Chez Nick — Restaurant in New York

I have had it with this place. I do want to like it. It's convenient after Asphalt Green and some other places we frequent. It's nice enough with outdoor seating that's great. However, the experience has just been poor one time after another. No one thing is so earth shattering, but after a few times, you realize, it's not worth it. For example, they once ridiculously asked us for reservations when the place was empty and wouldn't seat us inside. The brunch menu is small, I personally don't want many things on it, but that's personal preference), the Buffalo chicken sandwich is a complete mess to eat (ordered it a second time once forgetting how messy the first time and said never again). The food comes with add ons that are not on the menu, which is very frustrating (e.g., burger comes with a Russian dressing/thousand island type of dressing and toppings not on the menu). Son's food came with toppings he hated also not on the menu. We just wish we knew in advance. I will probably come again when forced to from circumstances (which is what happened today), but I am literally writing this review from my table waiting for the check after another frustrating experience. I'm sure others love it, and I'm not trying to say others shouldn't. Just expressing my views, and I'm not someone who writes many reviews. BTW, waiter was very nice. When he acknowledged the issue about the burger, he was very apologetic and tried to make things right after the fact. I didn't take him up on it but appreciated his trying to do something.

Edit: BTW, burger was also two patties. Would have been nice to...

i tried really hard to spin a positive... but honestly was just very disappointed in the food. granted, i have high expectations for food. but plenty of restaurants leave me feeling very satisfied-- I'm not hard to please.

that being said, the waiter we had was great-- very friendly and helpful with giving recommendations. and the execution of each dish was clean.

but it was overall a big letdown:

the brussel sprouts tasted distinctly of hot cheetos (without the heat). maybe we just got a weird batch. but i don't know why people are raving about it. super odd flavor and way too salty. the special of the day, halibut, was bland. we could tell the quality was there, but it was very odd to see a beautiful, bright green sauce and then find out it tasted like nothing. the goat cheese pasta had good lemon flavor (nothing mind-blowing), and was $20-something for literally SIX pieces. we expected more for what we were paying, but it was so little food-- even for an appetizer. the cauliflower was pretty good and probably the most unique dish we've had in a while. flavors were pretty subtle, again, and while i don't regret trying it, it didn't impress us.

I'm sure, having seen some of the other reviews, that other people have been/can be pleased with the food here. but we were extremely disappointed... and paying $100 for 4 small, mediocre dishes is a hard pill for me to swallow.

3 stars because they didn't do anything wrong, it was just...

Cool neighborhood spot with really good food and service that was on point. Their outdoor seating is really nice as well.

Had their restaurant week menu and one dish on the regular menu. The crab cakes.

Our bartender Laura was really sweet and knew her liquor. Had a couple or their cocktails as well.

Endless Summer tequila, watermelon, st. germain, spiced agave, lime

Likely Tequil 'Ya herradura silver, crème de violette, lavender, lime, lemon. This was a nice summer drink.

Crispy Jonah Crab Cake with Pimento cheese, pickled green tomato relish. When you layer all this up together it's a solid crab cake.

Lemongrass Pork Steak with garlic fried rice, savoy cabbage, brown butter & thai chili vinaigrette, fried egg.

This was really good.. pork was cooked really well.

Restaurant Week Menu Items:

Shrimp Tostadas marinated shrimp, smashed avocado, crispy tortilla. Didnt need the jalapeno on top. Personally would have preferred the shrimp marinade to be a little more sharp. The shrimp was cooked perfectly.

Pan Roasted Hudson Valley Steelhead Trout brown butter corn, sherry braised cippolinis, chimichurri, cauliflower puree. This was wow! The fish was perfectly seared and the cauliflower puree was perfect pairing.

Banana Cream Pudding vanilla cookies, cocoa nibs, caramelized banana. This was really deelish!

Chocolate Mousse with crème fraiche bavarois. Was really good as well without being too rich or over sweet .

Definitely...