Da Vanderbilt

You can go hungry to The Vanderbilt, just order properly, i.e. not all the tiny bites on the top of the menu!

Very true belzjm. I think what I like about The Vanderbilt is that you can have a procession of expertly made dishes, varying in size so you don't get overstuffed. If you like small plates, sharing or simply trying a lot of things, then this is a restaurant for you.

It all depends on what the diner looks for when they go out to eat. Some people expect huge amounts of food as a way of justifying their spending, while others look for top notch ingredients and are happier if they are in smaller quantities. The $70 you spend at Vanderbilt for two would go a very long way at say a Chinese restaurant, local Mexican spot or place like Aunt Suzie's, but the food can't stand up to the quality at The Vanderbilt. It's all a matter of taste (and budget).

I can't say that being painted as an impecunious and/or Cheesecake Factory-loving lardass for thinking the portions here are skimpy is going to endear the place to me.

We went on Friday and while I certainly didn't leave hungry, I did find several of the dishes oddly undersized. The pork belly with lentils was plenty and the pork chop was a nice entree size for me. Believe or not, I really like the small plates concept, because I try to eat more veggies, so a small portion of a very good meat dish is ideal for me. But I would happily have eaten more brussels sprouts; and the apple "turnovers" consisted of a single eensy turnover and a heaping tablespoon of ice cream. Delicious, but comically small.

I doubt the incremental cost of brussels sprouts or pastry dough is the issue here. I think they're going for an ostentatiously tiny, manicured style, but honestly it felt over the top and felt like a bit of a rip-off. You can laugh all you like at "some Americans" but I think if I took most of my non-NYC friends and family to this place, they'd be bewildered at its value proposition and they wouldn't be entirely wrong. I liked our visit but I'm thinking that its main utility will be in offering lots of tables and making it easier for us to get a table at James, Cornelius, and Beast. For a top-notch eating experience I'd err on the side of getting an actual dinner at someplace like, hey, Saul.

Wholesale and retail is confusing here. Beer cost is @7-9 bucks a six. You go for the total package not just how big the mound is on your plate. After the new wears off I hope the price structure allows these guys to stay open and give locals another quality option. Taco Bell and White Castle give you the most calories for your money if that is what you are after.

catwalkertexasranger wrote: Taco Bell and White Castle give you the most calories for your money if that is what you are after.

Their food is highly processed, which is expensive. For real calorific value for money, it's hard to beat drinking a bottle of Crisco on the stoop of the C-Town/NSA.

went to the vanderbilt again on saturday and it was even better than the first time. the food (especially the mussels) was some of the best i've had in brooklyn. no lie.

the place was completely slammed busy. we waited maybe an hour for a table, but enjoyed it because we wanted to hang at the bar for a while and have some drinks anyway.

this place has some truly incredibly food. the merquez sausage was to DIE FOR.

Awesome!

The late menu was up and running last night

The croquettes are ridiculously good.

So, I just found out they're going to be serving brunch starting in 3 weeks. I got a look at the brunch menu and it looks fantastic. I can't wait!

xlizellx wrote: http://www.blackboardeats.com/new-york

Free charcuterie plate at Vanderbilt with purchase of one non-hors d'oeurve menu item

Yes, starts tomorrow. I will definitely be checking it out. Wengt by again tongiht, and had some great mussels, and tasty cocktails.

Mrs. C and I also enjoyed the brunch this past weekend.

xlizellx wrote: [quote=Carnivore][quote=xlizellx]http://www.blackboardeats.com/new-york

Free charcuterie plate at Vanderbilt with purchase of one non-hors d'oeurve menu item

Yes, starts tomorrow. I will definitely be checking it out. Wengt by again tongiht, and had some great mussels, and tasty cocktails.

Mrs. C and I also enjoyed the brunch this past weekend.

is the brunch menu vegetarian friendly at all?

edited to clarify which menu i meant.
They have some vegetarian items, although Mrs. C didn't enjoy her slow cooked eggs with wild mushrooms and comte cheese as much as I liked my hanger steak with rosti, eggs and bernaise sauce. The cocktails were tasty, and Mrs. C liked her bacon.

You can check out their menu here. Just click brunch for the brunch menu.

Whatchuwant wrote: That looks really good! But what are xyz eggs?

Eggs any style. I got over easy.

Noticed tonight that The Vanderbilt is applying for a sidewalk licencse...so looks like outdoor seating is in the works (assuming it gets approved).

Carnivore wrote: [quote=arches]Noticed tonight that The Vanderbilt is applying for a sidewalk licencse...so looks like outdoor seating is in the works (assuming it gets approved).

Yes. The plan is for about 40 outdoor seats, mostly on Bergen. This is great, since there is definitely a need for more outdoor spots on Vandy now that Barette is gone. Cornelius is almost like being outside on a nice day when they open the whole front, Beast has a few outdoor seats, and Milk Bar is nice during the day. And Soda has their outdoor space in back, but that's a different kind of feel. I'm definitely looking forward to siting outside at The Vanderbilt with drinks on a nice day.

In theory, it's great, and I wish them luck. However, that is right by a bus stop (as is the Beast seating). Not my idea of pleasant dining. I'll take a backyard seating instead any day.