CZEN Restaurant — Restaurant in New York

I'm disappointed at my experience here. Reservations made online. You actually need a credit card to book and there is a charge if you're a no-show or arrive more than 15 minutes late. So our party of 5 made sure to arrive, on time. The hostess informs us the booking system is wrong (well hello fix it), and we cannot be accommodated before 4 pm. Something about the kitchen is doing the changeover between brunch and dinner.. I love how she very "politely" directed us to wait outside for a table to be ready. Naturally I wasn't pleased. I'm threatened with a $25 per person fee to show up and all I get is the system is "wrong" when I show up on time. As you'd imagine I went back inside promptly at 4 pm. We very awkwardly waited at the door while they had a table cleaned for us. Again for a place that threatens you with a charge I expect much better. Whatever we were finally seated at 4:10 pm. Still not so bad, considering we had 3:45 reservations. Our waitress was very bubbly and pleasant. We were able to order everything right away (party of 5 with two young children and a teenager). We didn't come for good looks or to be part of the crowd, we came with kids and expected to just eat. I noticed our waitress was serving tables outside and then we waited quite a while to get our drinks. I mentioned her other tables because I feel like she forgot us at times. When the drinks arrived it was obvious they had been sitting there for a while. With two young children, minimally I'm expecting out appetizers and the kids food (tenders and fries). An hour after sitting I flagged down the hostess and asked for an update. The waitress then comes and says the hostess was supposed to explain to us there was going to be a wait for the food, mentioning the transitional period in the kitchen. What the actual hell. Even if this was brought to our attention (which it clearly wasn't) how is it acceptable to wait an hour for a piece of food. I made it clear to the waitress that was not acceptable (like it would make a difference). I came with kids, I came to eat. Not to vibes and lime. Maybe they should tell families this isn't a suitable place for Sunday dinner? Then the food came...in stages. Our waitress did make an effort to bring food as it came out so there was no sense of order. Wings came out without the fries. Tenders and fries was the last thing to reach the table. And on top of that...who are these people saying the food was amazing?? NO IT WAS NOT. It was edible, but really not that good. Mediocre at best. $300 later, overcooked unflavored lobster tail, shrimp dumplings with the filling being offensive, dried and unseasoned chicken wings and hello how do you violate something as sacred as fried planatain. Wish things turned out better. The best part, the cocktails were nice and strongly mixed. Maybe I'd consider just drinks...

Czen by far exceeded my entire parties’ expectations! For a little back story—I came from Orlando, Florida to spend my cousins birthday (Brooklyn Natives’) with them. In doing so, I planned a surprise birthday dinner for them that was originally scheduled for Suede. After coming into contact with Suede and realizing their restaurant had poor customer service, we decided to spend our money elsewhere. I literally had less than an hour to figure it all out and send different the mass text message to let other family and friends know about the location change. I came across Czen on google. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous at the beginning as we have a bunch of picky eaters including myself who only follows a pescatarian diet. I decided to give it a try, I called Czen and the hostess was so welcoming! She didn’t have an attitude (Suede hostess did) and she was eager to help us out. She put me on a brief hold to (what I guess) to have been confirm with management that they were able to seat a large group.

We had reservations at 8:00pm and we arrived about 8:08pm. Among entering, we noticed our table was already set up including the tables put together and menus awaiting. The precautionary measures placed was thoughtful and efficient! We applied hand sanitizer to our hands and did our temperature check. We were seated and greeted immediately. I didn’t get to catch our waiters name (young black King, skinny, short haircut, he had on a red button down at the time) but he was great! He took our drink orders and when asked which alcoholic beverage was the best, he reassured me about the Wakanda drink, the other members of my group purchased other alcoholic beverages. He was very knowledgeable. He even brought us cups of water (without us asking) and asked us if we preferred plastic utensils or regular ones. (GREAT!)

We were a party of 13 in total. Some of us had to sit across the way from us due to health regulations which we understood. Plastic barriers were in place to separate us from the table next to us (had someone came to sit there).

The menu was versatile to fit everyone in the group. I got the Honey Garlic Shrimp with plantains and rice and beans and it was AMAZINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. BRUH! (Sorry, the Florida is coming out lol) was SOOOOOOO GOOD. I promise you I have never had shrimp that fire in my life. My best friend got the Berry Jerk Shrimp and my God . WOW! Others ordered oxtail and various other things.

The food was amazing, drinks amazing, and service amazing.

Restrooms were clean! The ambience and music of the place was so calming, welcoming and seriously, one that I have to visit again when I return to the city.

Thank you to all who were involved in making this experience and my cousins birthday memorable.

God Bless you...

I went on Aug. 13, the area is old industrial, ave H by Albany where the old Pathmark was... E 44th if I'm not mistaken. The Decor is amazing I liked the handmade upside down umbrellas on the ceiling and various statuettes. I know most of my reviews are positive, it takes some real messed up stuff for a total poor review. The sister wit all blk on long fur lashes had an attitude tho...kept rolling her eyes from the moment i walked in wit my date...I saw it, it was tacky and unnecessary...I usually will not spend my money in places with poor attitude workers. I really want to give her the benefit of the doubt but I seen it at least 14 times getting eye contact and her cutting her eyes like two ginsu knives chopping up onions... I had to ask the bartender if he was in the doghouse. I wasn't sure if they were dating or just co-workers or whatever. I'm not implying anything but I did ask him because she had such a negative energy. I only ordered the salmon Croquettes and the tempura fish cakes... The tempura fish cakes..... They know they messed up on that. Maybe nobody orders them or they made a quick batch up... It was not great at all. I take no points off for that though.... The salmon croquettes... I'm popping my collar right now cuz I can make better 😁, but they were damn good 👍🏾...nah fr tho they were really good. The drinks were very strong...but I couldn't mess wit the dusse, johnny blk drink I think it needed a lil something to cut it.... I believe the bartender was just making me a very strong drink and hooking me up but it did taste a little mediciney..... I say give them a go...give them a shot and even if it's not the greatest, the first time, try a second time maybe on a Friday night or ask when they're busy Night is to see if they can add a star to the review you...