Jack the Horse Tavern
"The space is airy and clean, and a wall of picture windows looks out onto a tree-lined Brooklyn Heights street," says Time Out New York. Ethan Wolff of New York magazine describes their simple-yet-dressed-up eats: "Mac 'n' cheese is classed up by cavatappi and smoked Gouda. The roasted pork chop gets fancy with a celery-root purée and grilled apples. Even something as simple as a hamburger is upscaled with a ciabatta roll." Paul Adams of the New York Sun speaks highly of their cocktail menu, which "includes exacting renditions of classics like Manhattans and mai tais as well as inventions like the Man of Leisure, a balanced shaken blend of bourbon, lemon juice, and pear liqueur."
But Frank Bruni of the New York Times wasn't as thrilled with his dining experience: "On this one visit, which came early in the restaurant’s life, the food at Jack the Horse ranged from moderately impressive (crispy oysters with a seaweed salad, a yellow tomato gazpacho) to ho-hum (Cornish hen with crushed Yukon Gold potatoes). It certainly wasn’t as transformative as some Brooklyn friends who had been there had promised it would be." What do you think about this place?
Reviews (11)
zeebee_in_bklyn wrote a review on September 25, 2008 12:43 PM
Used to be a regular when this place first opened but it's gone steadily downhill. Food remains competent to very good but the front of house is extremely poorly run. You can wait 15 minutes for a drink (if the bartender can tear himself away from his personal conversations), the ever-changing hostesses are vacant, and they always, always, ALWAYS screw up table requests and never apologize with a free drink or dessert. It's a shame that Micki, chef Tim's wife, doesn't seem to be around much anymore because she managed the heck out of the staff. I'll go on a quiet off-night but won't chance the spotty front-of-house treatment on a Friday/Saturday, with guests or for any special occasion.
JLater wrote a review on September 25, 2008 1:13 PM
Some great food (creative, tasty, flavorful) and a nice ambience. The three times I have come they have always been rather busy (make a reservation in advance) and the service has always been barely acceptable. It always seems that the waiters have too many tables so you can't get their attention and further, the kitchen seems slow (although the food makes up for the wait). A meal for two with a few drinks, an appetizer and 2 entrees is at least 1.5 hours or two.
I hear that the specialty bar drinks are good, but haven't really tried them. Decent wine selection.
SnarkSlope wrote a review on September 25, 2008 1:18 PM
Who named this place, Catherine the Great?
bklyndoug wrote a review on September 25, 2008 1:20 PM
Very much like the place. Food is very good and inventive, tends to be lighter fare than what you might find at Henry's End. Agree in general that the service is the weak link, but it is not horrible and does not prevent me from going.
gardenenvy wrote a review on September 25, 2008 2:13 PM
Food ranges from serviceable to good (not great). Waiters can be a little spacey but are generally pleasant and the atmosphere is nice and relaxed. Nice place to sit at the bar and have a couple of leisurely drinks and an appetizer.
infinitejester wrote a review on September 25, 2008 3:45 PM
Step 1: Meet a lovely lass
Step 2: Take her to Jack the Horse, have the "Behind the Knees"
Step 3: Have your pleasure
Repeat every few months.
berkeleygrosvenor wrote a review on September 25, 2008 4:59 PM
It's a hard call as to whether it's best for an autumn evening of nibbles and their spirited spirits, or the damn fine shrimp blt and a hair of the dog any Sunday morning. Whenever you go, look out for Hollywood bigshots that would be better served (so to speak) at the Soho House or Waverly Inn.
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/3691
chrishavens wrote a review on September 25, 2008 6:13 PM
On overall feeling, type of menu and appropriateness to setting, Jack kicks hard. Really one of the loveliest places in BK. People like to be there.
Shells wrote a review on September 26, 2008 1:23 PM
The food is superb, but the waitstaff is lacking in basic skills. We went to eat there on a very slow night, yet we were placed right next to the kitchen/bathroom area. At the end of the meal, the waiter made a mistake in charging the credit cards, which took a very long time to resolve, and he wasn't very apologetic.
valentinasmj wrote a review on December 2, 2008 10:10 PM
Busy nights are probably tough on the staff but the food is superb and the cocktails outstanding. Just don't expect a cosmo or any of that crap. These are the real deal, most are made with gin or whisky/bourbon/scotch. II am not sure I saw any vodka drinks on the menu (a good thing!). My advice is to go alone or with a date and eat at the bar, you will get great service, have a good time watching the bartender mix his drinks and actually have a bit more elbow room.
Molly wrote a review on August 19, 2009 1:12 PM
The food is excellent! The wine list is also good. A little pricey, and again, typical mediocre Brooklyn service. I agree with an earlier poster - go on a slow night, and go earlier for better service.
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