Gotham Bar & Grill
Category: American (New) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Greenwich Village12 E. 12th Street
(between 5th Ave & University Pl)
New York, NY 10003 (212) 620-4020
- Nearest Transit:
Union Square (4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W)
14th St-6th Aves (F, V, L, 1, 2, 3)
14th Street (PATH)
- Price Range: $$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Dressy
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: No
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: Full Bar
36 reviews
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Midtown East
"Heading to see "Rent" on broadway we made reservations 3 weeks in advance to the 21 Club. It was the perfect romantic stop for dinner.…" read more »
74 Reviews for Gotham Bar & Grill
I was not as impressed as I had expected, especially for the price.
The scallop ceviche dish was fairly boring, the risotto was tasty, but not exciting, and the Foie Gras terrine was so-so. Maybe I ordered the wrong things. The food was good for $40, but below par for $80 before wine. Gramercy Tavern for lunch the next day was twice as good for 1/2 the price.
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Excellent food and excellent service. Only dinged them one star for not having a vegetarian option on the menu. That said, the chef prepared something custom for me... an assortment of 4 veggie plates that were 50% excellent and 50% good. best of all... the rice pudding dessert (lacto-vegan), and the good lookin' sommelier... she shared the best wine adjectives i've ever heard...
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Been wanting to try Gotham for awhile... figgered the timing was right in honor of the Batman sequel being released this week (pretty lame excuse to eat, huh?)
Anyway, I've been hearing a lot of good press about Alfred Portale and seeing his mug on various food porn shows like Top Chef. You see, I'm an addict and I'm not proud of it.
Gotham's in a lively area in the West Village and the dining room during lunch hour seemed to fill up fast. Looked around a saw an eclectic mix of businessmen doing the power-lunch thang, shopaholic housewives taking a break in between their spending sprees, and the occasional tourista (like me) wanting to experience Mr. Portale's culinary greatness.
The menu definitely showcased local, fresh ingredients and respected seasonality. Lots o' light and summery offerings to temper the blisteringly hot and muggy day we chose to dine here.
Gotham has a 3-course prixe fixe lunch option for $31, nice. Plenty of choices for the prixe fixe too, bonus points for that because I hate dictator restaurants that give you no choices, it just seems... un-american.
Between wifey, my mother-in-law, and myself, I think we got a pretty good sampling of pretty much everything on the menu.
Wasn't that impressed.
Food was good, but offerings lacked the "wow" factor and seemed a little safe.
I agree with others on this forum that Gramercy Tavern is a much better choice for lunch.
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Went to Gotham for the first lunch of Restaurant Week 2008 and it was great! The three course meal was 24.07 plus drinks and tip. I began with a very cold gazpacho that was not only refreshing and light but so yummy that I was looking for more! Then I had the cod miso which was small but great. The fish was cooked perfectly and the miso balanced out the oil of the fish. My final course was a raspberry panacotta. This was smooth, sweet and tart all at one and it was a great end to the meal! My friend had the hanger steak and she said the meat was tasty yet soft as butter.
In addition- the service was MAGNIFICENT even though we purchased the price fixed meal. I don't get to pricey restaurants so often and so I really enjoyed the warm, attentive service that we got here. I would recommend that others try this place out- ESPECIALLY during restaurant week!
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This was one of the best meals of my life - it was the perfect Manhattan dining experience.
Chef Alfred Portale knows what he's doing with his menu - laid out into three courses, each dish is very compatible with any other dish you could select from the menu.
We skipped the first, as we'd had a late lunch & only went for two courses, plus desert.
I had to start Linguini with Chanterelle mushrooms - there was goat cheese & truffle oil involved. It was rich, yet delicate in the flavors - this is what mushroom based pasta should taste like.
For my entree I selected the Roasted Maine Lobster: it was the perfect pairing of hearty seafood with Asian flavors (Thai specifically, there was a lemongrass/coconut milk risotto which made me a little wet in the knickers, to be frank... OMGDELISH!)
I simply cannot remember the last time I had lobster prepared so well.
For desert I had a raspberry cheesecake with fresh white peaches, poached in sake... I normally don't like desert; but, I finished ever last bite of this one!
Their wine list is amazing: try the 2006 Stringtown Oregon Pinot Noir if you get the chance.
The service is impeccable.
Wonderful Manhattan dining experience.
Not even that outrageous - I was prepared to spend $500 for the entire dinner (treat for friends I never see,) the check was under $300.
Score!
I highly, highly recommend Gotham Bar & Grill.
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Amazing food, ambiance, service and presentation.
Fabulous desserts.
They use local and organic ingredients!
I haven't tried it but I've heard the $31 prix fixe lunch (available with a $31 prix fixe wine menu) is a fantastic value.
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Great food. Great atmosphere. Great wait staff and maitre'd. Loved everything, would certainly go back again! I loved the bass and the squash soup was incredible.
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Most romantic date ever at Gotham Bar & Grill.
When I first moved to NYC, my boyfriend and I dedicated Friday nights to "Zagat Restaurant Night." Yes, we were cheesy, highlighted our picks, and tried all of the fancy schmancy restaurants we could. Why am I telling you this? Because out of all of the most posh and pricey places we ate at in Manhattan, I feel that Gotham Bar & Grill is the best.
Hands down.
Don't get me wrong - this is a special occasion place. I had no idea what to wear. It was summer time and I wore a summer dress...I still felt underdressed. We dined among Jamie Lynn Siegler and Freddie Prinze Jr. which was cool.
Now onto the food. I love the mini french baguettes they bring out - wonderful. I follow etiquette in fancy restaurants but...I love my bread! Gracefully placing a mini baguette on my place is much more elegant than digging through the bread basket :) We split a salad, what kind I cannot remember, only that it was fabulous.
For the main course, I ordered the lobster and still dream about that meal. The presentation was artful and the portions were not too big and not too small - just right. This is important because in a place where cuisine is art...one must always try the dessert. I opted for the molten chocolate cake - a MUST!
If you come here...go all out. It's worth it and an experience you'll never forget - dine late to avoid the crowds (we came around 10:30) and then enjoy the beautiful walk along the sidestreets nearby.
(Caution: I did not pay for the meal here - but a big thank you to the one who did)
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Wow. And to think I wasn't even going to go to dinner tonight. I was invited out by my colleagues at the last minute. A handful of us are in town for business and they asked me to join them. I had just put down some corner street Halal food an hour prior so had zero appetite, but decided to join them anyway.
They told me to jump a cab and join them at Gotham in Greenwich. Never heard of it, had zero expectations.
So imagine my surprise when I showed up and saw how nice the place was. From the moment I sat down, we were catered to excessively by our server and sommelier. Great wine selection, delicious food (I got the tuna tartare app, black cod entree and a trio of sorbets for dessert), impeccable service and a fancy, yet unpretentious, ambience.
It all made for a really memorable meal. I was there for work, but I'm sure it is an awesome date place. I didn't see the bill, but I'm guessing that for the 5 of us, it was somewhere between $500-$600, but worth it.
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Would you like the good or the bad, first?
Let's start w/ the positive:
*It's beautiful;
*the service was excellent;
*risotto was fresh and perfect;
*the butternut squash soup was luscious;
*the Riesling from Alsace, France was the best wine I've ever tasted;
*I accidentally hit the server in the knuckles with the flat spoon (also known as the sauce spoon) and he didn't wince or cry out;
*the desserts were phenomenal, Earth-shattering, lovely and they wrote "happy anniversary" in chocolate... awww...
The negatives:
*the miso-marinated black cod was raw in the middle;
*the sauce was too salty;
*the sticky rice wasn't sticky;
*the bok choy was tough and stringy;
*I ended up pushing my food around;
*the NY steak wasn't that great - but then again, my husband was raised on Nebraska beef.
Seriously, we were presented with sextet of miniature desserts and there was a cube of... I don't know what... an apricot gelee that just bursts in your mouth. It's heavenly and surprising.
Last compliment: There were flavors that were surprising and refreshing. It was nice. When it was good, it was GOOD.
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Finally tried this famous establishment after many years of knowing about Gotham Bar & Grill. Since I wasn't in the mood to really throw down a lot of money, I went the fixed price route for with 2 friends on a Wednesday afternoon.
The restaurant was fairly empty, but the patrons were definitely predominantly power lunchers. With the $31 prix fixe lunch comes a choice of salad or soup, entree and a dessert. I went with the white beet soup, lamb and a chocolate dessert of some sort (my memory is a bit hazy). After hearing so much about the famed Alfred Portale's cooking, I can say that I was not a bit disappointed.
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Fine dining with a warm and friendly environment. Well worth the chunk of cash I dropped here. Very friendly and attentive staff and the food is nothing short of excellent. Definitely try the tuna tartar... best I've had in New York. Drinks are STRONG.
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I had the best meal of my life at Gotham Bar and Grill.
It was during the summer of 2006, and I still remember the gazpacho (which has ruined gazpacho for me, as I cannot find anyone else who can make it as delicious as they did), the oyster appetizer, the delicate hamachi, and seared foie gras...
Service, presentation, food, and subsequent wine pairings was absolutely delightful.
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My review is for the bar at the Gotham Bar & Grill. It is a lovely landmark restaurant in the heart of the village. I recommend the bar as a cozy and elegant respite, esp. early evening before the dinner rush. I went here with my sweetheart on a rainy day, en route to the Strand bookstore....'twas very romantic. We had some terrific beer that was served at the right temperature and mixed nuts were complimentary. Bartenders are attentive without being pushy. It is a good spot for discreet conversation over a drink.
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we went to this restaurant for our Wedding Anniversary, and I have to say that the food it was awesome, but the wine selection was way better.
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Gotta love all the lunch prix fixe specials at michelin-rated restaurants in the city! We came here last Friday for a late lunch and were very satisfied. The wait staffs were friendly and polite, the decor was beautiful (old school classic). The crowds are either in suits having a business lunch, ladies dressed up nicely head to toe having a get-together, or elderly couples taking their time enjoying the afternoon. It was fun for people watching.
The salads that we had were both just okay. I ordered the braised lamb shanks with pasta; it was very good, but a bit too salty for my taste. BF's roasted haddock was AMAZING. It was cooked medium rare, a little crispy on the outside and the inside was so tender that the texture was almost like jelly. BF is not a picky eater but it was rare to see him rave about food so much, and he did for this dish.
For dessert I tried the famous gotham chocolate cake, it was very good, too. It was fluffy and airy light, unlike flourless chocolate that is usually dense that make you sick after a few bites. BF ordered a cheesecake with citrus sorbet which was decent but wasn't exceptionally good.
I would love to come again because the fish that we had made us want to come back for more!
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All in all my experience was pleasant, but I had high expectations which weren't reached. The staff was very nice and our waiter was extremely attentive without being annoying or pushy. The biggest problem I had was that the tables were SO close together and I was there w/ my friend so it wasn't even like we were trying to get romantic. I was just extremely aware of those so close to me. I started w/ a house special cocktail and the foie gras which made me weak in the knees. I had the lobster as my main and my biggest problem with the lobster was the sauce. Although a butter base (mmmmmm, butter) therew as a sour aftertaste that my palate couldn't pinpoint and it was foam. I just don't find the foam trend appetizing in the slightest. I loved the ambiance. Just make sure when you make your reservation ask for a stand alone table and I'd steer clear of the lobster (I wish I had gone for the halibut).
Gotham is still thought of as one of the top restaurants in New York
Alfred Portale is the guiding light , and a major visionary in the resurgance of fine Nouvelle American cuisine sine the early 1980's , his restaurant having won accolades by both Zagat and Michelin . Portale has won the James Beard best Chef award , and Gotham has won James Beard's best restaurant award .
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A lovely restaurant; great food, blatantly overpriced wine list (but this is Manhattan after all), and a gorgeous, airy interior.
Now on to the fun parts ... shamelessly dishing on the clientele!
My husband and I walked to dinner still in our airplane jeans and sweaters, shortly after arriving at our rented West Village apartment; the dinner recommendation mentioned nothing about dress code.
We arrived to find ourselves the only people there not in business suits or dresses, but were treated just the same by the hostess, who
sat us next to a table laden with champagne, red wine, white wine, port and cordial glasses.
Beside that was a besuited man easily eligible for retirement, sharing intimate "conversation" with what I stubbornly, in my heart of hearts, maintain was his granddaughter.
Perhaps, where he comes from, that is how one shows affection to their tall, blonde, wide-eyed, scantily clothed granddaughter.
I was still a bit nervous about my appearance, so I booked it for the restroom and started hopelessly rearranging hair and sweater in front of the mirror.
"Great bag," a voice rang out from behind me.
I looked behind myself in the mirror to see a truly stereotypical Manhattanite (stereotypical in a good way -- Lord, you ladies are hot) --- lithe black dress, cunning heels, liquid eye liner --- staring at my handbag in obvious envy.
Background: I scoured local stores in a tizzy to find something Fashion Week-appropriate, and finally found a versatile, not-too-trendy bag I liked at Ross, of all places, on clearance for $18.
"Thanks," I murmured, in what I hoped was an acceptably disinterested-yet-grateful tone.
"Is it comfortable?" she asked, continuing her languid leopard pace around it; I recall her heels clicking on the floor.
"Extremely," I said, showing her how it can be worn across the torso or on one shoulder.
"Ooh, I love it," she said.
I smiled and made my departure with the Not-So-It Bag before the inevitable "Where did you get it?" question.
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The Gotham Bar & Grill is probably one of New York's best consistent long standing restaurants. It is as good as the first time I came here over eight years ago and I can reliably come here never be disappointed for lunch or dinner. The staff is always professional and polite.
The salads are just great for lunch and the variety of fish, seafood and variety of meats is always great. Save room for the desserts and a great wine selection with over 20,000 bottles.
Many professional and business types frequent here as it isn't very casual but you don't need to wear a suit either. The bar is great if dining alone.
I went here for a business lunch a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised. The service was very friendly and professional and the food was very good. Enjoyed the Warm Mushroom Salad and Miso Marinated Black Cod. Both very good. Would definitely come back here for a special night out.
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A large group of co-workers and I went on a lunch outting to Gotham. We definitely felt a bit out of place in our t-shirts and jeans but luckily one had a Google t-shirt on so we were treated just fine. They did the same move as the Dining Room at the Ritz where they immediately replace your piece of bread the second you finish off the last bite, resulting in an overload of carbs before your first course even arrives. I thought the prix fixe menu was very reasonable for lunch - $31 for 3 courses. The yellowtail tartare was good, the duck breast was done very well, the cod looked amazing but I didn't try it, and the desserts were superb. Ambiance was nice but nothing too memorable. Very clean, classy decor with beautiful floral centerpieces on the table. It was a great meal but it wasn't the best meal I've had on Earth.
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My husband and I are regulars at Gotham and LOVE it! Though the weekend crowd can be a turn-off, the food is solid. I often order two appetizers as my meal and feel very satisfied. The Seafood Salad is not to be missed and if the scallops are on the menu get them. For mains, I often choose the chicken. I know this sounds like a snooze fest, but it is fantastic! The best chicken in the city. The Lobster is the other main I would not pass up. Have a great time!
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Classy but not stuffy.
Exemplary food and service.
Did a full-on Saturday night dinner here with my wife and it rocked. The service was great, always available when you needed them, but not intrusive.
It was a festival of fish. She had tuna tartar to start with and I had something similar but with yellow tail tuna. Both were great. I had the haddock entree and she had salmon. The haddock came in a foam with porcini mushrooms.
Good golly miss molly.
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How fitting that the creator of American "architectural" cuisine, the layering of food into fantastic shapes and heights, should have originated in New York, the capitol and progenitor of all things majestic in the United States. And how laudable that twenty three years later, Gotham Bar and Grill is not only still here, but keeps going from accolade to accolade, perennially a premiere restaurant in the city and the country. All credit is due to Alfred Portale and his relentless pursuit of perfection in the kitchen and on the floor.
Perfectly situated in the Upper West Village, the room seemed to accommodate all of Manhattan when I walked in. Or perhaps it is only a delightful illusion of vastness that is created upon entering, the long majestic bar on the upper level that highlights the vast multi level room, a converted warehouse with huge two story walls, billowing parachute style cloth curtains and chandeliers bedecking a room motif of various soothing gradations of beige and cream. At the far end, iron paned windows reach floor to ceiling, looking out onto a soothing garden scene.
Clearly, as wonderful as the room is, the food is the attraction that keeps it filled, and Portale never stops inventing. Initially a jeweler, which undoubtedly developed his aesthetics, he graduated from the Culinary School of America top of his class and rounded out his education in the kitchens of some of the most celebrated chefs in the world, both in New York and Europe. Not only is his architectural food visually appealing, it is also densely layered in flavor and sophistication. It may look modern, but it conceals his deep knowledge of classical cuisine, which he blends into his interpretation of New American cooking. Seasonal dishes and a continuously adapting menu are the norm here, and one of the reasons for the Gotham's enduring popularity. Perhaps his greatest gift is that of a great teacher, as many of America's best know chefs have passed through his kitchen. His influence, thankfully, continues to spread.
For starters, one can order something as simple as a salad and be happily stunned at the complexity and freshness of flavors within. An Organic Beet and Orange Salad comes with some carefully placed mixed lettuce leafs, shaved fennel and feta cheese, drizzled with white balsamic vinegar, awakening all the senses of the palate, this clever balancing of root vegetable, tart citrus and rich cheese. Perhaps a Celery Root Soup, surprisingly combined with red wine poached pears and a balsamic reduction, a hint of sweet and sour subtlety on a cold winter's day. For the main course, Pappardelle with Braised Lamb and Broccoli Rabe, flavored with basil, parmigian and a white wine tomato broth, an exquisite and rich balance of flavors highlighted by the young rabe, the lamb tender as butter, the homemade pasta absorbing the delicious sauce. Or Pan Roasted Haddock served on potato puree, with Brussels sprouts and leeks in a white wine emulsion - one marvels at the perfectly cooked fish, the pairing of the vegetables, sliced very thin and balanced on top, the whole concoction floating on the potato base, the sauce blending it all together, so simple yet sublime. For dessert, the justly famous Gotham Chocolate Cake, flourless and so intensely rich, served with orange flavored chocolate crunch ice cream. For those brave few who decide to stay away from chocolate decadence, they would be amply satisfied with another excellent concoction, the Maple Creme Pot, a delicious flan custard flavored with maple and citrus zest, with candied pecans and a cranberry orange compote. Heavenly.
To complement the exquisite menus a vast collection of stupendous wines are available and an expertly choreographed staff caters to the clientele's every whim. The service is impeccable, and is kept in perfect synchronization by an expert team of managers. For not only has Alfred Portale received several James Beard awards and an unprecedented four consecutive three star reviews in the New York Times, Gotham continues to place in the Zagat Top Ten most popular restaurants in New York after all these years. That perhaps is the true sign of success.
One final tip - when booking your next flight, think Singapore Airlines. Portale is now a consultant, the New York chef on their International Culinary panel. You will definitely enjoy your flight. (what am I saying, it's Singapore Airlines already - outstanding just got better!)
see pix posted
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Went for Thanksgiving this year and it was fantastic. I had the turkey as my main course, but I should have opted for the steak. The tuna tartar was devine! Oh and don't get me started on the dessert sampler! It had it all! I was impressed by the service and food was great. If you want an upscale experience, this is a great place to go. Just make sure you do your reservations well in advance. Woah.now I feel fancy!
This restaurant always keeps me coming back for more of their delicious entrees and killer desserts!
I am not a big fan of chocolate desserts, but this place has the best CHOCOLATE CAKE EVER!
It's perfect in every way-not too rich and not too sweet!
I love their sorbet dessert as well!
I highly recommend this place if you want to celebrate your birthday or anniversary!
They make these cute miniature desserts for the entire table to share. These desserts are not only beautiful but they are simply irresistible!
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This place left me satisfied with a piece of hair on my dish.
This place is the much talked about restaurant by well known Chef Alfred Portale. The food was tasty but didnt blow me out of the seat of my pants. Id put the Bay areas - Kokarri, Myth, or Chez Panisse with Batmans Gotham anytime and - bay area would win hands down.
Lamb parpadelle was good if it was not for the hair on my food. Thank god - I wasnt paying or else I would have asked for Chef Portale to give me something else.
Blah - pass on this place.
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What can I say except all compliment that will came out of my mouth. The decor was superb, the ambiance was superb, the staffs was superb and Alfred Portale was superb. I visited this restaurant last X-mas and I was fortunate to get t hook up by my hotel concierge.
$ 25.00 for tasting menu @ lunch time was well worthed. The portions and the decor was magnificent.
When it came down to dessert time ... I've never seen my girl friend savor that dark chocolate in her mouth that long. She mentioned that "Orgamica Chocolata".
Well what can I say ... If I was a girl I might going to have several orgasm by the end of my meal ^__^
$ 65 for Lunch and It was Worthed! Too bad I'm in Los Angeles, any other restaurant I can compare?
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Had to travel to NY to train for this new gig that I just started. The manager wanted to take me out to lunch and so we hailed a cab and ended up here. She told me that she comes here a lot and eats at the bar, she felt that the prices were reasonable...but I could tell that when we walked in, we were in upscale...
This place has everything that you would expect an upscale restaurant to have. Every time you finish a course they take your silverware and replace it with new ones! There was not a lot of people and were in a table right by the door.
They have some of the best bread that I've ever tasted, I had two of those mini baguettes!
The manager that I was with suggested the prix fixe lunch, which was a three course lunch for $27 per person! It was so worth the money! For my first course I had the baby arugula salad with haricots verts, red onion, tomato, goat cheese and white balsamic dressing.....it was a small salad plated on a huge white plate, but it was still filling....
My second course was the entree, spinach ravioli with cremini mushrooms, squab broth and truffle oil....again, small portion in a hug bowl, but still awesome.
Last but not least, you have to end with the Gotham Chocolate cake, served with red fruit sorbet....to die for, and let me just say, this was not like, regular chocolate cake. It was very light and airy, very moist and went so good with the sorbet.....TO DIE FOR....
I enjoyed the smaller portions. You know how you can go to a restaurant and after bread and salad, when your food comes, you're already full? Even after my two mini baguettes, I was still able to eat all three courses and not feel fool until the very end!
If I ever make it back to NY, I would love to come back to Gotham!
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Solid food, great wine list, cocktails were yummy. The staff was fantastic. There was one weird part when the bus boy took a napkin off my co-workers lap but other than that, I was happy.
The food was greatish, very well prepared, but it just lacked something. Or maybe my expectations were too high.
What I did love love love and would return only for this was dessert and I rarely eat dessert. There was this apricot crisp with goat cheese ice cream, I was in heaven.
Bottom line, when the company is paying, go for it, you'll like it.
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WOW!! that's what I have to say - amazing food and superb staff.
We did spend a little over $400 for four of us --but as many others
have said... well worth it!!
Great wine list, amazing presentation and lots of creative and
sublime tasting food.
Got the foie gras to start and then the chicken breast (doesn't sound
adventurous but it was sooooo good!) Tasted the others orders
at our table - nothing was less than exceptional.
One of the people I was dining with is an executive chef in Long
Island and he was equally impressed.
The food was decadent, rich and fresh.
We did get the little sample dessert tray they bring out plus the
choc cake everyone raves about -- also, delicious!!
Go for it if you eat here, and be prepared to pay!
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this place was really terrific, the only reason why it didn't get 5 stars is because the lamb I had was a little underwhelming, it was a bit tough and the sauce seemed like a mishmash and not coherent. The appetizers were amazing, and the drinks were well made. The service was impeccable, I'm glad that when they get to this level in the service industry they are rewarded amply (the meals, of course, were a bit pricey). It was a classic power place, the decor was white and tan shadings with high ceilings and drapes and such. A good experience.
As some other reviews stated, its got a bargain of a prix lunch, especially considering this is year to year one of the top 3 restaurants rated in New York.
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this place has never let me down. impeccable service and consistently great food. great place to treat someone for thank yous.
Lunch at Gotham's should be a must on everyone's New York itinerary. And it has to be lunch because that's the only time you can get a $25 prix fixe meal. Otherwise you will be ass raped.
$25 gets you salad or soup (their caesar is a keeper), an entree (always salmon, which is exquisite, or a pasta), and dessert. Their flourless chocolate cake is amazing.
You also have at your command a fleet of super professional servers. In fact I would say they are the most professional I've ever encountered. Our first visit, they were really attentive but at the end of the meal we were unsure how to subtly signal to them how to receive the check. (The servers were all lined up near us, but they didn't want to crowd us.) We had fun trying to guess how to do it and look like we knew what we were doing. The other visit, we realized we were one of the only parties left, and the server stood nearby at all times because he had to until we left. We finally asked him if that was the case. He said it was, but he also said not to hurry.
To sum up: Awesome food. Super robot efficient servers.
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Had a delicious lunch here. The mushroom soup appetizer was incredibly delicious, and the mushroom salad also looked good. The miso black cod was wonderful--expertly, fabulously done and worth savoring. Sadly, the Nutella French toast was more intriguing in concept than in execution.
Service and presentation was unobtrusive and attentive--exactly as it should be--and the decor is understated and classy, thought the lights reminded me of hot -air balloons for some odd reason.
Pricy, but great. Perfect for an important business lunch.
I had one of the best meals of my life here. I first saw Chef Alfred Portale on Top Chef, my favorite show, and I knew we had to go to his restaurant when we were in New York.
My friend and I both had the pre fixe lunches-$31 for 3 courses.
I started with the most delicious soup I've ever had-persimmon with fennel and roasted cranberries and barley. It was so good I tried to duplicate something like it at home-not quite as good, but at least I now know something I can make with persimmons. For my second course I had the pan roasted haddock with potato puree and leaks (man I love leaks) and best of all a lemon emulsion-FOAM! This was my first time having foam after I saw foam happy Marcel on Top Chef I was pretty excited! It was good, but a little salty. For dessert I had the Gotham chocolate cake-I'm not a huge chocolate fan, but I'm also not a fan of sorbet or bread pudding (the other two options). The cake was really good, bordering on flourless, which I do love. It came with rootbeer ice cream, which was different, but also really good.
Of course all the platings were spectacular-he is known for that. Service was great, very attentive, but at the same time didn't make us feel out of place or like we were in a ritzy snobby place. Every time the bread basket emptied they refilled it without even asking if we wanted more. Definitely would return!
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I've been going to Gotham Bar & Grill for about 9 years now and have yet to be disappointed! In fact, it still remains my favorite restaurant in NYC after all these years and not just because I have the fond memory of my husband proposing to me there ;-)
The decor is very open and airy. The staff is super attentive (as soon as you take a sip of water or finish your roll, someone mysteriously appears out of nowhere to replenish it) and professional. They have a wonderful selection of excellent wines. Everything that I've ever eaten there has been near perfection! I normally get the Maine Lobster Tails because that is my all time fav, but everything is delicious and well worth the prices, which are a bit on the high side (even for NYC). We took my parents there 2 years ago for Christmas Eve dinner and the bill came to about $700, but again - well worth it! My Mom has a severe gluten sensitivity and the staff was amazing with her. They all went out of their way to ensure that all of her dishes from appetizer to dessert were prepared especially for her & gluten free.
Whatever you do, DON'T skip dessert here! They have some of the best desserts in NYC - especially the Gotham Chocolate Cake, which is their signature dessert. After dessert, they present you with a plate of complimentary mini desserts (cookies, petit fours, candy, etc.) which are equally delicious!
Overall, from the food, to the service and down to the decor - this place is a must! It's the perfect place to celebrate a special occaision.
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