Met up with friends here for dinner before a show near Washington square. It wasn't super crowded…read morewhen we arrived around 6pm (maybe due to the extreme cold that day) but started filling up gradually. I loved the ambiance and decor, very cozy. As for food, there were some true hits but most of the food was good but basic. The highlights for me were the wild mushrooms & rice cakes as well as the Caesar salad - loved the use of nori in the salad and would definitely come back for the mushrooms. The chicken cutlet and chicken dumplings were fine but I probably wouldn't order them again. The wait staff weren't super attentive nor super warm, but they were efficient when we asked for water refills, etc. There was ample standing room at the bar while we waited for our friends, but the table/booth that we sat at was super narrow, I was knocking knees with my friend all night and generally felt squished.

Dear Strangers? Yes, they certainly treat you like one! This place is not good. They seemed…read moreunprepared to handle restaurant week. There weren't enough servers to handle the crowd and that was reflective in our dinner service. Despite being checked in on 0 times and having to flag them down for water, to order, and to get our check, their attitude wasn't warm or accommodating at all. It even came off like we were bothering our server when asking for basic things. The food was subpar. Didn't try the drinks. Maybe that's the savior? -Tuna tartare acceptable; nothing to write home about -Chicken dumplings tasted like chicken but had no bite to it. Weird and served on paper that resembled a crumpled receipt or used tissue. -Chicken cutlet was warm and soggy. No truffle flavor as advertised on the menu. Some creativity points for the accompanying foam dip but it didn't work. -Beef short rib was tasty but the single potato that come with it felt insulting and cheap. Really? One potato? -Pecan pie dessert and sorbet were really good. Sad way to finish, only enjoying the final course. Ambiance was good. Floors were super slippery because they were tiled on a snowy day. They should warn their guests about that. Lots of work to be done here and I will not be around to see it through!

3 stars for the drink, ambience and price point. Was not impressed by the decor - very plain 50s…read morebut without the quality finishes. 1 additional star for the walk down from an unmarked door. Only went for drinks - was seated on such a tiny table that we were practically in each other's lap. Small stools and not comfortable. My drink was "numb nuts" - sweet, like honey and not so strong either. I was looking for a bourbon based drink - this is the closest I got

Cute speakeasy in flatiron. Came on a Wednesday night and there was a decent crowd…read more Very chic & great vibes. The snack pack was delicious (manzanilla olives, wagyu bologna croquettes, frites, & chef's choice cheese + meats)

I really enjoyed Mace, for both the drinks and the food menu…read more They're known for their cocktails, but I wasn't adventurous on this visit so I stuck to an old fashioned, which was very good. Their signatures all sound interesting, I already know I'll have to come back and try some on a future visit. In terms of food, the tuna tartare was very good! The tuna tasted fresh and the seasoning was more than a citrus overload, it had some balance to the flavor. The corn cheese with chips was a bit on the salty side, but still hit the spot with how creamy and hearty it was. And their take on chicken satay was the best dish (not pictured; I ate it too fast), really great blend of flavors that made me wish for more than two skewers. I definitely recommend Mace for an upscale outing with nice food and great cocktails.

My friends and I stopped by Mace for a quick drink and we were pleasantly surprised. The decor and…read morethe ambience of the restaurant is really nice. When you first walk in the host greeted us and we were seated right away. We ordered a Caesar salad, a fruit plate and a few drinks. For drinks we got two Habanero and a Rose. The drinks were good definitely a 8.5 out of 10. If you have a gluten allergy one thing to consider is that they don't really have that many gluten free options. Def a place to good place to pregame because the drinks are good. Overall 8 out of 10 experience.

This place was on my to visit list for a friend and was one of the few places I was able to get a…read morereservation. The day arrived and we were seated quickly at the time of our reservations. We had two rounds consisting of: Shiso Nice, Downtown Lassi, Soft Launch and speciality OF. Everything was delicious, unique, balanced and very much a delight. The staff was helpful with their recommendations, tending to the table, etc. The kitchen was closed so I have nothing additional to add there. It was a very lovely time and an enjoyable space. Highly recommend!

Analogue is a really cool space with a laid-back but intentional vibe--definitely feels curated…read morewithout trying too hard. The room itself is stylish and comfortable, making it an easy place to settle in for a drink or two. The bourbon selection is where things really shine. There are some genuinely interesting pours on the menu, including a few dusties you don't see every day, which is always a treat for whiskey nerds. Staff seemed knowledgeable and happy to talk through options, which adds to the experience. That said, pours are priced very much in line with NYC expectations--not shocking for the city, but something to be aware of if you're planning to explore the higher-end bottles. You're paying for access and atmosphere as much as what's in the glass. Overall, a great stop for bourbon lovers looking for something a little different, especially if you appreciate rare bottles and a cool setting. Just go in knowing it's a splurge-worthy spot rather than an everyday pour.

Update: the owner got back to us and let us know that the server involved in this incident no…read morelonger works there. I appreciate that they took the complaint seriously and handled the follow-up thoughtfully and professionally. ---- Wanted to like this place, but unfortunately one server managed to turn the entire night into an unnecessarily hostile experience. For context: we were a group of Asian girls just trying to have a chill night out. We were never rude, never yelling, never trying to get out of paying for anything. In fact, we DID pay for the cocktail we didn't enjoy - the one that was personally recommended to us as "their favorite on the menu." What caught us off guard was that the instant reaction to hearing we didn't like it was: "You still have to pay for it." Nobody even suggested otherwise. Things just kept getting weirder from there. We were told to "stand in a corner" while waiting for a table. One of the glasses at our table was visibly dusty and took around 20 minutes to replace. At the end of the night, we spent ~15 minutes trying to flag someone down so we could pay and get our receipt for reimbursement. Since nobody was coming by, we stood near the entrance waiting for a server to come out, only to immediately get hit with: "Are you leaving without paying?" When we asked for the receipt, we were told "did you press the button?" on the POS machine... except there literally was no button. At this point the music was extremely loud, so yes, we had to speak up to communicate. Somehow this was interpreted as aggression from our side. What really crossed the line was when the server started cursing at us and telling us to "back the f*** off" while we were asking for their name / a manager because we would like to be treated fairly. We were not in their personal space, not touching anyone, not causing a scene. Another server actually stepped in and tried to de-escalate the situation, which was very much appreciated. I fully understand table service is stressful, especially at busy bars. But this went way beyond normal stress or attitude. It genuinely made us feel unsafe and uncomfortable, and honestly left a worse taste than the cocktail itself. Also, if this truly was the only server working with no manager around (as we were told, despite visibly seeing other staff working), then that's a serious operational issue. No customer should be put in a situation where there's nobody available to professionally handle conflict resolution. The place itself is okay. But this experience alone was enough that I wouldn't feel comfortable recommending it to anyone unless they have a humiliation kink.

Ended up at Beltane for a last minute drinks date on Valentines weekend. The place was busy, but…read morenot too crowded (though the tables were a bit close together along the wall). I'm a fun person, so I got the Honey Bear. It came in this adorable cup (reminded me of the Starbucks bear cup, and obviously the honey). Drinks were solid, vibe was dim lighting and intimate. Would recommend trying this spot!

Been here a few times now and each time I like it more and more. Their HH is one of the best I've…read morebeen to in the city that actually has good drink options on the HH menu. Cocktails are $8 on HH!!! I really like the prickly pear marg - super yummy and not too sweet. The space itself is a bit tight on the bar side, but if you go to the other side (with tables), it's a bit more spacious. Service is a bit slow on the table side. Service on the bar side is a lot quicker if you sit at the bar. The bartenders are very attentive even when the bar at the time was full. For food - I've only tried the charcuterie board and chips there so far. NOTE: they do not have fries here! Both the charcuterie and chips are good there and decently priced, so I think they're good to get when you get drinks here to have something small to munch on. Definitely going to be one of my go-to spots for HH now!

They have great happy hour deals with cocktails for $8. I got the Midori Sour and Pornstar Martini…read more Servers were attentive. It can get loud in there. I wish there were more food options.

Went to a private event at Shy Shy, a cocktail bar on 8th Avenue in Chelsea and entire bar was…read moreclosed for the event. The bar is a good size, with a long and narrow layout. There is some seating at the front facing the street, a long marble bar, high-top tables opposite the bar, and standard tables toward the back. The design feels modern and polished, with warm lighting, muted colors, gold accents, and an overall upscale atmosphere. For the event, they were serving a Dirty Martini and a Lavender Haze. I tried the Lavender Haze, which was enjoyable and refreshing, made with lemon vodka, violet aperitif, and lavender cordial. The staff was friendly and efficient, keeping drinks flowing throughout the evening. Cocktails are around $19, which is fairly typical for the area. The menu includes some creative martini options, and there is also a food menu featuring mostly lighter fare, although no food was served during the event. I would recommend Shy Shy for drinks with friends, a date night, or as the starting point for a night out in Chelsea. The space is stylish, the cocktails are well made, and the service was good.

11 out of 10 I…read morehosted a private event in the Golden Room at Shy Shy on Friday, March 27th and truly, it could not have been more perfect. From the moment we arrived, everything felt seamless. The space itself is gorgeous. Elevated without feeling stuffy. It's the kind of place that instantly made me smile and sets the tone for a fun night. The food, music, and overall vibe were spot on. Every detail was handled with care, and the energy throughout the night was amazing (highly recommend booking on a Friday if you can!). The cocktails and mocktails were yummy, beautifully presented. Also, was just so nice to have your own space on a weekend, downtown, for a birthday party. Marissa, Sophie and the entire team there made the planning process so smooth. They were responsive, accommodating, and made everything feel effortless from start to finish. You can tell the events team here really knows what they're doing.

We celebrated my cousin's 30th birthday at Jac's on Bond, and his wife rented the private room in…read morethe back for the party. For a group event, it worked out really well. The private space felt separate enough from the main restaurant to allow everyone to relax, mingle, and enjoy the celebration without feeling cramped. The staff did a great job taking care of our group, and service throughout the evening was friendly and attentive. The catered food was also well done. There was a nice variety of options for the group, and the cheese board was particularly impressive--beautifully presented and a great centerpiece for guests to snack on while socializing. The only downside for me came when it was time to leave. The main restaurant and bar area were absolutely packed, and making our way through the crowds was a bit overwhelming. That's more a reflection of how popular the place is on a Saturday night than anything else, but it did reinforce that it's probably not somewhere I'd choose to visit during peak hours for a regular night out. That said, for a private event, the space was excellent. Between the dedicated room, the food, and the attentive service, they did a great job hosting the celebration, and I'd definitely recommend it for a special occasion.

Oh Jac, this is my love letter to you…read more I love: - your martinis - your night vibes - your music choice - and everyone here is so nice For going out with friends it on a date, this is the place to stop by! Pro tip! If you're looking to sit, you have to have a res. If not, stop by early since they close at midnight