If you're in NY pls do yourself a favor and come here!! The place is STUNNING, the service is top tier and the food is to die for. I got the oxtail dumplings, focaccia stuffed bread, scallops and the short rib gnocchi and this hazelnut dessert and omg it was one of the best meals I've ever had in my life. And when I say the service is top tier... I mean it!! I left to go use the restroom and someone had come and folded my napkin, when it was time to clear the appetizer, they came and cleaned the table, set a new plate and utensil down, it was amazing!! I can't remember the name of the waitress but she was amazing! She was super nice and sweet and was so great at checking in. The place has such a romantic feel to it with the decor, and it can get a little loud and crowded but I feel like that's what you get for amazing food! Pls do yourself a favor and come here!! read more

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My parents rarely have mediterranean cuisine so took them to a spot that's been on my list and we all had a lovely time at Frena! We started with the baba ganoush dip with the complementary Frena bread - Frena bread is a MUST! So fluffy and would go well with any dip. Baba ganoush wasn't our personal favorite but still went great with the bread, with a nice balance of creamy and chunky. Next were the seared scallops and shrimp kadayif - scallops was heavenly and I think we all agree it was our favorite dish - the sear had a perfect caramelization, super tender, and it went well with the spinach pesto which was not nutty at all, very light and fresh. Shrimp kadayif was very crispy and savory but the creamed corn and lobster bisque were a bit heavy/salty. For our mains we got the butterflied branzino and lamb terracotta - branzino was silky soft and on the milder side whereas the lamb was SO flavorful and juicy. The one thing is that the lamb comes with this flatbread on top of the clay pot which goes well with the lamb but some of it was undercooked. For dessert we got the knaffe as everyone was glowing about it and this hazelnut chocolate dessert that I cannot find the name of. Nonetheless, knaffe was so interesting because we've never had anything like it - soaked in syrup but still crispy on the outside with this mochi-like chewiness inside. We also subbed the honey lavender ice cream with strawberry prickly pear, and that was absolutely delicious. The hazelnut dessert felt like a giant ferrero rocher with this quince ice cream, which is apparently like an apple/pear but it had a slight citrusy flavor it, very refreshing and yummy. The takeaway: Frena has incredible ice cream. Inside of the restaurant is beautiful, and every once in a while the lights got dimmer for an intimate ambiance, lovely spot for a nice dinner (make sure you're ready to spend $$). Our server was also very cordial throughout everything, helping us navigate the menu and making for an overall great experience! read more

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The food is fantastic, but some things are a bit overpriced. The Diet Coke is $6! Service was fine and the ambiance was nice. We started with the dip trio for $26 which comes with 3 dips and Frena bread. The bread was not enough for the amount of dips so we ended up ordering a second one which was $9. For entrees, I recommend the chicken schnitzel. It is a hefty portion and can even be shared between two people. The only complaint was that the potatoes were very bland. read more

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This was a drive by dinner plan and so glad we found this. We were at a taping of the Daily Show and wanted to do dinner following and really didn't have much of game plan and it was PEAK dinner time. So we walked a bit and boom, Frena popped up and it was a welcomed find. The vibe is on point. Moody and a date-night energy. The food was also PHENOMENAL. The lamb tagine-like dish was IT! Booming flavor and the woodfired bread it was in seriously let me dip it in everything! Cocktails were well composed. Everything was a delightful given this was a total dinner roulette of an evening. read more

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I am known for how much I rave about Frena's shakshuka, particularly their Merguez Shakshuka that comes with Moroccan spicy sausage. It is so so delicious! I've also tried their Turkish shakshuka with ground lamb, Swiss chard, and chickpeas which was good, but doesn't compare to Merguez. I've tried a bite of my friend's Green Shakshuka which came with shrimp and spinach and that was tasty too. You can not come here without trying their dips! I love their hummus, tzatziki, spicy feta, and baba ganoush. The bread it comes with might be my favorite thing on the menu. You'll probably need a second bread to pair with all the dips! I've only ever come here for brunch, but look forward to returning for dinner one day. It's very elegant and beautiful inside. You can see into their kitchen where they had a beautiful wood fire stove they're known for. Wonderful staff. read more

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Came here for a reservation for a group of 7. They initially told us there was a $100 minimum per person for a group larger than 6, but we were able to get that waived since it was a wednesday evening. Despite it being a weekday, it was still very busy. The restaurant had a nice interior, with lots of greenery and natural lighting. My favorite dishes were the mesclun salad and the chicken maschan. I enjoyed how fresh and minty the salad was. I also liked that the chicken was incredibly tender, and that it came on top of pita with onion spread. The lamb terracotta, which is their signature dish, was very unique. I liked the tomato and onion of the sauce, but I didn't find it as flavorful. The dips and bread were pretty standard for a mediterranean restaurant, and my favorite was the tzatziki. Overall, I found this to be a nice dinner spot. It was a little bit pricy, but sharing a lot of dishes among a large group made it very affordable. read more

Very good mezze. We did not get cocktails. Small plates. Great hummus. Nice atmosphere, clean bathrooms

Very beautiful interior. I came for dinner before a Broadway show and it was a nice spot for a casual but classy dinner. A bit expensive and not the best Mediterranean food I've had but still a solid option. Dip trio: 9/10 I got the labneh, tzatziki, and baba ganoush. Very fresh, and the complimentary bread that came with it was delicious Lamb Terracotta: 8/10: It took a while to come out which you should note if you're coming before a show. The lamb was tasty and the vegetables were super flavorful but I did get flavor fatigue. read more

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When my friend recommended this place, I thought to myself "who is she??! who IS frena?!!" But y'all, she is the girl worthy of a good review. Loves: + Good brunch food. Our group had the dip trio ($26) Turkish shakshuka ($27), lahmajoun bread ($20) and grilled Spanish octopus ($34) and everything was good. + Good service and lovely staff + Can have dogs in the outside dining area + Restrooms are so nice. I mean like, "pretend I'm in the Mediterranean on vacation" nice. You know it's real if I put it in this review. Overall, I had an exquisite time dining here and would certainly come back. You are amazing, Frena!!! :) read more

Frena - Clockwise from top: Turkish shakshuka ($27), lahmajoun bread ($20) and grilled Spanish octopus ($34) - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

An elevated twist on classic Mediterranean flavors. I ordered: - a cocktail whose name I forgot but it was gin based with notes of tomato and herbs? It was incredible. It was so smooth and subtle that I ended up chugging it and feeling the effects quite quickly as it was strong! - complimentary fresh table bread with salt and herbs. I had to be careful not to ruin my appetite with this! - halloumi with labneh and delicata squash: this was such a unique flavor pairing of the sweet and earthy squash, lightly tangy labneh, and rich cheese. It was slightly too much cheese for one person to finish though - best for splitting - scallops with herb sauce and mushrooms: no notes. Perfectly cooked scallops balanced by the herbaceous green sauce Logistics: - indoor seating only - limited street parking nearby read more

Frena - Scallops, complimentary bread, halloumi and squash - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

Frena was such a great experience from start to finish. Everything we ordered was delicious -- from the creative cocktails to the main dishes. We didn't end up getting dessert, but honestly, zero complaints across the board. The dip trio with the Frena bread is to die for -- don't skip it. The branzino was incredibly fresh and full of flavor, definitely one of the highlights of the night. I came with my girls and we shared three main dishes plus one round of cocktails. The bill came out to around $275, which felt completely worth it for the quality, vibe, and overall experience. I didn't catch our server's name, but she was amazing -- very professional, friendly, and made us feel genuinely taken care of. The space itself is aesthetically beautiful, perfect for a night out. Definitely looking forward to coming back again. read more

Great food, service, and ambiance. Excellent place for date night or dinner with friends. read more

Frena - Three dip appetizer - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

Frena is definitely a friend to me! I mean that literally... "Frena is a traditional Moroccan bread, baked in a local communal oven, on top of burning hot pebbles. This bread has a thin crust and a fluffy crumb, absolutely delicious!" "Yes carbs are the enemy but we are suppose to love thy neighbors and thy enemies and I love thine bread!" Like most of my city restaurant experiences, Frena was a random pick. On a Sunday in June, I happened to pull into a parking spot across from Frena and just like that, I decided to give them a try. Upon entry the decor is beautiful, perfect for a date or a group event. You feel like you are dining in a private garden with the cascading plants off of the ceiling around the bar. Instantly you want to sit and stay for a while. I started with a "Birds of a Feather" a signature cocktail made with Bourbon Rum. A perfect choice, it was well balanced and refreshing without being too sweet. In addition an order of Hummus w/ Frena bread and Duo of Falafel was placed. The Hummus was absolutely delish, you can eat it by the spoonful, but the Frena bread was simply amazing. Order extra you will need it and it will be worth both the extra carbs and the extra charge. The Falafels are green herb and sweet potato falafel with tahini and mango chutney. Both were good, but admittedly, I enjoyed the sweet potato falafel with the mango chutney more than the traditional. They had a subtle sweet taste with a nice unexpected departure from the earthy flavor of the green herbs. Of course the indulgence of the Hummus and Frena bread made it difficult to continue as capacity had been reached. However, an order of Schnitzel Shishi had arrived. Schnitzel Shishi a breaded crispy chicken flatbread with a shifka aioli and pickled red cabbage slaw. The schnitzel was both packed and traveled well. The server offered to pack the dish when it arrived noticing that we could not possibly consume another morsel. Service was attentive and swift with serval staff members tending to the table. Some members were a little more engaging than others but overall no complaints. Just A Note: - The Hummus and Frena bread is a MUST. Thank me later! - A Brunch Menu is available. read more

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This must be my favorite mediterranean spot in NYC hands-down. As locals to the neighborhood, we kept passing this spot - which appeared clean, modern, and only moderately busy at all times, until we finally decided to try it out for ourselves one time. I'm shocked this place isn't more busy. We were seated immediately upon checking into our reservation. We chose the dining area which feels spacious, modern (but not too modern), which great lighting, might I add. Service was excellent and very attentive throughout the entire meal. The menu is split up into Dips, dishes From the Market, dishes From the Sea, and dishes From the Land. I liked this categorization - it felt appropriate. We tried the Dip Trio - the hummus, labne, and the tomato sauce (can't remember the name off the top of my head. Of these, the hummus was the one that just felt good but not excellent (maybe just in comparison to other excellent hummus I've had?) - but the labne and tomato were amazing. The sauces come sitting in high quality olive oil which were enjoyed with our frena bread as well - which is hot, soft in the middle, and flavorful. A delicious start! Next, we had the oxtail tortellini - which read a bit more dumpling to me. It was very tasty, but compared to how everything else on the menu following this really blew me away, if I had to reorder, I would maybe try something else in place of this dish. Portion size for this dish is a little on the smaller side. We ordered the artichokes on a whim but these ended up being my favorite dish the entire meal surprisingly. Large, flavorful, crispy, soft/tender, juicy - there aren't enough adjectives to adequately describe this. I anticipate we will be back to Frena many times, but I think we will keep getting the artichokes every time lol. We ordered the lamb terra cotta which is the restaurant's special here, and for good reason. The ground lamb is perfectly cooked and full of spices that ooze out as you bite into it. The veggies it's cooked with are delicious as well. For dessert, we were between the knaffe and the halva silan sundae, but ended up going with the knaffe. It was amazing - especially in regards to the cheese. Overall, this is a nice restaurant, so the prices are certainly not low, but given the quality of food, I felt like they were appropriate. I think we may have found our favorite neighborhood spot. We absolutely plan to return. read more

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Recommendations- beef cheek tagine, egg burek, Frena bread, halva silan sundae. Someone else liked the whole branzino a lot. I was at this popular Mediterranean; or rather specifically Levant; restaurant a while back with a group where we mostly got our own dishes but we shared some of the appetizers and gave samples of some of our main dishes. The spot is from the same chef as the old Taboon though the signature dish is the same as at one of my less preferred spots, Barbounia, and they have a dessert like at Dagon. It was a little bit loud but not too much so and thankfully not nearly as much as Barbounia and the staff were friendly. Due to the price point as I was planning on ordering an appetizer, main, and dessert, I didn't bother with a drink though they had an interesting looking cocktail menu as well as a good wine selection. My appetizer, from the hot mezze selection, was the Egg Burek for $19 with feuille de brick, happy egg, smoked tuna bresaola, Jerusalem artichoke. Said feuille de brick refers simply to the filo dough which was nice and crispy with the inside being soft from the egg and artichoke and the slightly herby sauce paired nicely. The most unique part of the dish and what I found to be most delicious was the smoked tuna which added a bit of extra needed saltiness and some light fishiness and a bit of smoke. It was overall a very tasty appetizer though I don't see it on the menu currently. I also sampled the Frena Bread which is $9 listed as the signature Frena bread brushed with olive oil, Maldon salt, rosemary & sage. Said bread is Moroccan in origin and it's kind of like a thicker slightly more spiced pita and it was very tasty. The bread also came out piping hot and it was good to dip in the various sauces and I would recommend ordering one which the waiter had recommended as well. The only other thing I sampled was a tiny bit of the Moroccan Cigars for $22 with wagyu, ras-el-hanout, and tahini which was just okay. There's no real point in using wagyu unless you just want to bump up the price compared to the usual sigara böreği though I liked that it was a bit more spicy compared to the usual. This was alright. My main was the Wagyu Beef Cheek Tagine for $48 with roasted cauliflower and caramelized onions, confit Jerusalem artichokes, and charred Savoy cabbage which was pricey but honestly worth it. The beef in this case was extremely tender with a good mix of spices including cumin and many other warming spices as well as a bit of heat. The vegetables were also cooked down wonderfully with a bit of crunch from some of them as well as some softness while the onions added a bit of sweetness. This was excellent and I would recommend it heavily. I tried the Lamb Terra Cotta for $48 with Colorado lamb & Australian wagyu kebabs in clay pot with a flatbread top. Compared to the Barbounia one which is I think a little bit less expensive, the meat in here was better though there was perhaps a bit too much tahini or whatever that rich sauce was inside with the latter spot adding some tomato sauce which helped with the richness. It was okay in short. Another person had a whole branzino for $52 consisting of said Mediterranean branzino, sage chimichurri, broccolini, fingerling potatoes, and cherry tomatoes which they liked but I didn't try. For dessert, I went with the Halva Silan Sundae for $17 with vanilla ice cream, caramelized rice crispies & almonds, halva, and date syrup (said silan) as I partially wanted to compare it to Dagon. By comparison, the date syrup flavor is a bit less strong and they use potentially even more of the floss halva and I preferred the texture from the latter spot which added more crunch and other flavors. It was pretty tasty but I preferred the Dagon one pretty heavily but I would still recommend it. The price point are a tad high (especially for the mains) but they overall were pretty tasty. If you don't mind a splurge, the food quality is high compared to most of the Levant spots with the only really comparable one being Dagon which is a good amount better. 4.3. read more

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The restaurant is cozy and beautiful! The interiors have a very Mediterranean vibe. The servers are very attentive and come check in every few. The Echo cocktail was delicious. We had the trip dip with choice of three: babaganoush, cauliflower hummus (delicious) and a tomato garlic oil. It did not come with any bread, but the first frena bread was on the house. For entree we went for the oxtail tortelini which was served on top of rich butter and olive tapanade. The tortelini itself was good, but the bed of olive concoction was too salty, and for the steep prices, portion was small. We also ordered the popular lamb terracota, which is good for two, and the knafe for dessert. The lamb was tender and delicious. read more

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We went to Frena for a Tasting Collective event, so we got to taste 5-course dinner especially curated for us. The interior was quite modern, with lots of greens everywhere, making the space looks like an oasis in the middle of concrete jungle. Cozy and welcoming. We decided to get a cocktail to start off. We chose Levant Dew which is actually "boozelss" option, but you can spike it with Vodka or Gin for additional $$. It had a nice sweetness from the honeydew, with the refreshing flavor of mint and yuzu. I really enjoyed this! The first course was Falafel Duo, which had two round falafel balls. They were so tasty! Crunchy exterior and nicely moist inside, packed with flavor. Fluffy and bouncy. The second course was Roasted Baby Gem Caesar Salad. It was very fresh, with a nice crisp crunch to it. The dressing had a little kick to it, and loved the charred, smoky flavor. Dressing was amazing, really enjoyed that. The third course was Wild Striped Bass "Tunschi" in souk-spiced tomato ragout, green garbanzo, preserved lemon. Fish was perfectly flaky and moist, tomato ragout was earthy and robust, comforting and had a great seasoning. Tasty! The fourth course was their Signature Lamb Terra Cotta. The staffs cut up the top immediately after serving at the table. It had lamb sausages inside, along with tomatoes and onions. The bread was amazing. The lamb was out of this world good! We scooped up the sauce with pieces of the flatbread, every bite was delightful from the beginning to the end. Last but not least, dessert! We got Tres Leches Olive Oil Cake with cardamom Chantilly. The cake was very moist, yet somehow didn't feel dense but nice and airy. What a great ending to this wonderful dinner. We had an amazing dinner here. The staffs were very friendly and efficient. The food and drinks were absolutely wonderful. We enjoyed everything! The owner was great too, approachable, relatable, and passionate about the restaurant and food. We will definitely go back for more of their amazing drinks and food! read more

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When I lived in NY decades ago, Taboon was one of my absolute favorite restaurants. Frena's food is as good as I remember taboon being, and its interior more upscale than I remembered Taboon being also. - gnocchi - ordered these without truffle for our kids and they devoured. Some of the best gniocchi I have ever had, they nailed the texture with a slight crispness on the exterior and gooey interior. -bread (complimentary), excellent with a hint of rosemary - octopus: a little too much char but I still enjoyed it. If you enjoyed its predecessor you'll surely enjoy Frena. read more

Frena - Octopus - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

We didn't have a reservation because we live so close - got there at 5:30 and it was packed! We were so glad to get seating at the bar. The drinks were amazing - I got the Frenas Way. And then my partner and I shared the Frena bread and the drip trio which was delicious. Then we shared a salad and the oxtail dumplings. Will definitely be going back. read more

Frena - Dip trio and frena bread - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

Other than only having 1.5 hours exactly at our table (we were specifically told this in the middle of our meal but it was fine since we had to leave to catch a show anyways), this was a fantastic experience! My mom and I shared : the dip trio - hummus, matbucha, and tzatziki (the hummus and matbucha were so good but neither of us liked the thickness of the tzatziki) it came with their frena bread which was really good! Mesculan root vegetable salad (9/10) it was extremely refreshing! Grilled Spanish octopus (8/10) a little too burnt and I wasn't a huge fan of the beans/swiss chard/olive it came with Madagascar shrimp kadayif (10/10) I'd say the star of the show the crispy shrimp combined with the creamed corn/lobster bisque sauces were to die for! I used these sauces to dip the octopus in, actually. It's a really cute interior and I'd come back! read more

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I visited Frena as part of a Tasting Collective event and it was my first time visiting this restaurant. The decor of the restaurant was lovely and gave a real Mediterranean feel. I ordered an Echos cocktail which was delivered promptly and was delicious! The cocktail menu here is really interesting and inventive and would highly recommend trying something from it if you visit. The menu for the evening was a mixture of existing items and new/dishes in development. We started with a falafel duo which was really moist and tasty (no dry crumbly falafel here). The next dish was a Caesar salad which was nice enough but needed some more dressing (very nice dressing though with a bit of peppery heat). We then moved onto the Striped Bass Tunschi which was a new dish. This one probably still needs a little bit of refining (it needed more seasoning in my opinion) but I can see it being a standout dish once it is finalised. The sauce really packed a punch and I can imagine moping it up with some bread in the future would be a delight. We then moved on to one of Frena's signature dishes, the lamb terra cotta. This dish was AMAZING!!!! So flavourful, the lamb was so moist and the bread was lovely and fluffy. I can not say enough good things about this dish and it is something that I would come back to enjoy (I have already told my other half about it and told him we have to go). Honestly, if there is one dish you order here make this the one! We had a Tres Leches olive oil cake for dessert but this was a little sweet for me. Entirely personal preference as opposed to anything being wrong with the dish (and I still ate it all nonetheless haha). All in all I really enjoyed my visit to Frena. There were a few areas for improvement but they are very minor (and one is on a dish in development so I am sure this will be refined before being on the menu). I would recommend Frena and look forward to visiting again myself in the future. read more

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Had an incredible meal here and enjoyed every dish! First of all, the interior is decorated very nicely. I was seated near the door and had a lot of room in the booth. Service was a bit slow in terms of them checking in on us, but the food came out at reasonable times. For a party of three, we ordered: Baba Ganoush which came with Frena Bread (5/5) so delicious! I can see why the bread is so popular. Mesclun and Root Vegetables Salad (5/5) what an amazing salad. We all loved the dates in it. Grilled Spanish Octopus (3/5) I thought I would like this the most but it was just okay. Nothing special. Braised Oxtail Tortellini (5/5) I've never had something like this and my goodness was it delicious. Lamb Terra Cotta (5/5) I am not a lamb fan to be honest, but I wanted to get this since it's a signature and it did not disappoint!!!! Everything worked well together (tomatoes, onions, lamb) plus the presentation with them cutting back the bread. Malabi (5/5) an elevated panna cotta! Black Tahini Halva Silan Sundae (5/5) to be honest it didn't really taste like tahini, but the ice cream was still yummy and I loved the rice crispies. read more

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Lovely Mediterranean restaurant in Hell's Kitchen! I met up with a friend at Frena for dinner and we had a lovely time! - Hamachi: 10/10 (loved how the hamachi was slightly smoky and the sauce was citrusy. Good balance.) - Dip trio (hummus, spicy feta, baba ganoush) 10/10 (loved all the dips and the bread was hot and fresh!) - Lamb terra cotta: 100/10 (omg the lamb dish here was sooo good!! Super tender and the veggies in the terra cotta were sooo flavorful.) - Knaffe: 8/10 (this was my first time trying Knaffe and it was really good! Loved the lavender ice cream-- very fragrant.) Overall, we loved everything we got! Service was fast and friendly. Ambiance was good, but the tables were situated really close together so it did get super noisy. read more

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This place is a great restaurant and it has a nice ambience. Great for friends or family. I can see this a cute date spot too! The service was good! The bread is so good that they give! They recommend the dips. Overall the food was good quality! read more

We stopped by for dinner with reservations on a Saturday and were seated pretty quickly. Ambiance felt pretty nice, a bit modern and traditional with a fine dining air. Service was fast, courteous, and efficient - orders were in within a few minutes and food/drinks came out fast. The menu had a few good options and the food itself was yummy, but quite pricy. Drinks were also okay, but I thought mine was overly strong interestingly enough. That was probably the most worth item. I probably wouldn't return as I didn't think our meal was worth the money, but I had a nice time nonetheless. The experience was solid and things came out super fresh and fast. We even saw them handle an issue where apparently the meat for one of the dishes next to us wasn't cooked enough and they were very professional about it. Thanks, Frena! read more

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When local favorite Taboon closed permanently due a fire, it was truly a sad loss for the neighborhood. Later, the chef and owner from Taboon renewed the space, making a fresh but familiar concept called Frena, serving the same exquisite cuisine that Taboon left behind. We visited for brunch this past weekend, and enjoyed impeccable service, delicious food, sizeable portions, and fabulous service from the one and only, Kianna (hope I spelled that right!). With a touch of middle eastern architecture and ambiance, and lush greenery throughout, the mood is set as soon as you walk in. For drinks: Our favorite was the echos, their take on a margarita with a touch of passion fruit. For appetizers: You can't go wrong with the dips. We got the trio, which comes with a serving of Frena bread, and our favorite was the spicy feta. For everything else: We got the schnitzel shishi, which was very filling. It came with crispy white sweet potatoes, and a small salad. We also got the chicken shawarma bowl - which by itself is just okay. However, it's also served with a frena bread to make shawarma sandwiches, which really enhances the taste dramatically. In addition, we also got the lahmajoun flatbread. While I thought it was a bit bland, my partner thought it was made very traditionally and perfectly. Lastly, to finish things off, we got the Moroccan donuts for dessert (they're on the brunch menu but not on the dessert menu!). With dipping sauces of Dulce de leche and a blueberry compote, they really hit the spot. Frena is such a great addition to the neighborhood, you know we'll be coming back. read more

Frena - Dip trio: (from left) hummus, spicy feta, labne - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

I have been to Frena a few times. Regardless if I go for brunch or dinner, the staff is so friendly and attentive. We set up a reservation with the host at the door and he remembered us when we came back a few hours later, even though we were in different clothes. The waiter was very patient as we were having trouble deciding what to order this time (if we should get the same thing as always, or if we should be adventurous and try something new). He was super friendly each time he came over and seemed genuinely concerned that everyone was having a great meal! I prefer the patio to indoor seating (when it is nice out). I really enjoy the sunshine and people watching! However, the inside is also nice, but I'd recommend a booth rather than a table. I cannot stop gushing about the food and drinks to my friends. Each of the dips are better than the next. The lamb terracotta is a must try. If you do brunch, I'd recommend one of their shakshukas, my favorite being the roasted egg plant. Great food, great service, and great vibes--what else could you need? read more

When I first heard about Frena and saw its amazing Yelp reviews, I was immediately interested. Then, when I learned that it was from the same team as Taboon, one of my favorite restaurants from 10+ years ago, I simply knew that I had to check it out. I made it there recently and felt an immediate sense of déjà vu. It turned out that the space was the exact same one where Taboon used to be. The restaurant was stunningly elegant and reminded me of a patio on the bank of the Mediterranean. Its fake trees, large windows, and bright lighting created an atmosphere where folks would feel relaxed, yet classy, while enjoying a delicious meal. I had booked us in the "Chef's area", which was a quiet section just off of the main dining room, where tables had views of the stone oven and the open kitchen. I liked that the location provided us with a view of the quieter, chef's actions without all of the noise from the crowded dining room. We decided to start with drinks, and I was instantly sold on the Echos, which was labeled as "Your ultimate, favorite Margarita", which turned out to be extremely accurate! The standard marg component made up the bulk of the rocks glass and was a blend of Cazcabel Tequila, Casa Lotos Sotol (a Mexican liquor), Empirical Ayuuk (Danish liquor like mezcal), Aleppo pepper, and lime. However, the already culturally compelling mixture then furthered its creativity by being topped with a salted passionfruit and Silan (date honey) foam. The drink was sweet, spicy, tart, and simply delicious! It was definitely one of the best cocktails I had ever had. From a food perspective, we opted for our own main dishes, but wanted to share a few starters to begin. The dips were offered on their own or bundled, and we went with a trio, including Hummus, Spicy Feta, and Matbucha. The chickpea spread was rich, creamy, and flavorful. The feta variety was certainly spicy, in fact maybe a bit more than I would have liked. The Matbucha was new to me and was very much like a stewed tapenade with roasted tomatoes, olive oil, and garlic. The platter of dips was accompanied by the restaurant's signature bread, which had been brushed with olive oil, Maldon salt, rosemary, and sage. The server had made a point of mentioning that the first basket was on them, but any additional slices would have an attached fee. However, the small loaf wound up being enough for us to each get three decently-sized pieces. We also split the Duo of Falafel, which contained a few nuggets of a green herb falafel and a few balls of a sweet potato variety. They were served alongside a cup of tahini with a mango chutney drizzle. The chickpea balls were crispy and well-seasoned, and the dipping sauce was a great way to cool down any heat that a diner might have been feeling in the back of their throat. While the regular entrees all sounded appealing, I immediately went with their Pan-Seared Sea Bass special. The plate started with a base of creamy acorn squash puree, which was topped first by roasted mini brussels sprouts and chantarelle mushrooms and was then covered with two large filets of tender bass. The fish was spectacular and the other ingredients were some of my favorite Fall flavors, which I was thrilled to sample at the start of the season. Lastly, we shared the massive Halva Silan Sundae, which arrived looking like some sort of snow cone. The large dish included vanilla ice cream, caramelized rice crispies and almonds, strands of halva, and drizzles of date syrup. The halva had been almost shredded, so it looked like a pile of hay on the top. It was a delicious dessert, but was VERY sweet and really needed more ice cream to counteract that aspect. There was maybe a scoop of vanilla cream, but loads of all of the other rich ingredients, so the ratios were clearly misaligned. Despite the minor matter with the sundae, the rest of our experience was flawless. From the friendly service to the delectable food and beverages, Frena provided a top-notch meal. read more

Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a good drink or nice dinner date in the Hells Kitchen area! The restaurant interior was gorgeous and no two tables felt too close plus the bar and outdoor had plenty of seating. The staff is so friendly and service moves quickly but not like they're rushing you out the door. The food was shareable and quite filling between the small plates and appetizers. Everything we got was delicious, flavorful but not overwhelming, and had great complimenting elements- my favorites were the oxtail tortellini, the grilled octopus, and the labneh! read more

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After a multi-year closure, Frena is the new incarnation of the former Taboon, offering many of the same hits from the old menu, such as a signature charred bread served with well-executed mezzes. I rarely seek out dining destinations in this sterile section of Hell's Kitchen, but Frena is probably the best bet if you find yourself in this neck of the woods. My favorite dish of the evening was the feta börek, which is brought to the table with a theatrical flame like a Suzette crepe. The last time I had a börek this flavorful was at a meyhane in Arnavütköy overlooking the Boğaz - the quantity of honey was just ambitious enough to challenge the limits of sweetness in a main course. That being said, some of the dishes fell a bit flat - the cauliflower "steak" was delivered a bit soggy, and the felefel failed to leave any lasting impression. read more

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Frena is a fabulous spot in Hell's Kitchen with flavorful Mediterranean food and plenty of vegetarian options. Our waiter Jessie was wonderful in answering questions and making sure we were happy with what we ordered. To drink, I ordered the Levant Dew (with Gin) and it was delicious and so refreshing. The food = phenomenal. The dips are a must; with the fresh, fluffy bread. My favorite item of the night was the Feta Flambé, which was the perfect combo of savory, sweet, and flakey. I also loved the Zucchini Fritters. The Falafels were pretty good, as was the roasted eggplant. We couldn't skip dessert-the Halva sundae and Profiteroles were honestly a bit underwhelming but I'm glad I stayed longer and tried the Nemesis Chocolate Cake, which is perfect for chocolate lovers. read more

Frena - Dips - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

I'm giving Frena five stars, and I'm sticking to it. The truth is, I only stopped in to enjoy a cocktail before my show at MCC. I had about thirty minutes to kill. I looked around, and Frena was located steps away. I figured from the restaurant's looks I couldn't go wrong; I was right. Although I didn't sit in the dining area to have dinner, the customer service I received was just as attentive and friendly. I enjoyed a wonderful spritzer before dashing out to the show. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by a lovely hostess and was invited to sit wherever I liked at the bar. My bartender was smooth and mixed my spritzer with procession, which tasted delicious. That said, I am looking forward to returning for dinner real soon. I'm confident my five-star rating would have been well deserved. read more

Frena - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

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This used to be Taboon, one of my favorite restaurants in Hell's Kitchen. The chef is back and Frena is phenomenal! First off, they did a gut renovation on the interior - lots of wood, cream colors, tree branches with leaves and flowers, it's a gorgeous space. Next the food. I came for brunch with a friend and ordered the Shakshuka with merguez sausage. This dish can be bland, but Frena's was so good! They added tahini and greens, giving it a unique twist. Honestly best I've ever had. It also came with a delicious housemade Jerusalem breadstick! My friend tried the brisket Benedict, and raved as well! The cocktails were wonderful, and the service excellent! It's on the pricier side, but the quality makes it worth it. A must! read more

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Cute restaurant and lots of space to host a big group. Came for brunch and I really liked the dips. The mains were just okay (turkey shakshouka and the salmon benedict). A bit expensive for what it is. read more

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This is becoming one of my favorite local restaurants. The food is consistently delicious. Our waiter was exceptional. read more

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A great place to go with a group to! It has a beautiful vibe, filled with plants and calming colors. The standout items were the lamb Terra cotta, the dips and the Prime Hanger Steak. The lamb Terra cotta was delicious and flavorful and the bread on top was perfectly crispy. I really liked eating that with the dips as well. Each dip was amazing with my favorite being the Tzatziki. The Hanger Steak was perfectly cooked, juicy and flavorful. Would definitely recommend going with friends so you can try more items on the menu read more

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Read this. Halva silan sundae with vanilla ice cream, caramelized rice crispies and almonds, halva and date syrup....they absolutely understand the art of textures and i will definitely be going back to try other items read more

Frena - Halva Silan Sundae - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

Finally, Frena! I dip you dip! Been wanting to go when they opened as the Israeli chef & former Taboon partner was a lure. It's bright & centers around their gorgeous oven. Best shared with friends, we ordered 3 dips which come with the hot out of the oven Frena bread the restaurant's namesake. My favorite dip was the cauliflower hummus, but the star was the flaming bourecka a showstopper! read more

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Enjoyed our meal at Frena overall however there were a few detractors that caused me to give a lower rating. Given the delicious food I might go back again as it is a different offering close to the theatre district. The pros: Food was excellent! Service attentive and honest. The cons: Payment system error - pay attention Not timely if you are heading to a show - aggravated further due to incorrect order. Hostess lovely and acknowledged we were there for my friend's birthday. I reserved the "chef's area" as it was advertised as the place to see the activity of the kitchen which is typically a special experience. The exact wording from Resy - "The Chef's Area offers views of the kitchen and a more intimate dining experience." Upon arrival we were directed to a table for two permitting only one person any type of view and the other would have their back to the "kitchen." Thankfully as we were there early prior to heading to a show. I spied a corner table and we were able to switch. As I looked around, I realized that the "kitchen view" was a view of the wood burning oven and food exiting the kitchen for service and service staff milling about to receive food to place on tables. Definitely not my typical experience of a chef's area or kitchen view. Suggest they remove that seating option on their site as it is deceiving. We told our waiter we needed to leave by 6:30pm as soon as we were seated at 5:10pm. We quickly ordered sambusak - spiced cheese bread, falafel, Moroccan cigars and the special fish entree. Initial dishes came out timely and were delicious. Then our entree arrived at 6:16pm which was fine as we could head out immediately after eating it quicker than we would have liked. However, it was the wrong dish. So it took time to find our server who apologized And went to make a swap - another special fish was in the oven for another table so we would have to wait. Our dish arrived at 6:26pm and we quickly ate it. Definitely no time for any birthday dessert celebration for my friend. In the meantime I also asked for the check and they kindly comped the one glass of wine ordered. I quickly paid and then realized that while I gave a generous tip of 22% because the server so quickly apologized for the entree order mistake and owned it, my card was charged much more than it should be. Had to have a manager come to look and sure enough the system charged a 33% tip! So this had to be corrected and now I have to monitor my card to make sure it is appropriately charged. After looking at the receipt, I realized that the tip was charged on the full order including the mistaken dish. read more

Food was outstanding. great flavor fresh and quite tasty. Service was excellent and the decor was very nice and quaint. great bar as well. read more

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