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Upper West Side Restaurant: Mermaid Inn Runs AgroundSilly me. I continue to hold out hope—dashed again last night, this time at the Mermaid Inn’s new Upper West Side outpost—that the neighborhood will start to attract more high-quality dining establishments. Yes, there are a few very good restaurants, but a fresh infusion of culinary talent would be welcome. The Mermaid Inn, an import from the East Village, looked like it might supply some dining pleasure. It had gotten some good buzz. Maybe last night was an off night, but we were not happy campers. Things did get off to a good start, however. The hostess was pleasant and the place, housed in the former quarters of now defunct local bistro, Pair of Eights, was comfy enough for a neighborhood joint. But the food just didn’t satisfy. Neither did the service, which while enthusiastic and friendly, lacked polish. Want an example? Our waiter poured my Cabernet into my hubby’s glass—and his Muscadet into mine. What’s more, after the server poured a taste for each of us and filled my glass, he walked away leaving my hubby’s glass with barely a swallow. After far too many minutes had elapsed, the waiter was finally back with a full bottle to fill up my hubby’s glass. Back to the cuisine. We started with fish soup, enriched with pernod and aioli. I love soupe de poissin and have had many fine ones, and not just in France. This was not one of them. The dish was under-seasoned; it should be garlicky and pungent but instead was vapid. A puddle of bland aioli floated on the top, shrouding the soup in a blanket of goo. The main courses didn’t improve matters. I ordered skate. One bite, and I was choking. Why? It was so heavily peppered that I couldn’t swallow it. After I sent it back, the manager did try to make good with a free glass of wine, a gesture that was appreciated My hubby’s monkfish was fine if a bit dull and flavorless. I wasn’t sure what the side of beets added to the rest of the dish. After all this, we skipped dessert as we polished off that free second glass of wine. Prices for entrees range from $17 to $23. Mermaid Inn
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had a great experience .. lobster roll, branzini just right, meat good just juices a bit red .. they serve all diners a delish chocolate pudding -there is no dessert menu – the previous review obviously never ate at this excellent restaurant.
as a neighbor, i am so pleased to see this establishment packed every night – the prior pair of 8′s was awful – wine pushing rude and disorganized – i wanted to like the place and dragged my husband 3 times – but could not warm up to the staff – bartender was nice – the rest of the staff entirely stressed and unprofessional – they got what they deserved. ENJOY THE MERMAID