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Freemans Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Restaurants Canadian (New) Breakfast & Brunch, Canadian (New) [Edit]
191 Chrystie StSt 2F
(between Delancey St & Rivington St)
New York, NY 10002
Neighbourhood: Lower East Side
(212) 420-0012
- Nearest Transit:
-
Bowery (J)
2 Av (F)
Grand St (B, D)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 12 am
Sat-Sun 10 am - 12 am
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Hipster
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
692 reviews for Freemans Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"Artichoke Dip ($10): creamy, salty nom nom nom." In 231 reviews -
"devils on horseback" were kickass as well." In 54 reviews -
"The three cheese mac-n-cheese was a great choice." In 25 reviews
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691 reviews in English
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Review from tony t.
Bronx, NY
5/22/2012
I've been here a couple of times before. the first time i stumbled on this place i thought, " really? an alley way in new york with a hidden restaurant at the end? that's such a european thing." it was one of those nice alleys where at the end you have strands of decorative lights hanging from above with the architecture of the buildings transporting you out of new york and into some secret place.
attire i would say hipster semi casual. It was pretty hard to tell after going two times what sort of crowd this restaurant gets. I've seen couples go, group of friends just hanging a the bar, a family of tourists enjoying brunch, yeah it was a melting pot.
If you love paring food with wine, this place has amazing appetizers and entrees for it. The deviled eggs were delicious and the salmon was well seasoned and i savored every bite.
the interior decor of this place felt like an old fashion saloon meets contemporary dining. the service, on a busy night is a little harder to get and spot (if you don't recognize your waiter/hostess, they kind of blend in with the patrons) but they do walk around frequently. The price of the food i would say is average for new york city pricing, about $8 an appetizer, $15 for an entree.
definitely one of favorite places to come to for a special occasion. -
Review from Anna W.
5/24/2012
This wasn't really my favorite place I came to while in New York.
We came here for brunch to meet some friends..the atmosphere and decor are great. If I were writing a review slowly on those two aspects, it would be 5 stars, hands down.
I just wasn't blown away by the food. I ended up ordering the smoked trout, which really, was just a glorified breakfast I have had in any concierge lounge in a Marriott.
It came with 3 pieces of overly toasted sourdough bread, a horseradish aioli, smoked trout, a few peppers, and hard boiled egg halves. I think I paid far too much for it....
Also, what's up with the mirror in the women's bathroom only being for women who are taller than 6'? I couldn't even look in the mirror while standing on my tip toes...
Go once for the atmosphere. -
Review from Alex F.
Westport, CT
5/19/2012
Came here on a Saturday night so it was packed. The ambience here is undeniably cool. I have noticed that the old candlelight farmhouse decor is becoming popular and Freeman's is a shining example of how to pull it off.
The artichoke dip was superb. The rest of the apps were just ok. My lamb shoulder was passable if not really memorable. However, my sisters trout was riddled with pin bones. Getting one or two of those stuck in the roof of your mouth or in your throat will definitely ruin a meal. Tisk Tisk.
All in all, you could do better in downtown NYC, unless ambience is paramount. -
Review from Raquel M.
Manhattan, NY
5/25/2012
I have to say.... love it here! The cocktails were flavorful as was the food.. First turning off a street to go down an alley just sets the scene and the mood. Our server... well she really knew her stuff. From the drinks to the food she was clear, not pushy and informative. The artichoke dip, well there was nothing left when we were done. We had the scallops, chicken and filet, everything was cooked to perfection. I have never had filet or chicken that tender. I also really liked the lay out. The louder more boisterous bar area was in another room off to the side and there was even more seating upstairs. I ill go back time and time again.
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Review from Jack R.
Decatur, GA
5/22/2012
Great atmosphere and terrific food and drink. Nothing like finding a place like this at the end of an alley in New York. The cocktails were spot on, the wine list interesting, and the menu varied enough to make it tough to choose. Our server was a delight. A great spot for a casual special occasion.
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Review from Emily L.
5/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've tried, but I cannot think of a better way to spend a lazy Saturday morning in the company of old and new friends than brunch at Freeman's. We were in the city for Bike New York weekend and friends of friends recommended this place. We were a party of eight, plus a baby, so the restaurant reserved the Wine Room for us. ASK FOR THE WINE ROOM. Beautiful, romantic, intimate setting: a rustic wooden table, gorgeous fresh flower arrangements in homey mason jars, surrounded on all sides with cellared bottles but with plenty of room to get in and out.
Their brunch cocktails are lovely: I enjoyed the French 75 and Death in the Afternoon, both champagne-based, and several friends raved about the grown-up Popsicle drink (a Popsicle made with tequila and raspberry purée, served in a glass of champagne.)
The food was incredible: We started with a couple of artichoke dips, which were crusty on top, creamy within, just the right blend of decadent cheeses and wholesome artichoke hearts. The toasts were pleasantly crispy but chewy enough not to shatter into pieces with each bite. Also sampled the Riders on Horseback, a goat-cheese-stuffed date that's wrapped in bacon and broiled until crispy and salty-sweet. Wow.
Main courses: everyone's were superb, but I especially enjoyed the roasted asparagus topped with eggs and spicy hollandaise (perfect over-easy eggs, whites barely set and yolks liquid and golden) and the toasted cheese-arugula sandwich (gorgeous char-kissed toast giving way to an avalanche of cheese, held together with a spicy arugula web.) This Baltimore girl gives extra points for Old Bay chips, too, especially when they're fried in-house.
The side of bacon I ordered was not crispy as requested, but I think that's just because it was cut too thick! It was not limp, however -- chewy and meaty. I ate one piece and my husband gobbled up the others.
Service was attentive, but not smothering: several staff helped us, and all were helpful and apologetic about the lighting (it was a little flickery and dim, but honestly, that just added to the ambience!) Tip was included for a large party, which was fine by me, and I especially appreciated that they told us this rather than letting us double up unknowingly.
I hesitated about giving five stars (I'm picky) but honestly, I can't think of a thing they could have done better. It was a a wonderful meal, reasonably priced by New York standards, and I'll be back as soon as I can! -
Review from Meredith M.
San Francisco, CA
4/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
Wonderful brunch spot where the prices are right and the food is excellent. What really makes this place though is the culture and it's atmosphere. It is literally hidden down one of the few alleys left in New York City, and as you walk past the graffiti art and hidden art studio, you can't help but be in awe that such a large space resides so far back!
When you walk it, you'll notice the massive amounts of taxidermy. I'm all into ethical treatment of animals, but this was just way too cool. I felt like I was visiting grandma and grandpas house (they hunt), and darkness of the space made it feel even more vintage and rustic.
The artichoke cheese dip is bomb! I hate using that word, but it's seriously the best one for it. It's addictive. Brunch items were delish too; we all had egg dishes. Mmmmmm. Bloody Marys were excellent!
At 4pm they start lighting little votive candles everywhere. This made me want to return for dinner. :) -
Review from Dawn K.
4/26/2012
This is the go to place when you want to enjoy a meal amongst dead animals but are too lazy to skin and stuff them yourself.
1. artichoke dip
2. mussels
3. mac n cheese
that is all -
Review from L K.
Manhattan, NY
5/9/2012
I liked this place. Packed around 8 on a tuesday night for dinner. I ordered wine.. was great.
Artichoke dip was excellent just like everyone says.. a lot of garlic.. more than I normally like but tasty.
Pollack fish for main course. Good.
All in all nice atmosphere, great date spot wasnt too loud at all.. also helped that we were in a little cove..
very easy to find the place.. I'd go back for sure! -
Review from Lauren N.
New York, NY
5/1/2012
Great place for a good and hearty brunch. Great for groups
note- no reservations taken for groups under 6 people -
Review from Heather M.
New York, NY
4/11/2012
Freeman's rocks because the food here is consistently great. I've had two brunches here and never been disappointed. Simple, delicious, satisfying, you won't be disappointed.
Went with the grilled cheese. Nothing I love more than simple food, well-executed. White cheddar on sourdough with a nice side salad. Perf.
If you don't want to wait, just come early, say before noon on a weekend. They won't seat your party until you've all arrived but you can always sit at the bar while waiting. I recommend the Bloody Maria which sounds like a date gone horribly wrong but is really a bloody mary with tequila.
Plus Foursquare had a $5 off for AmEx users. Lord knows this girl loves a discount. -
Review from Mary S.
Sunnyvale, CA
5/17/2012
Pros: Delicious food, great ambiance, nice bars (one in the front and one in the back), great drinks. Reasonably priced wine list. Easily accommodated a vegan in the party.
Cons: Surprised they were out of the main course i wanted to order for an 8:30pm meal. Manhattan, my drink of choice was not the best I've ever had. Although I didn't order a starter, still can't understand why they'd serve 1st and 2nd courses at the same time. That was awkward. -
Review from Elizabeth L.
New York, NY
4/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
Snagged a reservation for brunch thanks to their 6+ person = a reservation policy.
The artichoke dip is a must, and you can ask for more toast when you're out of bread.
Pancakes were surprisingly good, much better than the waffle.
The waitress/waiter may recommend the trout platter, but it's highly boring and way too dry. I'd go with one of the egg dishes or the pancakes.
Decent prices, and interesting atmosphere (lots of taxodermy). I'll be back for the artichoke dip! -
Review from Tracie S.
Walnut, CA
4/5/2012 3 photos
Came here for lunch during our visit to NY. I believe I had the smoked trout sandwich and it was super yummy! The restaurant is literally in an alley..we totally missed it when we walked by. Also got some drink with lavender honey in it...sooo yummy.
Definitely try this place! -
Review from michael m.
Los Angeles, CA
4/1/2012
Was taken here for a date when I first moved to NYC, needless to say the date didn't go so well but I've been back many times because I love this place so much. They have great dinner and great sunday brunch. The decor is amazing with taxidermy all over the place but done in a way that is modern and cozy. I've had their chicken numerous times and it's moist and tender, the way chicken should be served.
They also have great mac and cheese. Definitely a place to come with friends or a date, but too spendy to make it there as often as I'd like. -
Review from Ty R.
New York, NY
3/23/2012
I went here on a date around 8:30 on a Thursday. For two people there was a 45-60 minute wait but we only ended up waiting about half an hour. We chilled at the bar and had some of their signature cocktails - the Saw Mill and the North Dakota. Both were very good, but I preferred the Saw Mill with its pear liqueur. Their cocktails are grouped into "Light and Easy", "Even and Crisp", and "Dark and Complex" making it easy to choose depending on your mood.
We eventually were seated in the room with the other bar filled with taxidermy birds. We got a nice corner spot so it wasn't too invasive. Our server was very knowledgeable about the specials and menu, and we decided to start with the cheese board and the Devils on Horseback. I wish the cheese board had more than 2 slices of cheese and bread. It looked so lonely, but I didn't care that much because the Devils on Horseback made up for it. They're cheese-stuffed plums wrapped in bacon, served 4 on a plate.
I was so torn among all the entrees and we eventually settled on the Hunters Stew and the Pork Loin. The pork loin was MUCH bigger than I anticipated and came with a kickass rutabaga puree. I need to start making it. The Hunters Stew was exceptional and I can't really say much except to try it out for yourself. It's a vegan's nightmare. Since we finished our first drinks, we ordered fresh cocktails off the Dark and Complex list - the Freeman's Cocktail and Fogerty.
I forgot the name of our dessert, but we split one that was a goat cheese cheesecake served in a round glass dish. My date was explaining that it was a great idea because there was no way that water could leak into it like with a springform. I felt it could have been a little more moist, but I'm assuming that's how it is with goat cheese.
I definitely recommend this place for a date or even in a larger group for a special occasion. -
Review from Jane S.
Manhattan, NY
4/28/2012
Actually exceeded my expectations. Both our steak and trout were cooked perfectly. Great date spot.
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Review from Amy W.
New York, NY
4/29/2012
Totally totally totally loved this place. Had a great time and the scallops were so sweet and tasty. Very well seasoned. The atmosphere was awesome too. But very crowded and very hard to get a table. Be prepared to have an hour or two of wait time.
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Review from Lee G.
3/4/2012
Best Brunch in New York so far...
Been searching for 6 months for a decent brunch needs to have good food, nice drinks and great atmosophere. Started badly walking down a dingy alley in the lower east side, but hidden at the end was a gem of a restaurant. Already busy but sat down straight away. classic brumch food with a small twist. Eggs fluffy bacon crispy. One person had the based eggs (Q:"whats a baked egg" A:"its an egg we bake" - really?) - but it was excellent. Started with a cinnamon cake - delicious. will be going back many times. -
Review from Bethany P.
New York, NY
3/2/2012
4.5 for Freeman's
I had been dying to go Freeman's for quite some time, however, I generally lack any sort of patience when it's brunch time and my stomach is rumbling so a 2 hour wait is not happening for this girl.
Instead, I waited until I had a solid event - aka my parents meeting my bf's parents for the first time - that gave me the six people required for a reservation. System beat!
We arrived a touch on the early side so we had to wait about 10 minutes for our table. No big deal. We were seated upstairs which I was glad about because the lower level of the place was very loud.
I love the decor, I would describe it as a rustic farmhouse/hunting cabin hybrid.
The main hiccup in our meal, and the reason for the half star deduction, was that our service was not stellar. Our waiter was nice enough but he forgot about all our mimosas and Bloody Marys. We had to remind him three times before he finally brought us the drinks...after we already had our food. They did the right thing and gave us the drinks on the house so I can't complain too much.
The food was amazing. My baked eggs had a ton of flavor as did the grits we ordered. The eggs were a little on the greasy side but still fantastic. The general consensus around the table was that the food was excellent.
I'd really like to go back for dinner next. I'm happy to say Freeman's lived up to its hype. -
Review from Heidi J.
New York, NY
Updated - 4/24/2012
Came back for brunch, and the food is still solid and the atmosphere is still perfectly relaxed and cozy. Brunch may have actually been even more enjoyable than dinner due to the addition of The Best Bloody Mary I've had thus far in my life. I wouldn't necessarily come back for the food, but I'd definitely consider dropping by Freemans for a pre- and/or post-brunch cocktail or just a spontaneous weekend happy hour.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/12/2011
While the food is not the most spectacular that you'll find in this neighborhood, the restaurant… Read more »
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Review from Zaigham S.
Lower East Side, Manhattan, NY
3/16/2012
Located in an alley (Freemans alley) with entrance from Rivington street btw Bowery and Chrystie. I was there for brunch a Saturday with a friend and we were not disappointed at all. Good service from the host although the place was packed and people were waiting. We waited about 10 minutes before we got our table downstairs. Despite the full restaurant, the ambiance was cozy. We had a great hostess who took the time to explain the menu. I got the skilled eggs and my friend the cheeseburger and we were fully satisfied.
Will definitely go again. -
Review from Andrew H.
Manhattan, NY
4/27/2012
Great date spot. Think rustic class. Did not eat, but had some swanky/strong cocktails. I'll be back.
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Review from Kourtney L.
New York, NY
4/27/2012
Awesome atmosphere, neat location, good service and great food. Awesome artichoke dip and Bacon wrapped figs. Ordered the brisket sandwich and onion rings for lunch which was also great. Good wine selection, too. Had bananas Foster for dessert which was really good
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Review from Kimberly K.
Manhattan, NY
It may be a bit difficult to find Freemans at first, but once you do, you'll be happy you did.
It's located down an alley. Look for the cute house with Christmas lights. We arrived at around 12 pm for Brunch and were seated in 10 mins. This was a complete surprise. The restaurant was so busy, I figured it'd be at least an hour wait.
The host was welcoming and friendly. Seating is tight, but it is NY. Our server was sweet and attentive. She checked on us often. A cup of sugar cubes sits on each table. How convenient. The server also brings a big bottle of water to the table. I drink a lot of water and love this concept.
We decided to try the Devils on Horseback, Hot Artichoke Dip with Crisp Bread, Spiced Pumpkin Pancakes, Freemans Piedmontese Cheeseburger w/ French Fries, and Stone-ground Cheddar Cheese Grits.
The Devils on Horseback are dates stuffed with blue cheese and wrapped in bacon. Wasn't sure how this was going to taste, but after our first bite we were pleasantly surprised. The sweet/juicy/soft date, slightly salty/creamy cheese, and savory/fatty/crisp bacon just works. The blue cheese inside the date explodes in your mouth. Loved the flavor and texture of this starter.
The Hot Artichoke Dip with Crisp Bread was lovely. The dip had loads of artichokes in it. It was seasoned well (not salty) and had the perfect amount of cheese in it. The dip is served HOT, so watch out. Fresh and toasty bread comes on the side.
The Spiced Pumpkin Pancakes smelled amazing. They were soft, fluffy, not too sweet, and slightly crisp around the edges. It had a natural pumpkin flavor. The pancakes come with maple syrup. The Stone-ground Cheddar Cheese Grits were comforting and very filling. It had a rich and natural flavor. They were creamy, smooth, not too cheesy and seasoned perfectly.
The Freemans Piedmontese Cheeseburger is simply prepared and absolutely delicious. Hearty and soft sesame bun, lettuce, thinly sliced pickles, ketchup, cheese, and meat patty. The meat patty was seasoned well and had a beautiful smokey flavor. It was not greasy or messy. We didn't feel weighed down after finishing the burger. The French Fries on the side were addicting. They were warm, crisp, and seasoned perfectly. It came with Sir Kensington's Gourmet Scooping Ketchup, which made the fries even more addicting.
If you're looking for a unique Brunch spot, definitely give Freemans a try.
Note: They take reservations for parties of six or more. Smaller groups can simply walk in at any time. I highly suggest arriving early. During our meal, we could see the line getting longer and longer. -
Review from Tiffany S.
Manhattan, NY
1/27/2012
Went to Freemans for brunch with a few friends. At first we couldn't find it but eventually we were led down a cute little alley-way that leads into the restaurant, which looks like a quaint little townhouse. This place would be so romantic for an evening dinner date!
Food was yummy, just the right sized portions too. Waitress was friendly, a little everywhere but nice. Decor is absolutely adorable, like second hand chic. The benched seating is a little rocky and sinky though. Restaurant was a bit quiet, but apparently this place gets loud in the evenings, at least that's what our waitress told us. We'll have to visit again for dinner! -
Review from Will R.
5/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
A solid experience here- great ambience/space, attentive and efficient waitstaff, and mostly excellent food. The space is probably my favorite thing here- the restaurant is tucked away in an alley alcove that makes it secluded and hard to find. When you walk in, you are definitely transported to another time. I echo many reviewers comments about the hunting lodge aspect of it, but I might go it a bit farther and say it looks like a sprawling contemporary art installation. Regardless of what you decide to label the decor, it's a neat space. The zinc bars are way cool too, with equally cool cocktails (try the Freeman for sure) and a very solid beer/wine list. The one down side of our meal was the starter course- artichoke dip with crusty breads- it tasted more like something you would have eaten in your youth at a cheesy chain restaurant like Bennigans or Ruby Tuesday. It was oily and fatty, although it tasted ok, it still left mine and my dates mouths feeling as though we ate sticks of butter. But the entrees were both excellent- Filet Mignon and whole trout. The Filet could have been seared a bit more for a crispier exterior, but it was done rare just as I asked for. The whole trout was phenomenal, had I to do it over again I would opt for this instead of my steak. The peak moment came at dessert as my girlfriend and I opted for the special of the night- blueberry bread pudding with creme anglaise and buttermilk ice cream. It was an incredible dessert, one that you would go back just to experience. We enjoyed our evening here and when we have the funds we'll return for sure.
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Review from Anne B.
Brooklyn, NY
3/14/2012
There is SO much to love about Freemans. And so much that just gets them in a knot.
Let's make one thing clear for those who don't have a GPS on them at all times:
The ACTUAL ADDRESS of Freemans is this:
END OF FREEMAN ALLEY
RIVINGTON ST BETWEEN BOWERY AND CHRYSTIE
This may explain why so many people you're meeting there are always late.
Freemans pushes its brunch, and they should - it's pretty great. More than pretty great, it IS great.
They are however, open other times as well, and they sometimes maybe forget that BARS are BARS - not TABLES for people who didn't bother to make a reservation.
(This isn't just Freemans - this is becoming a really annoying trend. People bring a date, sit at a bar through cocktails and three courses, while people pile three deep behind. Balthazar is becoming notorious for this, so are several other formerly cocktail-friendly places. That said, unlike Bals, which turns seats despite the diners fairly quickly, Freemans can't seat more than, I'd say, fifteen people at a time in their bar area, and when you fill those seats with dining patrons, it eats up other peoples time, and kind of kills the joy of a great night out in a beautiful, hidden gem of a place.)
I guess this gets me so very much because the cocktails at Freemans are wonderful, and the Mixologists superb (one is actually a transplant from another cocktail-famous Brooklyn place, Jack The Horse). A perfect sidecar is tricky to enjoy standing up, and waiting more than half an hour for a seat at Freemans is not at all uncommon. Not cool.
That said, the bar bites - especially the devils on horseback and the justifiably famous artichoke dip - are fantastic, and should be sampled - then (ahem) GO SIT DOWN and EAT your DINNER.
Annoying.
It's time bars served BAR FOOD, and started putting the diners BACK in the dining room - at least on Saturday Nights/between 8-10/or somewhere like COME ON, MAKE AN EFFORT.
The other warning I have about Freemans - and it's not small - the decor is old New York and awesome, but there's a LOT of dust in those stuffed trophies and dried flowers. Bring an antihistamine if you're sensitive. -
Review from Tim A.
NY
4/15/2012
Great atmosphere and a terrific place to hang out with friends. Food was good. Make a reservation to avoid the wait.
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Review from Amy W.
Manhattan, NY
2/25/2012
I really loved this place for brunch. What a unique little spot! A two story house with a rustic feel, cozy decor, and a mostly unpretentious menu. There was about a 20 minute wait at 12:30 on a Saturday, but no wait in the upstairs lounge.
I had the bloody mary (a tad too chunky, but well balanced), the artichoke dip (incredible! chock full of artichokes, with an amazing cheesy crust), and the open faced omelette (don't let the egg whites fool you! the hen of the woods mushrooms give it a substantial taste).
I'd come again and again for the friendly staff, the well portioned food, the reasonable prices, and the wonderful atmosphere. -
Review from Christopher L.
New York, NY
1/22/2012
At first glance, this place seems to have it all. The restaurant is situated down an alleyway on the LES. Upon approach, you feel like you've just been lifted into someone's quaint house in the burbs. Once inside, the tables and bars were crowded (a good sign I was thinking). We had a large group for a b-day party and the service was friendly and patient. So far, so good. Drinks were ordered and were pleasant enough. But that's where it all ended.
The Food:
Apps: Devils on horseback / olive oil poached tuna; Both were good, but nothing unique or special. The tuna dish was a bit bland for my taste and the devils on horseback were waaaay too small. The dates were small and the bacon was a small thin piece of a poor excuse of a bacon slice.
Sides: mac n cheese, creamed kale. The creamed kale was good. Nice twist on the classic creamed spinach. The kale held up nicely and maintained a good crunch. The mac n cheese though was disappointing. Why can't establishments just use more melty, oozing cheese? I don't get it. Bland at best. More like mac n bechamel sauce.
Entrees: Eden brook trout (did not get to taste), pork loin, roasted chicken. The pork was very tender and juicy. It had a nice herbacious taste. Pretty solid, but I've definitely had better pork loin. The chicken was pale. The skin wasn't crisp enough for my liking and lacked the herb flavor that the pork had. The drizzle of pesto sauce that they put on top did nothing for the chicken either. It felt lazy.
Desserts: sticky toffee, brownie, bananas foster. The desserts as a whole were decent. The sticky toffee (cake?) was good enough, but nothing to write home about. The bananas foster was good, but the ice cream was fully melted by the time it got to the table and was a mess to serve. The brownie was the only dessert that made me feel good about coming here. Simple and tasty.
I'd easily give this place more stars if the food actually was in line with the price. But nay, it was too expensive for what you get. Food, 2 bottles of wine (nothing too pricey), a few cocktails set 11 of us back close to $1200 with tip. That's a nice steak dinner at Del Frisco's or Primehouse. Guess where I'll be taking my cash next time. -
Review from Jamie M.
Manhattan, NY
1/17/2012
Tucked away in a little alley on the LES is this gem. The decor is very fun! Hunter-chic?
I prefer the brunch and drinks here over dinner. None of the menu items were particularly resplendent to me (as in didn't make it to my "best of NY" list), but I have never disliked anything I've ordered here. I love the skillets or the trout and hard boiled egg platter for brunch. They do a decent job with scallops (generous portion size and cooked well), and everyone should start with the devils on horseback. -
Review from merisa t.
1/31/2012
Oh Freeman's, you've lost my love. I've enjoyed your quirky taxidermy dioramas and rustically quaint wooden planked floors. I've had some lovely times at your zinc bar and engaged in lively conversations with your cheeky be-flanneled bartenders. But I visited you last week as is custom after a trip to the New Museum and you've left me disappointed, confused, and penniless (that might've also been residual effects from the Carsten Höller Experience, but whatever). You see, I eschewed your Freeman's cocktails (for which you charge $12) for an Old Fashioned, which is not on your menu, but which, I am sure, requires the same, or quite possibly less, amount of labor as your own concoctions. So I was quite surprised to see, when I received the bill, that you charged me $15 for said cocktail.
You charged $15 for a mediocre Old Fashioned, made with Michter's Rye (which by itself is $10 on the menu). So you're telling me you are charging an extra $5 for the labor involved in creating this cocktail, that is far simpler than the ones on your menu? $5 to add a bit of simple syrup, some bitters, and a lemon peel? (Okay, peeling a lemon can be hard, but $1 hard, not $5 hard). For real? This strikes me as insincere and very outputting. I've noticed this practice at other, equally overrated restaurants (cough, DBGB, cough, tiny $16 Hendricks martini, cough), but I thought you were different. I'm breaking up with you Freeman's. I hope you're as upset about this as I am. You can go cry now. -
Review from Michael S.
Manhattan, NY
1/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here for a late afternoon snack and sat at the bar. We had the Devils on horseback and artichoke dip and I highly recommend both. The Devils on Horseback are cheese-stuffed dates wrapped in bacon and pan fried. They taste as amazing as they sound. And the artichoke dip was very flavorful and was mostly artichoke and too much cheesy/oily filler.
I was also here for brunch once a while back, and while I don't remember what I had, I remember it being very good. -
Review from Roselyn F.
New York, NY
Updated - 2/6/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I went back for dinner recently. I wouldn't say it was the most amazing food, I had the steak with mashed potatoes. It was a teeny portion, it was good, not amazing. I also had a spinach, potato and gruyere soup, that was nice.
Their drinks are FANTASTIC. Get the Freeman's cocktail.
I would certainly go back for drinks. I don't know about dinner, it's too expensive to keep chancing it.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/28/2011
I've wanted to come here for a while and finally dropped by on Friday in the afternoon. I was going… Read more »
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Review from steph Z.
Manhattan, NY
2/20/2012 3 photos
Tasty and fresh food. Cozy environment. Friendly staff. Hip patrons. Reasonable prices. What else is needed?
http://noho-life.com/j... -
Review from Uyen N.
Brooklyn, NY
2/19/2012
Walking down a creepy alley usually begets unfortunate results. Freeman's is the exception.
The steak is delicious. It's not the size of your face, so don't get excited. But, it's very well prepared. And remember, it's about quality, not quantity... heifers. The artichoke dip is like a boyfriend that just knows how to treat you right. It nuzzles your taste buds and vows to give you the universe. The devils on mother-effin horseback are weirdly perfect. And the mac-n-cheese is wonderfully balanced. Not too heavy. I'm lactose intolerant, so I only ventured one small taste... but that thing gave me covetous thoughts.
Ambiance gets a plus as well. Nice and cozy. Staff is very accommodating. AND, for all my fellow alcohol lovers, the wine selection is expansive. Best part: there are plenty of nice bottles for under $50. -
Review from Joe S.
1/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Excellent little place. This little restaurant is tucked back in an alley way on Rivington in LES, but attracts a nice crowd. The food is just excellent. I'd recommend the artichoke dip, chicken or filet. The ambiance is really romantic, candlelit, quaint, and just feels classy without the feeling that you need to get dressed up like your schmoozing at the standard.
Take a date here ASAP! -
Review from Evangelia K.
New York, NY
1/9/2012
What an interesting place! Its like you stepped into an Elk Lounge in North Dakota circa 1988. Very unique. Also, the restaurant is located in an alleyway which I will admit is kind of cool.
We were told there would be a 45 minute wait for brunch, however, if you walk up the stairs to the middle room (there is a name for it but I forget), it is first come, first serve for a table. My friend and I found a table right away - albeit a teeny tiny one.
What we ordered:
Pumpkin pancakes with creme fraiche - These pancakes are definitely homemade and not out of a mix box. You actually tasted the pumpkin and it was delicious. The creme fraiche was a bit tart/sour though. I could have done without this.
The skillet eggs - This dish sounds delicious in theory as its 3 eggs thrown in a hot skillet with fresh spinach, gruyere cheese and bacon. Problem is that the eggs are thrown in raw and you are supposed to let them cook in the skillet before eating them.. I waited about 10 minutes and my eggs were still pretty runny. My friend's was even worse. I think the skillet needed to be hotter.
Pork sandwich - Since we didn't finish our eggs, we were still hungry and shared this sandwich. I think its the signature dish since 80% of the restaurant was eating this. It really was divine. Perfectly fatty pork with pickled zucchini and mayo on crusty bed. Perfect cure for a hangover! It was a bit greasy though so beware.
Coffee and Lattes were just OK.
Service was good but waiters kind of weird too. The server got annoyed that we asked for two menus (there was two of us) and a change of utensils.
I would visit again! -
Review from S L.
Brooklyn, NY
1/2/2012
Menu was standard fare, lacking the creativity I expect from a superior restaurant. All the other components are there for excellence - neat space and location, hip vibe, cheerful service, good drinks, intense-looking chefs.
But the food was just good without any exceptionalism. For a well-reputed restaurant like this, I expected more than the same dinner fare I could get elsewhere.
For example, the chicken was tasty and flavorful but not special. The mushroom sauce on the bread pudding was good but too sparse. Sausage appetizer was good, but just one small link sets up the expectation for true wow that isn't there.
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