1300 on Filmore

06/01/09

Good food, terrible service

by hthayer at Citysearch

I went with a small group (6) to 1300 Fillmore and was inclined to like it. The decor is modern and comfortable, and I was looking forward to some great soul food. We had each gotten one drink at the bar and we were seated right away. The server took our orders quickly, but that was the last we saw of her! We all ordered the prix fixe menu, and the appetizers came out in good order. Everything seemed fine -- my companions who ordered the crawfish bisque said that it was excellent -- the salads with the square of fried goat cheese went well beyond the usual. The cornbread was everything that cornbread should be. It was off to a good start.

We had to wait a little bit for the next course, and it would have been nice to be able to order a glass of wine, or to have water . . . or something, but although the server did sweep back and pick up the emply glasses, she never asked if we'd like something more, and she disappeared before we could suggest to her that we were parched. The entrees showed up, but since the busboy had taken away silverware seemingly at random, not everyone had even a fork. We all had ordered the fried chicken -- strong points for deboning the chicken and the crunchy crust. However, the coating tasted oddly of cumin. The whipped potatoes that came with the chicken were tasteless, a simple dash of salt would have saved the chicken and potatoes and put them into the excellent category. The biscuits though were light and fluffy and tasty, but not enough to save the entire dish.

The true annoyance though was dessert. After the busboy had cleared our entrees, a manager showed up with dessert menus. We pointed out that we had all ordered the prix fixe meal and he hurried away. I saw him whispering to the server, and about ten minutes later he came back to tell us that our desserts were "on the way." Despite a table full of empty glasses and a clear mix up on getting the dessert order in, he did not ask if we'd like a beverage, or send anyone to fill our water glasses or anything! FORTY MINUTES LATER our desserts arrived! During that whole time no one stopped by, no one brought water, no one checked in. Astounding.

The rhubarb crisp was okay-- my crust was too thick, so was undercooked with that raw dough taste. But one could tell that it could have been good if cooked properly.

All and all, while the food showed promise, for $30 bucks, it was not worth it, and definitely NOT worth the terrible service.

• Pros: Food showed promise
• Cons: Inattentive does not begin to describe the service

10/07/08

An amazing find for brunch

by charlienyc at Citysearch

On a recent trip, my girl and I turned to Citysearch for help in finding a brunch spot near our B&B. We were a bit desperate as it was pushing 2pm, we hadn't yet eaten and barely had an internet connection. Well of the 5 or 6 suggestions, 1300 on Fillmore seemed to meet our criteria the best. Well Citysearch knocked this one out of the park!

Unlike the after-church crowd, we were more than a little under dressed. Still the staff promptly seated us in the gorgeous dining room. Our waiter was extremely friendly, assisting us in putting together an amazing meal. The banana blueberry buckwheat buttermilk pancakes appealed to both of us, although she ordered without the blueberry. Although we usually avoid ordering the same dish and side, we both were in the mood for scrambled eggs on the side. An appetizer of scones rounded out the order.

Curious about those pancakes? In a word, heavenly. Really, the texture and overall taste were fantastic (and would be no less wonderful had we not arrived virtually starving). The respective fruit was infused into the batter and also included on top. The syrup must have been grade B dark amber as it complemented the sour of the blueberries well. The eggs were perfect so much so that she was ready to salt them, but ceased upon tasting. They had perfect consistency, plenty of flavor and I wish mine came out as good at home.

Throughout the meal, the wait staff checked in on us. You could get the impression from other reviews here that the wait staff is perhaps too attentive, but is actually just right. At some point we attempted, naturally, to find fault with 1300 on Fillmore. The staff is fast and friendly, food amazing, entire restaurant decorated beautifully and tastefully, and it even has perfect chatter loudness level, allowing you to hear each other yet still providing that out-to-dinner experience. For a couple of New Yorkers with high expectations, this meal satisfied all-around. Go- you won't regret it!

• Pros: food quality and quantity, ambience, staff, reasonable prices
• Cons: neighborhood is a little sketchy

06/17/08

Great Restaurant

by AudreyD1 at Citysearch

I took my father here for Father's Day. I have to say we both enjoyed everything. The waiter was very attentive. The cornbread was outstanding. The shrimp hushpuppies were excellent. My dad ordered the steak and I had the spare ribs. They were great. For dessert, we had beignets. I'm from Louisiana so I know good food. They took this restaurant to another level of soul food while still sticking to a little tradition. I highly recommend 1300 Fillmore. Loved the jazz band also.

• Pros: Great atmosphere, good food, nicely decorated
• Cons: No complaints