Aspen

09/20/2008 Posted by NYCplaya11

This place has certain potential, but does not live up to it. There is a nice room in the back that no one uses, everyone just packs into the narrow entrance because thats where the bar is located and the bartenders are slow. I have a suggestion...Put a bar in that back room, it will spread the crowd out and make it easier to get a drink as well. If more people hung out in the back room, i think it would be more enjoyable for all. Also...it doesn't have to be pitch black, a little light never hurt anyone....

Pros: Good Looking Crowd, Bouncers are mad chill

Cons: Bartenders are awful, entrance gets too crowded and you can't move or get a drink

08/01/2008 Posted by tony johnson

I went there for lunch on a whim with a friend. Although the place was empty (I'm new to New York, so I'm told this is not unusual), the food was really good. I enjoy my meal as did my friend. I have not been there at night, but I will try it out to see if the other reviews are accurate. In the meantime, the food is excellent.

Pros: Great Food

Cons: Empty, which for me was disconcerting

06/29/2008 Posted by MCRnyc

went there last night for a birthday party and the place was a big disappointment. poor air conditioning for a hot and humid night so it was like a gym where you got to figure out who has BO problems. The bar had a service time as if we were at one of the hot clubs even though the place was half empty. To top it all off, besides our group, the place was a sausage fest. Add in the strange restaurant layout, and you have a place that you should strictly avoid unless someone is paying you to go. If we didn't feel obligated to wait around for the birthday girl, we would have cleared out much earlier.

03/04/2008 Posted by bk_chic

very bland crowd, bad music, and the fireplace made the back room too hot when they opened it up after dinner. It's a nice idea, but can't think of anything less comfortable than overheating when you're getting buzzed. Just makes you want to lie down for a nap.

Pros: fireplace is nice for dinner

Cons: ...but not for drinking/partying

01/31/2008 Posted by qtgurljny

Aspen gets high marks for decor althought it's more trendy and shabby chic rather than outright luxurious. Bar is cool but, doesn't seem to be the main draw. The large, open dining space is inviting. The food sounds good and menu sounded inventive (spin on traditional american) but, fell a little flat. It's wasn't awful, just not fantastic. Our waitress was redheaded and awesome. I would still go back and recommend it althought more as a see and be seen place and less of a culinary experience.

01/23/2008 Posted by MXT

I was recommended to this restaurant, and visited over the weekend with a group of friends from out of town. The interior of the place is really funky and interesting, but that is about as far as it goes. We ordered a bottle 2003 bottle of red wine but the waitress brought out a 2005 bottle. After opening the wine she spilled the wine all over the table and did not bother to clean up, we had to clean the mess ourselves. We ordered the Hanger Steak special (at $34) and after specifically asking for the meat to be prepared medium we received a half rare piece of cold stake. We were also charged bubble for the meal. After complaining about our entire dinning experience the only excuse the waitress could offer was “I am sorry”! Avoid the food if you can, but do go and enjoy a drink at the bar!

01/04/2008 Posted by look99

This place is alright. No problem getting in and not very crowed (actually not crowed at all) which can be nice depending what youre looking for. Drinks are verry pricey but staff is nice. Cool atmosphere but I remember not really liking the music. I'd maybe go back again, but only if I didnt have to pay again ha.

12/09/2007 Posted by gourmetperson

I was there this weekend with a group of friends and we could not have had a better time. We were seated promptly, our waitress was not only attentive but also a lot of fun and kept us entertained throughout our dinner experience. The music was awesome (they have a dj spinning) - a little loud, but great! The food was very much like comfort food. You can either order your own entree or order from the tapas menu (which we did). Overall, we had a great time and will definitely come back. The fire pit is beautiful and makes the space look cozy and elegant.

Pros: everything

Cons: music a little loud

11/26/2007 Posted by ritzny

This Saturday night, 6 of us (a latina, brazilian, asian, and white gal & 2 guys, white boy and korean)... we wait 30min to get to the front of the line only to get pulled aside. In line there were only black people waiting, I'm sure there was some private party, and I should have known we'd get some issues - but never that we'd be pulled out of line and asked to leave. When I phone my buddy inside to tell him they wont let us bec we dont fit the profile, the bouncers got more mad and tried cracking jokes to the rest of the line. Ridiculous. No one laughed. In all my 11 years here in NYC, this is the 1st time I've ever been discriminated against. headed back to the meatpacking district where the door policy was easy going about race. What a paradox.

Cons: Discrimination to non-blacks at door.

11/19/2007 Posted by aesearch

I had high hopes, the ambience was very nice, and the menu looked great! But beyond that, my hopes were dashed. We were seated for our reservation 1 hour late. After finally being seated, our appetizers didn't arrive for another hour. It is now 11, and we were expecting to eat at 9. No one took drink orders during this hour, so we trapsed back and forth to the bar ourselves for water and wine. The appetizers arrived and half were cold (cold duck, unless it's cheap sparkling wine, is not a good idea). When the entrees arrived, there were substitutions that we were told about when ordering. Getting plain old potatoes when you are paying for pumpkin rissoto is something of a let-down! No apology, just attitude from the waitstaff. The place turns into something of a dance club once it gets late, and since we were seated and served so lousily, we had people bumping into our backs while we were trying to finish our cold duck and potatoes. Lastly, while we had checked our coats at the free dinner check, as it was now midnight, the charge had gone up to $3. Not a big deal, but after the experience it felt like insult to injury to get nickel-and-dimed by these jerks. I will not be returning, and advise others to spend their money on an establishment with a shred of management self-respect.

Pros: Ambiance (before midnight), Menu

Cons: Service, Actual Preparation of Menu Items, Coat Check