01/05/09

best resturant in Williamsburg

by hrhdi

Marlo & Son?s is the best restaurant in the city. Not that I?ve been to all the restaurants in the city, but after going here I?ve given up on that quest. OK, I exaggerate, but it is my favorite. Excellent oyster selections most nights and I live for the chocolate/caramel/salt tart. This is a great spot to bring friends from out of town if you want to show off your spots. The menu is mostly specials and very creative, I recommend picking a few things and sharing. The only draw back is that it?s too expensive to go every night, although to look on the bright side I guess that just makes it all the more special on the nights I am prepared to part with the money. The wait for a table can be daunting and cramped, but the cocktails are good and time flies.

• Pros: Ambience, Food, Crowd

06/10/08

Amazing restaurant, hostess the WORST in NYC

by star567

I used to be the biggest fan of Marlow and Sons. Unfortunately, they've recently acquired a new hostess during the nights who may be the worst of the worst of NY. It's as if you are going to a tranny bar in Chelsea where you expect to be demeaned. Unfortunately, this is not the same sort of atmosphere, although the new hostess could certainly be confused as a tranny. If you get a curly hair brunette ask the manager for some new, honestly my friends and I have done it twice now, just tell the manager, he expects it.

• Pros: Awesome owner and wine
• Cons: Wost hostess in NY

01/14/08

Wir fahr'n fahr'n fahr'n auf der Autobahn

by redxtine

I've had two experiences here, one great, one sort of bad.

The first one, we were seated in the "store" section of the restaurant, party of two. The food was excellent - we had cardoons (amazing) the cheese plate and the potato tortilla. The service was also top notch, very knowledgeable and friendly.

The second time we were a party of four and after watching the hostess chat with two fellows at the bar for about 5 minutes, we were eventually seated in the dining room area of the restaurant. We were extremely cramped at a table basically meant for two people. I have been eating out in all boroughs of NYC for close to 15 years now, so I know cramped NYC dining, and this was the worst it has ever been. There was someone's ass/elbow/bag 2 inches from my face 85% of the time. It was kind of like being on the "L" at 8:30 am on a weekday.

The next problem was the volume of the music. I know this is the burg, and "if it's too loud, you're too old", but if you're trying to run a restaurant and NO ONE at the table can hear the server as she is telling you the specials, I think you've got a bit of a problem. I like Kraftwerk as much as the next gal, but do yourself a favor, guys, and turn the freakin' music down a bit, OK? When we very politely asked if it could be turned down a little, we got an eye roll and an "I'll ask". The volume did not decrease.

Anyway - the food was very good. Scallops poached in a wonderful saffron broth, great brick chicken, and a french dip sort of sandwich were all extremely tasty. Great oysters and cheese plate as well.

Sadly, we may as well have been eating alone, since we couldn't understand what each other were saying (see: Kraftwerk, above).

I'll try it again, but I think my vote will be for take-out.

Overall: food is excellent, service/ambience could use some work, kids.

• Pros: food is excellent
• Cons: You really need to turn the music down, seriously.