02/17/07

Good snacks... No more wine/glass options

by emceebard

I refused to go here for about 2 years. The lady and I had a really bad experience (waited for 30 minutes without menus/water, while the too cool staff chilled at the bar and talked to the too cool regulars). So we walked out, swearing to never return. But last week we found ourselves on Clinton in the middle of a snowstorm and decided to try again?we had walked into a few places, bar window shopping if you will, and walked out when we saw that nobody was there. Why don?t people drink during snowstorms?

We found the spot empty as well, but we were cold and wd-50 seemed like a weird choice, so we settled on our long-scorned friend. Fortunately, this visit was much more successful. We settled on glasses of wine (white/red split) instead of a bottle. I found the list was nice, but they could have offered more by-the-glass options. The bartender/server was nice too, and way more Midwest-friendly than Midwest-surly.

For food we settled on the cheese plate, which was a basic combination of sliced hard chesse (Manchego, provolone, something else) served with sliced French bread. Simple and tasty. We also ordered the shredded corn beef sliders. Recently I have been disappointed with bar sliders (why are they so damn trendy?). The bun always seems to be stale and the patty (beef, veal, lamb) just isn?t cooked right (nor hot). But shredded corn beef? A nice idea, for sure, but I wasn?t expecting much. I had originally ordered the braised short ribs, but they were out. Always a disappointment. So I went with the next thing on the menu (under pressure, for sure) and had instant buyers remorse. But when the dish arrived, I was pleasantly surprised. The corned beef was tender and certainly Katz-like and the bun was soft. There was some kind of condiment, maybe a spicy mustard, which worked well. Overall, a nice dish.

So the spot has risen from the dead. Much credit to the new owners for bringing it back. Music was good too.

09/27/06

Great little bar.

by 1251nyc

The food was great, and cheap for how much you get. Fantastic drinks try the lemonade one and bartenders are friendly. Great music too check it out.

09/15/06

overrated

by johnddong

Cute little place....but went there on a Friday night and it was empty! Bartender was friendly though. I have to say, this place should not be categorized under wine bar......especially since they only had a few different types of wine on their menu. Don't recommend this place at all if you're looking to be in a happening place or looking for an extensive wine list.

09/15/06

Over-rated

by sciocco315

What is all the hype about? The place was completely empty. The food was generic, and mediocre at best. And there was like 15 different types of wine. Not very impressive for a "wine bar". $30 bottle of Gabbiano?!?! (you can get Gabbiano at A&P Liquors for like $15). This place is not the jump-off everyone makes it out to be (could be that most of these good reviews are from 2004 - I guess alot has changed since then)

I do have to say that when the bartender did finally get behind the bar, he was very friendly and helpful.

• Pros: Friendly Staff, nice decor
• Cons: Not really a good wine bar, mediocre food, place was empty

08/24/06

THE DUCK SANDWHICH IS AMAZING

by lesfoodie4

love this place. the lemonade vodka drink is also great.... all of the food seems wonderful........

05/08/06

go for the chocolate fondue

by angtho

stay for the drinks - get a seat near the entrance to people watch

05/01/06

Bludgeon and Judy

by hhb3

I went there on a Saturday night, it might be different on other nights, but I doubt it.

Punch and Judy is like a mirage, from far off (the internet) and from the street, it seems like an oasis. Upon close inspection (entering) it is just another acre of sand. To sum up, I do not recommend you go there, the name is symbolic of the Punch and Judy origin, the acoustics sound like you have been beaten with a cudgel by a savage ogre-like child and the music is bleh.

04/11/06

LOVELY

by fiona_gibb

Of all the places on Clinton Street, Punch & Judy has to be one of my favorites. It's a chill bar/restaurant, with delicious wine and snacks. (I think they stopped serving beer on tap but they did have an interesting selection.) The crowd is cool, and (I would guess) mostly local. Although I've heard everything from classic rock to electronica playing there, the music is always good. The staff is polite and helpful--with absolutely no attitude. Looking forward to summer, when they open the big windows in front!

• Pros: atmosphere, staff, menu

02/06/06

Major dissapointment

by iandb

At first we were asked to move b/c the manager was expecting a large party, we obliged b/c he was nice. We ordered drinks and chocolate fondue, which was the main reason I was there. Fifteen min after getting drinks, we started wondering where the fondue was since the place wasn't busy. Then a manager brought out fondue (our order?) to another table & took it away. In the 20 plus min that we sat there waiting for our fondue, no one from the staff came up to our table. Finally the wrong fondue arrived, afterwards the waitress went back to figure out the problem. After some time she told us that it would take more time to make our order. That's when we asked for the check. The manager should've apologized & offered us fondue on the house. Would not recommend this place, high citysearch rating can be misleading.

• Cons: Bad service

02/01/06

Happy to Disappointed to an Incredible Night

by jackjo

First, this isn't a wine bar anymore. I went with my girlfriend expecting to relax in the neighborhood only to find that Punch & Judy has changed (they have like 15 wines) to a liquor bar. I was disappointed. We sat down to have a drink and couldn't believe how much fun we ended up having. The vibe and the crowd were amazing. It turned into this big, all-inclusive party. The DJ played spectacular music and the staff was having as much fun as the crowd! At one point, the manager (Ryan? Bryan?) asked us to move tables to accomodate a party. Two minutes later he was back thanking us and bringing us a free round of drinks. He then introduced us to the people next to us and we partied with everyone the rest of the night! This stuff doesn't happen in NYC anymore, does it? I'll be back.

• Pros: Vibe, Staff, Music
• Cons: Pretty Small