04/03/09

"Lame and Jaffy"

by aleks3031

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

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

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!

05/10/08

Delicious

by nynewb

I went to Lamb & Jaffy earlier this year with some friends. I had the skirt steak, which was fantastic. It was cooked perfectly. The atmosphere of the place was great, the server was very attending and humorous.

I've been raving about it ever since this occasion. My husband and I went there one evening, around 5, and despite the posted hours claiming it was open at 5:00, the doors were locked and it was completely empty. We walked around the neighborhood for about 20-30 minutes, went back, and still no luck. I was so disappointed.

• Pros: Food, atmosphere, BYOB, friendly service
• Cons: The rose whip tastes like soap

A homey Greenpoint oasis for far-reaching New American cooking.

by Justin Hartung

Toward the end of Greenpoint's Manhattan Avenue, where the restaurants thin out dramatically, the colorful exterior of this inviting New American spot beckons diners. Exposed brick, loads of dark wood and the cheerful staff make the space feel like a country home's kitchen. The seasonally changing menu overflows with international touches like cilantro pesto in a roasted avocado salad, game hen from Peru and black truffles dotting sweet corn risotto. Hewing closer to home: Beef, lamb and bison burger and, for dessert, bananas Foster.

08/24/06

avoid delivery

by tysonturbo

I have never eaten at Lamb and Jaffy, but kept hearing great things. I ordered take out (I know, I know) and have to say I was completely disappointed. I only live a few blocks from the place, but when the food arrived it was room temp at best. We got a red pepper stuffed with couscous, which was roasted (not mentioned on the menu) and boring, soggy, overly oily and uninspired. Cheese burger; I ordered it med. rare, it came burnt to a crisp. It was actually not edible and I had another sent over.. the second time was almost as bad.. the grill must have been too hot and the outside had the flavor of cinders while the inside was a mushy grey glob, the color alone was enough to stop me from taking another bite, and made me wonder if thats why the first one had been cooked to death, again, the lions share went to the dog. The fries were what I would imagine corrugated cardboard to taste like... Finally we got the brie salad.. while it was the most edible thing we ordered, thats not saying much, I found the greens to overly smothered in dressing, limp and soggy, the pastry wrapped brie was too much, heavy and lifeless. We didn't finish any of the dishes and the $34 bill felt steep for the quality and preperation of the food. Especially alarming was the quality of the meat, I can't imagine the burger being any less grey at the restaurant, maybe the lights are too dim to notice. All that aside, the person on the phone was very friendly and when I called to say the burger was over cooked, they sent another over no questions asked.

I will try Lamb and Jaffy again, but I will never order take-out from them again... The worst part was I blew my food budget for the day, so I had to eat cereal and milk at home so as not to go to bed hungry!

Disappointing at best.

• Pros: close to my house.
• Cons: most everything else

08/01/06

great food

by melania1313

what a treat, to have this restaurant in greenpoint. the only point of frustration is an ever-changing schedule for when they're open. make sure to call ahead before you go. the duck is great, as are all the fish dishes. the lamb burger is a bit heavy. brunch is heavenly (only served on sundays). byob indeed does help keep the tab down. enjoy!

• Pros: food
• Cons: call before going, sometimes they close early

07/10/06

Great Value / Very Good and Interesting Food. BYOB is a plus.

by soulyinclined

We really enjoyed the food although one of our dishes was served a little too close to room temp. I had the lamb chops which were very flavorful. If none of your dishes are served with the Potatos Au Gratin make sure to order a side for the table. My date was wowed by the complimentary flavors of the duck. The backyard outdoor garden seating is nice and the fact that it is BYOB really makes it affordable to enjoy a nice bottle of wine with dinner. I think the biggest complaint I had was the lighting. It was just too dark and the light by the door is overly bright casting huge shadows across the tables. A little attention to detail would really make this outdoor space sing. Overall, good food and service at a more than fair price

• Pros: Great Value, outdoor space, BYOB
• Cons: Lighting outside is distracting

04/19/06

THE VERY BEST IN FOOD

by elainedeleon

The food in this place is amazing.The flavors are perfectly complementary.

The dishes are fantastic.Love devils on horseback,the gravlox/beet salad is

magic.As are the duck and the fish dish served with the best carrots I have ever had.

If your ready to sit down for dinner and be amazed by the food.Then come here and bring an incredible bottle of wine to accompany the exceptional food.

• Pros: great food, great parking, not crowded
• Cons: none

02/24/06

Love It

by turkere

Everything I've had here is terrific. Feta and sundried tomato app is awesome as is the spinach, gorgonzola, and bacon salad. Service is good, food is very flavorful, and it's a great addition to the neighborhood. Highly recommend.

• Pros: Not-crowded, Good service
• Cons: No AC