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Restaurant review
Jo’s
264 Elizabeth St between E Houston and Prince Sts (212-966-9640). Subway: B, D, F, V to Broadway–Lafayette St; 6 to Bleecker St. Mon–Thu 5pm–1am; Fri 5pm–2am; Sat, Sun 11am–midnight. Average main course: $18.Jo’s, the new casual American bistro that took over the former Tasting Room space in Nolita, makes an awfully good first impression. An inviting front bar gives way to a warm, cozy dining room staffed by adorable young women in white aprons and blue-and-white striped shirts—contemporary riffs on old-fashioned diner attire. The menu reads like a comfort-food dream, with hearty protein-rich entrées and upmarket spins on pierogi, mac and cheese, and moules frites. But like a model who kills the conversation the moment he opens his mouth, the magic here dies when the food hits your lips. Young chef Ian Topper-Kapitan, who last cooked in New Jersey, makes dishes that are photo-shoot ready but, nine times out of ten, fail to live up to their visual promise. Only his cheese-sauced pasta—garganelli with bacon and mushrooms, available as a starter or entrée—was tasty enough for us to even consider scarfing down every last bite. Other dishes were so poorly executed they went largely uneaten. Shrimp pierogi were inedible, gluey bundles filled with mealy chopped crustacean. A ten-hour-braised pork shank was surprisingly bland and remarkably dry. Grilled trout fillets, perplexingly cut up into four stacked squares, had a bitter, leathery char and sat in a sallow bowl of apple-horseradish broth. One night, the suitably homey desserts included a run-of-the-mill warm chocolate cake with raspberry coulis and a more solidly executed warm berry tart with a fine crumbly streusel crust. Maybe the chef ought to stick to the few things he does well. Instead of a bistro, why not make it a mac-and-cheese bar offering fruit tarts for dessert?—TONY
Time Out New York / Issue 721 : Jul 23–29, 2009
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I have eaten this chefs food before and it blows my mind. Notice MY full name is listed here. I'm not hiding behind an anonymous cowardly review. Don't listen to someone's opinion if they are too scared to give their full name.
Late in responding to this obviously ridiculous review, but the deeds of the evil TimeOut reviewer must be stopped! The fact that the cocktails weren't mentioned shows how underhanded the reviewer was. The cocktails are not only well balanced (I hate sweet drinks) they are priced well for NYC which means you can afford to order two. Also, two friends said the mussels were the best they ever had and I crave the crab salad on a daily basis. Great spot to hang with friends. Evil reviewer be damned!
I completely disagree with this review, I am in the neighborhood often and have eaten at Jo's several times, both at the bar and in the dining room. First, their burger is fantastic, the pork ribs I wish they would make an entree as there never seems to be enough, and their pastas are wonderful. And Brunch- took my mom there recently, we had an amazing meal, french toast was perfect, the potato hash was to die for and the bloody mary's were divine..Not to mention a great after work spot!
I have to say that there has to be some kind of animosity in this review , i have personally recommended this place to all my friends, you just cant beat their prices and quality, its seriously a little jewel in nolita,for cocktails try the aphrodisiac, the diablo martinique and the blond and sand are awesome, for food try the pork ribs(the best i've had) mussels humm ! the blue crab salad is citrusy and ligth, fresh oysters, their pastas can beat any italian in the hood!what was tony thinking?
I have had some of the best nights at Jo's - great waitstaff and friendly clientele. First of all, the cocktails are amazing! I highly recommend the Jo's Gin Martini with hints of cucumber and the Aphrodisiac. As for the food, I am a southern girl who exclaimed in ecstasy when I tried the pork ribs (the best I've ever had!). The pancakes, duck pasta, oysters,10hr pork shank, and mussels are also wonderful! I suggest the reviewer acquire (or borrow if necessary) some taste buds and try it again.
I'm pretty sure TONY just got rejected by one or all of the cutie pie waitresses that work there. There's no way he actually thinks the food was anything less than ridiculously delicious. It's just not possible. I had the shrimp pierogis and they were not only “edible”, they were so delicious my date and I had an awkward "who's going to eat the last one?" moment. The "mac and cheese" was amazing and the steak sandwich was out of this world. I'd go back anytime.
Did TONY even go to Jo's? My dining experience differs completely, especially when it comes to the pierogies which I found delectable. And the pork shank practically melted in my mouth; my boyfriends dish was a special duck pasta that I ended up eating most of because it was too good. The review above seems ill-intentioned and I hope anyone who reads it decides to go and try Jo's for themselves. Also, no mention of the cocktails...maybe its because they were AWESOME.
I completely disagree with this review as well!! This is where you want to eat...a place that greets you with a smile, casual but nice enough to feel special... with dishes that are utterly tasty and satisfying!
I am completely mystified by this review. I live in Nolita and was thrilled that Jo's moved into the 'hood, an elegant, unpretentious spot where I can chill, get a great cocktail and meal without breaking my bank. I personally recommend the following: pork ribs, foie gras french toast, garaganelli, lamb pappardelle, mussels, pork shank, ribeye and chocolate cake. P.S. best martini in Manhattan. Judge for yourself, don't trust this anonymous review.
It is unfortunate that TONY's trip to Jo's was not as enjoyable as mine. Our party also had the shrimp pierogis and the pork shank - and both plates were delightful. Our entrees, which ranged from "Meat In a Cup" to pasta dishes, were well executed. And while no one at our table is a food critic, nor famous for more than 15 seconds, we were visited by the chef - a personal touch that most NY restaurants in this price range lack. I will certainly return for another round of chic comfort food.
Uhh, wrong. As a somewhat picky eater, the food at Jo's blew my mind. Think you should go back and try again. Lame review.
who exactky did yous end to Jo's? the intern without taste buds? First I go there specifically because Ian Kapitan is a brilliant chef...and the shrimp pierogies are awesome beyond belief. second, this review was personal, no two ways around that. "last cooked in new jersey"? Not only is it untrue, its biased. I suggest another trip by a critic who knows a thing or two not someone who shops off the dollar menu