Reviews & Ratings for Borough Food and Drink

10/22/07

The Curse Is Intact

by shanir

Having gone in the spring shortly after it opened and enjoyed the novelty and most of the food (albeit at a cost), last night was a big disappointment. As soon as we sat down, our waiter came over and told us everything they didn't have (not a short list). The excuse was that they were changing the menu and that they would be making some changes to the space, whatever that had to do with our dinner. When I asked about substituting the chorizo for something else since I don't eat beef or pork, the kitchen was only marginally accomodating. I was ready to go somewhere else, but my friend had already ordered. I then compromised and ordered the duck salad and fries. The waiter came back to say they were out of the salad. My only choice left at that point was a $20 linguini with clams, which is not the kind of thing I would go to Borough for and not for that price. I told the waiter to cancel the fries since I'd changed my order. He said he'd already put it in to the chef. The courteous thing for him to do was take it off the bill at the end of the evening, but of course, he didn't. The pasta had more garlic than clams and I was still tasting it hours later. I chose ice cream for dessert because they couldn't screw that up. Will never go again.

• Pros: Normally, the variety of choices on the menu
• Cons: The food and the fact that they were serving dinner despite having so little of what was listed available

10/21/07

Terrible food, chaotic service

by nodding_dog

We arrived for our 9pm reservation. Our party did not get seated until 9:40pm. The staff at the front desk seemed to think this was completely acceptable and not unusual.

It then took half an hour for our wine to arrive at our table. Water was delivered to the table with our check. All six of us in the group left their food. My short ribs tasted like they had been boiled in chlorine. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Service, food

10/08/07

BF&D is Terrific

by pegaroo

This is my first time writing a review but felt I had to after reading some of the negative comments BD&F received. I went with a group of friends and we had a wonderful time. The restaurant is great, staff is friendly, food was terrific and our waiter Carmine was absolutely the best. Please do not listen to the negative reviews and give this place a chance - you'll be glad you did.

09/28/07

Restaurants change...

by bklynatheart

I have eaten at Borough F & D twice and both times I had an exceptional experience. The hosts and waiters are very friendly, we were seated on time, and the manager came over to see how our meal was going. I ate there when it first opened..my sister who has eaten there with me (and loved it) ate there recently and said the menu changed for the worse. She did not like it at all. So you will have to decided for yourself.

• Pros: Delicious food, good beer selection, friendly staff, cool concept
• Cons: As far as I know it is not open for lunch

09/26/07

disaster

by Kmcgrude

I live across the street and have experienced, firsthand, the multiple disasters at this location. This one takes the cake: trying to call and get a reservation is a trip through incompetence. We were seated at a terrible table in the loudest, thumping music possible. Our food, while passable, was brought out one on top of each other...salad and app. weren't hardly on the table when our main courses arrived. Overall, I can't hope too hard this place goes out of business...each time it does, we listen to the crash of remodeling and breaking glass. People and business make their own luck and if the owner can't hire a competent team, the place will continue to turn over.

• Pros: Outdoor seating
• Cons: Loud music, dismal service

09/24/07

Stop being so hard on this really cozy new place!

by crzyeatr564

Reading through some of the reviews here I was a bit hesitant to try Borough Food and Drink (esp. after that Rocco's disaster) but I work in the neighborhood and I always like to see a place for myself before making any final judgements and I did.

From start to finish my experience at BF&D was absolutely amazing. Just seconds after being seated my husband and I were warmly greeted by our very charismatic server, Justin. Although he seemed to be waiting on every table in our section of the restaurant he found the time to walk us through the entire menu pointing out his favorites and overall best-sellers.

The concept behind the restaurant is very fascintating. The menu items are actually sourced from "mom and pop" shops throughout the five boroughs. This extends to the beer list as well. My husband and I decided to try the "empire beer flight" in which we got to try four of the draft beers. I personally enjoyed the Checkered Cab Ale from Chelsea. After we finished our flight he brought over a round of favorites compliments of the restaurant. He told us we were his favorite. And after hearing some of the whining from the tables next to us, I believed him.

We split the bowl of dumplings for an appetizer which were a bit spicy but delicious. For entrees, I had the Hangar Steak and my husband had the Burger. Both were prepared to the correct temperature and brought in a timely fashion. The burger has a spicy caper aioli paste that is very interesting. When it was time to order dessert we thought we didn't have any room but once Justin mentioned the Banana Split, "no" just wasn't an option. Not only does this dessert win points for presentation but the ice cream is amazing as well.

Overall, the experience was awesome and the neighborhood needs a place like this. Perhaps the music could be a bit lower, but that's about it.

Go try it first before you believe the trash talk. And when you get there ask for Justin, he'll take care of you!

• Pros: fun server, great food, great beer
• Cons: loud music, strange lighting

09/18/07

The place to go for awsome food

by smcnyc85

So I recently visited BF&D and fell in love with their concept 5 borough under one roof. It was a Saturday nite and I and my friends decided to go to this new restaurant we read about in a Time Out article. The minute we walked in the door there were two gracious hostesses in the font. Unfortunately we had no reservations so we had to wait at the front lounge which was worth it. The atmosphere was so lively, and the decor was nice. A lot of wood).So we started off with some cocktails which were amazing I had a Coney island Cosmo made with white cranberry juice and top with a sour cherry. We then were seated at a communal table in the back of the restaurant only to find that they had a billiard table and a flat screen TV (love it already) Since we were newbie?s we let the waiter order a couple of appz for us which were fantastic bacon flatbread, Dumplings and mac@chz pancakes but took a bit two long, understandable since it was a Saturday nite and the place was packing them in. Our entrees came out soon after the was good since we were so very hungry. Let me tell you there so good especially the fried chicken and the bar steak so tender. The service was GREAT!!!(Steven) his recommendation was good and he made us fell so welcomed he also was good to like at. We had a blast and will definitely be coming back for some more.

• Pros: Service,atmosphere,Cocktails mac@chz
• Cons: Make reservations

09/16/07

food is just all right, music is ridiculous

by stellagroove2000

I've been there 4 times. I keep saying I won't go back but I do. The music is so loud you can't hear each other talk. I've asked time and time again to lower the music, and they don't. Everyone complains but they don't get it. The music is house music and its very very loud, ruins the entire dining experience.

• Pros: interesting menu, enjoy the space
• Cons: music too loud, food only fair

09/14/07

Idea from Heaven !!!

by sjcannon

Went to Borough Food and Drink on 9/12 with some friends in from out of town.Let me tell we all had a blast. First off , I thought the idea of having all great dishes from around the five boroughs all in one local " a great idea" .As a native New Yorker for over 44 years I enjoyed each item on the menu that was ordered by our group of 8.From the Flatbread ( my favorite ) to the mac @ cheese and dumplings, the first round of dishes were gone in a few minutes. The burgers were good but the jerky chicken was the best dish of the night. The service was very good and the drinks came quickly. Will be back for a second round and hopefully get one of the tables out in the front...I will let my friends know about this one !!!

• Pros: Flatbread, Dumplings, Service and Decor
• Cons: None

09/11/07

Keeps getting better and better!

by jsugar

Never have a been to a place so often in such a short period of time. I live across the street From Borough and have stopped in all hours of all days and can say that i love it. For a restaurant that has only been open a short time (2 months give or take) they do an incredible job. To all those nay-sayers out there who have judged them early and never went back to see if they improved you should, it is truly remarkable. The menu has changed slightly and it wonderful, try the burger, the pasta, or the bar steak with blue cheese butter all awesome. But a warning: try the salted carmel ice cream only if you want to be addicted for the rest of your life, its that good. The service has gotten better with the food and there are alot of new faces around, there is one noticeable constant though, his name is Jeff and he is a delight, been there from the beginning and he knows his stuff, and can pick a beer that you will love, the list of locale beers is huge. Ask for him for a rememberal experience. And for a quick bite sit at the bar, its full service and Summer is the best. And if you catch a night that Summer and Jeff are there watch out they have a good time together and will make sure that you do too.

My over all review is this, yes they may have got off to a rocky start, but the place rocks now.

• Pros: Food, Beer, Pooltable, Service
• Cons: Cocktails (kind of themey), Music (can be loud and disco-esque)