Venik Lounge

11/03/08

Don't waste your time or money here!

by 2ndsaab9000 at Citysearch

I have walked past this place every day since the end of May and always thought I would stop in one evening. The menu on the door looked very good and the menu on their web site did too I also was impressed by the selection of drinks on the web site. Much to my dismay, when I stopped in Saturday before last, they no longer have food. They only have about six appetizers. They also only have about six of the "fusion drinks". The server was kind of snooty and when I asked about the menu, she snapped that the menu changes all the time and that their web site is not current. Ditto when I askeed about a drink that I saw on the site. So we decided to order the Hummus plate. She said it was plenty for 2, however, I would not call a golf ball size glob of hummus, 4 olives a lettuce leaf and one small quartered pita "plenty for 2". My final complaint is the price! $10.00 for any drink?! $8.00 for the lame Hummus plate? Come on! I will not go there again, and I would not recomend it to any one. Aparrently, Venik means "come in, overpay, get treated badly, and leave hungry and broke!"

• Pros: none
• Cons: bad service, small portions, no menu,

09/06/08

Unique, lovely cocktails; delicious light bites

by laurenwinter at Citysearch

I used to only visit venik for a cocktail following a schvitz at Banya but last weekend we stopped in early evening for a bite and found the new (to me, at least) menu and new bartender (ditto) to have upped the ante quite a bit. We ate and drank marvelously...blueberry martinis..lamb kofte..crostini of boquerones...some of the best cheese I have ever put into my mouth! The bartender..I believe her name was Jillian...was friendly, professional and very knowledgeable. She mentioned that she's working on new infusions and I am psyched to try their Pumpkin Pie infused vodka when it's ready.

excellent service, tasty food and drinks and a very chill environment. A schvitz is never a bad thing but Venik is worth the trip even if you don't feel like getting all sweaty first.