ABC Kitchen

o.m.g. Loudest restaurant ever. Fine if you're dining with someone you don't want t speak to

Awesome. Best. Crab toast.

My husband and I were fortunate to be able to spend Thanksgiving with a few of our grown children in New York city. On a recommendation, we went into the ABC Kitchen for a late dinner. We has a most splendid meal in a most unique and comfortable environment. The service was top rate and I enjoyed them all wearing flannel shirts and jeans. The food was among the best offerings we had ever been served. We all look forward to another special time in New York city to enjoy a meal together at the ABC Kitchen.

I've been to ABC a couple of times, and every time is the same thing: customers are kept waiting while more than half the tables are empty. I suppose this is done so they can pretend the restaurant is in more demand than it actually is, and generate some hype. Go figure... The restaurant is beautiful, and the food is good enough that they should have more confidence in their ability to attract a crowd without the pretense.

I have been to several of JGV's restaurants lately and honestly they have been hot and cold. While I really liked Mercer Kitchen, The Mark and Spice Market did not impress. I am hppy to report that ABC Kitchen is the real deal. Yes, it is a pain to get a reservation but once that is behind you it is all clear sailing from there. Start with the hamachi toast and or the crab toast. Both delicious. Move on to the tuna sashimi or any of the salads. For mains I really enjoyed the sea bass and lobster but was a little less thrilled with the salmon. I would have like to have tried one of the pastas as they looked terrific as well as more of the side vegies which excelled. The dessert was ok but can be overlooked when everything else hits the mark like it did. I even liked the atmosphere which is a little quirky but a nice change. With food like this I will tolerate the hassle of getting in.

Went for a late dinner one Saturday night a few weeks ago. The decor and atmosphere are terrific. The local, organic menu, recycled tables, and handmade dinnerware are all very impressive. The wait staff is helpful and considerate. Those are the only reasons I might consider giving them another shot at the food. The roasted beets and the spinach and quinoa salads were very tasty. The warm mozzarella appetizer was a complete waste to order. The sea bass was just weird, sitting in an oily broth and tasteless. The person who ordered the cod actually sent it back and ordered something else hoping that it would be less bland! Unfortunately for him, the lamb shank was only slightly less bland. The only happy person was the one who ordered the burger. Organic and locally grown does not mean unseasoned and tasteless, does it? On the bright side, I would definitely go back for drinks!

Delicious