Charlie Bird is often on the Eater 38’s list of top NYC restaurants, so I decided to finally check it out. I’m a slave to that list, after all.

The décor exhibits a sort of controlled hipness. Neatly framed photos of boom boxes rest above upscale table settings. Somewhat raucous music plays over the speakers to a pretty tame, well dressed crowd.

Let’s get the bad stuff over with first.

First of all, the wait for our food was excruciatingly long. We were at the restaurant almost three hours before we were finally finished. Not a single dish came out in a timely manner. This could be a one-off situation, so I won’t harp. But it was bad enough, that I certainly wouldn’t rush back.

Luckily, the food was all fantastic. I’m not sure what would have happened if it wasn’t. Would my head have exploded directly onto the boom box poster? Likely.

The Farro Salad was bright and fresh, chock full of herbs (and I love anything with pistachios). A definite must order, good for sharing.

The complimentary focaccia bread was also quite nice. Topped with rosemary and olive oil, it was a nice little nibble to prevent oneself from fainting out of severe hunger.

Cocktails were very tasty and potent. If you’re going to serve drinks in diminutive vintage glassware, those four sips had better pack a punch.

We shared two mains. The Rigatoni Napoletana was a bit pricey but right up my alley. Super chunky sauce of beef, pork and veal (sorry, lil guy) over a fair amount of noodles, definitely high on the yum factor.

I’m a big fan of pork chop with fruit (“apple-shaush”, a la Brady Bunch), so really dug the bacon roasted cherries atop the Berkshire pork chop dish ($30). You get a very large portion, so you’ll probably have leftovers.

Unless you’ve been sitting in the same spot for 3 hours without any sort of sustenance, then you might not have any leftovers. Neither will your neighbors “Oh sorry, I thought they were all finished”.

Olive oil cakes always sound so boring to me. Ok, you’re going to pour 50 grams of kind of flavorless fat over pound cake. Why?

Why??

Cuz, it’s delicious! I never want to order olive oil cake, but I’m always glad when I do.

The portions of this $12 dessert were definitely small (you really don’t need a lot, after the large entrée sizes) but definitely are worth it.

After all, what’s one more hour at the restaurant? May as well order a 6th cocktail while you wait.

FYI, you will not be able to drive home afterwards. Don’t even think about bringing your car.

5 King St
New York, NY 10012
b/t Mac Dougal St & Avenue Of The Americas
South Village
(212) 235-7133
charliebirdnyc.com

I see you lookin’ at me, lady.

Cocktails!

Complimentary Foccacia Bread

Farro Salad – Roasted Peas, Pistachio, Mint & Parmigiano – $16

Rigatoni Napoletana – Beef, Veal and Pork Ragu – $24

Berkshire Pork Chop – Bacon Roasted Cherries – $30

Apricot & Olive Oil Cake – $12