red cat or cookshop?

[jlbk]

Having dinner w/ a friend tomorrow night - want to have a nice conversation, great food & a drink or two. Have reservations at each -- anyone want to weigh in on which we should go with?

TIA.

[wonka]

I've been to both restaurants a number of time....like them both. But i'm going to go with Cookshop - reasons I found the noise level a little higher at Red Cat, also it depends on where you sit. One time at Red Cat, sat at a table close to the bar, and it was crowded, another time back by the kitchen. If you get a table a Cookshop, you maybe able to sit side by side; i also found the seating more comfortable at Cookshop....either place you really can't go wrong.

[LargoRobby]

I vote Red Cat. It can get noisy, but it's very cozy on a cold night. Nice wine and great food. I think Cookshop falls short.

[randymac88]

Red Cat by 14 miles. I didn't like Cookshop at all.

[emma]

i'm agreeing with everyone. i went to cookshop shortly after it opened and everyone was underwhelmed. finally went to red cat a few weeks ago and everyone loved it. it'll be a new standard spot for my family.

[orthorunner]

While prior to trying both I would have given the edge to Cookshop just based on menus, I definitely would pick Red Cat after having tried each. Cookshop failed to produce despite many interesting options on their menu. My porchetta was dry, my deviled eggs bland-all the more depressing to me given its potential. Red Cat, meanwhile, was wonderful for dinner. We went with another couple and had no difficulty with having a nice conversation despite some increased buzz as an NFLer was there that night.

[RCC]

Red Cat.

I was not impressed with my brunch at Cookshop. My dinner at Red Cat was a better experience.

[thousandrobots]

I've been to both twice fairly recently. The restaurants are pretty comparable in quality of food and service (maybe with an edge to CS), but I think the key in your post is "nice conversation." I think Red Cat will be quieter, as the main dining area is much smaller and acoustically more conducive to good conversation. (Plus, Cookshop always seems to have a lot of people running around.) Ask for a table in the back.

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Cookshop
156 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Red Cat
227 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011

[Spiritchaser]

Agree with 1000robots. If conversation is important Red Cat will be the choice, and don't worry, you won't be settling with Red Cat, the food is good.

[kelea]

Personally for me i much prefer red cat...but then again i had dinner at red cat and brunch at cookshop. i was just underwhelmed by cookshop