Last night marked a reunion just about three months in the making. Although I see Amanda and Erica separately quite often, the times that the three of us are all together at once is unfortunately quite rare.
So when Amanda told us that she’d be in the city for work, we knew a dinner date had to be in order.
We met up at Barbounia - a Mediterranean restaurant in the city’s Flatiron District. Amanda had gone there a few times for happy hour and said it was a fun spot, so we decided to give their dinner a try.
Upon walking into Barbounia I was instantly loving the decor and overall environment. I love places that make you forget that you’re actually in the city, and I definitely felt like I entered straight into an Italian court yard…or something.
I was also impressed by the menu; it had a decent number of options but not too many. We started by munching on some of the complementary focaccia-like bread, and about 15 minutes later my Red Snapper entree arrived.
I can’t find this exact entree on their online menu (and failed to snap a photo of it), but the fish was served atop artichokes, fava beans, some sort grain, and surrounded by an out-of-this-world bouillabaisse sauce. It was easily one of the - if not thee - best fish dish I’ve ever had. The snapper was cooked perfectly – it was almost buttery - but with a crispy seared outside.
The girls split the Iron Skillet Shrimp appetizer and a pizza topped with goat cheese, parmasean cheese, asparagus, mushrooms, and truffle oil. I had a bite and it. was. rockin’.
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Clearly I’m a fan of the food at ambience at Barbounia. But, I’ve got to say, unfortunately it was seriously some of the worst service I’ve ever had. The hostesses were very nice and accomodating, but our server was…not. We had to track him down almost every single time we needed him; and I’m talking about basic things like ordering or food and getting our check. We actually foiled our plans on getting dessert at the restaurant because he took so long to come around. I came close to telling the management because I was really pleased with everything else about Barbounia, and it’s a shame that the bad service nearly overshadows that. Hopefully we just got one bad seed…
I might not recommend Barbounia to someone whose particularly picky when it comes to good service, but I’d probably go back there myself. I mean, especially if it means another BFF reunion is taking place 
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Would you go back to a restaurant that had great food but bad service?
Mediterranean is my faveee! I always go back to the ones with good food, bad service. I somehow can’t resist the good food, and at the same time am hoping the service will be better the next time. Kiiiind of like an unhealthy relationship.
I’d probably go back one more time. If I had another server the second time who was also bad, then I would definitely find a new restaurant to go to. And it’s a tough call about talking to a manager, but they probably would have wanted to know… especially if that meant you wouldn’t return for a second visit. Anyways, thanks for sharing… looked like a gorgeous restaurant!
maaan. since food usually rules over service for me, if the food is AWESOME, I’d probably go back when I’m not in a time crunch and hope for the best.
I want to move to NYC for the food alone.
Liza says
I’m huge on restaurant service. Being a waitress for a summer taught me how important it is but it also taught me how tough a job it is to juggle tables. But bottom line, you gotta pay attention to all your tables! I might go back if the food was really phenomenal… there’s always other servers!
I hate that-it can put a dampener good food and company. I always think that it’s just that one server (fingers crossed).
The food has got to be realllly good for me to go back if the service is exceptionally sucky. I hate that! And I was a waitress for 5 years so I feel like I can say that
The food would have to be super awesome for me to go back!
Sarah says
I would def give them at least one more try. One bad server doesn’t mean they are all bad.
I’ve had that exact experience before. I will always give them one more try but if I get bad service a second time even if the food is amazing, I won’t go back.
debbie says
I feel like there’s SO many restaurants in the city with amazing food but horrible service
Luckily I’m not too picky about that! I might have to check that place out
I would probably go back again, but then if the service continues to be bad- I’m done. I love having reunions with my friends!
I wouldn’t go back. I can’t stand bad service… I especially hate it when you never get your water re-filled. I don’t mean to sound picky, its just something I really dislike. Part of going out to eat is to get the experience/service after all!
I agree. Restaurant menus shouldn’t be too long-at least, for me, because I would take forever making a decision! There is definitely a too long and a too short. Glad yours was the perfect length.
I probably would go back. If I had bad service again, though, that would be it. Anyhoo, that fish sounds amazing!! I’ve started ordering more and more fish when I go out. It’s the perfect summer meal!
As long as the food is good, I always give restaurants another chance. He could just be a new server or having an off day or maybe he’s just plain bad at his job - but the other servers might be better!
I would probably go back if I had been that in love with the food. I guess I’m not a super-frequent restaurant diner, but I honestly can’t think of any place where I’ve been waited on by the same person twice (at least not that I remember), so I don’t think I would let one bad experience be the end of that restaurant for me. If it happened over and over again, though, that would be a different story.
The inside of that restaurant reminds me SO much of the Grand Lux Cafe in downtown Chicago. Loovvvve the decor there.
Places with great food but bad service Are great places When dining with friends or a large group! It makes the time between ordering and getting your food, etc. Much more enjoyable!
You made the food sound so good that I would go back there. There’s always the chance you get a better server next time:)
The meal looks fabulous (both the dishes) but it SUCKS when service is lacking- it makes all the difference to the overall experience. I think I would go back and just hope that it was a one-off bad service! If it happened again, I would definitely let management know my thoughts.
I’d probably go back one more time to give it a second shot, but if it still sucked, the place would quickly find its place on the “NO” list
Ashley @ Healthy Heroine says
I would definitely go back if the food was great. I was a waitress for a LONG time (more than I care to remember :P) and it’s definitely made me more forgiving when it comes to the servers I have in restaurants because I remember just how crazy my shifts could get.
Oy, I once had a server come in to check up on my bf and I every 5 mins, it was sooo annoying. And when we needed her for the check WE COULD NOT FIND HER!!!
Ugh that stinks about the service.. I don’t mind if the service is bad as long as the waiter/waitress is SUPER nice and at least trying to do a great job. I’ve was a server and had off nights in which I was always apologetic/it was obvious I cared. If the server was rude/downright ignorant to you as a table I wouldn’t give them any more business!
Honestly, if I loved the food a TON, I’d go back, regardless of the service. I think that most of the time, it’s the other way around for me, and I hate the food but love the service. The moment I find a place with food that makes me wanna hop into the romance corner, though, all bets are off!!
Hey, btw, let’s kick ass in Jersey this weekend.
You in?
good.
Erin says
Go back, but first call/email and complain. Fully detail the good and the bad- you’ll usually end up with a discount or free meal so you can give it another test run on them. THEN if the service is bad, don’t go back!
Barbounia is great on the weekends - I try to sit at the bar when I go with just one other person so we don’t have to worry about service. They have an amazing spicy shrimp pizza and unlimited champagne if that’s your thing. I do remember service not being awesome when I’ve sat at the tables, but the food really is so yummy.
David Elliott says
Bumped into the Padrone and he quickly organised a table. Fabulous Mediterranean meal, huge wine selection and an evening of total enjoyment.
Go there