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All Reader Reviews of...

Hearth

403 E. 12th St., New York, NY, 10009
at First Ave.
646-602-1300

Avg. Rating

7
Food: 7
Service: 7
Décor: 7
"Recommended"

Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10.

54% would go back.

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A great way to end 2011

By Happy2012 on 1/1/2012

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 9
  • Décor: 8
  • Yes, I would go back!

We ended 2011 with a fabulous meal at Hearth. The special New Years menu was incredibly balanced and delicious. Each course was coupled with the perfect wine. It was the most memorable meal we've had in a long time (and we frequent some of NYs best). We can't wait wait to go back to explore the full menu. GOGOGO!!!!

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17 out of 33 people found this review helpful.

Critic's pick?

By BBfood on 11/30/2011

  • Overall Rating: 5
  • Food: 3
  • Service: 6
  • Décor: 10
  • No, I would not go back!

I was so excited to try this place out, that I made a reservation far in advance for my anniversary. The best aspect of this restaurant is the ambiance, but the food - not so much. It is so overpriced and not delicious, I don't understand the hype! I ordered the tasting menu (ehem, $76), so I tried 6 different courses, and only the soup impressed me (I also had the octopus, pork chop, sweetbreads, and I don't remember what else...). Not only was the food over-salted and not great, but the tasting menu was full of HEAVY items; it just didn't seem like they paired foods together with any strategy other than to make me ill at the end.

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18 out of 36 people found this review helpful.

Too salty

By ibon on 5/5/2010

  • Overall Rating: 4
  • Food: 2
  • Service: 6
  • Décor: 6
  • No, I would not go back!

I went to Hearth with my friend because we had wanted to try it for a long time. We had heard good things about it and we live in the neighborhood. Unfortunately it was so disappointing. The food was so salty, not just one dish but ALL of them; the rock shrimp, the pasta with duck and even the fava bean salad. The wines were extremely expensive. The only affordable white wine on the list was 'just out'. The sommelier recommended a wine that was not on the list but 'in the same price category'. It was an overly sweet Riesling that appeared to be (when the check came) $10 more than the wine we had chosen originally. Because the intens sweetness of the wine balanced out the saltiness of the food we managed to eat a few bites but neither of us could finish our food (and portions are not large). I wonder how they stay in business!

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47 out of 93 people found this review helpful.

SMALL SMALL SMALL Portions

By sonny727 on 5/4/2010

  • Overall Rating: 7
  • Food: 6
  • Service: 8
  • Décor: 6
  • No, I would not go back!

I came here with a friend after hearing much hype about this place. The ambiance is standard, the staff very friendly, however, my entree portion left me wanting to go across the street at the peruvian place and eat a half-chicken order to be full. I ordered the roast lamb and there were 3 half dollar coin sized lamb slices (i'm not exaggerating in the slightest), 1 quarter coin sized lamb sausage, a couple of pieces of veggies. i'm talking 5-7 bites and my plate was empty! Thank goodness I had 4 slices of bread and an appetizer for starters! For these prices, you could've thrown in a few more slices of lamb to fill out the plate. I almost asked the waiter if I mistakenly ordered the appetizer sized roast lamb! They were nice and tender, but not worth the prices. Too bad, I most def will not be coming back.

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52 out of 96 people found this review helpful.

Did I miss something?

By DeanNYC on 10/26/2009

  • Overall Rating: 6
  • Food: 5
  • Service: 7
  • Décor: 4
  • No, I would not go back!

I am a NYC fine dining regular and was excited to give Hearth a shot after numerous excellent reviews. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a pleasant hostess and a large, spare dining room with padded carpet strips on one wall. Hearth has a large, complicated wine list that is likely excellent by-the-bottle, but too highbrow if going by-the-glass. After plenty of consultation with our server, we opted for the autumn tasting menu with one substitution. The salad course was not remarkable, with light dressing reminiscent of Henri's Tas-tee on the pear and pecorino salad. Next, came lukewarm pumpkin ravioli that was so sweet it made my teeth ache, like a too-rich dessert. The main course was venison (again, lukewarm), which was overcooked and which the server smartly and subtly tried to warn me off. I should have taken her advice. My wife substituted the duck, which was excellent and the best thing we ate that evening. The apple crisp dessert was very basic and very good. In the end, I was turned off by the coldness of the dining room and the average quality of the food, especially at those prices.

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68 out of 114 people found this review helpful.

I don't care what others say, you'd be CRAZY not to eat here

By tasterC on 9/1/2009

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 9
  • Décor: 9
  • Yes, I would go back!

I took a date and we sat at the kitchen pass; a real treat, especially since I work as a cook in Brooklyn. We chose the Riesling from Alsace; light with nice acidity. I had the chilled corn soup with fennel and gulf shrimp, a perfectly balanced Summer soup. She had the beet salad, which was expertly seasoned and beautifully presented. Next I had the zucchini raviolo; a pouch of perfectly cooked pasta enveloping ricotta, zucchini, onions and tomato. She had the chicken with polenta and market vegetables. I'm not usually a fan of poultry but this was delicious. One critique I have is that, in general, they could hold back just a tad on the salt, but that's it. We both enjoyed the pie of the day; key lime with graham cracker crust, presented with a beautiful quinelle of whipped cream. The hostess and our server were friendly and knowledgeable, the decor was warm and inviting. We both had a wonderful time and agreed that it was the perfect place for a date. In fact, if I had the cash I'd go back again tomorrow!

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68 out of 130 people found this review helpful.

One of the best in NYC

By panagisv on 6/12/2009

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 9
  • Yes, I would go back!

I've been to Hearth many times and every single time the food and the service have been excellent. Their wine list is very interesting to read, with great comments from the sommelier. It helped me discover an excellent Cab Franc from the North Fork! Their knowledgeable staff are great and very friendly. The only comment I'd make is that I'd like to see some more variety in the main courses. I love their food and that's why it'd be nice to have more choice there! I can't wait to go back!!

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78 out of 143 people found this review helpful.

Delightful

By Campbell55 on 6/2/2009

  • Overall Rating: 8
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 8
  • Décor: 6
  • Yes, I would go back!

We had the half portion of the mushroom/pasta to start, followed by the veal breast and chicken. All items were exceptionally prepared and our server was instrumental in the selection process. Other than atmosphere, which can be noisy, the food and service are top shelf.

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60 out of 120 people found this review helpful.

casual, great food, cucina povera + wine = deal; sit @ kitchen pass

By wavsurfer on 5/22/2009

  • Overall Rating: 10
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 10
  • Yes, I would go back!

Hearth's new "recession special" is a 3-course "cucina povera" dinner for $35 (wine pairings only $15 extra! really cheap for restaurant wine, esp. in NY). Came in w/o a rez on a Thurs night in the mid of the dinner rush and sat at the kitchen pass. Got a great show and a bit of an education watching the fish cook juggle 7 dishes at once. Even felt bad when the chef gently scolded the saute cook for delaying an order. Fun night with great food in a casual, non-pretentious atmosphere. BTW: yelp sucks!

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71 out of 123 people found this review helpful.

Don't expect too much

By nyworkaholic on 6/7/2008

  • Overall Rating: 5
  • Food: 6
  • Service: 5
  • Décor: 4
  • No, I would not go back!

Too expensive for a neighborhiood haunt...but Hearth doesn't have the quality food, cocktails or wine list that warrant going out of your way for. Service was ok but there was nothing distinguishing about Hearth.

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61 out of 128 people found this review helpful.

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