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Jack's Wife Freda
Categories: Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Restaurants Mediterranean Breakfast & Brunch, Mediterranean
224 Lafayette St(between Kenmare St & Cleveland Pl)
Manhattan, NY 10012
Neighbourhood: SoHo
(212) 510-8550
- Nearest Transit:
-
Spring St (4, 6, 6X)
Prince St (N, R)
Bowery (J)
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Brunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
26 reviews for Jack's Wife Freda
26 reviews in English
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Review from Armand P.
Sunnyside, NY
4/29/2012 2 photos
We came here for brunch on Sunday. I am generally not a fan of the area but it was beautiful out in the city today. I would have loved to sit outside but the wait would have been too long. The hostess(who i later found out was the wife of Jack and Fredas' grandson...the picture above the cash register is Jack and Freda) was very nice and actually offered a common table at first but said to me if I waited a few more minutes we could have our own table.....I waited. When I was seated I was put between a two obnoxiously loud girls to my right and three even more obnoxiously loud girls to my left(as I said not a big fan of the area too vain and too shallow). I asked to move to the bar to eat and they were apologetic.
We ordered Jacks Burger which I asked for it to be cooked medium rare and to please add goat cheese. The burger was cooked perfectly and had a nice char. It was like I cooked it on my grill at home. I was asked by several off the staff how the goat cheese was on the burger and I loved it. The grilled tomato and grilled onion made me think they are on to something. The size was perfect. Not too big and not too small. The fries were also very good. nice and crisp.
The other thing we had was the roasted tomato and eggplant marmalade with goat cheese on a toasted baguette with an arugula salad. The roasted tomato was sweet and the eggplant and goat cheese worked very well together. The toasted baguette was much better then I expected. The arugula was oiled nicely and seasoned well.
Overall I like this place. The service was good and the staff was attentive. I would like to try some of the more traditional breakfast menu, especially the green shakshuka.
It was nice to go to a place that was family run. I think that showed up in the food, which is the most important part to me. -
Review from James S.
Phoenix, AZ
5/15/2012
We were in town for a few days and our friends suggested this place based on their menu and location. We're vegetarian, and they have a couple of items on the menu for folks like me and my wife, so I agreed, even though the limited selection of veggie items made me a bit reluctant in a city so friendly to vegetarians.
There were six of us on a Friday night and we only had to wait about fifteen minutes, so that was a definite plus. I wish it were easier to get a drink at the bar, but you are pretty crammed against the seating on the floor of the restaurant. That's only a minor complaint, since they are certainly not alone in having a tiny dining area.
It's a cute and fun restaurant, and our friends like places with crazy names, so they could hardly pass up the chance. The service was friendly and efficient. Being small and cute also means it's loud and not quite as cute when full of people. By the end of the meal I found myself screaming to talk to the person at the other end of the table. Again, they aren't alone in this, and it's part of the price you pay for cozy, fun restaurants.
Those small complaints would have been completely overlooked had the food been better. I live in Phoenix, which is not exactly NYC when it comes to food, but I have a bevy of restaurants better than this within a fifteen minute radius of my house. It wasn't bad, but it was no more than average, and this was our first meal upon arriving in town, so I was disappointed.
We ordered the Greek Salad, the veggie couscous, and two orders of fries. Sadly, the fries were the best part of the meal, even though each plate held, perhaps, 12 or 15 fries. It was like a fry snack. I ate maybe half a bowl of the couscous, and my wife finished her salad because she was starving. We ended up eating again at our hotel, whose excellent food made up for our mediocre experience here.
Maybe I hit them on a bad night, but my visits in the city are too short to go back and visit a restaurant if I've already had a sub-par experience. Because of the good fries, I wonder if the meaty food isn't better? A place that makes fish balls is probably not the best place for vegetarians, but you never know until you try. My recommendation is to give it a try if you are a meat-eater and hope that my experience was an off-night. Vegetarians should probably look elsewhere. -
Review from Amjad S.
Brooklyn, NY
3/24/2012
I really just adore this place. Simple decor with an interesting menu. Not your run of the mill breakfast fare that is heavily Middle Eastern and Israeli influenced. Perfect place for brunch with a great location right in SoHo and not pretentious or touristy like Balthazar around the corner.
Food-wise... I've been a few times and highly recommend the Poached Eggs with Grilled Tomato & Haloumi Cheese, Green Shakshuka, Jacks Breakfast (if you're hungry), and the Rosewater Waffle is awesome even as a desert to share. You should also try the mint lemonade or Nana Tea (mint leaf tea). -
Review from Jim P.
3/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
Frankly, Freda F'd up.
They had one large table and no one else in the joint.
In we walk, drop our order, and then the placed filled up.
Everyone else's food came out before our simple order of hard boiled eggs on a roll.
The manager was very apologetic and offered some sweets, but we had settle for knocking off the beverages which was admirable.
The food was very good, but simple.
It was VERY loud in here, which I don't like. Mainly do to that large table.
The only other small thing was their menu is a placemat, and one of us had the dinner menu, the other had the breakfast menu. Gotta fix that..
I'd gladly give these guys another try, but if the place is full or loud, I'd pass. -
Review from Matt N.
Ann Arbor, MI
5/11/2012
Really, really, really friendly staff. It is a very small NYC restaurant, but staffed with 5-6 extremely friendly people at a time. Food is better than average as well. Good ambiance.
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Review from Daniel B.
4/30/2012
Came here late on a Saturday and tried all the appetizers. They all went down well. Great wine list. Excellent service. Lovely place, friendly owner, great soundtrack. I can't recall what they played that makes me say this, because I was perhaps not totally sober, but it was great.
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Review from Tina L.
3/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
The well balanced, healthy choices were okay. Not exceptional, not bad. We shared the burger and the goat cheese baguette. Definitely burger over baguette, fries over arugula.
The service however, while not bad, was inattentive. It was a 4:30pm on Sunday. We were seated immediately, and the restaurant was pretty empty by the time we left. After I said yes to ketchup, mustard, and mayo on the side, only ketchup was served with the burger. After asking for a water refill (I'm not sure why we were one of the few tables without a carafe of water), the waitress came near us twice to chat with a regular customer without refilling our water. After 10 minutes with the empty glasses, we asked again.
Meh. I've experienced better. -
Review from Nils H.
2/10/2012
This place is definitely cute, but not sure if I get what type of food its supposed to be. I initially categorized it as Jewish due to the matzoh ball soup, but then realized that was the only Jewish item on the menu. Other indicative items include kebabs, burgers, and soft boiled eggs with challah soldiers. Maybe Middle Eastern...?
Despite my inability to define Jack's Wife Freda, the brunch did not disappoint. The area is obviously trendy, but the space still feels airy, bright and comfortable. The servers are super friendly and attentive without being overbearing, and the coffee was also enjoyable. The entrees, delicious and filling, are consistent with the demeanor of the restaurant - light and simple. -
Review from James K.
4/12/2012
I adored this place. The decorations and the menu looked simple but were charming. The food was relatively straightforward and there weren't many choices, but I thought the things I ordered were comfortable, delicious, and even at times delicate. The fried fish balls were crunchy and fresh tasting, I loved them. One of my favorite drinks is the Bloody Mary, so of course I had to try the bloody mary mussels. I quite enjoyed the mussels with the sauce, and the fries were pretty good too. We got the cheesecake and also the chocolate cake for dessert, and the chocolate cake was good with an extra kick from the chipotle. The spiced cheesecake was even better, it was creamy but not heavy. I definitely enjoyed my meal, and the waitresses were nice and attentive.
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Review from Christopher C.
Sunnyside, NY
3/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
Had a really good brunch here the other day. Start with the Greek salad which had kale in it, now I don't know what they did to it but it was great.
Then I had the chicken sandwich, which was a small and overcooked, still good but a tad dry and not enough of the sauce. I will say that the fries were perfect.
Not sure if it was worth the 35 min wait in the cold.
Also the space was small and homie. -
Review from Alex R.
Manhattan, NY
4/15/2012
Interesting place. Went there with 5 other friends. Arrived at like 9:15ish on Saturday and waiting for an hour or so to get a table. The place is small and we had a large party so oh well...it was a nice night out too. You can buy drinks from the bar and bring them outside so that made the wait a little less painful.
We had two appetizers which were both good. If I went back I would get the grilled haloumi again. The dinner menu is quite small -- a chicken option, fish option, a few sandwiches etc. I had the chicken, Peri-Peri style which was like a blackened chicken breast (which was huge.) It was very good and I would eat it again. A bunch of my friends got the steak sandwich and it look tasty as well.
We ordered two bottles of wine which were relatively affordable so that was refreshing for NYC.
Overall, good experience. The place and menu are both small but I'd consider going back. Maybe this time for brunch...? -
Review from Tracy K.
I'm sorry to be giving only 3 stars to such a budding new place. The invitingly warm ambiance and caring, attentive service are really what make Jack's Wife Freda a fantastic spot to catch up.
But the egg dishes could use some work. I had the green eggs shakshuka, and completely echo Joanie K.'s review - - the whites were entirely overcooked. If the skillet was baked at a lower temp for slightly longer, it probably would have been fantastic. As it was, overcooked egg whites are not the optimal compliment to the green chili and tomato sauce.
My friend's poached eggs with grilled tomato and haloumi also were slightly towards the done side, as opposed to the oozy goodness that is poached eggs.
As friend put it, the menu items here are super creative, but a few slight tweaks are needed on the egg preparation before this place truly becomes a brunchtime hit. -
Review from Abby R.
Brooklyn, NY
1/25/2012
I had the most fantastic breakfast here last week. I went in at 8:30am on a Wednesday. It was bustling, but not crowded. The sun was pouring into the simple, homey, elegant space. Service was perfectly attentive without hovering. My latte was expertly made. I had the green shakshuka, which is soft baked eggs in a tangy green sauce with thick toasted challah toast on the side. To die for!
I have been a fan of Maya, one of the owners, since her days as the Balthazar Maitre d' and that is why I gave this little neighborhood gem a shot. I am so happy that I did, as I plan on making this my new local. You should try it, too. -
Review from Joanie K.
2/6/2012
My standard solo Saturday brunch review
Arrived at 12:45 and the place was packed! I'm so glad that this new restaurant is seeing such a great turn out. It seemed that someone or other knew the owner. Also, +1 star for the other solo diner hanging out by the window. We're taking over!
Anyway, grabbed a table and ordered the Green Shakshuka & Zucker's Roses. I had to look up both on my handy dandy smarter than me phone. For your edification (bc it's so annoying to switch tabs on your phone. Listen, always thinking ahead here)... Shakshuka = dish of eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, chili peppers, onions, often spiced with cumin. It is believed to have Algerian and Tunisian origins. (TY Wikipedia). And, Zucker's Roses = from Zucker Bakery. Imagine a chocolate cinnabun.
I've never had a Shakshuka before, but this dish was with baked eggs, not poaches. Eggs were slightly over done with the whites a bit tough, but eggs are hard to produce on a mass scale, i.e., restaurant, bc the margin of b/t done and overdone is hard to manage. However, the yolk was perfectly runny.. my entire dish because one big coagulating tasty goo which I sopped up with doughy challah bread. So much for giving up gluten.
On the PMS-managing side, the Zucker's Rose was warm and the chocolate insides were melty. Chocolate was def of the dark varietal and very sweet. Too sweet for me to finish the insides, but yum all around.
Food did take longer than my stomach desired to arrive but it was well worth it. Mind over matter baby.
While the food was great, the best part for me was people watching. Hipster couple to my left and UES couple +1 to my right. Toggling / eavesdropping b/t the two very contrasting conversations was most entertaining. Also, food-envying the fresh cantaloupe juice from the hipster table. -
Review from Jessica T.
PRINCE, NY
5/16/2012
Well the name of restaurant must of have been named after an anorexic wife that barely eats, the portions are tiny miniature size. Her name could easily have been Fraila intstead of Freda unless of course she's aFreda to eat anything. Bulemia is another possible name for this joint that comes to mind. Please you must have to go to a another restaurant for dinner before coming there. However if you are on a diet then perhaps this is the restaurant for you. The arugula salad is just that.. arugula.. Pure and simple.. Nothing else.. Oh yeah I almost forgot.. There's a bit of dressing.. Please forgive me.. Looks like the owners like to keep their overhead low. The food is ok.. If you can find it on your plate that is.. Good luck! Again do not come here unless you are full.......
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Review from Mark C.
Long Island, NY
Cheap and cozy, but boring.
Jack's is a nice, bustling brunch spot with great service. I wish the food was more complex and more flavorful; but you can't really complain for the price here.
I came here for brunch and got a Prego burger, swapping out a side of fries for an arugula salad. The Prego burger was a couple simple slices of skirt steak on a lightly buttered roll about the size of your fist. There was nothing bad, but there was nothing special either. It was just meh. The burger was only $13, but I'd prefer to eat something that I couldn't easily make myself when I'm at a restaurant.
I tried some of my friend's egg shakshuka (2 baked eggs in a green sauce) and it was okay. Once again, there wasn't really much that drew me in.
I give Jack's credit for the service, but the food can use some touching up. I see a lot of potential in this place. I just wish it showed in the food. -
Review from Lisa L.
Brooklyn, NY
1/28/2012
Go figure, I decided to pay Jack's Wife Freda a visit partly because of the good reviews; partly because I thought their menu design was cute.
That's just what this place is: cute. I stopped in for lunch and took my seat at the bar. When I dine solo, I try not to take up too much space for myself especially when it's busy as this place clearly was on a Saturday afternoon. The folks who work here are very friendly and attentive; and even daresay--quite attractive.
The prego roll sounded good, so I ordered that with a side of fries and a glass of sparkling wine. When the plate came, I can't help but feel mildly crestfallen to see that the "side" of fries were overabundant and the sandwich was almost lost in this sea of fried potatoes. Don't get me wrong, it was all very delicious. The prego roll is this adorable diminutive sandwich consisting of grilled seasoned skirt steak between toasted Portuguese muffins. The steak was cooked just right and had that tasty blackened surface. It was not dry at all. Not very salty either. I like the size of it, too because it fits nicely in my small hands and fits perfectly into my small mouth. I like giant monstrous burgers as much as anyone else but, sometimes it's encouraging to be able to eat a sandwich tidily and not look like a slob. The fries were good but, they could ease up on all that sea salt.
Dining space at Jack's Wife is a bit tight but, tastefully decorated. I recommend Jack's Wife Freda to anyone who wants to take someone out to brunch at a nice place. Or, if you want to have a light meal in a clean, pleasant atmosphere.Listed in: impress your date
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Review from Sarah L.
Brooklyn, NY
2/2/2012
I love this place. It's an intimate, brightly lit, cozy destination. The service is warm and attentive.
The menu strikes the perfect balance light healthy dishes (tuna and Greek salads) and comfort food (burger, sandwiches, The breakfast items are delicious- shakshuka, grilled halumi with tomato. Simple and delicious. I can't wait to try the rosewater waffle!! -
Review from maisondesreveries g.
Manhattan, NY
2/12/2012 4 photos
I just went here last night for an early dinner for three - it wasn't very busy when we went in so we got a great seat near the back. The restaurant itself is fairly small so I can imagine when it's packed it can be a little tight on space.
The decor is really cute and has somewhat of a nautical feel. Everyone on the waitstaff seemed to be wearing nautical striped tops, which also added to the overall ambience
We were greeted by a man who seemed to be the owner (maybe Dean?) who was very nice and friendly. Our waitress, although polite and friendly, seemed a bit timid during the whole dinner and had a little difficulty giving us good direction when we were asking for suggestions. They just started serving dinner so maybe that's why she didn't seem so confident in her suggestions.
The food overall was good and well cooked. We had the zucchini chips, burger, bloody mary moules frites, and vegetable curry bowl. I enjoyed how thick the hand cut fries were that came with the burger and that they salted liberally. Nothing worse than an under salted french fry. The moules frites were not as amazing as I had hoped but again, well cooked. There was something missing in it I couldn't quite place. A lot of diners around me seemed to be ordering the vegetable curry bowl - it's hearty and filling.
I think I would like this place better during the day, their breakfast menu looks great and I can imagine how cute the space looks in the daylight. I'm planning on going back on a weekend to try brunch!
See photos of Jack's Wife Freda here: http://www.maisondesre... -
Review from Abby W.
Manhattan, NY
Updated - 4/11/2012
Love the food! Great value, excellent quality! You come here hungry and you leave happy.
The staff is so nice
Whatever they are doing must be right, cause people are pouring into this place day and night
Highly recommended, I've read all the reviews and say what you like, I haven't come across a place like this in a long long time
Bravo JWF1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/22/2012 First to Review
One of the best new restaurant s in the soho area, the food is incredible, service is great. The… Read more »
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Review from Sheila B.
San Francisco, CA
1/25/2012
I randomly found this cozy restaurant walking around SoHo and am so happy I decided to come in. Breakfast is served until 4pm and they have various lunch options as well. I ordered the Green Shakshuka, which is 2 baked eggs covered with a brightly flavored and tangy green tomato sauce and served with challah bread. It was delicious! My cappuccino was also perfect.
Service was great as well. A man, who appeared to be the owner, took the time to talk to everyone in the restaurant and seemed to have good relationships with the customers.
Can't wait to come back! -
Review from Raya R.
Manhattan, NY
3/5/2012
I was in my neighborhood with a friend and looking for a great brunch spot. We arrived around 3 pm and the place was packed. The hostess told us it would be a 10 minute wait to sit outside on the bunch and she will bring us in.
After 30 minutes of sitting outside, my friend and i saw about 3 groups of people walk in and not walk back out. We could see from outside that they were friends of the hostess as she did everything possible to make space for them.
Other people who came after us BUT before the hostess's friends arrived were waiting outside with us. So you can definitely say we were disappointed that this new spot in my neighborhood is already one of those places that really doesn't care for newcomers. -
Review from Shar K.
Brooklyn, NY
2/28/2012
Went for Sunday lunch and ordered the steak sammich with fries and a side salad. It was ok. I was still kinda hungry afterwards. I don't get the hype. Maybe I need to go back for dinner.
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Review from Sharlene C.
Brooklyn, NY
3/25/2012
i popped in for brunch. this spot in cozy, but pop in before noon and you shouldn't have a problem getting a seat. i had the rosewater waffle which was delicious. the lebanese yogurt was a perfect topping and the light honey syrup made me feel like i was eating healthy. coffee cups are on the smaller size, but refills are free so that's a plus. my pal got the great shashuka, which was baked eggs smoothered with tomatillo sauce with challah toast. my friend needed extra toast to soak up all the tomatillo goodness. NOTE: they charged $2 for additional toast. the service is aiight, so waitresses better than others. it seemed like many of the customers knew the staff. i'll be back for another breakie helping.
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Review from Ruth A.
Manhattan, NY
4/1/2012
Just had brunch here, really liked the poached eggs with haloumi. Enjoyed very good coffee (which is crucial on my list) and very good service. It was quiet on this Sunday morning, the music was not blasting thankfully, and the service again was friendly and helpful
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Review from Zigi J.
Manhattan, NY
4/11/2012 5 photos
i was craving pancakes and had an hour to kill in the SOHO area, i happened to walk by Jack's wife Freda - and thought i should give it a shot... as my friends were talking about the place the night before (i never heard of them)
turns out they have no pancakes;(
- but the woman who was at the door , who appeared to be the owner (and/or a really nice hostess), took the time to talk to everyone in the restaurant and seemed to have good relationships with the customers.
she realized how disappointed i was as i was craving pancakes, she tried to tell me about the rosewater waffles, but when she realized i just wanted pancakes, she really tried to think where i can go get them, and sent me around the corner to Balthazar...
i thought it was really great that she encouraged me to go somewhere else with absolute pleasure.
anyway, after walking over to Balthazar to find out the pancakes are 20 bucks - i just had to go back to Jacks wife Freda for the waffles! ($10) They were GREAT!!!
topped with Lebanese yogurt, strawberries and honey syrup, made me feel like i was having a healthier version of your average waffles with maple syrup.
service was so nice, unpretentious - felt like you could have been in a cafe anywhere in the world.
I have been back since a couple times.
i have to admit, after hearing about the place from my friends the night before, i feared this could be a another "cool" "trendy" soho spot where the vibe just feels like you don't necessarily belong - but the mix of all types of crowds and ages, families etc, topped with the personal service made me feel more welcome than i could have imagined.
