11/09/08

Closed down!

by nycborg

I bought a gift certificate for Crave. Too bad I didn't check out this site before purchasing the gift certificate. I went with my friend on Friday November 7, 2008 and we passed right by it. I called the number on our certificate thinking that the address might be wrong and it just kept ringing. When we doubled back we noticed the unlit Crave sign and peeped through the window. It was obviously closed down. Bummer. I have up to a year to use the certificate so I'm hoping Crave reopens.

11/05/08

Could have seen this coming.....

by MisterHappy

Gone. As in Dave split somewhere around August and the place is dark and empty. Looks awfully out of business to me.

• Pros: not expensive :-)
• Cons: closed, out of business, gone

07/23/08

If you're a tourist...

by cybersharque

you might like this place. Dave Martin is in evidence.

If you're a foodie, you should already know from the other reviewers that you should stay far away. Between the hostile hostess (Why are you here? Did you make a reservation for all (five) of you?!?) to waiters who are brusque and don't know the menu and a line that is inconsistent to a degree that is frightening, Crave is a textbook example of how NOT to run a restaurant. Hell's Kitchen is a foodie mecca. Try someplace else.

• Pros: OK for tourists who do not know food
• Cons: Everything serious. The place is a culinary and hospitality disaster

07/08/08

Unbelievably awesome food, service, atmosphere!

by lisadrew03

Having reserved a table at Crave following a Broadway show last week in New York, we didn't know what to expect. Upon arrival, we were pleasantly greeted by the friendly staff, even after our arrival 30 minutes too early (we couldn't remember our reservation time.) We were promptly seated and Dave himself walked over to our table to greet us! We had a round of drinks (guava mojito, anyone?), and needed extra time perusing the tantalizing menu. My mom, sister, and I shared 3 appetizers, all delicious. However, not to be missed...the truffle macaroni & cheese- out of this world! I had the sea bass in an adobo sauce with garlic broccolini florets and cous-cous. It is easily THE BEST meal I have ever eaten. All three of us cleaned our plates, and the portions are more than generous. The staff is attentive, but not suffocating, and dinner was paced just right. We weren't hurried, and we took time to enjoy the atmosphere. It is a very comfortable restaurant with hip accents. If you are considering trying Crave, go ahead...it will be worth it!

• Pros: Attentive staff, great food value, Dave was friendly.
• Cons: A little further from the theater than we thought.

06/13/08

More than just food... a dining experience!

by Hoffmanimal

Posted by Kerry on 06/12/2008

Well worth the trip to 11th Avenue!

Crave provides diners with more than a good meal - it is a culinary experience from beginning to end! Starting with the appetizers, there is truly something for everyone whether it is something simple like sweet potato fries or the famous truffle mac and cheese. We had shrimp wrapped in prosciutto, scallops and the mac and cheese. I order scallops at restaurants alot, but these scallops were by far the best. While still looking simple on the plate, these scallops pack the right amount of flavor and are cooked perfectly to provide you with a nice crunch. And the mac and cheese was just as good as everyone made it sound! For dinner, I had the sassy sea bass which was fantastic. It was the most flavorful fish I've had in a while without being completely drenched in butter. And even the side dishses, cous cous, broccolini, and waffle fries, were great! The portions are perfect - they are just the right size to be able to pack in an appetizer, a meal, and a dessert! We had the chocolate cake for dessert and were fighting over the last bite at the end. The chef himself, Dave Martin, is very present in the restaurant. As a Top Chef fan, I was very excited to eat at his restaurant. He served dishes and made sure everyone was happy. He even took a picture with me and talked to my dinner party a bit about opening the restaurant. He was very sweet and very intent on making sure you enjoy your experience at Crave! He was very hands on and left me with a big smile on my face when I left and fell into a food coma!

• Pros: Amazing Food and not so extravagant prices, great bar menu
• Cons: a little far over, but well worth the trip!

06/13/08

Best secret of NYC

by francescor

wow, this was a great surprise, I felt I discovered one of the secrets of NYC.

This restaurant is located in an unexpected area of NYC, just across the building a friend of mine just moved in, the Atelier. I like to visit him because they have fabulous art in the lobby, its really better than an art gallery.

He invited me across the street at Crave on 42nd.

Usually I am careful because I am from Florence, Italy, and food for us is a very important factor, I can't handle over cooked past and excessive condiments on food....

At Crave we had a fabulous experience with Truffle Mac and Cheese (I am Italian so it was a big test!!), great fish and a very good selection of wine.

The ingredients were fresh and genuine, we met the chef (Dave) who is cool and give excellent explanation of how he prepares the food and the reason he does what he does.

This was a American and international cousin at its best, excellent quality and casual dining, just like back in Tuscany but with an American Twist.

Another thing impressed me is the ambiance with a selection of great movies being played on their wide screen, nice sitting space and a romantic ambiance....I just wishes I was there with a pretty girl...

Since that time I have already been back twice.

ciao

francesco

05/31/08

A little disappointed

by bullensign

I went to Crave for dinner last night and I am sorry to admit it did not live up to all my expectations. The atmosphere was pleasant but the food with a few exceptions was disappointing. Of course, I had to try the signature Mac and Cheese, which was better than I had expected. Lush, creamy, full of flavors not seen in the typical Mac. I had the bacon cheeseburger which was too charred on the outside though cooked perfectly inside. All I could tasted was the grill it was cooked on. The wife had the same experience. House salad was good, wine list (short) was okay, and the panna cotta was good. Not the best I've had but good. Service was good.

For a Friday night, the place was empty. I think people go there for the novelty of meeting Chef Dave Martin. That was why I went, not necessarily to meet him, but because he was such a great and cool character on Top Chef. I met him after the meal and thanked him. I wanted to tell him what I really thought but it didn't seem appropriate. He was all over the restaurant welcoming everyone. That was a nice touch. The location may be a contributing factor but Manhattanites will travel almost anywhere on the island for really good food. So I have to think that the menu could use an upgrade. Nothing was really bad but nothing was really exciting either. Walking back home on 9th Ave. I passed a lot of "bistro/brassiere" places and they were packed. Chef Dave is great but I think he needs to keep his potential clientele in mind along relative to other restaurants in his genre. I have high hopes for this place and a little tweaking is all that is really needed. Overall, okay. If you like the Chef, worth a meal at the bar.

05/17/08

Tasty, and Unpretentious

by igoeja

The food is very fusion-like with tasty mixtures of spices and flavors. The mac-n-cheese, while seemingly comfort-food, was very tasty, not overly cheesy, and composed of several subtle flavors. My tomato soup, while not that innovative, had to be one of the best variants I've had so far. My own entree was a mushroom ravioli, with the marinara, rather than bolognese, sauce, and was clean-the=plate good. We were too full to have desert.

Overall the food was excellent, The service was considerate, and attentive; our water glasses were never empty, nor did we ever feel the need to call the staff.

We definitely consider it worthy of repeat business.

05/17/08

Great dining experience!

by demiago

After watching Top Chef and reading the reviews, we decided to try Crave. To be honest, I truly wanted to like it and I was not disappointed. The service was gracious and efficient and the food was delicious. The mac & cheese with truffles was very savory and satisfying. My husband loved the tomato soup and apple, spinach and bacon salad. Our entrees were also wonderful - very tasty! I really wanted to congratulate Dave on the restaurant but I'm shy, so I sent my husband. The next thing I knew, Dave came over to our table to see how I enjoyed the meal. We had a wonderful time and will return.

05/04/08

Maybe it was an off night

by hairdiva4ever

I love Top Chef and Dave was my favorite. Honestly, I will eat just about anything and be happy so I thought I couldn't lose at this place. We saw Dave standing out front we we arrived. He was gracious enough to stand with us for photographs but he wasn't thrilled about it. It's was 9 pm on a Tuesday and there were only three tables seated. Some of my best experience, both in service and food, have been when a restaurant is slow, so I was excited that we nearly had the place to ourselves. Not so much when our waitress arrived. First, no greeting, then no recommendations, just an attitude of tell me what you want to drink so I can end my night. I know that I wanted a bottle of wine but I wanted it to compliment the food. She did end up suggesting a wine that was very nice. However, her timing was off that night. We felt rushed to order and without assistance.

The food. We ordered the truffle mac and cheese. Worth coming in for it that is all you order. The bean and artichoke dip was adequate. The special was sweet potato fries. Oh my god! They were heaven. Several in the party ordered the mushroom ravioli. The Italian comes out in me when I say, they weren't made right. They looked like a Chinese dim sum with flour and no semolina. Too wet, over cooked, and too transparent. My chicken relied on the proscuitto and fontina to flavor it. Potatos were bland and cold. Salad eaters were pleased with their meal. Did anyone ask how the meal was? No.

One more chance to redeem themselves, I ordered the gelato. Which was supposed to have brandied cherries. Cherries, or any cherry flavor was MIA.

Celebrity chef or not, this makes you wonder what is the owner thinking? Apparently about a hot date because he zoomed out the door long before I sent my barely eaten chicken away. The rest of the time he was mostly interested with the outside of the building and not the guests in it.

• Pros: You will most likely see Dave.
• Cons: Poor service. Dave should lead by example.