Rabbit in the Moon

Bad bad service. Food was OK for a pub. Usually never give just one star but the service was really bad. Wow. I started this review on my phone 5 months ago and never posted it. That said, after just reading the first line I still remember the unpleasant feeling I had during my visit there. (side note: i had another bad review that i started writing 2months ago but decided to not publish it because it wasn’t really that bad)

Came here on Saturday night about 8pm with a friend to catch up over drinks. The downstairs bar area was fairly quiet with lots of seats open. The place is beautifully decorated with lots of paintings and a very cozy, intimate feeling to it. The bartender was outstanding, offering up several recommendations and great conversation overall.
When I see Pimm’s cup on the menu, my drink is easily decided on for the rest of the night. It is one of my favorite drinks and the one at Rabbit in the Moon was definitely in the top two that I’ve EVER had! (tied with Employees Only). It was as refreshing as Pimm’s should be but not watered down with too much ice or soda that it would be finished in a couple of sips. My friend tried the 8^th street smash and the cucumber moon, both of which were delicious.
The drinks are a bit pricey, but you are definitely getting a well crafted cocktail for your money. I did not try the food but my first impression of this place would definitely drive me to come back for the full menu and more drinks off their cocktail list.

Rabbit in the Moon in Greenwich Village i feel is not the greatest bar but it is def underrated for sure. I do like my places where i feel exclusive but then again sometimes i am a walking contradiction and equally enjoy the places where i can get a nice drink and relax during a night out and not have to worry about the douchelords (girls and guys) of the pretentious NYC night life.
Upon walking in their is the bar right to the left of you and then to the right are a couple of nice chairs a mini seating area and then comfortable booth style seating with tables and little candles on the table. The upstairs area wasn’t bad besides the fact that it was super packed, the females were all pretty hot, and there was text written above us on the ceiling i didn’t get to read what it said but it looked cool.
So since upstairs was packed we headed back downstairs which was a more «chillaxed» atmosphere. Now the only negative thing that ended up happening was we asked for a «good beer on tap, instead we were given warm beer twice. (Nottttttt cooool!!) But the bartender made up for it and brought out this Ale called «Mother’s Milk» Think of it as a Guiness without the bitter and crap after taste, very dark and tasty, while i was drinking i made the joke that i was «suckling on the tit of Mother’s Milk» and these three girls seemed appalled and thought i was wasted. (far from that) I finally had to turn around and be like ummm DUHHHHH SEEE i’m drinking MOTHER’S MILK then they were like oh ok. (clowns)
The only other negative was i’d say about 1:30 am, these straight up ass clowns who looked like they were from the Jersey Shore, such scum bags brought the place down a notch, hopefully they never come back! As soon as they came in the volume of the whole place raised and instant drunk slopahpotamus stumbling ensued.

After reading the mostly scathing review in The New Yorker, I was very hesitant to come here, even if it is around the block from my apartment. Also, W 8^th Street can be a bit of a wasteland when it comes to fine dining. Still, I did find myself here the other night for dinner and I was pleasantly surprised. The dishes we had (scallops with caviar, salmon belly tartare, duck, and cod) were very fresh and prepared well. I’m not sure if it was the low expectations speaking, but we both remarked that it was a very good meal.
At one point the owner came over and explained that there had been a recent change in the ownership ranks (his partner had left or something to that effect), and so they were trying a new spin on the place. I don’t know whether this was due to patron feedback, critical reviews, or shaky business, but it was interesting to hear. He told us that his vision of the place was to make it seem like a romantic British castle. The restaurant has two floors (bar space upstairs) and there are plenty of portraits of famous Brits on the walls (Shakespeare, Dickens, etc.). The exterior is covered in ivy and has a faux stone façade feel to it. So I guess they’ve accomplished what they set out to do. Quirky space, but again, the food was very delicious and the atmosphere was warm. We will probably be back.

I’d been meaning to try this place out for months — and while I had an unpleasant experience trying to get information about setting up a birthday event here (was a surprise, the hostess didnt speak great english, so i decided to call back and verify they could accomodate us, at which point the manager (?) didnt seem to comprehend the concept of some of us will eat, most wont, but we’d like to be together (and honestly I don’t think that many people come in parties of 10+ to EAT at a table here after 10:30 pm, especially given i’ve heard back things about the food) after telling her nevermind we’ll go elsewhere, someone called my phone the day of my boyfriends surprise party, he answered, and they all wanted to confirm our reservations for «9:30 pm». 1) way to attempt to ruin the surprise, 2) where the F is this 9:30 coming from??!
i then heard negative things from a friend who dined here, but nevertheless did want to come by for drinks at some point.
FINALLY did last weekend, and while i’ll say from living in the west village, this is definitely not a locale I’d term «west» village but «greenwich», and was a most dirty and sketchy block of greenwich village at that, the venue itself is still cute. You cannot miss the building in the midst of sewage and rubbish, so the location itself is its primary drawback.
Once inside, its super cute and cozy, and the cocktails are amazing, albeit VERY sugary (but i like sugary drinks).
Get the cucumber moon — it was hands down my favorite.

Plastic ivy on the façade should have been my first clue… the tribal-​style writing on the ceiling should have cinched it.
Alls I’m going to say about it is that there must have been a drunk and angry gnome weilding an oversized salt shaker in the kitchen.
In general, I was unimpressed entirely.

This place is a 3.5, solid, bumped up to a 4 because the ambiance is nice, the music is great and the bar is cool.
After my disclaimer, the review.
We went here with a large group of 10 people for a goodbye party for one of our friends. Nelly suggested it, as she and Chris had been and loved the food. We wanted new American cuisine and a nice venue, and it really lived up to our expectations.
The table was across from the bar and they managed to seat us on a pretty cozy table. The drinks were ordered, and all were absolutely delicious, strong and creative.
For starters we had the ricotta gnocchi, the scallops special and the seared scallops of the menu. The special was a bacon wrapped scallop perched on a pillow of risotto. The bacon was crispy and the scallop inside still managed to be perfectly cooked. The risotto was delicious, al dente and creamy. For the mains I had the beer battered fish and chips, Nelly had the sausage special and George went for the Roasted Colorado Leg of Lamb. The fish and chips were crispy and freshly fried, and the fries themselves were thick and decadent. The sausages and mashed potatoes were the definition of quintessential upscale bar comfort food. By far the best dish was the lamb, which came more as a stew rather than a traditional leg of lamb. Nonetheless, it had a richness and depth of flavors that can’t be faked-​it had to have cooked for hours!
The drinks continued to flow, but the desserts stole the show. The Panna Cotta was creative and interesting, the chocolate cake redefined rich, but the Pot de Crème was unlike anything I have ever tasted. It was rich and smooth, with orange and thyme balancing the sweetness and giving it an almost but not quite savory kick.
Another reason this place is not a true 4 or even a 5 is that it really is expensive. With 8 of us paying, the bill came out to $ 125 a person with tip and tax… a bit steep for pub food.
Nevertheless, anyone in the West Village on a weeknight should check this place out!

I’m pulling for this place to work. Good menu – food is good not great, still too many issues with the service and wine list. I really liked the space and concept… will try again and report back soon.

I ate here with family on a recommendation. I was told it was a gastro-​pub and was the new «spotted pig». I love the spotted pig and the food there — Rabbit in the Moon is no spotted pig.
The food was unimpressive and expensive for what you get (that’s why 2 stars instead of 3). I had the burger, and while it was ok, it did not match up to burgers I’ve had at other gastropubs. Most of the rest of the part thought the food was ok to good, but not great.
The ambience and service were good. The bar seemed like it could be a good decently quiet but not too quiet place on a weeknight.
I also thought the menu lacked creativity or originality. It seemed pretty normal to me based on other restaurants in the city. I would not go here again. «Meh. I’ve experience better» is a great tagline.

«Hmm,» a teenager wondered, «how can I turn my family’s basement into a gastropub like that one we saw on vacation last spring?»
The result is Rabbit in the Moon, where despite a friendly greeting upon arrival your first question is «What is that horrible smell?»
Giggles, prompted by the horrendous sophomoric artwork, quickly fade into a vague depression when your drinks arrive. Cocktails range from benign to aggressively bad, with the martini being a particular disaster. Olive-​flavored formaldehyde was the consensus. With only three of us in the bar (our first and only round) they strangely ran out of martini glasses.
The leery bar staff (some weirdly massaging one another) round out an uncomfortable, malodorous and overpriced experience.

The rise of the upscale gastro-​pub (an oxymoron of sorts) in New York City has led to a wonderful trend of comfortable digs combined with «comfort“able food. When Chef April Bloomfield’s The Spotted Pig opened in 2003, it became «the» destination standard for impeccably prepared Anglican grub and put this cuisine on the map in Manhattan. In 2004, Freeman’s set the bar on The East Side with its wood-​beamed ceilings and taxidermy, coupled with rustic, yet refined English cuisine. In 2006, the Greenwich Village hot-​spot, The Waverly Inn & Garden brought the high-​end gastro-​pub to the fabulous masses and it became an unprecedented sensation that still holds its own to this day. Since 2009, the neighborhood surrounding West 8^th and 9^th Streets has become the new draw for this dining movement. Establishments like Hotel Griffou and, more recently, The Lion have continued this successful mix of quaint English style townhouses with eclectic decors and hearty menus of English and Classic American fare married with Prohibition era cocktails and impressive beer and wine menus. The Rabbit In The Moon, brought to you by Rocco Ancarola (The Pink Elephant) and Chef Brian Bieler (The Mott, Momofuku Noodle Bar, Bouley Upstairs), is nestled on 8^th Street just east of bustling 6^th Avenue. The resto continues the fashionable English gastro-​pub trend, but adds its own personality which allows it to make its own unique statement. Approaching the entrance, one immediately notices the lovely stone and ivy covered façade. Once, inside, the reception desk is not your standard podium, but an impressive antique desk, where the friendly host is seated and welcomes you with a disarming smile. The bar is the showcase of the first level of the restaurant. Shaped with the capable hands of veteran mixologist Drew Zechman (My Little Secret), Rabbit In The Moon’s «Cool Cocktails» ($ 14) are a motley mix of variations on classics and house signature libations that should get your engine started just right. The beer selection is the apropos assortment of fine Belgiums, Hollands, Germans and Irish and domestic brews ($ 7 – 10). The interior décor was conceived and orchestrated by noted designer Cinzia Spalletti. Select paintings; including a signature specimen of Lady Diana (the goddess of the moon) holding rabbits was commissioned by acclaimed local artist Miguel Luciano, whose work is on display in the Queens Museum of Art. The name Rabbit In The Moon was taken from a mythological legend that believes that those who see the image of a rabbit in a full moon are symptomatic of those being in love. There is an old-​fashioned wooden staircase that leads to an upper parlor second dining room and bar. The entire place is decorated with English country trinkets and really is evocative of a rural British inn. My discerning foodie friend Nell joined me for a Saturday 8pm seating. We started with a refreshing glass of 2008 Fritz Windish German Riesling ($ 9). Fewer foods go better with Riesling than scallops. So I ordered the Roasted Scallops with Celery Root Salad topped with a decadent dollop of American Sturgeon Caviar ($ 16). This dish has been raved about by other reviewers as well as the staff, and deservedly so. It was exquisite. The generously sized scallops were seared to a caramelized state of artistry and balanced well with the triumphant celery root salad. Nell opted for an equally impressive Ricotta Gnocchi with Artichokes, Parsley, and Spice Pine Nuts and Sun Dried Tomatoes ($ 14). The gnocchi were just the right texture and the sun dried tomatoes provided a savory kick that offset the wonderful earthiness of the artichokes. A perfectly medium rare Roasted Scottish Salmon danced on my palate with a partner of silky Corn Pudding and Grape Tomatoes ($ 26). Nell’s Spicy Lamb Sausage ($ 17) tasted great, but its odor really «knocked me for a loop» when it came to the table. Fortunately, the «lively» sausage was joined with an absolutely heavenly Parmesan Potato Purée which tamed this wild beast of a dish. A jumbo, almost soufflé sized, Molten Chocolate Cake with Coffee Caramel and Blackberries was typically, yet routinely adequate. ($ 9) However, the White Chocolate Pot De Crème with Caramel, Orange and Thyme Foam ($ 9) was reminiscent of creations I’ve had by dessert impresarios Johnny Iuzzini and Karen DeMasco. unequivocally awesome! Dinner for two with drinks, tax and tip was $ 170.

I was visiting NYC for the first time in a while and decided to find somewhere I’d never been before and stumbled (or Unilocaled) on to Rabbit in the Moon while wandering around Washington Square park. It was a fine find indeed.
A swank little gastropub with exceptionally delicious food (the rabbit tartine, the seared duck) and a sharp selection of UK beers on draft. Atmosphere was a little dark, great for an intimate date, with an odd but appealing selection of music (just don’t get seated underneath a speaker, it was a touch loud).
The waitresses were very attentive and friendly making very good suggestions for wine pairings and food choices. I’d definitely return when I’m back in the city.

I heard so much about this restaurant that finally decided to make a reservation for dinner on a Saturday evening (Our plan B in case we couldn’t get a table was the Highlands). From outside it looks like an old-​fashioned town house stuck between the short buildings and shoe shops on 8^th street. What I found intriguing was that they advertise their cuisine as British and being that there are only handful of restaurant in NYC that they fall in to the British cuisine category.
Anyway, once you enter the dimly lit main floor, you find yourself in a large room with the main bar area on the left and tables on the right and a staircase on the back going up to the second floor dining room with its own mini bar and restrooms. I prefer the second floor so made a mental note for our second visit. It is cozier and certainly quieter than the main floor.
You can certainly feel the attitude among the staff even though our waitress was very helpful and friendly compared to the hostess and other servers. I detected a subtle Eastern European, possibly Russian accent in their speech. Actually staff reminded me being at the trendy Russian restaurant, Mari Vanna on 20^th street. We were offered to choice of sitting either by the window or near the bar area. We went for the two large arm chairs with a small round table in the middle of the room. There were only three tables occupied around 7 PM which was surprising but our server mentioned that they get jammed after hours with lounge crowds taking over the bar area as well as the second floor.
They offer nice selection of cocktails updated classical so we settled on two of them while browsing the menu. Their wine list is mainly focused on Spanish wines as well as couple of bottles from each wine region in the world. Prices seemed a bit steep :(
We started with the heirloom tomato soup which was cool the way they served red and yellow diving the plate. We continued with Smoked Sturgeon Salad and Salmon Belly Tartare for our appetizers. For our mains we decided on the Crispy Duck Breast and the Grilled Leg Of Lamb. All of the dishes were planned, executed and plated very well but I thought they were a bit overpriced. Also I didn’t really see the influences of the British Empire on the recipes. We skipped the dessert.
Overall, would I go back? Probably yes, if I end up in this area again. Will make a special trip to return? Probably not, unless I am going out late drinking with friends.

Went here for drinks after tasting their food at Taste of the Village. Good soup (their taste at the event). Liked their wine selection and would like to go back to eat.

Great new restaurant — excellent food and atmosphere, though like many gastropub restaurants, the menu is small and decorated with «bellies» of different animals (pork belly, salmon belly, etc.). Though they did have a delicious and very light cod dish that was delicate and wonderfully flavored. The prices are a bit high for a pub ($ 26-​$ 28 for an entrée) but the place is lovely. Would definitely go back for dinner or a cocktail.

Bottom Line: Nice, stylish bar. Good for a drink but skip the food.
I came here with my boyfriend for a late dinner around 10pm last Thursday and while we loved the space, we left underwhelmed over the food.
Ambiance: The décor is very posh and we were seated in some very comfy chairs on the ground level. It remained fairly quiet throughout our 2 hour meal. There were mainly couples and small groups of people seated at tables for drinks.
Food & Drink: We ordered the smoked fish salad, chilled zucchini and pea soup, halibut, and duck. While the food was for the most part cooked well, they really missed the market with the flavors. The appetizers had too many clashing flavors, the halibut was bland, and the duck had an imbalance of sides. Drinks looked more appealing on the menu than they actually tasted, though my boyfriend really liked whatever drink he had with jalapeño in it.
Service: Not flat out bad but a little awkward.

I went here with my girlfriend for her birthday about two weeks ago. We had read some reviews and decided we should try it out. I have to say, the atmosphere in this place is great. The food was amazing! We had the lamb and steak as our entrees and gnocchi for an appetizer and you really couldn’t beat it. The service was top notch… the owner even came by at the end of the meal to make sure our night was up to satisfaction. Not something you will ever get at a restaurant in the village.
Overall it was fantastic. My girlfriend has already been asking when we are going back… and $$ is definitely reasonable too.

Restaurants in NYC open and close every day, frequently with undue fanfare or gimmicky, faddy concept. Every once in a while, a restaurant opens that you know in your gut (literally and figuratively) is going to add to the overall vivacity of the City’s gastro-​culture, and Rabbit in the Moon is just such a restaurant.
Before you enter, you have a feeling things are a little different, because there isn’t a sign, only an address number. While this is a temporary thing as the sign is completed, I hope they choose to keep it this way because it gives a air of mystery and that you may very well be diving down Alice in Wonderland’s rabbit hole.
You walk down a short, moodily lit hallway, (completing the rabbit hole feel), and then emerge into a beautifully illuminated space, filled with subtle details all working together to make you feel like you’ve secretly wanted this place to be here for a long time but didn’t know how to put it into words.
The scallops and caviar were incredible, and who can help but be excited about sea salt sprinkled on the butter. My cocktails were both delicious and carefully crafted as well.
I rarely Unilocal,but this place is really special. And even on a Monday night the month it opened, it was quite full. I will definitely be back, next time with friends I can show off the space to.

The environment here is a little out of place for the NYU area, but still a nice surprised from the usual loud, cheap, student filled bars. Came post-​dinner. will have to try the food another time. Unfortunately we couldn’t hang out at any of the tables unless we were ordering meals and there was a fairly limited bar area.
This place is classy no doubt, with ivy covered stone walls, and a dress code for the guys (no shorts, no sneakers). However the bartenders were incredibly friendly and as it’s a new bar they were making up all kinds of amazing concoctions for us, and asking us to help them name them. My friends and I had a great time coming up with names that lived up to the taste of the drinks. A lot of them were egg white cocktails — a new thing to me, and I loved all of the drinks.
We had to leave as one of our friends wasn’t up to the dress code. I’ll be sure to be dressed right for the part next time. I plan to try out more of the cocktails definitely.

I walked in here starving, but nothing on the menu caught my eye. We decided to sit at the bar for a drink since the atmosphere here is really nice. The décor looks like an old library with wood panel walls, paintings of literary figures, and a small fireplace with antique looking chairs. It’s a cozy restaurant with two floors and a small VIP area on the top level. The outside of the building is very unique as it resembles a stone cottage.
I really wanted to like to this place because it is so cute, but the drinks were the one of the worst I’ve ever had in my life. I ordered a martini and a mojito; both were extremely weak and BORING. The bartender was unfriendly, clumsy, and seemed to lack any creativity. I expected a place that is suppose to be «high end» to have a real bar chef with some amazing signature cocktails. The service was super slow, even though they had five bartenders mingling with each other behind the bar. The food that passed by us looked boring as well, and the portions were tiny. After a disappointing experience at the bar, I definitely will not be coming back to see if the food is any good.
Rabbit in the Moon hopes to become the next super posh and exclusive «it» place in Manhattan. But I highly doubt anything like this will last very long in Greenwich Village.