Mima Vinoteca in Irvington is Open
-
- January
- 29
I’m planning to get over there to try it out, but for now you’ll have to do with the photos on the web site: mimarestaurant.com. (Mima is an Italian nickname for grandmother.)
The web site says the restaurant is a cross between a wine bar, serving small plates and cured meats and cheeses, and a trattoria, where you can get big bowls of pasta.
There are also full-sized entrees like lamb chops, trout and skirt steak. There are more than 15 wines by the glass, and 60 bottles  all Italian.
It appears they’ve kept the brick walls and tile floors of the former Red Hat, but the wood tables are bare, and they’ve decorated with mirrors. I can’t wait to try.
Mima Vinoteca Kitchen & Wine Bar, 63 Main St., Irvington. 914-591-1300.
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 at 1:17 pm by Liz Johnson.
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(4.62 out of 5)
(4.21 out of 5)
I went to Mima twice. Both times I was dissapointed on a few different levels. First and foremost, its too expensive. My wife and I left there after 2 drinks 2 app’s 2 main courses and ended up spending close to 200 dollars. Also, they ARE NOT CHILD FRIENDLY! Also, I was turned off by the amount of model/actresses that work there and that have no restaurant experience whatsoever. THere are alot of better restaurant in Irvington to go to, I would never tell anyone to go to Mima unless they want to receive a bad over all restaurant experience.
John,
I’m so sorry for your bad experience. What did you not like? Can you describe how the service was poor? And what did you order?
I’ve been twice now, too, and loved it both times. (Once, I was recognized, and once I wasn’t.) Gus, my waiter, was excellent, and I didn’t find it costly… though I did not order the most expensive things on the menu.
I can see that they might not be child-friendly at 8 p.m. on a Saturday, but during the week, or first seating on a weekend, I would take my 4-year-old nephew  no question.
Please elaborate….
I’ve also been to Mima twice, and loved the service and the food both times! The waiters couldn’t have been nicer to my 3 kids (all under 12), and I feel I need to mention that the first time we went there on a Saturday night, around 7.30pm, no reservations, and they managed to get us a table in less than 40 minutes – time which we spent at the bar, and the kids were just so proud to sit there like young adults and have their appetizers and sodas… I thought the price was very honest, and the food was simply wonderful.
Congratulations for the staff and for the chef, you guys will certainly see us again!
Liz, your waiter Gus is a transplant from Zuppa in Yonkers (same management group) and I can understand why you loved him! He’s the perfect server – knowledgeable, friendly, informed, attentive without being overbearing. So sorry we lost him in Yonkers! I hope he bounces between both places.
i dont know what this guy was drinking but i brought my wife to mima on a satuurday night noticed many kids there, as well ordered apps, entrees, dessert and a bottle of wine and our bill with tax and tip was under $175….for the quality of the food and the great service we experienced it was a very fare price for what you get and we will definitely return and reccomend mima to all our friends…
Joan, definitely your loss! I love Gus!
To rephrase my prior comment, the kids and I waited by the bar, not actually at the bar.
I love how this man John Krikman started this blog. It almost seems like he faked his comment just to start a good trend of positive reviews from actual people that went there. Good thing he did because I love that place. I have been there a few times with my girlfriends always sitting at the bar but from my perspective as an intermediate foodie and fairly seasoned in the service industry, Mima is jammin’. Their staff is young and good looking, (people want to be around good looking people and those who complain are just not good looking themselves and are jealous). All of this complaining about prices is just BS because One and the Red Hat charge crazy prices for their drinks and portions and they don’t always come out right (the food is good, I am not gonna lie). The Red Hat has a fabulous following and a great product but should not be too quick to step up to a pretentious level. It wrecks everything for everyone else.
Anyway, Mima’s scene is warm and comfy. There is the extended family vibe that you just won’t get if you don’t have a big family or a loving one for that matter.
If you go, get the Montecucco Rosso on the wine by the glass list and have a half portion of Trecce with some tasty spinach on the side. Yum.
Just so everyone knows, there’s another post … with photos … on Mima. You can find it here:http://lizjohnson.lohudblogs.com/2008/02/01/first-look-mima-in-irvington/
My wife, kids, business associates, and I have been to Mima at least ten times. Although once it was not up to par, the other times were exceptional (for Irvington) in terms of food and service. It has become our favorite restaurant, although it is a bit pricey. The chef is a wizard, in my opinion.
This thread is hilarious. As I read responses to Krikman’s comments (poor fellow), I couldn’t help but relate and agree to all the counter-posts. You all have said exactly what my family (kid included) experienced. That is Mima as a fairly priced, family friendly experience of good value and atmosphere. In fact, I found the portions a bit too large, but don’t tell them.
In fairness to you Mr.Krikman, it could have been an off night or two. Try Mima again, and yes…try ordering modestly priced items. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Mima…keep-up the good work!
We have been eating at Mima at least twice a week for
several months. The food and service are both exceptionally good, if not always perfect. The wines are always interesting and feel like reasonable values.
Mima adds a much needed creative and talented yet homey flair to Irvington’s restaurants’ offerings.
We love this place.
Marty and Allison