Around 6pm on a Friday evening, my colleagues and I went to Friend of a Farmer at Irving Place for dinner. We didn't have a reservation and the tables at the ground level and shed were full but they had seating available in the upstairs level. The decor is warm and inviting with dark wood furnishings and soft lighting. I ordered the grain bowl with seared salmon which arrived perfectly plated. Touted as farm-to-table, the dishes are made with fresh ingredients which came through in the flavorful dishes. My grain bowl was slightly saltier than I would have preferred but despite that it was delicious. Our server was friendly and attentive to detail which added to our overall positive experience. I highly recommend dining here.

I popped into Friend of a Farmer the other day for a coffee and a light bite between business meetings in NYC the other day. That meant an iced cold brew coffee and the yogurt parfait (with seasonal berries and granola) - which were fantastic. However, the menu looks awesome and I hope I have the chance to try Friend of a Farmer again one day when I am, well, hungrier -- and have more time. My waitress was very attentive and accommodating, the funky farm ambiance was very cool, and the Gramercy Park location was convenient.

Went here on a late Sunday afternoon for brunch. My date picked the place. I got blueberry pancakes and he got pot pie. The service was good! They served us cornbread as a starter which was a bit dry, but otherwise, good. The food itself was decent. I would go back and try some other things on the menu. I like that they serve brunch late. Sorry no photos.

Had such a lovely experience here for breakfast this morning. I appreciate the farm to table ethos and I feel like a lot of things are health- forward here. (You may need to adjust seasonings and sauces to your liking.) I dined alone and sat at the bar. The bartender is SUCH a sweetheart. You can tell he genuinely likes and cares about the people that come in and he gave me an awesome recommendation. He told me to try the cornbread waffles with scrambled eggs on top and it was awesome. I love a sweet/savory combo and this hit the spot for what I was looking for. I love the side of sauce that comes with the waffles. It's tangy and lighter than regular maple syrup. I also got a latte, which was good. They also give you a slice of cornbread topped with apples as a complimentary dish and it was so moist and delicious. I love the vibe of this restaurant, very homey and makes you want to cuddle. Very cabin in the woods. Absolutely perfect for winter vibes!! And they even have the place decorated for the holidays! I had a short wait in the line but people were bustling in and out and the line seemed pretty manageable especially if you're coming as a 2 top. They also have some covered outdoor seating that has also been outfitted for the holidays. So lovely. I don't have a single complaint, I look forward to coming back for happy hour, dinner or another brunch! 5/5

Straightforward dishes in an eclectic setting. I brought my father here for brunch while he was visiting from out of town. He's been on the hunt for a shepherd's pie like the one he had in NYC 20 years ago, and this place didn't disappoint! He loved it. I had the waffles, and the cornbread twist was a nice touch--really tasty. The setting is cozy with a rustic vibe that feels very welcoming. The service was decent, but not quite up to the mark. Overall, we had a nice time and would definitely come back.

This has been my "go-to" business breakfast place for many years. Just went back after a long break during Covid to find that it still delivers. Delicious comfort food.

Fun little happy hour from 4-6:30 with great drinks! We had a 6p reservation after drinks and got Parmesan shrimp + the crostini + kale Caesar salad for apps. They were all incredible. Like mouth wateringly good. If you want the salad as a side definitely get it to share. It's huge! The service was great from the moment we stepped in the door. Friendly and fast. The restaurant is beautiful and has a great vibe. Perfect for a birthday, date night, or Friday night end of week celebration!

I've been on a real savory pie kick as of late, particularly the chicken pot and Sheppards variety, and a search for the proverbial "best in the city" title holders of both led me to this establishment, which considering it's 1986 founding date, makes a relatively plausible claim as being one to the cities original "farm to table" pioneers. It was a reddit thread for NYC's best chicken pot pie which initially brought be here. It was...fine, if a bit underwhelming and a touch on the dry side, topped a thick and somewhat doughy pie crust. The Sheppards pie, on the other hand I found to be nothing less than transcendent. The brilliantly fresh and perfectly prepared veggies merge perfectly with the savory grass fed beef and lighter than air whipped potatoes crowning the thing of beauty, which also benefits from a beguilingly delicious creaminess unlike any other I've ever encountered in this dish, the source of which I've yet to put my finger on. It's not only the best Sheppards pie I've found in the metro so far, but quite likely the best I've had anywhere on either side of the pond! Definitely a must visit for any Sheppards pie head in NYC. If you happen to pop in during the transitional happy hour period between lunch and dinner you can take up the option they offer to sample a variety of the pies in lilliputian "mini" form, and I must stress these are extremely tiny to the point that they will surely not satiate a toddler, but will nonetheless give you a sampling of the various tastes. I haven't ever been able to bring myself to trying the vegan pot pie option in this equation, and so far have always selected the Mac and cheese option for my third mini pie choice. I mention this chiefly because imo, the unctuous Mac and cheese approaches the greatness and deliciousness of the Sheppards pie, but strangely currently was not offered in full size on the regular lunch or dinner menu. This seems like an odd decision that could only serve to perplex and perhaps even annoy customers after giving them such a bite sized tease of such an exemplary Mac while not offering them the chance to devour it in full form outside of brunch. The setting is classic and classy NYC, Just south of Gramercy park on one of the most iconic and bucolic streets in the city. Plus you're just one block south of the legendary Ice cream icons at Caffe Panna, where you will be required to stop for dessert after and is actually just as incredible as it is hyped to be but that, is a discussion for another review. The vibe and service match it, with a classy and courteous if somewhat overly preppy and slightly stuffy tinge to the proceedings. I'm hard pressed to think of an establishment that gives more "Boston in NYC" and if you've ever spent any time brunching among the brahmins in Back Bay you'll no doubt know exactly what I mean.