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brown café

61 Hester St., New York, NY 10002
nr. Ludlow St. See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
212-477-2427 Send to Phone

Price Range:
$$$
Key to Prices and ratings
Upscale

Almost Perfect

Exceptional

Generally Excellent

Very Good

Good

Cheap Eats

Best in Category

Excellent

Delicious

Very Good

Noteworthy
Very Expensive

Expensive

Moderate

Cheap
Reader Rating:
10.0 out of 10
|
1 Reviews | Write a Review
Cuisine: American Nouveau, American Traditional, Cafes, Health Food

Photo by Brown Cafe

Map Rate & Review

Official Website

greenbrownorange.com

Hours

Tue-Sat, 9am-11pm; Sun-Mon, 9am-6pm

Nearby Subway Stops

F at East Broadway; J, M, Z at Essex St.

Prices

$20-$24

Payment Methods

American Express, MasterCard, Visa

Special Features

Breakfast
Brunch - Daily
Delivery
Lunch
Notable Wine List
Outdoor Dining
Private Dining/Party Space
Take-Out

Alcohol

Beer and Wine Only

Reservations

Recommended

Delivery Area

East Broadway to Rivington St., Clinton St. to Chrystie St.

Profile

At first glance, this place looks like a gem: Peek in the warmly lit glass storefront on this dark street in a shabby neighborhood and you'll likely see a roomful of posh-looking diners. (Isn't that the definition of a "find"?) But the same attributes that make brown so attractive seem to get in the way of its success. That cozy interior is overheated by its overflow of well-dressed clientele engrossed in well-read conversation; those glazed vertical tree stumps in place of chairs might be innovative but they're neither stable nor comfortable. The dinner menu—organic comfort food that changes frequently and arrives on wood boards in case you didn't clue in to the rusticity—is equally uneven: Braised fennel with roasted chicken may be tasty but tinny smelling bass seems an affront to the market-driven claims. — Alexandra Vallis

Food:	10

Service:	8

Décor:	7

Value:	9

I agree with just about everything in the above review. My back was aching from hours on a rock hard wooden bench, I was sweating from the overheated and overcramped dining room, and the forced organic chic aesthetic produced a bit of a gag reflex. All this being said, IT WAS THE BEST MEAL I HAVE HAD IN NEW YORK IN YEARS. Restaurant critics, however well intentioned, become desensitized to the nightly blast of sugar, salt and butter they endure at 90% of modern upscale restaurants. There was plenty of cheese, sauce and other vices here to liven up the perfectly cooked meat and fresh vegetables. I guess we're calling it health food because you actually make it through two courses without feeling like you visited a candy shop.

Read All 1 Reviews >>

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