Hav & Mar — Restaurant in New York

Oh! My! Gosh! It was unexpectedly FANTASTIC! Why?

Because of the reviews I read. Let that be a lesson not to believe everything you read! Period!

My guests even commented on how much they enjoyed the food and how the portions were "perfect" for them. I had not shared how previous reviewers complained about the portions being too small.

Of course, most of us have become accustomed to massive portions - enough to bring home. That may be the problem.

On the way there, one of my guests commented that he did read about other customers complaining about prices, "... but they have to pay that rent! Prices in the grocery stores have gone up exponentially..."

"Oh yeah! That's just regular pricing then!..."

"Good point!"

The prices in Costco have increased so much, it makes me talk to myself OUT LOUD 😂 Thank goodness I still wear my face mask, so that people can't see my lips move... maybe they can hear me 🙃 but I digress...

We started the FABULOUS bread basket. So wonderful!

We did NOT wait long AT ALL for our entrees as other commenters have complained about. We were just getting into our DELICIOUS breads with exquisite dipping sauces when our plates arrived. PERFECT timing!

I had the striped bass, and vegetables that had enough cilantro to make me want to drop a tear because I LOVE cilantro! It's enough where I can actually taste it, rather than be teased by it. The veggies were also kissed with lemon. LOVE at first taste! Also loved that crispy skin on the bass.

The bass was not seasoned, but I really appreciated that due to the other flavors on my plate. The thickness and texture of that bass makes me want to run to Chinatown and get a few pounds for myself!

The spicy sauce that the fish & veggies were served in is spicy - upon first bite. The spicy seemed to disappear as I ate... of course I LOVE spicy, too.

One of my other guests received her plate and exclaimed that the red snapper portion was perfect for her, and perfectly spicy.

My other guest had the lamb meatballs - only two - but stated the portion was perfect for him, as well, and did not want anything else, as I encouraged him to order.

One guest and I ordered mocktails. We both enjoyed ours. So thankful it wasn't flooded with sugar.

Neither one of my guests wanted dessert, which is probably why I have a ghost of a waistline, and they don't. Never liked cheesecake, so I indulged in the chocolate cake... OH! MY! GOSH! TO! DIE! FOR! Not even I could finish it, and I tried! It is rich with varying flavors of chocolate/cocoa.

It's now 2:35 am, and I'm STILL full!

My guests had nothing but praise for them, also, and we are ALL foodies, and excellent cooks, with different and similar cooking styles (Scratch Cooks, spelt flour & keto users, fresh raised doughnut maker (guilty 😄), etc., and we ALL agree that the food, atmosphere and space was WONDERFULLY AWESOME experience! I WILL eat there alone, one night.

Our waiter was precious. We appreciated him, wholeheartedly! PLEASE tip your waitstaff, and be kind. They work heck of hard having to deal with different energies and egos. Maybe that's the problem with negative reviews/comments; negative energies and egos. Hmm... I've learned the hard way that one cannot prepare GOOD food & enjoy it with a bad/negative attitude. Better to order out on those days 😉

I simply don't understand the negative reviews. Thank goodness there's tons more positive positive reviews/comments than negative.

Bring a jacket! We got there when they first opened. As the evening wore on, it got very crowded. On a Tuesday night? Wow! What does that tell ya?! And it's a huge space. Due to the crowd, it wasn't as cold, but still cold enough to give all three of us chills.

Good company. Excellent food, beautiful space and atmosphere, what the heck more could one ask for? We had a PERFECT night!

All the way home, and long into the night, from our perspective homes, we continue to talk about how magical our experience there was.

What a wonderful business for a husband and wife. I pray...

Fantastic experience!!! As someone who watches cooking shows during mealtime, my daughter and I were fortunate to reserve a table kitchen side. What a treat to observe the timing, coordination and efficiency as the staff prepared and expedited these delicious creations. It was akin to viewing a well choreographed dance.

Our very attentive server Shania started us off on the right foot. She was extremely knowledgeable and was able to answer all of our questions, as well as properly query us, to aid in our decision making.

We selected the Hamachi Black Ceviche and Swediopian for openers. For our entries we opted for the Addis York and the Corn Wrapped Snapper.  For the finale we went with the Chocolate Twilight. To get things going for drinks the Skal Skal and the Aquavit grapefruit, dill and habanero highball sounded interesting. Having never tried Ethiopian cuisine Shania's guidance proved very beneficial.

But how did it taste? TERRIFIC. Everything from the cocktails to the sweet finale was on point.  Preperations were timed perfectly so that we could share each dish and as we finished one the other was right behind. The flavors were balanced the textures unique and our palate was well rewarded.  Our water glasses never went below half full or empty depending upon your perspective! Even the lavatories were carefully monitored. The towel supply was getting low yet as I exited the restroom waiting outside was a staff member with a new bundle ready to go.

The highlight of the evening was the opportunity to meet Fariyal Abdullahi the executive chef. She was incredibly gracious. She took her time as we discussed her background, the cuisine and life in general.  She even went so far as to introduce us to her beverage director Rafa Garcia Febles who explained how they come up with some of their creations. For example they try to utilize everything. Even the avocado pit which typically would be discarded is used in one of his masterpieces.

After spending considerable time with us, Fariyal returned to the kitchen. We shared a very delicious Chocolate Twilight while commenting how incredible this experience was. But it wasn't over. No sooner had we laid down our spoons and Fariyal returned carrying something. She was accompanied this time by her head baker Farheen Jafarey. Fariyal introduced us and like everyone we encountered Farheen was kind, pleasant and extremely knowledgeable. She lovingly described the dessert Fariyal had just shared in great detail, as well as suggesting a method of attack in order to fully appreciate the complexity of the levels of flavor. After another enlightening conversation with our new friends we said thank you to our hosts and ate yet one more delicious item.

Great meals are created by passionate people. I hope I have been able to convey how incredible our food was by not only telling you but by sharing how passionate everyone at Hav and Mar is about...

I've been wanting to hit up this spot for awhile and was trying to not set unrealistic expectations when I got to try it... and I'm sorry to say I was disappointed. I think it started with the fact that there wasn't a hostess or anyone to greet us when we arrived. We approached the bar to be told someone would be with us. And then we were seated at the bar, even though we were a party of 2 and it wasn't crowded. Maybe because it was later in the evening? Because of the shape of the bar, it actually makes it difficult for the bartender/ server to see you when your on one side, so it took a bit to even get drinks...I enjoyed the peach habenero aquavit (like a flavored gin) It was sweet and spicy.

I was expecting food bursting with unfamiliar spices and textures, but it seemed just lack luster and mundane. We ordered the bread basket, tartar, uni paté, and the branzino with a side of zucchini blossoms.

The cornbread was supposed to be a can't miss, but it was very dry and not noteworthy. The biscuit was the star of the basket. The uni path felt like it was missing something, either a crunch or some type of salty flavor. The bread is served on is similar to a soft sponge cake. I really liked the flavor of the branzino, but was put off by the presentation... a slight resemblance to the contents of a baby diaper. The accompanying pancakes and fermented sides were good, minus the green beans, they desperately needed seasoning/salt.

When the meal came- because of sitting at the bar we kept hanging to spread our plates further and further out, I'm not sure what would have happened if it was crowded. One of the servers literally brought the tartar over and just set it down without an "excuse me" or taking the other plates out of the way. It felt like she was doing a chore rather than service.

Am I sad it was a let down? Yes. The photos, reviews and pictures of the restaurant really gave me high hopes. It goes to show that every person can have a different experience at the same place..maybe ill give it another try if they have a menu change or noteworthy event. But, sorry Hav & Mar I'm gonna have to swipe...