Double Crown

12/12/08

Overrated, underflavored

by alweesright at Citysearch

Don't believe the hype on this spot. Sure it looks great, so if that's all you care about, have at it. But the food is consistently "blah". "Whitebait" is disgusting, and "Goan Curry" is nothing but tomato sauce with some mushy vegetable pieces thrown in (Goa as a region should be insulted that chef Brad Framerie is using their name). "Pigs in a wet blanket" are nasty, and duck steams buns can be found tastier (and cheaper) anywhere in chinatown just down the street a few blocks.

The crowd is pretty, but the entire establishment from the crowd to the menu to the management/servers reeks or pretentiousness. Maybe that's what a 2 star review from Bruni will do to you. The place thinks it's clever to put their own spin on things that you'd expect otherwise, and INSIST they're version is the better/best way, and is not interested in hearing anything otherwise. Just try asking for a straw for your rather nasty gin and jam drink, or ANY drink for that matter, and you're told they don't have straws because the owners don't like them. Try sucking down the last quarter of your cocktail without, it's no easy feat. But hey, it'll give your over eager hipper-than-thou waiter a chance to sell you another even quicker.

Another tip, don't go in for brunch hoping the kitchen will cater to your needs. They downright REFUSED to serve my wife eggwhites even after she asked management (apparently it's "against the chef's religion", just another example of the heirs this joint puts on). And when I asked for my eggs over medium, my arrogant server laughed and informed me that it was yet another request their kitchen would not accommodate.

So if you want to check out Double Crown, get their while it's still a novelty. Because in this market, they may not long, and by the way they run business now, they certainly don't deserve to.

• Pros: Cool decor
• Cons: poor food quality, arrogant servers, pretentious crowd, loud

12/10/08

Amazing Food, Poor Service

by inimai at Citysearch

The food here was absolutely amazing. The menu is very inventive and the best indian fusion place I have been to in the city. Everything we ordered (the yellowtail and spicy beef salad for apps, goan curry and snapper for mains, and brussel sprouts and cabbage) were phenomenal (the brussel sprouts were the best). That said, the service sucked big time. First, they did not take our coats at the front all though I asked the hostess repeatedly if we could please check our coats. (I don't understand why a restaurant would not check coats when they have a coat check.) Second, we waited almost 30 minutes for our bottle of wine to arrive because, according to the waitress she had to "locate the wine" and "the bar was backed up." (Note, at this point a classy restaurant would have at least given us complimentary drinks instead of keeping us there at the table with nothing in front of us for 30 minutes). We also waited at least 20-30 minutes between the time we were done with our appetizers until we got our entrees. And finally, to top it all off while I was ordering dessert, in the middle of when I was speaking to the waitress, she turned her back to me to check out some guys at the table next to us. Overall, however, I do think it is worth the trip to this restaurant to experience the food, but I certainly hope you get a better waitress than we did.

• Pros: food, decor
• Cons: service, clientele

11/30/08

Yum, yum, yum!

by lp25 at Citysearch

The food at Double Crown is excellent! The menu has a great variety of dishes sure to please even the pickiest of eaters! The cocktails are great, the waitstaff is exceptional, and the atmosphere is so comfortable. I recommend the Drunken Crispy Quail and also the lamb meatballs! Soooo yummy.

11/14/08

GREAT ALL AROUND!!!

by ReneLouis at Citysearch

I go out atleast 4 times a week and I normally have to make a choice between, Decor, Menu, Ambience or Service... This is my first time writing a review because no one singular restaurant has ever impressed me on all of the above, however Double Crown managed to do so! It was wonderful on all levels! We had a delightful and helpful bar tender named Alex and when we were stumped with the menu both Alex and Dan were very helpful and guided our selection to perfection. I will be back quite often and I encourage anyone that has an appreciation for Decor, Menu, Ambience and Service to RUN not walk!

• Pros: Decor, Ambience, Menu and Service
• Cons: None

11/14/08

Great Staff and food in a Beautiful Setting

by Ninamelazzo at Citysearch

This is the first time I have ever taken the time to write a "review"-but Double Crown was such an outstanding experience that they deserve all the cudos possible. In these difficult economic times especially, what a pleasure to be greeted as though they were genuinely glad to see you! I arrived before my 2 friends, and Alex, who not only is handsome-but friendly, and an excellent bartender, approached me immediately and made great drink suggestions. After my 2 friends arrived, we were looking at the menu, and were really stumped by the selections, Alex, and Dan ( who I came to find out is a partner) enthusiastically recommended several dishes, which ALL proved to be delicious. We will go back, and often. Aside from all of the above, the place is beautiful .

11/11/08

Best shortrib in the city....

by JCThoma at Citysearch

I am now addicted to the shortrib they have here. I saw that the new york times review said it had the best shortrib in the city so I had to go. Yum. Absolutely the best dish and excellent starters too. Had the house fries too and I have nerve had anything like them. A-mazing. I give this place an "A"

• Pros: excellent fare
• Cons: sometimes a wait for a table

11/06/08

Innovative and Fun

by kpetty at Citysearch

Double Crown is the whole package. The food is creative, inspired, unique and delicious (I especially like the wet pigs in a blanket, shrimp cocktail in a glass, pheasant/licorice potpie); the decor is beautiful; the service is accomodating and professional and the atmosphere is fun, energetic and cool. A night at Double Crown is a good time.

• Pros: Food, Decor, Atmosphere, Service

10/31/08

Double The Pleasure

by SMKChicago at Citysearch

WOW...I felt transported during my dining experience at Double Crown. The beautifully served and exquisitely presented food was highlighted by the fantastic taste sensations. Never had I experienced such extraordinary combinations of foods...everyone at my table could not wait for the next dish to arrive. The appetizers, main courses, and desserts were beyond! Save room for dessert...indulge...you won't regret it!

Adding to the experience is the decor. The carved stone lights over the bar are exquisite as are the Indian appointments throughout. This was a total taste and visual experience that I highly recommend. I will be back there on my next trip to NY.

10/29/08

Extraordinary food, Exciting atmosphere, Dinner & Brunch too

by juccysan at Citysearch

I am a big fan of Brad Farmerie's food at Public a few blocks away, so it was cool to see his flair for fusion applied to this new concept. I've been a few times since it opened and I love the cocktails: the mango one, the pear martini, and the pimm's cups - i recommend them all. The "wet pigs" were delish. I also loved the chicken salad (so tender and tasty), the shrimp in a cup (divine), and the fried white bait. For mains i tried and enjoyed the lamb meatballs, the twice-cooked chicken, the tuna, and i think it was halibut with dal. The desserts are really good too - my favorite is a chocolate pudding, there's a pecan tart, and rice samosas...really well done. My only gripe is that I ate too much. Since I went the first time, everything seems to have improved. The brunch is really nice too - there's a make-your-own bloody mary bar. Yeah!! Try the "morning rice" and their take on eggs florentine. As for dinner, go early, who cares if you can't get in later on when the "cool crowd" wants to eat!!

• Pros: Food, Cocktails, Decor, Location
• Cons: Somewhat noisy later on in the evening

10/17/08

Really Good!

by jackmore76 at Citysearch

Cocktails are excellent, especially the gooseberry foam gin, the food is also excellent - we had the duck steamed buns, ham and figs, meatballs and the veg curry was fantastic. Desserts were plate-licking-good. Portions are not huge and can be a little bit noisy from the traffic on the bowery. Definitely the new spot on the Bowery and I'll be back.

• Pros: cocktail, service,food and space
• Cons: portion size & noise levels