I finally had the opportunity to eat at Oregano Bar & Bistro on Johnson Avenue. I tried a variety of entrees and a cheese plate paired with a nice Pinot. You can customize you cheese plate with a selection of cured meats. There is a raw seafood selection, froi gras and pricey caviar.
The food is well-prepared with portion sizes that allow for multi-course dining. It is high-quality cuisine.
The service which has been a well-publicized issue continues to lack attentiveness and culinary expertise. The wait staff is ill-prepared to answer questions about entrees and one wait staff didn’t know what ales were on tap.
Wait time between courses is noticiable and there were only a handful of patrons in the vacuous restaurant.
At times, wait staff leaned on the bar and socialized with each other. The music was loud and did not compliment the decor and philosophy of the restaurant. “Heat of the Moment” by 80s band Asia doesn’t evoke Parisian life by the Seine. A soccer match on the TV looks like an attempt to maximize a bar crowd and revenue. These are management issues that need to be addressed in order for Oregano to justify its prices and become the top-notch eatery it was touted to be.
Great food, poor service. Not a bad thing considering if it was reversed – poor food, great service.
I totally agree with this assessment of Oregano. I went there when they first opened, happy that there was a new eatery in the neighborhood, but was quickly disappointed when I realized the staff lacked the professionalism and the basic training needed to flowlessly convey the concept the kitchen is trying so hard to communicate.
I went back a fee weeks after my first visit, hoping that my first experience was just the result of some minor adjustments that needed to be made. I was so disappointed that I decided not to give them another chance.
Oregano is a typical case of a well conceived concept that has been badly executed. I hope they realize what needs to be changed and take action because despite its shortcomings, the place still has potential.
It has lots of potential. I ate at Babbo in the West Village and the staff is professional, well-trained and matches the quality of food.
Nomablogger, I had the same experience, the first and last time I plan on going, unless I hear of some serious change. The staff needs to drop their fake elitist attitudes, needs to focus more on serving the tables, and less on gossiping at the bar. I found Tin Marin to be pretty good though- I’d like to hear your review of that place.
Also, new on Johnson Ave, Mr Nick’s is in, and a kosher grocery is out.
It has a lot of potential, and also a lot of competition. Maybe not in the immediate area, but in Manhattan and Westchester for sure. I’ve cut back on higher priced restaurants and, when I do decide to treat myself, I want a quality experience. I’m sure I’m not alone. Bistro type food is readily available within a 1/2 hr. drive. Marketplace realities will determine whether Oregano lives or dies. I hope it improves but, if ownership doesn’t care (for whatever reason), oh well…
I agree with the comments on Oregano, it all started with the manager who I hear is no longer there. Overall just poor management. We need more placed on Johnson Ave that serves GOOD food. Blue Bay was just shut down by health department, Thai is terrible, and the rest of the street is littered by run down looking Kosher places. Big Nicks is a nice addition, but we need different kinds of food.