Check back in two months because by that time The Toucan and The Lion will have worked out the kinks in the service and will have perfected the food and consistency. But tonight, after only 2 months of being full speed, they weren't quite there. That's not to say that we didn't have a devilishly fun night, leisurely dining, drinking and being merry at this soon-to-be neighborhood hot spot. And despite some bumps in the freshly paved road, I will be eager to try again and recommend this spot to friends. No matter that upon arrival we were quoted a 20 minute wait but had to wait a full hour before we were actually seated at our drafty table near the window. What quelled our nerves was the fact that waiting in the bar was lovely, and the host and staff went above and beyond caring for and being solicitous of their patrons. 
Everything on the menu appealed to our table but not everything that arrived was what we had hoped it would be. Perhaps it was our high standards that dimmed the cuisine because the Sticky Pear & Arugula salad with spiced pecans and pork crackling, as well as the Chili Tamarind King Prawns with feta and thyme were a degree short of perfection. But the Short Rib Tacos with dried curry, queso and pickled shallots in addition to the decadently charred Brussels with bacon and lemongrass, and the Risotto with squash, goat cheese and pumpkin seeds were finger-lickingly divine. Even though our table was slightly confused as to the appropriate amount and combination of shares vs. mains vs. sides that we should order, in the end we were all happy to stick a fork in a few extra Indian, Thai, Filipino influenced plates.
Despite and because of it all, I wholeheartedly believe that one day very soon all the issues that plague this (and any new) restaurant will be worked out and The Toucan and the Lion will live up to the hype and be more than worth the wait. Until then, I'll be waiting...
342 East 6th Street
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