08/18/08

Mediocrity shouldn't be mistaken for good

by nybapfood

This place is just alright--if even that. The only entree that was good out of the three people I was with was the meaty pasta, but even that was ordinary. Disappointed with how the chicken was prepared: well-done. Not a lot of charm to this restaurant during the day, in fact, eerily empty when I went. Service was rude, also obnoxious. He ignored requests and it took a long time to receive the essential bread and water we asked for 3 times. Not even close to very casual Craft 'wichcraft.

• Pros: the flatiron district location
• Cons: service, food, and overall experience

07/14/08

BIG Let down...

by Godzuki24

I admit it, I LOVE Top Chef. So, I had to try this place. Maybe my expectations were too high. Maybe, what everyone else is saying here is true. I'll just stick to my guns and lay it out for you...

The meatballs were no better than your Italian friends grandmother could/would make. I was sorely disappointed. The sausage in sage leaves were interesting, but not great. The donuts were a bit dense, but the highlight of the meal (I was in for Brunch). Polenta fries were soggy and thus didn't hold their shape. The brunch items were lacking and the brioche was good, but thats not saying a lot. The Chatham Cod was nicely prepared, but was overpowered by the accompanying vege/stock. Some of the other dishes at my table were underseasoned. The meal just seemed to lack balance. Considering TC's insistence on simplicity and good ingredients, his menu comes across as pretentious. There were only a few "simple" dishes on the menu and those were almost great. Dessert was probably the best course of the day. Brown Sugar cake with peach preserves and vanilla/honey ice cream was out of this world. Sundae with coffee crunch was delectable and the chocolate cake with mint chip ice cream was good too.

Drinks were spectacular, but that has more to do with a good barkeep than a chef. Service was indeed attentive, but was never around when you needed something. The space is cool, but too noisy- I shudder to think what it sounds like on a Friday night. The bill was not ridiculously expensive, but more than what I felt the meal was worth. For my money in NYC there are several better options. Whether you are looking Celebri-chef or just a better meal, the options abound in the big city, so I would stay away from TC's places. So sad, as I really wanted to like this place.

• Pros: Location, dessert, reservation process is amazingly professional
• Cons: $$$'s, service, food wasn't great.

05/19/08

Not impressed

by theeasykill30

Honestly, I expected more from Craftbar. The food was not bad but not great. I expected to be enthralled by Craftbar but instead I was highly underwhelmed. The food is decent but it's not worth what you pay. I think what Mr. Colicchio was going for - elegant yet casual dining - just doesn't work.

• Cons: over-priced, small portion sizes

04/10/08

Great service, so-so food

by maddylocks

Had one of the friendliest bartenders take care of me one early Monday evening. Perhaps that was because he was about to get off work soon, but he still managed to help us decide on a great beer and appetizer before leaving, kept our waters refilled until his shift was over, and told us to pass our tip onto the next bartender instead of trying to close our bill. I even offered to leave him a tip but he wouldn't take it! Now onto the food... had the salt-cod brandade and polenta fries. Salt cod was okay, but the toast that came with it was over-toasted and too big to eat with any shred of dignity -- there were breadcrumbs all over the bar and myself. Polenta fries were good right when we got them but quickly got cold and dry. Didn't really bother to eat a full meal... there are better ways to spend my money.

• Pros: friendly service, decent wine/beer selection
• Cons: mediocre food

03/28/08

Oversalted

by cvierra

We had a girl's dinner here. I assumed it would be a no brainer - food and service has been very good in my past experiences. We could just catch up and enjoy ourselves. Unfortunately there were a few different dishes that came out of the kitchen completely over salted. It was strange. My orecchiette tasted like the pasta itself was cooked in a brine. The escarole soup and one of the mixed greens salads were oversalted as well. I hope it was just a one off for the evening. I felt the kitchen did a poor job. Otherwise, service was very good in the front.

03/23/08

Poor....

by carolinanic

I am one that doesn't mind paying a lot of money for great food and service. This place was just lacking. We paid a lot of money for small portions that just didn't taste any better than my local pub. We walked in and the hostess was wearing dingy old jeans and a dingy top, for the money you are paying for food, I would expect a little bit better wardrobe for the person that is greeting you. The bartenders were nice but slow, they were more interested in entertaining themselves than helping the customers. This place was a definte example of someone slapping there famous name to a restaurant and that thinking that gives them the right to charge whatever they want! Skip this place, there is so much better in NYC!

03/15/08

Great Time

by miz3000

We were a party of four on a busy Saturday night. Bartender was friendly and did a nice job whipping up a cocktail that I know he doesn't make very often. Table service was also friendly, professional, minimally visible but always available. No pushiness on wine. We were drinking by the glass after we finished our cocktails and there was no pressure to order bottles, it was just very good service. All food was great. Apps and salads were generous, entrees were on the light side, which was sort of expected. Would have been nice to have more than three little slices of meat on a "steak" entree, otherwise no complaints.

It was our first time at Craftbar and we had heard mixed reviews from friends, but we had a nice experience.

• Pros: Excellent service, fresh, quality ingredients
• Cons: Small entrees

02/20/08

a bit off balance in my opinion

by lviv35

good points: got a six-top on Sat night without advance reservation (30 min wait) / anchovies bruschetta

mussels / blue point oysters / braised lamb shoulder was nicely done however the whole combination tested too acidic

bad points: very average quality of food - hangar steak tasted like it sat on a backburner for half an hour / all root vegetables were way overcooked - watery and tasteless / portions are extremely undersized for a simple fare / services is lousy ? waited 40 mins between starters and main course with nearly half restaurant empty (around 10:30)

The whole philosophy of simple food within casual dining was a bit off balance. In my opinion the setting was too contemporary and wasn?t warm to suite simple food. The overall experience was disappointing. You can get much better food for this kind of money.

01/13/08

amazing brunch

by stevenmsargent

I went there yesterday with a friend for brunch. After we were seated promptly and greeted by our lovely waitress Leslie, we started with fried oysters, chicken apple Brie and cucumber sandwhich followed by baked egg with steak and spicy spinach. Great Earl Grey tea. All was fantastic. Service was prompt and delighful. Surprisingly, it wasn't anywhere near as expensive as I thought it'd be.

• Pros: Food, service, brunch
• Cons: crowd is a tad snarky

12/15/07

Don't go to Craftbar Hungry! If at all.

by yressolut

Last night I went to go to craftbar with a few friends for my birthday. The ambiance was nice. Drink prices were on par for a NY bar, nice bar scene. We sat down and got out appetisers ( Fried Rissoto (comes 3 1 inch each) which everyone enjoyed, and Cick pea fries (about 8 -nice size order for an app) which I found original. I ordered the steak dish for my entre ($23, seemed very reasonable, on cheap side). When the dish came to my table I was shocked. It was two slices of steak with a smattering of pureed potatoes and green peppers on top. These two slices were about a 1/4 inch thick and 2 1/2 inches long. So I thought, wow, these must be really tasty. They weren't. They were tough and a little dry (Ordered, medium, came medium well). The potatoes were tasty, but there was barely any of that on my plate either. My sister got the scallop dish for her entree. It came in a small bowl and was filled up about half way up. (Picture a half a bowl of cereal). She sent it back for being salty and gritty and opted for more friend risotto spheres (it wont let me say &alls on here)!

I heard such good things about Craft but I am rethinking if I should go there after this Craftbar experience.

Oh and the form fitting shirts on the wait staff was not flattering. Bottom line, Don?t go to Craftbar hungry because you will end up getting a hot dog on the street after.

• Pros: NIce atmosphere
• Cons: Tiny Portions. I mean really small that you might laugh.