A lively Lower East Side neighborhood bar with appealing comfort food, strong drinks-and-vibe appeal, and meaningful but minority reports of inconsistent service, cleanliness, billing, and food execution.
Forgtmenot delivers strong food quality anchored by praised steak, breakfast, and comfort dishes, but inconsistent execution during busy periods and takeout service prevents a higher grade. The kitschy Lower East Side setting and loyal neighborhood following create genuine character, though variable service attentiveness and minor safety concerns keep it from approaching grade A territory.
Forgtmenot is a characterful Lower East Side bar where the atmosphere often does as much work as the kitchen. Reviews paint a picture of a packed, kitschy, social room and an appealing patio: one diner essentially described it as a place where a cold margarita and a breeze fix the day. It is especially well suited to friends meeting for drinks, casual meals, and people-watching. The food follows a broad American comfort-food playbook rather than a tightly defined cuisine: all-day breakfast, steak frites, burgers, sandwiches, tacos, salads, Greek-leaning plates, and easy desserts. Steak frites, seared chicken, steak sandwiches, shrimp, and cheesecake receive the most convincing praise, and the current menu keeps prices approachable. Execution is not flawless: some diners report soggy fries, oily food, an overcooked takeout steak, or disappointing drinks, while service can slow sharply when the room is full. Families can find genuinely recognizable choices, including eggs, French toast nuggets, breakfast burritos, burger, grilled cheese, fries, chicken, pasta, fruit, and cheesecake. That makes the menu more kid-friendly than the late-night bar setting might suggest, although parents should favor earlier visits and confirm seating, especially because crowding, noise, and occasional service lapses are recurring concerns.
Area vibe: Vibrant, nightlife- and dining-focused area with a mix of historic tenements and trendy venues.
Safety: Generally busy and well-lit at night along main streets though quieter side streets can be less active after midnight.
What's nearby: Near Delancey St, Essex Market, subway access, galleries, bars and a dense cluster of casual and late-night restaurants.
The strongest bets range from $12 grilled shrimp to a $19 steak frites, with cheesecake worth saving room for, though consistency can vary.
Expect a packed, social bar with possible waits and slower service, plus a few practical cautions about outdoor seating and gratuity.
Expect kitschy decor, a social indoor room, and a breezy patio that work especially well for margaritas, friends, and people-watching.