Some places are more fluff than substance. The Fat Radish on the Lower East Side is one of those places.
I went with some friends a few days ago, and I was thoroughly underwhelmed by the entire experience. Let me set the scene: White-washed exposed brick walls; hipsters and scene-sters hanging out, sipping on craft beer; and flickering candles everywhere, many of which were scented. (Cardinal sin #1: You don't burn scented candles where people are dining. It overloads the senses, and keeps you from tasting the true flavor of the food.)
Anyway, I'll keep this brief. Our server was fairly well informed about the Gluten Free options on the menu. And while I felt very comfortable that what I was eating was safe, the portions were small and the flavors weren't all that memorable. Even the pickled radishes that they put on the table for snacking were kind of meh--not bad, but not anything I'd crave. The best thing I tasted all night was the roasted and fried brussels sprouts appetizer that we shared. The sprouts were toasty and somewhat smokey.
My entree--pan seared black bass--was fairly tasty. The skin was left on, creating a nice crunch. But I had a really hard time enjoying it because my friend, who'd ordered the restaurant's signature veggie plate, was left waiting for her entree for a good 10 minutes after the rest of us had been served. Cardinal sin #2: don't leave someone sitting there, hungry, while everyone else has their meals.
All in all, I wasn't impressed by the atmosphere, the service, or the food. There are so many better options in the city and the Lower East Side than to mess with pretentious joints like Fat Radish.
Given the choice again, I'd skip this place.
www.thefatradishnyc.com
