The Trilby

Wandered in here around 1pm on a Saturday afternoon. The place was dead. No one in the bar area, and a few scattered people around the lounge area… including Adam Brody to the delight of my wife. To be fair, I don’t think this was prime time to be here, and I hear it’s a scene after work.
The hotel & bar are pretty cool as far as spaces go. Large bar in front with lounge and outdoor area in back. Lounge area had combo of tables, and very comfortable sofa areas to chill on. I literally could have fallen asleep here. The outdoor space is nice to just have a drink, or throw a party. There’s a well laid out patio area upstairs with it’s own bar area. Not sure if this is open, or just for private bookings.
We were greeted quickly by a very friendly, exuberant server. That was the last of the exuberance. She sat us, gave us drink menus (that’s all we asked for), and it was about 10 minutes before we saw her again. We both ordered drinks only to find out that mine was not available because we were given «seasonal, summer» drink menus. The «Michelada»: a combo of Modelo Especial, spicy tomato & lime juice w/​salted rim. Yes, they had Modelo Especial, but there was no way they could mix up that delicate and complicated concoction of spicy tomato & lime juice for me… not out of season. Pretty weak if you ask me. Anyway, I ordered an Innis & Gunn Oak Aged beer which was rather tasty, and my wife had some sort of pear hard cider that she really enjoyed also. We sat outside for a bit until the uncooperative sun left us just windblown and cold. We retreated to the lounge area & finished what could have just been a first round of drinks. It was a very relaxing setting. Our server literally disappeared. We could not find her. No where in sight. I went out to the bar area, and she wasn’t there, nor was the bartender! I started to wonder if ‘squatting rules’ applied to untended bars. At any rate, the bus boy couldn’t seem to locate her either. It had been I don’t know how long since we’d gotten our drinks, but was definitely close to 20 minutes we waited to get the check. So we left a 20 spot on the table and left.
I still give this place 3 stars. My experience was not great as far as service went, but I will cut them some slack as it was a Saturday afternoon. The space is really cool. The lounge area was comfortable and inviting. I would have to give it another shot before totally panning the place, but wanted to at very least convey the level of odd service we received here.

This is an expensive place because it’s in a hotel. But I really love the dark but comfy décor, and the outside seating on a fall evening is just splendid. I only wish they kept the deck area open longer. But anyway, the couches and chairs are nice. And I love a place with big coffee table books.
Drinks average 12 – 13 dollars, which is yes, close to double of what you would pay at a dive bar. but then again, you didnt come here to listen to loud music and smell piss and vomit, did you? You came to relax on the deck, with candlelight and a bombay martini.

When in New York City, you must visit The Trilby and taste each cocktail that Alfonzo, aka «the Fonz», pours with passion.
If all goes well, leave a note in one of the many famous literary titles on the library style walls.
The cost is well worth the respite.

4 stars only bc the food was sent to the room and I didn’t experience the service. Had late evening snack of tuna avocado, artichoke dip and assorted cheese. Yes random but everything was great and after the trip to NY it was perfect and not too heavy.
The new space is beautiful, the hb and I love the cooper square hotel and it’s really becoming a standout in a great part of the city.

Hey beautiful space,
Chill on the prices and I’ll
Love you forever.
(b)

Stopped into the Trilby last night around 11:45 ish. It was four of us, I had just gotten out of work and was looking forward to that first drink. We sat at a table and waited for menus. None came so about 7min later I asked the bartender for one and asked if we should order through him, he said there was a waitress for the tables. Cool I’ve spotted the waitress, can’t wait for that drink. Ten minutes go by. Hm. I walk back to the bar to clarify that there is indeed a waitress. He sheepishly says yes, asks me to wait a little longer and makes a joke about her being chatty. Cool. Another 5 – 10 minutes goes by. We get up and order at the bar. The guy was nice but didn’t seem to understand the order, so I’m assuming he’s training, which is fine of course. Another guy comes over we give him our order and sit back down. 2 of our drinks get made, but he forgot the second two… We repeat and all of us are served. It is clear that he is drunk. Our drinks were fine but it literally took so long to get them that we wanted to shoot them back and get out ASAP. I don’t care that the guy was drinking, I think a bartender drinking sets a good mood, however it was clear that it was the end of the night and nobody gave a crap about their job or serving us. I have not had an experience this bad in a long time. Maybe it was an off night but there are way too many awesome places in NYC for me to ever go back. We headed to death&co as soon as we finished our round,

The Trilby is the reincarnated restaurant /​lounge, formerly Faustina and Table 8 before then.
The place has finally found its groove. Styled with sprawling couches and spacious booths, The Trilby now welcomes guests with a warmth, roominess and hip disposition which its predecessors were unable to duplicate
In addition, the newly constructed, no nonsense food menu pleases in every way. Whether it be the 6-​Minute Egg on Toast, the steak tartare with quail egg, razor clams, clean salmon fillet or the Pat La Frieda burger, each dish is prepared with a simplicity which is refreshing in today’s cluttered haute cuisine environment.
Enjoy!

Do You remember that episode of Seinfield where Jerry convinces Babu Bhatt to turn the dream café to a Pakistani restaurant?
That’s what the Trillby reminds me of. I remember going to this place when it was Table 8, then going when it became Faustina, and now the Trillby. The Cooper Square Hotel has basically figured out a way to get one dinner out of me for three consecutive years.
Once again the food fell short… by a mile. They try to serve up a gastropub style of food but miss out completely. The drinks were okay but nothing worth writing about.
Third time is not a charm for this hotel. I would only return to grab a drink while I waited for a table at another restaurant.

After being TOTALLY turned off last summer by Faustina the former name of this lounge/​bar/​coffee spot in the Cooper Union… I decended upon it with my fellow Elite Unilocalers, and ended up having a nice time. Especially had a good time getting to know some fellow Unilocalers and chatting with (and guilt tripping) the non-​yelping plus one’s…you know who you are. but have you EVER been to a YEE and NOT had fun… this one was quite exceptional as the crowd was thin and the socializing was really good… nice job with crowd control guys!
the place is dramatic in true «its been done nyc fancy botique hotel lounge»…overstuffed couches, low tables, library books and old paintings against heavy drapes. what IS nice is that the bar is away from the lounge area and there is NO bottle service… just waitresses or get your own drink and crash on a couch.
the food was typical bar food kicked up a little, but face it you are going to go back for the drinks not the food. they demo-​ed 2 rum drinks a mojito and some lukewarm yucko drink that was just not good. the mojito was the prom queen last night.
as for the new name/mgmt…props to them for being at the event and really taking the time to sit and chat. it’ll be even better with warm weather as they have quite a large patio attached to the louge.

This place is a little too hoity-​toity for my regular taste — then again if someone else is paying — i would suggest running here (run don’t walk) — like when Unilocal had an event here…
Seriously though, their food was pretty delicious — at least the little bites being served to us.
Service was excellent, and the place itself is pretty stunning, both the design of the building itself, and the space inside.

Brand new establishment in a hotel that hasn’t been able to keep a restaurant in this space. This is the third attempt and by far the best one yet. The staff is very friendly, drinks are delicious (try the Trilby) and we really had an enjoyable time. Compared to the Crosby or other hotel lounges in the area, drinks are far more reasonably priced as they should be. I’m definitely going back and may treat it as my neighborhood upscale joint.

Nipped in here for quick post-​dinner drinks on Saturday night. I had a Bee Sting cocktail and M had a gin-​based lemony drink. Both were good enough and the waitress was really helpful — she had tried the cocktails and was able to make recommendations to suit our tastes.
The space is quite airy — high ceilings and tall glass windows hung with diaphanous gunmetal curtains — and filled with comfortable stuffed couches and coffee tables made from large chunks of tree. I think they are trying to create a «this-​might-​be-​your-​actual-​lounge-​if-​you-​were-​stylish-​rich-​and-​loved-​trees» vibe. There were coffee table books on our table — I initially picked one up thinking it was an especially thick wine list — sadly not — it appeared to be book about shoes?
I’d like to come back in summer when they open up that outdoor space — but at the moment it feels a little cold and lacking in atmosphere. Maybe it’s just growing pains? As we were leaving my friend said «This crowd is a little New Jersey, isn’t it?”*
The doorman was wearing a really nice hat though — and I am always predisposed to like people who wear stylish hats.
*sorry New Jersey, people — I don’t mean to paint you all with the Snooki brush — just repeating!

What is tucked under the Cooper Square Hotel and right next to the abandoned and boarded-​up Asian Pub, The Trilby restaurant serving «comfort European-​style» food fell short… by a mile.
As soon as the double glass doors are opened for you by the hotel’s hospitality team, you bear left and find yourself in a very dim and open bar area. The two things that grabbed my attention right away were the cool, black subway tile ceilings… and the bleach aroma circling itself into my nostrils.
Next to the bar in another room is where you find more dining tables for larger groups and lounge sofas around the back area.
I’ll make this review short and sweet with my pros and cons list to vary things up…
Pros:
— The Service (Friendly staff, accommodating, and possessing a sense of humor)
— The Ambiance (Sleepy Hollow type of feel, very dim, candles, mellow electric music)
— Steak Tartare (This was my favorite small plate choice because of the presentation and most importantly the flavor. Quail egg on a half shell with a shot of beer on the side for us to mix table side… nice!)
Cons:
— Most of the Food (They try to serve up a gastropub style of food but miss out completely. Mushy gnocchi, very simple tuna & avocado, artichoke dip was dry, and the bread for the table was a joke.)
— Seating (I asked for a table for five and we got seated at one of the sofas in the back, which if we have ordered the shank, per se, it would have been a disaster with au jus dripping all over our knees and the floor.)
As you can see in the video and pictures, The Trilby is very dim. There was actually a light over us that kept going on, off, bright and dim (felt like a club). Not every thing that we ordered was awful… like the Short Rib Sliders with Slaw were tasty but nothing special. The 6 minute egg on spinach toast with anchovy was tasty as well, but then again you can put egg, toast, anchovy and you’ll always have a good outcome.
The only time I would return to The Trilby would be for some aperitifs with a date or group of friends before heading to eat at another restaurant with better food.

arrived a little before noon Saturday morning… handed a breakfast menu… okay. got up to see what they did to the space (Best it has looked since it opened 2 restaurants ago, maybe this lounge thing will work). When I arrived back at my table was informed breakfast was ending and lunch would be served. A few things went through my head… Weekend, Hotel, Manhattan, New place… BRUNCH!!! WTF!!!
anyway. LUNCH!
Bloody Mary… BORING. Nice garnish
Artichoke dip… Bland and tinny tasting, canned artichokes… avoid it.
Burger. Nice try, props for the malt vinegar for the fries (fries suck BTW). Ordered rare, came out juicy closer to Med rare. but flavorless.
save yourself $ 40 and go else where.

While the Trilby officially opens to the public tonight, I had a chance to stop in for a cocktail this afternoon and have a look around.
Spacious and low key classy, the Trilby already seems comfortable in its skin. Quilted sofas, banquettes half-​circling candle lit tables and petrified wood stumps posing as coffee tables all give it an inviting feel. I couldn’t help but stare out longingly at the vast outdoor garden area. As soon as the temperature rises above «miserable» I know where I’ll be lounging.
Throw in some plum colored velvet drapes and local artwork and it almost feels like a large café rather than a hip lounge on the verge of popping open. After a few more sips of my Cowboy Martini and a glance at the unnerving airbrushed Watch Man in the corner and I catch a glimpse of late night shenanigans to come.
Lunch, coffee, a beer with buddies or a night out on the town; so far it seems the future for Cooper Square Hotel’s new spot is looking very bright. I suppose that means I’ll just have to go back for more!