04/12/09

Unforunately, this place stinks now

by chenger_1

My wife and I have been going to Peasant Wine Bar for the last several years as one of our favorite "date" places. Sadly, however, the last two experiences have been horrific and subsequently we will never go there again. Both times have been a direct result of the host.

The first episode we walked out after my wife waited 1/2 hour for a table and then he told her she had to wait another 1/2 hour because he didn't know she was waiting. This was in spite of the fact that she gave him her name and table request when she first got there not to mention she had been standing there in plain view for a 1/2 hour.

Last night we arrived at ~ 7pm for an early dinner. The restaurant was empty and the host still managed to turn 2 couples away when he refused to sit them where they asked to be seated (considering the restaurant was empty, they didn't want to have to sit right next to us- I can appreciate that). We placed our order which started off with the meat and cheese plate. Firstly, it would have been nice if he told us what the cheeses were. Then when we were about 6 or 7 minutes into our appetizer the waiter brought our main course. We politely asked for him to take it back as we clearly were not done with our appetizer yet. Eventually when he did finally bring it back, it was cold and horribly over-salted. The host was oblivious to all of this as he was too busy trying to rush us out.

All in all, still a cute space, but the service was horrific, punctuated by the bad food. Sorry to say but this place is past it's prime.

• Pros: Cute space
• Cons: Horrible host/service

03/05/09

Beyond Expectations

by CSMobileUser

I sampled from everyones plate and was satisfied with everything I tried! The best was the Cornish game hen and ricotta cheese for the bread was out of this world! Seriously loved it and will definitly return!

02/04/09

overrated-grossly

by 2leavemealone

like most places with a huge name (magnolia bakery above all), the food is mediocre at best, as italian as the olive garden, and absolutely overpriced. this place deserves no more than 2 stars

01/23/09

Wonderful smell, delicious food

by NYCGlutenFreeGirl

Went here last night, absolutely loved it. The smell is amazing when you first walk in, it makes you hungry! The menu is now mostly translated into English, so it is easier to interpret. The Bocconcini is delicious as is the suckling pig. Service was excellent.

• Pros: Brick Oven, Smell, Food
• Cons: Tables are a little close together

01/20/09

The food is ok but service is terrible.

by nypji

The host and waiters need to be informed that there are plenty of other places to eat in Manhattan. The options are plentiful especially in NYC. There are places where you will get good food and great service. The food was not bad. However, the attitudes of the hostess and waiter ruined the whole experience. That is disturbing because this is not an inexpensive restaurant.

The waiter was obnoxious, conceited and not professional. When the matter was addressed with the hostess, she didn't want to hear about it and told me to speak to the manager. I have eaten in the best restaurants in Manhattan and have never seen such terribly trained and obnoxious support staff.

• Pros: Food ok
• Cons: service was horrible

11/04/08

Mouthwatering Tuscan cooking in sleek Soho environs.

by Contributor

Locals and hopeless romantics alike flock here for fine Italian food and wine. The large brick oven might rest in back, but it's responsible for infusing the entire space with the aroma of fresh-baked, thin crust pizza and instilling a rustic vibe. Dark wood and a concrete floor add to the charming setting that's ideal for close conversation over a candle-lit dinner. Sit at a table, or on a bench up front and order classics like pizza margarita, fresh buffalo mozzarella and tender gnocchi. Chef-owner Frank De Carlo's cooking shines, from appetizer to dessert. The formerly all-Italian menu used to require that the waitstaff translate each individual item, but as of 2009 English translations have been added--as if you needed another reason to dine here.

10/17/08

Worst Service Experienced in 20 Yrs

by smas34

I completely agree with the comment below regarding having the rudest staff I have ever encountered at a restaurant. I'm not sure if they were having an off night but it really felt like we were on candid camera or something. I was trying to impress my girlfriend and take her to Peasant after hearing good things from co-workers. From the moment we walked in, we felt the maitre de had a bit of an attitude even though we had a reservation and were told we would have to wait 30 min. With a res, I can understand having to wait a couple of minutes, but this was a Tues night and that was the whole reason we made a reservation. So the rude Asian hostess told us to have a drink at the bar where the female bartenderess even copped an attitude with us when I asked what type of wine they offered. I'm not sure if they were looking not to be tipped but they all were doing a great job so far. Finally, once I realized that we had to sit at picnic tables with another couple, that was the last straw. We got out of there quickly & went to another Italian restaurant where we were treated the way one would expect to be treated. The food at Peasant looked ok but pricey for the extremely small size portions. My girlfriend now said this is the last time I get to choose the restaurant so now my credibility is a bit tarnished. Not sure what all the fuss is over this place. I would never return to Peasant after being treated with such disresepct!!

• Pros: None
• Cons: Staff with an atitude, shared picnic tables, overpriced small portions

10/16/08

RUDEST WAITSTAFF IN NYC

by UESrollers

Gave this place 1 star for rustic decor only.

I just want to note that this is my 1st time ever writing a review after all the years ive lived in this city!

Last Tuesday, my boyfriend and I wanted to celebrate a special occasion, so we decided to head downtown for dinner. We wanted to try somewhere new so I called a girlfriend of mine to recommend a good italian place with a decent wine selection and she told us Peasant wine bar. Walking in, the waiter comes up to us and says i have a table for 2 right here. A few mins later to take our drink order. I being the wine connoisseur , opted for a white. He asked if he could have a hard liquor. The waiter rudely answered " no, sir. we only have wine...go upstairs if you want to drink". So my boyfriend then said jokingly but also seriously, "oh, well can i get a drink from upstairs brought down considering its the same restaurant. I'll even buy the bottle!" The waiter then said "sir, i couldnt care less if you wanted to pay me a million dollars for the bottle...its not happening." WHOA! After getting our wine, i mentioned maybe we should just head to Il Mulino's or something because i was uncomforatble there. So, when he came back...i very nicely said "im not feeling well. We would jsut like to finish this wine and we'll take the check". The waiter said " oh well you cant sit here then. Thats what the bar is for (and walked away)". I was in shock! Couldnt believe how someone who earns a living off tips from customers, was treating us this way!

So then the asian woman came over and said " THERE IS 2 SEATS AT BAR OPENING UP. THE PEOPLE ARE PAYING AND THEN YOU GUYS CAN SIT THERE". We said ok fine. The people sharing our table w us were as disgusted as us at this point. 5 mins later...she came over and tapped my bf on his shoulder and pointed to the empty bar stools.

THIS SERVICE WAS TERRIBLE AND THE MGR/OWNER(s) SHOULD BE MORTIFIED AS TO HOW THE CUSTOMERS ARE BEING TREATED! WORST DINING EXPERIENCE IN NYC!!!!!!

• Pros: ambience
• Cons: service, communal tables

08/16/08

Totally overrated

by SSfoodie

We were really disapointed given all the great reviews this place has received. First of all, the menu is completely unapproachable, and the waittress did litle to clarify. She rattled off brief descriptors of each item at such a rapid pace that it was incomprehensable, and seem annoyed when we had to ask her to repeat a number of items. How about just having the menu in English and save everyone a little trouble? Next - and even more annoying - was their "RULE" about ordering pizza. We had heard that their pizza was fantastic, so attempted to order one as an appetizer. We were told, in a very condescending tone, that their RULE was that we could only order a pizza as an appetizer if we also order a second appetizer. No exceptions. Their explanation was "this is a fine dining establishment, not a pizzeria". Then why make pizza at all, I ask? And by the way, every "fine dining establishment" I have been to makes it a point to cater to the diner's desires, not the temperament of a snooty chef. We sucked it up and ordered the pizza and another appetizer, both of which I have to admit were quite good. However, the entrees were a big disappointment. The risotto in particular was salty, undercooked and crunchy, and tasted like I had made it from a box from Trader Joe's. Ironically, the best part of this "fine dining" experience? The pizza.

• Pros: The pizza
• Cons: "It is a fine dining establishment, not a pizzeria"

07/31/08

Terrible experience with manager - food not worth the trouble

by nycfoodie03

Mediocre food - wait time of at least 1 hour before food arrives...

We arrived on time for an 8pm reservation for 7 people, after being warned of a $25/person charge if we were late/did not show. When we arrived our table was not ready and there was no eta. After inquiring about downstairs, we were offered a tiny bench-like table. After seeing a nicer table, with at least chair backs for our older guest, we were told that table was reserved for at 9pm.

What is particularly disappointing is that our party was not treated the same way as other parties- the manager rewarded us with a mere shrug and comment "what do you expect me to do?"

What I expect is that mgmt be held to the same standards they require of their patrons - when the earlier party arrived late, why were they not told that the table was reserved for a party coming in at 8pm as we were told that we could not have a table reserved for 9pm?

I can only assume that my party was not "hip enough" in the contrived look the other patrons seemed to be sporting?

• Pros: decor was nice and rustic
• Cons: food not worth the wait and rudeness from management. Not sure if reservations mean anything...Host and manager clearly choose strategically which reservations to honor