Cafe on Clinton

Ate here once last summer. The service was fine, and the food was okay but not great. My father in law and his godson both got sick from what they ate (both had the tuna burger) and I called to speak to the manager, mostly to warn him about the fact they may have some bad tuna. I was promised a call back, which I never got. Good to know they take health and safety seriously. Now, where's the number for NY's DOH again...?

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Didn't their brunch include a bloody mary or mimosa in the past?

a lot of people have gotten sick after eating here...been closed several times in past for violations.......place next door is pretty good

bklyn14- I'm pretty sure this place was closed in the past for violations under previous ownership/management. Can't confirm.

As far as the new guard, can't give an opinion. I haven't eaten there since it had a dingy Cheers vibe with reliable, safe comfort food. That was early 90s.

haven't eaten here under the new ownership, but I for one am glad the rocked the boat -- the old version ranged from blah to "gah"

I disagree wholeheartedly with the opinions above. We love this place and visit at least three times a month. The service is always super friendly and the food is very good, especially for the prices. (Try the meatballs!) It's true that they usually only have one or two wait persons for the entire place, but for the quality food and the convenient location, it's our go-to in the neighborhood.

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I think the new ownership has improved the food as it is now owned and operated by the original chef from Patois. While not the best it is pretty good french bistro food but nothing spectacular. A nice neighborhood joint with a good staff.

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The new owners ruined this place for us. Food and service were better under previous ownership.

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So brookjoo, why give it a value of 3? Food 1, check. Service, from your comments, also 1. Ambience? I don't know. Shoulda gotten a 2 at most...

GHB:

The main reason I gave the food a 1 was because it made my family sick, and the way the manager handled it. I would have given it a 3 if not for that. It's a passable place, that isn't totally without charm, but they should have handled the health complaint differently. Most restaurants have served someone bad food at one point or another; it's how you handle it that makes the difference. I guess I am judging the service as the table service, which is different from the managers response, but get your point. Our waiter was fine, so I don't want the staff to be affected, but the GM...sheesh!

I have eaten here many times over the years. The food is good, but not that good. Under the new owner, the food taste different every time I visit. I do like the crab cakes and the salades. I really use to love the french toast, but the past several times I had the french toast it taste different. I wish they would teach, when they get a new new chef, how to be consistent with the food.

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This place was great when Barry owned it. Old Regulars have a right to be upset because it was consistantly good under the old management. I have given it myriad chances since it reopened, once I got sick, once my dad got sick, and I can honestly say I have not had one thing I've liked there. Even the salad dressing was sooo salty, that I would ask for my salad plain. We told the chef what we thought, but I believe he still serves the food without trying any of his recipes. I might might give it 1 more try since some people seem to like it (and it's around my corner), but I think it's now one of the worst places to eat at in the hood.

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After five tries: mediocre on a good night, I'm afraid, and for the price, a joke. Also, they can't get the ambience quite right. Should be like Cafe Loup in the West Village. not even cose.

After five tries: mediocre on a good night, I'm afraid, and for the price, a joke. Also, they can't get the ambience quite right. Should be like Cafe Loup in the West Village. Not even close.

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This place was never that great, but even 15 years ago, I considered the food mediocre, especially for the price. It sort of reminded me of how I felt about the old PJ Hanley's. The food wasn't great, but given that it was mediocre AND overpriced sort of killed it for me. For example, Theresa's on Mantague has okay food, but the prices are good, so I go there pretty frequently (the blintzes and pierogis + the chicken soup are great - avoid the milkshakes).

Cafe on Clinton basically was always "that overpriced medicore restaurant next to the French place (that is sadly gone, but I will not miss how dirty it was) and near the park". There are plenty of brunch places with a cheaper, $8-10 brunch that are significantly better. I'm glad it has its supporters because the people working there always seem nice, and the space is great, but I'd rather spend my hard-earned cash elsewhere.

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Have been going there with many members of my family since the first month Barry had opened in '89 (?). Saw many Yankees games (best Oct 1996), and more than a ton of golf and several New Years eves and brunches there over the years. It was always consistently good, and the former owner was and is a great guy, a complete mensch. And yes, they used to have a free brunch cocktail. There was always a welcoming camaraderie to the place.

Have only been there a few times since the new management took over. The menu had not been as consistent as former days, but I hope they are aiming for a better future. It's a fantastic location, in a great neighborhood, and I hope the new owners match the unpretentious beauty of the original.

Have only been once since the change in management- had previously gone a few times, and it will be my last. Took my inlaws there, and was embarrassed by the food and service for a Saturday brunch. The 12$ french toast was, unbelievably, burned to a crisp on the outside, and raw on the inside. Totally disgusting. The waitresses couldn't be bothered to bring menus, or napkins when a glass of water was spilled by another customer. This should be such a great spot for a restaurant- one day soon, hopefully, a new restaurant/owner will take it over.

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