Spice House Midtown

My friends and I came here for the $5 crab legs happy hour (4–7 PM), and that was honestly the highlight of the night. The crab legs were good and you can order multiple rounds for the table, which made it a great deal. The lemon drops were also really good, so those two things were definitely the best part of the experience. Our server Terry was excellent. She was attentive, checked on us often, kept us updated, and made sure we had everything we needed. She really did a great job and was one of the reasons the experience stayed pleasant. However, the overall vibe and service from the host staff wasn’t the best. A man was seated in a booth next to us, and shortly after sitting down the host came back and told him he would have to move because they needed the table and thought he would sit at the bar. It came off very rude and awkward since he had already been seated. Later two people were seated in that same booth, so it was confusing why one person couldn’t sit there but two could. The place also felt like it attracted more of an older crowd than expected, and it didn’t really have the lounge vibe it appears to have on social media. The hookah wasn’t good at all, and overall the atmosphere didn’t feel like somewhere I’d rush back to. Overall: crab legs and drinks were good, and Terry was a great server, but the vibe and experience didn’t quite match what’s portrayed online.

Our experience at Spice House Midtown was decent at best, with a mix of positives and areas that clearly need improvement. The atmosphere was definitely a highlight—very lively, upbeat, and full of energy, which made it a great spot to enjoy brunch vibes. The music and crowd added to the experience, giving it that “in-the-city” feel. The service was solid overall, and our server, Nani, did a good job making sure we were taken care of. She was attentive, friendly, and checked in at appropriate times without being overbearing, which we appreciated. However, the restaurant itself could really use some TLC. The tables looked worn down—scratched, faded, and outdated—which took away from the overall presentation. The walls and wood finishes also looked like they needed a refresh. Unfortunately, the bathrooms were another downside. They weren’t well-maintained and could benefit from more frequent cleaning, especially during peak brunch hours when traffic is high. As for the food, it was a bit of a hit or miss. During brunch, my wife ordered the oxtail grits, and I had the French toast with wings. For a price range of about $20–$24, the portion of wings felt underwhelming—only about four smaller pieces—and they came out slightly overcooked. It wasn’t clear if it was the frying method or the flour they use, but while the food was decent and edible, it lacked the bold flavor you’d expect at that price point. The French toast was okay, but nothing that really stood out or made it memorable. Parking is another thing to keep in mind—you’ll likely have to pay for valet or find and pay for nearby parking, which adds to the overall cost of the experience. Overall, Spice House Midtown has a great vibe and good service, but the condition of the restaurant and inconsistency in the food make it hard to fully recommend without some improvements.