Grubsnitch

I'm surprised by the experiences mentioned here...this place is becoming one of my favorite spots in the Slope, at least provided you don't try to walk in on a Friday or Saturday night when it's packed.  The menu is adventurous and was different on the three occasions I've been there. My favorite entree so far has been the duck with mole...rosy seared breast, mole poblano with shreds of duck meat in it, served with mustard greens and a sweet potato gratin.  Make sure you order extra tortillas to soak up whatever is left on your plate (they don't have bread there).  They also have a lot of seafood dishes, including the a risotto-like dish that was written up in Time Out.  Desserts were fabulous.  I found the service a little bit earnest, but very knowledgable...the host took us through a tasting of four different reds to find the one we liked.  I find the the music a little bit odd and out of place (reggae seems to be the theme), but they turned it down at our request.  Overall, the place is fabulous, and I'm soon going back to try their tasting menu at the bar.

I always found the service at the tables and bar to be professional and competent.  Great wines, fabulous pizza, fantastic ingredients.  You get what you pay for. 

There's crack in the coffee.  Get it. 

This place should have it's own religion, for all the love it gets!  After 4 dinners there, I'd agree that the food is really good (including the best squid ink risotto I've ever had), however, it falls short in other ways.  Not once would I have described the service as friendly, or knowledgable (try asking anyone but the owner Emiliagno about any wine on the list).  And this communal table thing is so over.