Marlow & Sons
"With its green-and-white pinstriped awning advertising 'Groceries, Spirits, Oysters' and its unfancy façade, Marlow & Sons seems almost fusty on the outside, but it has the soul of a garage band. It plays to a local and loyal fan base, and its riffs are simple but true," writes Todd Coleman for Saveur. Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld for New York magazine write, "This quirky Williamsburg canteen is [another] venture from the owners of Diner, the American bistro next door. And even though it is ideally situated to absorb Diner's overflow and ply them with retro cocktails and briny oysters, the dimly lit, wood-paneled space has been forging a cozy Mediterranean-accented identity of its own."
New York Times restaurant critic Frank Bruni recommends ordering some oysters at Marlow & Sons: "The restaurants prides itself on fresh ones, and judging from the half dozen we had ($2.75 each), it’s right to... Chicken cooked under a brick ($20), monkfish ($24), a chocolate tart ($8) — all of these were well prepared and satisfying, though there didn’t seem to be all that much of a price break for the cramped environs and the zip code." And the New Yorker's Lauren Collins waxes poetic about one of Marlow's starters: "One end-of-summer night, there was on offer a special salad of basil, radishes, and nectarines. The nectarines were all pick of the litter; their pink-and-orange speckled skins brought to mind a mackerel sunset, and the wish that August would last forever." What's your take on this place?
Reviews (12)
bunkerlabs wrote a review on April 6, 2009 12:08 PM
Worst coffee in the entire neighborhood served to you by people who would be slightly happier if you were dead. The last time I was there I ordered an Americano and they poured it for me out of a pitcher. I believe it had been made several hours before.
king of the burg wrote a review on April 6, 2009 12:17 PM
This is not my favorite restaurant in the neighborhood. This is my favorite restaurant in the city! The menu is always changing with a nice rotation of meats, cheeses, and oysters. The servers are always informative as well. For a person who loves to try new things, this place will not disappoint. My only complaint is that I often end up getting a bit of everything and I have to take a deep breath when the check comes. Also, they don't take reservations, so be prepared to wait, but its worth it.
sendmemedia wrote a review on April 6, 2009 1:13 PM
This place is incredible. I've never once had bad service, or a bad meal. Very limited menu, but Marlow's totally about the specials. I always ask the service staff for recommendations and they're always happy to help. The chocolate carmel torte is mind-blowing- do not miss this desert! I've never met anyone who didn't absolutely love it.
This is a really fun place to bring guests as well
As for the wait- on a weekend night it's usually only about an hour- the perfect amount of time to grab a tasting flight of wine at bridget wine bar just like a half a block away. the combination of these two little establishments is perfect for dates as long as you're not to tight on cash-
love it!
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sendmemedia wrote a review on April 6, 2009 1:13 PM
This place is incredible. I've never once had bad service, or a bad meal. Very limited menu, but Marlow's totally about the specials. I always ask the service staff for recommendations and they're always happy to help. The chocolate carmel torte is mind-blowing- do not miss this desert! I've never met anyone who didn't absolutely love it.
This is a really fun place to bring guests as well
As for the wait- on a weekend night it's usually only about an hour- the perfect amount of time to grab a tasting flight of wine at bridget wine bar just like a half a block away. the combination of these two little establishments is perfect for dates as long as you're not to tight on cash-
love it!
-
iz wrote a review on April 6, 2009 1:21 PM
Best food in the city, like someone said already.
mopar wrote a review on April 6, 2009 1:53 PM
The food and drink are great, but it's just snacks. This is the perfect place to blow $45 on two cocktails and a smidgen of cheese between lunch and dinner. Especially if you don't know how to open a package of something yourself. The related Marlow & Daughters down the street is also a good grocery option for those on the JMZ line. They have high-quality meats and cheeses, including such whimsies as duck pancetta, and the prices are reasonable.
Atlantic Frantic wrote a review on April 6, 2009 2:27 PM
Can't say enough. Incredible food, fairly priced, great vibe. Run don't walk...
winthropst wrote a review on April 6, 2009 2:42 PM
i used to live nearby and went enough to give it a try. the food here (and at diner) is ok. not great. overrated and overpriced. and with so many dining options in the neighborhood it's best for a drink and to soak up the scene. skip the food.
janelle wrote a review on April 6, 2009 3:55 PM
food's great and tons of ambience, but it can be cramped and sometimes unpleasantly sceney. gotta take the bad with the good, i suppose.
thewis wrote a review on April 6, 2009 9:24 PM
love it and love the atmosphere. the last dinner i ate there was terrific.
dutchman wrote a review on April 7, 2009 10:15 AM
I simply love this place
sometimes you have to wait long
but it always pays off
tanner wrote a review on April 11, 2009 4:58 PM
Our favorite place in all of NYC!
Sustainably sourced food that is DELICIOUS, consistently! We have never had anything we didn't love. Particular favorites: liver toast, all salads, white bean soup, short rib meatballs (yum!!). The caramel/chocolate/sea salt torte is insane--like a grown-up candy bar--too much for me, honestly, yet I can't stop eating it...
We have a kid, so we always go at 5:30 or 6, and they are VERY kid-friendly, the vibe is super-chill, and you don't have to wait.
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