Meme (CLOSED)

My husband and I have eaten here probably over 100 times as this restaurant is around the corner from our home. The food, service and ambiance have always been excellent. I can't imagine having a better place in the neighborhood. We are always treated like an honored and loved guest and the food has always been extraordinary. The service is wonderful, helpful and never pretentious or overbearing. A true gem of a restaurant

The only good thing about this place was the location and the fact that there are plenty of good restaurants to go to when you have leave this place.

Small corner "bistro" with wood tables, shimmering silverware chandelier, and food photos on the wall. it has this cool funky vibe going on. Our four person table mowed thru pretty much the whole menu except the cheese section(so many other good things, we just couldn't physically do it). Highlights were "sizzling mussels"(never seen anyone prepare them this way), steak tartare, foie gras thingee(forget name) that was heavenly, and the salads too were on point. there were a bunch of specials too. as far as entrees, we had the whole chicken. hands down, best in the city. crispy, succulent and huge, with mushrooms and a side of onion grits. we had duck breast, rabbit parpadella(again better than any italian pasta joint). there is alos plenty of fish options. we didnt have any, but the table next to us did, and dam did it look good. the desserts raised the bar. so many places just mail in dessert, not this place. we had this small but full lemon merengue pie, it looked like a castle with all the merengue spires. Meme also has a wine list, and its completely approachable. cheap(or shall i say value) glasses of wine and bottles. It was nice to be able to try a few different without getting bent over. All in all. welcome to the 'hood, looking forward to seeing you again

To sum up the night, I don't know if I've ever had such a disappointing experience at a restaurant in my life. The focal point of the night laid in the hands of the cook staff, who decided to stare at the woman I was with about the entire time we were there. She tried to make light of the experience in pretending it didn't both her, but in all actuality she didn't want to sit there for another second longer. She felt uncomfortable, and we didn't want to make any sort of scene in saying anything. It was just a very disrespectful thing to do. The other problem we had was our meal, I had the lamb and she had the catch of the day, the lamb was cold, chewy, and under cooked, the ratatouille was medicore at best, and the mashed potatoes were also cold and not very good. I realize I could have had it heated back up, but we were more in a rush to leave, and should I really have to ask to have my food heated back up? We were one of three tables the two others had already finished their meals, and dishes are coming out cold? She had the catch of the day which she didn't enjoy, she thought it wasn't seasoned properly and had a very bland taste. I honestly never felt so unhappy to spend 100 dollars in my life.

I had read about Meme in the restaurant review section of City Paper and was immediately curious, so I decided to go there for my 22nd birthday. I was not disappointed. Now, for my college-student price bracket, eating at a place like Meme is a major luxury, but its definitely one worth indulging in periodically. Everything was delicious, much of it with flavors that were both familiar and unique. My girlfriend got the catch of the day that was pan-seared and delicious, with the foi gras tart as an "appetizer". Not being much of a liver fan, I was surprised at how good that was. I got the mixed chicories and the wagyu skirt steak, both of which were delicious. Its by no means every-day fare (not for me, anyway), but a much-needed indulgence.

All the aspects of Meme impressed me. From the sign which I was told was done by Ralph Steadmen - of Gonzo roots, and the heated outside seating where we sat, I'm going back often. Price realtative to food quality and portions were well worth it. The staff especially made our experience one that will last .in our memory.