The Basement

My husband and I were treated to dinner for his partners birthday . And we are so glad he chose this restaurant. We felt so comfortable here . Sean was amazing he not only seated us , but he was also our waiter . He was very friendly and very professional and tended to our needs . The structure of the building is very unique . The food was delicious . I cannot say enough about this place . We will def go back again . Thank you

Great service and food! I definitely think the quality and service was Manhattan fine-dining.

+6

Service 10/10 Tabitha was awesome. personality wise and recommendations. Decor and ambience of the place was also very inviting. I only had time for a short stay so i had a beer, a cocktail, and The country style wings. Im a wing lover so I always judge an establishments food by their wings and I must say.. those were by far the tastiest wings i have EVER had. if i could have those wings everyday this would be one basement i wouldn't mind being locked in! badumdum tiss. but seriously, everything was awesome

Great food, great service, great ambiance

Great decor and excellent food with a bar that can't be beat

+3

First time here, definitely won’t be the last. Went during happy hour. Prices were great for both food and drinks, very cozy atmosphere. Talked with customers all around the bar. Lots of fun! Definitely recommend

+4

I was not expecting any less from The Basement being that it is one of the sister restaurants to Blue and Beso. Everything was great. Of course the food was delicious. We ordered the frisse salad and the sweet potato fritters to start. They split the salad for us which was a nice little surprise. We both got chicken dishes, the chicken martini and the rustic chicken Parm. They even have Eggers ice cream! Big portion sizes. The drinks were strong and good. I definitely will be back!

Love love love this spot such an amazing hidden gem (hopefully it stays hidden) in downtown Staten Island walking distance from the ferry. The oweners revamped an already Staten island favorite (besos, which moved around the corner check them out too). Oh but when I tell you it’s like walking into another world it’s filled with a ton of fun books and in every corner there’s a moment to post. Now the bartenders all on point and consistent with their pour. The happy hour is super cute delicious & affordable! However the main menu is a must try. I’ve tried about 50% of it and it never disappoints. Go try it out but only tell your special friends about it. 💛

+1

I arrived at the restaurant half an hour early for my reservation and was seated right away! 😄 The food was absolutely amazing 🍽️, the service was fantastic 🙌, and the cocktails were delicious 🍹. I loved the unique atmosphere too! 🎶 Plus, it's just a short distance from the Staten Island ferry 🚢, which makes it super convenient. Great experience overall! 🌟t a short distance from the Staten Island ferry 🚢, which makes it super convenient. Great experience overall! 🌟

Hidden gem of Staten Island. Great atmosphere. Food was very good for 98% of people. I am super demanding that is why 4star.

Wonderful spot! Really cool place. Loved the books all over & the food - oh my - very delicious! The drinks were excellent too! I had a white sangria & the Banana Foster alcoholic beverage. Thanks so much for a wonderful time!

What a cute place. Books & Booze theme. We came here because the hubs was looking for a dive bar he used to frequent. Bar still exists, but not so much a dive anymore. I had the Southern Waffle Brunch Plate and it did not disappoint, Lord, Two Pork Short Ribs, Three Chicken Wings, Two Waffles drizzled w/Hot Honey & I choose side salad, I could not finish it all. The meats and waffles were fabulous! Sorry but I am not a take pictures of my plate kind of girl, so I dug in before I took a Pic, but once I tasted everything I knew I had to. And I loved the decor and the genius placement of the (hidden) 😉 restrooms.

Note: I took pics AFTER I started eating. lol It didnt come to the table that way! My wife and I live a block away, and we were waiting to check this place out! For locals, it is where Beso used to be. They a beautiful new design and I really love the book store feel to it. It feels very intelligent. ONE THING: Their music selection hurts the atmosphere. 90s dance club music and famous literature do not exactly blend well. Plus, the place is small and sound makes objects vibrate. STILL...not a biggie. My wife and I had a prefixed menu order. She had filet mignon, caesar salad and chocolate mousse. I had shrimp cocktail, chicken valdonza and blueberry cheesecake. I also love bloodymarys so I had an AMAZING one! The food was delicious and portions were generous. We had to take ours home. Cost for 2 came out to 140, so we cant go here all the time but its a nice treat. We will be back!

he Basement is a true hidden gem near the Staten Island Ferry! The atmosphere is perfect for a romantic and laid-back date night, while the bar area offers a lively, social vibe. The service was outstanding; our server went above and beyond, making us feel so welcome even with our 9-month-old in tow. And the food? Absolutely mouthwatering—don’t just take my word for it, check out the pics! If you’re taking the ferry, you have to stop by and experience it for yourself!

Everything was incredible. We had the chicken martini and truffle chicken entrees and a side of the cheese risotto. The decor is incredible and the service is great. We will definitely be back!

Great find! The service was great! The food was great! Kevin the bartender made the perfect dirty Tito’s Martini! Happy Hour Deal!

Came over on Staten Island ferry to see the statue of liberty. Walking distance from the terminal. Food was delicious and reasonable price for such a great meal. I ordered french onion and truffle pasta. Both were amazing. Nice decor and perfect lunch spot. Will be back! Server got ketchup all over my jacket. Bad ending to a good meal.

I came here for lunch one day and had to come back for dinner. Such a cool concept and atmosphere. All the old school books with the hidden bathroom doorway. The steak was so good I was thinking about it for days afterwards. Super crispy chicken with risotto was also excellent. Topped it off with a carrot cake which hit the spot. I'll be coming back for sure.

I am not from New York! The hospitality here on Staten Island was phenomenal! The truffle chicken I bought was fantastic my date had a steak that left both of us speechless! Atmosphere genuine to the island! You really feel tucked in the restaurant’! I look forward to coming back an you will to once you visit!

The Basement in Staten Island is a genuine hidden gem. ​From start to finish, everything was exceptional. The appetizers were delicious, the service was great, and the dinner was unbelievable. You absolutely must try the affogato—it was hands-down the best I've ever had! Highly recommend this Staten Island spot. ​

Great place. Short walk from ferry landing. The inside decor looks like authentic library cardex files on walls and doors. Food well presented, able to split dish (see pic for split).

Great food, service and atmosphere. Reasonably priced, great cocktails. It was a busy Saturday night and they were super kind and worked to find a table for us. Waiter was great and attentive. We shared 3 entrees and an appetizer. Perfect amount of food for a family of 5. We were full at the end, I wish I wasn’t, because their desert menu looked good, especially the cocktails. Planning on going back to try it.

The Basement is a hidden gem across the street from the Staten Island Ferry terminal. The food and service are wonderful! We started with great cocktails, followed by steak and swordfish, and for the finale, a delicious crème brûlée! We had a toddler with us and they kindly gave us a booth on the end with a banquette so she could nap! By the time we left at 8pm, the place was packed.

Jacob Pittman

Came over on Staten Island ferry to see the statue of liberty. Walking distance from the terminal. Food was delicious and reasonable price for such a great meal. I ordered french onion and truffle pasta. Both were amazing. Nice decor and perfect lunch spot. Will be back! Server got ketchup all over my jacket. Bad ending to a good meal.

Allen Aguilo

I came here for lunch one day and had to come back for dinner. Such a cool concept and atmosphere. All the old school books with the hidden bathroom doorway. The steak was so good I was thinking about it for days afterwards. Super crispy chicken with risotto was also excellent. Topped it off with a carrot cake which hit the spot. I'll be coming back for sure.

Tyler McCann

I am not from New York! The hospitality here on Staten Island was phenomenal! The truffle chicken I bought was fantastic my date had a steak that left both of us speechless! Atmosphere genuine to the island! You really feel tucked in the restaurant’! I look forward to coming back an you will to once you visit!

Anthony J. Scott

The Basement in Staten Island is a genuine hidden gem. ​From start to finish, everything was exceptional. The appetizers were delicious, the service was great, and the dinner was unbelievable. You absolutely must try the affogato—it was hands-down the best I've ever had! Highly recommend this Staten Island spot. ​

Patricia Doyle

Great place. Short walk from ferry landing. The inside decor looks like authentic library cardex files on walls and doors. Food well presented, able to split dish (see pic for split).

Vincent Valderrama

Great food, service and atmosphere. Reasonably priced, great cocktails. It was a busy Saturday night and they were super kind and worked to find a table for us. Waiter was great and attentive. We shared 3 entrees and an appetizer. Perfect amount of food for a family of 5. We were full at the end, I wish I wasn’t, because their desert menu looked good, especially the cocktails. Planning on going back to try it.

Taylor Rae Boylan

Wonderful spot! Really cool place. Loved the books all over & the food - oh my - very delicious! The drinks were excellent too! I had a white sangria & the Banana Foster alcoholic beverage. Thanks so much for a wonderful time!

Francine Laura

The Basement is a hidden gem across the street from the Staten Island Ferry terminal. The food and service are wonderful! We started with great cocktails, followed by steak and swordfish, and for the finale, a delicious crème brûlée! We had a toddler with us and they kindly gave us a booth on the end with a banquette so she could nap! By the time we left at 8pm, the place was packed.

Jessica Loonam

What a cute place. Books & Booze theme. We came here because the hubs was looking for a dive bar he used to frequent. Bar still exists, but not so much a dive anymore. I had the Southern Waffle Brunch Plate and it did not disappoint, Lord, Two Pork Short Ribs, Three Chicken Wings, Two Waffles drizzled w/Hot Honey & I choose side salad, I could not finish it all. The meats and waffles were fabulous! Sorry but I am not a take pictures of my plate kind of girl, so I dug in before I took a Pic, but once I tasted everything I knew I had to. And I loved the decor and the genius placement of the (hidden) 😉 restrooms.

ALEXANDER ZHORNITSKIY

Hidden gem of Staten Island. Great atmosphere. Food was very good for 98% of people. I am super demanding that is why 4star.

Steven Lowell

Note: I took pics AFTER I started eating. lol It didnt come to the table that way! My wife and I live a block away, and we were waiting to check this place out! For locals, it is where Beso used to be. They a beautiful new design and I really love the book store feel to it. It feels very intelligent. ONE THING: Their music selection hurts the atmosphere. 90s dance club music and famous literature do not exactly blend well. Plus, the place is small and sound makes objects vibrate. STILL...not a biggie. My wife and I had a prefixed menu order. She had filet mignon, caesar salad and chocolate mousse. I had shrimp cocktail, chicken valdonza and blueberry cheesecake. I also love bloodymarys so I had an AMAZING one! The food was delicious and portions were generous. We had to take ours home. Cost for 2 came out to 140, so we cant go here all the time but its a nice treat. We will be back!

Zari Mati

he Basement is a true hidden gem near the Staten Island Ferry! The atmosphere is perfect for a romantic and laid-back date night, while the bar area offers a lively, social vibe. The service was outstanding; our server went above and beyond, making us feel so welcome even with our 9-month-old in tow. And the food? Absolutely mouthwatering—don’t just take my word for it, check out the pics! If you’re taking the ferry, you have to stop by and experience it for yourself!

John L

Great find! The service was great! The food was great! Kevin the bartender made the perfect dirty Tito’s Martini! Happy Hour Deal!

James T

Everything was incredible. We had the chicken martini and truffle chicken entrees and a side of the cheese risotto. The decor is incredible and the service is great. We will definitely be back!

Loved everything about this place, from the great service to the even better food. The staff is super attentive, and there is more than enough space in the restaurant even when it got packed towards the end of our meal. The food was absolutely amazing (be sure to get the sweet potato fritters) and the cocktail menu has something for everyone! I would definitely recommend this place.

One of my favorite restaurants on the island. Definitely a hidden gem. Kinda has a NYC vibe inside. Been there 3x and all the food I've had was great. I recommend the short beef ribs over cavatelli! So good.

bkid831

One of my favorite restaurants on the island. Definitely a hidden gem. Kinda has a NYC vibe inside. Been there 3x and all the food I've had was great. I recommend the short beef ribs over cavatelli! So good.

JENNI Alvarez

I arrived at the restaurant half an hour early for my reservation and was seated right away! 😄 The food was absolutely amazing 🍽️, the service was fantastic 🙌, and the cocktails were delicious 🍹. I loved the unique atmosphere too! 🎶 Plus, it's just a short distance from the Staten Island ferry 🚢, which makes it super convenient. Great experience overall! 🌟t a short distance from the Staten Island ferry 🚢, which makes it super convenient. Great experience overall! 🌟

I heard about this place online.So I decided to stop by give it a try for appetizers.We had the bison meatballs, which were okay reminded me of swedish meatballs, then had a pasta dish with a truffle cream sauce and chicken. The chicken was a little dry because it was too thin. Service was great fast and friendly.The dining room was a nice cozy atmosphere.Definitely will go back

Book decor and menu to match. Love the ambiance here. Place was busy on a Thursday night and rightfully so. Great drinks, and we shared appetizers and a dessert which were delicious!!! Street parking with meters until 7. Definitely returning

We both ordered a burger. Cooked very well. Good flavor. Curly Fries. Good. But reminded me of Arby’s. My wife had the petite salad as her side and it was actually very big. Good service. Great atmosphere. I was amazed at the kitchen. Several were seated at the same time. One was a big group. They got all of our food out at about the same time. All hot. 😊

This restaurant is located where the old Beso used to be. But they changed decor so much and it looks good. The food was good. Service was good. Nothing really jumped out at me but I think maybe because it was busy. We’ll have to come again.

Elizabeth “Liz” B

This restaurant is located where the old Beso used to be. But they changed decor so much and it looks good. The food was good. Service was good. Nothing really jumped out at me but I think maybe because it was busy. We’ll have to come again.

The place and the ambience is beautiful but they didn’t give us a table, and i saw many tables for 4 during our last dinner together, the bartender was really nice and the food a little bit salty

We stopped in for dinner without a reservation. There was no one in the place we arrived at 615 and they refused to sit us. Than at 745 when apps were done the same tables were still open so we opted to leave since they claimed to not have space for seating we could have easier eaten at a table. What’s worse is the hostess told us tables would open at 715 and changed the story. We probably will not go back.

Restaurant is extremely cozy and aesthetically pleasing, perfect for a date night or some family quality time! Our waitress, Paula I believe, was friendly, sweet and kind! The food, however, was quite a miss for us. The wings came with three drums and one flat, which was uneven but an easy fix according to our waitress. The carbonara had nice flavors, but the bacon was over-charred and was extremely salty, which detracted from the dish's overall enjoyment. My favorite of the dish was the shrimp, which was cooked PERFECTLY and had a nice bouncy texture! The bolognese was also overly salty as well, which was worse than the carbonara because it was the entire dish, whereas the carbonara was just the bacon bits (though the bacon was quite vital to the dish). The French onion soup didn't really char the cheese as evident in the photo, which resulted in goopy cheese instead of a nice crisp one. Overall, the Basement has a lot of promise and there's still so much on the menu that I would love to try! Unfortunately this time it was a miss for us, but I would love to come back again someday to give the Basement the 5 stars I know they are capable of! Thank you for reading and best of luck! (:

+1

The room is really cool, I like the design a lot. The scallops francese were fine. Duck spring rolls were way too overstuffed with meat. It made the bite too heavy. Shrimp carbonara was an odd profile. Not very reminiscent of a carbonara, more cajun. The short rib dish was really good, a tad over-salted. I wouldn’t order any of these dishes again frankly. Might consider a second meal here but I doubt it.

Robert C

The room is really cool, I like the design a lot. The scallops francese were fine. Duck spring rolls were way too overstuffed with meat. It made the bite too heavy. Shrimp carbonara was an odd profile. Not very reminiscent of a carbonara, more cajun. The short rib dish was really good, a tad over-salted. I wouldn’t order any of these dishes again frankly. Might consider a second meal here but I doubt it.

Sofia Florencia Muñoz Demiguel

The place and the ambience is beautiful but they didn’t give us a table, and i saw many tables for 4 during our last dinner together, the bartender was really nice and the food a little bit salty

Unfortunately was disappointed with this place and was really looking forward to going. The grilled octopus was so over cooked it was basically rubber and the steak was asked to be medium rare and came out well done. In addition to this we asked in advance for a candle to be on the dessert as a surprise and it was never done. No place I would run back to

We loved the atmosphere. Very lovely books of inclusion displayed prominently on the walls. It makes you feel very welcoming. We had the tacos that were very flavorful as an appetizer. Definitely recommend! The chicken and waffles with fried ribs were just 2.5/5. The waffles were hot but the combination of hot honey drizzled over the waffle, chicken and ribs did not do anything for me. The burger was medium rare beautifully plated just came up short on the flavor and a tad dry 2.5/5. The biggest pet peeve of mine is not making sure the customer understands that you are charging per glass of soda. Don’t play word games. I had to ask if we were being charged per glass. Be transparent on the beverages…I will take it out your tip.

Food was great for the most part except for the red velvet crepe which was dry and tasted like Play-Doh. Had the stuffed lobster tail and filet mignon, both were on point. Cocktail was decent but their well tequila is bottom of the bottom shelf (Montezuma Gold). Good service. The worst part of my visit was during payment. 20% gratuity is baked into your total and the owner has the audacity to still include a blank tip field on the receipt. The printed tip suggestions are calculated including the 20% gratuity. Talk about double dipping, not to mention the suggestions don't start at the standard 15%. This is a predatory practice and the owner should be shamed, especially when alcohol is served at the establishment. They also charge a 4% credit card fee as per their menu.

ED Goodwin (AlphaTauri69)

We loved the atmosphere. Very lovely books of inclusion displayed prominently on the walls. It makes you feel very welcoming. We had the tacos that were very flavorful as an appetizer. Definitely recommend! The chicken and waffles with fried ribs were just 2.5/5. The waffles were hot but the combination of hot honey drizzled over the waffle, chicken and ribs did not do anything for me. The burger was medium rare beautifully plated just came up short on the flavor and a tad dry 2.5/5. The biggest pet peeve of mine is not making sure the customer understands that you are charging per glass of soda. Don’t play word games. I had to ask if we were being charged per glass. Be transparent on the beverages…I will take it out your tip.

I don’t usually leave reviews, but I feel it’s important to share my recent experience. As a regular at the basement my family or I go at least once a week. I visited The Basement Saturday night and, unfortunately, encountered behavior from the manager that was both rude and unnecessarily condescending—not just once, but twice have I been treated like this by the manager specifically (I believe her name is Maureen). As a paying customer, I believe everyone deserves to be treated with basic courtesy and professionalism, regardless of the situation. What stood out most was the manager telling me, out loud and in front of a restaurant full of people, that I was not welcomed there because of a previous review I had left addressing her behavior. Not only was this embarrassing, but it was also completely inappropriate. There are respectful ways to handle any misunderstanding or issue, and publicly speaking to a guest in that manner is never acceptable. Mind you I have gone to the basement and dined in twice since my last encounter with her and had no issues. I want to be clear: this isn’t about criticizing the restaurant as a whole, but about calling attention to behavior that shouldn’t happen to anyone. I hope the owner takes this feedback seriously and ensures that guests are treated with the respect and professionalism they deserve.

Great food. Great service. but …. the odor at the bar and the bathroom is a disgrace. Bartender and waiter AMAZING ! Went to the bar after dinner - stick from bathroom like sewer and filthy-

We came here to celebrate my mother’s birthday, and unfortunately the entire experience was disappointing and unprofessional. I had made a reservation in advance and specifically noted it was for a birthday celebration. I even reconfirmed with the host during the meal that someone would be bringing out a dessert for my mom. Our server, Bryan, never once checked on us during the night. He seemed completely unaware of what was happening at our table and, frankly, gave the impression that he had no clue what was going on at all. The only thing he did quickly was bring the check at the end of the night, telling us to have a good evening — without any mention of the birthday. I went back up to the host (a woman working behind the bar, clearly overwhelmed), and explained the situation. Bryan came over asking what I needed, and when I told him, he admitted no one had told him about the birthday. He went to the host to ask, and instead of handling it professionally, she literally turned to me from across the room, shrugged her shoulders, and shouted, “I forgot.” This was supposed to be a special night and a surprise for my mother, who I rarely get to see since we don’t live in the same state. Instead, it felt careless and dismissive. Between a server who was inattentive and a host who openly admitted to “forgetting” in front of the whole room, the evening was ruined. I would not recommend this restaurant for any special occasion.

I was a very loyal customer to the basement until the manager Maureen and Kevin treated me like my business isn’t any better. Me and my best friend used to go there very often but the bartender Kevin is very dismissive, does not show any care for customers, he does not take criticism very well as his drinks are subpar, meaning he doesn’t know how to make an old fashioned. Many times I tried to be nice and not complain about his terrible drinks so I didn’t have any much issues at my favorite spot, until one night I decided to bring my husband’s family to this spot for dinner. Ricardo was always very sweet and very attentive but because he knew me and my friend. Kevin instead would ignore me and my family, did he even ask if we wanted water?? Absolutely not! But the manager Maureen thinks his bartender is right and me the customer who always brought business to them was wrong. However, one day, me and my friend went one night to enjoy the night because it’s our favorite spot and the manager was MAD and CONFRONTATIONAL about what happened. We were never disrespectful to the staff, never yelled or cursed, but SHE SAID WE DID. I hope the owner reaches out and come to a resolution. I am the type of person that believes that the customer is not always right but it doesn’t mean we get to disrespect CUSTOMERS business and discriminate because of how the look and how the speak English.