LunÀtico — Restaurant in New York

Before you read on, I have been inspired by this bar to tell you that you just read this review in compete silence so that you can let the review wash over you and you can enter a higher form of your true self. Lunatico encourages silence during the performances which I gladly helped to enforce by giving a friendly but stern glare to anyone who dared make an utterance.

What can I say... I entered this bar as a regular eel and came out as an electric eel. As a tourist to New York with an 18 month old I was about as fried as a possum hanging on a wire (this is a good time to tell you I'm Australian). But Lunatico... You brought me back to life.

The two times I went here I was rejuvenated and refreshed and felt like my spirit was cleansed of the day to day harsh reality of being on a subway for 50 mins with a toddler. Side note, I'm so sorry to the two young ladies on the subway that she demanded milk from.

Lunatico reminds me of the days of olde where you could go to a bar and stare at the guy who has his eyes closed clearly lost in the music or possibly just asleep, or even possibly got something in his eye from some bizzare cooking incident at pre drinks and therefore must keep his eyes closed at all times for the evening... What I'm trying to say is this is a bar where you can be there instead of on your phone.

The staff are so cool that I dared not make eye contact with them because I didn't want to appear dominating. But when they ducked down and smiled and patted me on the head I felt reassured and like I was back in the womb.

Before I leave you I must let you know that I tried a lovely non alcoholic orange beverage that really knocked my socks off. I tried to find them again upon leaving the venue but alas they were goneth.

Lunatico, oh how I loved thee and wish thou existed in Melbourneth. Thou has my heart now and forever. When I return to my beloved home town I will shout the name Lunatico from thy rooftops for all Melbournites to hear.

Be still my beating...

Update: After having been here a few times I think this place is a toss up. Certain food and drinks have either been really good (risotto, pesto with focaccia, rum drink) or really bad (chicken dish, anything mezcal). Food took 45 minutes to come with no forwarning last time. Given how small the place is, not sure why it always takes so long. Band is always great no matter which day of the week. But going here requires too much energy - there are ALWAYS issues in getting seated, even if you arrive well in advance of the first set. The food is delayed significantly. I’d explore more drinks/food but some are just plain bad I regret spending money on them. Service is just not it either. I have to grab someone to order every time I’ve been there. I’m not sure this place is worth my time anymore.

Old review; This place is a neighborhood treasure….if you can ever get in. Have been here a few times, have also been turned away due to capacity.

The good: The vibe and atmosphere is just so…beautiful. The bands they bring in are phenomenal. I hated their mezcal drinks but really liked the rum cocktail. For apps, I liked the beans but the winner was the focaccia with the pesto dip - the most delicious spread I’ve ever had!

The bad: Either show up 1.5 hours before the first set or be prepared to wait an hour in line with a 50/50 chance of getting inside. I’m so grateful to have seen the bands I did but the waiting has gotten really old really quick. People are almost like competing with one another to sneak inside and it feels very hunger games-y. Once you’re seated (if you’re lucky), you do have a good time but I’m just too old to be spending so much energy and time just for the chance at seeing live music. I’m not sure if there’s a solution for this but would love to be able to frequent this place more.

Service was honestly really really slow given how small the place is. Found it a...

Live music bars are dime a dozen in New York City and when you think of the best ones you automatically think it has to be in The Village or Tribeca. So when my friend invited me out to Brooklyn for a “live music bar” I did not know what I was signing up for. Walking up to it, it does give off the vibe of a place you wouldn’t revisit, so why visit it the first time, right? The maître d had a French accent and the staff welcomes you with a very intimate vibe. Something you didn’t know you missed in Manhattan until you go here. We ordered drinks and dinner and continued our conversations. The restaurant was well lit and the ambiance gave a sense of upbeat and fun. The music was yet to start in another hour so we had plenty of time to kill with our conversations.

Hummus might be a New York staple dip. Almost every place that can have it, has it on their menu. And needless to say, I think I’ve gotten it every place that has to offer it. Here, however, there’s a house spice they put in it, that is unavailable everywhere else I’ve tried. It is the best I’ve ever had. Braised short rib was perfectly cooked and delicious as well.

Now, I’m a gin fanatic. I’ve had many Gin drinks from some from world’s top ranked gin distilleries. This is only to say that all my taste buds were immediately a fan of their “Mrs Robinson”. A simple, cocktail of gin, honey, and lemon. An artist once said, I don’t do new things, I just do the same things a little differently. LunÀtico changed regular gin with rishi earl grey tea-infused monopolowa gin. And I have to tell you, you NEED to try this drink. Of course, now you can try it in the comfort of your apartment but then you would be missing out of the beautiful live music, the incredible decor that accentuates the beauty of being in another country. A little bit of Croatia in the depth...