Friday, December 2, 2011

Lux Living punches the clock at the Meatball Factory


Our blogging friend Lux Living has written a few reviews hereabouts. The new Phoenix. And IHOP. We suggested that he review Papa John's or the new Cheesy Bacon Bowl at KFC on the corner of Second Avenue and 14th Street. He mentioned something about angioplasty or stents or something. Whatever. Despite our directive, he instead walked across the street and tried something else. So I wouldn't dig in if I was you. Next one might be at your head. I don't know where it's gonna go. Swear to God.

By Lux Living

I had originally planned on writing a review of the atrocious pizza coming out of the Papa John's on First Avenue, but really, how much can one say about pizza too heavily seasoned with oregano and a sauce made with more sugar than a Cadbury Egg?

Instead, the other night I went to The Meatball Factory, which recently opened on the corner of Second Avenue and 14th Street. The Meatball Factory should not be confused with their rivals, The Meatball Shop, located on the Lower East Side. Ask and they’ll let you know!

The menu breaks down like this: Choose your meatballs and choose your sauce for $8 or $9. There are eight choices of meatballs made from ingredients that will please everyone from the tree- hugging vegans to the blood-sucking, red-meat lovers and everyone in between. Once you choose your flesh - or vegan option – you can match it with a choice of eight sauces including a Fire Roasted Marinara, Shroom Central and Hells Bells Vodka Sauce. Pizzas, salads, fries and other side dishes are also on the menu.

Knowing I’d be ravenous in 20 minutes if I didn’t include a carb with my dinner, I ordered the fettuccini with two Meatzza, Meatzza meatballs (braised certified Angus beef brand short ribs, hanger steak and filet, buffalo, potato & parmesan) and the Hells Bells Vodka Sauce – of course – (Absolut Peppar, spicy cappicola, red bells, San Marzano tomatoes, oregano and cream) and a Chardonnay. They only serve beer and wine which is why I did not order a Jack and Coke.

The service was a bit scattered — my food came well before my wine — but once I had everything I ordered there was no speaking at the table because I was too busy enjoying my mini Italian feast. The Fettuccini was a little over cooked, the meatballs were great and I want the recipe for the sauce. I’d have preferred a basket of sliced bread rather than the two mini slices that come with the dish and the tablespoon of grated cheese delightfully sprinkled on top. Yeah, that didn’t cut it. I’m American. I need a small bucket of grated cheese on my table at all times. I need control of the cheese. And a little pepper maybe? Got it?

Let me be up front and say I am not a fan of eating in cavernous-sounding spaces with multiple TVs. When I go out to eat I want to hear what my friends are saying and enjoy my dinner without listening to a bunch of assholes screaming at a Jets game on the TV. Though nobody was screaming that night — other than the blitzed chick at the bar who drank too much red wine — there are several TVs and nothing on the walls to absorb sound, so even with the room a quarter of the way full it was a bit loud.

I enjoyed my dinner and for the price – two fettuccini dishes with meatballs, a Diet Coke and a stupid Chardonnay coming in at $41 - I’d recommend it. It was nothing fancy but for a quick, decent Italian dish in the neighborhood, go for it. Much better than that damn IHOP!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Excellent review but I'm puzzled, why at any time or at any place would you ruin a good glass of Jack by putting Coke in it?

EV Grieve said...

I can't explain the Jack and Coke or the Bull Durham reference in my introduction.

Jeremiah Moss said...

this review is too positive and generous of spirit. from Luxie, i want scathing!

Laura Goggin Photography said...

Good to know. I'm an absolute meatball snob and have been wondering about this place. Do they do take out or delivery?

Anonymous said...

I was just talking to a friend who ate their the other night and had a terrible experience. Not only were the meatballs subpar, the service was bad, and he was overcharged! He was so excited about the place only to be disappointed. I think I'd rather eat at IHOP judging by his experience!

blue glass said...

i went in there about a week ago and was told no delivery or take out yet!
how difficult is take out?
anyhow, i didn't want to eat in the large, empty place.
a glance at the menu found the meatball combinations a bit pretentious.

Lux Living said...

The menu was a bit of a road block for me because the meatballs come without pasta which seemed weird to me. The space is big on TVs and low on charm. It's less a restaurant and more a place to grab a bite to eat.

Marty Wombacher said...

Excellent job by Lux as always! I doubt I'll check it out though, the multiple loud TV's are definitely a tipping point for me, I don't like them in bars, much less restaurants. And I'm wondering, was the blitzed chick at the bar, Lady Gaga or Kei$ha?

Lux Living said...

@Marty I wish it was Lady Gaga then I could have told her what a unique and original artist she is! ;)

The 'Sports Bar Effect' we are seeing more and more of is a drag. Bars I can understand, but now almost all the new restaurants have TVs in them with a game on. Thankfully my favorite neighborhood staples are TV and glass-wall free.

Anonymous said...

I used to like jack and coke, but my coke dealer got busted.

Anonymous said...

I wish Lux Living would reopen his blog. We miss him so much in Stuyvesant Town!