Zeke
Google
Place opened just months ago and we always pass by saying we should dine one time, so we did. Inside had great ambient lighting, tables, and decor.
Our drinks came pretty quick. We wanted to order calamari thinking it would be fried but our server told us it would be pan seared. If the server has to explain every time someone orders, make a note on the menu or change the menu to fried calamari. Food however did take quite a while. When we walked in, it was just 2 other tables, 6 people total including us. We were keeping an eye on their table also, and none of them got their food except for their salad. Our food finally came out, but the calamari was missing. At this point, we wanted to cancel but we didn’t want to waste food. Our server walked by and noticed our calamari wasn’t here yet and to check the kitchen. It came out about 5 -10minutes later. We couldn’t stop thinking if they forgot and just made the dish on the spot.
The pizza was lacking flavor, no tangy flavor from the tomatoes. The bottom of the pizza wasn’t crispy at all even though the crust of the pizza was close to burnt. I did expect this since I liked my pizza well done, however the pizza was closer to the doughy side while being burnt. I believe their oven was hot enough but not the surface of their oven, which is very common for I believe is a wood fire oven that they have. There was also too much parmesan which really takes away the beauty sauce and cheese from the pizza. Paying $27 for a pie, one would also expect basil to cut through the heavy and salty flavor of parmesan cheese.
For a restaurant to be offering grilled calamari instead of fried, you’d expect it to be tender. It is not chewy, but definitely not tender.
I asked if the skirt steak was prime grade, and they did confirm it was. The steak was tender but it was severely lacking in flavor. It basically tasted like unseasoned steak with all the herbs and chimichurri they put on top. A little salt would go a long way. Sadly, this was our best dish.
The pricing for the food is not something to boast about. These are NYC prices on the high end. $19 for a cocktail is a bar at Times Square or a Michelin recommended restaurant. We don’t mind paying a premium price for quality dishes. This is just not the case. For some reason, the workers kept leaving one of the doors open where we can see the trash. The smell of the trash was also coming through the door. We were very disappointed since we were just a short drive away. Will not be back for the service, food, drinks, nor the price.