The Gorbals - Brooklyn

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1. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   New York Area

   2 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on July 31, 2015

   overall3food3service3ambience5

   This restaurant was no longer accepting reservations through Opentable...

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2. RW

   RestaurantWeekReviewer

   New York Area

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on July 31, 2015

   overall3food2service4ambience3

   The food at the Gorbals was mediocre. Besides the decent service we recieved, the rest of the experience was awful. My party and I came for Restaurant week, and this was the first time that food didn't taste amazing to me.

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3. FF

   FrauF

   Munich

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined on July 24, 2015

   overall1food1service1ambience3

   They served a half of an onion as an entree. A HALF OF AN ONION!

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4. g

   grubluv

   Indiana

   14 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   14 reviews

   Dined on July 10, 2015

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   The food, the Atmosphere, the help were all Outstanding. We shared a variety of items from the menu which were all delicious and the coolest thing ever was when Ilan himself came over and visited the table!

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5. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   New York Area

   1 review

   vip
   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on June 20, 2015

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Sticky toffee pudding. Lord.

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6. TT

   TeacherTrekker

   New York Area

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on June 5, 2015

   overall4food5service3ambience4

   The food was as good as one would expect from a chef with Ilan's reputation. I was dining with a vegetarian who took ample use of the field portion of the menu who enjoyed the sunflower seed risotto the best. The smoked applesauce on the potato latkes was virtually a barbecue sauce. I devoured my chicken schnitzel and banh mai poutine. Everything is served family style. They recommend 3-5 dishes. I was there to eat. Dessert was good but I wish I knew the celery sorbet had anise in it. I'm just not a fan of the flavor. Otherwise the meal was great. The atmosphere was quiet. Service was good. Anywhere that plays Wu-Tang on playlist gets a vote in my book.

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7. D

   Delicious

   New York Area

   24 reviews

   5.0

   24 reviews

   Dined on June 2, 2015

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Food was divine, tapas style servings meant there was plenty to share and time to judge whether we just wanted more. (The answer was yes, more of almost everything!) we convinced ourselves to try dessert too and it did not disappoint - the whimsy involved in many of the dishes, from "rissito'd sunflower seeds" to celery sorbet, to smoked applesauce, I was experiencing flavors far more creative than previous whimsical chefs (ie David Burke). Enjoy this treat, even the mixed drinks are creative.

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8. S

   Sham

   New York Area

   32 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   32 reviews

   Dined on May 29, 2015

   overall4food3service5ambience4

   Decent food with excellent service and a very inviting space. Great roof top bar as well.

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9. BS

   BryanSpeaks

   New York Area

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on April 17, 2015

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   The Gorbals is a fantastic restaurant. I had been looking forward to eating at the Gorbals since the first time I saw Knife Fight on ESQTV. Chef Ilan Hall has created an amazing menu full of must haves. With plates fit for sharing it is a perfect place for a romantic evening for two or a night out with friend . If you have not been to the Gorbals you are doing Brooklyn wrong - do yourself a favor and eat here.

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10. K

    Ksm08

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on March 24, 2015

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This was my second time visiting The Gorbals and I was not disappointed. Everything was truly amazing, especially the broccoli!

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11. L

    Lecorbusier

    Los Angeles

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on March 17, 2015

    overall5food5service4ambience4

    Gorbals is one of those Williamsburg hidden gems. Once you get over the unusual name and the upstairs entry, there is a wonderful modern rustic interior with nothing but creativity in the cross pollination of ingredients. The atmosphere is quite inviting, great wooden wide planked floors and lovely slab of tree table tops. All in all I highly recommend this place- the chef is truly a Top Chef.

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12. r

    reviewernickname

    London

    33 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on March 6, 2015

    overall3food3service2ambience4

    but in reality, the cooking is a bit rough around the edges. The service could use some improvement, too. We arrived early, there was almost no one else, yet the server spent most of the time having a nice conversation with her colleagues. The food concept is interesting, but the reality is a bit different. The matzo balls come wrapped in bacon, but they are quite bland themselves. The "chewy" carrots are not chewy but just wet. And so on. If the cooking was so detail oriented as inventing the meals, everything would be fine.

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13. LR

    LandRon

    New York Area

    24 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on February 14, 2015

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Hip environment. Unusual menu and delicious food. ; friendly, attentive wait staff; fabulous chef.

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14. m

    mermaid

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 12, 2015

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Really fun...an unusual menu and everything was delicious (loved the pig's head...juicy with a crunchy skin). We went early on a Monday, so it was quiet and we had the complete attention of Mitch, our wonderful waiter.

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15. d

    duran234

    New York Area

    18 reviews

    3.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on December 8, 2014

    overall3food3service4ambience5

    Food was alright not spectacular. Interesting dishes and unique combos of ingredients, none were bad but none blew our minds either. Perhaps the flavors need to be stronger/more memorable- most were sort of mild salty or lemony. Good service and ambience though.

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16. c

    clevtrou

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 4, 2014

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    We went for dinner on a Thursday night. The place started out quiet when we arrived around 7:30, but steadily filled and was a very lively space. It's in an enclosed loft-type space on the 3rd floor and kind of within the Urban Outfitters store on N 6th. It does have a separate entrance, but you can also go into the store that way. There is an elevator for the stair-averse. The food was really wonderful--we ordered 2 apps, 3 entrees and a dessert for the pair of us. They're not tapas, per se, but the portion sizes vary and they're served "family-style" where they bring the dishes as they're ready, so it's better to order a little extra and plan on sharing everything. That amount of food was plenty for both of us (we probably would have been fine with just 2 entrees), although nothing went to waste! None of the portions seemed either tiny or large--just right for maybe 4 or 5 people to sample or 2 to share. My husband particularly loved the deconstructed banh mi dish, and I loved the "risotto" made with pumpkin seeds, but everything was great. The staff was very attentive and friendly--there were 4 young women running the floor and we were visited by every one of them at some point during the evening. Lots of fun, would definitely recommend!

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17. j

    johnw

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 29, 2014

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Just very very good.... Really interesting menu. You order a bunch of dishes to share, which come when they're ready (quickly when we were there, tho it was busy.) The food's interesting takes on basic ingredients, and we can't think of when we've had a better meal. Service was great - friendly without being obtrusive. Should probably say that this is a pretty buzzy, trendy young-feeling place (I don't tick all these boxes...) So there you go, our best meal in NY and we've had some good ones, or anywhere else for that matter for a long time...

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18. DW

    DavidW

    New York Area

    44 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    44 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2014

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Had a wonderful meal with extraordinary food. Outstanding service. Can't wait to go back. Loved the bacon wrapped matzoballs, sweetbreads and octopus but everything was awesome.

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19. MT

    MaineTom

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 16, 2014

    overall5food5service5ambience3

    Don't be put off by the upstairs location or the fact that you basically have to walk through an Urban Outfitters store to get there. The Gorbals is a hidden gem. The decor is basic industrial chic but the food is incredibly imaginative and the staff is well-trained and welcoming. The menu rewards careful analysis and our waiter took the time to help us understand the choices. The chef came out from the kitchen three times to discuss particular dishes. I had never heard of a tonka bean before. The chef both brought out a jar of tonka beans and produced a wonderful eggplant dish flavored with tonka beans. Some other highlights: Best octopus we have ever been served, so delectable we ordered a second. Great rabbit. Tasty celeriac. You get the idea: Unusual ingredients, thoughtfully prepared. Everything comes as American-style tapas, best enjoyed family style. 2 dishes per person is enough but our party of 3 ended up ordering more because we got so excited by how the food tasted. The bar also serves unusual and successful cocktails. The Gorbals is kind of a food science lab, where all the experiments turn out well. A great experience and a tremendous value.

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20. MK

    MarlaK

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 7, 2014

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We came to the restaurant for a special occasion. We had heard about its opening and wanted to try what looked like an interesting menu and boy was it ever!!! The food was deliciously prepared and most dishes we tried were not your typical menu items and all were outrageous!!! The food was served slowly and we all shared everything that was brought out (kinda family style). Overall we had probably 7 dishes for 4 people plus dessert which was equally as interesting, more savory than sweet but delicious as well! We would definitely make the trip to go back again.

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21. t

    tara

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 5, 2014

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Totally amazing food. Definitely get the lunch box. A bit weird that it's above the Space 98 Urban Outfitters, but great once you get past that.

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22. JM

    JazzMan

    New York Area

    14 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on November 3, 2014

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Really liked the head-to-tail approach on all the dishes. Loads of smoke (there is a wood burning grill in the open kitchen), and inventive preparations (not for the faint of heart). Poutine, tongue, rabbit, pig head...all kinds of things that many people would shy away from. I would come back.

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23. c

    cidery

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 30, 2014

    overall4food5service4ambience4

    The food was really good, particularly the matzah balls and the banh mi poutine. Inventive and delicious. The actual restaurant is well designed, a good mix of the Williamsburg industrial and clean modern looks, and I always appreciate open kitchens. However, it's extremely odd to eat in an Urban Outfitters. The restaurant isn't even completely separated from the store. We could see people shopping as we ate. I really wish this place was in a regular location.

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24. G

    Graciela

    New York Area

    41 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    41 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2014

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food was amazing and very original , the service excellent. The prices were very good too!

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25. MP

    MonicaP

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on October 12, 2014

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Food was unique and every plate was delicious. The setting was nice. We didn't get a chance to see the rooftop because we arrived after it closed but will definitely go back to check it out prior to dinner. For what you get, very affordable. I highly recommend it. And did I mention that a Top Chef winner served us one of our plates?! Very cool.

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26. d

    drselter

    Berlin

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 9, 2014

    overall3food3service4ambience4

    The atmosphere is quite nice, even that the Restaurant is above an Urban Outfitters store. We really liked the entrée and the main course, but the desert (somthing like salty creamcheese and grilled grapes, sticky toffee cake and black pepper icecream) was simply terrible. A little less 'experimental' would have been enough 'experience' for my brother and me.

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27. D

    Diane

    Naples

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on October 7, 2014

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    An extraordinary dining experience! All three members of the dining party were impressed with the great recommendations of our engaging server.

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28. G

    Good

    Washington DC

    55 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    55 reviews

    Dined on October 4, 2014

    overall4food4service3ambience3

    Good food and menu, had many items most good or very goo. Lamb ribs just ok. Service friendly

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29. MA

    MylesA

    New York Area

    13 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on October 4, 2014

    overall2food4service1ambience3

    Went to Gorbals with high expectations that were quickly dashed. Waiter explained that it was family style; clearly he meant for a family in Ethiopia. To be generous, the serving were appetizers; don't go to Gorbals with an appetite or you will leave famished. We ordered four dishes and 45 mins later found out one of the dishes would be delayed. The waiter suggested ordering another dish to tide us over; another half hour passed and now we had neither dish now. Finally, we found a manager and to the restaurant's credit, she finally got us our food and gave us the two dishes for free. That aside, the restaurant clearly does not have enough kitchen staff nor waiters to meet their cooking philosophy and mission.

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30. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 4, 2014

    overall4food5service4ambience4

    We dined at The Gorbals while it was still getting its sea legs in BK, so even while the service was a bit slow, the food really made up for it. The bacon-wrapped matzoh balls are a wonder, and we loved the lamb ribs and pickled mussels. It's a fun location, and nice to sit upstairs and watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen. Also, there is a great rooftop bar on the premises, so you can always go for a drink before dinner. I would go back!

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31. r

    roswellxavier

    New York Area

    26 reviews

    4.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on October 4, 2014

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Loved the location and the ambiance. The place is small and you get to see the chefs do their work in the kitchen located right by the dining room. Very unique menu.

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32. s

    strav

    New York Area

    21 reviews

    3.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on October 2, 2014

    overall3food3service4ambience3

    Good service, love that it is quiet and it wasn't crowded Excellent for groups. My fish didn't taste especially fresh and carrots didn't taste of much of anything. Some items were hits, though. I wouldn't make a point of going back, but if I did, I'd have to be careful ordering and do research on what to avoid and what to get.

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33. O

    Oldiesbutfoodies

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 28, 2014

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    The food was inventive and delicious, the mood fun. Go now before it's too hot to get a reservation!

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34. g

    goeatnow

    San Francisco

    31 reviews

    4.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on September 28, 2014

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    We had a wonderful meal with terrific service. The food was inventive without being tricky and the service was charming and attentive. The big hit was the chicken schnitzel and the carrots.

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35. d

    doreenie

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on September 28, 2014

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Food amazing.service, she was soo nice. The ambiance was better when they dimmed the lights. Music was on point. Super fun dinner with my friends.

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36. s

    stilllearning

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 26, 2014

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful experience, and it was great to see Ilan!

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37. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 24, 2014

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Came here for my birthday. And it was such an amazing experience. So much so that I went back with my girlfriend for a second night. Will def make it a regular hang out.

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38. p

    pcolino

    New York Area

    45 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on September 14, 2014

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    We loved the food, very inventive. Desserts were a little too edgy for us, but will come back for sure.

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39. m

    mkappel

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on September 13, 2014

    overall5food5service5ambience3

    An overall great evening of great service and interesting tasty food! Tried many different courses that were sent out and coursed out appropriately. Did not feel rushed and had some very flavorful interesting dishes.

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40. S

    Straus

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 6, 2014

    overall5food4service4ambience5

    Took my wife here to celebrate her 50th bday. We were joined by 2 friends. We started off having a drink on the really cool roof bar area. it must be a real hot spot for singles and neighborhood people. cool vibe on the roof and great views in every direction. we then went downstairs and had a great dinner in a cool hip space. the menu was varied and could please any eater even a section for vegetarians so it worked out great for one of our friends. our waitress was relaxed, friendly and casual. visit the gerbals you will have a great time and a great meal. good luck to Ilan Hall in this new spot. We hope he will do well here it is a fun, hip spot to visit and eat.

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