by Deborah K. on Oh Piano Bar. Not so long ago you were a solid 5-star bar for me. You were a bar. With a piano and a pianist who was fun and engaging. And a great crowd. And a smoking patio. And a clean bathroom. What happened? I wanted to have my birthday party at your bar because every time I'd gone on a Friday or Saturday night the crowd had been fun, the piano hilarious, and the drinks good. Well...not good. OK. I mean, there was the bubbleheaded bartender who served me champagne in a highball glass with ice, but whatever. It wasn't a regular problem. So I made reservations for the back two booths for a party of 20. When I arrived I didn't have them. I had one back booth and a small table. If the two booths weren't available then I should've been told. Also there was no piano player. There was a VERY loud band. A painfully loud band. Playing Chris Issak and Flock of Seagulls covers. FLOCK OF SEAGULLS Loud. In a tiny space. My friends and I were reduced to texting each other to communicate. From the front of the bar. Far away from the band. This has actually never happened to me before at Piano Bar. Normally I have a great time there. Crowds of people singling O-bla-di-o-bla-dah. Delicious drinks. A noise level conducive to loud, but audible communication with one's friends. But I don't know what they've become. Once enough of my friends showed up we boned out and texted the rest of the group that we were migrating elsewhere. Then, since we'd all become deaf from the reverb and hideous screeching sound quality (seriously...I don't mind loud. I do mind painfully loud, awful and hideous) we figured out via sign language and text messages where to bounce to next. Some of my friends made earplugs out of napkins. The rest of us just got headaches and ringing ears. Oh Piano Bar. I've celebrated a lot of birthdays in you. My own and others. What happened? At least the bathroom was clean.
by Alexandra D. on This is a great place to come with some friends and meet for some drinks and then food. The platters can be shared and you eat the injera with your hands. Even though I liked the vegetarian dishes, I think the meat tasted a touch more interesting, and had a great consistency. Have to try more eastern african places in the city!
by Tommy Block on I tend to think about restaurants, as I'm driving....go figure. As I was coming in from out of town, I wanted to try something new, but familiar would work just as well because I was very hungry. Initially thinking Papi's, but it was just after 10 and they were closing up. So I had an "Ah-HA!" moment and went to Top Flr right next door. I have never been here and have wanted to for some time....so here I am. Walking it, it felt very sedate for a Sunday night, I sat at the bar, just about middle. Just looking for an open seat. Once I get settled, I notice there's a group of women at the far end talking and having a grand time. On the other end by the entrance, just one couple on a date and various late night diners. Their bar has some great Italian spirits, some bottles I haven't seen in a long time, so I was already thinking I was going to like it here. Onto the food: their late night menu was pretty good, didn't feel pared down at all, so I went with the pork tenderloin and the gnocchi with spinach. That combination really worked for me, though the gnocchi tasted more like a bread based stuffing than a pasta. Not a complaint, just an observation. The tenderloin was delicious and the sauce was perfection. I'm glad Top Flr and I have finally made our acquaintance. I'm sure we'll be meeting up again soon.
