What Happens When...you have a new restaurant every month for just one month?

So I went to What Happens When last weekend on the recommendation of many of my friends and at the advice of many a food blogger...

While I think the pop-up restaurant is an interesting concept, I think it is incredibly difficult for a restaurant to produce and execute a different concept (ambiance, environment and menu) once a month.  It takes months to design out and perfect a restaurant, and everyone knows never to go to a restaurant in it's first couple of months of opening.  That's basically the "Friends and Family" time when a restaurant is in beta form.  Usually service is not crisp, dishes are still being refined, decor and seating is still TBD...

So.....doesn't that mean What Happens When is always in beta?  Yup.  So why pay top dollar for beta?

$58 prix fixe - even in NY is a bit steep if you ask me.  Add cocktails and wine and you quickly reach $100/person....

While the food was better than average (not great, but not average), the whole experience had somewhat of a "wedding" vibe to it.  The food seemed a bit mass produced, and the decorations (because they are makeshift) feel very wedding/bah mitzvahesque....

It's a cute and kitschy concept, but for around the same price I would definitely recommend a place like Torrisi.  No fuss, no muss - just great food.

What Happens When
25 Cleveland Place, NY NY

Tuesday - Sunday, 5:30pm - 11pm
212-925-8310