Harlem Renaissance is always a vibe. The atmosphere is just right every time, and the service is consistently amazing. My go-to is the branzino with a side of jollof rice and sweet plantains... it never misses. The Afro beats are always on point and really set the tone. I've also gone for brunch and it's pure vibes. Good food, great energy, and the DJ on deck brings it all together. Definitely one of my favorite spots. read more

Renaissance Bistro Harlem - Branzino - French Near Me - New York, New York

I stopped into this restaurant for lunch. When I arrived I parked on the street nearby. I walked into a cozy small restaurant. I sat and ordered: Grilled Octopus Lobster Mac and Cheese Short Rib & Mashed potatoes Pan Seared Flounder and Jollof Rice Cheesecake The food was good with the short ribs being my favorite! A good time all in all! read more

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Black owned restaurant in the heart of Harlem. Great ambience and service . Food was just ok - nothing spectacular. read more

Renaissance Bistro Harlem - French Near Me - New York, New York

I came here for my bday. Was so happy to be in Harlem again. This place was sort of walking distance from the train about 2-3 block walk. I sat outside in the patio area and they had a DJ come and play some great beats. I selected the $50 lunch deal which came with bottomless mimosas for $50. Keep in mind this is NOT a shareable meal. I thought it was fair and reasonable. Also to note, they don't have tap water only bottled for $6 and it's a small one. The food smelled delish but was dry lol the mussels were definitely delicious. Chefs kiss. But I mean the rice and the fish was so dry. My partner had the chicken sandwich and it was so tough he didn't even eat it. Really went for the vibes at that point. lol would go again for the drinks but mot again for the food because it was no good. read more

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Was here again last night to celebrate a friends bday. Service was a bit slow but the food definitely made up for it. It was well worth the wait. My friend had a special bday menu. I ordered the beets salad as my appetizer and the seafood risotto for my entrée. As I said previously, it was well worth the wait. Food was really really good. read more

Renaissance Bistro Harlem - Beets salad - French Near Me - New York, New York

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Renaissance embodies the vibe of Harlem. The drinks were delicious. The flounder, jollof rice and plantains were cooked to perfection. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who likes to enjoy good music, food and hospitality. read more

Renaissance Bistro Harlem - Pan Seared Flounder Dinner - French Near Me - New York, New York

Delicious food! Attended during brunch and didn't realize. It was epic. There was a lively crowd and a DJ playing the best throwback hits. I asked for the dinner menu and to be seated outside for a more intimate conversation with my friend. It was so gorgeous and sunny already, thanks to the warmer weather. I got Red Snapper and jollof rice with plantains, amazing. Cleaned my plate. We also got dumplings as an appetizer and omg it came with the most delicious hot sauce so I kept it to eat with my entree as well. Lovely menu, lots to enjoy. read more

Renaissance Bistro Harlem - French Near Me - New York, New York

I could eat here every night. The food is consistently delicious no matter what you order. The staff is super attentive and provides service with a smile. The chef should have a Michelin star by now. Great food and pleasant vibes make for a wonderful restaurant. read more

Renaissance Bistro Harlem - Worlds best grilled branzino - French Near Me - New York, New York

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Always nice popping in for some yummy food with actual flavor and spice. There's a nice lunch menu at yr is sure to get you satisfied. Staff is always helpful, polite and welcoming. Ambiance is warm and chill. I think I might need to pop in more often for a nice lunch. read more

Renaissance Bistro Harlem - Mango Martini made by my sexy bartender! - French Near Me - New York, New York

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This place has a nostalgic feel -- from the decor to the colors and layout, you can tell there's been real effort to make it comfortable and inviting. We came as a group of 12, and it seemed like the staff may have been a bit overwhelmed. Food and drinks took a while to arrive, but were friendly and helpful nonetheless. The food was hearty -- I ended up taking some home. I played it safe with my order since the menu was new to me. The flavors were decent, kinda monotoned- no layers or heights of the senses. A live DJ added a nice touch, playing what we like and taking requests. This is another "I came, I saw..." kind of spot. I don't see myself feeling the urge to return. read more

Renaissance Bistro Harlem - French Near Me - New York, New York

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Renaissance Harlem is a vibe and food is great ! Food: the food is amazing omg! The curry mussels, baked chicken, grilled cod fish, and the chicken dumplings were amazing. The food is prepared in real time preserve the authentic tastes. Service: the service was amazing. Everyone was very attentive, provide clear insight of the various food items, provided refills, and had a great personality that is relatable. Ambiance: the location is capable of intimate setting but also provide spacing for large groups. The location is updated and very clean. Overall score is 4.9/5 read more

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Buckle up! This is gonna be a long one! - First Impression - Check-in was a breeze, thanks to Kalim at the front desk. He was extremely nice and explained everything clearly, even though it was a little hard to hear him over the noise from the attached restaurant, which was like a party around 6 PM. Still, I appreciated the warm welcome and was instantly impressed. - Service - Kalim went above and beyond--he even called about 15-20 minutes after I checked in to make sure I found my room, and that everything was to my liking. That level of attentiveness really stood out. Housekeeping also did a great job--my room smelled fresh and spotless the moment I opened the door. I'd also like to mention Terry who checked me out at the end of my stay. She was so professional and sweet even though the person ahead of me had basically just barked at her for something that was out of her control. - Room - I was upgraded from a standard King to a Central Parkview King, which was a lovely surprise! The lighting and mirrors made the space feel larger than it is. The HVAC was a bit loud, but it cooled the room quickly, which I appreciated after trekking through the humidity for half the day. - Food - I was a bit nervous about finding food in such a busy area, but the hotel offers an extensive in-room dining menu that made things really convenient. Big win there! - Price - While this hotel was slightly pricier than what I usually go for, upgrade and service made everything feel worth it. The value matched the experience. - Did Not Like - The concrete floors weren't my favorite--definitely not cozy, and I found myself keeping my shoes on most of the time. I really wish the room had slippers and a robe. Also, there's no microwave or fridge in the room, which could be inconvenient for some. - Noteworthy - The vibe of the hotel is energetic--if you're checking in during peak hours, expect a lively (read: loud) atmosphere due to the proximity to the restaurant. Also, the lighting is beautiful but not the best for doing makeup, just FYI for my makeup girlies out there - Recommend - Absolutely! Despite a few minor misses, the upgraded room, excellent service, the cleanliness, and convenient food options made this a fantastic stay. I'd definitely come back, but next time I'll bring my own slippers--and maybe a ring light! read more

My Grown & Sexy Ladies chose to have our Secret Santa at the Renaissance Harlem Restaurant. I must say our hosts Gziz and Corbyn took care of us like we were family. We had a great time eating and drinking. I had The Pan Seared flounder, Jollof Rice and Sauteed Spinach, Tish had the Grilled Codfish, Mashed Potatoes,spinach in Bearnaise Sauce and Diane had the Steakhash, Scrambled Egg & Hollandaise Sauce. The food was excellent and seasoned very well. They had this hot sauce that was saucinggg. The sangria was good with the extra gria our gurl was putting. The music was on point and the vibe was vibing. I recommend Renaissance Harlem for a brunch, lunch dinner and a gurlz day out.... We will definitely be back there read more

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This restaurant has incredible food and impeccable vibes. We ate here three times over the course of four days! The menu has just enough variety to keep it interesting but not an overwhelming amount of dishes. Their food always comes out hot, and tastes incredibly fresh. Their drinks are incredible and they have great deals on martinis certain days of the week. Everyone at Renaissance are kind and attentive. They are personable and make sure you have such a good time. On Saturdays and Sundays they have a live dj!! If not live music, always a great playlist. Really incredible at hosting people and very inviting! I recommend the kale Cesar salad, carré d'agneau, braised short ribs, organic hanger steak and the shrimp scampi!! But literally anything you choose will be delicious! Also their cappuccinos and lava cake are great! read more

Renaissance Bistro Harlem - Carre D'angeau - French Near Me - New York, New York

Walked in on a cold Saturday night around 11pm. The place was empty only two other patrons at the bar. They looked as if the waiter/bartender made sure they were having a good time (with nice strong drinks of course) & the music was GOOD! We were seated immediately with the very attentive waiter/bartender. Ordered drinks and food. Drinks were very good. Good came out rather quickly. Everything tased amazing. My friend raved about being happy we chose this location to eat for the night. (It was also bookmarked on my Yelp profile. I'm glad to have knocked it off the lists) I had the Salmon with mini vegetables. My friend had a steak. We also ordered sides that were great. We tried escargot for the first time. As per my video, it's not my thing. Ha!! I couldn't not stomach it. But I'm sure if you're into it, it's great because my friend ate it all. Would definitely visit again everything was great! read more

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Must say, the food and bottomless drinks here were great! Our waiter was very accommodating after having us wait over an hour for my $200 paid reservation to get enough space for 14 guests to sit together. I came for my birthday and had a great time! Minus the unavailability of seating for a large group. They had a dj and drinks flowing the whole time. It was a bit tight inside, but maybe when it's nicer out, it can feel more spacious with the outside seating! I'll def be back but with less people for sure! Highly recommend brunch here. Would def give 5 stars if it wasn't for the inconvenience. read more

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Good Vibes only, a Graduation/Birthday celebration was held @ this spot, it was an amazing experience. Our Gratitude and thanks go to Sadaf and Ivan. These two Individuals are exceptional professionals; they make the Magic real. The service they provided was 5-star, the food was delicious, the atmosphere was warm, and everything went well. The choice of music completed the ambiance. We will reserve this location again. Hats off to the Chef, read more

Ordered the panned seared sea-bass. The food here is extraordinary. The favors and aromas jump out at you. And every bite feels like heaven. My taste buds have never been so entertained since my food experience in Paris, France. This TEXAS FOODIE thanks you for such a wonderful experience in NY. read more

I love the vibe and the food!!! I recommend the cod fritters to start. The drinks and service is amazing!

Had an amazing time at brunch today. Got there a little early and was greeted warmly by staff. Decided to have a martini at the bar while waiting for the rest of party to arrive. The Kettel One Martini was perfect. We were a party of 5 and started with the calamari which was perfectly seasoned, fresh and crispy. I ordered the whole branzino which was wonderfully prepared, seasoned well which paired perfectly with the delicious joloff rice. The jollof rice is so flavorful here and will complement any dish you order. I tasted the seafood pasta ordered by my niece and it was delectable. Everyone was satisfied with their meal and I can see this place quickly becoming our favorite. Amazing food and drinks combined with superb service, what more can one ask for. These dishes are prepared with love.! read more

Renaissance Bistro Harlem - Ginger Martini with vodka..Kettel one dirty martini..Grilled Whole Fish Branzino.. Pan Seared Flounder .. Jollof Rice. - French Near Me - New York, New York

3.5 Rating Let's talk about having a good time on a budget. I am not a stranger to Harlem and it's happy hours however this place has never peeked my interest. I actually went her on a Wednesday evening based on the recommendation of a Tic Toc. The young lady who made the post stated this establishment offers ladies night on Wednesday and had happy hour "bundles". Well I have never heard such a thing ...so I went. I arrived on Wednesday around 6pm. There was a live dj playing old school R&B music. There were not many people but just about everyone that was there were women. It was a mature crowd and all look like a working crowd. Many had work bags in tow as if they legit came for after work happy hour. I will say the ambiance is not my taste. It looks old and outdated. Not a real vibe. Certainly not one of these IG spots. BUT the food and drinks truly make up for that. So part of the "bundle" is you get unlimited drinks for 90 minutes and 2 appetizers for $50. The drinks you can choice from are Rum Punch, White Sangria, and 3 varieties of martinis. The appetizers had several options to choice from. I opted for the white sangria. It did not taste like sangia nor look like it but what it was ....very freaking good. It was orange citrus base...with small pieces of oranges in it. It was nice and refreshing but after awhile you could feel the kick!!! The fact that the drinks are served in an 19 oz wine glass you do not need many. I had 2 drinks and was unable to finish the second. The appetizers were full size and were actually good. Between my friend and I we got the sliders, shrimp, wings, and fried dumplings. All appetizers came in portion of 4 except the sliders that were 2. While this is NOT a lit spot or even cute. For the prices and quality I would go back on a Wednesday. read more

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While in Harlem one evening, we decided to check out this restaurant I had bookmarked. It was alo convenient to book an OpenTable resy. The restaurant was smaller than I expected and narrow. They had outdoor seating, but it was warmer inside. We ordered the Short Ribs that came with mashed potatoes, the Steak and fries, and for the sides, we had the Labster Mac and cheese and the Brussels Sprouts. The Short Ribs were on point! This was definitely one of the best Short Ribs dishes I have had because everything culminated together to be an enjoyable, tasty, flavorful dish. The portion was great. The seasoning was done well through and through, and the meat just melted off the bone. Note in the picture the extra mash potato dollop on the side of the plate. I guess they forgot to wipe that off when they were doing the plating. Now, for the Brussels Sprouts, they were decent but a small side. The Lobster Mac and cheese left more to be desired. It was hard for me to find the Lobster, it was more like lobster bisque Mac and cheese. I did not eat the steak, but the fries were fries so good. I was told the steak was good also. read more

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Went for happy hour twice and disappointed both times. The whole experience unfortunately is just not there for me. It's not aesthetic, the happy hour food is not good and the drinks are just okay. Everything had entirely too much pepper in it with no balance in flavor. The Mac and cheese, sliders and wings are what we ordered. Service was fine no issue there.. just overall not a place I would frequent. read more

Renaissance Bistro Harlem - Happy hour menu - French Near Me - New York, New York

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Returning to this establishment years later on Sunday for brunch, I hoped time would grant it a second chance to charm me. And while the kitchen delivered moments of genuine delight, my experience was undeniably shaped--perhaps overshadowed--by the unwelcoming bartender. Upon arrival, my guest and I were met by a polished and kind waiter. As we were being seated we were met by a woman stationed behind the bar whose demeanor was, frankly, startlingly unpleasant. Her expression carried a sharpness that made us hesitate before even taking our seats. Though our server later balanced the atmosphere with warmth and professionalism, the bartender's persistent scowls and pointed glares were difficult to ignore. At times, her stare felt almost confrontational, casting an uncomfortable cloud over an otherwise enjoyable meal. Still, I did my best to redirect my attention toward the plate--and I'm glad I did. The bottomless mimosas were well-prepared and bright, an effervescent counterpoint to the tension in the room. The Eggs Benedict were the highlight: the Hollandaise--silky and seasoned with confidence--draped perfectly over delicately poached eggs. The accompanying potatoes arrived with a satisfying crisp and well-balanced seasoning. The French toast, on the other hand, presented a visual letdown. Its appearance bordered on uninspired, as though the kitchen had simply toasted two slices and sent them out. But looks proved deceiving; each bite revealed a pleasant contrast of buttery edges and a soft, tender interior that redeemed its unimpressive presentation. In the end, I would rate this restaurant a 7.5. The food has undeniable merit, but the front-of-house experience--particularly the first point of contact--desperately needs someone who reflects warmth rather than resentment. A more welcoming greeting would elevate the entire dining experience and allow the excellent dishes to shine without distraction. read more

I, in fact, have been back several times since this review and neglected to update it. Everyone has been super welcoming and warm. The food is consistent. read more

This is my happy hour /brunch spot. It is cozy enough to have a solo date or an intimate date. The food is always fresh and delicious. The service is nice but if you are in a rush communicate that in the beginning. A very relaxed environment but can get busy on the weekends. read more

The place was smaller than expected, but I loved the ambience. The food was AMAZING! Shoutout to Valentine the manager, for making sure our service was amazing. The music was good when we changed it. Overall, I'd return. read more

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Great food, service and ambiance. Had a beet salad added shrimp. Very fresh and lots of fresh beets. Would recommend! read more

Renaissance Bistro Harlem - Beet salad with shrimp added. - French Near Me - New York, New York

Not my vibe... Went with two of my coworkers on a Saturday afternoon, sat at the bar. It was smaller inside than it leads on to be from outside. The drinks were just ok, two for $18 martinis (three flavors). Anyways we didn't eat anything here because like I said we didn't like the vibes, & menu had no vegan options. Others seemed to be having a great time. By the time we were getting ready to leave to another spot we noticed this place was getting busy! We had our two drinks each & said bye to Renaissance. Something for everyone... Have Fun ! read more

Renaissance Bistro Harlem - Menu - French Near Me - New York, New York

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Came here for a holiday party. I also returned a few months later with a friend for dinner. The interior was festively decorated with pretty lights and colors. Our group was seated in a large booth. We had a 2 course menu to order from. For my appetizer, I chose the Chicken Dumplings. The filling also had spinach, ginger salad, and came with an irresistibly tasty soy ginger vinaigrette. The dumplings were lightly fried to a perfect crisp, and the filling was well seasoned with bold flavor. I also got to try the Carrot Ginger Soup, which was warm, hearty, and the carrot, as well as ginger taste shone through. I decided to try the Grilled Hanger Steak, which came with rosemary potatoes, pearl onions, carrots, and radishes. The steak was just okay, but pretty succulent. I had just gotten back from a trip to Brazil and Argentina, so I think in comparison, I wasn't impressed by the meat. I did enjoy the vegetable medley, especially the potatoes. Also tasted the Grilled Salmon with baby vegetables, served with lemongrass coconut sauce, and I preferred that entree. The salmon was wonderfully tender, flaky, and the accompanying sauce worked well. The second time I dined here, my friend and I shared the Truffle Fries. This was delightfully crunchy and real truffle taste. For my main course, I ordered the Rack of Lamb, which was served with potato gratin and spinach. There were only 2 Lamb Chops, but they were huge and thick. They were wonderfully tender, juicy, and full of savory yumminess. There were layers of tasty potatoes. The spinach was decent, but I'm not really a fan of this vegetable. I had a taste of my friend's Marinated Chicken and jollof rice. That jollof rice was irresistibly crispy and had plenty of aromatic spices throughout. Service was pretty good. It was a bit of a slow start, but the waitress was friendly and took care of our large group. The second visit, our waiter was really friendly and attentive. read more

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Came here with a reservation for a Saturday brunch with one other person. Lucky for us, we were able to find parking right near the facility. We were greeted upon entry and guided to our table inside the restaurant. The restaurant itself (inside) is not very big with several tables and a fully stocked bar. Outside was sort of a covered section with more tables than inside. We ordered the chicken and jollof rice, steak hash. Now, my sister ordered the chicken and jollof rice and was not happy with it. The chicken as a half grilled chicken, bare, no sauce, nothing, accompanied by a half cup of rice... that was it. But her disappointment came because via IG, that wasnt what was shown as the dish. The IG dish as a beautiful garlic herbed saw on top of the chicken, rice and salad. She informed our waitress and they provided her with some salad. Despite that....she didnt quite like the dish itself. Steak hash was good, steak was cooked medium as ordered, as was my eggs. We also order calamari and the redish sauce it came with was DEVINE!!! Oh, it was spicy, a real kicker, but was really good. We ordered the the rum punch for our first drink and then they brought out a carafe of rum punch. At first, we didnt "feel" it...but during the second drink...we felt it. Then we ordered mimosas to as part of our unlimited. the rum punch was better. Service was good, overall. Our waitress was attentive and curteous. Good time overall. read more

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My first visit to Harlem surprised me because I assumed the storied neighborhood would be fully gentrified, like Brooklyn. But no. Harlem is still majority African American and dotted with black owned businesses. It was a relief to see that this community has not been displaced and in fact has developed on a trajectory befitting of its rich African American roots. The Renaissance restaurant is a fine example of a Harlem business that is authentic, independent, and reflective of the community it serves. All that aside, the food and service is fantastic. The braised short ribs were perfect and the serving was generous, like a mother's love. The octopus appetizer was delicious. I would go back just for that. Warm atmosphere and warmer service with a family sensibility. Harlem is indeed reborn and when you dine at the Renaissance, you feel as though you're at the heart of its reawakening. read more

Renaissance Bistro Harlem - Braised short ribs. - French Near Me - New York, New York

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It's way too dark in there. They don't have backs on barstools. African restaurants overcook meat. And.....NO AIR CONDITIONING!!! read more

Food and drinks were delicious and service could not have been better! A few upgrades to the interior would make this little gem really shine read more

Renaissance Harlem has an old school feel to it. Not much decor, nothing fancy just basic table & chairs. I went there on Wednesday for Unlimited Ladies Night $50.00 for two appetizers and bottomless cocktails for 90 minutes. Valentine was our server but ,he seemed detached, not really attentive and although we said we came for ladies night he gave us the regular menu and suggested the Snapper with two sides. I reminded him what we're here for!and gave us a different menu.We sat at the bar and ordered wings , chicken dumplings and spring rolls. The spring rolls were cut in four small pieces food was mid. The sangria and rum punch are pre-made and served from a large plastic container and scooped out with the big spoon used at prom to serve punch. Later on during the evening Tommie the bartender came he was a breath of fresh air. The DJ played a good mix , we did a couple of sing alongs and left. read more

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Renaissance Bistro is definitely a Harlem gem! The vibes were on point perfect for a cute date night, girls night, or even brunch with friends. Right away, Chef Ali came out and made us feel so welcome, which really set the tone for the night. Our waiter Abdul was super attentive and made sure everything was running smoothly. The food did not disappoint. The appetizers were amazing the fried shrimp was honestly a must-order, easily a 9/10. The main courses were just as good, flavorful and beautifully plated. Drinks were decent, but the real win is the deals: they have happy hour from 12PM to 8PM with $10 drinks, plus Restaurant Week prix fixe menus that are such a steal for NYC. They also have live DJs during the week and brunch parties on the weekend, so it's more than just dinner it's an experience. I'll definitely be back! read more

What a great find. It's not your typical African restaurant, though the people who work there are African. It's got an incredible range of food from chicken and waffles to Moule Curry Coconut (that I had). Every one of the four of us loved the food. The Curry was perfectly spiced, and the menu choices outstanding. The staff is outstanding... and the manager... from Nigeria and his name is Valentine... was so incredible, that I'd go back just to see him again. Good selection of French wines... and the only defect is no African beer choices. (Tusker, please!) Maybe the tariff was too high. If you're sensitive to noise, it's better to sit outside. There's a nice enclosed outside area. Inside can get a little loud, and sometimes there is live music. Except for that, you'll love this place. We'll be back! read more

I literally have 0 complaints about this place! The food the drinks the staff..all AMAZING! We are already planning on coming back for dinner..we had brunch on a Sunday and everything was FANTASTIC! read more

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Yo, this place is fire! Renaissance in Harlem really came through with the food and the service. The decor isn't super fancy, but honestly, the vibe gave me all those old Harlem feels -- made me feel nostalgic, you know? Could've been a little bit nicer, but it didn't even matter because the ambiance still hits right. I went with the rib eye, and it was *chef's kiss * bellisima! So good. My friends got the tuna special and they loved it too. It's rare you go out and leave totally satisfied, but I definitely did here. I'm already planning to devour the Leftovers in the fridge -- that's how good it was.l read more

Finally got to check this place out. Went early evening on a Wednesday so it wasn't too busy. Decor is great, the outside is a bit deceiving as it looks dark but inside is totally different. Service was prompt and friendly. Ordered the fish special and the fish & chips. Both were great with the fish and chips as one of the best I've ever had. Not sure what type of fish was used....but the portion size was two huge filets and they were cooked perfectly with a crisp outside and juicy inside. French onion soups was also delicious with the right amount of cheese on top. The Carrot goners soup also good. Both were piping hot so be careful! I'd love to go back and try other things on the menu. read more

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