Chow Bar

11/22/09

Dont Believe The Bad Reviews!

by ichang2010 at Citysearch

I have NO idea what the previous bad reviewer is talking about. I've been going to Chow Bar for 5+ years and have never had a bad experience. I've seen the decor evolve (they just renovated the front and back rooms), and I've been there for the menu changes. The food is innovative and not like other "asian-fusion" cuisines that are dime-a-dozen in this city. Peter makes a daily Irish soda bread that is out of this world. The goat cheese fondue - to die for. Wait, no the bbq spareribs is TO DIE FOR. I cant really decide! Maybe the lobster fried rice is really to die for.

To top off Chow's 10th year sojourn on this cozy corner on W.4th and W.10th, Chow now holds weekly Sunday night burlesque variety show called "Dim Sum Burlesque"!

• Pros: Great food, local favorite,

08/10/09

The worst place to go in the West Village

by button8 at Citysearch

This so called restaurant is the dirtiest restaurant I have ever been to. I had the opportunity to go through the kitchen, where one of the owners, Peter, is the chef and I got a personal tour of the place. I have never been more disgusted with an environment. I must have seen at least 2 rodents in the place. The kitchen was just plain old dirty. And Peter was so nonchalant about it, saying that this is how every kitchen is, its no big deal!!!

I was required to get dinner here and I ordered the over cooked steak and the soggy chow mein-which of course was not supposed to be that way-but when I said something the owner Bob said that is the way it is supposed to be and that he can't do anything about it.

This place needs to be shut down, I have had many friends go there to try it out and all of them have always said its terrible.

The drink prices were raised and that only means selfish owners in this sinking economy....

never go there!

• Pros: Absolutely the worst food and service I ever had
• Cons: everything

04/25/09

Good ol Fashioned Goodness

by babycarrot at Citysearch

We go here a lot, and i think it's time this place gets a better rap. I don't know about the mickey and minnie thing... that's a little much, considering i've i know the wait-staff and they've never said anything.

ANYWAY, go here, and if you do you, try to grab one of the Diner's Decks to shave off the price a bit. My wife and I got the Manhattan and Brooklyn/Downtown decks this Christmas and have been the best little things ever. You can get $10 off at 52 restaurants around Manhattan (and Bklyn) and it solves the ubiquitous question “Where should we eat tonight?” So glad Chow Bar was in the deck. We’ll be back. Oh, and check out the Diner’s Decks. It’s a must . www.cityshuffle com

• Pros: big portions, fun atmosphere, good price, terrific flavors
• Cons: service a bit slow, but attentive

04/27/08

Below average food and horrendous management.

by raxs at Citysearch

A few of my friends and I ate at Chow on Saturday night and the experience was below average and the manager needs to take a swift intensive course in customer service. Up until our main courses the experience was good. I have to praise our waitor for exceptional service and our starters of ribs were very good. Then came the mains....All of them were just not good. Tasteless and watery chow mein, over cooked steak, dry wasabi mashed potatoes without the wasabi, sickly reduction sauce and the list goes on...

We mentioned to the waitor that our dining experience had not been the greatest and it was a shame. He suggested that we speak to the manager. We calmly and nicely presented all the facts to the manager, good and bad, but he was not having any of it. Apparently in eight years of managing the place he has not had a complaint, I think he shold take a little look at this website! When we described the downsides to the dishes on of his responses was "chow mein is supposed to be watery". He was just absolutely defiant that the food was not good. He explained that his partner was the chef so I think he was taking this as a personal attack on his boyfriend. At the end of the day it was supposed to be constructive feedback to improve his establishment, however you obviously can not help some people. Quite frankly our whole encounter with the manager who acted like a little child left the foulest of tastes within our mouthes. I certainly wil not be recommending it to anyone....not unless they have a passion for watery chow mein!!

• Pros: Great waitor, good short ribs
• Cons: Tastless food and horrendous management

08/23/07

RODENTS !!

by annacmurray at Citysearch

this place has a real problem with rodents! saw mickey running around the dining area after the dinner crowd had died down- mentioned it to the bartender and he said that he had been working there for 5 years and that he had NEVER one! that he would mention it to the manager and they would take care of it.

GAVE THEM A SECOND CHANCE! and went back about a month later and MICKEY AND MINNIE were still running around! EWWWWWWW! gross. never again.

and it's sad- cuz they have good cocktails and i thought good food until i realized that there might be rodents running around the kitchen too :(

07/16/07

Great Flavors

by lorusso328 at Citysearch

Love the amazing combinations of flavors on the menu. Always a great crowd, warm professional service, and unique cocktails. A great little place, that's always surprising.

• Pros: Spare ribs, Baby clams, Sake
• Cons: NONE!

07/02/07

Underwhelming

by charlesmstam at Citysearch

I went here to celebrate my friend's birthday. The food here was just plain average. Nothing at all stood out apart from the edamame, which the kitchen somehow managed to butcher. The food was reasonably priced, but then I would only eat here if I lived upstairs.

• Pros: Decent Pricing, OK Scene
• Cons: Bland Food, So So Service

05/12/07

Ok, but too $$ for drinks.

by matto6 at Citysearch

This place used to be good, but they just raised drink prices to $12, which seems a bit much. The owners can't let a good thing just be!

11/22/06

THE BEST!!!!!

by datona13 at Citysearch

I have lived in the W. Vill. for 5 years and dine or drink here at least once a week for the past 5 years. The food is amazing with enormous attention to detail in the ingredients and presentation, big portions, great value, and there's something for everyone - vegans, carnivores, omnivores! The quality never faulters. It is "asian-fusion" without all that fussiness -- it's hearty food. And the drink selection is delicious, too! Everyone I take here becomes a regular like me. The atmosphere is perfect for a romantic evening, a large group, just a friend, family, or even alone at the bar. And the staff is the highest quality around, truly making the experience personal and fun. After 5 years, I still look forward to my meals or drinks at Chow Bar.

• Pros: Hearty food + drink with high attention to quality and details!
• Cons: None!!!

11/13/06

good ribs, bad service (and loud!)

by melania1313 at Citysearch

went for a b.day dinner sat. night and felt like i was in times square. the food is delicious, especially the short ribs but the staff is rude and inattentive. the noise level is also very high. the night was still fun because the company was great. the prix fixe was a fine idea for sharing in a large group.

• Pros: short ribs
• Cons: rude staff, very noisy place