Quinn's

05/14/2008 Posted by beanweb24

My parents and I went to Quinn's for an anniversary celebration, the draw being the Belgian beer and higher-end pub food. We started with a cheese plate (good), olives (also good, but watch the garlic - very strong), and the brandade and chips. My dad commented that the brandade tasted like cod in mashed potatoes, but he did eat it all. For an entree, I ordered the spiced seared tuna (with ramp, mushrooms, beans, and lobster nage). The dish came out with 3 slices of tuna, and I barely choked down 1.5 of them due to the extreme fishy taste and smell of the dish. (I wish I had read all of the reviews here because one customer claimed the dish was disappointing.) My mother ordered the buttermilk fried chicken breast which she enjoyed very much until she was about half way through and discovered the rest of the chicken essentially uncooked (to the point that it looked raw, she was unable to cut it with her regular knife, and when she tried to eat a piece she could not chew it). She did enjoy the salads (potato and slaw) that came with the dish. My father ordered the sloppy joe and enjoyed it very much which is why I'm giving Quinn's two stars. Our waiter did not comment when I said that I had not enjoyed the tuna, and my mother politely told him that he might want to inform the chef that the chicken had been raw. He came back from the kitchen saying that the chef had cooked the chicken for hours and that they have a very different preparation, which made the chef sound defensive. Had the chef tried to cut the chicken, he would have realized it was indeed raw. The beer list was expensive ($10 for a Konigshoven?!) and not very exciting in my opinion, especially compared to a place like Brouwer's. Go for the atmosphere - very cool interior and vibe - but steer clear of the chicken and the tuna! I will not be making an effort to return.

Pros: Cool interior and vibe, good people watching

Cons: Tame and expensive beer list, entrees very disappointing, no reservations allowed

05/03/2008 Posted by Mesembrianthemum

We (about 10+) went to Quinn's for my boyfriend's brother's birthday several months ago. We were promptly seated upstairs, in our own little area at a large, long wooden table. Our server was so amazing! He was prompt, he was patient (I always take forever to order), and he was so funny and sociable. I ordered a daiquiri made from an original, almost 100 year old recipe, and was absolutely floored! It was the best cocktail I'd ever had, and have had since. I finally stopped at about 3-4 drinks, while I could still walk in a fairly straight line, though I really wanted more. I tried the duck and duck rillette (one dish), which didn't suit my own taste, but when a friend asked what it was and saw that I didn't want it, he gobbled it down with gusto, saying it was the best rillette he'd ever had. I did however love the soft boiled egg, sea salt, and boccarones (white, spanish anchovies marinated in vinegar. My favorite!) dish, as well as the assorted cheeses and fruit mostarda. My boyfriend, who is not a foodie and always says he's not hungry, loved the fries, which I think at the time were seasoned with herbs and truffle salt. I had ordered a plate myself, knowing he would want some, and turned back from a conversation with a friend to find my plate empty, my man licking his fingers and asking for more. His brother loved the Wagyu burger and split another order of fries with us. Last Saturday I went back to Quinn's with a friend. They no longer serve that beauty of a daiquiri, but we had the same waiter (who remembered us), and he suggested a mojito, the Cuban, which was equally good. My friend dined on the meatball sliders, which I tried and thought were heavenly. I had a white bean soup, made with preserved lemons and a thin parsley pesto drizzled on top. I do not like parsley, but this soup was divine. I'm going back tonight. Caution: It's very popular and always packed, so unless you don't mind an hour wait, go after 9pm.

Pros: Delicious food, amazing cocktails, awesome service, kitchen closes at 1.30am.

Cons: They don't take reservations. It's always packed, so go late (9pm or later)