07/24/09

Not worth it!

by TAY01725

We had no reservations, but the lovely (not) hostesses, were awful. They said we could wait in their main bar or front bar. When we asked where the front bar was, she did not know left from right. She kept pointing to an empty space behind her with no entrance. Brilliant. Then one of them came to let us know our table was ready. We followed the hostess, she sat us and then said that table was for another party. Then they went to sit us at a dirty table, finally we were sat in the bar area. Extremely noisy. Our waiter was very good and thank goodness for that. The fois gras was good not the best but it was good. The Tasmanian Trout was good, but the 2 scallop appetizer was gritty with sand. The edamame was perfection. Ha... With the great places in NY, I probably won't be going back for dinner there, but it is a good place to meet friends and get a drink.

• Pros: Decor, Some Food, Wine/drink selections
• Cons: Hostess Staff, Some Food

11/17/08

cozyy

by wardcoyle

This is probably the most expensive meal we've ever had and worth every penny! The service, ambiance, food, etc. were all amazing. We had several wait staffs serving us and explaining to us the details of the dish. Just knowing how it was prepared and the chef's inspiration for the dish made it that more tasty. Can't say this place will become a regular occurance (unless I win the lotto) but the next time I get a huge bonus or something we'll be back.

09/30/08

wonderful restaurant

by fwhite1303

Went here on a friday night recently with a party of 6 and we had an amazing dinner. Service was great and food was even better. Atmosphere was lively but we could still hear each other talk. Sticky toffee pudding dessert was the best!!!! Highly recommended!!!!

• Pros: great food, service, atmosphere
• Cons: none

08/30/08

Great food, a little expensive

by nychica5

I had a great time here. I came for brunch with a friend on a Saturday around 11:45, and we were immediately given a table. Around 12:30-1pm there was a line of people waiting for tables. I ordered the coconut pancakes ($11) which while good, weren't great. My friend, however, ordered the Banana Stuff French Toast ($11) and it was amazing. They also had a good selection of scones or muffins to choose from, but I didn't pay the extra money to try it. But they did look tasty (they have it sitting out buffet style). Our waiter was really nice, and not pushy considering it started to rain and my friend and I lingered over our coffees so we wouldn't have to get drenched! A nice brunch spot that serves more than the usual fare with friendly service - something that can be hard to find in Soho!

• Pros: Service, food, decor
• Cons: A little pricey

08/21/08

Really fabulous sceney place...great food

by missgnyc

We love Public! Fab wine list, really wonderful unusual flavors and menu, informative staff....when you go be sure to book and ask for a table outside - the two-top at the front is FAB but good luck if you can snag it.

• Pros: Excellent sceney place, really good for a special occasion or if you feel like a splurge

07/05/08

AVOID FOR BRUNCH - Decent decor, loud music, unattentive wait staff, DON'T GET THE VENISON BURGER!!!

by onstermonster

I had brunch there today with my fiance. The food was OK, but Public does not deserve the good reputation it has. I would DEFINITELY avoid this place for brunch. The service was very unattentive. I expected much better. For example, our waitress visited our table maybe 4 times over the course of the entire meal. I find this unacceptable, because I had to flag her down for more water and coffee.

As for the food, my fiance's dish, the french toast, was good, not great. I wish they had not put the syrup on before serving. You can find equal or better for less. The coffee is $4. Really? Most dishes are between $10-$15, which is fine, but $4 for coffee? And they don't explicitly put that on the brunch menu, they "hide" it in the drinks menu. So, if you are having brunch, no coffee, I think the prices are fine, but if you are having coffee, the place is overpriced. Serving sizes are also on the small side. Brunch is the only meal I really appreciate larger serving sizes, so maybe I'm being too picky, but don't expect a lot of food.

BTW - My VENISON HAMBURGER was TERRIBLE. I am not that picky of an eater, but I did not finish even a 1/3 of the meal. On top of that, the waitress, when she cleared our table, didn't ask why I didn't finish the meal. Is this supposed to be a good brunch place? Seriously? The decor is nice, but the music is a bit too loud. I felt like I had to semi-shout to be heard and I was often straining to hear what my fiance was saying.

It reminds me of a place people might take a date or out-of-towners. Avoid it for brunch if you can.

• Pros: Decor
• Cons: Value, service, food

01/27/08

Loved it. Will be back.

by dmitri201

Had dinner at Public on Thursday, and I have to say it's the best restaurant experience I've had in a while. I'd been there for brunch before, and I always liked the space (very unique and industrial) but I'm not one to go gaga over brunch so it didn't leave much of an impression. Finally took a friend for dinner, and I fell for it. Started at the bar for a drink. My friend had a hot toddy that was made with port (thumbs up) and I ordered an unfiltered sake on the bartender's recommendation (very good, interesting). The hostess came over to seat us, but we were having a good time and decided to eat at the bar (great bar for dining, very comfortable with a good view of the cool space). Started with incredible fried oysters and kangaroo (try it!), both of which I'd go back for. Had the cod and venison for the main course, both very good. Chocolate plate for dessert had some very unusual chocolates (one with curry was my favorite). Shared a bottle of shiraz for $50 that was delicious and a pretty good value I thought. Tab wasn't cheap, but this isn't exactly a hole in the wall, you expect to pay more for the cool digs. Also it's really loud (high ceilings, hard surfaces) but that's really all I can say that's negative. Loved it, loved it, loved it.

01/21/08

AVOID, AVOID

by reviewchick

Hated it, don't go here. Trendy is one thing, but when the food is SO bad that I cannot finish my meal..PASS. There are plenty of trendy cool places in NYC, find something cool but also delicious.

08/08/07

TOP NOTCH COCKTAILS, SERVICE AND DINING EXPERIENCE

by jackmore76

AFTER OVER TWO YEARS OF TRYING TO GET TO PUBLIC - I HAD A DATE THERE LAST WEEK. WENT TO THE BAR FIRST FOR A FEW OF THEIR SPECIAL COCKTAILS - THE CUCUMBER AND ELDERFLOWER COCKTAIL WAS SIMPLE YET OUTSTANDING , SO TOO WAS THE MANGO / VANILLA MOJITO.

DINNER WAS FANTASTIC - HAD THE SCALLOPS AND THE LENTIL SALAD - YUM!!!! FOR OUR MAIN WE HAD THE PUMPKIN CURRY AND ALSO THE COD - WONDERFUL! SERVICE WAS VERY ATTENTIVE ALL NIGHT. ATMOSPHERE IS KILLER IN THE DOWNSTAIRS SECTION THAT MAKES IT PERFECT FOR A PERFECT DATE! 10 OUT OF 10 TO PUBLIC!

• Pros: COCKTAILS, SERVICE AND VENUE

06/05/07

Great Night Out, Hip and Trendy.....and HOT (literally)

by lkd

A friend and I went to this trendy Nolita spot on Saturday night. The neighborhood was buzzing and this was one of the places to be seen. The atmosphere is minimalist chic, with a downtown hard edge. The space is an amalgam of textures with low lighting, metal bar stools,stone walls and buttery leather banquettes. We stopped at the bar first for a Clear Ginger Cosmopolitan, which sounded so much better than it tasted, although it wasn't undrinkable. And the caramelized ginger garnish made for fresh breath the whole night!

The hostess called us to our table at our exact reservation time, which was appreciated. Waiter Nick was friendly and efficient, answering questions and making recommendations with ease. The menu is quite interesting - from cured wild boar and grilled kangaroo appetizers to venison loin and snail and oxtail ravioli entrees and sticky toffee pudding and chocolate chili mousse for dessert We each had an appetizer, entree and dessert and everything was tasty and filling. The bill before tip was $112 (without any liquor) - surprisingly affordable for a night out in one of Manhattan's trendiest spots.

One complaint I had - was that the restaurant was HOT - literally. There is an open-air space in the front of the restaurant and it was a very hot, muggy night. It was impossible for the air conditioning to keep the place cool - if indeed there was any air conditioning. If Public continues to use the open air space throughout the hot Summer months, I would stay far FAR away. I spent a good part of the evening complaing about how much I was sweating and wishing I could pull my hair up off my neck. I don't know how the waiters, in their all-black dress shirts and slacks managed. My recommendation is to go on a cool night, or wait until the Fall.

• Pros: great atmosphere, good food, trendy and hip
• Cons: Too hot inside the place