Republic has excellent food, is centrally located right on Union Square NW, is perfect for a mixed crowd of vegetarians and carnivores, etc. However, to enjoy this restaurant it is imperative that... More

Republic has excellent food, is centrally located right on Union Square NW, is perfect for a mixed crowd of vegetarians and carnivores, etc. However, to enjoy this restaurant it is imperative that you go at the right time. Dinner? Forget it, unless you're going early. Weekends? No way. Basically, any possibility of rush hour and you should stay away -- the place gets incredibly loud, inconveniently crowded and obnoxiously scene. Banquet-style long tables and backless benches end up putting you uncomfortably close to neighboring strangers and serve up an inescapable eyeful of butt cleavage from surrounding benches. When the place is full, service is spotty and when the wait staff do show you can barely hear each other over the din... Despite all these factors, Republic remains one of my favorite restaurants -- the trick is to go during the off-hours. The place is a ghosttown for late weekday lunches -- our company often goes there for afternoon business meetings. Staff are more attentive, food comes almost instantly, there are no volume issues, and the banquet/communal setup doesn't matter when you have plenty of space. The food is wonderful -- heaping bowls of noodles, spices, meats... a relatively small menu but yet something for everyone. I know it seems ridiculous to recommend a restaurant for only off-hours, but the food really is incredible, and if you can avoid the crowds, Republic is still well worth a visit.
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I like the food here, and especially the limeade. It's cheap, it's fast, and all sorts o good things. Unfortunately, in the style of style it also has the most uncomfortable seating (tables can be... More

I like the food here, and especially the limeade. It's cheap, it's fast, and all sorts o good things. Unfortunately, in the style of style it also has the most uncomfortable seating (tables can be communcal, which I don't tend to mind at other restaurants) both physically and logistically of anywhere I've ever been. And the accoustics are terrible. Only eat here if you don't want to hear what your dining companions are nattering on about.
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Well, maybe I do. It is very cheap compared to other restaurants in Union Square (like Union Square Cafe or Blue Water Grill). Place looks trendy. You can usually get a seat even if you had to... More

Well, maybe I do. It is very cheap compared to other restaurants in Union Square (like Union Square Cafe or Blue Water Grill). Place looks trendy. You can usually get a seat even if you had to wait. But I did not enjoy the food at all! (They serve mostly noodles.) And would never recommend this restaurant. There are so many good restaurants out there, it is not worth wasting your time and money (even if it is only ten bucks) on food like this! It is just nothing special...
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The food is Good and the price is right, but this place is so loud it hurts. And it's not just loud, it has terrible acoustics, so you can't even hear the people you're dining with. Additionally,... More

The food is Good and the price is right, but this place is so loud it hurts. And it's not just loud, it has terrible acoustics, so you can't even hear the people you're dining with. Additionally, the tables are quasi-communal, which is a concept that works in places that aren't New York, but just causes people to glare at the people eating near them in New York. The service is chaotic and rushed. Which is all a shame, as this could be a very nice place to eat.
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