Bin 141 — Restaurant in New York

As a disclaimer: this is my first time ever leaving a review for a restaurant. I have never felt compelled to leave a negative review for any business because I don't believe in needlessly negatively affecting a business' reputation, but Bin 141 really is quite the exception.

For NYU Restaurant Week (restaurants around NYC sign up to give promotional discounts to NYU students), a group of friends and I came to this restaurant. As soon as we walked in, the host and owner was clearly upset at us for some reason -- perhaps the fact we were all Asian upset him? We still do not know why he was so blatantly and obviously annoyed at us specifically. We were simply waved off to an empty table and not given menus, water, or bread -- which was provided to every other party, including other parties of students.

Without having provided us menus, the owner came up to us and flatly asked "what do you want" and we had to order by looking online for dish options. The pastas took extremely long to arrive, and clearly not because the chef was taking extra time to serve high quality, top caliber food (refer to the attached image, you could not make this up.) The pasta was under cooked, under seasoned, and the mozzarella had not even begun to melt.

Because the pasta came so late, my friend was unable to finish hers because she was in a rush to get to class. She approached the owner, who was one of the only employees working, and asked if she could get it to go. He rudely said "I told you we don't do to-go," and when my friend explained she had not had a chance to eat because the food was delayed, he snatched the dish out of her hand and flippantly said "then don't pay for it." As a warm send-off, the owner said to us, "you are the reason why I will never do student discounts again." As if this promotional deal was not something he had quite consciously chosen to sign up for as a strategy to increase foot traffic and revenue for his business (NYU has 50,000+ hungry and budget-conscious students) he blamed a customer for his reason to "stop providing student discounts."

Maybe if you are not a student, don't come in a party of 2+ people, or don't have a schedule to meet, you might have a positive...

This is my first time leaving a review for a restaurant but, because of the bad experience here, I felt I had to share. My friend and I ordered the beyond burger, the salmon nicoise salad, and the penne alla vodka. Upon taking one bite of the penne, we knew something wasn't right. It was bitter and sour so, of course, we stopped eating it. As we were extremely hungry, we ate the other dishes, though the salmon was obviously from the depths of a freezer.

When it came time to pay, we told someone (potentially the owner or manager) that there was something wrong with the penne and because we didn't eat it we wanted to know if there was anyway it could be taken off our bill. We asked in a very polite, fairly timid, way and his reaction was to respond by yelling at us. He claimed that we ordered too much food, so it's not his fault we couldn't finish the pasta and he made it himself so nothing could've been wrong with it. I calmly told him that there was a sour taste to it and, apparently, that was really the wrong thing to say because he POPPED OFF. He yelled that it was perfectly fine and we couldn't send it back and he made it just for us so we had to pay for it.

What I find interesting about this situation, aside from a grown man feeling the need to yell at two 25 year old girls, is that as neither of the two people who tried the pasta, this man assumed it was great because he made it. Didn't try it. Just made it. I hope for his sake that whatever ingredient he used in this penne that's completely spoiled gets found before he has to yell at even more customers.

My friend and I left this restaurant still extremely hungry, but also very nauseous from the food we did eat. Between the bad food and the somehow even worse service, I couldn't recommend this place less. Additionally, you can tell how bad this place is by how defensively the owner responds to any negative comment....

This restaurant is truly a hidden gem in the East Village! From the moment you step in, you’re greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. Chef Rafik Bouzgarrou and his team have created something special—an incredible fusion of fresh, organic, and flavorful dishes that cater to all tastes.

The menu is well-curated, offering everything from delicious seafood and expertly grilled meats to fantastic vegetarian and vegan options. The Beyond Burger is hands down the best I’ve ever had, cooked to perfection and packed with flavor. The daily vegan soup specials and homemade pastries, including vegan cakes and croissants, are an absolute treat.

Beyond the food, what makes Bin 141 stand out is the exceptional service. The staff is friendly, attentive, and passionate about what they do, ensuring every guest has a top-notch experience. Whether you're stopping by for brunch, lunch, or dinner, the ambiance and carefully crafted menu make it a perfect spot for any occasion.

Bin 141 is a must-visit for anyone looking for high-quality, well-priced food in NYC. Chef Rafik and his team have mastered the balance of taste, presentation, and hospitality. I can’t...