Southwark

I was there with 7 friends on Saturday night. As I went to the bar, I was greeted with a ""We are at capacity. This is really not a good place for your book club to meet. Make sure that you stay out of the middle lane because of fire regulations."" What a welcome! Here I was poised to drop $200 on cocktails. I had literally been there the evening before and suggested that our group (yes all women but not a book club) start our evening there so they could experience a cool place and come back later for dinner and to spend more money. However, I guess Kip the bartender/owner is not interested in cultivating new business. The inappropriate comment, bordering on misogynistic, about being a book club was unnecessary initially then became our joke throughout the evening. After having drinks there, we had an absolutely lovely meal and excellent service at Villa Di Roma, where they treated 8 professional women as potential repeat customers. Sorry Southwark, you have lost my business and future business of not only the women there that evening, but their huge networks of friends who will hear this story again and again. You should be fine with capacity issues from here on out. more

Went there early in the week and took a friend out for dinner. She does not drink-17 years sober. She ordered a seltzer water with then dinner at the empty bar. Told we could not sit at the bar since she did not order alcohol--even though i did. There was one other couple at the bar and and by no means crowded. I was very shocked. We left and went across the way to Coquette where we had a wonderful experience great service. I was warned by a friend about this place and now I know not to go. Pros: Nice looking bar Cons: Rude Staff more

We didn't even get to the dinner. Our waiter was SO RUDE that we left, though it was late and we were starving. Everything was overpriced, and I didn't see anything that interesting on the menu. It took over 15 minutes before we were served a drink (at the bar), and the bartender seemed to hate us...he kept looking over and frowning at us. He finally came over and spoke to us in a short, peremptory tone. Cons: Rude staff, high prices more

I eat out a lot, and am a hugely fussy eater, but I have to say, I have yet to have anything less than a superb dining experience at Southwark. Despite what some other reviewers feel, the portions are the perfect size, and the freshness of the ingredients always shines through in the perfect mix of flavours (none of the cream- and butter-soaked sticky sauces favoured by Ansill or Supper). The constantly changing menu to accomodate the use of only seasonal ingredients, and the creativity of each dish are consistently on the mark. Add to that the incredible cocktails and wonderfully charming staff with their dry, intelligent sense of humour, and the classy yet relaxed ambience, and you really do have the perfect dining experience. I would recommend this place to anyone, and I have yet to take a guest there who didn't love it. Pros: great food, amazing cocktails, wonderful staff, beautiful decor more

The menu is simple with mostly local, fresh ingredients. The plates are very accessible compared to Ansill which is more eccentric but equally pleasing. If you eat late expect certain things to run out, evidence of the fresh ingredients. Pros: Local ingredients, outdoor seating, great bar more

nice ambience, dining in the courtyard was nice. service was fine, and the food was pretty good too, but some of the portions were way too small for the price. we both work in fine restaurants, and couldn't believe the 2 (underseasoned) scallops on the ""large plates"" menu for $23. overall, it was a little bit disappointing because we walked in with high expectations. more

I wish I could live at Southwark more

I wish I could live at Southwark more

I am surprised that there were bad reviews of this restaurant. The staff is so efficient, knowledgable and pleasant I don't know what sort of person you'd have to be to elicit a negative response out of them. I believe someone complained that their food came too quickly, so I guess some people are unpleasable. If you have a litlle bit of class, an appetite for excellent, intelligent, seasonal food and a thirst for the best cocktail of your liking then make Southwark a regular stop. This place has a unpretentious style which completely blindsides you with excellence. more

but a bit forgettable...reliable good american food, but nothing out of the ordinary...great if you're not adventurous... more

I hestitate to even write this review - maybe I just misordered? We were so excited to try Southwark, which always looks so inviting. While I'd still definitely give the bar a shot, our meal was incredibly disappointing. Served so quick you'd swear we were at McDonalds, the food tasted as though it had been sitting out all night. The brisket/beef that I had was rubbery in texture and seemed as though the sauce was an after thought. The service was fantastic - attentive and knowledgable. Too bad the meal disappointed. more

A friend and I went to Southwark last night and had a frustratingly bad time. When it came to order, there were two salads offered, a goat cheese salad and an arugula salad with blue cheese. I asked for the arugula salad but if they could replace the blue cheese with the goat cheese. The waiter, with a surprisingly haughty attitude told me, ""No substitutions."" I then asked if I could have the arugula salad, but hold the blue cheese and I'd like to order a side order of goat cheese. Determined not to bend, the waiter said, ""I can not do it, all of the goat cheese is reserved. We don't have any extra."" I eat out almost 6 nights a week and did a first - I walked out of the restaurant. Interestingly, the place was empty, only one other table occupied, so you would think they would offer some service. Obviously, I will never go back. Cons: Terrible service, waiters with an attitude more

Let me start by saying to the people who think that the staff is rude... it's a non-offensive, appropriate style of humor which is appreciated by individuals who can grasp that, even though its bold of them. Its everything but snooty. Just because certain individuals can afford to eat there doesnt mean that they think they are better than others. The hostesses are always polite and if your late for your reservation(and called) too bad for you, be more efficient and considerate so that she/he, the staff and the kitchen isnt put in a bad position when her 8h30 reservation arrives and your behind is still in it. Not to mention the kitchen who will be backed-up in orders causing your and everyone elses food to take longer than it should. There is a reason she has a job, respect it. Pros: Never dissapointed Cons: Too many people know about it so tables are harder to get! lol more

We have visited this restaurant for the 4th time in the last 6 or so months. Excellent! We absolutely love the place. When you first enter you are greeted by the two bartenders, Kip and George. Kip is the owner along with his wife who I believe is the Chef, though I have never met her. Friendly atmosphere with a beautiful long bar and martini's are served always with a little extra on the side (man I love that). Pros: ambiance and food Cons: limited space more

we eat out a lot and do it all from Stewart's to Babbo; we're still reeling from this one. Wine & beer is great - but as Woody Allen said - Food is terrible; and such small portions! Husband ordered the ""rib""; literally one rib served on an appetizer sized oval plate w/sides set up like garnishes. It was inedible, couldn't work thru the fat & bone and gave up. Told waiter it was inedible - he returned to the table shortly and asked jokingly if he'd like it wrapped. I asked if the chef was difficult about it & he responded that he hadn't told her!! The lamb was mediocre - there was a knowledge of ingredients, but they didn't come together; the tastes did not work for us. We left very hungry - and we are light eaters. Stick to the bar - good drinks and a lively scene in the front. more

It was difficult to enjoy the meal after being treated so rudely by the hostess. We were running a bit late for a 6:30 reservation, and called to let them know, only to be told that no matter what, she needs the table for an 8:30 reservation and they will be seated at that time. She never broke a smile. Once seated, while discussing our obnoxious greeting, the waiter who overheard our conversation said ""you're still talking about that?"", as though we asked him...Food was mediocre at best, I've had much better in many other places. Dessert was downright poor, not one of the four of us had an interest in finishing what we ordered - highly unusual for this group. We'll never go back, nor recommend. Pros: Atmosphere Cons: Staff, Overall treatment more

Don't waste your time unless you like midocre food and rude, obnoxious staff! We actually put up with the snotty attitudes because we heard the food was great but in reality it was only okay. there are way too many great restaurants in this city for these people to be so arrogant... Do yourself a favor and go to one of the amazing BYOBs in this city or if you are willing to spend this much go to a Stephen Starr restaurant, at least there you know you will always get great food. Pros: cute bar Cons: horrible staff more

I feel much better after reading two other reviews on Southwark. This restaurant is one of my favorite non-byobs' in the city and we visit often. But on more than one visit my wife has remarked to me, ""I don't think they like you"". One of the owners, who is evidently experienced, talented and determined, can also be oddly combative. I feel very welcome there but only to a limit, then the warmth stops....almost like I've said something wrong (distinctly possible!). We love both the incredibly good food and recommend it highly, but the owner could be a wee bit more humble. You should not overlook this establishment. These folks deserve to succeed on a corner that so many others have failed before. Pros: comfy, personal , great food Cons: closed sun.-mon., chilly attitude, small dining room more

As tempted as I am to write a bed review of Southwark to keep you out and make it easier for me to get in on the fly... it just wouldn't be fair. Living right around the corner from here, I overlooked this spot for far too long. The menu is creative and everything I have tried has been outstanding. On my last visit I had the Bison which is scrumptious and savory. My girlfriend had the veal and it was so tender it melted beneath her fork. Dessert left a little to be desired, but entrees and appetizers have all been exceptional. The outdoor area is nice bonus as well. Too bad it getting cold out. Pros: Delicious, romantic, reasonable prices Cons: Not enough seating, reservations a must, too close to my house more

Great service. Nice outdoor seating area (when the weather cooperates). Delicious food. Even better desserts - try the Uni Blanc dessert wine! Pros: good food and service, nice atmosphere, interesting wine list more