The Breslin Bar & Dining Room

My wife and I decided to try this restaurant in our neighborhood some six months after it opened, hoping the crowds would have subsided. What we found was indeed a lovely space about half full of quite diners. Our adorable waitress was quite knowledgeable, she answered every question we had about the menu and guided us toward a speck tart with Italian cheese and this seafood sausage we kept hearing about. We finished with the veal stew and the trout--both were presented with obvious care and the veal stew was particularly inventive. And I was excited to see radishes as a side, which we also ordered. All in all a great experience and we will definitely be back on quieter nights.

I had certainly never heard of Seafood Sausage before visiting The Breslin on a surprisingly relaxed Friday night. Our waitress suggested the appetizer among a few others when we were floundering a bit with several unfamiliar menu options--and it was amazing! Served with a burr blanc and some micro greens the sausage has the appropriate sausage snap when you bite into it, made from lobster, shrimp, bass and scallops it tastes like summer and heaven all at once and I can't wait to have it again. We followed the sausage with Mussels and The Lamb Burger cooked medium, which were also delicious delicious. If you order the Mussels I suggest dipping the chips in the broth. The service had a relaxed demeanor but was attentive and very friendly. Everyone seemed to be excited about the food and eager to talk about the menu; we never wanted for anything. We finished the meal with a chocolate tart which may sound boring but in fact sends a stream of endorphins surging through your brain with each bite. Ecstasy.

On a positive note, the well appointed room is easy to be in, the staff is friendly and welcoming. I ordered the Lamb Burger. That's where the fun ended. Undercooked, fatty, a chore to eat, it seemed less like meat and more like raw lamb fat. The unpleasant lamb fat aftertaste lingered and was way below the standards I know the chefs are capable of. The few slices of onion and insipid cheese were no help at all. Neither was a mustard butter that tried in vain to elevate the overly salted chips. Said overly heavy dose of salt has long been a problem in the Spotted Pig, the reason I stopped eating there. What could have helped the burger was more cooking, but that didn't seem to be an option. I was wishing I had sent it back, but ate the darn thing anyway. The check came, printed on it was a "suggestion" of the appropriate tip, an outrageous offense. Any place that claims to be sophisticated and cool doesn't need that sort of petty, low down nonsense. I think the servers took over on that one. Too bad. Bye Bye Breslin.

After reading great reviews, we ventured out into the pouring rain to try their brunch. When all was said and done though, we were highly disappointed and will likely not return. To begin, the wait was almost an hour for Saturday brunch. There were clearly a number of empty tables available, but the hostess told us that the kitchen requested she refrain from seating people because they were overwhelmed. After finally sitting down (the wait was longer than the time we were quoted), our experience continued to go down hill. When I ordered the English Breakfast, the waitress let me know that the plate didn't include toast. Of course I thought! Why would a $21 plate consisting of only eggs, bacon, and sausage not include toast?! My girlfriend on the other hand ordered $14 pumpkin pancakes that not only didn't resemble a hint of pumpkin flavor, but were also delivered as three miniature pancakes. Nothing about our dish’s flavor or size earned the high price tag that came with them. Which brings me to the service. It's as if our waitress didn't even know that we were sitting at one of her tables. She was missing from most of our meal, didn't refill our drinks, and failed to acknowledge the recently seated couple sitting next to us. All in all, the restaurant is a cool space, but that doesn't excuse management and staff from delivering good service, reasonably priced dishes, and seating in a timely manner. Don’t get me wrong, I’m willing to spend the $ if the restaurant delivers great service and food. There are so many great options for brunch in the city. Don’t waste your time on this one.

I've been wanting to try brunch at the Breslin for a while now; it has gotten such great press. I went a few weeks ago, but the wait was too long and we were too hungry! I finally got my chance today, and boy was I excited! The place was packed, and thus a bit noisy, but not too bad. Our waitress was very sweet (and beautiful!), and made a few recommendations when I asked her what was awesome. I took her up on the grilled three cheese and ham sandwich. Unfortunately, the sandwich was very salty...seriously, like a salt lick! I love salt, but this was just too too much. No one came to check to see how we were enjoying the meal. My brother and sister-in-law finished their meals (poached egg with curried lentils, baked egg with tomato), which they felt tasted okay but defintely weren't delicious. Our waitress was replaced by a waiter, who asked if I would like the remainder wrapped to go. I told him I had a problem with the salt level and found it inedible. He just cleared the plate. He didn't say a word, not "I'm sorry", not "can I get you something else?", not "let me take care of it for you", and not "let me tell the chef". He just brought the check. I won't be returning.

I loved the menu...everything sounded delicious! However, when my pregnant friend asked for her skirt steak to be cooked medium well, they refused saying they would only cook it medium, which she couldn't have because of the pink inside. When I asked for a Caesar salad with the dressing on the side, they refused. I happen to not like a lot of dressing and I just wanted it on the side so I could pour it myself. They refused saying they would only serve it to me already tossed in the salad. Then I tried to order a side of two eggs scrambled and wanted them cooked well done. They refused saying they only cook them one way. I mean, how hard is it to keep it in the pan one minute longer? Wet eggs are gross to me, I wanted them well done. Not an odd request. Nope, refused. Apparently their eggs have integrity! So in the end we ordered a few things that we weren't really excited about and got some pizza about an hour later somewhere else. Really disappointing. So much potential but that type of attitude, especially in NYC, is really unacceptable.

Im from London...and have lived in NY for many years. Went here for Brunch. Unlike the rest of New York I am not in love with the spotted pig with its spotty and snooty service, but I thought I would give this Hot Spot a try..Wow 28 USD for ONE sausage, egg and bacon..really? OMG one would think that we were in the first nuclear winter and these ingredients were not abundant. Look..i'm all for quality ingredients...so dont get me wrong, but what do these pigs eat that justifies $28? Caviar? Do they reside at the Mandarin Oriental? Jeez. Please....if you go here, dont let it put you off visitng the UK. The price for a similar breakfast at Smiths of Smithfield in London is like 12 bucks, its easier to get a table and the service is better.