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Alder

Alder

(Now Closed)
New American Restaurant and Cocktail Bar$$$$
East Village, New York
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  • The Corcoran Group
    The Corcoran GroupJune 14, 2013
    This pub style restaurant features an exquisite inexpensive menu. The Pub Cheese Plate (comprised of purple cheese), and the special Pigs in a Blanket are musts. Save room for the Root Beer Pudding!
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  • Eater
    EaterJanuary 7, 2014
    Wylie Dufresne serves inventive food that's easy to enjoy. The New England clam chowder, rye pasta, and pigs in a blanket are already on their way to becoming Wylie classics. [Eater 38 Member]
    Upvote2Downvote
  • Brad G.
    Brad GaroonMay 22, 2015
    This burger packs a lot of flavor. The creamy beer cheese is offset by the pickle and toasted bun. Don't skip the french onion soup rings; they go great on top of the patty. Read more
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Risaheart icon on user image
    RisaJuly 13, 2013
    Don't miss the chicken liver toast w grapefruit marmalade. The rye pasta was novel, but not as good as the saffron spatzle w pork rib. And root beer pudding lived up to all the hype.
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Chenyu
    ChenyuMay 5, 2013
    Love the squid salad (fresh, chewy but tender ) the purple pub cheese is quite unique & rye pasta is tasty. Be aware of the small portion. Wooden decor , with hidden cubbies near the wall
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  • Lisa A.
    Lisa AhnMarch 12, 2014
    Everything was delicious! Bf and I got six plates: foie gras, pigs in a blanket, shepard's pie, jalepeno poppers, halibut and duck breast. I would highly recommend the foie gras, pie and duck nomnoms.
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  • Bin Y.
    Bin YangMarch 31, 2013
    Stiff drinks, purple cheese, and chicken liver toast. What a fun gastropub! I'd choose the chicken liver toast over the foie gras, and definitely get the quail. Desserts are interesting too.
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  • Olivier N.heart icon on user image
    Simply amazing. Texture, taste, colors, mixes. Disclaimer: WD50 is my fav restaurant in the whole world. Happy to see a cheaper and more accessible option. Congrats Wylie!
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  • Jeremy P.
    Jeremy PinchesSeptember 7, 2013
    amazing. clam chowder, rye pasta, and "pigs in a blanket" were fantastic, but our favorites were the desserts - peanut butter and jelly cake and a root beer float concoction. Cocktails spot on too!
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  • Sara S.
    Sara ScornavacchiApril 24, 2013
    Take It: Caesar nigiri, chicken liver toast, rye pasta, root beer pudding, cocktails.Leave It: pigs in a blanket, clam chowder, black bass.Worth It: Yes- great, clever food for an affordable price.
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  • Kelly S.
    Kelly SerkeApril 26, 2014
    One of my most incredible meals in NYC. Favorites included stroganoff, pub cheese, octopus and hamachi. Not a weak link amongst any of the dishes we tried. I'll be back, without a doubt.
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  • Cover
    CoverJanuary 7, 2014
    Dufresne's mad scientist take on classics are out of this world! Pigs in a Blanket, Pub Cheese, Rye Pasta, Root Beer Pudding. Try them, leave enlightened. Pay with Cover & skip waiting for the check.
    Upvote9Downvote
  • Claire J S.
    Claire J SongJune 1, 2015
    Cheeseburger, $13 The man grinds his own beef, mixes it with shio kombu (salted kelp) to boost the umami factor, brushes his buns with dry-aged beef fat, and makes his own American-style cheese.
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  • Davis A.
    Davis Anderson IIIMarch 29, 2013
    Smoked Arctic char is like the best BBQ you've ever had. And the wine list - BTG and bottle is ridiculously well priced and interesting. Couldn't complain about anything. Service was wonderful as well
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  • Anne T.
    Anne TaillandierApril 26, 2014
    Clam chowder is phenomenal!! Pu-pu platter is ok. Pub cheese is meh: cream cheese w/ pistachio brittle. Skip the Rye pasta & go get a Katz's deli sandwich. Wish I tried the octopus, scallops, & duck.
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  • Frances L.heart icon on user image
    Frances LinNovember 20, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    Kevin is so laid back and great. Definitely ask him to make your drink. I also love the half size option so I can try more cocktails and not break the bank.
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  • Joel G.heart icon on user image
    Joel GoldmanMay 23, 2015
    Been here 5+ times
    Alder Burger: The Pat LaFrieda chuck and brisket is mixed with shio kombu and topped with house made beer cheese. Cost: $13. Flavor: 9/10. Value: 10/10.
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Mike M.heart icon on user image
    Mike McBryanJune 8, 2015
    Very supportive of the $65 set menu at Alder and Contra. Way above average food for five courses, at basically the same price you would pay for an app and entree at any other nice place. Worth it!
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  • Serious Eats
    Serious EatsJune 18, 2013
    Excellent, inventive cocktails and small plates from mad food scientist Wylie Dufresne. Come for a nibble or stay for a DIY tasting menu.
    Upvote9Downvote
  • Gena
    GenaJuly 9, 2013
    The dishes aren't as funky as you might want with Dufresne's reputation. Some dishes (Rye Pasta, Rootbeer Pudding, Pub Cheese) are memorable, while others (Octopus, Foie Gras, Caesar) fall short
    Upvote2Downvote
  • Cristina D.
    Cristina DennstedtJanuary 16, 2014
    The flavors and textures of the octopus dish were out of this world. Sweet, earthy, tender, crispy. I wanted to lick the bowl. Maybe I did. Totally worth it.
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  • Eliza C.
    Eliza ChangDecember 24, 2013
    "Foods from the American pub canon are turned inside out... Some of the inventions are warped, some make you laugh, and more than you’d think turn out to be delicious" - Pete Wells, NYT
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  • Matt V.
    Matt ValerioApril 15, 2013
    Loved the Pub Cheese, Salmon Tartare and the Rye Pasta ( with shaved pastrami....like a pastrami on rye in pasta form). Great cocktails as well
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Corinna P.heart icon on user image
    Corinna PMay 30, 2014
    Super delicious. The French onion soup rings were a magnificent pontine-like concoction and they're not to be missed! Also "pigs in a blanket."
    Upvote2Downvote
  • Ben Y.
    Ben YabsleyJune 28, 2014
    Amazing food. Get a bunch of stuff to share. Don't miss the pigs in a blanket or the pickled beetroot with coconut ricotta!
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  • Lauren P.
    Lauren PapciakApril 1, 2013
    Not normally that impressed by deserts, but the root beer pudding was a real standout for me. Make sure you also try the foie and the pub cheese ( perfectly paired with pistachio brittle).
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  • Valentin G.heart icon on user image
    Valentin GuerinJuly 25, 2015
    Try the prix fixe menu and let the chef make you discover new tastes!
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  • AmateurConciergeheart icon on user image
    AmateurConciergeApril 13, 2015
    Alder always has a stand out dish or two, and at brunch it's currently the bacon egg and cheese on the English muffin
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  • Tainaheart icon on user image
    TainaMay 16, 2015
    The best burger I've had in a very long time! The small plates are amazing as well. Try the pigs in a blanket.
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  • Benheart icon on user image
    BenApril 12, 2015
    Get one of everything. Great selection of unusual tastes. Combine with a glass or too of wine and a cocktail.
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  • Alexa D.
    Alexa DiSciulloAugust 7, 2014
    Crafty cocktails, loved the pigs in a blanket and mushroom special. Expected more from the French onion soup rings.
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Cesar R.
    Cesar RazuriSeptember 3, 2013
    The corn was dry & the roasted chicken was so fatty it resembled duck. Positives were the pub cheese, sun gold tomatoes & the fish & chips. True stand out was the root beer pudding. "Ok" for the nabe.
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Andrew D.
    Andrew Del-ColleAugust 30, 2013
    Get the octopus w/ hummus. Best I've ever had. Fish and chips, pigs in a blanket, and the pasta with pastrami are also delicious.
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  • Jason F.
    Jason FryJanuary 25, 2014
    Good, but don't expect a repeat of wd-50: the gastronomic fireworks are relatively muted here. Portions are small, so order lots of plates, one of which should be the superb root beer pudding.
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  • Tom W.heart icon on user image
    Tom WahlinDecember 14, 2013
    Dish presentation was great - get 2-3 per person. Pickled beets and pigs in a blanket were my two favorites. Pay with Cover.
    Upvote2Downvote
  • Rachel L.
    Rachel LovingerJanuary 8, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    Wylie Dufresne's new place has lots of interesting small plates. Excellent for sharing - bring some friends so you can try lots of things.
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  • S. F.
    S. FanOctober 18, 2013
    Foie gras and watermelon and grilled eggplant is great! Good for meeting friends for drinks and snack on apps
    Upvote1Downvote
  • First We Feast
    First We FeastAugust 3, 2014
    Even the truly conceptual dishes at Alder (rye pasta with shaved pastrami is the world’s most complicated deli sandwich) can be inhaled mindlessly and still be 100% enjoyable. Read more
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  • Leah H.heart icon on user image
    Leah HammerschlagJanuary 20, 2015
    Fantastic service and drink program. Sadly underwhelmed by the burger. It was tasty, but I was expecting something mindblowing from Wylie. I would go back but order off the regular menu
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  • First We Feast
    First We FeastAugust 3, 2014
    It’s easy to love a place that’s making pigs in a blanket (even if they are made with compressed hot dog buns and Chinese sausage). Read more
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  • Lauren S.
    Lauren S.May 27, 2014
    Awesome joint! Get the pastrami and hash with extra rye bread - you'll need it!
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  • Nicky D.
    Nicky DigitalMarch 1, 2014
    Make sure to try the special smoked spinach cocktail off the secret menu. It's a next level beverage experience.
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  • 7th.List
    7th.ListJune 27, 2013
    Warning: This is a hard a table to score. Savor - Rye Pasta (shaved pastrami) for 18 , Root Beer Pudding (smoked‌ cashews) for $8. Read more
    Upvote2Downvote
  • Nina Y.heart icon on user image
    Nina YiamsamathaApril 12, 2014
    Try the cocktails in the "short" size. They come in cute, half-sized glasses and are the perfect way to start a delicious meal.
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  • Lillian
    LillianApril 29, 2013
    Get the cauliflower, root beer pudding, pork ribs, rye pasta (make sure you eat it with the pastrami... you must) !!
    Upvote2Downvote
  • @JaumePrimero
    @JaumePrimeroJuly 31, 2013
    Ignore the haters and decide for yourself. Step outside of your culinary comfort zone; the food is spot on here!
    Upvote2Downvote
  • Saneel R.
    Saneel RadiaApril 19, 2013
    Try rhe Chinese pigs in a blanket to start. Then don't miss the pastrami on rye (did I mention it's served as... a pasta?).
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  • Monday L.
    Monday LisaMay 21, 2013
    The St Mark's the Spot cocktail (aquavit, sea buckthorn, carrot) is refreshing and delicious. Get drunk the healthy way!
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  • First We Feast
    First We FeastAugust 3, 2014
    Where wd~50 blows minds with science, Alder uses those techniques to win hearts with a more casual, thinking-caps-off menu. Read more
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  • David S.heart icon on user image
    David SchorrOctober 17, 2014
    I was very underwhelmed, given the hype the chef receives. The presentation, as always, is fancy, but if I wanted to see art, I'd go to the museum.
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