Sidewalk Cafe

06/05/2008 Posted by jpw4134

Love Sidewalk as a default place if you don't know exactly what you're in the mood for....they've got a bit of everything and do most of it really well. Frozen pink margaritas in pint glasses are only 8 bucks, burgers are great (with mushrooms and jack cheese they are AMAZING here), the restaurant has a nice relaxed feel, just a great neighborhood haunt. Open super late, 24 hrs on weekends. Service can occasionally drop off but aside from that no real complaints. Also great brunch deal-margarita is free with your meal, second one is only a dollar.

Pros: Food, open late

04/12/2008 Posted by gillyjoshy

My boyfriend and I stopped by the SideWalk Cafe for a late night dinner and got nothing short of an incredible dining experience. The wait staff was quite friendly and speedy. I ordered a chicken and black bean wrap (added cheddar cheese to it) with a salad (house dressing- lemon soy), my boyfriend got the veggie panini (with pesto added) and fresh cut french fries. My chicken wrap was delicious! Great beans, crispy, toasted exterior and succulent chicken breast. The look on my boyfriend's face was priceless when he took his first bite of the panini-- pure heaven! (I tried it too and will definitely be ordering it next time) The panini was perfectly toasted highlighting the impeccably cooked eggplant, roasted red pepper, and caramelized onions. ANOTHER PLUS-- this delicious meal cost us $20 total! You can't beat it! We were so impressed that we returned just a day later for a lovely outdoor brunch only to discover that the hummus is enough to bring you to your knees. Additionally, there is a chicken veggie soup that would cure any ailment you've got! If you order one of their salads, I hope you're hungry-- they don't skimp (particularly on the chicken breast!) One thing to stay away from: the frozen pink margarita that they claim is "famous." Maybe famous for replicating the flavor of an antique shop. Overall: great food, excellent prices, pleasant atmosphere. Check it out!!

Pros: Veggie panini, hummus, wraps, prices, extensive outdoor seating, dog friendly,

Cons: Frozen pink ritas

03/10/2008 Posted by sersim25

I really enjoyed myself at the Sidewalk Cafe. We went in one late evening with a group of 4. I read a lot of complaints about the service. We had one female server and she was very nice and the food came out promptly. I'm sure that on a sunny, spring afternoon when the place is slammed inside and out, this can't always be the case so some of the reviews are probably true, but I didn't experience any of that. I love this place because the decor is cool (with hanging musical instruments from the ceiling) it's open 24 hours, you can have dinner on one side, then walk through the second half where there is a bar, a darker lounge area where the performers are and a large downstairs area. It's unusual to find a place that's this cool with so much space (in this neighborhood) that can do all of these things 24 hours a day. I thought the food was good. They have vegetarian options which is nice as well. This place is pretty awesome and I will definitely be back again.

Pros: Open 24 hours, good food, good decor

Cons: None for me

02/22/2008 Posted by evillagecritic

Please let it be known that I have been a loyal and regular customer of this cafe since moving into the neighborhood 1.5 years ago. That being said, I was SHOCKED at my bill yesterday when the waitress claims I spent $5.75 in COFFEE!!! She said she charged me for refills and said how very sorry she was, with a snide grin on her face. I was so utterly taken aback, I left her tip on the bill, but no more. I REFUSE to tip these people - what am I, some derelict they don't want hanging around the restaurant?? I'll come in for the eggs special breakfast and just have to apologize to yesterday's waitress and every future waitress how very sorry I am that I can't tip her.

Pros: Good Breakfasts

Cons: Mean, vindictive waitstaff who try to rip you off.

12/08/2007 Posted by jawbreaker23

We went to this cafe for my sister's best friends birthday. There were 7 of us and they sat us in a corner of the place under a low ceiling and near a little fountain thing. I do not like to say waitresses are bad, because everyone has off-days and she did seem like she was busy and running around alot. She definitely wasn't the perkiest waitress, but she was making an honest effort (I think?). It was a very busy summer day and the cafe seemed understaffed, but considering that we did place our orders and receive them promptly. I only had a salad and sandwich, but it was probably one of the best sandwich's I have ever had and my sister who is a very picky eater loved her meal (she had penne alla vodka). I definitely would definitely recommend trying this place... maybe on a night that they are less busy though. Their menu is varied and the drinks are pretty good.

Pros: Tasty food, varied menu, fun!

Cons: Inside is a tight squeeze for a larger party.

09/19/2007 Posted by kat7411

I ordered a cheeseburger from this place while I was home sick. I told them twice on the phone to please not forget the ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise that I requested on the side. When the food was delivered 20 minutes later, there way No mustard. No ketchup. No mayonnaise. I called them and advised them. I asked them if they could run over the items that they forgot. (I live A BLOCK AWAY). The girl on the phone, who had an immediate attitude with me, said No - as if I'd just asked her to donate a kidney. She said those items are complimentary and because I did not get charged for them, they are not going to come "all the way back over just for that". Maybe if she had simply apologized and NOT had such a b*tchy attitude, I would not have been annoyed. I think it is just bad service when a restaurant REFUSES to fix an order that THEY screwed up, no matter how trivial they feel the error was. Furthermore, the bun tasted like it was either old, or microwaved. ..Had that hard, stale taste to it. Burger was cooked as I specified, but the quality of meat was poor. Very fatty. The 'salad' that came with my meal? Yeah, a bunch of wet lettuce getting the bun soggy, and a lone slice of tomato surrounding my burger. Lastly, when you actually go to this place and sit down to eat, they take a very, very long time to bring you your food. I won't be ordering from, or visiting this establishment again.

Cons: Bad Service

08/19/2007 Posted by wisebrain

Sidewalk cafe is not complete if you eat inside! Great affordable food, service average for NYC. Go!

07/01/2007 Posted by mjbamford

Since Sidewalk Cafe is very close to my home, I have tended to end up there, especially for brunch. However, the service has always been bad. Today was the last time I will ever go to this establishment. I went there Sunday July 1st, 2007 by myself to get a bit of lunch - a single customer who will order, eat and get out quickly (and free the table for another parties). After waiting 20 minutes, coupled even with attempts to flag down the passing waiters, I was not able to get my order to the kitchen. The advice provided was that "someone will take your order". No one did. I left with an empty stomach. I won't be back, my groups eats won't be back, and I won't be recommending this place to the travelers that stay with me. Note to Sidewalk Cafe: when people first arrive at your restaurant and therefore have empty stomachs, any delay in getting food to them will result in grumpiness. Save the delays for after the meal.

Pros: Nice location

Cons: Zero service - they have trouble even taking your order

04/22/2007 Posted by armitage1

We were trying to enjoy the show that the sidewalk cafe has every weekend. It was a great Greek band they had this time and we loved the belly dancer that the band brought in. I ended up having a terrible time at the Sidewalk Cafe. The waitress was extremely aggressive and nasty. The waitress even tried to pick a fight with my husband just because we were not ordering a two drink minium fast enough. When we were not even there for two minutes yet. Terrible! It almost ruined our night. Don't go there only if your ready to get a black eye from the waitress.

Pros: The band and dancer was great!

Cons: The Staff was very Agressive!

01/15/2007 Posted by ellejdriver

My Friends and I happened to be in the east village one sunday afternoon and decided to stop in for a Jazz Brunch. The drinks were horrible and the waitstaff was rude and unconcerned with the customer's needs. When the food finally came out - After waiting at least an Hour - it was barely edible And WHAT'S WITH THE PERSON PLAYING JAZZ? The management should hang a disclaimer in the window letting customers know that they will get some version of Jazz and Brunch. Not only will the food disgust you BUT THE MUSIC AS WELL! - I have heard more talent come from the REJECTS on American Idol.

Cons: Rude Staff, Horrible Drinks and food-MUSIC IS NOT ENTERTAINING - BUT PAINFUL