Pangea

The food was outstanding and the service was excellent! We will definitely go again and recommend to our friends!

Posted 10/28/09

Pangea is the best restaurant in the area. I love going there because it is so welcoming and homey, and it has a regular crowd of local east villagers. The menu is amazing, I have never had anything on it I didn't like (try the apple and arugula salad or the bistro chicken!).
their signature cocktail is this tequila drink with pomegranate in it - kinda like a margarita. speaking of margaritas, you will not find a better one.
you will be hooked on this place after your first visit.

Pros: great food, atmosphere, easy to get too, good price

Posted 02/12/09

Pangea is one of my favorites -- a true New York no B.S. restaurant. The portions are generous, the food is flavorful and well thought out, the staff is absolutely charming, and I will definitely go back. The menu has it all (fish, steak, pasta...) and always features more than a handful of entree specials which keeps even the most repetitive eater trying new and delicious versions of classic dishes. To top it off, it is one of the most accommodating and comfortable places I've been to for large groups. It is definitely worth going to.

Posted 01/26/09

This restaurant is wonderful! I went there with a big group and everyone was more than satisfied with their meals.

I had the fried calamari for an appetizer and the moules rrites for my entree. All of them were perfect and tasty.

Our wait staff was very friendly and helpful.

Highly recommend this place to anyone!

Posted 12/02/08

I'm a fan of this place. I get good service, the ambiance is fun, and the food is so very comforting.

I often feel like American food is a ripoff (mostly because it's simple enough for me to make at home), but the quality of the ingredients here makes it worth it. The serving sizes are pretty big, and the food comes out piping hot!

Pros: service,food

Posted 10/27/08

I just threw my wife a surprise 30th birthday dinner at Pangea and we had a wonderful time all around! The restaurant has a great scene to it, with a very cool lounge/bar feel to it in the first room when you walk in and a nice dining room in the back, which was perfect for my group of 9. The staff and service was exactly what I was hoping for as they followed a couple instructions I had for them regarding the surprise for my wife and when guests arrived, in addition to promising me a corner table in the back room. And best of all, the food was GREAT! The best thing about Pangea's menu is that it covers all different regions of the world, offering pasta, chicken, fish, steak frites, etc. A couple of us had the Jambalay, including myself, which was so good. Everyone else enjoyed their meals tremendously and not only was the food great, but the portions were huge and very affordable...we couldn't believe it! The cocktails were also a delight as we ordered a bunch of pitchers of sangria, and they offered several special drinks which a few of the girls had and loved. Overall, the dinner was very good, fun and well worth the experience of trying Pangea. My wife and I will definitely go back!

Pros: Fun for groups, Menu offers variety, Great food!

Posted 10/13/08

I think Pangea is really great... great crowd, great food, friendly and efficient service. It's really all you would want in a place to run and grab a bite every now and then when you get the craving for what I would call fancy comfort food. Food is probably in the 4 range, the extra star comes from the outdoor area that is perfectly done complete with misters and great lighting. A fantastic place to grab drinks and relax over great conversation.

Pros: ambiance,outdoor sitting

Posted 09/27/08

One of the best dining experiences I've had in a very long time!!! From service to food to atmosphere, everything was absolutely on point. It was a dinner party for 10 and some people were running late, they graciously seated and allowed us to wait for the rest of the party. The food was tasty, fresh and perfect portion size. The waitress, was remarkable, personable, knew the menu and had very informed suggestions, highly, highly recommended. Everyone in the party thoroughly enjoyed this dining experience! Thank you to Pangea!!!!

Pros: Food , Service, Decor

Cons: n/a

Posted 08/31/08

Far from being "unfocussed" or "hard to understand" the menu, food and decor at Pangea is a wonderful blend of of the eclectic yet accessible. It is one of my favorite places to go, especially when I am feeling harried or looking forward to some quality time with my dinner guest. I feel like the minute I walk in the door, I am instantly comfortable and cared for and I can look forward to a delicious and creatively prepared meal by people who really care about the food they serve. I have been there several times and everything I have had has been excellent. Even more importantly, the people/staff there are very warm, real and genuinely engaging people; so that you can not only look forward to being served a delicious meal, but you come away with a feeling of warmth that is not just about being fed. I highly recommend Pangea as one of the most wonderful and satisfying places to eat in New York, and I hope they stay around forever! <3

Pros: Food, service, comfort, everything wonderful!

Cons: The signs/street presence could be better. It's too easy to pass.

Posted 07/11/08

A friend took me to Pangea the other evening and I was happily surprised by both the ambience and the food. The menu had a lot of interesting appetizers (I liked the samosas a lot) and the entrees were very hearty. I had the Moroccan chicken, which I found to be nicely spiced and served on a beautiful pottery plate. The wine selection was good and most of the offerings were moderately priced. I was told that they change their art on a fairly regular basis--when I was there, there were sophisticated b& w photos of Italy and New Orleans. Even though the restaurant was full (the outdoor cafe, the bar and backroom) our service was friendly and timely. There wasn't a long wait between courses. The noise level was reasonable, too. The music didn't overwhelm the room and the conversations were held at normal tones, so there was a buzz, but not a din. I plan to go back, sit outside in the cafe and try their brunch.

Pros: NO TELEVISION, sophisticated atmosphere, friendly staff.

Cons: The lights were just a bit too dim for my taste as the evening wore on.

Posted 07/11/08

Having seen some mixed reviews I kept my expectations low, but this was unnessecary. The gentle decor made for a great environment to dine in. (We were immediately seated indoors and graciously so, at 8pm on a Thursday.) Our server was prompt and personable, never missing a beat from taking our order to little things like promptly removing extra glassware. The sangria, was served in a plentiful pitcher and was sweet and tasty. My burger was perfectly done, and lightly seasoned, with melted gorgonzola, and fries that may be habit forming. While the hummus appetizer was lack lustre, everyone enjoyed their entrees, ( a blackened tilapia and a hearty spinach and ricotta ravioli) and were more than sated with the portions. A fine, relaxing meal. I would and do recommend.

Pros: Savory delicious entrees, attentive service, great ambience

Cons: Would probably avoid outdoor seating as 2nd ave is pretty noisy.

Posted 06/27/08

I have seen some of the negative reviews and think they must have been at a different restaurant. I have been having meals at Pangea for several years and have found the staff to be attentive and friendly, and the food to be tasty and well-portioned. The Arugula and Apple Salad is one of my favs, but I also really enjoy the Morrocan Chicken. Whether you sit out front and enjoy the interesting East Village pass by, or sit in the lovely party room in the back, you are sure to have a great time. It is even a place where I feel comfortable dining alone, because you are never alone there for long.

Pros: Located across from movie theatre, great party space

Posted 06/26/08

We went in just for drinks which were really good so we decide to stay for dinner. My friend had a chicken dish which was seasoned nicely and cooked perfectly. I had fish, tilapia I believe, and it was delicious. We shared a couple sides, spinach & mashed potatos, and both were very good. The service was excellent and, basically, we had a very good time.

Pros: Food, Drinks, Service

Posted 05/23/08

In this world of shrinking economy, one is grateful for the shrinking overpriced portions at Pangea. The fish is frozen and the chicken suspiciously pink.
Spend your money anywhere but here.

Pros: none

Cons: everything

Posted 05/21/08

I've been to Pangea several times over the years. They serve very good dishes at reasonable prices. The food is always prepared fresh and served at the right temperature. All of this is complimented by a friendly staff. All of these factors combined will have me going back to Pangea.

Pros: Food, Service

Posted 04/07/08

The small overpriced entree portions require you to order an additional side dish, add the cost of wine or a cocktail to the bill and you are suddenly digging deep into your wallet for a truly disappointing meal.
The small Tilapia fish portion was served cold beside a saucer containing an unidentifiable tasteless pink dipping sauce! We asked the waiter what the ingredients were, he had no idea and shockingly could not get an answer from the kitchen staff!
Makes one wonder what is going on in that kitchen.
The chicken dish was served cold as well and undercooked, The additional charge for the garlic mashed potato side dish contained large chunks of inedible harsh raw garlic in it. RAW!
We go out for dinner regularly to relax and enjoy good food but the loud drunks at Pangea's bar ruined the ambiance and the kitchen served us slop.
We are not cheap people but we do expect value for our money. We will not be going back to Pangea, they need to clean up their kitchen act as well as the bathrooms. The whole experience was repulsive and overpriced.

Pros: I doubt Pangea will be in business much longer

Cons: Possibly a decent restaraunt will open in their space

Posted 03/16/08

We were in the East Village during the Tribeca Film Festival, and ended up back at Pangea. We nabbed a table outside in the cafe which was so relaxing and not rushed. The arugula salad with apple and gorgonzola was fantastic and so were the mussels and french fries. We were glad they still had the pork osso buco on which is incredible. What we especially like about Pangea is the diverse crown and it truly is comfortable. We will be back!

Pros: reliable

Cons: dimly lit sign outside

Posted 03/06/08

The owners and the kitchen staff seem to have lost interest in attracting repeat , loyal diners. The food is mediocre at best, inedible at worst. My precooked then reheated pasta dish was a starchy disgusting mess.
The decor needs a face lift, the chairs are unsteady and the bathrooms are a disgrace, the men's room was out of order the night we were there so everyone shared the ladies room.
The bill adds up quickly here if you have a drink or two and it is simply not worth it. You can have a decent dining experience for the same price just about anywhere else in this neighborhood, so when you pass by Pangea, keep walking, unless of course your a tourist.

Pros: The place has been around for years

Cons: The place has been around for years and the passion is gone

Posted 02/15/08

I've been to Pangea several times over the years and have always enjoyed it. Sometimes I go just to have a few cocktails in the lounge area. The food is always fresh and the service is always pleasant. The menu changes from time to time and I've had many good dishes from salads to pastas to steaks. There is outdoor dining in the warmer weather as well.

Pros: Food, Sevice

Cons: None

Posted 01/22/08

Despite the fact that the place was almost empty at eight o'clock, my boyfriend and I stood there for about ten minutes before anyone noticed us to seat us, another long wait for menus, drinks, etc.. The food was pretty bad and served cold, my roasted chicken was gross, more boiled than roasted, my boyfriend ordered the same thing but he got crispy skin. I had to send mine back and by the time it arrived my boyfriend was through with his meal and mine was burnt. We spent about eighty dollars if you add the wine. Thats a lot of money when you consider you have to waive your arms just to be seated. The whole experience ruined our night out.

Pros: it was quiet but it was empty

Cons: the food was awful

Posted 12/09/07

Lovely ambiance, great service. Reasonable prices for the area. I loved their sandwiches! Please try the vegetable one. I am definitely coming back!

Pros: delicious food, great service, lovely atmosphere

Cons: $10 for a sandwiche

Posted 07/06/07

Wow. I hosted my boyfriend's birthday here and the manager and staff couldn't have been more helpful, kind, understanding and patient with our party. They were awesome. I don't write glowing reviews unless they are earned, and I'm particularly picky when it comes to service, but these guys provided some of the best service I have received in the city yet.
The party was loud, rambunctious, and, (did I mention?), loud! I kept wating for them to come over and shush us, but the waitress and manager were laughing with us. Speaking of the waitress, she was just a waitress should be... attentive, but not overly so, always had a smile on her face, quick, and thought ahead. The food came fast enough even though we were so many.
We had booked for 13, but more people showed up than RSVP'ed, and they took that in stride as well, accomodating our growing table, and all with a smile on!
The decor isn't up to New York standards I would say, but the great service, great food, and great wine more than make up for it.
Plus, it was such a deal. We must have had 10 bottles of wine, 10 appetizers, and everyone had an entree, and the total was almost half what I expected. I couldn't believe it. And then at the end of the meal, they brought out the cake I had brought in at the beginning of the night, and they had added their own candles, without my even having to ask for it! I couldn't have been more pleased.
I would recommend this place to anyone.

Pros: Service! Food, Wine! Price.

Cons: None.

Posted 04/19/07

From the mimosa and bloody mary, to the eggs benedict and french toast, my wife and I really like Pangea. The atmosphere was nice and the service was very attentive without being bothersome. We hadn't been here before but we'll definitely be back to try dinner.

Pros: Food, Drinks, Service

Cons: None

Posted 03/25/07

I completely agree with the last review: service was slow and inconsistent, food below mediocre. We waited almost an hour for our dinner to arrive and only came after we asked our nonexistent waiter when it was coming out. My friend ordered the penne which she said tasted like it had been reheated in a microwave. We couldn't get a hold of the waiter for our second drink order until after we were done eating.

Pros: price

Cons: luke warm food, horrible service

Posted 03/12/07

Even though the place was not that crowded, we found ourselves asking for the same things at least twice before getting them: the bottle of wine, water, bread, and so forth. The service was slow from the moment we walked in and, despite being noticed by at least two employees, were left for what if felt like an eternity wondering who would could lead us to a table.

The food followed the trend: even though the appetizers were decent, all main dishes, such as the stake frites and the penne were bland to say the least. The creme brulee was actually hot and liquid when we got it, which shows it had been rushed to the table, contrary to everything else we ordered.

Pros: Reservations are not needed

Cons: Extremely slow service

Posted 03/10/07

We held my friend's birthday party here on a Thursday night. There were plenty of people eating here, but they were still able to give us a large table. The seats were comfortable and the table was intimate enough that you could actually hear people at the other end of the table. The music was loud enough that we could be obnoxious in our conversation topic, but quiet enough that we could actually hear enough to laugh at eachother. It was a great night and I would recommend Pangea to anyone.

Pros: Intimate, cozy, cute

Cons: They wouldn't seat us until 75% of our group was there...so tell all your slow friends that the reservation is an hour earlier than it actually is!

Posted 11/02/06

My husband and I went to Pangea for sunday brunch and we had a lovely time. Finding street parking was pretty easy and we got a nice cozy table for 2 outside very quickly. The waiters were pleasant and quick with my delicious Bloody Mary (I wish it was a little bigger) and my husband's iced tea. I had one of the brunch specials; Poached eggs over smoked salmon and toasted english muffins with hollandaise sauce and my husband had the steak and eggs. Both were delicious and the portions were perfect for brunch. We had such a fabulous time that we are going to try out Pangea for dinner soon.

Pros: Food, Romantic, Cozy

Cons: Brunch Bloody Mary was a bit small.

Posted 09/17/06

I ended up going on a Thursday and not many people were there. Food is good and from all over the place. African, asian, they have something from someplace. Dinner for 2 will run about a 100 with 2 drinks each, an apt, and 2 main dishes. The portions are of good size but could be bigger.

Wait staff is very nice. The martini's were ok, bartenders are possessive of their olive juice for some reason and I like very dirties very dirty.

Pros: Empty during the week, cool couch seating

Posted 09/06/06

Earlier this year I hosted a dinner party at Pangea - I feel bad because this review is late coming! I had only tried out their food once before I booked my party... everything was delish! I dealt directly with the owner when making arrangements, he was great, and a big stress reliever. The evening of the party went along so well, and the food, waiters, and timing was excellent! To be fair, one couple did feel they were rushed through the first course. As for myself, I left happy and satisfied. I've since been back for a regular dining night out, it was packed and I should have made a reservation (the wait was a little long).

Posted 07/17/06

I had dinner at Pangea this week, and it was fantastic! I asked my waiter for business cards to give to friends... He went a step further and told me to check out their citysearch, gutsy! I think he was just prowd. I couldnt believe some of the bad reviews, (oscar the grouches) I found everything to be stellar! The ambviance, staff, and of course food were terrific! We had the Steak Au Poivre, Arugula salad, hummus and that Morrocan chicken (wow!), from what I've found out this place has been around for 20 YEARS! and it has that comfy feel to it, I hate all the cold modern places these days! this place has the perfect lighting and cozy seating, not cramped and crowded! Go, Go, GO!

Pros: Food, Ambviance, Staff

Cons: none, none, none

Posted 03/25/06

There's always a nice energy at Pangea. It's my favorite neighborhood spot and the food is always fresh and flavorful. The herbed chicken breast with spinach and the seafood paella with a Moroccan green sauce and risotto are my favorites.The week nights are relaxed and mellow with great music, the way I like it. Sometimes the weekends get hectic with large private parties in the back room, so it's best to call ahead.

Pros: relaxed, value, atmosphere

Posted 03/21/06

My wife & I went to Pangea this past weekend for brunch and had a great dining experience. The waitstaff was very attentive, always making sure we had everything we needed(water, extra napkins, etc.). The food was served fresh and in a timely manner. I had the eggs benedict & my wife had cinnamon french toast. We did a bit of sharing and we agreed that both choices were very good. We'll be back to check out dinner

Pros: service, tasty dishes

Posted 03/21/06

My expectations were low coming into this restaurant and I was still disappointed. All we were looking for were some decent brunch food on a sat morning. The green hair table and seating at the front window was tacky and gimmicky, but figured it's the food that counts. I had eggs benedict. Let's just say i knew it wasn't good from just looking at it. It was plastic like and presentation was somewhat like a fast food platter. It was probably some of the worst brunch food i've had in the city--and i thought it's pretty hard to mess up brunch food. If this place wants to stay in business, it really needs to shape up the food that they serve. There are too many better brunch places in the city. Needless to say, I will not be returning.

Pros: no wait for a table, good service

Cons: terrible food, tacky front decor

Posted 03/09/06

The friendly service & funky decor can't make up for the lousy drinks (who ever heard of a warm Martini!) & food that taste like a Swanson's frozen dinner. A "warm goat cheese & roasted beet salad" was nothing but a lump of cold cheese on top of a bed of lettuce with a few pieces of canned beet on the bottom. The Blackend Tilapia had no flavor & my friends chicken was so dry it was a fire hazard. And it aint cheap either! This place gave up trying a LONG time ago so why bother? There are literally dozens of better & less expensive & much better restaurants in the East Village so leave Pangea to the B&T crowd that doesn't know the difference

Pros: service, decor

Cons: food, drinks, price

Posted 03/08/06

I had my baby shower luncheon held in the party room of the restaurant. They offered several appetizer and entree choices and everything was amazing! It was a great experience overall.

Posted 03/03/06

Our visit on 2/25 was wonderful! There were 13 in our group. The food was great! Our waiter's Douglas and Mike were very attentive and entertaining! I can't wait to go back. The food was delicious.

Pros: wait staff, food

Cons: broken sink in bath

Posted 02/26/06

The atmosphere, food and music were stellar. I never know where to bring my family when they're in town and Pangea fit perfectly. We all have different tastes and there was something on the menu for each of us.
The beef short ribs were incredible and I am still craving the tuscan shrimp appetizer. Cheers!

Pros: atmosphere, comfort food, relaxing

Posted 01/17/06

I threw my boyfriend's 40th birthday party there. From the help organizing to the party itself, everything was perfect. The food was amazing and all the guests at the party swore they would return. The staff was incredibly friendly and fun. The entire experience was truly wonderful and we plan to go back over and over and over again.

Posted 01/13/06

went with a couple of friends for a birthday celebrating dinner for four. the decor was semi asian with a somewhat gothic twist in my opinion (but thats just me). the wine was decent and the food was not bad. for a group not looking for the whole nine in a nice downtown area, this is a place to consider.

Posted 01/11/06

Pangea has great food at a reasonable price. The pitchers of cosmos and sangria are a big hit with the girl friends. The place can hold big groups but the comfy booths and candle lighting also make it a good date spot.

Pros: Good prices, Attentive staff

Posted 09/27/05

Wandered over from Union Square looking for a place to dine before stumbling across Pangea. This restaurant's nothing flash, it's simple, comfortable and seems worn. The food was tasty and cooked perfectly. Nice flavors on my blackened fish and my friends chicken was juicy. There's a good cocktail list if you're up for a drink. If you want a good meal and don't need to be surrounded by beautiful fixtures, furniture, men in suits and that sleek modern ambience goto Pangea. Food is good, place is comfortable -that's what you're there for.

Pros: Food, Casual

Posted 09/01/05