08/20/09

Bad Attitude - the perfect seasoning for Mediocre Food

by enoughtoil

I went to the V Spot today for the first time in months. The food was never that good, just okay, but they used to offer a $10.00 discount ticket for every $100.00 purchase, and since I had one of those tickets, I decided to give the place another try. But the situation just went from bad to worse. First, the woman behind the counter told me, matter-of-factly, that the restaurant no longer honors these tickets. I did not argue with her, but just ordered some food to go and, while waiting, ordered and ate a plate of french fries. Second, as I was eating, this terrible raucous music came on, played very loud. I went to the woman and declared that I was trying to eat. When she did not understand what I was getting at, I asked her to turn down the music. She replied that I should have asked her directly rather than in this roundabout way. Perhaps she was right, but her attitude still sucked, since the restaurant should have known better than to play such ear-devouring music in the first place, especially at such a high volume.

Anyway, when I got home, I called the V Spot to try to articulate the problems I'd had at the restaurant and reached the same woman. She insisted that the restaurant had no obligation to honor the tickets they had issued, oblivious to the fact that such dishonoring was a breach of contract as well as a violation of basic ethical norms. She would not even concede that it would have been good etiquette and good customer relations to at least have offered to let me have the french fries for free. She also insisted that I had improperly voiced my request to turn the music down. When I insisted in return that she should have known better than to play the "music" at that volume in the first place, she hung up on me.

In my opinion, this is not a customer-friendly place, nor is it one you should go to if you are seeking delicious food. On the other hand, if you like to be abused and enjoy mediocre food, this place is perfect!

01/05/09

HORRIBLE SERVICE AND FOOD! Want good Vegan/Veg - go to S'Nice up the street!

by bklynight

Firstly, I should say that I'm not vegan/veg, though eat and enjoy vegan/veg foods.

I've been to V-Spot 3 times over the years. The first time, I wrote off the bad experience as a new restaurant finding its feet and mistakenly hiring incompetent/unfriendly waitstaff and charging $7 for a bean burger consisting of a small bun and a handfull of beans.

The second time I went, I was equally unimpressed with the food, the staff and the pretentious attitudes that are oftentimes wrongly associated with places like this, though at the V-spot, the attitudes were present (i.e. hipster, lazy, egotistical, holier than thou attitude).

My sister, a vegan, was in town over the weekend and desperate to try V-Spot, despite my claims that I'd never go back. The waitstaff was beyond horrific. In addition to asking for menus, water, salt, utensils and the status of our food, the food took FOREVER to come (in a restaurant that had possibly 15 patrons). My friend is gluten intolorant and asked about ingrediants in an item, the waitress responded that she didn't know, but probably it was probably ok, though never checked or asked the chef. (She ordered something "safe," as she didn't want to risk getting sick with the waitress' guess about ingredients.)

I ordered pasta with marinara and veggies - the safest thing I could find on the menu (how can you screw up pasta?!) and home fries. The pasta was passable and light on the sauce means LIGHT, but at $12/plate, it should be passable! The homefries came after the rest of the food STONE COLD. I did get hot ones, though had to flag down the waitress (as she never once asked us how we were enjoying our meal, despite being the table next to the register/bar).

Now, I will never EVER go back. The food was sub par, the service was horrific and the scene was dull, at best.

The next day, sis and I went to S'Nice (5th Ave, 2nd St), also vegan/veg and both of us loved the food, staff and ambiance! GO THERE INSTEAD!

• Pros: Close to my apt
• Cons: waitstaff, food, prices, waiting for food, having to ask for everything you need/want

12/18/08

Great Brunch!

by feedmefast

I've now been here 3 times for brunch and all 3 times I loved it! They have brunch on Saturday and Sunday which I really like. The best is the breakfast burrito and the tofu scramble. Get the bacon-but pass on the sausage. And you can order a side of pancakes-which I love. The mimosa was very strong so I only had one-but they do offer unlimited for $10. Take your friends here and show them how good vegan food can be. Trust me-you won't miss out on anything.

• Pros: Two days of brunch, great food!
• Cons: Pricey, but they have a frequent diner discount card

04/27/08

Food not so Tasty

by felivis

My husband had the veggie burger and it tasted like fresh soil. I had a curry dish and there was somehting about it that made it taste unpleasant. The service was great and super nice -- we felt bad that we didn't like the food more. They even offered to bring us another dish, but we declined.

• Pros: super friendly and nice service
• Cons: food tasted weird

04/02/08

A little behind the times

by fbmyeager

I was so excited to find a vegan restaurant in nearby Brooklyn since I always have to wait until I'm in the city to enjoy a vegan dinner out. I have been to this restaurant 3 or 4 times, and have to admit I'm a little disappointed. Not enough to stop going, after all its great in a pinch, but I feel a little underwhelmed. I brought my mother here, who had not eaten vegan since the 70's and she was really impressed, but after having gourmet vegan food in Manhattan and knowing how well these sorts of dishes can be cooked and seasoned, I felt that the V-spot was a little sub-par. And I wouldn't have minded the simplicity of the food if it wasn't so expensive. If you want to charge $18 for an entree during lunch in Brooklyn, it should be damn good! Some of the things were too oily for me, and I like to think that vegan food is a little healthier, but not when its drenched in oil. Also I ordered tea, and they gave me celestial seasonings tea, i mean really! I don't agree with the other reviewers concerning the service. The service wasn't bad, but they seemed completely apathetic and I didn't feel all that comfortable asking questions. Over all i feel it is over-priced, but a sandwhich here and there can be pleasant enough.

• Pros: Vegan Friendly Dining in Brooklyn
• Cons: Price, some of the food items

11/20/07

creative vegan food that's actually GOOD

by katiemoore

I have been eating at the V-Spot regularly for about a year now and have to say that the food only gets better and better. Weekend brunch is a special treat (the whole wheat pancakes are phenomenal) and the desserts can only be described as out of this world. The people who work there are friendly and will help you order something delicious. DO NOT leave without trying the buffalo chicken wings. I highly recommend the V-Spot to anyone and everyone, but especially to vegetarians and vegans who want something tasty and creative!

• Pros: yummy specials, good music

11/19/07

By Far the BEST Vegan Restaurant in NYC... no, REALLY.

by vegancookie

I work in downtown Manhattan, and while I have an array of vegan eateries at my disposal I continuously choose to make the trip to The V Spot in Park Slope, Brooklyn. After visiting the V Spot a few times, it quickly became my favorite restaurant, hands down. Not only does the V Spot have amazing and unique vegan food (I HIGHLY reccomend the chicken burrito, the guac and chips, the penne ala vodka and the chicken parm) but they also have an incredibly nice staff.

My experience at just about every other vegan restaurant in the city has been the same: an uppity, rude, bored waitstaff who could care less about proper customer service. Not at the V Spot! Everyone is always extremely helpful, attentive and courteous.

I can't say enough wonderful things about the V Spot. Bottom line: vegan or not, go there for the incredible food and you'll feel welcomed.

• Pros: The food and the friendly service!
• Cons: None... this place is amazing.

11/16/07

friendly, comfortable chill place...

by skillcrane

been eating at the vspot for a couple months and i think the food is great. i like that the menu has so much to choose from and i dont think the prices are too bad considering the neighborhood its in. i would definitely recommend the california burger and the raw pesto pasta. i really love the whole vibe of the place, it could be a bit more fun but the people are nice and i've always had great service.

11/14/07

Good neighborhood spot

by voguelas1

I just moved to the neighborhood and I don't eat meat or dairy (i'm not a true vegan though, I do eat fish) I decided to try this restaurant because it is totally vegan and I can order anything! The food was very good, I thought the 'chicken' was better than most meat substitutes that I've had. It was quiet in the restaurant and the bill was not too high. The service was kind of blah and the space could be a little happier but overall, I would definitley go back

• Pros: Tasty food, good meat substitutes, conveniant for vegans in the neighborhood
• Cons: service wasn't great, not so affordable

10/19/07

Service just gets worse and the food has yet to get better

by heldentenor2b

I've tried giving this place many of chances, but it keeps getting worse and worse. 4 out 5 times I tried placing a delivery order I've either been put on hold FOREVER or hung up on. This evening I tried ordering and the person who answered didn't even know how to say hello or ask what I want. After finally asking for my phone number, he abruptly set the phone down for 7 minutes (yes, I watched the clock) as he carried on a conversation with another employee. Finally, I hung up (they never called back...guess they just have sooo much business). But don't think delivery is the only crappy service, try actually going there. Despite the owner's brother's roommate or whoever the hell he says he is, the service is still slow even with a full staff and the food is mediocre at best. It's always oily, under spiced or in the case of their french fries, soggy for days. The only thing going for the place is they sell Vegan Treats. No, they don't make their own desserts...thank god! I guess I should be thankful that there's a vegan place in the slope, but I'm not. I'd be thankful if they went bankrupt and someone who knew a thing or two about the restaurant business took over the place. The food is not worth the headache and crappy service. Plain and simple...STAY AWAY!

• Pros: Vegan Treats...the desserts they buy from someone else. You can also get these at the Cocoa Room on 7th.
• Cons: Everything. Winner of the worst service in the slope since 2006!