We fancied having dinner somewhere within walking distance, so decided to give Ping Pong (Westbourne Grove) a try. We arrived sans reservation, asked for a table for two and the so-called waiter casually gestured to a couple of available tables. Not impressed, but fine. We sat down next to these two Californian women talking at the top of their voices for a reason that still escapes me. As we discussed the menu, it became apparent that due to the volume of the people beside us, any type of conversation was going to be difficult.
As the ladies called the waiter over, he rather rudely put up his hand in a 'just wait' fashion. Rude. 2 minutes later, I politely asked if he'd mind moving us to another table. Apparently there were none. (a. It was a Monday night, and b. I have eyes and can see numerous spare tables...) "We’ll order drinks and then wait for another table, if that’s alright", I said. Can you believe that the waiter dismissively moved his hand in a I-really-don’t-want-to-be-here fashion, rolled his eyes and then stood with his hand on hip waiting for our drink order. At that point, I asked my boyfriend if he minded eating elsewhere, we popped our coats on and off we went. We had lovely cocktails at Westbourne House (my espresso martini was divine) and then headed to Mulberry Street resto – the NYC-style upmarket pizzeria with the best service.
I will N-E-V-E-R so much as look at a Ping Pong menu again and will be sure to share my negative experience with anybody who’ll listen! Plus, they have cheap, wooden, disposable chopsticks = bad for the environment and not what I expect from a restaurant.
I ate octopus for the first time at this restaurant at the insistence of my Greek dinner companion and since then, I haven’t looked back. This Greek/Seafood restaurant in the middle of Manhattan is so light, fresh and everything tastes so good. Yes, the decor is rather uninspiring but let’s just focus on what is probably some of the freshest fish in New York. I recall my companion speaking with the staff in Greek and feeling as though we were all friends. A little authenticity never hurt anyone! 
