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definitely a hipster spot to hang... if that is your thing. it is definitely not mine. definitely yuppie central, again not my thing. the food is okay, the service is fantastic, and the decor and comfort level is lame and non existent. the place is not inviting or cozy. this place is trying way too hard to be something they're not in a neighborhood that isn't. LAME.

for one... the neighborhood is washington heights, not wahi like the new yuppies in the neighborhood like to call it. for 2, the food is good. the atmosphere is good also if you're looking for a hipster place to hang. if you like a good burger, this is okay, as well as jesse's and anywhere else in the hood, however, this place will leave you burping up that taste for hours... it's okay. there is a bartnder named abrahm who is great though. all i got...

It has all the trappings of a modern, bougie, cute little neighborhood restaurant -- but doesn't quite deliver. I went there for brunch a couple of times. Your standard UWS-ish brunch fare, packaged up in a standard UWS-ish brunch price, but sadly, the food doesn't taste as good as it looks. Some items (e.g. oatmeal) were overpriced. Given a choice, I'd rather go to the UWS for a better tasting brunch for a similar price.

My first experience late one night was quite delightful. A quick drink and appetizer. Took a friend for dinner a few weeks later; the fish prepared with a pepper crust and wasabi sauce was beyond overkill. My friend sent it back, I chose to keep mine and what a mistake that was. The presentation on plain white rice with a miniscule amount of arugala was pathetic. My dinner mate explained that she wanted something that was tasty with less "fire". So the waitress suggested the fingerling potatoes and they were so salty you could not eat them. The little pork burgers were mediocre. To add insult to the meal, charging 12 dollars for a DonJulio on the rocks is absurd. i placed two calls to the owner and of course no one returned either call. Wshsington Heighs deserves a good restaurant but this isn't it.

If you live in the Heights you know it is harder to find a good restaurant here than a lump of moon rock. That's why I had rock bottom expectations when I went to 181 Cabrini. On top of I did not like the name and the menu seemed confusing. But then I tried the food which considering we are in the Heights, blew me away. I thought with Hispaniola closed, the only real quality joint left was New Leaf. But there one has to deal with snooty waiters, long waits and very high prices. The Hanger Steak melted in my mouth and my wife's order, the Burger was unusually flavorful. I did not try the dessert but the after dinner coffee was great. Our waitress had a smile that seemed genuine and even when I accidentally broke a wine goblet, no one seemed to flinch. The decor has a modern metalglass IKEA touch to it but I kind of prefer that to the dungeony feel of some of its nearby rivals like Emilou and Jesse's Place. The food of course is head and shoulders above these joints. In the end my only complaints are about the name (which I can overlook) and the presentation/organization of menu (which they can fix). If my ratings seem high, remember this is Washington Heights. You'd have to travel 60 blocks south before you can hope to encounter comparable quality. To the owners: Thank you, don't let your standards slide and for the love of God, get someone to re-design the menu.

This place could be so much better! The chef needs to define a definite cuisine, stick with it and improve upon it: fried brussel sprouts, strange macaroni and cheese with peppers, and chicken wings with blueberry sauce just is not appetizing. Also, as noted in an earlier review, the wine pours are stingy. I guess I will stick with Bleu or Jessies until this place improves.

Though we miss Karrot, the health food store that once occupied this space, we ADORE 181 Cabrini. What a welcome arrival to the neighborhood! Have been here for dinners & brunches… the food is fresh & fabulous, the service friendly & attentive. Everything we’ve ordered here has been great so can’t really think of any standout dishes – maybe the sliders, panini, Chicken Zanny, burgers, salads & all the brunch offerings. Love the mini muffins that come w/ brunch. The interior is a bit sleek but it feels cozier than it looks, plus the original art is way way cool. Granted, it’s not dirt-cheap – the brunch is $13, includes 2 bevs – but how exciting it is to have a neighborhood restaurant where you get tasty food in a regular amount of time (Emilous’ & Jesse’s delivery is nice but last time we checked, eating-in service was so slow there you needed a huge chunk of time to devote to your meal). The hubby comes by some mornings to pick up breakfast, it seems like a chill place to hang for breakfast. Haven’t been here as a bar/drinking destination yet, though I chilled here pre-dinner once & was delighted that they had bowls of rice crackers out to snack on that night, ahh the little things! I do hear previous reviewers re: changing menu, I quite like the menu but it’s not super-extensive (& it doesn’t have some of the earlier stuff my husband liked initially). I dig how this is kind of place where community bulletins are posted. I think any new eatery is going to have to work out some kinks but I think owner James (who’s very friendly btw) is doing marvelously… 181 has already established itself as a strong & welcome addition to us!