spontaneous decision to visit Graffiti in East Village. We were in the neighborhood and had not made any bookings so we decided to take our chances with this small but cozy place. The restaurant was bustling with people and we had to wait a good 20 mins before we were led to those darling little tables. Since we were a party of 4 we got the corner table. One look at the interiors and I knew that the owner had an impeccable taste and had hired the right designer to get the job done. I was surprised to know that Chef Mehta, who is also the owner, had designed the whole place himself! We asked the staff to pass on our compliments to him. We settled quickly to realize that the place has some really good wine. The portions served are just right and I enjoyed it because I hate to eat a heavy dinner. I ordered for a Watermelon Feta Salad, Mint Sorbet. The watermelon and mint sorbet gave it a cool feel and the feta brought in the saltiness. The staff did tell me that they add something for tartness but by the time they reached that part of the description I had started digging into it. The food looked and tasted heavenly! Chef Mehta has given a thought to every aspect of the “Graffiti experience”. I missed out on tasting the Graffiti Burgers, which I read later are the specialty, so I will be back at Graffiti pretty soon. Though I will make sure to book a table this time since I know that Chef Mehta is celebrity chef now! I saw him cook on the Next Iron Chef on Food Network the other day. I would love to meet him! Hope I bump into him when I go there the next time.

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10/29/09

Compelled to go back

by dpherson

Since a lot of you have thrown light on the restaurant’s interior and lack of space I am compelled to bring to your attention the uniquely, delicious food served there. In my life I follow one principle “Never eat an insignificant meal” and places like Graffiti make it possible for me to stick to it. I read the reviews and decided to go and visit the place. This was a year back and I have been hooked since then. The pork dumpling with the tomato-chilly sauce, the grapefruit confit and fried chickpea flour just leaves you wanting more. Not to mention the much praised braised pork buns and crab noodle rolls which I recommend very highly to all first timers. The whole restaurant and the food served are in such harmony that the place exudes warmth which, according to me, I find lacking in a lot of places. I feel his principle of “less is more” reflects in all the preparations. The portions are just right and stress is given on the flavors, taste and preparations.

Whenever I see Chef Mehta cooking on The Next Iron Chef I cannot help wondering if he is going to put this preparation on the menu. I just hope he does because he can count on me to come and taste it.

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Justin Hartung

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Editor's Tips

04/09/11

Tiny little place with some good food

by clairelin

05/10/10

Fantastic

by arbman

02/01/10

WOW!!

by LauraTurn1

11/06/09

Graffiti experience

by Ben Albert

10/29/09

Compelled to go back

by dpherson

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