Lamb & Jaffy

04/03/09

"Lame and Jaffy"

by aleks3031 at Citysearch

I have never taken the time to write a restaurant review, but my experience at Lambe & Jaffy warants a response. After sitting down to a meal that tasted like it was squeezed out of a lemon juice bottle, we waited 45 minutes for a bananas foster dessert that was so burnt that the diners next to us commented on the smell.

All had seemed to be going well service-wise until the alleged owner and a group of his hipster cronies sat down at a table--they had gone through appetizer and entree in the time that we waited for one course.

I am completely disappointed that this neighborhood restaurant falls short---but I wouldn't waste another dollar -- let alone $18 on an overpriced entree (in Greenpoint!!!), at this hole in the wall.

• Pros: neighborhood place with completely unrealized potential
• Cons: mediocre food, horrible service

03/28/09

Uninviting Exterior

by greenpointneighbor at Citysearch

I have lived within spitting distance of Lamb and Jaffy for over a year. This place looks like a cave from the outside. Thick worn, wooden doors and always-closed drapes warn off many potential customers. There is no chance of seeing inside from the street, something that drastically hurts this joint. While the food may be good, the owners of Lamb and Jaffy are doing the restaurant a disservice by concealing its interior. The complete lack of street presence may be an approach that works in more well travelled areas, where foot traffic is greater and convenience overcomes convention, but not on Manhattan Ave and Eagle street. There is a tiny "LJ" monogrammed stain glass window and well worn clap board outside. I could almost guarantee this eatery would see a double in walk-ins if they replaced their completely concealed facade with something lighter, windows to the inside, and a more recognizable sign. At very least, a $20 can of white paint and ditching the heavy drapes could dramatically impact the place. When scouting new restaurants, one wants to be able to have an indication of the type of atmosphere they will be walking into: fancy, casual, modern, rustic, etc. Without change, I see this place going the way of a former fav "The Williamsburg Cafe"...if people don't know it is a restaurant, it will never do well.

• Pros: Not a ton of Competition
• Cons: Looks Like a Cave

08/15/08

Bound to get better, give it a try!

by jaliqua at Citysearch

I give l&j 4 stars because of the food and the ambience. The space is really lovely. The food has always been rich and tasty, especially in the glut of thai/mexican/chinese dinner options on the northern end of greenpoint. I've eaten here (and done takeout) a handful of times over the years and the food's always good. I've done takeout from l&j twice in the past month and it has been fantastic -- especially the lamb burger, if you can handle the greasy indulgence.

The reason I didn't give 5 stars is because of the service, which is hit-or-miss -- it definitely feels like a chef from the kitchen was pulled out to wait tables. Yesterday there were 4 four-tops going and the waiter looked around in bewilderment when I placed a takeout order in person.

But for me, 4/5th of the restaurant rating is about the food and the ambience, and l&j has it right for me in these areas. They just need to up the service level a bit, and everything will be in place. Give it a try!