There is a section of NYC that is just so under the radar. It’s the triangle at the bottom of Manhattan between W. Broadway, the Westside highway and Canal Street. Basically Battery Park and Tribeca with a few extra streets added in. I love it. And two of my friends found this restaurant called Marc Forgione at 134 Reade Street…

Atmosphere: Very quiet… very upscale, but, very comfortable. A-. The surprise for me was the staff. So very laid back. While the actual restaurant is well appointed, the vibe is really laid back. So much so, we sat at the bar and spent the evening working with the bartenders trying drinks. More on the drinks later…

The lighting is moody, the seating is rustic in that trendy way. It’s really a mix of modern, rustic and elegant decor. The best thing about this restaurant is that it’s in Manhattan and it’s not so loud that you can’t hear the person next to you…

Food: I’ve said on many occasions that all I need is a good burger. Turns out Marc Forgione does a burger. Problem is – it’s a gourmet burger, which, for me, is an oxymoron. Burgers in my world are a simple staple. I don’t like them to be too fancy. This burger is fancy. $25.00 fancy. $25.00 is a good deal for a nice ribeye, not ground chuck. Anything more than $10.00 and you’re wasting your money…

And yes, I know there’s a trend in the food industry to see who can create the most decadent burger, but, I’m glad to sit that trend out. Five Guys is just fine by me…

The burger was good, but, not so much better than Shake Shack that I would have another. Now the drinks on the other hand…

As previously discussed, every drink the bartenders made, we were in on the conversation… And at least half of the recipes they were making, we had to try on the spot! Also of note: The quality of the drinks is so good, we didn’t leave in a puddle. We mixed several alcohols – Some of which each of us had previously sworn off – We were feeling good, but, no casualties… Food gets a B, drinks get an A.

Service: A +. It should be obvious that the winner here is the service. The bartenders were outstanding, creative and friendly. I even drank a whiskey sour. I hate sour mix. But, they make their own fresh sour mix and it was delicious. So good that we asked them for the mixture, went home and made it ourselves! And it was still delicious! A+

The final word on Marc Forgione: Overall, I’m giving Marc Forgione a B+. The only thing that gave me pause about this restaurant was the over-priced burger. The over-priced drinks were worth every sip; The service was worth every dime and the location is well worth making your way off the beaten path.

Have a quiet night out dining in Manhattan, (another oxymoron) and make your way over to Marc Forgione…