Hearth

Amazing place! Try the tasting menu– you will not regret it!

Dined here about a week ago and really loved the new menu. It’s now filled with more dishes and categories, and you can mix and match small plates. Chickpea flour is milled in house, pasta is made in house, also they now only use only healthy oils for frying, and don’t get me started on the meats! Grass fed burger = yum. Rabbit = yum, Bone marrow = double yum!

Great place for brunch. I’d been for dinner before which was good but had been wanting to try brunch since there seemed to be so many great reviews about it. The restaurant is a good sized restaurant for new york and you don’t feel like you’re being cramped into a tiny space.
I really enjoyed the food. I started off with Brunch Punch which was a nice alternative to the usual mimosa for brunch. It had flavors of bourbon and blood orange which are both great flavors in my opinion. My only complaint about the Brunch Punch was the tiny little teacup that it comes in. I would have liked more but maybe that’s just my boozy self speaking. If you like blood marys, then you’ll be happy to know they have a couple versions that you can choose from.
Our table started off with sharing the apple cider dougnut holes. Totally worth the $ 5. Get them. Tasted like they were freshly made, and were the perfect little snack while we waited for our meal. Our table had the Chestnut pancakes, beef and ricotta meatballs, tomato and eggs, and the tuscan kale and pork sausage. My absolute favorite were the beef and ricotta meatballs. They were flavorful and quite satisfying and sitting in a delicious savory red sauce. The Chestnut pancakes were huge. I kind of feel the portion size is meant for 2. The pancakes were good if you’re looking for a sweet breakfast option. The guy who ordered the tomato and eggs was a bit disappointed when he saw the item, he thought it was a bit simple but as the meal went on he found it tastier and tastier. I had a bite and it was very flavorful version of a shashuka but it could have used something to dip up all that tasty sauce. It only came w a small toasted slice of bread but that’s it.
Overall a great meal and experience. Would definitely recommend going for brunch.

I had high hopes for brunch with high ratings and some meals were fantastic and some disappointing.
To start the waiter didn’t understand my fiancé asked for an espresso stout then got an espresso shot. Then we also asked for a side of pancakes on his recommendation and we had a full sized instead. He didn’t charge us for the coffee and ½ off for the pancakes which was great to have accommodated
we ordered
devilled eggs ⁵⁄₅
Mushroom ricotta — ⁴⁄₅ looking at the images on other people’s reviews, this wasn’t what i received, definitely sparing on the mushrooms and ricotta but still tasty
Side of poached eggs — ¹⁄₅ so runny it was hardly cooked we couldn’t put what bit of solid egg up with a folk
Kale & Pork sausage with poach egg — ⁴⁄₅ very tasty and flavorful
Pancakes — ²⁄₅ they tasted dry with no maple syrup just butter on the side and the buckwheat was overbearing
great décor and space for Manhattan

I have not been Hearth ever since it parted way with Terroir. Recently went back cuz I heard they are offal strong :) But at the end I opted for something light and closer to my heart — #fish.
This grilled romanesco salad with smoked bluefish and sunflower seeds are light, flavorful and perfect for sharing. For strong flavor, salty as bluefish, you need a light red wine that offers medium acidity such as Pinot. For that you can always count on Hearth’s extensive wine list.
I also got the chicories salad with bangs cauda — some sort of anchovies dip and Parmesan. Also good tho it was less memorable.
Service was friendly and prompt even when the restraint was packed. Bonus point,
Shall def return to try the bone marrow and other meaty offerings.

So sad, this place used to be a gem in the neighborhood. After a friend told me about her bad experience with service a few weeks prior, I decided to take it upon myself to go back and tell her it must have been a one off. Well, I was there this past weekend and the place was empty for brunch. They staffed accordingly with only on server on the floor, and with the 4 tables she had she was overwhelmed… she was fortunate to have the bartender step in to help.
With good food, bad service can sometimes be overlooked. Well, the food was bland and lacked creativity. Unless new management, knowledgeable staff, AND a new menu is rolled out I will not be back.
When you can’t please people in the industry the word spreads very quickly.
EDIT: I ordered the pulled chicken sandwich, open it up all teeny fatty chicken chunks. Could have been a cheese sandwich. We ordered the bread with goat cheese I believe, the server could have said «that’s the same bread we use with your sandwich may I recommend…» Instead I ended up with almost a loaf of the stuff. Pancakes we dry, not enough syrup in the world could cure the dryness.

Came here last night with my girl. I have to say it’s been years now since I dined here and it’s still superb. Quality food here and stellar wine. My girl was pleasantly full as well.

Grabbed something to eat on the way home and decided to order the snapper $ 32, taste was bland and subpar. I’ve paid half for 3x portion size that was much tastier too somewhere else. I added pepper and hot sauce to make it more flavorful. Very disappointing. The staff was very nice though and it’s has a cozy vibe that I would have liked. Wish I got a larger portion size and that it wasn’t as bland. Had to go elsewhere to get more food –this portion size was like if I was on a diet ;(debating on whether it’s worth it to come back not likely but the nice staff and cute atmosphere might make me reconsider.
Also tried the Nancy Reagans war on drugs drink didn’t like it at first thought it tasted like Chinese medicine but it kind of grew on me so I did enjoy it

IN SHORT: Warm, exceptionally hearty dishes with rustic Italian influences fill this East Village restaurant. While there is nothing new to eat at Hearth, there is plenty to enjoy.
THE STORY: In reviewing restaurants, a thin, nebulous line inevitably forms dividing good restaurants from great restaurants. While certain parameters like technical dexterity and execution are more clear, other criterion like creativity and originality are inherently vague and imprecise, and seem to often change with the direction of the wind on any given day.
I thought about this line a lot while dining at Hearth recently. I asked what made Hearth good, but not great, and more specifically, I asked if there was merit in a restaurant that lacked originality but succeeded executing a technically flawless dish. Because unfortunately at Hearth, I had the distinct feeling that I had already tried everything on the menu somewhere else, and ultimately somewhere better.
I’m going to wax philosophical for a minute. In architecture school, I took an entire semester-​long studio on «Uncreative Architecture.» Its thesis was that there is no such thing as originality in architecture, and that today’s students of the discipline should steal ideas from anywhere and anyone, as long as those ideas fuel inspiration and resonate with one’s imagination. The caveat, however, was that this thievery must not be concealed, but rather must be actively confronted and engaged in the uncreative production in order to create great architecture.
Using this framework, I’ll now get back to Hearth. The chef Marco Canora opened Hearth after cooking at Gramercy Tavern and Craft under the influential guidance of Tom Colicchio. He billed Hearth as Tuscan-​American fine dining with an emphasis on farm-​to-​table fare. Hm, sounds eerily similar to the concepts pioneered by those original 3-​star restaurants.
While the imitative concept could be forgiven, this familiarity continues right into the dishes themselves. Hearth’s Gnocchi, sitting in a pool of luxuriously rich melted butter and sprinkled with salt, pepper and a bit of dried herbs is clearly the counterfeit version of the gnocchi at Craft, which stands up texturally much better than Hearth’s occasionally soft and grainy bites.
The Roasted Cauliflower with sunflower seeds and greens was more compelling, if a little bland, but was made more unsettling by its weak imitation of the same vegetable found at the stronger restaurants on Chef Canora’s past resume.
Main courses like the Beef & Ricotta Meatballs over a heaping mound of cacio e pepe polenta are the most enjoyable, though at $ 31, surprisingly expensive for a rustic, red-​sauce kind of dish. The meatballs, however, were perfectly juicy and tender, and the polenta as creamy and salty as everyone raves. Chef Canora also handles his pastas well, and the Rigatoni with pork ragu, rosemary, and ricotta hits all the pleasure sensors on a chilly winter evening.
Despite many well executed and enjoyable plates, the service often struggles. At my first dinner at Hearth, I was seated for 30 minutes without seeing my waiter, a shocking amount of time during which I would have loved to at least order a glass of wine. The trend continued throughout the meal, with the staff appearing rushed, inattentive, and clumsy. For an amuse-​bouche at one meal, I was given a warm chickpea soup in a shot glass, a deeply unsettling way to drink soup. I wondered if this was just the restaurant’s misguided attempt at creativity, but when I looked at a neighboring table, I noticed with disappointment that the same soup was served there in a much larger vessel.
There is skill, fidelity, and pleasure in Hearth’s cooking, to be sure. But true creativity takes courage, and Hearth’s inability to creatively borrow or honestly address or transform its familiar cuisine is what ultimately defines it as a good restaurant, but not a great one.
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Probably a 3.5 star rating, but the complimentary Chai latte shot deserves a round up.
We made a reservation for 11:30 am on Sunday, and the restaurant was completely empty. By 12 – 12:30, the restaurant filled up a bit.
I got the eggs with Tuscan Kale and Sausage. They grind up the sausage and oil it up with the kale. And for someone who doesn’t normally eat kale, it was oiled and salty enough to make it pretty good.
Had a bite of my sister-in-law’s meatballs. I wasn’t a huge fan of that.
I would pass on the $ 5 doughnut holes. Those were a bit underwhelming. Coffee was good and refillable. Filled up on that.

We had an excellent brunch at Hearth. We brought an out-​of-​town visitor here so we were really trying to find a place that was pretty, had the correct ambiance, and most of all, produced strong and interesting brunch cocktails and excellent food.
Hearth was the perfect combination. If I had to pick one thing I’d say the overall look and presentation of the food and drinks were what surprised us. Everything was gorgeous (our guest was snapping pictures left and right). An added bonus was that everything we ate tasted absolutely wonderful.
If I had any complaints it would be that the staff, overall, wasn’t the friendliest. But to each his own. It was a little dark inside the space, but we sat by the window so it was perfect for us.
In any case, we’ll definitely be back…

Really nice fixed thanksgiving menu, I’ll return to try the a la carte.
Surprisingly simple, hearty and wholesome fair — attentive and knowledgeable service and a pleasant dining room environment.
Why not 5 stars? Probably to do with the fact that a couple of items on the thanksgiving menu weren’t totally to my taste (still can’t get my head around pumpkin pie) and at $ 300 for 2 with one glass of wine, it wasn’t the cheapest (but it was a set menu)
Reviewing this visit only and I’ll be back to eat of the open menu and hopefully add that 5^th star…

Drink selections and vegetarian options are top notch. Space feels a little strange and the menu wasn’t as good as I thought it would be. It may just be the seasonal dinner menu they happened to be on, but the food seemed too heavy and earthy (wintry/​beany) for my taste. Service was also a little slow, took forever to get water and our drink orders in.

I had a lovely brunch here back in September, when it was still warm enough to sit outside. They have a nice little sidewalk seating area, which is great for East Village people watching! Plus, the interior was not appealing to me.
Positives:
–my beef hash was AWESOME
****(this, and the doughnuts, are the main reason why they get 4 stars)****
–apple cider doughnut holes were absolutely delicious
–sidewalk seating was great
Negatives:
–service was slow
–my boyfriend’s vegetable frittata wasn’t that good
–his coffee and my iced coffee were WAY too expensive (we should have checked the menu first, but the iced coffee was close to $ 5)

Hearth, I’ve given you so many chances, but I think it’s time we both move on. I just really don’t think it’s going to work out. It’s not you, it’s me. But mostly you.
I’ve come here with the same friend three times over the past two years. The first time the A/​C was broken in the dead of summer, and the second time resulted in a bout of food poisoning. Yet, we decided to make a third and final trip to see if this place could finally convince us why this place is such a big deal among our friends and the Unilocal community.
Unfortunately, the third time wasn’t the charm. Mind you, it was our best experience here among the three, but in my mind, there were just too many cons versus pros to warrant anything more than 3.5 stars (rounded down because of our prior visits). So let’s get to it.
Pros
–Prime location in the East Village. Perfect if you want hit up a bar for post-​dinner drinks.
–Cool space. Chic, but not pretentious.
–Friendly, down to earth servers. Very knowledgeable about the menu.
–If you have to order two dishes make it (1) the warm autumn vegetables and (2) the gnocchi. The vegetables are autumn in a bowl. The pumpkin and squash pair perfectly with the maple vinaigrette. Comfort food at its finest. And the gnocchi are absolute pillows of heaven. Probably the best I’ve ever had.
Cons
–Arrived on time for 8pm reservation. Still waited 15 minutes for our table to be prepped.
–Food took about 45 minutes to get to our table from the time we ordered.
–While the fluke dish was tasty, the fish itself was just way too overcooked and dried out.
–Everyone seems to swoon over the veal and ricotta meatballs. Not sure why. Fairly muted flavors. It was okay, not great. And the «cacio e pepe» polenta the meatballs were served on was nothing to write home about. Honestly, I feel like I could make a comparable dish at home.
–The food is just too expensive for what it is. This is really my biggest gripe with this place. I’m more than willing to shell out $ 60+ for a meal if the food is worth it, but the quality and the flavors of the food have to be there, for the entire meal, and not for just a couple of dishes.

The great thing about living in NYC is that there are so many restaurants to try, that you could live here for years and still not get to everything. The bad thing about living in NYC is that there are so many restaurants to try, that you could live here for years and still not get to everything. So, you feel really lucky when a restaurant has been operating for years, so that you can still get a chance to dine there. Thankfully, Hearth in the East Village is one of these places, so, I finally got to check it out.
This Italian inspired restaurant focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, served in a casual, yet sophisticated, environment. All of the aesthetic elements give you the feeling of warmth and comfort, paying homage to the restaurant’s namesake. I went in for brunch, and while the menu sounded great, I opted to go for my own build-​a-​brunch and ordered a couple starters as my main. First, I had their Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs. Now, I’m not a huge deviled egg person, but I love smoked salmon, so, that trumped the former. I really loved these, and if you enjoy smoked salmon, you’re not going to want to eat a regular deviled egg again. They have a really nice balance of the smoked salmon flavor mixed in the creamy and smooth yolk filling. Then, they’re topped with a little piece of crispy fried fish skin, adding a touch of crunch and texture.
Then, I had the Balsamic Marinated Eggplant Toast with Ricotta and Basil. These little toast bites were amazing. They might look small, but they’re pretty mighty, topped with delicious and hearty ingredients, they make for an excellent part of your meal, or, as an appetizer to share. The eggplant has a fantastic sweet and slightly smokey flavor, completely tender, and a touch of tang from the balsamic. Then, the creamy ricotta adds a nice richness to the toasts, topped with basil for some fresh herb flavor.

Love this restaurant. One of my favorites In NYC for elegant yet rustic Italian. Chef Marco Canora is so talented and thoughtful with all the courses. The octopus is the best I have ever had. All the pasta dishes and slow cooked meats are outstanding. Wine list is extensive and the wait staff is attentive and knowledgable.

Great food. Absolutely terrible service. They weren’t rude, just MIA. It took almost 25 minutes for someone to take our order. We had to constantly flag someone down for more drinks.
Entrees:
1) SPATCHCOCK SPRING CHICKEN (Snap Peas, Calabrian Chile, Lemon)
2) GRASS-​FED MINUTE STEAK (Wild Mushrooms, Dandelion Greens, Turnips)
3) VEAL & RICOTTA MEATBALLS («Cacio e Pepe» Polenta)
4) OLIVE OIL POACHED KING SALMON (Purple Barley, Radish, Cucumber, Salmon Roe)
Everything was cooked & seasoned well. I would not recommend ordering gnocchi her, however. After reading all the reviews, I have to admit, I was highly disappointed.

I’ve been to Hearth a couple of times now. I love the ambiance of the restaurant and I think the staff works hard and are very knowledgable of the menu. I just don’t like the food menu. There isn’t much that jumps out at me and I feel like I have to pick food that I normally wouldn’t order. I had the octopus to start and the bass for the entrée. Both were good, just not too exciting. The donuts are always the highlight of the evening. Not sure I will be returning to Hearth.

I came here for brunch last Sunday with a girlfriend. I was really looking forward to it because of the great Unilocal reviews. I knew my no brainier choice would be the meatballs with polenta.
I absolutely love polenta and I like to try meatballs everywhere I go. So far these don’t even crack the top 40. The meatballs were not juicy and delicious like meatballs are supposed to be. They were kind of dry and flavorless to be honest.
The polenta wasn’t bad at all but there should have been more of it. They majorly skimped on the ratio of polenta to meatball. I was super disappointed. I ate it anyway and took my extra meatball and a half home. I tried my friends pancakes and those were pretty delicious.
Maybe I ordered the wrong thing or maybe it was an off day. I don’t know but the I was sad. I would come back to try their dinner. It had to just be an off day