by Evan S. on Atmosphere: wonderful. Food: left something to be desired. Service: standard, friendly. Consider The Park if you're looking for a decent restaurant that comes with a "gimmick" on the west side of Manhattan. I can easily say that the strength of the restaurant is the woodsy, outdoors-like feel of the dining area, which is wonderful for spring/summer/fall dining. I went with my lady friend, Elite rateclubser Tarra T (check her out!), and we started with drinks at the bar (without a reservation, we had about a 10 min wait). Standard cocktails, nice barkeep = good way to start dinner. Upon being seated, we perused the menu and decided to explore the Crab Cakes with mango papaya chutney and chipotle aioli ($12). These little morsels were delectable, although very small in size and quantity. I ordered the Rigatoni with oven roasted plum tomatoes, olives, and basil. Aside from the pasta lacking much taste, the dish was heavy on the olives. You'd have to be Popeye The Sailorman (circa 1953) to want to get down on that much olive. I finished my plate, because I hate wasting food, but I was left feeling slightly dissatisfied. The service was what one would expect: friendly, un-annoying (pretty sure I just made that word up), and with a smile (sans Coke). That being said, other dishes may really pop, but I would do The Park for the atmosphere primarily. Stay classy my foodie friends, Ev
by Irene Montalbano on Over-the-top-unnecessary -- frisk+bag check. Is there something about this place that would justify the need for this kind of "heightened" security? Just-plain-annoying -- Cover, and being asked where I'm from. Thanks for asking, but I live here. Note to self, this is why sometimes I hate MPD, it's not their fault, it's my own. Not-bad-not-bad -- attentive bartenders, open space inside, decor, lighting, music, crowd. Overall -- kind of boring. Great -- nothing.
