Haven’s Kitchen

Cookies and some other sweets are very good. Coffee is good as well. Don’t go there for lunch. You’ll regret it. Sandwiches and salads are grossly overpriced and extremely mediocre. I’ve given them three shots to make a decent sandwich and i’ve been underwhelmed every single time. For $ 10-​$ 12 per sandwich, I want maximum yum. However, the yum was very minimal and I’ve made much better sandwiches stoned at 3AM. Each sandwich was bone dry, virtually tasteless, uninventive and just down right boring. Go there for the great coffee, sweets and service. Skip the lunch :)

This has been my special place to go for a great cappuccino and the best cake in town. The lemon poppy seed and iced ginger cake were my favourites until the unbelievably delectable iced donut appeared on my last visit! All the staff are friendly even at its busiest times but a special mention to Alison who always remembered me and ask what cake will I be trying today. So sad to be leaving my favourite coffee spot in NYC!

Really, really good iced cappuccino. Hand-​frothed milk and smooth coffee. The soups, sandwiches, and desserts are good. The artisanal atmosphere gives the impression of healthy foods, but they’re not really. White flour, a lot of butter… natural maybe. I wish they’d expand their menu options.

My spouse and I recently took a knife skills course here. It was advertised as a class where we would learn knife techniques, as well as be provided with a full meal — neither of which happened. We stood around a cramped space and were «taught» how to cut vegetables at a level pretty much prepared for a new born chimpanzee. The «meal» that was subsequently provided consisted of the uncooked vegetables we just hacked, and a few chickens that the 12 dirty-​handed patrons had just mauled before being dumped into a bucket. We left $ 90 lighter, completely bored, and very hungry.

I’m still in planning stages of my wedding, but I’m flummoxed by how I was treated by their events coordinator. I’m not much of an party planner and don’t really know how to throw a wedding. So far this fact has not been much of a deterrent in my search for a venue… Most coordinators sit down and go over their pricing structure and options and discuss your taste and expectations, making the process very clear. This wasn’t the case at Haven’s Kitchen.
First red flag was my email attempting to confirm an appointment time got lost in the coordinator’s inbox, so I had to wait an additional week to see the space.
Second red flag was upon arriving early, she admitted it worked great because she had accidentally double-​booked my appointment, so there was time for me to see the space before the next people.
She then rushed us upstairs to look at the ceremony space with a, «well, this is it» attitude. She honestly gave me a sense that she’d rather not plan my particular wedding… Explaining very little and very tersely. She seemed to expect that I command the process, but as I said previously, I dont really know what I’m doing and I wouldn’t know where to start, I can’t be the only bride without an idea of how to throw a wedding. Any questions I asked were answered brusquely, as if I should know the answers. I asked to confirm that extra things were included… tables, chairs, silverware, linens… Instead of confirming she decided to go the negative route, «We don’t have linens.» Great, okay, thanks, I was just listing possible items, but everything else? «Yes». K. I ended it there, but it would have been nice to have that line of questioning led by her instead… The types of tables they provide, their set-​ups, etc.
The area described to me as the place where the bridal party can lounge/​briefly escape (living room, not bridal suite) is behind clear glass. I asked if people tend to cover the glass, for privacy. A reasonable question, I’d think, but no. Everyone leaves it open. Honestly, what if someone wanted privacy, do they seriously lack the lateral thinking required to imagine the space with a removable drape? Why does this suggestion ring as a ridiculous concept to the ears of their coordinator?
To be honest, it wasn’t her actual words or responses, but rather her demeanor. My friend that came with me picked up on this as well. When she asked whether the space provided wifi, the coordinator bluntly asked «Why?» You could read that and think a person is not being rude when they ask this simple question, but the delivery was so blunt that I was taken aback.
I decided that even if I loved the space (it was fine, reasonably priced) I really did not want to entrust this person to the coordination of my ceremony and reception. I didn’t want to feel dumb for asking a question that might have an obvious answer or sound like a silly suggestion. I want to work with people who are happy and excited to work with me. Halle just came off unprofessional, which is surprising considering her impressive resume. I initially chalked it up to inexperience, but that’s not the case. I could list the awkward moments, but the whole experience was awkward overall… Random questions about my dress/​bustle, the suggestion that I check out their Pinterest, instead of actually having photos on hand to show people… I dunno. There was no clear intention she wanted any part in my wedding or interest in my business, so I decided not to waste either of our time and cut the appointment short.
Let’s face it, this is NY, wedding venues are not suffering for work, but honest to God, I will never recommend this place based on this experience. I really should have just left it at the forgotten email.

I am 68 years old and I have attended many weddings but never had an experience like the one I just had on March 28^th, 2015. It was just simply AWFUL. The food was almost non existent and distatesful. The service was scarce and the waitresses hat to go all the way downstairs to the first floor to get whatever was requested which took at least 15 minutes. There was only one table with cold cuts in the entire third floor and some other food which I didn’t understand like raw turnip strips and not even a tong or fork to pick up the food with. The bar ran out of orange juice and coke within the first hour. I have NEVER, EVER seen anything like this and the place has NO CHARM, it’s old and even the paint was peeling. This wedding was a flop and we had to go home and feed ourselves. This was an experience to be talked about for a lifetime and not in a positive way. What an insult!

We just had our sons wedding for 22 guests at Havens Kitchen and it was a pleasure from start to finish. With only 6 weeks to plan Havens Kitchen staff made us feel confident that they could make the day run with ease and they did. Halle and Bryn made us welcome and there was excellent communication at every turn with ourselves and our vendors. We held the ceremony and had the dinner and dancing in the third floor loft venue. The room is real NYC downtown loft style bright and light just ready to be customized with personal touches and bright flowers. Meal service was impeccable and cocktails delicious, the Hemingway Daiquiri was a big hit. The photos from the day say it all lots of happy faces!

I don’t mind paying $ 11 for a sandwich although I do expect it to both taste good and fill me up. I was here a few days ago and got the chicken sandwich with smoked gouda and jalapenos. It certainly sounded delicious. As I ate it, though, it became pretty apparent that there was likely no more than ½ ounce of chicken in the sandwich which is really just pathetic. I know that Haven’s Kitchen markets itself as an upscale café with high quality food, etc but WTF? ½ ounce of chicken in an $ 11 chicken sandwich is just insulting. After finishing the «sandwich», I left Haven’s Kitchen and had to find another place to eat lunch.

I came here for a warm drink so this review has nothing to do with their cooking class and the bazillion of other things they offer here.
The place is BEAUTIFULLY decorated. I’m in love. Everything is so simple yet sophisticated. There is a giant menu with a ton of drinks and pastries to choose from. There were plenty of seats open but the place definitely wasn’t empty. Besides drinks and pastries, they also sell snacks, quirky objects, and other things across from the register.
The barista was really friendly and I ordered my go-​to, a chai latte. As great as this place sounds, my trip ended poorly when I took my first sip of my drink. Maybe the barista thought I said a latte or maybe she had an off-​day because my chai latte wasn’t spicy enough to be a proper chai latte. For $ 4.50 for a small cup, I’m not impressed.
Haven’s Kitchen’s café is a chill place to be that is spacious that serves a variety of drinks and pastries. If I’m in the area again, I’ll definitely pop in but will have to try another drink.

Cooking ClassI Instructor is good, resulting food was terrible.
Having read some very good reviews about the cooking classes at Haven’s Kitchen, combined with my eating style of very fresh and healthy food, I was really excited to take a class called «California Cooking for New York Seasons».
I really liked the way Chef Sydney Wilcox had the class structured, she gave guidance, but the participants were the ones who really prepared the food. She would stop at various points and give us pointers about different knife skills, why a dish is prepared this way, and that anchovies lose their fishy flavor when cooked (NOT TRUE!).
The food included Bagna Cauda (this is the dish that reeked on anchovies — sorry I detest them), which I found inedible, although it looked great. There was also aroasted vegetable salad with a stinky-​feet kind of cheese, which I also found inedible. There were pan roasted starchy vegetables (potatoes, jerusalem artichokes) that were bland, a chicken that was dry-​marinated with herbs and rubbed down with duck fat that had absolutely no taste (how on earth was that possible?). Last and least, a lemon pudding cake that was so cloyingly sweet it could have put the most hearty of people into a sugar coma — but not in a good way.
Although I would not recommend this class, especially if you are looking forward to eating the fruits of your labor.

Love this place, cute and cosy! Attentive relaxed service! Delicious food and great coffee, all with a smile! Worth visiting when ones in the area!

Came here for an event and EVERYTHING I tasted was amazing — the charcuterie included pâté and terrine, somethign that looked like brie, but tasted myuch better, as well as something called D’Artagnan. They also had braised short ribs which were AMAZING. Lovely setting, hope to come back soon!

I usually just come for a coffee, which is a bit pricey compared to all the other options in the area, but I like to visit just because the space is so damned pretty and they serve La Colombe and yummy baked goods. It’s a nice place to stop off and have a chat with a friend for an office break. Curious about their cooking classes as well.

I’ve been here twice for two completely different events on different floors. Both were really well planned and enjoyable.
My first time at Haven’s, I was here was for a fashion launch party in the event space on the top floor. The space was bright and airy, with more than enough space for ~50 guest to wander and browse through racks of pretty clothing. I imagine this place would also be a nice location for a medium sized wedding (~100 people). Haven provided pastries and champagne for the launch party. Although I can’t give them credit for the bubblies, the dessert, I assume, came from their kitchen and tasted heavenly.
The second time we actually got to take a private cooking lesson in the kitchen/​dining area on the ground floor. We made sunchoke soup, fennel and citrus salad, roasted beets, skirt steak and lemon tart. Chef David patiently demonstrated each step and carefully supervised us to make sure no one messed up too badly. Despite being cooked by a bunch of finance dudes and their tipsy spouses, the food actually came out tasting quite good. If you’re looking to have an office social event, I highly recommend Haven’s cooking classes — it sure beats awkwardly shifting your feet as you make small talk with your fiancé’s colleague’s wife at some random restaurant.

My husband and I had our wedding ceremony, reception, and dinner all in Haven’s Kitchen second-​floor space. (They also have a delightful café on the first floor, a spacious open kitchen for cooking classes, and a larger third-​floor space for bigger events.)
The space itself is beautiful — simple but elegant. They’re happy to spice it up for those who want to add design elements, but we liked it as it was and only asked for a few minor changes. We loved the reclaimed wood tables and the exposed brick walls.
Halle and the rest of the venue staff couldn’t have been more helpful or gracious. They accommodated all of our requests, and asked the right questions to make sure nothing was left out. They put together a fabulous menu based on a conversation about our likes and dislikes, and helped us plan out a schedule for the evening that helped us all stay organized without making us feel like we were sticking to a hard plan.
On the big day, they gave us full run of the space a couple hours early for pictures, accommodated last-​minute changes and requests, and served up some of the most delicious food and cocktails that I’ve had in a long time.
I can’t recommend them highly enough. If you’re planning a small wedding or some other kind of party or function, you won’t go wrong with Haven’s Kitchen.

Almost hate to write a review about this place since every local has a café they want to keep for themselves.
Nonetheless! I know about havens kitchen as a café more than a cooking space (although I can attest that the décor is very sweet– think modern practicality with small touches of DIY quirk).
I love their products, coffees and teas. This is an affordable café with high quality beans and leaves. My favorite is the rooibos tea, which has a citrusy note that I haven’t tasted with other rooibos teas.
It’s a great place to read or do work (free wifi). The restaurant also has a great vision of being a community space and uniting local farmers with local consumers with sustainable crops. How can you beat that?

Some of the best chocolate chip cookies in NYC, great cooking classes and awesome kitchen stuff. You are gonna want everything here!

My fiancé and I were all set to put a deposit down for our wedding at Haven’s Kitchen when we learned that it would cost us nearly 3x what we had been quoted. Not only were the food and beverage prices higher, but the venue rental, which had been quoted at $ 5K, was actually $ 15K. If the café on the bottom floor was left open the cost could drop down to $ 9K. I researched over 30 wedding venues in Manhattan and the venue rental price makes Haven’s Kitchen easily one of the most expensive places in Manhattan to have an event.
Additionally, we had been told that the venue rental cost was inclusive of rentals and flowers for the space. Neither of these things turned out to be true. Yes, the furniture and whatnot that they do have is included, but it is not enough to have an event for the full 100 people that the space fits. The cost of flowers is not at all included. They will provide the arrangements, but you will be paying for them.
My fiancé said that she would never try on a wedding dress that she couldn’t afford because she didn’t want to fall in love with something she couldn’t have and that’s unfortunately just the experience we had with Haven’s Kitchen. We loved the venue but wasted time visiting and discussing a place that was absolutely not in our price range, even though we had been told it was, and were left feeling disappointed, frustrated, and lied to. If you have $ 50K to spend on venue, food and beverage alone, than buy all means visit Haven’s Kitchen, but if you have a more moderate budget than don’t bother, because they cannot accommodate you.

Came here twice, once to scope out the space for something wedding related, and again for a fundraiser.
As a Chinese American person… this place is waay too small for a wedding of Chinese proportions*. My guest list was about to burst at the 200 guest** seams and this lovely place can accomodate… 70? I was still hoping i’d be an alright size for my wedding rehearsal dinner.
The fundraiser was amazing. the food… i am still dreaming about it. You will be very delighted with this space as you will not need to do much decorating at all and the food is a delight.***
— — –
*Just think about China’s population pre-​State-​imposed family planning… yeah, there is no state-​imposed family planning here in America… well, we’re just like down n’ dirty rabbits
**I ultimately didn’t get married, but I guarantee if I ever go down that route again… I very well may return here as I will def. not be hosting a Kardashian sized wedding!
*** quality here, not quantity or size. its how you use it, folks, not the size.

Popped in here to check out the kitchen/​class space and see just what exactly they sold. I was hoping to pick up a can of Jersey Farms Crushed Tomatoes but was informed they stopped carrying them due to a lack of demand. Sad day (and outdated cover photo!)
On a happier note– the iced coffee is insanely strong, rich, silky and delicious. I got a headache afterwards and I really think it was from the coffee. Caffeine affectionados, come meet your match.
Randomly awesome– they have beautiful greeting cards at the front.
The space is small but manages to maintain an open, airy feel. The wooden communal table in the middle offers a few seats for those who wish to have their coffee and snacks in-​house. I only got a peek at the back area where the kitchen is, but it looked rustic and inviting.