GASTROPUBS? - or something like it for dinner

MOD · April 2010

I need to take my brother out to dinner, now he's thinking he'd like to go to a gastropub-like place.

Already been to Alchemy, Beast, Melt. Will not go to Dram bar (horrible service). Beer Table doesn't really have a full menu from what I see on their website (we are not looking for cheese plates, salads, cured meats, antipasta or Italian).

Any suggestions welcome, closer to N.Slope the better.. Open on Mondays (today)

mw11215 · April 2010

sheep station.

tyson · April 2010

Subject: Try Flatbush Farms

That's pretty good, nice place, good beer.

pastoralia · April 2010

Sheep Station...seconded.

pitu · April 2010

I'll agree w Sheep Station, lamb sandwich. Or chops. Or steak sandwich. Or moules frites. Mamacita, aren't you already a fan? I used to meet alafairnadia there pretty often.

Weird alt not a restaurant version: the picnic tables inside Bierkraft. They got a license to pour pints, and they make some stellar sandwiches and snacky things like deviled eggs wrapped in prosciutto, seriously delicious brats, and "buns". The buns are whatever crazy stew the guy comes up with, baked inside brioche. In short, a quality Hot Pocket, if such things could ever involve harissa.

scarlett · April 2010

Is my birthday too but Applewood is closed today.

burns · April 2010

press 195?
nice outside space too

tyson · April 2010

Flatbush Farm.

MOD · April 2010

pitu wrote: I'll agree w Sheep Station, lamb sandwich. Or chops. Or steak sandwich. Or moules frites. Mamacita, aren't you already a fan? I used to meet alafairnadia there pretty often.

Weird alt not a restaurant version: the picnic tables inside Bierkraft. They got a license to pour pints, and they make some stellar sandwiches and snacky things like deviled eggs wrapped in prosciutto, seriously delicious brats, and "buns". The buns are whatever crazy stew the guy comes up with, baked inside brioche. In short, a quality Hot Pocket, if such things could ever involve harissa.

Yeah, Love sheep station, but I forgot to add that to my list of places I've already took him too. But it is close by so I may take him there anyways.

pitu · April 2010

Mamacita wrote: [quote=pitu]I'll agree w Sheep Station, lamb sandwich. Or chops. Or steak sandwich. Or moules frites. Mamacita, aren't you already a fan? I used to meet alafairnadia there pretty often.

Weird alt not a restaurant version: the picnic tables inside Bierkraft. They got a license to pour pints, and they make some stellar sandwiches and snacky things like deviled eggs wrapped in prosciutto, seriously delicious brats, and "buns". The buns are whatever crazy stew the guy comes up with, baked inside brioche. In short, a quality Hot Pocket, if such things could ever involve harissa.

Yeah, Love sheep station, but I forgot to add that to my list of places I've already took him too. But it is close by so I may take him there anyways.

Unless he requires a Real Restaurant Atmosphere, you might really want to try Bierkraft. They are doing waaaay better food than most. Or get on the train to Bay Ridge and get Sichuan food at Grand Sichuan Palace by Century21, on 5th Ave. They have beer...
(ask me for menu suggestions if you do. Minds can be blown if you order right.)

ljnd · April 2010

Pitu, I travel to Staten Island a lot and have to catch the bus by Century 21. I'd love to know what to order from Grand Sichuan - it would be a great trek with the kids if I do it right....

bkchickie · April 2010

If you don't mind trekking to the other side of Flatbush, there's The Vanderbilt on Vanderbilt Ave. Nice atmosphere and good food.

pitu · April 2010

ljnd wrote: Pitu, I travel to Staten Island a lot and have to catch the bus by Century 21. I'd love to know what to order from Grand Sichuan - it would be a great trek with the kids if I do it right....

ljnd: do the kids handle big flavors well?
It's squarely in the adult category, spice-wise.

cumin lamb, pea tendrils in garlic, chinese broccoli w smokey peppers (don't think it's called that...er...), sour green beans with ground pork, and if you are w a big group, the huge bowl of seafood in chili oil, Chengdu seafood I think it's called. Spicey, w some crayyyyzeeeee flavors going on...mapo tofu w ground pork if you're not in a big group and not ordering the big bowl of seafood. It's not the same set of spices, but they both have the tingly Sichuan peppercorn in abundance.

App-wise, the fried squid or shrimp has been very popular at our tables, and the chengdu dumplings, which we liked better than the dan dan noodles. Do not get soup dumplings or anything not Sichuan unless your kids require it. The New Sichuan part of the menu is the best.

5th Ave at 87th St, yellow awning, closed Tuesdays

MOD · April 2010

Update:

We went with Alchemy, they have the back yard open-air eating area and it was a really nice warm night so that was perfect. My experience was 30% good/70% bad.

They advertise on their menu online/in shop: Mussel's Mondays. It's a weekly ongoing thing.
Well, sadly when we arrived at dinner time (not late at all) the lady said they were out! It seemed by the way she talked about it that they had been sold out for a while and that this is a common occurrence and even said "yeah, people walk out when they hear that". So I have to ask, "why would you advertise a weekly special and consistently not be prepared for the demand??" I mean, come on, after the first time this happens wouldn't you expect to double your supply for next week? Is this just a bait and switch?

So, that aside we got two appetizer and beers to start. They sent us the wrong appetizer and the right one came late into our main courses. A second beer for my bro took 20 minutes. The waitress was hurried and testy even though the back area wasn't completely full (I've been here a lot for brunch and it's double the capacity). The other Monday special was a fish (bass) with mashed potatoes/spinach. It was OK, not very flaky or particularly fresh. Not worth the $25-27 or so they charged.

One of their regular menu items the chicken didn't come with string beans because they were OUT. So we got the hanger steak. It was really good. My bro got the burger and really liked it.

All in all, I'm probably not going back for dinner ever again. Which is too bad because I've had one satisfying dinner there before (last time my bro was in town) and I've also taken family there for brunch. But never again for dinner, they didn't even offer an apology for the mistakes or reduced the app from the bill after we finally got the right one late into the meal.

Now I've craving Sheep Station, they have delicious mussels.

cjhannabury · April 2010

I know its after the fact, but you can't really go wrong with Flatbush Farm or the Vanderbilt. I've also heard that the new soccer bar, Woodwork, on vanderbilt has great food. Has anyone been?

grievousangel · April 2010

I had a bad experience at Flatbush Farms, my girlfriend and I went there about a year ago and agreed we weren't going back. When I ordered the burger, the waitress informed me that they prefer to only serve bugers at the bar... she made it seem like she was doing me a favor by letting me order what I wanted. Total attitude throughout the night. If you don't want to serve burgers in the dining area don't include them on the dinner menu, have a completely separate bar menu that is only offered (seen) when sitting at the bar! Plus the restaurant was EMPTY, I wasn't taking a seat away from someone who wanted a more expensive entree. When I got my burger it was wrong... cheese when I asked for no cheese (this is a huge no-no for me)... when I sent it back, it was clear they just scraped it off, leaving a lot of residue on an already mediocre, lifeless burger. My girlfriend's chicken dish was quite forgettable. Sorry to be harsh, but this place blows.

xlizellx · April 2010

I agree that I won't go back to Flatbush Farms -- it wasn't BAD, but even with our $10 off card (the only reason we went) it was still way more money for just OK food. I will gladly pay good money for a great meal - but this was a small portion (ie: we stopped for fries and beers at Bark on our way home afterwards) and not great. The waiter seemed bothered to have us there too -- I was surprised since it usually gets good reviews from people.

MOD · April 2010

Flatbush Farm started out with a very good and known Chef, and the first year or more was filled with great reviews. But the chef left, some dispute or another, and the food and service went to hell.

zebra · April 2010

^That's happened with about 20 restaurants in the neighborhood. I wonder sometimes if it's a marketing strategy.

williamsburg398 · April 2010

When you say Dram Bar's service is bad, do you mean Dram Shop in the Slope? What about Char 4?

MOD · April 2010

^ Yes, sorry I'm bad with names. Loved Char 4 for brunch, need to check it out for dinner.

pastoralia · April 2010

I know it's too late for Mamacita (I too went to Alchemy once and was underwhelmed by the service and the food...never been back) but I think Bar Toto has a great burger: the Bar Toto burger (burger, gorgonzola cheese, a spicy mayo, carmelized onions, on a pressed panini). It's a nice spot inside and outside.