Allen & Delancey’s chef must be good- Neil Ferguson formerly worked for Gordon Ramsay. That one sentence says a lot- this means that the poor man had to endure the verbal abuse pouring out of Chef Ramsay’s mouth. While I’m sure it would be petrifying if you were in the situation, as an outsider, I happen to think he’s hilarious. And I just may have a slight crush on him.

The décor is warm and inviting, although strangely enough, the rooms are without any windows. The resto also features soft lighting, which means you’re either squinting to see your food or overwhelmed by the sweet, intimate atmosphere. The exposed brick recreates an old-New York vibe, and the banquettes beckon for your tush. The rest of the décor is quite eclectic, with strange paintings on the walls that are a sure conversation starter.

The food is much like the décor- eclectic, original, and a little strange. For example, the menu offers truffled fingerlings, raw hamachi, and fenugreek syrup sound bizzare. But don’t fret- the menu also offers seared scallops, ravioli, and lamb choices. But a departure from the regular is always worth a try, especially with such a talented chef like Neil Ferguson.

While the wait staff isn’t immediately at your side with a water jug like a great Chinese restaurant, they try. You may get frustrated after a few minutes of waiting for a refill, but relax and reflect back to your serving days. You just may have a bit more sympathy for the stressed-out waitress balancing plates off her head.