5 Ninth

11/09/09

Great Meal!

by DGreene

I have had dinner twice in a month at 5 Ninth but the first time I went I had a bottle of the Brassfield Eruption and it went so well with the short ribs. So the second time I went to have dinner I was disappionted that they did not have the Brassfield Eruption wine available. So, I instead ended up having a glass of beer over the other wines they had on the list.

Best it's been since it opened.

by Josh Ozersky

When it opened, 5 Ninth had two identities: one as a chic gathering spot for a transatlantic crowd, and also a destination restaurant, owing to its critically lauded young chef, Zak Pelaccio. Pelaccio is long gone, and with him, much of 5 Ninth's buzz. But the restaurant remains as pretty as ever, with its three floors and shaded garden. And the food, under Pelaccio pal chef Kevin Pomplun, is as ambitious and eclectic as it's been in a long time. Likewise the wine program, which has expanded out along with the menu.

07/14/09

No need to rush back

by katherinemo

I tried 5 Ninth Ave during Restaurant Week with a group of girlfriends. When greeted by the server he insisted that the whole party (there were 10 of us) had to choose between the Pre Fix Menu or order a la carte. Taken back by his lack of personality and charm the group chooses the Pre Fix option. A number of the girls in the group ordered the Salmon entree and specified that they would like it cooked rare. Upon receiving our entrees each and everyone one of us that ordered salmon got a very W.E.L .L cooked piece of fish.

Meh... needless to say, I was not wowed and don't need to go rushing back. The only redeeming part of the evening was the group of people I was with and the lovely garden seating area where we had dinner.

• Pros: Great Outdoor Space
• Cons: Thumbs down on the service

02/26/09

Sand in the Salad!!!!!

by saadiazf

I have been to this place several times but only for drinks. I took my date here last week. First I ordered the special i.e oysters and 15 mins later i was told they were out of it. So I ordered a house salad. The salad had so much sand in it that it was inedible. I told the waitress about it ands she apologized and she offered to bring a new one. I said no I don??A?t want to delay out main course. 15 mins later that salad shows up.

The entire process was very frustrating. And in the end we didn?t even get desert on the house or an apology.

This place is good for drinks and the bar upstairs but skip dinner. The food is probably the worst food I have had in along time. The service staff was too over whelmed. Will not go again and will not recommend.

• Pros: Good Location and vibe
• Cons: Food and service leave a lot to be desired

02/22/09

unforgettable meal

by eelijjahh

If you need to impress, here is where to go. We had the 4 course meal. Everything was perfect, food, service, ambiance.

Salad, oysters, crispy duck, artisan wild mushroom. Everything spectacular, a wonderful meal.

Service was as good as a choreographed ballet. Each course was served when we were ready.

Go and enjoy a unforgettable meal.

• Pros: service,food

02/16/09

Disappointing

by true74nyc

I had Valentine's Day dinner here and it was very disappointing...the tables were jam-packed in our seating area, so it felt like we were at a communal table as opposed to a romantic Valentine's Day atmosphere - we were (and the two tables on each side of us) were almost whispering to have some privacy. The service was very slow (the waiter cited a computer problem but I have no idea how that impacts how quickly he could bring us drinks or a menu) and poor overall (the wait staff didn't clear things after we were done, the waiter's response to our request for a wine menu was to ask us to pick it up from the table next to us where people were dining). On top of all that, the food was mediocre at best, my pheasant entree arrived lukewarm and wasn't very flavorful. The smoked trout salad appetizer was drained in dressing and the trout was dry. I wouldn't go back.

• Pros: Townhouse setting has potential
• Cons: Poor service, mediocre food

02/09/09

Keeps getting better...

by stanNYC

I've been stopping at 5 Ninth for the past three years, usually bringing a friend with me to share this place. The food has changed lately, more towards french-country menu now... Roasted pork, crispy duck, garbou soup, braised lamb, lamb cassoulet - each great dishes. I once wrote on a comment card that I thought the lamb cassoulet had more beans than lamb and two weeks later I stopped in and had it again and there was a major improvement. While dinner is fantastic, brunch is amazing... not to miss, especially when the weather is nice and the outdoor garden is open (very romantic at night as well!)

The service has always been great in my experience. Linden, Brian and George have been long-time fixtures there and I ask for them when I make my reservation or when I arrive.

The place does need a little updating - lots of lights are out on the bar, bar needs to be refinished, the floors have huge gaps in the planks, the furniture on the third floor lounge has seen better days (probably four years ago when it opened). However, I noticed that they put new cushions on the seats on the first and second floors so it appears the owners are figuring it out. I went this weekend and it appears they are starting to remodel the restrooms as well.

The third floor lounge is a great place for an after-dinner cocktail, and they sometimes have events like DJ's or I think they had a Superbowl party this year.

However the best new thing is that they have a happy hour - probably the best in the neighborhood. I can't remember their specials but it was like $2 beers and $5 well drinks... and they were giving away food as well... Says they are doing it 5-9 Sunday through Wednesday.

• Pros: Garden, Service, Food
• Cons: Interior needs some updating, $40 steak? (its not a steakhouse!)...

01/15/09

Love this place

by McOlive

I disagree with the last post. I've had great service there on more than a single visit. On top of which it's warm and cozy, which is a huge plus these days. Braised lamb is particularly delicious; incredibly tender and flavorful. Haven't tried the garden; but cannot WAIT for warm weather (omg it is so cold outside) to try it.

09/24/08

Great food, terrible service

by kneering

Stayed across the street at the Gansevoort and had the concierge hook us up with a dinner reservation for 4. Despite arriving on time we were asked to wait at the crowded bar, where a fight broke out? Weird. The hostess was very apologetic but still made us wait more than an hour to sit. Forever. Even then, they put us in this terrible spot outside next to all the smokers on the street. People at 5 Ninth who wanted to smoke even had to crawl over us. That said, they moved us because they knew the seat was horrible, but the service was slooooow. Our waiter said he was behind because of some large party upstairs, but he had no personality to make up for it. On the upside, the food was superb. My boyfriend even declared that the pork belly was the best food he ever tasted. My steak was overcooked but everyone else's dinners were perfect. Overall we worked out the kinks and had a good time, but going there reminded me why the Meatpacking is horrible on the weekends.

• Pros: Great food, nice ambiance
• Cons: Slow service, long waits

08/31/08

Gorgeous little garden, great service, wonderful food

by missgnyc

Put simply, I adore 5 Ninth. Each time I've been the food, wine, service and atmosphere has been amazing. Its a really great spot in the Meatpacking, some of which can turn ferral past 10pm, and the garden in the summer time is just the icing on the cake. Great value for money (I'm still dreaming about a mushroom risotto I had there in March 07), very cool ambiance inside, I love the way that the restaurant is spread out, over 2-3 floors...makes you feel a little like you're in someone's private home. Perfect hidden gem in the MP, which is why we keep going back again and again.

• Pros: Excellent food, service, fab garden