We went last night pre-theater. 6PM on a Thursday we walked in and got a table immediately (allegedly the last open 2-top).

Food was all top notch:
Crispy Pig Ear - one of their classics. Slivers crispier than bacon, fried salty kale, pickled banana peppers and a perfectly gooey fried egg, it's the perfect Salt Fat Acid Heat combo. But it's a little hard to eat -- the piggy slivers aren't easily handled with a fork, and fingers are awkward with egg yolk. I'd have loved a pair of chopsticks. For a 'snack' this is a pretty substantial dish.

Leek Tart - Nice pastry crust, sweet leeks, accompanied by pickled carrots, a carrot-top pesto and (I think) creme fraiche. Absolutely delicious.

Partridge - Bacon-wrapped breast, roasted other parts, nice sauces, pickled beets. Aside from some small bone fragments, a wonderful dish.

Ricotta Gnudi These were more 'skinned' than some of the other gnudi I've had, but had an almost buratta-like creaminess. Very nice.

Absinthe Fritters delicate loops of fried dough with just a hint of anise flavor, accompanied by (buttermilk?) ice cream and a rhubarb-cherry-wine compote. A good end.

The service was just right: water refilled, finished plates removed, dishes came out at a good pace (we warned them about a tight schedule for the theater and they steered us away from a couple longer-cooking dishes). The only complaint is that it is loud, loud, loud in there.

JoelF wrote:We went last night pre-theater. 6PM on a Thursday we walked in and got a table immediately (allegedly the last open 2-top).

Are the crazy-long waits a thing of the past now? Although I've loved the food, I've avoided it for a while after getting burned trying to eat there even at off hours.

nsxtasy wrote:

JoelF wrote:We went last night pre-theater. 6PM on a Thursday we walked in and got a table immediately (allegedly the last open 2-top).

Are the crazy-long waits a thing of the past now? Although I've loved the food, I've avoided it for a while after getting burned trying to eat there even at off hours.

I can't make any guarantees from one data point. The place was full when we left at 7 but only a couple parties waiting.