Pangea

I was recently visiting a friend in east village, and I stumbled across pangea in my travels. I am not from New York, and am really only familiar with queens, so I picked a restarant at random when an equally clueless friend and I wanted dinner. I was skeptical at first, so I ordered the safest thing on the menu, which was the burger, and a cesar salad. When I bit into my burger I was delighted by a crispy roll, piping hot, juicy burger, and perfectly melted cheese, all for about 10 dollars. This place had one of the best burgers I have ever tasted, and the restarant was lovely and quaint as well.

I have lived in East Village my entire life, and I remember Pangea since its grand opening about twenty years ago. I have tried most of the things on their menu, but they keep surprising me with their new specials. The interior of the place changes every season and is never boring. If I host any visitors from my family, I often take them out for dinner to Pangea to show them what a nice New York restaurant looks like. I have been introduced to the owner long time ago, and they keep treating me there like I am their most valuable customer. I have seen a lot of places in the neighborhood, and I liked the food in most of them, but at this restaurant my experience often goes beyond just a tasty meal. Great decor, warm and cozy atmosphere, friendliness of the staff are just some of the important things that constantly make me willing to pay another visit to Pangea. I must say, I am in my sixties, and I am not a frequent user of the Internet. In fact, it’s my first such review of a restaurant, and I am here, because Pangea always leaves exceptional impression and I’d like it to stay that way. I recommend checking it out and I will be glad if other people will find my review useful.

I had never heard anything about this spot. I had no problems with service, contrary to the other reviews. Nothing special, but no problems. I had to post because it was the best burger I have ever had. Ground Sirloin makes all the difference. Order it rare with Gorgonzola and Bacon. Totally money.

A place I had always walked by but never went in, and I doubt I will ever go here again, except perhaps to sit at the bar which looked very inviting. I'm thinking there was overdrive in the kitchen, because it all took way too long. Place wasn't even that crowded but the food took a straight 1hr 56min to arrive in full, we clocked it. This is totally unacceptable, even with a belated apology from the waiter (after the first course and we had no choice but to wait it out). The first courses we ordered didn't even need to be cooked (goat cheese salad and gazpacho) but it still took an hour to arrive. The gazpacho was all right, the salad boring, and nothing at all was presented well. It was all kind of just piled on. Presentation is important to me, so Pangea's dinner compositions almost made me cry. The samosas were awful - deep fried with a bland dressing and not a hint of anything to counter the taste. My friend, I think to spite the waiter because of the samosas, asked him for ketchup, and proceeded to angrily drown them in Heinz and take baby bites from them - proclaiming dramatically - "That's better. Kind of." My apple, arugula+ cheese salad, while being the best tasting thing for either of us that evening, should have taken ten minuted to prepare but took an HOUR AND A HALF!? Avoid all the wine except for the Cotes du Rhone which was the only half decent by the glass on the menu. Pangea was one of those really guilty experiences where we looked at the check afterwards and hit ourselves for not cooking the same exact %&$# at home for a quarter the price. Only plus is the atmosphere. It's the kind of place I could sit at all day and read or work at a table if only I didn't have to buy any of their sordid offerings. Unfortunately, life in New York doesn't work like that.

Another great Village find...cool place to meet up with friends for a drink or 2 and some good, inexpensive food. The brunch is great, and for $12 w/ either a bloody Mary or mimosa it's a deal.

My wife and I go often after a long day at work. We unwind with a great wine and food that's full flavored with none of the hype. Our favorites..Thai salmon , arugula salad and a burger thats really really good. It's so reliable and the staff is really friendly. AND it's affordable!

The food is mediocre at best. The wait staff is inexperienced. Clearly a result of bad management. I won't be back and do not recommend.