On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Categories: Bars, American (Traditional) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Carroll GardensSmith-9th Sts (F, G)
Don't Just Wish Someone A Good Holiday, Give Them One With Chili's.
I'm pretty surprised this place doesn't have a higher rating... Must be the fact that they're cash only, because the food AND the service were both outstanding.
I came here with my family for thanksgiving dinner. The prices were pretty reasonable, given the amount of food we all got and how much restaurants love to overcharge for holiday meals. (Full turkey dinner was only $16!! Both butternut squash soup and pumpkin pie were each around $5).
Every single bite of my thanksgiving dinner was SCRUMPTIOUS! I had a bite of my Dad's steak, and it was ALSO SCRUMPTIOUS! The soup.. SCRUMPTIOUS. The pie...SCRUMPTIOUS. The pretzels that they serve instead of bread when we were first seated.. SCRUMPTIOUS! My mouth is actually watering right now, because I'm re-living thanksgiving dinner 2009.
Okay, enough about food because I'm salivating. The service here is just as wonderful as the food. I couldn't believe how genuine and nice everyone was, especially since they were all working thanksgiving night. ..I know I'd be one saucy bitch.
The extra seating out back is also lovely. (We literally had to walk to the end of the restaurant, through the kitchen, out the back door, and into a little extra house that they have out back) I can see how the seating in the main part of the restaurant would get crowded, but the place out back is spacious and feels homey. It was as if we were transported to a country farm house with brick walls, exposed beams, and a rustic stained glass skylight.
4.5 stars all around. Definitely coming back here sometime soon for a non-thanksgiving dinner... and will be bringing extra cash!
Oh yummy scrambled eggs and cheese mashed between a fresh biscuit (one of the best biscuits I've had north of the mason-dixon line BTW), how you soothed my sleepy-Sunday stomach, you even made me feel better that we had once again gotten up too late to get into Buttermilk Chanel (I swear the line is ALWAYS an hour long there).
Ask to sit in the room out back, in the middle of Frankie's and Prime Meats, it is adorably-rustic and the perfect place to eat way too much while you read your Sunday paper.
Great place. Prime Meats seems to aspire to seem as though they've been in this neighborhood forever; they create an old-style atmosphere with their emphasis on cocktails, decoration and details like fake mustaches. Perhaps a little gimmicky but it has a nice, low-key vibe.
I was very impressed with the cocktail menu. They make their own bitters, out of pears (which they grow in the backyard!) and items as esoteric as Buddha's hand citron. My dear friend and dining companion ordered a Manhattan, which included the Buddha's hand bitters, and was very tasty. I ordered a cooler that featured bourbon and St. Germain's, with cucumber and seltzer. It was delicious, with a balance between the flavors, not overly sweet or too strong, and a pretty color. The cucumber flavor was a good base.
We came here while waiting to dine at Frankie's 457, which is owned by the same people and is just a few doors down. The idea was to have a drink and snack until our table was ready. When we came into Prime Meats around 8 PM on a Saturday, there was a wait for a table, but just enough room at the bar. The bar is standing room only--I mean that to say there are no stools--but I think, given their space constraints, this is a nice detail.
We ordered a few of the side dishes. The pretzel was beautifully formed and served with a great mustard that came, I believe, from a local vendor who's been making mustard for at least 70 years. The fries were crispy but mushy on the inside. The brussel sprouts were great, served with croutons and bacon.
By the time we were called by Frankie's we were no longer particularly hungry. Drinks and snacks weren't as cheap as I expected, but the quality and experience were still very worthwhile. I also hear they have a very popular brunch. Also: cash only.
The food here is really amazing. One of the better burgers in the city (I had mine with the house bacon) and the drinks are excellent. A very cozy warm feeling place. Everyone that works here is very pleasant and friendly.
I have to give them three stars for now till they get the extended seating area done. Very small cramped space and sitting at the bar while you wait is not even an option......... because there is not enough room for bar stools. It also makes it very hard to get into. Last time I went it was a three hour wait which meant that we were going to be seated at 11:30. You might as well tell me that you are booked for the night.
Like so many other places in the neighborhood, this place is over-hyped.
Went to Prime Meats last night (Sat night) at around 7P after being told the wait for a table for four is 2 hours at Frankies 457(our first choice). Prime Meats next door told us the wait would be 5 minutes, incredibly lucky since the four people after us were told 2 hours.
Our biggest complaint about this place would have to be the waitress. She was incredibly pushy. Aside from recommending things even after we had made our choices (i.e. kept pushing specific cheeses on us when our friend knew which cheeses she wanted), she would keep coming back and ask for our drink orders every couple of minutes. It became kind of annoying, especially when she went into a wine recommending frenzy at the end of which our friend told her he was looking at the menu of mixed drinks. When he left the table to go to the bathroom, his unfinished drink was taken away.
Aside from the waitress, the place was ok. Pretty nice decor and hit or miss food. It just so happened that most of ours was miss. My trout was delicious (I know I know a crime to have fish in a place with meats in the title), but that was probably thanks to the crazy amounts of butter that must have gone into the sauce. Our friends got the rib-eye for two and thought it had too much fat. My boyfriend got the strip steak and was not too impressed with his either. The spatzle was too creamy and heavy.
Granted that the service might have had us looking for other things to dislike about this place, we left feeling that we won't be coming back here for more.
This does not deter me at all from trying out Frankies.
I headed here after a NY mag article included it on a list of the city's best breakfast sandwiches. I enjoyed what was certainly a solid breakfast sandwich ($6 for egg and cheese plus $3 for bacon, ham or sausage), but the best in the city? I hope not.
However, I fell in love with the ambiance of Prime Meats. Thick dark wood tables, exposed brick, antique-y light fixtures, tin ceilings with intricate designs, etc. At the table next to me a man sat clicking away on his laptop. It's the perfect sort of place for that on a sleepy weekday morning.
Spacey me...
Back in May BFF & I stopped in to celebrate the Kentucky Derby.
The bartender highly recommended the daily punch which sounded like a deal...but $5 and 3 sips it was gone. That was a tease.
Thank goodness I ordered the old fashion which was perfect!
See my image and you'll be sure to order a few :-)
This a a stunning set up, a lovely aroma of calla lilies as you enter, dark wood --very handsome interior.
Now, just need another moment to travel back to this spot of Brooklyn.
Friendly bartender gives good cocktail, but no bar stools? Come on. That's just weird. If there's room for my ass to stand, there's room for my ass to sit.
60 ounces. 60 ounces of meat. 60 friggin ounces of cow. Bad idea jeans? Hardly. Perfection? Pretty darn close for the carnivores out there.
Prime Meats is a relatively new member of the growing Carroll Gardens restaurant scene and is owned by the same people who own Frankie's (next door). Me thinks these guys are building a mini empire, especially with the impending Prime Meats butcher shop and potential "speakeasy" upstairs.
Three of us (all men with big appetites) went there on a Sunday evening and managed to get a great table outside. Our waitress was great and knew her meat well. The food we ordered was as follows:
Appetizers:
1) The Vesper Brett (alpine tasting board with kassler, landjäger
black forest bacon, bologna, farmer's sausage & cervelat)
2) Sauteed Wild Mushrooms & Poached Amish Egg
3) Smoked Arctic Char (not on the menu everyday)
Main Course:
1) A Ribeye for 3 (weighing in at a whopping 60 oz)
We came pretty close to overeating to the point of getting sick but that's because we loved it all.
A couple notes of caution:
1) The steak for 3 takes about an hour to prepare
2) They only take cash here (which I think is pretty silly considering the price point)
3) Their cows are grass-fed until the last couple weeks (at which point they are served corn)
All and all, Prime Meats is a nice spin on the traditional steak house. Enjoy.
One word... Biscuits! Wish they took reservations but Stumptown americanos make the wait bearable.
I tried a few dishes here and they were just OK, BUT the burger here was phenomenal. I think I can say it was THE BEST burger I have ever had. The seasoning was perfect, the temperature was perfect and the meat was so fresh I could have sworn I saw the cow walk buy a few minutes before the dish was served. The menu isn't very extensive and there is a lot of meat on it (hence the name) but trust me on this: get the burger.
Brooklyn must've taken a line out of Wu-Tang's 36 chambers, 'cause cash really does rule everything around here, including Prime Meats, which is cash-only... surprising considering how polished the place is.
I had heard that PM was conceived from the co-owners experiences in Germany in which rustic local bars were designed to provide travellers with a cozy place to recharge over some meat and beer. And there you have it. A simple equation, but done with passion and wit. That's Prime Meats.
I had the $13 charcuterie board, on which you get a number of german-style meats (think black forest bacon, german salami, these awesome little hunter sausages), and paired with an ice-cold half-liter stein of their house pilsner? I was a happy little irish-german camper. I was getting in touch with my roots in such a self-serving way, and lovin' it. (wait, isn't that mcdonald's slogan?)
Also, I should mention that the servers were all dandied up in vintage haberdashery, and despite their non-negotiable moustaches and impressive style, they were all very sincere about making sure you were having a great experience. This is a 2.0 restaurant. All the bases have been covered.
Prime Meats. It's worth the walk.
I went for brunch with a friend. I should have gone with the burger but the waitress talked me into the french toast. I agreed and added a side of bacon. Hands down the best bacon in town, however the french toast was a soggy mess. My friend had the biscuit sandwich. It looked delicious. Mimosas and bacon, not the breakfast of champions.
The wait staff was friendly. Sat at one of the common tables were you sit with other diners. Our table mates were nice enough.
First: Possibly the best hamburger in the Cobble Gardens/Carroll Hills area.
Second: Knowledgeable staff (some with mustaches) who know the menu very well and know a good deal about cocktails.
Third: In addition to the burger, there are many other tasty items on the menu. Four stars.
Really, it should be 3.5. Our only issue was that the first time we were there, everything was fine up until the main course arrived. And then they forgot us. No one checked in. No offer of dessert or another glass of wine (which is just plain stupid on their part as we all know what the mark up is for BTG wine). After sitting there for a while with plates in definite "i'm done" stage I flagged the staff to bring our check. We paid and left. No one noticed.
The place is too small and the area too neighborly for stuff like this to happen.
You know how when you make a copy of something, you lose a little quality? And if you make a copy of that, you lose even more quality? Prime meats is like a copy of a copy of a copy of any number of the bars that have recently jumped on the classic cocktail craze, and I'm sorry, but just because you buy a ton of dark wood paneling and grow a mustache does not mean you're the next Little Branch.
You have to actually know how to make classic cocktails too, and as far as our experience on Saturday went, they do not. We tried two standards--the Manhattan and the Bijou--and were pleased with neither. J's Manhattan was impossibly light in color, so much so that we were genuinely marveling, wondering what they could have done to one of the most basic drinks on the planet to get it to look like that. My Bijou, which is traditionally made with sweet vermouth, was made with dry vermouth. This is a really big difference--when it's made with sweet vermouth, the sweetness balances the herbal taste of the Chartreuse, and your drink is a lovely caramel color. With dry vermouth, the drink is the color of diluted Mr Clean and tastes not wholly unlike Pine Sol. Not that I know what Pine Sol tastes like.
Other menu items just make no sense. Why is there maraschino in the Martinez? Why does something like the Absinthe Crusta--literally absinthe and bitters--exist? The Holmes Cooler starts out interesting sounding: gin, nardini amaro, punt e mes, but then tonic? Yuck. The one thing saving PM from a one-star review is that the staff were incredibly friendly and nice. Very low attitude for a bar in its genre.
No doubt, I'm always excited when a new Prohibition/pre-Prohibition era den opens up, especially in Brooklyn. But recently, it seems I've been dragging J to these places, and we inevitably leave wondering why we didn't just go to Milk & Honey.
PS--this is not a speakeasy, so stop calling it that!! Yes, if you're at Frankie's 457 you can enter through the back, but you can also enter through THE FRONT DOOR. That has A SIGN. On THE STREET.
Went here for a friend's birthday, not realizing it had a German theme. I wasn't really in the mood for that, so I just went with the burger. It was delicious - really high quality meat, and the fries were perfectly crisp. It was $13, which is a bit steep for a hamburger, but it was worth it. I was afraid the service might be pretentious, given that there is a fairly high degree of pretension in the restaurant scene in this neighborhood, but everyone was actually very friendly.
One glitch: the frosted pane of glass in the unisex bathroom isn't hiding anything. I was waiting my turn and saw a woman's entire ass as she got up from the toilet to pull her pants up. You've been warned.
Prime Meats sure knows how to make drinks. Real ones. Great service and burgers are pretty good. I'm a fan.
Prime Meats, the bar without seats.... (yes, be prepared to stand)
As I walked through the door
I thought "I've seen this before"
at places nearby like Brooklyn Social, Clover Club,& Char 4
I looked over the drink list, was still unimpressed
"My Manhattan owns the title 'New York's Best'"
boasted the tightly-clad 'mixologist' as he adjusted his vest
I actually feel bad writing this review for some reason, maybe because I am a fan of Frankie's 457 (same owners) but I really did not enjoy my time at Prime Meats. It was like a bad case of Deja vu, I mean it's just that so many prohibition-style bars already exist or recently just opened in Carroll Gardens- Brooklyn Social being the first (?), Clover Club, Char 4, the newly renovated Chestnut, Jake Walk:
Although the previously mentioned places may concentrate on different types of alcohol, the general concept is the same (more or less).
As is the crowd they attract (more or less),
as is the decor (more or less)- "my bar smells of rich mahogany, does yours?"
As is the menu (more or less) - "I would like to order the homemade pretzels", substitute "pickles", substitute "croûtons", substitute........
Which place will survive?! It will be the Darwinism of libations
I'm not saying that Prime Meats' Old Fashioned with pear bitters wasn't the perfect balance of sweet and strong or the homemade pretzels with mustard weren't warm and soft, I'm just saying that it seemed like more of the same. However, I AM saying that the punch was fruity, very fruity, and not in a good way.
I don't know, Carroll Gardens, I think we need a new bar philosophy-
Shall novelty be rewarded and redundancy be aborted!!! (hows that for dramatic?)
Every time I go, Prime Meats has evolved into something different--and every time, it's a little bit better...
Visit #1 (February, March?): PM had just opened and was operating in the now ubiquitous Brooklyn speakeasy mold, suspendered servers, low lighting, and (in my opinion, overly) herbal-y cocktails. Nice scene but a little pretentious with the antique glassware and the server telling us they would eventually be serving a full menu of "pre-Industrial Revolution style food." Huh?! Yummy punch though.
Visit #2 (May): Noticed on a neighborhood walkabout that PM was open for breakfast, so the boy and I stopped in for a leisurely Euro chic birthday meal before work. I was pretty much blown away when what should have been a ho hum and healthy order of yogurt, granola and fruit turned out to be tangy, rhubarb compote-y, crunchy nutty amazingness. So good I wasn't (that) tempted by the delicious challah french toast complete with birthday candle across the table. Oh, and I am not a coffee person, but they serve Stumptown and it is goooood.
Visit 3 (September): PM now seems to be in full on resto mode and as a local I am thrilled to have an alternative when Buttermilk and Frankie's quote two hour long waits. Raw goat cheese with honey walnuts, dark bread, the thinnest sliced green apples I've ever seen followed by a fabulously charred burger, noodly spaetzel with Gruyere and mushrooms, and a fun little white sausage served with a warm pretzel roll and a tiny pot of mustard...the perfect meal to eat outside on an early fall evening with the slightest autumn chill in the air.
I fucking love this place. The food is great and the drinks are expertly prepared. Some of my friends get annoyed with me for how much I talk about it (and Frankie's). The steak is as good as anywhere in the city. Quote me on that, bitches. I've also enjoyed the spatzle, sweetbreads (which was a special at the time, I believe), and had a delicious sauteed mushroom side. I know it sounds weird, but even the bread is great (although it better be since you have to pay for it). You really have to be in the mood for meat, but if you are, look no further. I think it's great just to come for a drink too. The bar has no seats, though. I used to live in the neighborhood and now I cry myself to sleep when thinking about the gloriousness that is Prime Meats and how it's no longer walkable from my apartment.
Rudest service ever.
I went here with my boyfriend and his mother who was visiting from out of town. We hadn't seen each other in a while and so we ordered a round of cocktails and then wanted to talk for a few minutes before ordering. The waitress was unbelievably rude and we would have literally walked out if we weren't so hungry.
She came back for our order 3 times in the span of 10 minutes and at the last time asked "Are you ready to order?"
"No, we haven't had a chance to look at the menu since the last time you asked."
"Well, can you get to it?"
THEN, she took my drink away before I was finished with it while I was in the bathroom. I hated this place.
I had a great impromptu meal here last Saturday night, the wait wasn't too long and the bar is lovely. Their steaks are totally fantastic, as is just about everything else, but really, the steaks are super, and reasonably priced considering their deliciousness. I actually ordered a lot of vegetarian dishes too, which were wonderful: mushrooms, salad with pumpkin seed oil, cheese spaetzle. Great punch too, served in an adorable old fashioned punch cup. The drinks are small - though they are good. Also: they only accept cash, which I find a pain, and a bit silly in a restaurant when a dinner for two with drinks is easily $100 or more.
Every sense I went to this place I have been dying to tell you what I discovered. I know the astute among will you will recognize that today is Wednesday, and I went there on a Saturday...but that's a whole other story. While I understand that most reviews here are about the bar, I went for brunch.
First of all I passed by it the week before last, and was immediately draw in by the outside decor of the place. It reminded me of a classical colonial cottage one might travel to on the weekends to get out of the city. Except of course that this one is still in the city. I loved it. However that day I only had a card on me to pay, and because they are "cash only" I made a note to return. And I did, last Saturday.
Upon entrance that same warm feel of an English style country cottage is still prevalent, only don't expect tea and crumpets, it is not that dainty. There was about a 7 minute wait to get seated, for me. I was the only one waiting. I didn't actually mind because there were magazines at the counter you could read while you wait and the hostess brought me a cup of coffee in the mean time. How cool is that? By the way the coffee was pleasantly strong, an increasingly positive trend I am noticing among restaurants.
Once I sat down, it took me a while to look over the menu. To my surprise the menu is mostly Italian in origin. I had to ponder if in fact this was how an Etruscan country cottage might appear. Maybe my knowledge of European cottages after all is a bit wanting. I still liked it though.
Personally, because I feel there is nothing better to wake up to in the morning than a couple of eggs, I ordered the frittata. And lets face it, eggs just aren't the same without a little meat to go with them, so I ordered a dry hunters sausage on the side. I was seriously considering the white banger, but it would have put me over my budget. The food arrived in a timely manner and looked very presentable on the plate. Not in an artistic way that made you not want to eat it, but in a very simple way that did make you want to eat it. The frittata was served just above room temperature, in what I assume is the way they are supposed to be. I am one however that happens to like my eggs hot. The taste was right on spot though, and need no additions. For the Hunters Sausage, the flavor of the meat was delicious and subtle. I would have to question wether in the end it is a perfect companion to the eggs. After I sampled it, they brought me a thick mustard, while going well with the sausage put further distance between it and the egg. In my experience mustard and eggs only work well together when deviled. And now... for the drum roll please..........The Purple Salad. I have to tell you that hands down, this salad which accompanies the frittata stole the show. It really should get a prize for the most original salad in Brooklyn. Made of purple cabbage, mixed with a particular variety of Italian parsley that tasted very similar to cilantro, and topped with walnuts. The dressing was a very light oil with a hint of vinaigrette and something sweet. I couldn't get enough. Frankly I would go back just to enjoy it once more.
A few other things to take into consideration. The waitress who took my order was a delightful person, not to mention patient when I asked her about the unfamiliar items on the menu. The price is unbeatable for the quality of food provided. And finally, I want one of the thick wooden tables that you sit at; so I can use as a desk to pen more reviews. They remind me of something that we have lost in the mad rush for commercialism. There is one more interesting thing to think about. When I got up to leave and on my way out, I couldn't help but to notice the aroma from all the fresh meats and cheeses. What drew my attention to that later was when I realized that it wasn't the first thing I had noticed when I walked in. The first thing that had caught my attention was how inviting it seemed, the last thing I remembered was the quality of food.
I have to give it five stars, because the only discrepancy I could find was my own lack of taste to the warm frittata. Perfection this close is very hard to obtain. I will mostly likely go back again, but next time I will try something from the extensive meat selection, for which I suspect they are more known. As I was finishing there was a young couple across from me who ordered a sampler that looked irresistible.
Great! Riding the "Bartenders-with-mustaches-and-fedoras-wearing-ves ts" trends made popular by joints such as Tailor and Walter Foods, but truly original in the food and service culture. Lovely experience.
This place is still partially under construction and so some things are a bit limiting, but nonetheless the food here is fantastic. It's been a month since I ate there so maybe its fully operational now. The spaetzle I had here was very good and the cold cuts platter was fable! The bread and butter was also fantastic. If you are a fan of German food, this place is a keeper.
Super-serious mixology happening here, without being annoying or precious. Apparently, they are trying to duplicate a sort of 1890's bar experience- the decor, ice for drinks chipped from huge blocks. Damon, the tall blond guy, makes a terrific Old-Fashioned. I know your granny drank it at cocktail hour at the camp grounds, but try it. It's really good.
I kept looking for this on Yelp to review and it just wasn't anywhere to be found. Prime Meats is great. It's certainly at the far end of Court but if you pair it with a trip to Buttermilk Channel or the Brooklyn Social, it'll be worthwhile. The drinks are yummy (and v strong) - we're talking speakeasy sazeracs not gin and tonics. Actually, I don't even think they were serving wine or beer when we were there. I'm sure with the addition of food, some softer beverages will find their way on the menu.
Regardless, the drinks are delish, the vibe is really mellow and the space is gorgeous. All the owners were bartending and serving when we were there and they were so clearly excited about their new endeavor. Since Clover Club changed their menu recently, Prime Meats definitely edges it out.
(CASH ONLY)
I quite enjoyed Frankie's throughout its first half year after opening before it turned me off (several visits with inconsistent to bad quality of food, laughable service). My husband suggested we give Prime Meats a chance and against better judgement I went for it.
The design is what is to be expected these days complete with Edison bulbs, heavy wood and tile, bar staff nearly costumed out to the point of the ridiculous. I can live with that. However, we visited for brunch and the food was plain ordinary.
The one item item that seemed interesting on the window menu was not available on the table menu. With only four brunch options, I chose the "Frittata with farmstead eggs and dairy, roasted vegetables and cheese paired with red cabbage salad". What I received was a diner quality cold asparagus frittata, dry and cut like a small piece of pie (no cheese, no other vegetables) and shaved red cabbage. Both held practically no flavor.
My husband's $15 burger (the 2nd of four options), which he ordered medium, came well done and with fries that appeared and tasted like those accompanying a Big Mac.
I was disappointed that the burger and a german sausage in a pretzel were the only meat options on the menu. I was hoping there would be more creativity there for a space called Prime Meats.
A less than mediocre experience overall.
Five stars for the best espresso I've had in a long time. Screw the meat and décor. Get one to go and grab a danish up the block. Lost a star for pastries out in the open sitting on the bar. Tisk. And the music isn't really my thing either... Folky and Irish?
Ate here on a Tuesday night and was open to a wait - this being a 'fab' new restaurant and all. We were in a great mood and celebrating a special occasion. To start, we asked the bartender if it was ok to drink a bottle of vintage Champagne we'd brought. His reply before turning and walking away? A dull, "Oh."
This left us speculating he didn't know and had to ask but didn't want to blow his mustached cool by seeming ignorant on the subject. He returned with a deadpan, "There'll be a $15 corking fee." As they don't serve any sparkling wines or Champagne, they did not have any glasses on hand which seemed a bit odd, but oh well. We were still upbeat and having a good time and the fact our bartender had zero personality seemed irrelevant.
45 minutes later, we were seated at a communal table with another couple. It was 8:30. Our waitress was friendly and joked about us traveling with our own booze. All was good. Then our table mates ordered and we right after and that's when everything fell apart. They received their appetizers well before us, ours took 30 minutes. The red cabbage salad had zero depth - and for a 'German' themed restaurant, a playful twist on the ubiquitous slightly sweet red cabbage side dish would have been nice. Honestly, the salad needed something - a hint of sweetness, perhaps from a berry or rose hip jam infused vinegar - something, anything. Still. Felt a bit like eating oily twigs. My mate had the wild mushrooms which fell completely flat. The cook forgot to add salt. We both tried it and felt like it also needed something extra - perhaps a hint of smoked bacon fat in the sauté. The mushrooms were also of different varieties and some of them had a too-woody texture and perhaps should have been cooked at a different rate than the more delicate ones. The mouthfeel was akin to eating cardboard with about as much flavor.
So then - on to the main course. But where was it? By this time, our Champagne was gone and no sign of a wine list or our dinner. Ten minutes went by, twenty - thirty. Forty-five minutes after finishing our appetizers and after our table mates had finished their main course, we finally asked the question no diner in a fine restaurant should ever have to ask, "Where is our food?"
The waitress, who had not checked in with us or updated us once between courses, slowed down, barely stopping as she passed by, and said, "Oh...it'll be out shortly."
Sorry, not a good answer after forty-five minutes.
Two minutes after we inquired, voila! Our food arrived. Time was 10 pm. We were dying.
I had the German brown trout, which was lovely - cooked to perfection. Nice crisp around the edges of the skin, excellent flavor and texture. Unfortunately, it was lying on a bed of braised vegetables that had likely been plated 30 minutes earlier when the entrees should have come out and as a result, was stone cold. I will say their flavor was great, so if the chef can get his timing right on this one, the dish should be good. The lamb chop special was a complete disaster. They chose not to trim any of the fat away from the rib bone - ok, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Maybe they like rustic - fine, then make sure it has a nice sear on it. In a restaurant named 'Prime Meats' one expects they know how to cook a cut of meat. Nope. Instead, the chops came out gooey with the fat looking visceral, white and globular. Just like you'd expect fat to look like if you'd heated it on a hot plate or in a toaster oven. The flavor was decent, but the aftermath of dissecting the meat from the voluminous globs of fat that surrounded it was not a pretty sight. In my honest opinion, one should never serve a dish that leaves more garbage on the plate than food consumed.
Somewhere toward the end of us stuffing our starved faces, the waitress brought a wine list and laid it on the table. I thought it was the desert menu. We were incredulous. Who orders a first glass of wine right before finishing their entrée?
Then, just to top off the evening, we had to ask for our check, lest we wait another forty minutes. It was delivered with a comment card, which we filled out, cordially suggesting they needed to work on their timing.
Won't go back, can't recommend it, and in leaving, I thought, "I'm going back to the old faves - Grocery, Saul, Chestnut. They could probably use the support right now - and they actually deserve it."
Prime Meats is finally open on the corner of Court and Luquer (sorry I don't have the exact address). Right now they are serving drinks, though food is coming over the next couple of weeks. Word is that it will be Austrian / German type fare like sauerbraten, spaetzle and other good stuff. Vibe is very nice. The bar is huge, literally. It's pretty wide, and according to the bartender, it's made from a single piece of wood. Same sort of feel as Clover Club but a bit brighter and airier (still warm vibe but just not as dark as the typical speakeasy). Lots of great drinks. If the tall blond guy with the glasses is tending bar, he makes a variety of great Krustas, including a blood orange one that's off the menu. The Absinthe Krusta is good as well, with an entire lemon peel swirled through it. No seating at the bar for now (standing only), but there are a bunch of booths for sitting that can handle smaller groups or communal seating at larger ones. Everyone who works there is really nice. Prices are typical, I think about $10-11 per cocktail. If you're on a budget, they have punch at $5 a cup. The lovely backyard garden is shared with Frankie's 457 (same owners) but Prime Meats will have a totally different food focus. And it definitely has more of a cocktail lounge feel where Frankie's is definitely a restaurant first rather than a bar first. Overall, very pleasant.
so annoyed ... seriously, a bar without seats??? a bar where you can't sit unless you're ordering like 1 of the 3 things on the menu? puh-lease.. get over yourself.
2:00pm - 9:00pm 75% Off All…
Neighborhood: Borough Park
Free Pizza for Yelpers!
Neighborhood: Battery Park
Hey, those are the NYT's words, not mine. I drink…
Where to eat the best meal of the day in the…
Loading...
