Soda Club — Restaurant in New York

Finally got to try Soda Club - went for my birthday and my daughter's birthday -- 5 people total and trust me it did not dissappoint on any level - so much so, that I went back later in the week with just my husband. Now hear me out because I definitely dont think its just the fresh pasta and sauces talking but if it is... I gladly invite you to test it out for yourself. On both occasions, we were greeted respectfully and seated immediately and our server was helpful rearding our menu questions as well as offering suggestions. The first night was on the weekend and it was very busy however we never felt slighted, overlooked or rushed through our meal. That night we tried 2 apps Arancini and the Herbed Ricotta both I highly recommend. We had all but 1 pasta (CAPPELETTI) that night and each one was Madone CHEFS KISS. Now don't worry we had the one that got away on the follow up visit and it was AMAZING - I could sip the broth all day every day and never tire and the cappeletti it was little pillowy and creamy delight. In honor of our Birthdays, we tried ALL of the deserts - each one being a vegan dream and each of the attendies agreeing they were all great but honestly we all had different faves. Mine being the cannoli, my daughters who generally shy away from anything date, LOVED the date cake and my husband and friend sided with the tiramisu - which I will admit while it wasnt my fave I contemplated licking the plate clean but chose modesty in my old age. However, I say if you go - try em all, believe me - you wont reget a bite. I also want to take special note of the Manager, Katie - she was a delight, very welcoming and engaging with my teen age and 20 year old daughters and when she overheard it was our birthdays she gladly delivered our tiramisu with a candle along side the other treats - which was a nice and welcome gesture. When my husband and I returned later in the week, she recognized us and nicely welcomed us back. She introduced us to our server explained how we were returnees and engaged in polite conversation then wished us happy eating before exiting to welcome other diners when they arrived. She has an ease and attentiveness about her that creates an atmosphere where if we are the only people in the establisment (2nd visit) or the hundredth+ table to be seated (1st night) you feel seen, appreciated and in for a great dining experience. There are very few places that I go to where I immediately feel welcomed, at ease and have the priveledge of being fed deliciously - part being my attempts at being/eating vegan in non vegan establishments over the years and the other being a myriad of things - generally service and atmosphere HOWEVER I can genuinely say Soda Club NYC delivers on all aspects of Taste, Service and Atmoshpere and is well...

Came here for my girlfriend's bday, and for that specific purpose the experience was fine. We did 2 pasta tastings that came out to 200$ and while a one-off visit for a special occasion was just fine, I wanted to share some details about the experience:

Service: it took a while for the first waiter to get to the table, but once they did, several waiters would stop by often so that was nice. For the price and fame though, there are some details that I feel need to be hashed out to be on par with the cost. You're waiter probably should not describe a wine to you as 'crazy' for starters. They will bring you a stack of small plates, napkins, and silverware and leave them on the table as such. So be prepared to set your own place. The waters were brought in 2 different types of glasses. And we asked to have our plates changed after each course so as not to mix flavors since it is, after all, a tasting. Something I would have thought would be done automatically. We also tried a few wines as the first one was not great, and the waiter asked us to down each glass so he could refill it with a different wine. I personally didn't care but if you're a wine snob who came to a wine bar, you may not be too pleased. The courses were brought out at a good pace.

Food: food was good. Not great, not bad, but good. Your mind will not be blown, unless you love truffle in which case you will get your fill. My biggest issue was the portion size. For 200$, you get 1 of each pasta entree to share, brought out 2 at a time. Each entree was, for me, almost laughably small. Meaning that if you order a la carte, be prepared to leave hungry or order enough plates to leave satisfied, at which point you might as well do the tasting. I dont eat much, so just think that with the tasting you are downing 3 entire entrees by yourself. I did, and left just full enough to not be hungry anymore. One plate is literally 5 small ravioli, so keep that in mind when considering how much you're paying for it.

Atmosphere: this was the best part and really set the bar for the expectations on the food and service. Its a beautiful place. My only point here is that if you happen to be sat at one of the tables along the wall opposite the bar, your dining experience will include leaning in towards that wall every time a server or guest walks by (which is often), or you can not do this and have your elbow knocked around constantly while you eat.

Overall, I guess this restaurant reminds me why I left NY for good 8 months ago (I'm just visiting now). The price to quality ratio just doesn't make sense here (both NY and this restaurant), and I guess by the rating of this restaurant a lot of NYers have just accepted it. I won't be coming back to soda club, it was a fine experience but just too expensive for...

What a great night and a spectacularly great meal! While the place was bustling, even though we arrived early, we were promptly seated by the hostess, briefly asked about allergies and such, and introduced to our waiter offering us menu’s. After giving us what felt like was enough, though comfortably prompt time to browse it, the wine steward introduced himself and asked if we, given what we decided on to eat, had decided on wine. Both of us this evening were intent on a red. They were unfortunately out of my first choice (the Italian Cesanese Del Piglio), though he immediately recommended a wonderful, similar alternative of the same year- a just as complex and delicious Kosmas ‘Kokkineli’ Greek specialty. Perfect! As appetizers we began with a Focaccia side for the table (no one will miss the anchovies in this miso bagna cauda substitute!), both of us decided on the Arugula and Radicchio salad. So tasty! And while she was initially wary of the sweet potato in the mix (until now, she wasn’t exactly a fan), the way they were roasted and served as supportive underlying semi-crisp chips, complimented the dressing and other ingredients brilliantly. For entree’s, she decided on the Ravioli and I the Tagliatelle. We sampled one another’s and both of us agreed, they were clearly among the tastiest we’ve ever encountered. My primary reason for the Tagliatelle was because I love Broccoli Rabe, a key ingredient here. Never have I found it more strategically and inventively used. There’s still that lovely, subtle note of green bitterness present; though combined with the lemon nori butter, capers, and (who’d have thunk it!) celery root, somehow with the pasta it happily tasted like something I never experienced before. Absolutely delicious! For dessert we shared the Date Cake with vanilla ice cream, which was equally exceptional. My only criticism is that I wish the dinning area was better lit. From looking at the dishes when they were served, I could somewhat tell that the care, and the attention to detail that went into the stunning presentation of everything was on par with the taste. I just wish I could’ve had the opportunity to appreciated it more! At this point, as what’s become a holiday tradition, my Vegan friend and I have been sharing a meal before she visits her Mum in Wales for Christmas for some years now. We’ve tried many Manhattan vegan restaurants and while many were great, at least as far as the meal itself was concerned, all more or less had their shortcomings. Not here. Highly...