Little Giant

My husband and I have been wanting to eat here since moving to the LES but every time we wander past on the weekends it's packed (it seems like most of the better places in the neighborhood are like this sadly) and my husband never wants to wait. Anyway, i don't know if its because it's so cold out or we just got lucky but we had an amazing dinner there last night! No waiting! The most comforting food, good cocktails, cozy decor and overall vibe. With all the snow outside we sort of felt like we were eating in a cool chilled out ski lodge. The mac & cheese and tomato soup were perfect. the only thing that could have made it any better would have been fondue! All those vintage fondue pots on the wall are a tease! Ha! Was just back here for brunch yesterday and it was sooo good! and someone said they will be doing fondue as soon as the weather gets colder! wahoo. more

My husband and I have been wanting to eat here since moving to the LES but every time we wander past on the weekends it's packed (it seems like most of the better places in the neighborhood are like this sadly) and my husband never wants to wait. Anyway, i don't know if its because it's so cold out or we just got lucky but we had an amazing dinner there last night! No waiting! The most comforting food, good cocktails, cozy decor and overall vibe. With all the snow outside we sort of felt like we were eating in a cool chilled out ski lodge. The mac & cheese and tomato soup were perfect. the only thing that could have made it any better would have been fondue! All those vintage fondue pots on the wall are a tease! more

I've been here several times. The food is amazing, and it never fails to excite my taste buds. The service is typically accommodating (at best), save my most recent visit. Our waitress couldn't have been more disinterested in providing us with the kind of attention that I've typically encountered at Little Giant. Her smug demeanor was grueling. When a person at the table paused for even a moment to consider their order, they were cattily asked if they might need more time. As if the attitude didn't end there, while attempting to select a nice bottle of wine, she was quick to make us aware that she “ordered all of the wine for the restaurant”. I can only deduce that in rude speak this meant: “Is there a particular wine you enjoy?” or “May I suggest a bottle that will pair with your food choices?” She offered a few hurried and arrogant notes on a particular bottle - which we finally ordered - only to find that her higher-than-thou approach proved to taint her skills as a “sommelier”. The bottle was actually a newer wine than claimed by our oh-so gracious attendant. Despite the portions of attitude, our party was more than happy with the quality of the food consumed throughout the evening. I will eat here again. But by the time I make the trip, I can only hope this woman has found what she really wants to do in life, because it definitely has nothing to do with the restaurant or service industry. more

I've been here several times. The food is amazing, and it never fails to excite my taste buds. The service is typically accommodating (at best), save my most recent visit. Our waitress couldn't have been more disinterested in providing us with the kind of attention that I've typically encountered at Little Giant. Her smug demeanor was grueling. When a person at the table paused for even a moment to consider their order, they were cattily asked if they might need more time. As if the attitude didn't end there, while attempting to select a nice bottle of wine, she was quick to make us aware that she “ordered all of the wine for the restaurant”. I can only deduce that in rude speak this meant: “Is there a particular wine you enjoy?” or “May I suggest a bottle that will pair with your food choices?” She offered a few hurried and arrogant notes on a particular bottle - which we finally ordered - only to find that her higher-than-thou approach proved to taint her skills as a “sommelier”. The bottle was actually a newer wine than claimed by our oh-so gracious attendant. Despite the portions of attitude, our party was more than happy with the quality of the food consumed throughout the evening. I will eat here again. But by the time I make the trip, I can only hope this woman has found what she really wants to do in life, because it definitely has nothing to do with the restaurant or service industry. more

I've been here several times. The food is amazing, and it never fails to excite my taste buds. The service is typically accommodating (at best), save my most recent visit. Our waitress couldn't have been more disinterested in providing us with the kind of attention that I've typically encountered at Little Giant. Her smug demeanor was grueling. When a person at the table paused for even a moment to consider their order, they were cattily asked if they might need more time. As if the attitude didn't end there, while attempting to select a nice bottle of wine, she was quick to make us aware that she ordered all of the wine for the restaurant. I can only deduce that in rude speak this meant: Is there a particular wine you enjoy? or May I suggest a bottle that will pair with your food choices?. She offered a few hurried and arrogant notes on a particular bottle - which we finally ordered - only to find that her higher-than-thou approach proved to taint her skills as a sommelier. The bottle was actually a newer wine than claimed by our oh-so gracious attendant. Despite the portions of attitude, our party was more than happy with the quality of the food consumed throughout the evening. I will eat here again. But by the time I make the trip, I can only hope this woman has found what she really wants to do in life, because it definitely has nothing to do with the restaurant or service industry. more

Read more here: nycmenugirl.blogspot. Pros: Amazing Clams; Free Scones Cons: Small more

Read more here: nycmenugirl.blogspot. Pros: Amazing Clams; Free Scones Cons: Small more

After hearing so much about Little Giant, I was pretty excited to try it. However, I was somewhat underwhelmed - two days later, nothing really sticks out that makes me want to go back. Started with deviled eggs, which were decent. I had the veal chop, which was very battered and fried, somewhat eliminating the taste of the meat. Friends each had the Swine of the Week, which was pretty good, but again, not memorable. Sides were probably the best part of the meal - the biscuit was great, macaroni and cheese and brussel sprouts were both pretty good. Overall, the food was good, not great, but a little overpriced when compared to other recent dining experiences. Would return if a friend wanted to try, but would suggest other places first. Review based on dining experience on 12/28/2009. more

This cozy lower east sider has a charming ambiance with attentive staff. The beer, wine, and cocktail options also add to the experience. However, the food does not match the decor, as you are left somewhat underwhelmed. I would recommend others visit the bar or enjoy some of the appetizers prior to dinner elsewhere. more

It all started well with a truly homy/designy decor, deviled eggs, braised artichokes and warm spinach & feta dip to nibble on. I liked the spinach dip, a lot: not that I could taste the feta, but it reminded me of a spinach gratin I used to love when I was a kid Â? and for that Little Giant, I am grateful. As for the entrees, well...I was intrigued by the ramps, a wild leek Â? which tastes a little like a scallion/green garlic mutant. I might have hesitated to order something like this in any other restaurants Â? but not there. Well, I should have : my ramps & orrecchiette, with ramps puree and braised ramps were unfortunately almost inedible. That stuff is really, really powerful. And I couldn't find the braised ramps, despite careful examination. My husband had the veal short ribs (with braised ramps). It was OK Â? but I wish I didn't feel the grains of the grits Â? and also I wish the veal had been a little crustier. I have to say that the service was very good though. Deserts were perfect, with a special note for the yummy sticky toffee pudding . Oeufmayo.wordpress.com more

First they offered a table where the front door hit the seat when opened. Bartender was rude, told us Hang on. We asked for the drinks menu which we could see the other bar patrons had. He tossed it on the bar. We were finally seated at a chilly table under the AC and next to the espresso machine. With the babysitter meter running we couldn't wait for a third table. Mussels starter arrived, and we had to ask for the salad (later there was no sign of the preserved lemon or pine nuts as menu promised). Next came the mains--my scallops and the pollock. Too bad my husband had ordered the pork. Wait person apologized for the misunderstanding. Meanwhile, everything about the scallops was cold. There are no heat lamps and the lag time between courses was considerable. I was 75% finished with my meal by the time the pork arrived. Check, please. No offer of dessert or drinks taken off the bill. Terrible service. Food was nice in theory and ingredients but ill prepared and too late. For $120+ we could have gone somewhere like Union Square Cafe. Don't waste your money here. more

I wanted to like Little Giant. Really, I did. Every time my husband and I walked by, it was packed to the rafters. So when date night rolled around I suggested we go. Boy, was I sorry. First they tried to put us at a table a deux where the front door bumped one of the seats in the back every time the door opened. After we said we'd wait for another table, we went to the bar. The bartender was rude. First he told us ""Hang on."" After asking us if we wanted a drink we asked for the drinks menu which we could see the other bar patrons had. He tossed it on the bar, and was very sullen about the whole affair. We were finally seated at a chilly table under the air conditioner and next to the bartender's pounding of the espresso machine equipment. My husband wasn't wild about it, but with the babysitter meter running we couldn't wait for a third table. We ordered 2 apps, 2 mains and a side. Mussels and dandelion salad to start. Mussels arrived, no sign of the salad and we had to ask for it. It arrived a couple of minutes later, with no sign of the preserved lemon or pine nuts as promised on the menu. Next came the mains--my scallops and the pollock. Too bad my husband had ordered the pork, not the pollock. Wait person apologized for the ""misunderstanding"" and the pork was to be delivered. Meanwhile, everything about the scallops was cold. While cooked and prepared in an attractive fashion, it was all ice cold. There are no heat lamps and the lag time between the apps and the mains was considerable. While I'm sure the scallops were probably delicious when first prepared, I had to wait to so long for them they were not good when they arrived. I was 75% finished with my meal by the time the pork arrived. While the pork was hot, the grains and olives underneath were cold. Check, please. No offer of dessert or drinks taken off the bill. Terrible service, and while the food was nice in theory and ingredients it was ill prepared and delivered too late. For $120+ we could have gone somewhere like Union Square Cafe and had a great meal. I got the sense that the kitchen was playing at being a restaurant and the waitstaff couldn't care less. A visit both first time and last. Don't waste your money here. Pros: hipster location Cons: everything else more

I wanted to like Little Giant. Really, I did. Every time my husband and I walked by, it was packed to the rafters. So when date night rolled around I suggested we go. Boy, was I sorry. First they tried to put us at a table a deux where the front door bumped one of the seats in the back every time the door opened. After we said we'd wait for another table, we went to the bar. The bartender was rude. First he told us "Hang on." After asking us if we wanted a drink we asked for the drinks menu which we could see the other bar patrons had. He tossed it on the bar, and was very sullen about the whole affair. We were finally seated at a chilly table under the air conditioner and next to the bartender's pounding of the espresso machine equipment. My husband wasn't wild about it, but with the babysitter meter running we couldn't wait for a third table. We ordered 2 apps, 2 mains and a side. Mussels and dandelion salad to start. Mussels arrived, no sign of the salad and we had to ask for it. It arrived a couple of minutes later, with no sign of the preserved lemon or pine nuts as promised on the menu. Next came the mains--my scallops and the pollock. Too bad my husband had ordered the pork, not the pollock. Wait person apologized for the "misunderstanding" and the pork was to be delivered. Meanwhile, everything about the scallops was cold. While cooked and prepared in an attractive fashion, it was all ice cold. There are no heat lamps and the lag time between the apps and the mains was considerable. While I'm sure the scallops were probably delicious when first prepared, I had to wait to so long for them they were not good when they arrived. I was 75% finished with my meal by the time the pork arrived. While the pork was hot, the grains and olives underneath were cold. Check, please. No offer of dessert or drinks taken off the bill. Terrible service, and while the food was nice in theory and ingredients it was ill prepared and delivered too late. For $120+ we could have gone somewhere like Union Square Cafe and had a great meal. I got the sense that the kitchen was playing at being a restaurant and the waitstaff couldn't care less. A visit both first time and last. Don't waste your money here. Pros: hipster location Cons: everything else more

Great food. We were early for our dinner so the very friendly hostess offered us a table right away. It was tiny and it would be hard for 3 people to fit so she asked me to check first and if I didn't like it we could wait for another table. That was great! So many places try to shove you into whatever is available just to get you seated. We were 3 people. Had the mousse which was delicious as was the beet salad. For diner we had the swine of the week, the short ribs and the scallops. All 3 were perfect. Ordered a side of mac & cheese. YUM. As for the biscuit- I don't think it was a $5 biscuit . I had very high expectations for a roll. The desserts were great. We had the sticky toffee pudding and the milk & cookies. Get the pudding! It's great. I would go back again and again. I might hope for a different waitress as ours seemed a bit tearse. She was efficient just not super enjoyable company. She could have been nicer. more

Great food. We were early for our dinner so the very friendly hostess offered us a table right away. It was tiny and it would be hard for 3 people to fit so she asked me to check first and if I didn't like it we could wait for another table. That was great! So many places try to shove you into whatever is available just to get you seated. We were 3 people. Had the mousse which was delicious as was the beet salad. For diner we had the swine of the week, the short ribs and the scallops. All 3 were perfect. Ordered a side of mac & cheese. YUM. As for the biscuit- I don't think it was a $5 biscuit . I had very high expectations for a roll. The desserts were great. We had the sticky toffee pudding and the milk & cookies. Get the pudding! It's great. I would go back again and again. I might hope for a different waitress as ours seemed a bit tearse. She was efficient just not super enjoyable company. She could have been nicer. more

I was here in October ,maybe, so hopefully the menu has changed since then. The restaurant itself is beautiful to look, that's probably the only redeeming quality. The chicken liver mousse was bland and boring, I had the duck confit...asked the server about it and was sorry to hear that they don't have a real kitchen..leading me to think that they must buy a whole lot of their menu pre-cooked. I didn't really get the 'world famous biscuit', and was wondering how they marketed that. It's too bad that neighborhood restaurants these days are surviving on just that, being accessible. It's like take out chinese, but without the fortune cookie. Pros: nice bathroom, great music Cons: food more

I was here in October ,maybe, so hopefully the menu has changed since then. The restaurant itself is beautiful to look, that's probably the only redeeming quality. The chicken liver mousse was bland and boring, I had the duck confit...asked the server about it and was sorry to hear that they don't have a real kitchen..leading me to think that they must buy a whole lot of their menu pre-cooked. I didn't really get the 'world famous biscuit', and was wondering how they marketed that. It's too bad that neighborhood restaurants these days are surviving on just that, being accessible. It's like take out chinese, but without the fortune cookie. Pros: nice bathroom, great music Cons: food more

Held a client dinner on a Monday night and experienced the worst service ever!\r \r The bartender and waiter were very snotty when serving us; we were literally ignored for the first 30 minutes of our stay. This may have been because we were a few minutes late but the restaurant was empty and we apologized profusely.\r \r Our clients flew in from Phoenix and could not believe the attitude given to our friendly bunch.\r \r Also, the venue needs to improve on the ventilation...we left smelling like food.\r \r This place had to be really bad because my boss has NEVER asked me to write negative review.\r Thumbs Down Pros: food Cons: service more

Held a client dinner on a Monday night and experienced the worst service ever! The bartender and waiter were very snotty when serving us; we were literally ignored for the first 30 minutes of our stay. This may have been because we were a few minutes late but the restaurant was empty and we apologized profusely. Our clients flew in from Phoenix and could not believe the attitude given to our friendly bunch. Also, the venue needs to improve on the ventilation...we left smelling like food. This place had to be really bad because my boss has NEVER asked me to write negative review. Thumbs Down Pros: food Cons: service more

food was pretty good. spinach dip tasted like it came out of the microwave. short rib was really good, brussel sprouts were good. i dont understand, if you cover something in maple syrup how could it not be good? potato side and biscuit were good. \r notice nothing was outstanding. \r waitress was either retarded or it was her first day. there was one other couple in the restaurant and she handed us one menu and said please share thats all i have. i asked her what she was going to do when more people walked in, her response, ""oh wow i hadn't thought about that."" Forget asking for recommendations as far as wine paring's go. i got the ""the reds are good"" response. overall i don't think it lived up to the hype at all. \r notice how all the amazing reviews below are posted multiple times by a person who has only reviewed little giant..sounds fishy to me. \r wouldn't go there again, but not bad enough to be blasted. Pros: short rib, gelato Cons: service, ikea interior, more