Popina

"This worst restaurant experiences I've ever had. I was appalled by the service. I rarely write reviews but this restaurant left me angry and disappointment. When I arrived with my friends with waited over 10 minutes to be seated. There were two staff members were upfront. They never acknowledged us, said hi, or "sorry give us a second." Nothing... We tried making eye contact and waved but they still ignored us. After 10 or so minutes we spoke up and mentioned we had reservation. After being seated in the back, it was another 10 minutes for water. Again, we had to flag someone down. Our waiter and some of the other staff seemed high as well. Of course it was another 15 or so minutes until they took our order. The pasta was tasteless. The cheesecake was dry. The food overall was mediocre. I don't understand the hype around this place and I would never recommend anyone going."

"After gifting my husband the cookbook of 'The Magic of Tinned Fish' by Popina chef, Chris McDade, I was the one who became enthralled with the book and the place. My husband has a penchant for buying tinned fish and mollusks - no matter which country he's travelling to but what he doesn't do is use them in time before their expiry date. So the 'Tinned Fish' cookbook by McDade, was one of intrigue. I therefore took it upon myself to make a few dishes from this extraordinary cookbook, and then learned that there was a restaurant I could visit which played on the themes from the cookbook. But adverse, tinned fish folks, be not afraid! Popina is not a place entirely of tinned fish - it's Italian more than any kind of fish. Food: Five stars I had the 'new' celery and fennel salad to start, complete with anchovies (yay!), ewe's blue cheese, and walnuts (delicate mint leaves folded in). If it came in a large size salad, I would have easily devoured it. It was SUBLIME!!! For my main, it was the Rigatoni with the guanciale, in a delicately-spiced pepperonata sauce. A generous portion of pasta I'm told by the staff, from all the pastas on the menu. So if you want lots of pasta, get this one. For drink I started with a Nebbiolo rosé wine by the glass and then with my pasta I moved to a 'chilled' Valpolicella red. Both were excellent in quality and paired well with the dishes. I couldn't make room for dessert sadly. There were only two choices but each would have put me over the edge. Service: Four stars Seemed a bit of confusion with the staff sorting out the seating and walk-in diners when I arrived for my early dinner booking. Or just my impatience? As I was only a table for one, and had pre-booked, I was seated at the bar, as not to take a table from diners who were 2 +. Atmosphere: Three stars Humid October night in Brooklyn. But the air conditioning inside the restaurant was pumping. Thankful for my jacket which I had to put around my shoulders for most of the night even after the air conditioner was turned off. Popina is located on a busy street and whilst the window looking out is generous if you're sat near it, there isn't much to look at but the fenced-in Pier 9, and many cars. But it's not noisy, indoors. Also I cannot comment on the outdoor garden space as I did not sit there, nor did I visit it."

"Great spot with a chill neighborhood vibe. I really appreciate the flavors of their pasta. We got the fettuccini with ramp, basil and breadcrumbs. Since ramps are in season this was a really good choice. Next is the orecchiette broccoli rabe, spring onion, anchovy. I can definitely taste the anchovy and all the flavors mixed well together and nothing is too overbearing. The hot chicken milanese was definitely "hot." It was cooked very well. (tip: If you can't handle "hot/spicy" ask for extra lemons) I asked so that i can eat it. For apps we also got the pimento cheese. They gave a lot of serving which was nice. Overall the experience was great. The service was also great, they were very attentive in refilling our water which was nice. I will definitely come again to try other food on the menu!"

"Yum!!! We ate outdoors in the heated patio and had an excellent dinner. I’d highly recommend the garganelli (Brussels, leeks, Gorgonzola) if it’s still on the menu as well as finishing your mean with the chocolate chess pie. Looking forward to coming again!"

"Great little spot, little out of the way for most people (its next to a port) but worth the trek. Really comforting combinations of southern food and italian classics, well exemplified in their hot chicken milanese which is one of the best breaded/fried things i’ve eaten so far in 2023. The “pizza bianco” is really just foccacia with a side of either olives, mortadella or anchovies. Works well as an upgraded bread course however. Solid drinks. Nice mezcal negroni which i always appreciate. Desserts are no slouch either. Chess box pie!"