Friend Of A Farmer

What is going on? You would think that the service would be impeccable at a good restaurant, one that puts so much attention on the food and the decor. I asked for the salmon without any sauce. It came with the sauce. As the waiter put it down, I commented that it wasn't supposed to have sauce. He said, ""Well, would you like us to start over and cook it without the sauce?"" Give me a break. You're the one that screwed up, not me. The waitress came up all apologetic, but that was it. Of course I'm not going to send it back because I'm with other people, but come on. The manager didn't come over, no offer for coffee or dessert. I hate when fresh fish is covered in sauce, especially when I don't know the restaurant. Still, I gave her 20 percent. I blame it on the management. They need to step it up and train their staff. There are too many other great restaurants in NYC. Pros: Food is good Cons: Service appears to not be trained like they should more

You can't beat a roaring fire in winter?so it's a treat to find that in this pretty farmhouse-style eatery. Unfortunately, the warm fire was not matched by warm and gracious service. more

a "default" restaurant; old fashioned American cooking, Terry Alan Chicken is my fav-->think chicken, apple... more

a "default" restaurant; old fashioned American cooking, Terry Alan Chicken is my fav-->think chicken, apple stuffing, fresh orange sauce, and vermo... more

a "default" restaurant; old fashioned American cooking, Terry Alan Chicken is my fav-->think chicken, apple stuffing, fresh orange sauce, and vermo... more

I had heard mixed reviews of this restaurant, and I ended up being pleasantly surprised. I went there for lunch, and both my friend and I were very pleased with our meals. There were a lot of salad offerings, and the salmon salad ended up having a very generous portion of fish. The quiche also came in a substantial portion, and was served with fresh fruit salad on the side which was a nice touch. My only disappointment in terms of the food was the cheese on the quiche - it seemed very average, and based on the other menu items, I was expecting more of an artisan-type cheese, something that stood out. There was nothing wrong with it, it was just bland. The service was maybe a little on the slow side of average, but the waitperson was friendly about it and because it was a social get-together we were happy enough to have a leisurely lunch. I would be a little concerned about this if it was a business lunch where I had to keep to a strict time schedule. The country decor is a bit over the top, but because it's relatively unusual in NYC, I enjoyed it just because it's different. Pros: Cute decor, friendly service, menu variety Cons: Very small size, somewhat slow (but not offensively so) service more

On this recent Sunday afternoon, the restaurant wasn't really very busy. Which made it all the more annoying when the service turned out to be slow, indifferent, inattentive and uncaring. Pros: Ambience a step up from a coffee shop Cons: Poor service, food nothing special. more

I was at Friend of a Farmer the other day and my review is terribly mixed. We were a group of three and elected to sit outside. Rather than putting two two-tops together to make seating for three, all of us were put at a two person table. That would not have been so bad if our third wasn't made to sit on the sidewalk. I should mention that we were the only people out there at the time. There was no reason for it. When we moved our table a few inches toward the restaurant, so our third could avoid getting wet during a passing shower, we were told that that space needed to be clear for when another diner came. Since there are seven other tables out there, none of which were occupied, I thought that was a little weird, and very rude. Obviously, if there were other people there waiting for a table, we would slide back over, assuming that the shower let up. Pros: Nice location, interior is okay Cons: The food is pretty terrible more

The ambience is nice but the service is not great. When we got to the restaurant, it was not too busy. We ordered as soon as we were seated. We then had to wait over 45 minutes for our food. No one apologized for the delay and the waitress didn't bother to ask us if we wanted another drink. The food was mediocore - the fish had less salt and the meatloaf was so-so. more

The Brunch Natsi!!! With the other negative reviews I found on CitySearch and the experience I had this afternoon, I think I?ve discovered New York?s very own Brunch Natsi. This manager/host always barks at you when waiting to be seated. I?ve been there four times, and each time he draws a line on the sidewalk in chalk to represent the front of the line and tells you not to pass it unless he calls you. For some reason, people put up with this (including me until today). But today, he went too far. He actually told us we were sitting at the table too long. All in all, we were at the table for about an hour and 15 mins. Not only was he out of line for asking us to leave when he did, but he also did it very rudely. Further before he even came by, after only 30 minutes the bus-boy was trying to take my girlfriends food away when she still had nearly half left. I?m convinced that the bus-boy was instructed by the Natsi to take plates away whenever he can. Pros: The portions are very small, the serivce very rude. Cons: See Pros more

I like country settings, farmhouses, and old fashioned food. However, when you mix that with ambivalent service and steak that tastes like leather, well, you get the idea. Eggs were poached correctly, crabcakes were good (I like them crab-ier and less potato-ey), and waiters were reasonably accomodating when we sent steak back that was done rare as opposed to medium. But as with most of the places near and around Union Square, it's finished with the quality that up-and-comers strive to give and they're content to rest on their laurels, relying on the atmosphere to keep a high draw. There are plenty of other places that you can keep a soft spot for. Pros: Fireplace, wood, weathered tables Cons: Lines, steak, cramped tables more

Ive been here many times for brunch which is always great and recently went with my friends for dinner. more

Friend of a Farmer is a religious experience - my favorite brunch on the East Side. Everything from the friendly service to the toasty cornbread with homemade chunky applesauce to the outer-worldly eggs Benedict contribute to an overall stellar dining experience. Even the bathroom is adorable. I've never felt more at home in a restaurant, and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for total bliss. Pros: Great everything Cons: Wait time more

Friend of a farmer takes metropolitan, chic New York and turns it upside down. This charming, little restaurant is located in Irving Place in a little nook of a restaurant. The decor is rustic farmer-esque (as the name suggests) and food is equally simple yet excellently prepared. For a lazy, hazy, countryside out of New York experience, head to Friend of a Farmer. BTW, service is excellent and they have decently priced wines. more

It's the holidays and we made a group reservation. Unfortunately two individuals could not make it at the last minute. The manager found this inexcusable and was extremely rude. He is arrogant and does not mind raising his voice to the customers. He has the ability to ruin one's day without trying. I DO NOT RECOMMEND this place as you'll end up walking out anyway with your day ruined. more

Food is good although not great by NYC standards. The manager is incredibly rude and was not the least bit accomodating. Do not go with a large party! Pros: good food Cons: horrible service, rude manager more

Why do you have to wait for brunch in NY? Yes the food is good but overpriced. I prefer grabbing dinner here as the lines on the weekends coupled with the prices don't add up to what you get. Maybe in the summertime where you can sit outside but otherwise forget it. more

It was a lovely evening so my boyfriend and I decided to check out this cute little restaurant on Irving and take advantage of the outdoor seating. The entire experience was blah and forgettable. We started with the tomato, mozzarella, and basil salad which was neither fresh nor flavorful (picture diner-style). I had the salmon with greens - the piece of salmon was generous but rather mushy and unexciting. My boyfriend had the basil ravioli which was too creamy and really nothing special. A dessert of brownie a la mode was, again, very basic. Worst of all, it started to rain during our meal and we asked to be moved inside. The waiter told us there weren't any tables left and pushed our table a couple of inches from the awning. We left the restaurant soaking wet! Lack of effort, enthusiasm, and quality...definitey will not go out of my way to return. more

Beautiful and charming ambience -however I found a dead critter in my take-out cinnamon muffin - yech. Knew years ago they had a questionable kitchen - now I remember why I stopped going there! Be warned unless you like a dining experience that rivals ""fear factor"" Pros: cute Cons: scary kitchen more

This place is incorrectly named. They are not friends to anyone based on my expereince. The manager has no conception of how to treat a customer. He rudely would not seat one extra person although there was an extra seat at the table. Gave us an attitude like we were in the wrong. No signs posted or warning abuot their lame policy. Food was not good also. Many better restaurants in the area I'd rather go to. Don't waste your money there. Cons: Terrible service and attitude more