For a beautiful setting, but we were disappointed by most of the dishes
Written: Aug 11 '01 (Updated Aug 12 '01)
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Pros: Magnificent setting with arched, Venetian-painted walls & ceiling, gracious service; eager to please
Cons: Food didn't work for us, neither main courses nor desserts
The Bottom Line: If you're out to spend some $100 on dinner, there are other places to go that I feel would be a more certain success.
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| zeecee's Full Review: Bouley Bakery |
We'd eaten at Bouley, another of David Bouley's Tribeca restaurants, where a country French setting greeted you, and there we'd had the tasting menu and liked very few of the items. So when Bouley Bakery was recommended, we assumed by ordering the regular menu, we should be very pleased. Wrong. The setting, a pleasantly lit space with Venetian red plaster walls, handsome and quiet without being subdued, was promising. As we were having kirs, we received a gift from the chef, two tiny slivers of gravlax with avocado sauce,gentle, velvety and sublime, leading us to be optimistic about what was coming.T he menu was interesting, but we avoided the tasting menu and chose three appetizers -- the foie gras (delicious), tuna (also terrific) and the eggplant terrine (nothing to rave about). Average price of the appetizers was in the $12 range.
The entrees we ordered (all touted by our waiter) were rack of lamb, lobster with a complex sauce and soft shelled crabs stuffed with crabmeat were rich but not to our liking. Each entree ran around $32-$38. We're versatile eaters, familiar with many cuisines, who've eaten many, many meals in France. I trust us, so was surprised that this meal wasn't to our liking. When you're spending this kind of money at dinner, you try to love what you're eating because the realization that you're blowing $300 (three kirs, three glasses of wine) is disheartening.
By dessert, I was determined to pass but my husband and son ordered a chocolate/hazelnut mousse and a peach cobbler. I was brought a ginger mousse. Desserts run approximately $10 each. Again, we weren't impressed. Nothing made us rave or hold out a spoon to share something delicious. A tray of cookies arrived, also gratis.
To their credit, the restaurant wants to please. And most others seem happy to eat here. We agreed we've had far better meals for less, however lovely the service. I was surprised that my water wasn't automatically refilled and I had to request more water. Having said that, the service in all other ways was attentive and they asked if everything was okay when I didn't finish the soft-shell crabs. They seem to be proud of their breads -- a baguette, nut bread, saffron bread and olive bread, which are provided happily. Again, we weren't impressed.
I hate to be the only dissenting opinion, but with so many excellent restaurants in New York, I wouldn't steer anyone to Bouley Bakery. For the money, there are far better choices, Gramercy Tavern for one, every bit as lovely and far, far superior in terms of eating.
Recommended:
No
Kid Friendliness: No
Vegetarian Friendly: No
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations The food is rich; some appetizers were wonderful, particularly the foie gras and tuna.
Best Suited For: Friends
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Epinions.com ID:
zeecee
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Reviews written: 401
Trusted by: 10 members
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