Bar Laika by e-flux — Restaurant in New York

After passing this restaurant daily for the last few months since they opened, we finally made it inside two nights ago — food is phenomenal! I say as the daughter of a classically French trained chef - much of what they are cooking here is masterful.

The flavors are so delicate and precise and well balanced, and often times completely new to the palate. This isn’t any good new restaurant, it’s really something different and special — in an enjoyable way.

Not to mention the prices are insanely low for what they are giving you — $9 for a brilliant entree made with the finest quality ingredients you can buy from local farmers & purveyors....their current prices can’t last long — I recommend going soon before they realize they will need to raise the prices!

Don’t let the way the menu items are written scare you off because they make it seem like the dishes are going to be exotic and “weird” i.e. not that enjoyable — this what had scared my partner and I off until the other night, along with the bizarre name.

Oh and I almost forgot — the space is stunning with no detail overlooked nor a corner cut in the finishing quality. It’s a joy to be there, especially sitting by the windows facing their lovely backyard.

We will definitely be going...

I had a very uncomfortable experience here. While the bar was fairly quiet, a bartender (late 20s, curly hair) suddenly moved my purse from an empty chair at one of several empty tables beside me. Assuming it was a mistake, I quickly told him it was my bag and placed it back so it wouldn’t get dirty. He then aggressively grabbed it again, and when I asked him not to move it, he flung my belongings onto our table with our drinks.

At one point he stood over me in silence for minutes, which felt intimidating, before accusing me of being “disrespectful all night, even though this was our first interaction. His behavior was rude, unprofessional, and targeted. I left in tears around midnight, which is not how anyone should feel after a night out.

I rarely leave reviews, but this incident was upsetting. I hope management addresses it before it drives customers away or damages the bar’s reputation. For what it’s worth, my friend recorded most of the interaction because the aggression was so bizarre...

Have been wanting to come here for years. This is the worst service experience i’ve had in this city. Maybe it’s not the waitstaffs fault….but does not excuse the fact that staff will lock eyes with you and then go to text someone. Why are they washes dishes out in the open? I am busy and do not have time to watch staff nonchalantly and gingerly tiptoe around with absolutely no sense of urgency. You don’t need to be sweating but moving quick is a part of the job. By the time I could finally leave, I realize I could have gone to Brighton and back for half of the price and for better treatment.

Hire more people so staff is...