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Betel Reviews List
Betel
Named for the betel leaf found throughout Asia and inspired by the hawker food stalls of the East, Betel is an experience that is adventurous, addictive and seductive. Chef Foon Green takes a modern authentic approach to the menu with exotic Southeast Asian flavors and ingredients, designed to awaken any palate. Plates come in healthy portions, intended for sharing in the sleek, communal atmosphere.
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70 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Rating Breakdown 70 reviews
5 stars
(16)
4 stars
(37)
3 stars
(14)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- fit for foodies(38)
- neighborhood gem(28)
- good for groups(20)
- hot spot(18)
- vibrant bar scene(14)
- special occasion(12)
Betel Reviews List
Review 1 for Betel
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Weird
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"and not especially wonderful. Eat foot wrapped in tree leaves wasn't my kind of thing but if this floats your boat head here."
Dined on 6/15/2013
2006
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Review 2 for Betel
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Over price very small portions
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food is good but not amazing. Prices are crazy. 5 tiny dumplings $14. Never saw so much staff texting in any restaurent. Would not go back."
Dined on 5/25/2013
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Review 3 for Betel
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Quiet and good food
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Skip the betel leaves the small plates are great. Tough to find good unique Thai. Lacking some of the buzz you'd expect from west village but a nice place to dine."
Dined on 5/22/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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Review 4 for Betel
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great food, good ambience
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was surprisingly fantastic - the duck was perfectly cooked and the sauces were tasty. We had a very friendly waiter. The hostess seemed a little spacy/not coherent but the other staff made up for it."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, hot spot
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Review 5 for Betel
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great food in a nice casual atmosphere, will definitely be back! Very friendly staff and uptempo music, great place to eat if you planning on a night out."
Dined on 5/17/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, romantic, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 6 for Betel
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Too cramped, dark, loud, and food overpriced. There are far better options in the neighborhood"
Dined on 5/11/2013
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Review 7 for Betel
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"A little slow service but not my first time and definitely not the last!"
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: good for groups, hot spot
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Review 8 for Betel
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
SUCH slow service. 45 min
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"SUCH slow service. 45 min just to get 1st small plate. But waitress was very nice and apologetic. Too bad kitchen was so slow!"
Dined on 04/26/2013
2003
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Review 9 for Betel
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Pretty good, but having visited
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Pretty good, but having visited the related restaurant, Longrain in Australia (which is spectacular), this one isn't quite as impressive. Betel leaves don't have quite the same 'je ne sais quoi'."
Dined on 04/07/2013
2012
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Review 10 for Betel
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
nice staff strange smell
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"nice staff
strange smell when you first walk in
good food but the small plates are SMALL"
strange smell when you first walk in
good food but the small plates are SMALL"
Dined on 04/23/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 11 for Betel
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Really authentic Southeast
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Really authentic Southeast Asian food. The flavors reminded me so much of home. Huge portions, an appetizer and an entree can be shared for two. The hama oysters are the bomb."
Dined on 04/18/2013
2009
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Review 12 for Betel
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Mostly good. Beef up the Betel leaf
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The appetisers on the betel leaves needed more flavor and punch. I felt that it felt like a gimmick. All the other appetizers were very very good."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene
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Review 13 for Betel
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Beautiful restaurant. Great
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Beautiful restaurant. Great vegan options! Not so great service."
Dined on 04/16/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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Review 14 for Betel
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Friday night is happy hour
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Friday night is happy hour half-price drinks including wine by the glass at the bar. Perfect prelude to dinner.
Their Betel leaf starters are to die for
And I love the wait staff - I've had the same super friendly and helpful waitress twice now and just love her.
A great place to take friends, and indulge in South East Asian food, family-style"
Their Betel leaf starters are to die for
And I love the wait staff - I've had the same super friendly and helpful waitress twice now and just love her.
A great place to take friends, and indulge in South East Asian food, family-style"
Dined on 04/12/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 15 for Betel
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Amazing
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The chef's tasting recommended by the waitress was amazing. We ordered a few additional items from the entrees menu as well - even though the tasting menu was enough food for six - and the thai pork shoulder and twice-cooked duck were unreal! I do not eat much seafood, but I really enjoyed sampling the oysters, shrimp, and striped bass."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 16 for Betel
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Thanks
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Waited too long for the double-cooked duck but it was worth the wait. Would be great to have complimentary bread while ordering!"
Dined on 04/07/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 17 for Betel
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
The son-in-law eggs by far
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The son-in-law eggs by far were the best dish. Betel leaves were okay but nothing spectacular."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 18 for Betel
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Have some SUGAR with your dinner.
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Sadly food was not so great as every dish was loaded with sugar and over sweet .
It had potential except for excessive sugar in every dish
Duck salad had tiny tiny pieces of crispy duck wing skin. No duck meat and so sweet we couldn't eat.
Roasted duck had an excessively sweet sauce so after it cooled down it tasted like candied duck.
Papaya salad was sweet and unbalanced needed fish sauce more spice and less sugar.
Cuttlefish was excellent with a squeeze of lime but don't use the side of sweet sugar sauce.
We also ordered the sea bass entree that came with 3 tiny pieces of fish with soggy skin gross as well as another excessively sugared sweet sauce that even with steamed rice we couldn't eat.no dessert because dinner was a sugar"
It had potential except for excessive sugar in every dish
Duck salad had tiny tiny pieces of crispy duck wing skin. No duck meat and so sweet we couldn't eat.
Roasted duck had an excessively sweet sauce so after it cooled down it tasted like candied duck.
Papaya salad was sweet and unbalanced needed fish sauce more spice and less sugar.
Cuttlefish was excellent with a squeeze of lime but don't use the side of sweet sugar sauce.
We also ordered the sea bass entree that came with 3 tiny pieces of fish with soggy skin gross as well as another excessively sugared sweet sauce that even with steamed rice we couldn't eat.no dessert because dinner was a sugar"
Dined on 04/04/2013
2009
Special Features: scenic view
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Review 19 for Betel
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Highly recommended!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We had the tasting menu which was excellent! The service was very friendly and attentive, and the athmosphere relaxed. i also liked that we could have a conversation and not be overpowered by loud music. I'll definitely go back!"
Dined on 04/05/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 20 for Betel
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
really nice place, the server
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"really nice place, the server was very knowledgeable about the menu
would definitely return but might reconsider my curry choice, when warned that it was spicy they were NOT joking!"
would definitely return but might reconsider my curry choice, when warned that it was spicy they were NOT joking!"
Dined on 03/31/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups
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Review 21 for Betel
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
My girl friend & I tried the
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"My girl friend & I tried the Chef's Spring menu, regular & vegetarian, they were amazing. Splendid. Will come back with family & try the duck. Excellent service, thank you Andy!"
Dined on 03/22/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 22 for Betel
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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Review 23 for Betel
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good for sharing
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The one-biters were great. Don't be afraid of the egg! It was amazing! Swordfish was spicy and fantastic. The rabbit dish was also tasty. Great dishes for sharing."
Dined on 03/17/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 24 for Betel
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great spot! Love the food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"This really is a hidden gem in the West Village! Their food is really terrific and generally cooked to perfection. I typically have the steak and eggs at brunch and have never been disappointed. The steak is flavorful and juicy and the eggs are a fluffy treat. Their mimosas are also incredibly refreshing. I would recommend to anyone!"
Dined on 03/17/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic, great for lunch
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Review 25 for Betel
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Delicious use of flavors, courteous
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I came here with a voucher for a vegetarian meal for two. I don't know how many vegetarian options are on the normal menu, but I have to say that my friend and I found this meal exquisite. They started with a great, light variation on Paan, then moved into delicious corn fritters wrapped in shiso leaves w/dipping sauce, braised toufu and mushroom main course, yellow curry with eggplant main course. A perfectly-balanced banana/toasted-coconut fritter with vanilla ice cream and a light sweet syrup for dessert, and a bottle of red wine were also part of our meal. All the flavors were satisfyingly complex and perfectly balanced, though toufu was a bit salty. We absolutely loved it. Recommended!"
Dined on 03/16/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 26 for Betel
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Has really deteriorated in
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Has really deteriorated in the past 2 years. Food was dry / overcooked and service was slow."
Dined on 03/10/2013
2005
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Review 27 for Betel
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Amazing. Great to share. Definitely
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Amazing. Great to share. Definitely get the rabbit curry. It is spicy but hurts so good."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 28 for Betel
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
This was our first visit in
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This was our first visit in a while but it struck us as better than ever"
Dined on 03/06/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 29 for Betel
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Some of the entrees were awesome
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Some of the entrees were awesome - eggplant, steak, fish. Shrimp apps. Lettuce leafs were too sweet."
Dined on 02/19/2013
2006
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Review 30 for Betel
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Go on a Weekday - great food!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I can't say enough good things about the food. Very innovative and delicious. We ordered the 10 course tasting menu.
We had been a few times during the week and always had great service. We were dismayed to show up to a table for 6 that should really be for 4 (turned 2 2-tops sideways). Our friend, who is a Manager of a 5-start restaurant in Manhattan, brought this up to the Manager, who was quite rude and moved us to another 2 X 2-top with a booth. This was better, but not what you expect from such a restaurant. I wasn't aware that restaurants turn tables in such a way during weekends to make more money.
That aside, our waitress was lovely and we had a nice meal. Go on a weekday for a more pleasant dining experience!"
Dined on 03/02/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 31 for Betel
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Great Food; Horrible Soundtrack
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food and service was excellent. I probably won't return because the music was atrocious. I felt like I was shopping with my 12 year old niece in a mall in Des Moines. I've heard music this bad in a Burger King, but never in a nice restaurant in New York. I know a lot of people can tolerate really bad pop music, but I doubt there's very few living in this neighborhood that can take it. Hopefully there's enough bridge and tunnel visitors that can keep this place afloat."
Dined on 02/24/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 32 for Betel
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
We have been at Betel's during
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We have been at Betel's during the Restaurant Week in January and found this place outstanding.
This weekend, however, food was rather mediocre.
I was quite satisfied with the swordfish curry.
The pulled rabbit curry, however, remained far below expectations.
Nevertheless, we would go there again."
This weekend, however, food was rather mediocre.
I was quite satisfied with the swordfish curry.
The pulled rabbit curry, however, remained far below expectations.
Nevertheless, we would go there again."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2012
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Betel
Based on the average of (38) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
4 out of 4 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic