民族飯店(The National Hotel)

Visited this basement bar for the first time in December 2022 and was super impressed/surprised. Subsequent visit in the new year. Both of our visits were not the same. First visit: New owner (also owns Bamboo House) got it right: awesome cocktails with live music and an open wood burning stove in a cool rustic environment. The food coming out of the kitchen looked great, although we didn't eat and the place was so packed that people were eating standing up along the wall. Our favorite thing was the fire and corner seating. Second visit: Soooo...we return in the new year, expecting the same experience, but it wasn't 100% awesome. Same time of day/same day of week. No fire. It was so cold that people dining were wearing their coats. We had French fries to snack on and they were run of the mill frozen fries...expensive for mediocrity. The staff member walking around in a suit failed to ever come over to our table so I walked up and ordered at the bar. Left disappointed. However, the bartender is consistently awesome...I'd be as bold to say that it was the best margarita I've ever had (during both of our visits the drinks were great). If I had rated our experience solely based on our first visit it would have been 5 stars. However, due to the reasons above, an average rating seems to be warranted. Take away: a basement bar needs to be heated in January in NJ. Floor staff need to be attentive. Offer items on the limited menu that are of higher quality. Anyone can go to a diner if they want subpar French fries.