Frena

Ditch your all favorite spot and come to Frena! If you're used to old shabby NYC restaurants, Frena will bring elegance and shick to your day. The restaurant is beautiful, new and classy. The true heart of Frena is its incredible team, who work tirelessly to ensure every guest has an exceptional experience. I was genuinely impressed by how warm, attentive, and welcoming the staff were--they truly elevate the atmosphere.Now, let's talk about the drinks. The alcohol menu is one of a kind, with every option tempting enough to make it hard to choose. Luckily, that just means you have to come back for more! I sampled a warm cocktail and a selection of wines, and each one was outstanding.As for the food... I don't even know where to begin. Dining at Frena is a culinary experience like no other, and the chef is a true master of their craft. As a lover of Middle Eastern cuisine, I can confidently say that Frena surpasses expectations. The dips are a must-try, the signature Frena bread is so delicious you won't be able to stop eating it, and the salads burst with flavor. But the real showstopper? The meat dishes. I had the Frena signature lamb in bread, and it was absolutely mind-blowing.This is a place I'll return to again and again. It's perfect for large gatherings and birthday celebrations, and reservations are easy to make--just be sure to book in advance because they get busy!

When I first visited Frena, I saw flashes of greatness but left feeling they hadn't quite found their groove. Fast-forward a few months, and WOW--what a transformation! The Frena I visited this time around is firing on all cylinders, and I couldn't be happier to officially crown it as one of my new neighborhood go-tos.Let's get straight to the food because that's where Frena is truly knocking it out of the park. First up, I dove into some new dishes, and let me just say: the Crab "Shawarma" is my new obsession. It's the kind of dish that takes something you think you know and flips it into a flavor-packed masterpiece. Spiced to perfection, rich, and indulgent--it's a total standout.And then there's the Chicken Maschan. The tender, juicy chicken is so perfectly seasoned that it almost feels like it has its own storyline. Pair it with the fluffy, herby accompaniments, and it's an experience that hits every note just right. Even some dishes I was lukewarm about before have gotten a major glow-up. The Moroccan cigars? A whole new vibe. Bold, perfectly spiced, and utterly addictive. And the Frena bread? Let's just say the seasoning gods have smiled upon it, and it now fully earns its place on the menuAs for service, we had a team that was on it like pros, even with a big, boisterous table of eight right next to us. Our waiter was attentive, orders were spot on, and the vibe was seamless; it's a well-oiled machine.Yes, it's still pricey. But now? It's worth every penny. This is the kind of dining experience that feels like a treat--a splurge you'll gladly make again because it delivers big time.Frena has officially arrived, folks. They're not just good; they're great. I am happy to welcome and support this new crown jewel

Opened in April/May of 2024. A great menu with flavorsome variety. They classify themselves as Mediterranean which leans towards Moroccan and Greek food influence.Definitely a hipster/young scene with a hustle and bustle and great 80's/90's music playing.Service was prompt and attentive.

Came here for an anniversary dinner before seeing a broadway show. The food was unique and delicious! The portions don't look huge, but the dishes were rich and we left full. The service was great; our waitress always checked in to refilled our water, and we received new plates with each course. We really enjoyed our experience. The only callout I had was the space. The restaurant is small (typical in nyc), so the occupied tables were a bit tight to navigate around.

We stopped by for dinner with reservations on a Saturday and were seated pretty quickly. Ambiance felt pretty nice, a bit modern and traditional with a fine dining air. Service was fast, courteous, and efficient - orders were in within a few minutes and food/drinks came out fast. The menu had a few good options and the food itself was yummy, but quite pricy. Drinks were also okay, but I thought mine was overly strong interestingly enough. That was probably the most worth item. I probably wouldn't return as I didn't think our meal was worth the money, but I had a nice time nonetheless. The experience was solid and things came out super fresh and fast. We even saw them handle an issue where apparently the meat for one of the dishes next to us wasn't cooked enough and they were very professional about it. Thanks, Frena!

When local favorite Taboon closed permanently due a fire, it was truly a sad loss for the neighborhood. Later, the chef and owner from Taboon renewed the space, making a fresh but familiar concept called Frena, serving the same exquisite cuisine that Taboon left behind. We visited for brunch this past weekend, and enjoyed impeccable service, delicious food, sizeable portions, and fabulous service from the one and only, Kianna (hope I spelled that right!). With a touch of middle eastern architecture and ambiance, and lush greenery throughout, the mood is set as soon as you walk in. For drinks:Our favorite was the echos, their take on a margarita with a touch of passion fruit. For appetizers:You can't go wrong with the dips. We got the trio, which comes with a serving of Frena bread, and our favorite was the spicy feta. For everything else:We got the schnitzel shishi, which was very filling. It came with crispy white sweet potatoes, and a small salad. We also got the chicken shawarma bowl - which by itself is just okay. However, it's also served with a frena bread to make shawarma sandwiches, which really enhances the taste dramatically. In addition, we also got the lahmajoun flatbread. While I thought it was a bit bland, my partner thought it was made very traditionally and perfectly. Lastly, to finish things off, we got the Moroccan donuts for dessert (they're on the brunch menu but not on the dessert menu!). With dipping sauces of Dulce de leche and a blueberry compote, they really hit the spot. Frena is such a great addition to the neighborhood, you know we'll be coming back.

After a multi-year closure, Frena is the new incarnation of the former Taboon, offering many of the same hits from the old menu, such as a signature charred bread served with well-executed mezzes. I rarely seek out dining destinations in this sterile section of Hell's Kitchen, but Frena is probably the best bet if you find yourself in this neck of the woods.My favorite dish of the evening was the feta börek, which is brought to the table with a theatrical flame like a Suzette crepe. The last time I had a börek this flavorful was at a meyhane in Arnavütköy overlooking the Boğaz - the quantity of honey was just ambitious enough to challenge the limits of sweetness in a main course.That being said, some of the dishes fell a bit flat - the cauliflower "steak" was delivered a bit soggy, and the felefel failed to leave any lasting impression.

Frena is a fabulous spot in Hell's Kitchen with flavorful Mediterranean food and plenty of vegetarian options. Our waiter Jessie was wonderful in answering questions and making sure we were happy with what we ordered. To drink, I ordered the Levant Dew (with Gin) and it was delicious and so refreshing.The food = phenomenal. The dips are a must; with the fresh, fluffy bread. My favorite item of the night was the Feta Flambé, which was the perfect combo of savory, sweet, and flakey. I also loved the Zucchini Fritters. The Falafels were pretty good, as was the roasted eggplant.We couldn't skip dessert-the Halva sundae and Profiteroles were honestly a bit underwhelming but I'm glad I stayed longer and tried the Nemesis Chocolate Cake, which is perfect for chocolate lovers.

This used to be Taboon, one of my favorite restaurants in Hell's Kitchen. The chef is back and Frena is phenomenal!First off, they did a gut renovation on the interior - lots of wood, cream colors, tree branches with leaves and flowers, it's a gorgeous space.Next the food. I came for brunch with a friend and ordered the Shakshuka with merguez sausage. This dish can be bland, but Frena's was so good! They added tahini and greens, giving it a unique twist. Honestly best I've ever had. It also came with a delicious housemade Jerusalem breadstick! My friend tried the brisket Benedict, and raved as well! The cocktails were wonderful, and the service excellent!It's on the pricier side, but the quality makes it worth it. A must!

I'm giving Frena five stars, and I'm sticking to it. The truth is, I only stopped in to enjoy a cocktail before my show at MCC. I had about thirty minutes to kill. I looked around, and Frena was located steps away. I figured from the restaurant's looks I couldn't go wrong; I was right. Although I didn't sit in the dining area to have dinner, the customer service I received was just as attentive and friendly. I enjoyed a wonderful spritzer before dashing out to the show. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by a lovely hostess and was invited to sit wherever I liked at the bar. My bartender was smooth and mixed my spritzer with procession, which tasted delicious. That said, I am looking forward to returning for dinner real soon. I'm confident my five-star rating would have been well deserved.