East of Eighth

I really just did not like this place, and I knew I wouldn’t, but alas, when your parents are in town and they want to try a certain place, you just go with it.
The vibe is mostly old people, honestly. The garden was closed even though it was gorgeous out, and the place was generally pretty empty, even though it was about 10 or 11 on a Saturday during prime brunch time. My dad ordered his eggs over easy but they came out over hard. I got the guac benedict and while I absolutely love avocados, their guac to egg ration was so off, way too much guacamole, especially since theirs was very mediocre. My mom got shrimp with her salad, which they forgot, and by the time they came out with it, she was done with her salad, despite trying to be slow about it. Awkward. The glass my drink came in was chipped on the bottom and I had to awkwardly hold it to not get cut. My mom took out cash beforehand because she saw you get a discount for paying cash, but they claimed they don’t do that anymore? Everything from the atmosphere to the food just seemed old and meh. Honestly, my dad usually likes pretty bland places and even he didn’t like this place.

This restaurant is right in the heart of Chelsea and a convenient place to go after a night at the movies. The décor and feel of the restaurant is elegant with lots of seating on the second floor where I ate on Sunday.
There was an assortment of cuisines on the menu, which I found a bit overwhelming. To start, I ordered the fried croquettes which were fried really nicely but bland on the inside ($ 12 for 4 pieces). For the main course, I had the rack of olive-​crusted lamb, which was pretty good.
Overall, this restaurant is pretty average. The food isn’t terrible but there isn’t much to rave about. And the service was slow on a Sunday night – not unusual.

Don’t believe the info. Showed up at 10pm. We were told to go upstairs to sit for dinner and then rudely told they were closed when we got up there after the waiter had already asked us how many and was going to sit us. After reading the reviews it looks like management sucks because the guy seating us was definitely following orders.

While the prices aren’t outrageous, we didn’t feel like the value here was very good for what amounted to a mediocre brunch with mediocre service.
However, the outdoor garden atmosphere and baked goods that greeted us when we sat down were very nice and salvaged this restaurant a third star.
We found the restaurant (or maybe just the server) a little inflexible with small requests. And those of us who ordered from the pre-​fixe menu had to ask for each included item ourselves — things like coffee/​tea were never offered.
As for the food, the basics were done well. But opportunities to shine such as Hollandaise sauce or an omelette were actually disappointments.
Although we were pleasantly surprised to find out this restaurant offers a 10% discount for cash payments.
Would we go back? Nah, not for a meal. But we might give the bar a shot — liked what they had on-​tap.

So im having a tough time deciding if i like this bar. Other than the disco ball in the bar, the décor is nice. There is a musty smell thats a little overpowering at first but fades as you drink.
Pros: Beet selection is small, but a nice variety. Liquor selection doesnt look massive but it has the essentials. The people are overall very friendly, but…
Negatives: bartender was very nice, but not very attentive. Asked what i wanted to drink and then ignored me for ½ an hour. She was more interested in her phone and her regulars.
Apparently 7:10 was late enough where they no longer push food in the bar area and was given attitude when asking for a menu. Then without asking i was just given my check without asking. The bartender was leaving and didnt want to share her tips. Normally i have no problem with this happening, but it’s common coutesy to ask if its alright. Well i never got around to ordering food because if im not going to open a second tab.

Not bad at all. Had my first Gimblet at this bar, it’s a gin or vodka drink mixed with another drink. It takes like a lemon juice but without sugar. I really like the smooth way it goes down, completely unexpected. It’s small but a good crowd and the bartenders are really nice, would def go back again if in the area. My co worker ordered pizza and chicken wings, even though we weren’t even drinking or having sex on regular basic.

Calling this place «mediocre» would be a high praise. I ordered a pizza that had tough, leathery crust with sparse toppings. My friend’s burger was tasteless but dripping… something all over the plate. The rest of the menu seemed randomly assembled, and not carefully thought out. The wine list was certainly not impressive.
This place gives the impression of being an old-​school institution, with caricature portraits on the walls. Really, though, everything about the experience felt dated and impersonal.

After a relaxing day at the spa, and before we attended a lecture. We decided on this restaurant because it was the cloest one. We didn’t need a reservation, First floor was crowded but they sitted us upstairs. It wasn’t busy yet.
It took a litlle long to get our order but the staff was fast and very friendly,
For a party of three $ 80.00 dollars was a-​ok. If i’m ever in the area again, definitely would go again.
As we were leaving their was a line to come in, so you should make a reservation after 6:00 pm. But if you get there before 6:00 you should be ok.

Last Sunday we decided we’d grab a bite at East of Eighth after taking in the new Star Wars movie at the theatre near there. A quick glance at the menu posted outside and we were tempted to give it a go.
The restaurant has a main area below where you are greeted at the door and then a more open area upstairs (that we were seated at). The large open windows upstairs facing 23^rd Street does make for a nice background while dining and we sat right next to them. I was pretty hungry after the movie so I opted for three courses. I started out with the Matzo Ball Soup with braised chicken, carrots, and noodles. This soup was pretty good, not too salty, nice flavor, and good portion. I’d say it’s a go-​to choice as the weather gets colder outside. Next was a Caesar Salad… I’ll have to say, I like my salads already «cut up» and ready to eat. This salad is served as you do have to take your knife and fork and cut it up to get it to bite sizes. I know it may have its advantages but it is not my preference for salad, and made it awkward. The taste itself was ok. My main entrée I chose was the Knife & Fork Fried Chicken, described on the menu as «Almost Boneless and Very Crispy with Chef Marty’s Cole Slaw and Garlic Mashed Potatoes.» Again, the taste was ok but not exceptional. It did the trick as I was hungry but I cannot go on to say it was a stand out. The cole slaw is not what I am used to (being a Southerner), and it was only made with vinegar. I am used to more of a creamy texture with mayo in the mix. It wasn’t bad but just not what I am used to I guess. No complaints about my garlic mashed potatoes, good stuff. As far as service went, no standout issues, adequate.
Bottom line: Average meal visit at East of Eighth. Everything was basically ok but there was no standout to the experience. They are 3 stars A-​OK in my book. I would go again, but maybe another choice of selections could make my experience better next time.

Very «blah» food. I’ve eaten way better food at Jersey diners.
Staff was polite. Find another place to go unless you are pressed for time or desperate.

Cute restaurant with an outdoor area, a separate room if you need one which can be used for private parties, and ample seating. The brunch price was very good. For our group of 9, where everyone had a drink and a cup of coffee along with their meal it came to $ 22 each. Very good. I had the Multi-​Grain Macrobiotic Salad (Vegan), with
Bulgur Wheat, Wheat Berries, Black Beans, Apples, Walnuts, Raisins, Red Onions, Mint, Dill and Cider Vinaigrette. It was delicious. No one else said their meal was delicious so I think they must have just been alright.

my boyfriend found this spot after trying to make a last min sunday brunch reso. ended up not needing a reservation as the space is actually pretty large with 2 floors. when we arrived at noon, the bottom floor was empty and we were seated upstairs.
the brunch menu is very varied with a mix of american classics and also some italian influence on items such as poached eggs and frittatas. they have an affordable prix fixe option for $ 16.95 that includes an entrée, mimosa or bloody, and coffee or tea. they also have a great mixed bread basket with a variety of muffins with sides of butter & jam. for entrees we ordered:
monte cristo– large portion, friend wished she had gotten syrup on the side as the sandwich was basically sitting in a syrup pool
poached eggs over polenta with veal and tomatoes (special) — veal was tender, polenta could’ve used a bit more flavor/​seasoning
frittata with mushrooms, scallions, manchego and white truffle oil (special) — friend said the amount of truffle oil used drowned out any other flavor in the frittata
breakfast burrito– safe bet, nothing outstanding but tasty
service was a bit slow to start but attentive once we ordered drinks etc. i’d come back here for the deal with visting guests etc, seems like a safe bet for groups.

Alright place for brunch, good for groups of all sizes.
We stopped by as part of a group of 10 for a weekend brunch, and we were seated in a nice outdoor area in the back. There are tables for groups of all sizes, and the outdoor space is to have for that part of town (weather permitting). The bread to start and coffee was alright, while for my meal, I had the two poached eggs on pasta carbonara, which was decent although fairly standard. Probably not a place I’d go out of my way to come back to, but it’s a good option for larger groups, especially in that area and with outdoors seating.

I discovered East of Eighth a few years ago when searching for a restaurant to have dinner with a friend for my birthday. We enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. It was mostly empty but, assuming it picked up later, we didn’t think much of how quiet it was. I ended up signing up for their newsletter and receiving a decent birthday deal of buy one get one entrees. This year I finally took advantage and went back for my birthday.
East has a unique and varied bread basket with classic italian bread and cornbread, offering both butter and a nice chutney on the side. I had the steak frites while my friend had the burger. Both were tasty but not out of this world.
Doesn’t ever seem to be crowded although they offer plenty of seating over two floors and a back patio and it was a Saturday evening. The patio has a nice ambiance with plants and a fountain inhabited by koi fish. The waiter was very nice but initially the service was slow. Giving them the benefit of the doubt would be saying that maybe the organization was off. For the most part, the service was attentive. I got a surprise delicious brownie with ice cream, being the birthday girl, which ended the dinner nicely.
Overall I would say come to East of Eighth if you want a low key dining experience and are into exploring different places to dine. Or sign up for the emails and enjoy a reasonably priced meal for your birthday with some friends.

I went with my fiancé and a friend for dinner per our friend’s suggestion.
We were seated in the back patio, which was beautiful, cozy, nicely lit, and cool (this was the day after a miserable heat wave). It was our waiter’s first day…
I wasn’t impressed by the cocktail menu, and I noticed Blue Moon and Stella on tap, so I ordered a Stella. My fiancé got the Blue Fizz, or something like that. It looked like the liquid form of a blue raspberry Ring Pop and tasted like perfume.
Our friend ordered the Ratatouille, which was good. My fiancé ordered the duck quesadillas, which were also quite tasty. I’ve had duck quesadillas elsewhere that weren’t as greasy as this version, and I much prefer the less greasy version if I had to choose. Then there was my dish…
I ordered the fish tacos. I fault myself for not following my initial plan of just ordering the bulger wheat salad. Ugh… should’ve just ordered that. The fish was fried, mushy, greasy, and tasteless. Honestly, I had trouble finding the tiny pieces of fish in the first place. The bell peppers, pineapple, and onion would have been better plated with sweet and sour chicken at a Chinese restaurant but not on fish tacos. The flour tortillas were edible, although I can buy better ones at the corner market near my apartment.
So, the food was hit and miss, and the service was, well, slow and inattentive. But, the menu is large and eclectic, and I’m curious to try their other dishes. I won’t seek out East of Eighth for a date night or stop for drinks, but if I’m invited by friends to meet here, I won’t turn it down.

Came here for the prix fixe brunch with a group of friends and was pleasantly surprised by the little outdoor courtyard out back where they seated us! It was cutely decorated and we felt like we were having brunch in someone’s backyard patio rather than in the middle of busy Manhattan. The food was alright and decently priced, so if not for the outdoor patio I probably wouldn’t have very strongly recommended it, but for our large group of 15, it was a lovely brunch experience and we had a great time!

Nice low key bar.
I went to this little hidden nugget and was a little shocked to find that it was not super crowded on a Saturday night, which is a good thing. Well drinks are about 8 bucks and the bartender used a generous pour. I really enjoyed the «old school» music that was blasting. It feels nice to go to a bar in Chelsea without having to hear loud autotuned songs.
I will definitely be back as I am making my way to 6avenune via 23^rd street to catch the elusive F train.

Wow what a find!
It was my friend’s graduation and I wanted to choose a nice American restaurant close by that everyone would be able to enjoy… and boy did this place deliver!
I called the day before and the woman was very sweet and nice about our 11 person group. When we arrived we were short a couple of people but they were still happy to seat us and made extra room for the late peepz. But even BEFORE that we were downstairs taking advantage of the wonderful happy hour. 5 dollar drinks and super strong! The whiskey sour was probably 80 percent whiskey, 20 percent nobody cares about.
The upstairs dining area is very clean and elegant. The drinks continued upstairs (at regular price wahh but it was ok) and were still delicious. There were appetizers all around; calamari, diver sea scallops with black fettuccine, crab cakes and mussels. My sea scallops were DIVINE. Hint of garlic cream, perfectly cooked pasta. Bowl of awesomeness. The calamari was some of the best I’ve ever had. Crab cakes were tasty and someone else devoured her mussels. Our entrees were equally delicious. Most of the table ordered the knife and fork friend chicken, probably because some guy was eating it in at the bar and the smell of that succulent chicken wafted through the air like a freshly baked pie. They all raved about it. And it was so big! I had shrimp and risotto and it was pretty tasty. I will say the shrimp were a bit underseasoned and I did taste of tarragon which was neither good nor bad. The risotto was very tasty and had escarole mixed in.
I think the staff mistakenly assumed that my friend was celebrating a birthday and brought out a brownie sundae, complete with candle. Even though we were celebrating her graduation we thought this was a super nice gesture and were even more humbled to know they didn’t charge us for it.
In the end the guy did give us the run around about splitting the bill on different cards (he said he could only do two but then changed his mind when we were persistent about it) and overall was about 300 bucks for 7 people which I thought was VERY reasonable for the area. I’m so glad I found this place. I will be returning very soon!

Late night stop with friends. Small bar on lower level look so cozy as we passed by, we stood outside peering thru a large window asking one another if the bar was still open when an anonymous soul caught us off guard and invited us in… After hours mixed drinks $ 8.00 (in Chelsea… no, I’m serious), great mix of rock, soul and R&B classic music, and mood lightening. My amaretto sour was more amaretto than sour but who’s comparing. The bartender was amusing and gave us the low down on all the local spots, the local regulars, and the night life. This is The type of a place that when you walk or sashay by everyone knows your name.
The locals are friendly and harmless.
I’m going back.

Enjoyed brunch here, delicious omelette, potatoes, and baked items! The prices were excellent for the city, and included a free mimosa and coffee.
Service was fast and attentive. The bread and muffins provided were delicious. The place was fairly busy lunch time on a Sunday.