Dec 2013

After stumbling upon Freeman Alley whilst walking the streets of the Lower East Side earlier this year, Freemans restaurant and bar (which is tucked away at the end) had remained on my to do list for many months. That is until Nick and I went for a weekend brunch one sunny Sunday.

Apart from being one of the more pleasant things to find in a New York alleyway, Freemans is an enchanting restaurant, where the meals are delicious and plentiful, the atmosphere calm and inviting and the service friendly and attentive.

With the restaurants hide away entrance it is easy to walk straight past. So make sure you keep your eyes peeled for the Freemans blackboard which is located at the beginning of the alley on Rivington Street.

Follow the alleyway to its end and there underneath a series of strung up fairy lights and potted plants you will find the restaurant’s entrance.

The main door to Freemans opens to a charming, warmly lit space, where individual tables fill a series of adjoining rooms. Diners have the choice to sit at a table or pull up a stool at one of the two bars.

Weathered furnishings give the restaurant a rustic feel. As do the pressed flowers, antique paintings and assorted taxidermy that have been tastefully appointed to the walls.

Like the décor the rustic theme extends to the menu. Dishes include: devils on horseback, buffalo pork ribs, herb roasted chicken, marinated and grilled prawns and many more.

Indeed Freemans prides itself on seasonal, Early American and simple dishes, which are “inspired by Old World traditions”.

Despite the wonderful array of meals on offer I chose the Freemans Piedmontese Cheeseburger. Cooked perfectly and adorned simply with a thick slice of American cheese, lettuce, onion and tomato it is mouthwatering good!

Freemans also has an ‘ice cream of the day’, which I highly recommend indulging in – especially if the flavour is choc malt. Oh my it is good!

Serving lunch, dinner and weekend brunch Freemans is an extremely popular food option in the Lower East Side. Nick and I turned up at midday on a Sunday and were incredibly lucky being seated straight away – practically unheard of! If you’re a walk-in, go expecting a wait of about 30 minutes or so.

Posted by Jess Fleming