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Marfa
Rating Details »
Category: Gastropubs
Neighborhood: East Village101 East 2nd St
(between 1st Ave & Avenue A)
New York, NY 10009
(212) 673-8908
- Nearest Transit:
-
2nd Ave-Houston St (F, V)
Delancey-Essex Sts (F, J, M, Z)
Uptown Bleecker St-Lafayette St (6)
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Late Night
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
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20 reviews for Marfa
I am in love with this place.
My friends and I couldn't get in any bars, either because they wouldn't let one of my friends in (he lost his id) or because they were so freaking packed. I don't know how we ended up here, because I'll admit, I was PRETTY trashed, but we ended up here, and I'm SO glad we did.
The bartender was super friendly and we were quickly served. Everyone in this bar was really friendly and honestly, it was like a party even though there weren't that many people in the bar. A DJ was playing some music and we were just dancing around, taking lots of crazy pictures, and meeting lots of people. At one point, the bartender even gave us free shots. And we were pretty much taking pictures with the bartender and anyone who wanted in, haha.
I would LOVE to come back here in the future. It's a good, fun, and CRAZY crowd and honestly, I can't even remember the last time I had this much fun at a bar. DEFINITELY check this place out :)
Yeehaw!
Oh hey y'all, I'm writing this from Marfa, somewhere in Texas! don't believe me? Hang on...
* opens telephone booth door*
Me: The stars at night are big and bright
All: *clap, clap, clap, clap* Deep in the heart of Texas!
See?
anyway, came here for their Wednesday special, which is AYCE fried chicken and mashed potatoes and $3 PBR. And I gotta say it wasn't too bad, not bad at all. Granted, you aren't getting ginormous pieces but they were adequate enough, especially since you were eating as much as possible. The chicken breasts I had weren't dry in the least. There was still enough juice to get me going. The wings and thighs were pretty good as well.
The mashed potatoes, however, weren't the greatest. there was no taste to it, even with chopped tomato pieces in it. Dousing it with their BBQ sauce helped somewhat. And don't even get me started on the horror that is Pabst Blue Ribbon.
All in all, it's a really cool place that supposedly caters to artists. According to our waitress, Marfa is becoming a new destination for artists, like Santa Fe used to be in the past.
Oh, and check out the paintings that hang over the bar. It's the covers of three albums by The Eagles.
Take it easy...
Do yourself a favor and do NOT eat at Marfa. I wish I could underline, bolden and italicize that "not". I'm really trying to resist recommending they change the name to Barfa.
I went last night with seven self-proclaimed foodie friends and we were starving so we were ready for a feast when we got there. After being seated, it took probably 10 minutes or so for anyone to acknowledge us and when the waiter did he announced to the table, "I'm here to be your bitch tonight!" Ok, whatever, that's not cute after you just made us wait 10 minutes for water. We ordered the El Cheapo Platter for 8, and some drinks but wanted to wait on entree orders. Bad mistake. The drinks were slowly served and finally the app was too. Everything was good. The meat just fell off the bone on the ribs and the chicken wings were tasty once they finally brought over the sauce.
After finishing the El Cheapo platter and the table being cleared, we waited and waited for the waiter to take our order. It seemed like many moons had passed (we were still ravenous), he finally showed up and took the orders. Then once the food was being served he totally forgot to give my bf his dinner and didn't realize it until we flagged him down. Bad bad bad.
The fried chicken was okay. The dark meat was good but the white meat was really dry. Every time I took a bite of it, I'd reach for my water but the cup was always empty. The waiter forgot to mention that spinach was substituted with green beans but it turned out okay since the green beans were the tastiest thing on my plate. The mashed potatoes weren't edible.
It boils down to HORRIBLE service. Don't do it.
I came here recently for a party, it turned out to be really expensive- $30+/pp prix fixe after tax and tip. This was for an appetizer and an entree- the appetizer i chose (guacamole and chips) was delicious! But the entree (vegetarian chili) was sub par....at best. If I am to pay $20 for a small bowl of vegetarian chili..it needs to be good! The drinks looked tasty, but they were also expensive and I am doing a dry month...so maybe Marfa deserves more stars? maybe less....
wicked good.
they do chicken fried steak like what.
randomly stopped in for a quick drink one night, instantly noticed the rustic atmosphere, good music, awesome bartenders & friendly clientele. soon after brought group friends for a more than amazing dinner. been there since & found great prices food & staff every time.
local djs rock it while you eat texas inspired lonestar meals/tapas & drink till the cows come home. the perfect recipe for an outrageous time. good for a quick drink or for a smashing party.
I notice this place falls under the category of "gastropubs" which is interesting and actually kind of apt. It doesn't really feel like a bar and is set up like a restaurant, but the approach and the food are casual and focused on drinking rather than eating (my approach too, mind).
I don't know about the theme "Marfa" bit, but at least the waitress didn't even try to be difficult about it when Mr Date asked them about any connection. She was very nice, and not pushy, and willing to make recommendations, so that's bonus.
The food is varying, none of it excellent. It is salty, and filling, and probably excellent for tequila soakage and invoking further tequila ordering. The margarita was passable enough for me to order a second, if I wanted to get toasted on tequila and stumble across to some First Avenue gentlemens' bar, this might be the place to do it.
We both commented on how it would be a great space to host a party. There was something going on art-wise that involved the presence of a very striking transexual and someone's child spinning madly in the middle of the room, which anyplace else might seem striking but in the East Village actually seemed a bit chill.
Cool decor. But somewhat forgettable.
So Marfa is clearly designed with the idea of capturing the zeitgeist of Marfa, Texas, home of the Chinati Foundation and scene where famed NYC artist Donald Judd moved before cranking out permanent art installations all over town. It's a town where that sort of cool, open sky idea flourishes. Why the three star review then? Well, mostly 'cause this place pays mostly lip service to that legacy.
Sure, I could get a Lone Star here (and did thanks) and when the bartender heard it was my birthday she dialed up a tall shot of something awful with jalapeno in it, but ultimately my disappointment mostly stems from the fact that this place could be much more than it is. What it actually is is a shotgun setup bar with some spare art (begging the Prada store art installation off the side of the highway in Marfa). I didn't eat here, so I'll reserve more stars on the off chance that the food holds up. And I like Tito's and the aforementioned Lone Star as much as anyone. But not enough to linger.
Maybe our first mistake was going to a Texas-inspired bar while on vacation in New York from Texas.
While I appreciated the aesthetics of the bar, from the screen door when you walk in to the Prada store sign and the exposed, rustic brick; Marfa overall was a bit of a let down. While it has to potential to be a really cool place, the night we stopped in, it just wasn't.
I wouldn't have been so offended paying $6 for a Lonestar (maybe in NYC it is considered an import?), if the bartender wasn't blaring, and I mean, BLARING Spice Girls and other awful 90's pop songs. Every once and a while she would stop dancing long enough to serve us a drink.
But, considering that I know one guy in Marfa, Tx that might be caught dancing around to Spice Girls every once in a while, I am giving them 2 stars instead of 1.
Dear fellow expatriated Austinites living in Manhattan -
They have Lone Star and Tito's Handmade Vodka.
Clearly, I have to say no more.
-Colby B.
Wanted to write a review, because I've been going there A LOT...
This place is amazing!
Between the great artwork,
the beautiful crowd,
and intoxicating drinks you forget how fantastic the food is...
Drink of choice:
Tumbleweed (sweet but deadly, just how I like it hehe)
Food of choice:
MAC N CHEESE!
The best I've ever had ...
enough said.
Protein wise I'm torn between the chicken fried steak and the ribs...
lately the ribs,
cause they just fall off the bone and melt in your mouth...
Dessert of choice:
Tried them all,
equally good,
but like the chocolate tart with ice cream best. :D
Can't go wrong with chocolate ...
(no pun intended)
Also if you're lucky with your timing you'll get to meet Hayne, the owner . . .
(but that's a whole another story)
All the best and see you there ...
Buckle up cowboy; at Marfa in NYC, you're in for a bumpy ride. The concept is great: Lone Star Tapas. I'm giving it 3-stars because the joint is new and the menu is solid so maybe it had some opening hiccups.
The Good:
1/ The Big Tex (a Texas-size pu-pu platter) with guac, two chilis, ribs, wings, bbq shrimp and mac & cheese is 19 bucks and each element rocked
2/ They pour Tito's handmade vodka
3/ Lucky Chengs drag queens come over and do impromptu shows
The Bad:
1/ The Marfa-rita should be called the tourist trap. It's disgusting but the staff doesn't seem to notice that while people order it, they sure as heck don't actually drink it.
2/ The server told me they did not have Tito's even though I spotted it behind the bar. Luckily, I'm persistent when it comes to Tito's and got my pour.
3/ The decor is absent. Seriously, the door-handle -- left over from the location's Polynesian days -- is a hand-carved wood Hawaiian figurine. That's the most remarkable decor in the joint, and it doesn't fit.
The Ugly:
1/ We arrived at 9p and were served our first bite of food at 10:45p. The waitress seemed helpless to the kitchen, but she also seemed not to care too much. To be clear: ONE HOUR FORTY-FIVE MINUTES FOR AN APPETIZER
2/ Although we ordered the Big Tex platter and waited and waited and waited for it, turns out they were out of BBQ shrimp, guacamole and chili so they doubled up on mac n' cheese and wings (not exactly Texas specialties).
3/ The Margaritas appear to be made with margarita mix. In Marfa, as in any true Texas town, a margarita is 1/3 lime juice, 1/3 Cointreau/Grand Ma/trip sec, 1/3 tequila. After the lousy "Marfarita," I was too scared to try their version of Margarita.
Want to throw back some Lone Star cold ones and chili with your buddies? Mosey on in. Just don't take your cowgirl, her kin or anyone who could in any way impact the pesos in your saddle bag.
Same owner as Lucky Cheng's apparently. The inside was unpolished but fitting.
Personally I liked the food bc it reminded me of back home.
Where else can you really order chicken fried steak w/ really good mac and cheese and spinach. Oh and fried catfish!
Of course we ordered the guac and chips to start too.
Next time I go I want to try/share their many different marfa bites.
Went for dinner/drinks on Sat night and got right in, place was half empty so I was somewhat suspicious but chalk it up to the good ole recession I guess as it was a rock solid experience.
Drinks: my friend ordered the "marfarita" and while it had some zip it was definitely a watered down version of what it should be and I went old skool and had a screwdriver with Tito's finest. Contemplating a marfarita myself I asked the very attentive waitress if they used mix or was it freshly squeezed and she swore it was fresh and even recited the pour.
I was also expecting a more respectable tequila selection but was quite disappointed with the pedestrian offerings although they do infuse their own apparently (didn't try them).
Food: we did the tapas thing and by far the winner winner chicken dinner are the fish tacos. Pulled pork tostados, mini corn dogs, mac n cheese were all tasty, only knock was they were out of biscuits for the basket of cornbred n biscuits but once the hot sweetness of the jalapeno butter n honey hit my tongue we forget all about them.
Is there better Texas style fare in the city, absolutely, but if you're in the east village this is fine place for some food n drinks.
I'm going to be harsh here:
It's your second night in operation - the launch night was apparently a blast, according to my housemate - but now it's Friday night and you're packed by 8pm, just as you always hoped.
Why, why, why is the kitchen so unbelievably slow and erratic???
The menu looks good, and we ordered, feeling hungry and excited for good food, but we were forced to wait nearly a full hour for our starters, all of which could only take 5 mins to heat (ribs, mini corn dogs, mac&cheese and cornbread). It tasted good, albeit with tiny LES portions, but I can only imagine it looked like a scene from Kitchen Nightmares back there.
This food is not hard, that's the whole point, yet when it did come out it, we got a combination of our starters and mains all at once, and precious little explanation of why it took so long.
Service from the bar was okay, but the staff seemed to be very fresh and have little experience. Our drinks got ordered, made / opened, and left on the bar for 5 mins, while the barman went off to fetch more PBRs.
There seemed to be a total lack of communication and organization, and we left before our mains could arrive, a free round of shots for making us wait so long would have kept us there, but there was no apology for delays. As we exited the noises of complaint from several other tables - sans food - let us know we weren't the only ones.
Please Marfa, get your act together, you have such potential.
we really wanted this place to be good, but it's just not. the food was one non-memorable experience and the margaritas were even worse. no one finished their plates at the table - we couldn't wait for them to be cleared so we could finish our 2-for-1 margaritas and head elsewhere.
however, their specialty drink, the Lavendar Daisy, was awesome. hence the two stars instead of zero. that drink put me in a hammock on a porch by the beach and i loved it. oh, the service was really bad too, but they gave us a free round of tequila shots (infused with peppermint or something) which was a nice gesture.
Went here with a friend on Thursday evening, and I have to say I was quite pleased with it. The first thing you notice when you walk in is the rustic atmosphere of the place. The torn up walls with painted white brick and vintage wooden decor and makes the restaurant look like a modern country saloon. The modern undertones are accented with dim underlighting behind the bar and carefully placed spotlights throughout the restaurant (not to mention the chic little candles in paper bags on each table).
We sat at the bar (which was fully stocked) for a little bit before dinner and I guess the bartenders must have really liked us because the drinks had alcohol up to the nines that got us nice and buzzed (although I think my having not eaten for 12 hours might have had something to do with it as well). At about $7 for a Tanqueray and Tonic, I was beginning to gain an appetite for the place already.
We moved on to dinner, where they had a sample menu (as the place is quite fresh and still feeling out the menu) which was full of good southern style cooking. We started off by sharing the Marfa platter, which consisted of all sorts of miniature goodies ranging from chili, fried sausages on sticks, chicken pot pies, pulled pork and peppers, and various other southern delights. To be honest, that platter consisted of the majority of our meal because it was A LOT of food (I practically had to beg them to stop bringing out more mini plates of food). Nonetheless, we made room for the entree's (which I had to downsize at that point to an appetizer portion) where I got the ribs and my friend simply had a salad of some sort (there was bacon in it, so i'm guessing a Caesar?). The ribs were a bit dry, however they gave us a variety of sauces (including BBQ, duh) to compliment them with - making them quite enjoyable. The salad, i'm sure, behaved like a salad.
The staff was very friendly, and the music fit the place very well (although I think it was a bit loud for the amount of people that were in there). It's a great place for a date, or if you just want to hang out at the bar and enjoy their beer+shot specials. Overall I had an enjoyable experience, and am glad to see more restaurants with GOOD FOOD popping up around town.
My friend and I ate at Marfa the other night at 6PM. The place was empty, just setting up for the evening. After about a half hour of catching up over a glass of wine, we ordered 2 appetizers and one entree with a side of mac and cheese, and asked that they come out in that order - not all together. Well, out came the ribs and shrimp, and two minutes later, the fried chicken and the mac and cheese. Everything at once! We asked that the chicken be returned to the kitchen, but was told that if it went back, we would just get the same plate of food. As far as the food-Why are the ribs called dry rubbed when they are slathered with a tomatoey sauce? The fried chicken tasted like yesterday's leftovers-very dry-and with no seasoning at all. At least the barbequed shrimp and the mac and cheese were tasty. We cut our loss and didn't order dessert. It's been a long time since I have had such a bad - and badly choreographed - meal!
Yikes. Awful.
I'll try and be objective and stick to the facts. Three guys looking to grab some good grub, not expecting a 4-star dining experience, just a solid meal. We got there Friday night and sat right away. Ordered a round of beers, the big Texas platter, and 3 entrees. The steaks were ready rather quickly, so quick in fact that we hadn't even gotten our appetzer platter.
Turns out we werent missing much since most of the items on the platter were not ideal for sharing and more importantly tasted like crap. Try sharing a mini bowl of veggie chili, meat chili or a mini pot pie. Would love to see the thought process behind putting those on an app sampler. The shrimp were torched, dry and inedible. The wings were the only item that was decent.
For mains, 2 hangar steaks and a pulled pork tostada app (as an entrée). The steaks were low quality at best. They were cooked to the right point but so fatty that you didn't even want to finish. The pulled pork app was not finished and... In all seriousness... The friend that ate it went home an hour later to use his bano as a result.
Hate to write a nasty review as a new restaurant tries to get off the ground, but I felt taken advantage of by this place and people deserve fair warning.
To her credit, our waitress was nice and comped a round of lonestars. Think the problems here run far deeper than front of the house.
Fun atmosphere. Super crowded but not to the point that it was uncomfortable. Bartenders were really attentive and none of us ever had to wait for service. Possibly the coolest bathroom doors I have seen in any bar anywhere. Can't comment on the food because we didn't eat but we want to go back to because it smelled incredible.
