04/20/09

SLOW SLOW SLOW

by CSMobileUser

You can have all the friends and employees write all the fake reviews that you want. It will not change the fact that the place is the size of a sardine tin but the service is slower than ever. It isn't even the fact of food prep time. The waiters are forgetful and remiss in their performance. I can howver compliment the cleanliness of the bathrooms. Squeaky clean!

05/21/08

Great customer service, and food

by candysweet27

Took my family for dinner. Made reservations when we arrived our table was waiting, waiter took our order, when food arrived, not one complaint.

My 5 year old spilled her drink, before I could turn around the manager was right there cleaning it up.

Food was very good. Entertain was also a plus

Would go back again.

• Pros: Thumbs up
• Cons: None

04/13/08

Best meal we had in new york!

by fatties

Of all the amazing meals we had during our trip, this was the best! We started our meal with their delicious sangria, then moved on to the best fried catfish we've ever had. The seasoning was great and it was cooked perfectly! I wanted more of the chicken and waffles (although the chicken was a LITTLE bit dry) and the braised beef short ribs fell off the bone. GET THE MAC AND CHEESE, it's guaranteed to please (and clog your arteries). The onion rings practically melted in your mouth. Get the sweet potato pie, it's perfect, but the pound cake was dry. When we got there, there was a huge crowd, so it's best to make reservations. Even if you don't, it's worth the wait. A little tip would also be to dress well, everyone seemed pretty swanky, but there was a very relaxed vibe. Even though the restaurant was completely full, the waitress did a great job of getting everything to us quickly. The trip to Harlem is worth it, and it's only two blocks from the subway station. Hopefully we get back to NYC soon and make reservations this time!

• Pros: Sangria, catfish, sides, and sweet potato pie
• Cons: Long wait and a little crowded.

03/10/08

A Jewel in the Heart of Harlem!!

by tiffanyATL

What a refreshing place to eat in Harlem. The attentiveness of the wait staff. The beauty of the surroundings, the delicious food especially the pecan crusted talipia. I live in Atlanta but born in Harlem and it was good coming back home to find Melba's.

• Pros: Great for singles.
• Cons: Small

11/28/07

A start-up curve is one thing, but you can't continually use that as an excuse for horrible service

by lawgirlt

I?ve heard several complaints about the service here. I have heard many bad stories since then. Not just one bad day. Poor, slow service & a general lack of concern for the comfort of the diner.

I do not know where these servers & cooks come, from but they need to understand that they are in a SERVICE industry. If you do not train your staff to serve, you have not trained them to keep your business open.

Recently, an older couple had come in after church & were left sitting for 45 minutes after they placed their order & in that time did not receive so much as an apology or explanation for the delay, much less a cracker or slice of bread. Meanwhile other diners were being served all around them regardless of when they had arrived. Only once they complained (after finally getting the waiter?s attention) they were told that there was a problem in the kitchen & that the cook had to start over. Why not tell someone they won?t be eating for an hour & will have to watch everyone else dine around them?

The food still did not arrive after another ? hour. This time they complained to management. The manager apologized & said he?d pay for their meal. Sounds good except on thing ? after a full HOUR & A HALF they still had no food!!! No wonder it was free! When they asked the waiter what was happening he treated it as a joke. They walked out. No one acknowledged their exit or apologized.

In a restaurant you have the duty to make sure the diner has a pleasant experience & eats a good meal ? the one they requested. This is not a hospital where the meal goal is to sustain life. Dining is an entertainment experience. Melba?s acts as if they are giving out government cheese at aged artisan prices.

Go if you?d like ? but be sure to eat something before you get there.

• Pros: Nice design & lighting
• Cons: You may actual want to eat. Good luck with that. Also very small space.

08/12/07

Red wine sangria is on point

by mccartneyd4113

The short ribs were a bit salty but other than that the food was exceptionally tasty and well prepared. The red wine Sangria complemented everything. Overall, and enjoyable eating experience straight out of Harlem.

• Pros: Tasty food; excellent red wine sangria
• Cons: Small place; gets crowded easily and service can get bogged down.

06/18/07

Guess What?

by deepcoolwaters

EVERY Chef has a bad day, but I have been to Melba's MANY times, and the food and drinks were excellent. The live music is the bomb, and Melba is charismatic and gracious. I have seen and met many celebrities there, and even when the wait was longer than I'd have liked, the ambience and drinks were enough to keep me happy indeed. QUITE happy, in fact, as the bar is stocked with Top shelf liquors and the pouring hand heavy enough. The place looks just great, too. very sophisticated and classy. I will go back again and again! I happen to like the menu and have tried lots of stuff. I only didn't like the short ribs one day, but tried them again, and they were FAB!!!

• Pros: entertainment and sophisticated crowd. Food & Drink are REALLY GOOD
• Cons: Sometimes too crowded

05/11/07

Very Good Food; Service Slow but Bearable

by nylady156

The food and drinks are very good. You don't want to go there if you're in a hurry. The service is slow but pleasant - the ambience is so nice you won't mind the wait. It is a small restaurant which is unfortunate because there is sometimes live entertainment. I was there twice when there was entertainment and both acts were wonderful.

• Pros: Good Food - slightly different spin on Soul Food; Good Drinks - good size; Ambience is very nice!
• Cons: Wait time can be long; restaurant is small; service is slow

04/04/07

soooooo disappointing

by veryhs

We really wanted it to be a neighborhood spot. We were so disappointed by the food. It was inedible. Such a shame because the service was so lovely. I can usually give a place another shot, but that food.... I heard she fired the chef and hired some guys with minimal experience to run it to save money. It shows!

• Pros: great FOH staff
• Cons: awful food

03/19/07

Trans Fat makes a comeback!!

by zenobiag

I live in the area and walk by Melba's everyday. Last Friday I decided to give it a try. The place is dark and dreary. The over-bearing chandeliers are too much for such a small place. The food is o.k if you are into trans fat. You can actually feel your arteries clogging while chewing down the mac and cheese dish. The vegetarian dish is ironically the best dish on the menu. I would go back again JUST to support and show solidarity but not to eat.

• Pros: Great meeting place
• Cons: Terrible Food