10/23/09

everything is perfect, MINUS THE HOSTESS

by foodster00

after having had an amazing dining experience at Commerce last New Year's Eve, I came back with a few co-workers. I was unlucky in that I picked a night where a b***** hostess I've heard about from friends' experiences before. They were right - the skinny Asian hostess was shockingly rude, impolite and inattentive. Although our interaction lasted a total of 10 minutes, those 10 minutes left a horrible taste in my mouth for the rest of my dining experience. Fortunately, the food and waiter made up for it - but I'm still appalled that they would keep someone at the door with so much attitude. I wouldn't be surprised if she ruins the tone of the evening for all the diners who arrive there. If anyone from the restaurant is reading this, I hope you know that she is spreading quite a negative vibe (and the ONLY negative vibe) about Commerce - in this economy, I'm sure finding a courteous, charismatic, attractive and organized hostess to replace her would NOT be a problem. And if you, the hostess, are reading this: KICK THE ATTITUDE.

• Pros: Amazing food, amazing bread, amazing drinks
• Cons: THE HOSTESS

10/16/09

Fantastic Food & Service!

by filledeville

Our waiter was so nice and attentive! My husband and a friend had the lamb and said it was out of this world. I had the halibut which was lovely. Cheese and dessert were delish! We will certainly return.

• Pros: Lamb
• Cons: Small tables

An haute eatery on a quaint West Village corner

by Melanie Berliet

Classic New York tavern bonhomie reverberates between the art deco Brunswick bar (circa 1941) and restored English chestnut booths. Capable waiters navigate the tightly packed space, while a consistently tony crowd enjoys dishes that are hearty, but never too heavy or too large. The plump tortelloni (filled with creamy sweet potato dotted with pomegranate and hazelnuts) is the perfect prelude to an entree like bacon-crusted halibut. For those inclined to share an entree, there are several dishes that can be ordered for two, including rack of lamb, porterhouse steak, chicken and duck. Other than the high prices, there’s not much to dislike about Commerce.

05/25/09

fantastic

by speakyourmind

great food, friendly staff, fantastic atmosphere and reasonable. was sat next to a food critic at the next table and he was raving about it as well..

• Pros: great food

03/11/09

Horrendous wait time and treatment

by amm212

On a recent Saturday evening we joined a couple to try out the new Commerce restaurant as we heard great things about it. We had a 7:45 reservation for 4. We got to the overly crowded restaurant and were told our table was "almost ready," so we happily waited at the bar and ordered a few cocktails. An hour had passed and still we had not been seated. We were then told we were next in line and there were 3 tables opening up in a matter of minutes. Another 30 minutes passed and still no table. During the next 30 minutes we continued to question our table and what was happening. The hostess half aplogized and then stated, "I would have left by now" (not the comment you think you would hear in a recession). When we were finally seated almost 2 hours after our initial reservation we were told the highly recommended porterhouse for two and a certain appetizer were no longer available. I am sure if we were seated at our proper reservation time, this would have not been the case. What we ended up ordering was good, but by no means worth the hype (my husband and his friend did thoroughly enjoy the lamb). Our waiter was very good and aplogetic. However, the pathetic generosity of one round of drinks bought by the restaurant did not ease our dissatisfaction with this establishment. No manager even came over to apologize, which told us that 1. they did not care that they made a party of 4 wait two hours for a table and 2. that they do not care about our return business. I know that our party will never return to Commerce and you should take a serious wait time into account if you decide to dine here. Hope your experience is a lot better than ours.

• Pros: Good food, can eat at bar
• Cons: Serious wait time for a table even with a reservation, tables are very close to one another

11/14/08

Great Atmosphere, Food and Service!

by jdorsi

Went to dinner here last night with a friend, and had such a great experience. The place is tucked away on a quiet street, calming and welcoming atmosphere. No pretension. Our waitress was fabulous! So sweet and made lots of great suggestions on the food and the wines. We chose to split a couple appetizers and an entree, and they went out of the way to separate each course on two plates for us. 20 herb salad=awesome. Roasted sweet potato tortelloni= Amazing! Filet was cooked perfectly and melted in your mouth! And don't even get me started on the Beniets! We will definitely be back!

07/07/08

Great food, wonderful and knowledgable staff ...

by likethefit

I have been to Commerce twice and what a find! Sunday afternoon I wandered in to get out of the heat while exploring the village. The bartender was fabulous and gave me plenty of attention since I came in alone. Then I brought business colleagues on a Tuesday night, they are big foodies and were as impressed as I was. Great wine and even greater food. You must try it out!

• Pros: Food, wine, service
• Cons: I can't think of one.

07/03/08

Pathetic

by Willeee

This place should be a wonderful spot. However, for the price the dining experience should be far more well rounded. The food was good, but was not great. The service was disgraceful and the behavior of the other patrons was unwashed.

To the establishment's credit, we were seated quickly even though it was crowded. However, we then waited (not kidding) 20 minutes to be offered water, drinks, or a chance to review the wine list. We were also seated next to a table of drunken soon-to-be-fired Wall Street wannabes who behaved as if they were watching the Super Bowl in their favorite dive bar. They subjected us to no less than (yes, I counted) 43 flash photos of eachother thoughout the meal. Yes.The staff thought that behavior in a pricey dining room was just fine.

For those who wish to have a mature meal, to get what they pay for, and not to be subjected to flash-bulbs going off in your face by faux soccer hooligans, I suggest you look elsewhere. If you actually enjoy the hellish scene that results when a so-so restaurant winds up on Daily Candy (if this one even did) then I would highly recommend 50 Commerce. Bring your Louis Vuitton bag, gigantic metal watch, overly logoed sunglasses, and your eye brow plucking boyfriend with gelled hair. You'll fit right in.

05/28/08

AMAZING!!

by vanessanyc

I had one of the best dinners at this restaurant. The atmosphere is very cozy, yet slightly rustic, while being very welcoming. We arrived early to dinner and we seated promptly at a booth ( i love booths). We has a really great Spanish wine, the wine list is quite extensive. I started with the Rare Beef Tataki which was wonderfully delicious. My boyfriend had the fluke sashimi which was very tasty! The best part of the whole meal was the porterhouse for two. We ordered it rare and it was cooked perfectly! It was cooked in a red wine reduction sauce with shallots and truffles. The steak was accompanied by truffle mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. The whole meal was a feast for the palate. I definitely will go back to this restaurant and highly recommend it!!

• Pros: Everything
• Cons: Nothing

04/08/08

The ghosts of West Village restaurants past inhabit this haute New American tavern.

by Justin Hartung

The Scene
Tucked away on one of Manhattan's curviest streets, this American restaurant looks to recapture some of the magic of the landmarked space's past tenants (Blue Mill, Grange Hall). The art deco Brunswick bar is circa 1941, the English Chestnut booths have been lovingly restored, and despite the tony crowd and $15 cocktails, the tightly-packed, mirror-lined dining room still emanates classic tavern bonhomie. Sweet, spot-on service keeps the mood light and the plates moving.
 
The Food
Though everything in the house-made bread basket tempts early snacking, resist or you'll be too full to enjoy highlights on the New American menu. Plump tortelloni filled with creamy butternut squash and dotted with pomegranate and hazelnuts achieve a perfect sweet-salty-sour harmony, while tender braised beef outshines its plate-mate of sliced sirloin. Other dishes, like an overly sauced lobster Newburgh and wanly flavored lamb saddle come a little too close to average tavern fare--at significantly above-average prices.

Hits: The welcoming service and the menu's highlights do the address's legacy proud.

Misses: When full, the dining room produces a mighty din, so it's not the best spot for a quiet romantic dinner.

(Photo by Katherine Bryant)