12/14/07

Love at first site

by elsushi921

this was like going on a quick trip to New orleans for the night, it was just so sweet and romantic. I loved the red room best. The blues singer downstairs added so much to the whole night. The food was very special and the desserts wonderful. The wine list was impressive too. I think going to Harlem is very special and interesting. This was in a wonderful old brownstone that is completely redone. Every detail was interesting. We didn;t want to leave so we went to the first floor after dinner and sat for the Blues... Check out the European bathroom upstairs with the pull chain. I found this from www.newnewyorker.

• Pros: very different
• Cons: not enough Blues

10/03/07

Sorely Disappointed

by sablewolf

This place was recommended by a co-worker who had seen them on a food channel. I love N'awlins (been there several times) cuisine and decided to try them out one Friday evening (9/21). A friend and I got there about 6ish. We were impressed with the decor. We sat in the back garden which was nice. To start we ordered drinks. They were very expensive. 15 and 12 dollars. We then ordered appetizers. I wanted alligator bits and my friend ordered napoleon shrimps with fried green tomato. The presentation was great, the alligator bits. ..so so. The shrimps were delicious but they were served with fried RED tomatoes. I complained. Our waiter asked me if that was unacceptable. I said of course. He went back to the kitchen and came back with a plate of fried GREEN tomatoes. Why didn't we get GREEN tomatoes in the first place? The atmosphere was nice the music that night was so so. The lighting in the garden after it got dark was non- existent except for a blaring spotlight shining out from the inside area. I ordered Cajun fried chicken as an entree. The crust was very hot, not tasty hot, just hot. The chicken was not fresh. We ordered the flourless chocolate cake for dessert. It tasted like a devil dog with ice cream. Needless to say we were very disappointed and when the bill came we felt like we were robbed. I have to mention that our waiter Leo was very good and tried his best to accommodate. I will however give 4 stars to the bathroom great decor. I will not go back there for the food. High prices, mediocre quality.

• Pros: Ambience
• Cons: Expensive, food mediocre

09/27/07

Baton Rouge Resturant

by luvgoodeats

I must tell you about this fabulous place. When I walked in the sounds of laughter and good times overwhelmed me. The place has such a great feel. I visited on a Friday night when a live band was performing. People where literally getting out of their seats and dancing with the performers! It seemed like everybody was old friends, even though most had just met for the first time. Our bartender was very friendly and all of the staff seemed to be having fun along with the customers. The waitress that evening really impressed me. Yes, she worked hard and covered her tables. However, one thing stood out to me the most, I noticed she said goodnight to mostly all her customers by last name! That really showed the type of environment we were in. Fun, yet still professional. I will recommend this restaurant to everybody I know! The decor is breathtaking. The outside patio is my new hot spot (They have heated lamps in the winter).

Ps. Try the Bananas Foster dessert. It's on fire!!:)

PRO: Food Presentation

• Pros: The dish presentation is amazing.
• Cons: There was little parking. But then again this is NYC there is never parking.

09/23/07

cold food & poor service

by happygryl

Brunch was arranged for 3 on saturday, which included a free drink. Upon arriving at the restaurant, we were given a brunch menue, that did not list a free drink. We placed our orders & had water placed on the table. After waiting 10 min, we asked for the bread and was told, it was in the oven, being baked. So we ordered a cocktail, assuming that it came with the meal. We waited and waited, for the food, chicken & waffles, which came with a very small container of syrup. After waiting 10 minutes for the waitress to appear, (she disappers for 10 to 15 minutes at a time) we asked for more syrup, which took another 15 minutes, by now the food is really cold. We are so annoyed , we ask for the check. Shockingly, there's a 18% gratuity, plus tax and we are charged for the drinks. We ask to speak with the manager, who told us that the free drinks were only given upon request. So, if it 's not listed on the menue, where is the customer's option to request or deny a free drink. She said, this was the owner's policy. If this is the case, then we wanted our free drink. Of course, now, they had no more champaigne, (at 3pm in the afternoon) therefore, no mimosa. So we asked for a beer. Imagine, the waitress brings the beer, with no glass. The waitress explained, that she tends bar & never give a glass with beer. When we told her we were at a table, not a bar & wanted the glass, she did it, but left all the cold uneaten foods on the table. Picture 3 plates of cold uneaten food and she pushes the glasses in between them. No wonder there were only 3 tables being occupied. One over worked waitress, running up & down stairs and a manager who has no clue about good customer service, what a Fiasco! I have never experienced such poor service and will definitely , never go to that restaurant again, and will be most emphatic in explaining to family and friends why. It really was horrific.

• Pros: Decor
• Cons: Food and service

06/20/07

Great dining experience

by ameils

If you like spicey good food then The Baton rouge is a great place to eat. Try the Seafood Roll and the Wings! Happy hour is from 5-7pm, if you can make it as the drinks are pricey. Eat on the patio, you will feel like you're at home. Bon Apetit!

• Pros: Patio & Food
• Cons: Pricey Drinks

04/30/07

Best bread pudding I've ever had

by sweetnlo73

Went to brunch with seven of my girlfriends and we had a great time. The service was terrific, the atmosphere was pleasant and the food was good. The bartender shared the recipe for his refreshing signature juice drink and the cornbread with pineapple appetizer was creative and tasty. We were all full from our entrees, but glad we ordered the white chocolate bread pudding -- it was so good, we didn't want to share. I'd love to go back and eat in the garden area.

• Pros: upstairs dining hall and an outdoor dining area

02/11/07

Not aware that restaurants are in the "Service Industry"

by uptowngirl1224

I attended a brunch here for 130 people for which the organizers had booked the entire established for the morning. They negotiated a prix fixed buffet: $25 per person covered food, tax, and tip. The menu: fried chicken, waffles with syrup as the only topping, macaroni and cheese, fish, and cornbread. The food was below average, except for the fish, but my main problem was with the service. We were never offered water with our meal, syrup for the waffles ran out, and some of the floors ran out of food completely. Much of the waitstaff acted like we were a bother. When I went to the bar to order drinks, I was told it would be $28 for a pitcher of spiked lemonade. When the bill came it was $35.39. One pitcher. They had added tax and an 18% gratuity. The owner informed me that even though the organizer had negotiated that tax and tip be included in the door price, that did not include tax and tip on drinks. What, did they assume we would wash down the dry cornbread with the water they had neglected to provide? I paid the ridiculous bill with two twenties and was provided with change of $4. Since when does $40 minus $35.39 equal $4??? Finally, towards the end of the brunch people were still lingering and talking, as people tend to do at events of this nature. Baton Rouge took offense. To encourage people to leave, the staff started rearranging tables and chairs, using them to block off walkways. I had to move some chairs to get to the coatcheck. I did in fact tip the coat check guy because he was the only one working there with a good attitude. Maybe he realized that good service is directly correlated to the compensation one receives. Part of the point of this event was to support Harlem businesses but I will never spend another dime in Baton Rouge. I suggest you try South Beach Cafe on 124th and Lenox if you want to experience the exellent service Harlem has to offer.

• Pros: Lovely decorating, coat check guy
• Cons: Greedy, poor service

12/29/06

OK Food, Very High Prices

by darrenharris524

I have eaten at this restaurant 3 times because I live up the block and dining selections are very limited. The brownstone that the restaurant is in is beautiful. It is in the building that was once called the Sugar Hill Bistro and it has a very similiar set up but the decorations have a New Orleans celebration feel. Enough about the building... It's beautiful with dim lights comfortable seats and plenty of space.

The Food:

First, all of the dishes are overpriced. I feel like I am paying downtown prices and not having downtown quality. The fried oysters were good, but not fresh. The grilled salmon was good, but it was a very small filet and when I asked to change my vegetable to another vegatable the server said that I could not change. I asked to substitute or leave it off of the plate and he refused, saying that it has to come with everything on the plate. I did not understand why, almost left, but my girlfriend kept me there. The Seafood platter is very good and maybe the only dish that is priced correctly because of all of the seafood that you are given.

In all, the food is OK, I give it a 6 out of 10, but the prices are too high. For 3 of us to eat with 2 $10 alcoholic drinks and a shared appetizer, it cost $125. Not exactly what I was expecting to spend that night. Please let me know what you think.

• Pros: Beautiful Brownstone
• Cons: No elevator for the elderly, Highly priced