NYCReview
Jeepney
This spot is Permanently Closed.
You might have heard by now that we’re awfully fond of the Filipino crew known as The Maharlikans. We jumped on their bandwagon very early, almost three years ago when they showed up on the scene as a brunch only pop-up in the East Village. They’ve found lots of success since then, continually evolving and expanding, and adding Filipino cuisine to the wide list of ethnic foods that are well represented in New York City’s restaurant scene. And not only has the local food community embraced the Maharlika team, but they even have Padma’s stamp of approval...and she’s on TV.
Jeepney is Maharlika’s second East Village restaurant, and this one is a take on a Filipino gastropub. That means lots of unhealthy, delicious creations made with a laundry list of ingredients that you’ve probably never heard of before. Here’s the good news: If you like the idea of eating various pig parts in some sort of spicy chili sauce, you’re going to love this joint. If that’s some version of a recurring nightmare you’ve had over the last few years, this probably isn’t going to be your favorite restaurant. And you should maybe talk to someone about that. Jeepney has a fun vibe, with boobs on the wall and a soundtrack that jumps from funky salsa to 80′s to old school hip hop and 90′s rock. We were impressed when “Black Hole Sun” came on the stereo and the entire staff went for it, in unison, like it was 4AM at Sing Sing Karaoke. This is our kind of establishment, that’s for sure.
With Maharlika, which remains their better restaurant, and now Jeepney, Filipino food is quickly becoming one of our favorite new discoveries. Some of the food at this new restaurant is familiar gastropub fare, but with a twist that makes it different and unique. We loved the burger, which is made with a mixture of beef and Filipino sausage and served with spicy banana ketchup and aioli. There’s also a full fried fish with chili peppers and a tomato-onion salsa is like nothing we’ve ever had before. And then there are things that are entirely new to us, like bulalo - a beef short rib stew with bone marrow. A couple cons: Jeepney is not cheap. For this kind of food, the prices are a bit steep, something that stings a little more due to the fact that the restaurant is cash only. It’s still worth a trip though. If you want to get real crazy, come on Thursdays, which are Kamayan nights, Jeepney’s spin on the Filipino traditional pre-colonial communal feast. No plates. No silverware. You eat with your hands. Sounds like a great first date idea to us.