After much anticipation, we finally got to this much buzzed about restaurant, only 2 blocks from our apartment. We arrived to the clubby and cool spot right on time, and were promptly seated...only to be moved moments later because ""the table was taken"". We were moved to the ""loser table"". You know, the table they leave for people who don't know better. We, however, are not a couple duds. We'd rather leave than be stuck in the table right next to the bar, eating 20 dollar cervice off of someone else's butt 2 inches from our face. So we decided to leave. As neighbors, we were a bit insulted at their readiness to stick us at the sucka table. After being bribed with free drinks, we decided to stay. Note to everyone...if you are ready to leave, leave. Don't let them convince you to stay...So we stay only to be served ""sucka food."" You know, the food they give to people who they think don't know better. Bad tapas, in which the menu said ""crabmeat"" which was clearly ""fake crab meat"". Then our food came...A 2 oz. piece of Chilean sea bass and a piece of raw meat...Sucka food. So we got the sucka table, sucka food, and then had to pay. As I paid my bill, they actually took my chair away from me! Before I left, they took my chair! I can't believe I paid at all...guess I am a sucka. Stay away. The Mermaid Inn is still the absolute best retaurant in the E. Village.
Pros: Good bar
Cons: Thinks it is WAY better than it actaully is.
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