Location: Corner of 9th and 1st Ave, East Village
SBE Score: 79
We loved the atmosphere, but were disappointed with the backyard burger.
Thank goodness for SBE. It was the perfect Wednesday pick-me-up. We were initially very impressed with Whitman's, which may have contributed to our ultimate disappointment. Maybe Whitman's was having an off night, but we didn't love any dish. Actually, none were spectacular.
On the appetizers - The fried pickles were too sweet and the dressing on the iceberg salad tasted like bottled Caesar.
On the burgers - Brian and Kate ordered 'Juicy Lucys,' and Luke and Leila ordered Upstate Burgers. All hungry, we were dreaming for juicy and flavorful. They weren't cooked to order (medium rare became medium well) and, all over, they were equivalent to summer, backyard burgers, because the patty was less flavorful and seasoned than you expect from an NYC restaurant.
Above: Fried Kale, Iceberg wedge, Fried Pickles
The Results...
Iceberg wedge: 4 [2-6]
Fried pickles: 3.5 [2-5]
Fried kale: 5.75 [1-8] .... I'm calling out Leila - she scored it a 1
Burger Patty: 4.5 [3-6]
Burger Experience: 6.25 [6-7]
Fries: 5 [4-6]
Above: Fries, the Organic Upstate Burger, the 'Juicy Lucy' burger
Below: the inside of the Juicy Lucy (see that pimento cheese?)
Pros
Final thought. We scored Whitman's a 79 because we were disappointed with the burger. However, we all liked Whitman's, and unlike Rare, we would all come back. It's a cool place, so check it out.
SBE Score: 79
We loved the atmosphere, but were disappointed with the backyard burger.
Thank goodness for SBE. It was the perfect Wednesday pick-me-up. We were initially very impressed with Whitman's, which may have contributed to our ultimate disappointment. Maybe Whitman's was having an off night, but we didn't love any dish. Actually, none were spectacular.
On the appetizers - The fried pickles were too sweet and the dressing on the iceberg salad tasted like bottled Caesar.
On the burgers - Brian and Kate ordered 'Juicy Lucys,' and Luke and Leila ordered Upstate Burgers. All hungry, we were dreaming for juicy and flavorful. They weren't cooked to order (medium rare became medium well) and, all over, they were equivalent to summer, backyard burgers, because the patty was less flavorful and seasoned than you expect from an NYC restaurant.
Above: Fried Kale, Iceberg wedge, Fried Pickles
The Results...
Iceberg wedge: 4 [2-6]
Fried pickles: 3.5 [2-5]
Fried kale: 5.75 [1-8] .... I'm calling out Leila - she scored it a 1
Burger Patty: 4.5 [3-6]
Burger Experience: 6.25 [6-7]
Fries: 5 [4-6]
Above: Fries, the Organic Upstate Burger, the 'Juicy Lucy' burger
Below: the inside of the Juicy Lucy (see that pimento cheese?)
Pros
- Awesome service (Really. They were really friendly and attentive)
- Great atmosphere downstairs - the lighting and the acoustics works really well - great as a date place or dinner with friends
- No pretension
- Cash only. They can get away with it because it's not super expensive, but it's NYC, and almost 2011. Guess we can't complain too much, considering we did like the 'no pretension' thing.
Final thought. We scored Whitman's a 79 because we were disappointed with the burger. However, we all liked Whitman's, and unlike Rare, we would all come back. It's a cool place, so check it out.
Total Bill: $100 (tip included)There's nothing actually on the website (yet?), but for good measure... http://whitmansnyc.com/
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