Thursday, May 18, 2017

Orlin






Orlin

I was recently in Orlin.
The food is still good.
Black tables now,
Modern red and black chairs.
Surprised that they had replaced,
Their wooden furniture.
Its many meals, laughter,
Conversations, still palpable in those
Chairs, and tables aging patina
Rocked, sat upon, pulled out, put back.
Elbows on old tables, stories told,
Despair withheld, dreams born,
A babies rattle dropped again, again.
Music too loud, a change has come,
As inevitable as a sunrising.
All not lost, just that familiar
Feeling of a home within a restaurant,
Just there, a degree remaining,
But shaken I feel.
Nevertheless,
the food is still good.



peter radley





Cafe Orlin is at 41 St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

At least the food is still good. Hadn't realized they replaced the furniture with these ugly new chairs and tables. Makes it look cheap. Even the McD cafes look more comfortable.

Also: A babies rattle ---> a baby's rattle

Anonymous said...

Their burger is underrated.

Anonymous said...

It gets crowded for brunch on weekends, but you can still get a table, they have a lot of seating. Other times it's moderate or maybe even slow. Great breakfast, lunch and dinner. Everything is good and good quality.I believe they filter their water and the eggs and dairy are organic. The sandwiches with fries and salad are a good deal. I like that with a happy hour drink for dinner. It still has a classic bohemian village vibe. The waiters are hip and Gary is so sweet. I don't know maybe they should do some more vegan plates, like tofu scramble or like a macro plate, and bring in more vegans. They have good baba and hummus, which is vegan. I haven't tried the veggie burger.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, they replaced the tables and chairs awhile ago. I don't like the new furniture, but the food is still great, and the service is excellent. I was wondering why the new furniture and can only assume they are trying to appeal with new East Villagers who aren't as enamored with the classic cafe look that us long-time customers love the place for.

Anonymous said...

Yeah I know the old table were nicer but there's still character. I like the little bar. Perhaps they are trying to appeal to newbies but I don't think that that works. If restaurants offered more vegan options I think that interesting people would show up. Not high end vegan food. More like Kate's Joint. Kate's Joint was mismanaged but the food was good and the crowd was hip. There's this bakery in Brooklyn that started offering vegan items and it brought in a lot more customers.

Anonymous said...

I am so happy Cafe Orlin still exists. I have been eating there since I moved to the EV in the early '90s. I hope they are doing well. I know they do well on weekends because you have to wait for a table for brunch.

Anonymous said...

We all used to eat out like every night and get a drink and hang out. People just want reasonably priced food and drinks. I remember Life Cafe had a number of vegan options. At one time they had a macro plate with tahini, I think a seitan sandwich, veggie burrito, I can't remember...I know people who eat at Orlin often. They say they like it because you could get a number of things. I think, more options more customers. It's a great cafe.

Anonymous said...

I love Cafe Orlin. My brother and I ate there and loved it. Nice vibes and good food.

Anonymous said...

Oof, why would they do that with the furniture? Your history is your value. And you get plenty of business, you didn't need that.

Anonymous said...

What a shame with the new furmiture. Keep the old school charm and go with the locals. I usually go for breakfast not brunch a nm do I hadn't noticed the music. Do contemporary alternative, indie, jazz, not loud.

Christopher Pelham said...

I have long loved Orlin but in the past year they have been closing earlier, discouraging people from coming in late, refusing to seat people in the back, which is the best part....

Anonymous said...

Isn't anyone going to say what a nice poem that was? (Not a restaurant review or diatribe about new vs old.) Thank you Peter Radley.

Anonymous said...

Been going since the 80's. Always a nice place for a meal, some coffee, and friends.

What the hell is with all these vegan types?

RJJNY said...

If I remember right, the old version of Orlin features in some scenes in Smithereens.

Anonymous said...

@10:40 The place seems empty during the week for dinner. Just saying that adding a few more vegan options would bring in more people. We lost Angelica's which served a lot of regulars. We lost Kate's Joint and Life Cafe, Yaffa and others. People eat vegan, for animal rights sake, for health, high cholesterol. They already serve vegan. The mediteranean, falfel, etc. is vegan, chia pudding, sorbet, salad, soup, etc.. They don't offer a vegan sandwich or entree, maybe one cake, pancake. Bring in a few more vegan choices and people will come for dinner more. The food already is health conscientious. You'd be surprised.

Anonymous said...

The vegetarian burger is good and you can substitute basmati rice or quinoa for fries. i wish happy hour was till 8. I get home from work at 7.

Anonymous said...

killer poem, and i still love orlin, breakfast, lunch, or dinner!