First look inside 'wacky' New York restaurant where phones are BANNED after string of bad reviews

A wacky New York restaurant which banned cellphones has finally allowed one TikTok creator inside in a bid to redeem itself following a slew of bad reviews. 

Frog Club, which is located in the West Village, opened its doors on February 14 after being masterminded by former Hollywood chef Liz Johnson, 33, who previously co-owned California hot spot Horse. 

The secretive eatery quickly made headlines for its quirky rules, which included no cellphone use, no lying about your birthday, no bathroom selfies and a ban on becoming 'dangerously intoxicated.'

There is also a menu item listed, where patrons can kiss the chef for $1,000.

But after months of not letting anyone film, food reviewer Jeremy Jacobowitz landed the first invite to take the tape off his phone camera and show people what it is really like inside. 

Frog Club, which is located in the West Village, opened its doors on February 14. Jeremy Jacobowitz landed the first invite to take the tape off his phone camera there

One review in The New Yorker, saw writer Helen Rosner slam Frog Club's off-the-wall rules

In the introduction to his review, Jeremy acknowledges that after 'a ton of hype' the restaurant landed a number of 'not so great reviews.'

One review in The New Yorker saw writer Helen Rosner slam Frog Club's off-the-wall rules. 

She was so unimpressed with the place, that she took a bathroom selfie, not caring if the snap would land her a ban.

Meanwhile, a review of Frog Club on the Infatuation, read more like a piece of tragic comedy.

Editor Bryan Kim wrote: 'With so many regulations, it's fair to expect a memorable meal. 

'You'll get one, but for the wrong reasons. Emaciated chicken wings leave you picking at bones that look as if they were donated by sparrows, and shrimp scampi arrives with a small pyramid of rice that tastes like it came out of a box. 

'Not to be outdone, a $27 spinach soufflé quickly deflates into a gummy frittata the color of a shrink-wrapped pistachio muffin, and a green pepper dip sports six melancholy baby carrots.' 

However, in Jeremy Jacobowitz's new TikTok review, he says the place doesn't deserve such a bad rap.   

In the introduction to his review, Jeremy acknowledges that after 'a ton of hype' the restaurant landed a number of 'not so great reviews'

The restaurant features wacky interiors, with plush toys scattered around

He tells viewers, before tucking into a spread of dishes: 'I finally needed to see for myself and things seem to have already changed since initial reviews. 

'The restaurant is weird [and] quirky, and I mean that in the best way possible. 

'There is a stuffed frog sitting at one of the tables and you can still pay to kiss the chef but I think some of it has been dialed back. 

'You can now book on Resy, it's not a secret address. 

'The menu got rid of what a lot of what people didn't like and, while you still can't take photos or videos, I was pleasantly surprised after sitting at my table, staff came over and removed the stickers from my phone.'

Moving his attention to the food, Jeremy details some of the dishes he tried. 

Firstly, he commended the spicy coconut fried shrimp, which he said he couldn't stop eating with 'a little sweet, a little heat.' 

Next up, there was a Caesar salad which is the same recipe used at chef Liz's Horses restaurant and Jeremy says it's his 'favorite' with the endives providing a 'great, refreshing crunch.'

The lobster perogies 'swimming in brown butter' and topped with a $111 dollop of caviar also got the thumbs up, as did the juicy 'thick boy' burger served on an English muffin with whipped butter and sidewinder fries. 

To finish, Jeremy plumped for the Banana Chiffon Pie, which he said was 'light' and 'sweet,' with a little salt. 

'The perfect combo,' the foodie mused. 

He concluded: 'Listen, this restaurant is pricey, but I was charmed by its quirkiness, amazing staff and dishes. I really enjoyed.'