Kitty’s Canteen

DO NOT EAT HERE! My husband and I had a 8p dinner reservation and were told that multiple items on the menu were not available because the restaurant just opened and the food was still frozen. We had a salad, chicken dinner, and burger and both ended up with the worst food poisoning

Located very conveniently on Stanton Street, this is a good place for Southern-​Style dinner. I had a po boy, which was good. My partner got the fried chicken which I had a bite of and was also good. Our server was friendly and attentive and prompt. Very small and cozy place.
3 stars

Really great spot with lovely food but beware this is a rip off joint. They hosted my friends birthday at $ 80 a head which is perfectly reasonable for the great food. However… They charged us $ 200 for bottles of wine. We had asked for a wine list but they said none was available. We couldn’t believe they wanted to charge us $ 200 for a $ 13 bottle of wine. Their lack of honesty is disgusting. After 40 minutes of debate we got the price down but the whole experience left a very bitter taster in my mouth. Not a way to treat people. In a city full of great joints, don’t bother with this one.

What a scam this place is. We came here for a birthday dinner and they tried to charge us $ 200 for a $ 11.99 bottle of wine (retail price). We are not Luddites and we understand markup. $ 40, sure. $ 200??? The crucial part is that when we asked for a price list, they said that they don’t have a price list. When asked again, they said that it’s the house wine and never told us the price. At the end of night they said that the house wine price is $ 200. Okay, sure. We are in the royal palace in Oman. House wine is $ 200. What schmucks. Please note that this is also a place where $ 80 dinner gets you boiled vegetables and 2inch potato latkes and $ 80 dessert is box of cookies. Please don’t come here unless you would like a masochistic evening.

Came here for a friends birthday. Place is dimly lit, and lovely. The food is okay BUT feel completely ripped off. We had a pre-​fixe menu and we ordered some bottles of wine. We asked for a wine list before we ordered but they didn’t have one. We only had a choice of a Malbec and three other white wines. We got a bottle of red and white and ordered a few of them through the meal. When we got the bill, it was $ 200 per bottle!!! They never told us the price before we ordered so we were baffled when we got the bill. We googled the wine bottles and they were $ 11.99 a piece, so that’s not margin but robbery. When we asked the hostess, if it’s normal for them not to disclose the prices of the wine — she said yes. So beware friends, this is the place to go if you want an obscenely overly priced bottle of wine,

I wish I could rate this place more highly. The ambiance and food were pretty good, but the service was awful. Incredibly slow, had to ask repeatedly for more water, and the waitress forgot our order. Besides the fact that there were only about 15 other guests in the entire place. They really trick you with the «no drinks menu». unbeknownst to us, our mediocre margaritas were $ 18 a pop. I wish I could recommend this place, but it really fell flat.

Kitty’s Canteen in the Lower East Side was recommended to us by a friend. This speakeasy vibe restaurant failed to blow me away; although the concept and the coziness of ambiance are admirable, the food aspect of the business did not really stand out. The Southern fried chicken that we had was a bit bland for our palate and the rest of the dishes are just ordinary.
Customer service is fantastic, the staff are all attentive and friendly. In summary, would I dine here again? For what’s it’s worth, probably not. There are other places that offer far better Southern cuisine with a twist.

food and ambiance: check plus. service: undeniably needs improvement. two girlfriends and i waited 30+ minutes for a pitcher of the «recommended» tequila punch to arrive. our waitress had no drinks menu to offer & conveniently failed to inform us of the price (*cough* $ 120.00) of this beverage. despite all ordering entrees, our food was delivered at different times. likely not to return, solely based on the shoddy waitress and her seeming avoidance of our table.

Why are you not paying your employees? Start paying your employees who are trying to make an honest living in the concrete jungle. How would you feel if you work your tail off and at the end of the week you do not received a pay check? As a matter of fact how will you feel If you do not get paid after Four weeks of working?

I came here for my friend’s bday after helping her plan her shindig. Kitty’s had a good policy when it came to hosting her 14-​person party, so we chose them. She was able to have the entire menu available to her guests unlike other restaurants providing an expensive price-​fixe menu. They allowed her to choose the name of her menu because they were going to be printed, then she got a signature cocktail. The deposit was only $ 150. I was nervous seeing as how it was a Jewish soul food restaurant, but I saw some of my people in the back throwing down. Now onto the deets…
The Good:
–the matzo ball fried chicken entrée. (Insert heart eyes) it was probably the best fried chicken I’ve ordered from a sit down restaurant. Nah! It definitely was.
–The crab & smoked salmon dip
–the Reuben hush kittie’s– hush puppies w/​pastrami. I usually don’t even like hush puppies but these were good and they came with a sauce
–friendly service from the owner, Darren. The majority of the party was an entire 2hrs late (11:30pm showing for 9:30 reservation) and he didn’t flinch, only joked about it with us and made us laugh.
–very cute vintage style. It was a 1920s theme for my friend so it served it’s purpose
–Darren gave us free shots as we were leaving and hand pies after dessert (Apple was my fave)
–The personalization of hosting a function there.
The Bad:
–this restaurant is ill equipped to handle a party of our size. Literally. There was no way you could walk from your seat to the bathroom without making about 3 people get up & hitting another 3 people on the way there.
–the latkes were a deep fried mess. I’ve never had them before and was genuinely looking forward to them, but they were left in the fry pan or deep fryer for far too long. The apple compote was good though.
–the top of my spoon bread was a little charred, but still edible
–there was only 1 waitress for the place, but again since it’s so small I can see why that is
–the signature cocktail wasn’t on our printed menus
The Ugly:
–None. Nothing was that terrible.
Moral of the Story: Don’t come in a group.

The new soul food place next door is awesome and special thanks to the owners for hooking us up the first night. Food was great i had the steak sandwich

Had the Reuben and the fried green tomatoes, both were fantastic and full of flavor. Will definitely be back!

Kitty’s new take-​out spot is legit af. Got the Poe boy, fried chicken and Reuben. Each were made fresh to order. Friendly staffs are always a positive as well.
Shout out to Darren and Jackson for introducing us to the next hot spot.

Kitty’s is by far my favorite lurk-​out in the LES. It cultivates a vortex-​like vibe that is rare to find in this digital age of cell phones and conscious disconnect. The food is phenomenal, all the patrons are sexy and unique individuals, and I even saw snoop dogg eating there one night. Every time you go in there it’s like a wormhole into a world of anachronistic awesomeness where celebrity cool is spaghetti out the window and analog music and visceral experience reigns. It’s a perfect precursor to the box as well.
Every dish is fantastic but I reccomend the shrimp and grits and KK salad. If you’re feeling sinful matzo fried chicken is a decadent indulgence.
You can flirt with some of the foxiest babes in NYC in there with no pretense. If you’re lucky enough to have min as a bartender ask him to improvise he’s a prodigy.
DO NOT SKIP THE HAND PIES. They will blow your mind. The bathroom is also not to be missed but use that after hand pies and keep your appetite.

I really don’t know what all the fuss is about. The place is beautiful with a really cute intimate atmosphere. But the waitresses are appalling, usually I can let that stuff slide, put it down to a bad day. But it wasn’t just one of them it was the general attitude of all the servers that worked there. We sat at the bar and ordered some food and drinks. First of all we were 2 of 4 people there, so not busy at all. Even so we were left seated at the bar for a long time, practically waving at the server to take our order for drinks. She was too busy texting on her phone and gossiping with the other waitress at the other end of the bar. She didn’t even stop her conversation when she came to take our drinks order. She just carried on not even making eye contact with us. This was pretty much the general experience for the rest of the evening. Constantly struggling to get her attention, and being forced to listen to the mind numbing gossip between the two of them at the end of the bar. At one point she even tried to take my drink away when it was still half full! I mean really! You ignore us all night and the only thing you’re proactive with is the removal of my $ 18 margarita! I was not impressed to say the least. On the plus side the food was nice but pricey as hell, and the whole experience was over shadowed by the neglectfulness of the staff.

Almost afraid to give this review out of selfishness. One of the best hidden gems in nyc by far. Such a great theme and cuisine fusion. I think I ordered everything on the menu between my first 2 visits alone.
Very cool staff, hard to find entrance which is great because you dont get random stumble ins which make for a better vibe of people.

Everything about this place is legit. 1. The food — jewish/​soul food was outstanding. We both opted for the fried chicken, solid choice. We also got a few app’s, they were all great. The stand out was the bagel biscuit with pastrami. 2. Service was great; nothing over the top but just right. 3. Bar program was also great. I had a Lagunita’s and G had a cocktail with beet juice and sesame seeds. I would highly recco if you are looking for great food and good times (and not your typical establishment)

Fun cat themed restaurant with Jewish specialities. Too expensive.

Definitely a cool speakeasy spot to check out on a weekend night. I can’t speak for the food, though it did smell delicious. There was a whole «cat» theme going on — but done in a very cool and elegant fashion.

My favorite new restaurant in New York, bar none. A masterfully executed combination of stylish décor, playful menu, and beautiful people. The fusion of Jewish cuisine and soul food is no mere gimmick; it’s a revelation. Who knew that my life before Bisgels had been such a cold and empty charade?
Be warned — if you enjoy cocktails AND find the word «pussy» difficult to say aloud, this place will put you through your paces.

Really low key and difficult to find but it is worth the hunt! I came on a Friday night with a friend… was greeted by a woman dressed in a burlesque theme. The chef is very friendly and welcoming. He came out and recommended a few dishes and appetizers for me to try. Everything was great… I had the matzo ball soup and fried chicken which was very tasty and moist. As for drinks they’re a little pricey but average priced for the city… but they are Soooo good! I had the pink pussy. Will definitely be coming back here.
Pros: good food and drinks… and nice cozy environment
Cons: The hostess who greeted us kind of had a bitchy and bougie attitude.
Other than that… come check it out!

If you’re strolling the lower east side looking for dinner you’re not going to just stumble upon this speakeasy-​cum-​restaurant. It’s seemingly intentionally anonymous looking from the outside hence hard to find and as such we ended up dining here on word of mouth of a friend.
As others have said, the space oozes that classy yet understated and casual ambiance. Dimly lit, soft jazzy undertones and that deep southern vibe, this would be the perfect place to bring a date or dine with a small intimate group. Wait staff are friendly and courteous and nothing seemed like too much trouble.
The menu here seems to be a Jewish take on southern comfort food. I opted for the burger with fries, which was perfectly moist and delicious. Of course I tried a bite of everyone else’s, and the fried chicken with spoonbread was also standout. Portions are reasonable. Beware the drinks menu, it’s pricey and from memory cocktails start around $ 13 – 14, so we opted to share a bottle of wine instead and had our happy hour beforehand.
For 8pm on a Thursday this place didn’t seem overwhelmingly busy, just ticking over nicely and there were no diners waiting outside to give the game away. I think that’s the intention and I hope it stays that way for now!

Kitty’s Canteen is a new speakeasy-​type Lower East Side restaurant and bar that has yet to be discovered by Williamsburg hipsters. It’s a small place and tough to get find or get into unless someone knows the owner or possibly a secret handshake?! There is no sign in front.
Once we entered, I kept trying to «place» the vibe and ambience. My Unilocal Tip is pretty on the money: When you find this place you’ll feel like you stepped into your parents’ groovy 60s rumpus room… if you’re lucky to have groovy parents.
I’m dating myself, but Kitty’s vibe also kind of reminds me of the former East Village gay Wonderbar with jazz and R&B playing in the background.
However, I’ve decided my best take on the ambience is that it is something straight out of old New Orleans, not in terms of touristy French Quarter Bourbon Street, but maybe a nearby neighborhood like Faubourg Marigny with its dark, decadent, sexy, boudoir-​vibe and filled with rich drapery, mismatched furniture and flea market kitsch. I love it!
The menu is filled with various Jewish riffs on Soul/​Southern cuisine. What a wacky combination, but the food is memorable! My entrée, Kitty’s Famous Matzo Meal Fried Chicken, was excellent and super moist! It came with black pepper parmesan spoon bread and pastrami spiced sausage gravy. Friends were equally pleased with their entrees. Sides of collard greens were gone in a flash. In fact, all our plates were basically licked clean.
We shared a bottle of Italian Privato Syrah 2013. The wine tasted a bit young but opened up after awhile.
Owner Richard Kimmel is a fun, welcoming host, and his bartender can make probably anything you dare to ask for. Special cat-​themed cocktails, such as Pink Pussy, do not come cheap. The waitresses are all helpful and glided about in floor-​length 60s style dresses.
What an enjoyable evening of decadent candle-​lit dining. I hope this secret doesn’t get out too fast.

My boyfriend and I saw someone dart into this unmarked location and quickly snuck in behind them. As soon as I walked in the door I felt as if I had walked into some 1920’s New Orleans speakeasy. The woman working there are gorgeous and the owner is a wacky delight. However… the $ 17 cocktails are ridiculous and I quickly realized that this place will hustle you for all you’ve got, but hey if you can afford it… why not?

I want to say so much about this place, but I also am keen on keeping it a well kept secret. The general description of everything is fully intentional.
The food is incredible. It’s no joke delicious, with the chef making combinations of food you never thought of, and yet they work in the most mouth watering ways. The ambiance is perfectly fabulous, casual but chic, classy without pretension. Jazz fills the air, straight from the record player and, as the vinyl spins, your host with the most will be there to flip to the B side right on queue, and keep you thoroughly entertained. The hostesses are beautiful and attentive and will make sure your tastebuds are tickled and your belly gets filled. The bar is stocked with specialty drinks, and the bartender can whip up a fancy alternative when needed, but — no beer.
The space is small and intimate, so huge parties would need to rent the whole back room. I came with a party of 8 for my birthday and it was perfect. Tables of two or three are easy to accommodate, but they fill fast.
If you are lucky enough to uncover this gem, enjoy every minute. It’s an experience more than a dinner and you’ll want to come back and do it again.

So it would seem that Kitty’s Canteen is halfway between a private club and a regular restaurant. I randomly was asked to dinner by a couple that knows the owner, but I’m not sure how you can get a table otherwise. We went on a Wednesday at 7, and there was only like one other party there the whole time which I thought was kind of strange, but the people I was there with swear it is a big late night spot – the owner also owns that kind of intense burlesque sex show place the Box, so I’ll believe it.
The kitchen serves up Southern comfort food with a mild Jewish flare – all of it, from what I can tell, delicious. We got their take on biscuits, a tender, buttery biscuit/​bagel hybrid coated in poppy– and sesame seeds which I believe were called biscels? A little basket was $ 7, with the options to add on a variety of delicious toppings each for I think $ 7 each? We got the works, with pastrami, smoked salmon, fried chicken, pickles, and maybe something else? They each came with delicious sauces, which I don’t necessarily remember in their entirety but included mustard, horseradish cream, and honey butter. It was a huge amount of food, but great to split in a big group.
Almost everyone at the table got the fried chicken, but I am nothing if not a contrarian, plus I got a little bite of it with the biscuits. From that little sample, it seemed really, really good. What I did get was the Kitty’s Catch (almost everything on the menu has an awful cheesy cat-​themed name), a perfectly cooked cornmeal-​crusted trout over a beautiful plate of assorted summer vegetables. Highly recommended. I also tried a bit of the brisket – heavy for summer, but incredibly flavorful.
We also tried their obligatory take on a kale salad, which nicely balanced healthy ingredients (quinoa) with yummy salty cheese and a delicious vinaigrette. It was good, but I’d file it under «this is not why you’re here,» you know? We tried some wonderfully chocolatey dessert and a less fabulous strawberry shortcake (good shortcake, but there was a weird flavor in the strawberries, like an herb or something).
Cocktail were quite expensive (starting at $ 14), but the entrees were, I believe all under $ 30, which isn’t so bad.
The restaurant itself is also was pretty great. It’s very speakeasy-​ish, romantically lit with gorgeous, thousand-​dollar-​per-​yard gold and black wallpaper that artist Molly Crabapple has defaced with drawings of anthopomorphic cats. It’s tiny, with brick archways, dim lighting, and a tiny little beautifully-​decorated bathroom featuring plenty more of Crabapple’s cats. The one downside is that the small space is somewhat awkward, especially in the front alcove where we sat, where the tables seemed quite crammed in.
Like I said, I’m not sure if you can actually eat here, but if you get the chance you should definitely go for it.