The Speakeasy

The atmosphere was nice n casual…4 us that was it. Even the gingerale drink my husband ordered, although they named it sumthing else it was just gingerale with lime.
The cobbler every1 raved of was not any better than mine. homemade from scratch. The curried shrimp… yuck!
We had 2 ask the waiter how long had they been in existence.
Yes…I am sorry I didn’t check Unilocal b4 I paid that, groupon.

We jumped on a groupon deal in an attempt to try out some restaurants in the area. The calamari was over fried. almost burned. I didn’t think this was possible, but the steak was cold. I can’t image how this is possible considering how quickly the food arrived. there was no juice. I can understand being a small restaurant you run outlying of supplies every now and then, but no juice? At least whip up some Koolaid. Wasn’t anywhere I’d go again.

I came here because I purchased a Groupon and the place looked charming on its website. I was really surprised that it looked & sounded like a dingy sports bar (loud football game was centerpiece). For sure, the overall condition of the place has really deteriorated compared to the online photos.
The food was not particularly bad, but I could have easily made it myself at home (and would have enjoyed it more). The final bill for 2 people was over $ 60! (!!) not including tip, even though one of our meals was a mediocre hamburger and we didn’t order any drinks. SERIOUSLY?
I left this restaurant with the distinct feeling that I had been *royally* ripped-​off. I have used Groupons at other restaurants whose goal was to entice new regular clientele (and in most cases, it has worked). In this case, I felt like it was some sort of quick-​fix money-​making scheme because there is no way that anyone would come back to this place and spend that kind of money. To reiterate the posts below…“Why didn’t I read Unilocal beforehand?!?” Ah, lesson learned!
The 1-​star sums it up: «Eek! Methinks not»

Had dinner here on Groupon. Should have read reviews before purchasing. Lesson learned. Portion sizes were small leaving me hungry when I left. Tables were very wobbly and after bumping into it slightly the drinks spilled all over the floor. Cockroaches were crawling on the floor as other patrons at the bar were killing them. As I looked over my right shoulder and saw a one inch roach climbing up and down the blinds, I would have walked out but had just ordered dessert. There was one female waitress/​bartender who apologized but made no concession on the bill.
It seemed like all the people at the bar were the bartenders friends and it was hard to get her attention at times. I should have let the groupon expire and get my money back. Went for Chinese food down the block after wards and was finally full.
Be advised the groupon menu is different from the regular menu the restaurant offers. Even though it states the value of the entrée should be max $ 52, they only allow you to choose entrees that are max $ 22, diminishing the value of the groupon.
For appetizers we had the chicken wings and the ribs. 2 wings and 2 drumsticks with 3 ribs. Aside from the portion size being extremely small for the price, the sauces were tasty and the flavoring was good. For dinner, we had the chicken and the hanger steak with mashed potatoes and string beans. Again, portion size extremely small, hanger steak was chewy and chicken was cooked fine. Potatoes were a little dry and could use more seasoning or condiments like gravy or butter. Dessert we had peach and blueberry cobbler and ice cream. The ice cream was low quality and the consistency was strange. I couldn’t even guess a brand that tastes that poorly. My friend mentioned the cobbler was tasty but he left half of it to be thrown away.
If you eat here, I hope you have better luck, but it seems like this is The general consensus. Not sure how this restaurant has been open so long as its generally crowded and there are much better options on Lafayette and dekalb.
Please fumigate!

My boyfriend hit the PURCHASE button on a Groupon for a «3 course meal for 2 for only $ 30» before I could read the horrible reviews on Unilocal and give the okay for this decision.
We read reviews on Unilocal before venturing on over here for dinner. I was dreading the entire experience but we both agreed we should just get it over with. We knew exactly what dishes to stay away from and which ones were more edible thanks to everyone’s reviews! The Groupon marketed the place with a Top Chef (who apparently hasn’t been affiliated with the place for quite some time now) — pretty misleading!
We parked the car right in front and stepped in. There was 1 female bartender/​waitress, 3 patrons at the bar, 2 patrons sitting at a table in the front, 1 cook, and then us. The waitress greeted us and first asked us if we were there for regular dinner or the groupon dinner. We answered groupon and she jokingly scolded us for not making any reservations but that it was okay because the restaurant was empty. Joke wasn’t well received and I knew the experience would be painful. I also heard her tell the chef it’d be a groupon meal (whatever that means — maybe to tell him to make the portion sizes smaller or to make the meal carelessly? Who knows…)
My boyfriend noticed the options were more extensive than what he had read and expected (about 5 appetizer choices including calamari, ribs, wings, salad) and 7 entrees (the infamously bad shrimp, chicken, fried tilapia, veggie burger, regular burger, and a few others I can’t remember).
After much deliberation, I decided to order the wings (thanks to someone’s review stating they were pretty good. My boyfriend ordered the ribs. Both came out very quickly — and both were pretty good. My boyfriend ordered the veggie burger (thanks to someone’s reviews) and I decided to go with the regular burger (I was contemplating the roasted chicken but someone on Unilocal mentioned that it was pretty much inedible). Both came out quickly. Both were edible. The veggie burger was actually good. The regular beef burger was standard but luckily edible! We had hoped these were easy things to cook and less risky for screw-​ups. For dessert, we had the cobbler and ice cream. I didn’t eat too much of it but my boyfriend liked it enough to eat all — either he was very hungry or it was actually good.
During our meal, our waitress was pretty much absent and was instead arguing with the patrons at the bar. It was uncomfortable for us since she started yelling about not being stupid and something about her breasts. Being that at this point we were 2 of only 5 people in the restaurant it was pretty uncomfortable and I just wanted to jet out of there (thankfully there was a TV showing football so it was more noise in the place that I could pretend that I couldn’t hear them arguing).
When the bill came, the total was only about $ 40 — not much of a deal. I guess choosing burgers (easy things to prepare) meant that we chose the cheapest things on the menu, making this Groupon not really much of a save to begin with.
WOULD DEFINITELY NOT COME BACK AND EVER RECOMMEND THE PLACE. The lesson learned here: Don’t let my boyfriend buy deals unless I read reviews first!!!

Why did I not read Unilocal before buying the Groupon…
Read Benjamin D’s post below. He wrote my thoughts exactly.
We ordered the following:
— 2 orders of calamari
— Curried Shrimp
— Steak (chunks)
— Peach and Blueberry cobbler with ice cream
— Red Stripe
— lime infused gin, sweet strawberry, and lemon-​lime soda
Bill total was $ 90 minus Groupon which came to $ 22 (2 drinks plus tax)
Calamari was a little chewier than I’ve experienced but it was good. We did enjoy it. Then our entrees came out which were not very good.
Curried Shrimp = 4 bland shrimp over white rice with curry sauce poured like a moat around the ice cream scoop of rice. I told my wife, «Savor those shrimp!» because there were 4 of them…
Steak (can’t remember how they described it as it’s not on their website). I got 6 chunks of strong meat, not one recognizable steak. Seemed like they tried to cover up the strong meat flavor with the seasoning. Garlic potatoes were good and the green beans were decent.
The best thing all night was the cobbler and ice cream. My wife also enjoyed her drink too.
Bottom line, their food isn’t «Top Chef» anymore, especially since the chef left in 2008 so they need to stop charging prices as if they weren’t cutting corners to lower costs. An hour and twenty minute train ride to get there wasn’t worth it.

.parking was tough. We went on a Wednesday night. They had live music, band was good. We had the calamari. and the chicken empanada. Both delicious. We had a groupon so we got the roasted chicken with mash potatoes and string beans. I got about 10 string beans and no choice of white meat but the food was good. We also got the spinach Alfredo. Had 2pieces of spinach. but was tasty. For dessert we had peach blue berry cobbler. Omg it was incredible.

Sitting here with my girlfriend and the service is terrible. The server/​bartender started the intro with a warning that she is working solo — essentially saying if ignored you were forewarned. So she proceeded to not pay attention to us while engaging other tables. Rude and extremely poor service, if you had a groupon it seems you treated better.
As for the food the calamari was greasy and the short rib was a bit tough. My girlfriend liked her salmon and agree it was nice. Overall If this is the service and quality of a top chef backed/​inspired restaurant I am underwhelmed. The manager was nice and attentive but doubt I would go back or recommend it.

Bottom line is that the food was good but the service was atrocious. We waited almost 30 mins for our appetizer and was surprised when they brought it out with one of our entrees together! The 2^nd entrée was still in progress and it took them another 15 – 20 minutes to bring out my friends Braised Short Ribs.
The desserts were delicious. We got the Peach Cobbler and the Chocolate Cake. Both tasted home made and was even better with the vanilla ice cream. Yet again though, we had to wait about 20 mins for the dessert to come out! The wait staff is actually very nice but somewhere in the middle, something gets lost in translation. They fumbled with the orders and on how to serve the food. I would go back but only if there were no other viable options in that area of Brooklyn.

Food was meh. They were very late with my appetizer and then sat down my entrée while I was just starting my appetizer. So my entrée was cold by the time I got to it. And I hurried the app.
Cute décor. Bartender was friendly.
The place just seems incredibly understaffed. It’s a tiny place though.
Nail in the coffin: I felt a little ill afterward. Maybe I ate too much. Or maybe it was the food.
Probably will not return.

I don’t why The Speakeasy has gotten so many bad reviews. The first time I went to an event — got the wings (which were delicious) and a chocolate cake desert. I was pretty happy with the experience.
The second time I went was for brunch. I had a salmon burger and fries.
I would mos def come again. Did I mention that they have a «curvy girl» drink?

This was easily one of my most horrifyingly startling dining experiences ever. I guess this place lives off the the reputation of the cook, who was on Top Chef (or something), and in change, they provide you with inconsistent and inefficient food and service…
She forgot my coffee. Soggy celery in my bloody. Her polite service and a spicy bloody will not save this place.
Open at 11 and brunch is posted on thier website. They actually open at 1, they don’t serve food until 2 and there is no brunch.
My toast came out so laughably burnt I sat there with my mouth open. Coffee was not worth the wait, and of course, no splenda. $ 11 for my burnt toast with eggs. Decent sweet potato fries. Inspired sliders.
Zagat guide, were u bribed?

It’s sad what has happened to this place. It used to be so cool. It was a neighborhood, laid-​back bistro. Very diverse, very friendly, not too expensive, but good quality food and drink. Two years ago, my girlfriend and I came here on our first date. Then it started sliding: first the food, then the service, and now it’s just a mess. No one seems to know whats going on. The food is bad, and there is only a slight chance that they actually have what is on the menu that night. Barely anyone comes anymore. Service seems like it’s done by untrained volunteers, all on their first day. Sad.
Now they have lipstick writing on the windows that say things like «Free Wi-​Fi!» and «$ 3 Pabst.» Sigh.

Wow… what happend!!! I use to get sick of this resturant because my wife would want to go here all the time… The braised short rib use to be amazing! We just went after being absent for awhile and wow… we walked in and it was a ghost town… the food was cold when served and was mediocre at best. They changed the menu and got rid of there best dishes??? who does that!!! now its just burgers, sandwiches and entrees that are missing key ingredients «we have the miso salmon but we are our of miso sauce… you can have it grilled.» Really??? This is a resturaunt that had allot of promise and then just gave up.

My wife and I used to go here quite often. The price tag was justified with every bite. The brick roasted chicken was one of the best I’ve ever had, the tagliatelle, and especially the gnocchi with braised short ribs were to die for. It had been a while we had been there, so we went on a saturday night. To our surprise it was almost empty (it was always crowded and even a little too noisy). So I checked the Unilocal reviews and noticed how tepid it was. I was thinking I’d help boost the rating because I knew this was supposed to be this great little neighborhood gem.
They were out of the short ribs gnocchi, so I had the tagliatelle with salmon and my wife had the chicken. They weren’t bad, but the quality’s definitely gone down. The salmon was borderline dry, a little too salty, the once chunky, eggy and very fresh tagliatelle became a thin bastardization of the original. My wife’s chicken also wasn’t bad, but not nearly as good as it used to. Neither justify the hefty price as it used to. we skipped dessert for the first time.
With brooklyn’s restaurant scene heating up exponentially, this place needs to either bounce back quick or get out of the way for something better to replace it. Until we hear about improvements, I don’t think we’re going back. Real shame. I hope they bounce back because I really miss the old Speakeasy and that’s just not what’s there now.
No wonder when we left we were the only customers in. on a saturday night.

Without question, one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had. And I’ve been to Detroit!
The staff ignored my date and I and instead spent the bulk of their time talking to each other about how cute (guys included) they all are, then chatted it up with a regular or two. My G&T was ok, but it was served in some Ikea glasses. Now I’m a businessman and understand cutting costs, but I don’t want to drink in the same glasses in a bar as I can at home. At least the spinach-​artichoke dip was on point, but it’s not like it was made on the spot.
Overall, I wish I could curse on here on how bad The Speakeasy is. I wanted to like it, I really did, cause it’s on a great corner in a neighborhood that’s practically my 3^rd home and has a fantastic look, but until the managers put out a press release that they’ve changed their crappy staff, I’ll be staying away. And so should you!

I recently had my birthday party at the Lounge at The Speakeasy Brooklyn. I’d had a disappointing dinner at the restaurant before with a horrible waitress. HOWEVER, I was still attracted to the overall ambiance, décor, & food (ESPECIALLY the potato gnocchi and the spinach-​artichoke dip!!).
The managers, Shanah and Andre, and a few other employees managed to ease my anxiety over my past experience. The Lounge features a nice, state-​of-​the-​art bar Karaōke bar. It’s a cozy room that has a Prohibition-​era/​Cigar bar feel. It catered perfectly to an intimate crowd for my birthday. The staff provided my guests with good food (spicy wings & portabello fries) & a signature drink – WHICH WAS PERFECT – courtesy of the bartender, JB.
For future events, I’d think the restaurant would do better with a specialized catered event menu, separate from the regular restaurant menu. Also, I think a set event contract should be established. Overall, though, my guests and I loved the Lounge at the Speakeasy Brooklyn. My vegetarian guests loved the portabello fries, also. I was also provided with an attentive waitress, Natalie; she was very friendly and hard-​working.
I was very satisfied with this experience at The Speakeasy!

I really wanted to like this place. It’s around the corner from my house, and it’s just the kind of local hangout that I prefer. The folks who work there are mellow and nice.
But the food is really really bad. Unedible, overpriced. Days later my wife and I were still talking about how bad it was.
This place has great potential — and is fine for a drink — but don’t go there to eat. Walk 3 blocks north to Dekalb.

This is sad to me — my wife and i where really excited to find this place in one of our many wandering excursions in the area and it looks beautiful, funky and cool but we were completely disappointed.
The food was WAY too expensive for what it was which is plain shoddy. I had the omelet with shitake mushrooms, spinach and goat cheese and «white truffle essence» which was actually just REALLY dry and over cooked egs with spinach and one measly dalop of goat cheese and nothing else — just plain crappy. The home Fries where WAY overdone and dry.
The Smoked Salmon and Toasted Bagel plate was just plain old BAD. First of all — it was 13 dollars for four tiny slices of locks with a NON-​toasted bagel some cream cheese and a rotten (literally rotten –see picture) salad. This is a travesty especially when you consider the fact that you can get AN AMAZING bagel with TWO MEALS WORTH of salmon just down the street for 9 at Bagel Delight. What are they thinking?
One star for the really tasty Bloody Mary and one for the décor
Also the service was pretty bad — it took about 15 minutes to be seen at an outside table, the waitress came out only two times and never checked up on us until i went in and asked for the check, so i had to get up to get salt, napkins, etc.

Right so I was in Fort Greene. What do you think of that? And the next morning, I had brunch at The Speakeasy, for which I was HOPING to get First to Review, which I WOULD HAVE if ERIN H. hadn’t reviewed it the DAY BEFORE I went probably as I was clairvoyantly dreaming about banana papaya french toast, which was delicious, by the way.
Whatever. I’m over it.
The Speakeasy is a newish restaurant kitty corner from a really ghet-​looking supermarket. Being a fairly quiet area, the restaurant was kinda dead, which would have been pleasant if the Intro to Ethnomusicology soundtrack were just a bit softer. Seriously, we heard the music of about 4 countries while we were there.
Anyway, standard brunch fare for the most part except the banana papaya french toast, which was, as I say, delicious. One mimosa per. Kinda stingy, but it’s a pretty big one. The tea is Lipton. Skip it.
Oh and someone else got a non-​standardish dish. (haha dish dish!) I couldn’t identify it, and when I asked the music drowned out the answer so instead of asking for a repeat, I just labeled it Bowl of Stuff and moved on. It looked pretty good. So I suppose there a couple of things on the menu you won’t see other places.
Basically I have to agree with Erin H. BEFORE ME that they need a chance to get off the ground, but this was certainly not a bad experience, which is a relief because I’m almost guaranteed to be going back many times. Almost.
Try the Bowl of Stuff.