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* DinerFood-wise, if I ever decide to go back to eating beef, I'll do it with one of Diner's succulent looking cheeseburgers. Their seafood has been enough to keep me coming back though. Forget about Belgo or Florent over in that other borough, Diner is Williamsburg's place for a night of mussels, beer, fries, and mayonnaise. And with recently sampled specials (conveniently written out for you on your paper tablecloth) like lake trout and mahi-mahi, Diner has something for those of us that don't eat their yummy looking burgers and steaks...yet. Prices are a bit higher than you'd expect for being underneath the Williamsburg Bridge, but worth it for a "rewarding yourself for something" night out.
From Village Voice
"Located under the Williamsburg Bridge, the decrepit premises of Diner really did once contain a diner. Now it's Williamsburg's hippest eatery, with a limited menu of crowd pleasers like steak frites and hamburgers, both memorable. All of the culinary action, however, is on the ever-changing specials menu, which might include an eggplant sandwich one day at lunch, and an ambi-tious special of something French, say, duck confit, in the evening."
From New York Magazine
"Even before you've finished your first cocktail, you notice the floor is tilting. But the disequilibrium contributes to the charm of this snug, just-rehabbed-enough 1927 dining car. A beyond reductive menu offering "soup," "burger," "sauteed greens," and at brunch, "hot cereal" misleads at first. Don't believe the lack of hype. Chef Caroline Fidanza shows her dexterous hand with specials like succulent pork loin with caramelized cipollini and tender lamb ragout with white-bean gratin. At brunch, don't miss the hubcap-size portion of codfish hash. Recommended Dishes: Burger, $8.50; Mussels with French fries, $12.50; Hanger Steak, $16; Sauteed Greens, $3"
From City Search:
"Hipsters ride high at this gathering point for Williamsburg's romanticized rebel set. A dark refurbished dining car hosts plenty of hipsters in carefully selected thrift-store clothing. At the end of the bar, you might spot a woman in a cowgirl hat and full Nudie suit. At the other end, perhaps a guy who looks like he just woke up under a bridge, a copy of his Farrar, Straus & Giroux-bound manuscript under his arm. Contemporary American cuisine cooked with flair and offered at diner-style prices. Late hours mean that you can munch on specials like an excellent charcuterie plate or Diner's killer cheeseburger into the wee hours. By midnight, the place is usually packed."
From NY Times
"The owners of this tattered luncheonette underneath the Williamsburg Bridge had the good sense not to create a diner-theme restaurant. Instead, Diner brings the diner idea up to date, offering the sort of everyday food that appeals to the local art crowd. The basics - roast chicken, french fries, hamburgers, etc. - are fine, and other dishes can be superb, like skirt steak, perfectly cooked whole trout, black bean soup and eggs scrambled with grilled trout. The atmosphere is bustling. Other recommended dishes: French salad, goat cheese salad, black-eyed pea soup, mussels, roasted fresh ham, rib-eye steak, flourless chocolate cake."
Comments
I went out to Diner knowing it would be crowded and that there would be a long wait. I ordered mussels and fries, excellent beer (duvel) and goat cheese salad. Their salad was dressed perfectly, with the right amount of oniony-sweetness and vinegary oily-ness. I had hoped their goat cheese to be toasted but alas, it was plain. Their fries were crisp and browned and tasty as all heck but their mussels left much to be desired. They were overcooked and some were spoiled.
Posted by: JH | May 31, 2005 09:33 PM
This was our 2nd visit to Diner, and it was just as special as the first visit over a year ago. Great food - soups, salads, specials, and dessert to die for! Great atmosphere - busy and fun, but they don't rush you out even when there is a line! Only the coffee was disappointing, but we left with smiles on our faces! A great night out!
Posted by: J & B | June 12, 2005 02:25 AM
I have to say Diner has good food....but I've grown quite tired with the snobbish service and owners who act as if you are violating the velvet rope rules at a posh club by entering their establishment. Understand that they don't need MY business but taking care of the customer is soooooooo much cooler than they think.
Posted by: Sp | August 10, 2005 01:15 AM
Not as good as it used to be.
Posted by: nola | October 12, 2005 12:03 AM
My biggest beef (haha) with Diner is that, even in a generally veg-friendly neighborhood like ours, they have virtually no vegetarian choices on their menu. Not even a veggie burger (unless they've updated since the last time I visited). On my last trip there I had a braised vegetable platter which turned out to be potato and beets. Not exactly my idea of a delicious, savory meal. The service is snooty to boot. Good drinks, though.
Posted by: JT | October 16, 2005 11:15 PM
We've been coming here from the suburbs since it morphed from "Stacey's" some years ago. We've NEVER been disappointed with the food. The steak is excellent and well seasoned. Our trick is to arrive early, say 6:30 PM when the place is not yet jammed. Service has always been excellent. They make the greatest Gibsons especially when they add their own home made pickled onions! Our grandson loves to watch the "J" trains crossing the bridge. When he was younger, it kept him occupied.
Posted by: Karl | November 14, 2005 06:27 PM
service is shotty, but not horrible.. the food is always excellent.
Posted by: lilly | December 7, 2005 07:23 PM
Diner used to be on our regular local restaurant rotation; however, the quality of the food has suffered a bit recently. We order almost exclusively from the specials unless we are specifically in a burger mood. Recently, I had a roast pork meal that was just average. I have never had a big problem with the service.
Posted by: eliz | February 8, 2006 06:58 PM
This place is cool and all, although really expensive. What's up with that? And why did they have a million specials that they had to write with a crayon on the table? That was stupid. And it was too much money. So we got burgers and they were nice. Cool hip crowd if you are into that type of thing.
Posted by: BK | March 28, 2006 11:02 PM
I substituted fries instead of the pototes that came with the fish or my friends brisket and got chraged for it, till i brought it to their attention to it
Posted by: dan | April 1, 2006 04:18 PM
I have been a fan of diner since they opened, but the last three times the service has been deplorable!! Rude and off-putting. One of those times I actually told the waitress she was ruining my brunch and I wanted another server. And I got one. Now that Williamsburg has so many options, I don't think I'll go back. And unless you want to feel like you're putting someone out for entering an establishment and paying for service and a meal, I'd advise passing on diner.
Posted by: tamsen schwartzman | April 17, 2006 09:55 PM
I've lived in the hood for ten years and I put this place on my personal blacklist at least five years ago. The food is overpriced and average, at best. Service with a bad attitude and the atmosphere is devoid of any charm. Perhaps the place has changed, for the better, but I'm not willing to gamble on it.
Posted by: BS | May 28, 2006 04:52 PM
Owners: Like Mark; Andrew is useless...Gucci loafers and Williamsburg? Not a good look, even if you are making a killing, dude. Food: While the razor-thin ribeye had flavor, it was cooked three clicks past MR, as requested. Fred Flinstone price for a liliputian size cut of beef. Burger is a good standby, and generally the fish is done well. Lately however, the food is bloody inconsistent. Burgers are overdone, fish is dry, one day, next time under cooked, and the service, rude. I guess taking their eye's off the ball (read: getting way too comfortable with success)is costing them what we all went for: careful customer service, quality, well executed foodstuffs, and satisfactory service. What happened?
Posted by: noodles | June 6, 2006 08:49 PM
i loved it. our waiter was cute, and beyond. i dug the writing on the table thing, it made more sense later than at the time, when we were asking each other, What Had The Radishes? they played bright black morning light the whole time we were there, which was so perfect, and the strawberries in the shortcake were as tiny and as good as the ones i grow in my lil barrel in the sideyard.
i'm suspicious of everyone saying the service is "snooty"- maybe they are truly annoying human beings. i'm so over that customerisalwaysright myth!
you gotta earn your respect in this world!!
Posted by: tierra | July 5, 2006 06:06 AM
blood orange martinis, sparkling seasonal appetizers (last night: sesame bread crostini with marinated feta and grilled raddichio) and super casual servers, who actually do get their job done. and this is all 3 blocks from my house? yay! it seems like the main complaint with many Burg restaurants is the "additude" of the servers. I never seem to have a problem, so maybe if you walk in there like your bodyguard should close off a room for you and Colin Ferrell, you will have a problem. huh.
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Posted by: ya pidoras | July 24, 2006 08:01 PM
I visit NYC on july 06 , i'am from México
i love this restaurant
so cool, oldie elegance
cheers
Posted by: Jorge | August 4, 2006 11:19 PM
noodles, i like your style.
anyhoo, i love the delicious brunch at diner. however, call me old skool, but i also like my servers to shower and be nice to me.
Posted by: miss_messaround | August 12, 2006 08:07 PM
Food is decent. Would be much better if the servers hosed themselves down from time to time and left the attitude at home. Sorry to make you aging Hipsters have to actually do some work inbetween your little artsy-fartsy painting projects. Shut up and bring me my food already.
Posted by: Dick | August 15, 2006 04:10 PM
yes, the service in williamsburg is generally shitty but what the fuck do you want...it's williamsburg, not manhattan. the food at diner is always good and if you're friendly enough you'll be treated well. bonita and diner are always a solid choice.
Posted by: white | August 26, 2006 12:24 AM
Diner is hurting. I used to go here a long time ago and it was really good. The food quality has dropped from good to sub-par in the last year. My last few experiences at diner have left me wanting my money back and with a case of nausea. They better do something quick cause looking cool will only get you so far.
Posted by: Terry | November 4, 2006 12:41 AM