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Allen & Delancey - CLOSED
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
115 Allen StNew York, NY 10002
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
(212) 253-5400
- Nearest Transit:
-
Delancey St (F)
Essex St (J, M, Z)
Grand St (B, D)
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
116 reviews for Allen & Delancey
Review Highlights
-
"caramelizing anything is a great idea but bone marrow." In 20 reviews -
"my sweet cream french toast was very good." In 4 reviews -
"The duck with foie gras (yes, yes, I like foie gras." In 13 reviews
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116 reviews in English
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Review from S B.
New York, NY
3/5/2010
We had reservations at the Stanton Social last night but upon entering the crowd was so gross and the place so loud it made us all uncomfortable so we left. We then called Allen & Delancey and it couldn't have been a nicer contrast when we walked in. With no reservations we had no problem having drinks at the bar first which was crowded but not gross at all!
Once seated we found the service very friendly and the music humorous and enjoyable (maybe someones gay ipod on shuffle? Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys all night)
I had the Duck and it was great also, everyone is right, the fingerling potatoes with mustard n' bacon are amazing, and they even have bacon in the bread! I should also mention one of our friends is one of those vegetarians you hear about and she found plenty to eat as well.
The only reason I am giving 4 stars is for the Steak for two that really looked more like a large order for one. I think they would be better off making it slightly smaller and selling it as a single portion, with no disappointments. -
Review from Becca S.
Brooklyn, NY
4/2/2008 ROTD 5/23/2008
I am probably too old to still be getting excited about my birthday, but I don't care. How can I not be all atwitter when J is taking me to a super-romantic birthday dinner at Allen & Delancey? After a long day of anticipation and reading the online menu out loud to everyone who calls to wish me a happy birthday, we finally meet up for a drink at the bar 45 minutes before our 9:30 reservation. The house cocktails we try are only OK--not very interesting tasting, really. I wouldn't bother.
We're shown to our table in the back room and order a bottle of wine, which our waitress is very helpful in selecting. J excuses himself to go to the WC, so I take a look around. It really is just gorgeous in here--candles, exposed brick, antique bottles, curtains, and OH MY FREAKING GOD IS THAT GEORGE CLOONEY????!!!
It is, it really is!! Like, at the table right next to us. I can't breathe. Normally I'm not such a starf&#%er, but come on! GC!!!
J comes back to the table, and I try to control my irregular breathing patterns and concentrate on the menu, which looks delicious. The only problem is that I can see something else that looks delicious just over J's left shoulder, and I'm a little distracted. OK, focus. I order the scallops app, and J, being a newfound non-vegetarian, gets the foie gras.
The scallops are, in a nutshell, mind-melting. Perfectly seared, buttery, and swimming in some sort of bacon-y maple-y dressing. Absolutely out of this world. The foie gras is rich and tasty, but compared to the scallops, no real cause for celebration. Our entrees--salmon for me and lamb chop for J--are solid (though the lamb is a little on the fatty side), and oh hey George is having dessert!! I wonder if he's having the whiskey milkshake, like I'm thinking of having! Then it's like we're, you know, CONNECTED.
Clooney and friends (who, P.S., include Cindy Crawford and husband) leave just before our dessert comes, so J finally gets my undivided attention. The only problem now is, how do I distract him so that I can eat all of the oatmeal ice cream that comes with the sweet cream french toast?
J, thank you so much for an amazing birthday dinner. Sorry I was acting a little like a 13-year old. You're the best! xoxoListed in: for when you are below 14th st, Living Outside My Means, BACON
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Review from Courtney P.
New York, NY
10/19/2007
I have been resisting adult-hood for quite some time.
Saturday morning cartoons, not making my bed, eating cold spaghettios (with meatballs, please) from a can semi-regularly... yeah, the grown-up world is not so much for me: bills, working to pay bills, serious-ness, more bills, second job to pay those bills, even more serious-ness.
But once in a while, the adults score one on the kids. Enter Allen & Delancey. Grown up crowd. Cozy, elegant decor. Meticulous food without gobs and schmears of sauces and accoutrement and artsy fartsy crap. Just really good food. The hamachi shavings with grapefruit and fennel was outstanding as were the scallops with melt-in-your mouth braised cipollinis. The duck with foie gras (yes, yes, I like foie gras. I am satan) was divine. My review? 5-stars. I had an (*gasp*) enjoyable adult dinner. That is my yelp for the day... because now I've got to get back to my adult job so that I can pay for another one of those adult dinners in the near future.Listed in: I Just Can't Stay Away...
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Review from camilla c.
New York, NY
11/19/2007
As if I'm not in the LES often enough, I have found another reason to head down south... for Allen & Delancey. Not an original name but don't let that mundane location moniker give you a bad impression b/c this spot is awesome. I loved the ambiance and enjoyed everything I consumed here. There really was no reason to even consider anything less than 5 stars.
First a bit about the lovely space... as several Yelpers point out, it is dark, romantic, sexy, and warm. Unfortunately I was not on a date here but even with a girlfriend, I felt as if we should be getting romantic! ;) The space is just the perfect size... not too small and cramped; there's actually room to breathe here... tables are not on top of one another and you could get some privacy in certain areas of the dining room. But it's not too big where the room feels cold and corporate... far from it with the dark candle lighting and rich heavy velvet curtains. The front bar area was crowded but seemed like a great spot for pre- or post-dinner drinks, esp in the semi-private booth in the very front. Oh, try The Delancey cocktail... if I weren't a bit hung over from the wknd, I would've easily ordered multiple rounds of this.
As for the food, YUM! Very impressive. From the bread to the appetizer to our main dishes, everything was well-prepared and delicious. As Jennifer N. pointed out, the homemade bread is not to be missed... perfectly chewy, soft, and piping warm, I was almost tempted to ask for a few more pieces. But I refrained after seeing and smelling all the dishes being served at the tables nearby.
To start, we split an amazing dish -- caramelized bone marrow w/ caviar & shallot puree. Upon my first bite, I couldn't help but clap! I know... ridiculous, right?! But it was that good... caramelizing anything is a great idea but bone marrow?!? What genius thought of that concept? Props to him or her. And then to take something so decadent and top it with more decadence in the form of caviar?? Wow... what a bold move. The shallot puree put a nice balance to bring the dish all together. Best eaten in small bites on the accompanying toasted pieces of panini, this is also not to be missed.
For the main dish, I had the Colorado lamb dish which was heavenly. Easily one of the best lamb dishes I've had... possibly ever. It's served as a duo cut of the lamb... one is a chop with garlic and parsley on top but the star of the plate is the braised neck... sooooo tender and full of flavor... rich but not overly heavy and the meat just melted in my mouth. The potato puree was also a great compliment. My friend got the cod w/ artichokes, peppers, and fennel. This was also really good and she devoured it; however, she admitted her envy for my lamb dish. It really just made the cod pale in comparison that I almost felt bad for the perfectly fine dish.
Service was good and prices were reasonable (mid $20's for most entrees). There were several other dishes I'd love to try (scallops, pork belly, duck, etc)... so I'm definitely going back. A great new addition to the LES dining scene.Listed in: Top 10 of 2007, Meet Me For Drinks at...
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Review from Justin C.
Boston, MA
4/20/2008
Big love for this spot! The ambiance is nice; yes the red velvet curtains and exposed bricks have been seen before but this place seems to dial it up a notch with little touches such as its all-in-black clad staff and little swatches of toille paper on the bathrooms doors. A litany of assholicly uppity words such as boudoir, bordello, and parlor spring to mind when trying to pin a description on it. Suffice it so say it's dim, sexy, and a shade naughty.
The food was dynamite. Caramelized bone marrow with caviar and parsnip puree was a real standout (for a $24 app it f'ing better be!). The caviar adds a subtle saltiness and these little pops in the mouth to it, though you don't really taste caviar per se; I thought the zen of this dish was spot on, all was in balance and complimenting each other to the net effect of a greater than its parts whole, and mind you said parts include bone marrow and caviar. Really good stuff.
Rib eye for two was superb. It was perfectly seared to a glorious medium rare, and served sliced over potato puree, cooked lettuce, and morels. There was also a slightly sweet sauce adorning this little heavenly mountain. Taking a little scoop of the potato cloud, a little nibble of morel, and a healthy dollop of the beef all together was a real pleasure. There was a bit of sinew in some of my friend's beef, but I'm not sure this can be entirely avoided with rib eye.
Little touches also elevated the food potion of the experience. Fresh bacon and sage rolls and mini baguettes came piping hot and the butter was soft. they also served the bone of the rib eye on a separate plate in the middle of the table, so we could carve extra nuggets of goodness off of it and enjoy those as a contrast to the slices on the plate.
The wine list was small but good - we had a glass of Tempranillo which stood up to the meat well. They also had an '04 Chianti Classico Riserva which looked tempting for a future experience. -
Review from Sam P.
New York, NY
11/30/2007 1 photo
Popped in for a drink last night after dinner at Apizz (review to follow) and to see what all the fuss with this place is about. While the lighting is sexy, the drinks are fantastic (I had the Allen - tangy and yummy), the staff is as nice as can be (at least behind the bar) and the mood is warm, cozy, and chic, it seems like just another over-priced, under over-decorated restaurant with exposed brick walls and red velvet curtains. Is it sad that I'm getting tired of this?
That being said, I've proven myself as of yet not cool enough to score a reservation, so points for being buzz-worthy and unattainable. More to come when I try the food (i hear it's pretty drool-worthy). -
Review from Lainie C.
New York, NY
4/4/2008
I'm sorry to disagree with you all, but I was completely disappointed with this place! I had been waiting for a couple months to go and when my sister (my eating buddy) decided to come to town to visit, I quickly made us a res. Okay, so the decor is great- very cozy and romantic, except my chair was as hard as rock and didn't do well to make me want to linger. The bar actually looked like the place to be- it's too bad I won't go back to try it out.
The first thing I have to say is that when you walk into a restaurant, a restaurant where you're about to drop a pile of hard-earned cash, you should be greeted at the door. You should immediately be made to feel welcome. There is no one at the door here to greet you. In order to check in for your table, you have to first figure out that there is no one greeting you at the door, and then make your way through the crowded bar to the back hostess stand. Then you get your first listen to the music. When we walked in, goldfrapp was playing. I'm sorry, but there's a time and a place for goldfrapp, and it wasn't there and then! The music just went downhill from there. We felt like we should have been in some dance club!
Then there was the service! When our server arrived, she asked us the usual "bottled or tap" question, to which we both replied, tap is fine. (I personally have an issue with the entire bottled water craze- it does nothing but add waste to our landfills when the tap water, especially in NYC is perfectly good!). It was obvious from that moment that she wrote us off as a no money table and treated us as such for the remainder of our stay. Little did she know she just blew a huge tip cause not only do we know how to eat, but we both worked in the restaurant business for years and we know how to treat our servers!
So we started with a glass of bubbly, the cava, and the oysters. The cava was completely corked, so we asked her to switch it to the prosecco. We then saw the sommelier pull her aside and ask what our problem with the cava was. He didn't bother to come ask us himself. He was actually too busy to talk to us all evening - we had asked for a suggestion other than sauternes to have with the foie gras, and our waitress came back and said he was busy but he suggested the sauternes. This was a continuing theme all night. Oh, except at one point he came over to tell me he loved my boots. Yeah, thanks, dude.
Then the oysters arrived. They were room temperature. I'm sorry, but the first thing I think when I put a WARM oyster into my mouth is how long do I have to live???? They also has no acidity with them- not a lemon, not a mignonette, nothing! Oysters need acidity. We had to pour our prosecco onto them to make them edible. (Happy to report, they did not kill us or make us sick...) The rest of the meal was okay- the foie gras and the fish - I can't even remember what the fish was now - were good, obviously not memorable. And when the dessert menu came, we decided to just cut our losses and save it for another meal. We left, and were back home in an hour and a half all in. (Okay I live around the corner, but still!)
All in all, a very disappointing evening. I wouldn't recommend it, and I won't be back- too many really good meals to be had in this city! -
Review from Anh V.
NY
4/20/2009
This is how it's done!
Fantastic, low-key location in the LES, too far for tourists, but just right for New Yorkers. It's like the Spotted Pig, but not. Allen&Delancy is fitted perfectly for the LES and not too sceney.
Grungy, dungy, sexy and inviting. The decor of the restaurant is dim, warm and tavern-esque. The food doesn't exactly come in massive portions and the prices are high, but WOW are they savory and delicious! We sat at the bar and shared a bottle of Cabernet while waiting for our meals, which went a little something like this:
to start, the foie gras...Seared foie gras with pear puree and pickled apple. Holy High Heavens of the Lord. It was like eating gold dusted butter...butta! My mouth salivates just thinking about it and I would run back just for this dish! Those of you not into goose liver will never turn back after trying this dish. I promise you.
Entrees: Beef ribeye served medium rare with Balsamic Braised Red Cabbage and Potato puree and Caramelized bone marrow over cavier and shalot puree. I. Kid. You. NOT.
For Dessert: Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart with whole milk sorbet and whiskey vanilla shake AND the Cider Roasted Apple Beignet served with Honey-Stout Ice Cream and Candied Walnuts. speechless. no words.
if your tastebuds crave savory foods like mine do, please don't deny them of such heavenly pleasures by passing up this perfect gem. -
Review from Pria P.
New York, NY
12/16/2008
They may only have one vegetarian entree (risotto), but I still suggest you come here, even if you are a vegetarian. The best risotto I have had! The mushrooms and carrot puree were really flavorful, and the dish was rich without seeming too creamy (though I'm sure it was).
But let me start from the beginning. The decor is very cosy and rustic (I felt like I was in a wood cottage). The drinks come in pairs- of one light, citrusy drink, and one stronger drink, both with the same base liquor. I ordered a lighter drink but still found it to be really strong. The bread, as everyone noted, is delicious and warm. The portions- tiny! For our app, we ordered the roasted, goat cheese stuffed pear- it was a tiny half pear. The pear was eh, but the smoky sauce helped. I've covered the risotto. The best part was dessert! We ordered the whiskey milkshake/whole milk sorbet/peanut butter chocolate tart plate. The whiskey milkshake was amazing. The chocolate peanut butter tart had a warm chocolate ganache filling that went really well with the cold, creamy sorbet.
The only downer was the service. It was so. slow. We waited at least 15 minutes for our drinks, and then another 10 for bread. And it was not a busy night. I suggest you come here on a night when you don't have plans after, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the strong drinks and good food. -
Review from Jennifer N.
New York, NY
11/5/2007
UPDATE: SEE BELOW
First impression: a gorgeous, sexy, and romantic space. We sat in the dinning room. The wines by the glass were good (I had the pino noir, Montinore and my friend had the Sauvignon Blanc, Terrace Heights Estate).
At the table we ordered a bottle of the Volnay from Burgundy, which was wonderful and went well with fish and meat.
For apps I chose, Shavings of Hamachi which was very fresh, but I didn't like the grapefruit beads. The taste didn't blend very well. My husband had the bone marrow. He loved it.
For dinner I had the Cod. It was light and fresh and very enjoyable. My husband had the porkbelly and my friend got the Lamb Chop. He loved it and said it was very buttery, but he LOVED the Potato Puree.
For dessert we shared the Slow Roasted Gala Apple. It was very unique- like an apple pie pulled a part. I don't eat pork, beef or lamb, so I wasn't sure I'd really enjoy this resto. Luckily, there was enough for me to choose from and nothing was as heavy as I expected.
Oh, oh, oh.... the homemade bread was sublime. I had three pieces and I never eat that much bread!
__________________________________________________ ____
2ND IMPRESSION-
Maybe I was wearing Rose colored glasses on my first visit? NO.
Had I just won the lottery? NO.
Was it my birthday? NO.
NO, It was damn good the first time.
This time, not so much.
9pm reservation, we were seated at 9:45pm. While waiting at the bar a much, much older crowd sauntered out of the dinning room. It was quite a curious turn from the first time we were here. Not that I have anything against an older crowd. I love my grams, I just don't usually see a lot of her in one night.
Finally, seated at our table (A disappointment since the first time we were at a comfy booth) in the middle of the room. We wait and wait for anyone to come over. By the time someone asks what kind of water we'd like, we're ready to order. Oh wait! The specials. There were two. Red Meat in nature, so I can't remember them.
Meanwhile, a loud group of girls were sitting behind us and seemed that they were done eating when we arrived, but unfortunately we left before they did. My ears are still ringing.
I've been sick with Bronchitis all week, so my friends were not willing to share anything with myself or my husband (who had the flu). Therefore, our normal "share" mentality went out the window.
They did share wine with us. A bottle of Alto de Luzon 2005 Jumilla, which was ripe and luscious and had a bit of a coffee taste to boot. Loved it!
For starters: I ordered the Sea Scallops with Celery Root Cream, Braised Cipollini Onions and Verjus. It was nice. Solid Scallops, not too creamy and very fulfilling. I could only eat 2 out of 3.
For main: Fillet of Cod with Fennel, Confit Lemon, Oyster Veloute and Cavier. I chose this bc it was light. And it was. I wasn't bad, just not as interesting as I remember it from my first visit.
Dessert: Hot chocolate with choc chip & peanut butter cookies. yum, yum, yum!!!
As for the bread. It's still good, but after a 45 min wait I was starving and had to ask for the bread. It was a little cold and hard. Oh well. My husband and I just decided that we would only go back to sit and eat at the bar-where the young people are. -
Review from Jason H.
New York, NY
10/26/2007
Our night (cue romantic music)... started off with the worlds slowest and most frustrating cab driver, he must have started this week because he kept on asking me for directions. Very frustrating to say the least and I was not in the best frame of mind when we finally got to the restaurant...
but all that frustration disappeared once we walked through the doorway. The space is very warm and inviting, with lots of exposed brick, dark wood, and knick knacks around making it almost seem like you were walking into someone's home. Small candles flickered about in the dark (but not too dark) space. We were then greeted by the hostess who exhibited none of the usual NYC snobbishness when patrons arrive late to their reservation. We were a little over 15 minutes late yet were seated promptly and with a smile.
I started with the Mule (a delicious mixture of rum, ginger beer, and lime) and she had the Pinot Noir. And although the restaurant was rather crowded, the noise level was low enough for both of us to enjoy a pleasant conversation at normal levels.
Now onto the food... Chef Neil Ferguson is definitely on top of his game. For an app we shared the sea scallops which were accompanied by braised cippolini onions. The dish was delicious, the scallops were very tender and the onions and cream sauce balanced it out well.
For dinner we both had the braised fluke fillet. The fish was crispy on the outside and it was served on top of a cream sauce. It was portioned perfectly and left us both feeling satiated yet not stuffed. I wish we had tried other dishes but the braised fluke caught both our eyes first and I always go with my gut when at a new restaurant.
Oh yeah, and in case you didn't get it from the description or other people's reviews, it is a great date spot. It is very cozy without being cramped and the staff is unpretentious. -
Review from Chris H.
6/29/2009
I'm a believer of the old adage, "you eat first with your eyes".
At A&D your first taste when you walk into the restaurant immediately registers with rustic but refined flavors, muted ambiance, beautiful exposed brick and various shades of gray and brown. A single flame of a candelabra pierce the mellow notes of the decor, similarly as an acid note of yuzu gelee pierce the earthy flavors of a well composed tartar of arctic char.
The service is cordial and efficient, but the atmosphere is appropriate for long, intense conversations which induce a myopic focus on your dining companions, oblivious to the rest of the world.
A striped bass on a potato puree with sunchokes and fennel is predictable, but well executed. The protein is rendered to a snowy white flake and the skin maintains a nice crispness. A 'piedmontese' daub of skirt steak is decadent beyond belief, defiant of its humbler origins.
The food is well executed, but it's nothing ground breaking or cutting edge. Paying $28 for a bit of fish is a stretch, and I expected nothing short of magnificence. I received a great product, but nothing that would make me knock down the door for a return visit.Listed in: LES is more
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Review from Susan P.
New York, NY
11/24/2007
Possibly the cutest interior of any nyc restaurant I've been to. Dim lighting, great attention to detail .. you feel like you've been transported back in time.
The service is great - completely unpretentious, helpful and knowledgeable recommendations, and so on.
The booth seating along the walls is great -- comfortable and intimate.
The portions are small, but not lacking. And the food is great overall.
Came here for dinner with a small group of girls, but I can see this being a cute date place as well. -
Review from Jonathan L.
New York, NY
9/15/2009
Don't dine here. It is not worth the money. Although the service is very professional, it is also snooty and they do rush you to flip for their next seating. If I'm paying these types of prices for a special occasion, I don't want to feel hurried.
I had a bad feeling when our melon salad appetizer arrived. We asked what it was about it was described as 4 different types of exotic melon. What it was was 4 'carpaccio thin' slices of melon. For $17! I've said it before and I'll say it again, I don't mind paying for top quality, but it is insulting to be charged that amount for so little. My friends actually ended up getting slices later in the eve because they were still hungry.
My vegetarian friend ordered an entree that came with a mushroom side. Since she doesn't care for mushrooms she requested a substitute of ANY other vegetable. The waiter told her they couldn't substitute because all the other vegetables are limited and assigned to the dishes they are intended to be paired with! Give me a f'in break! I had the rack of lamb which was very tasty, but I felt bad enjoying it when everyone else was having a piss poor meal.
Yes it has a beautiful decor, but you can't eat lighting and wallpaper. Don't waste your time and money. A'pizz is right around the corner and for the same $ you will have a 5 star meal. The one thing I took home with me was feeling insulted for paying what we paid and what we got in return. My friend who suggested this place felt stupid and now knows he doesn't get to pick the spot next time we decide to throw down for a nice night out. -
Review from Chloe F.
11/10/2007
This place is beautiful. I only stopped in for a drink with two friends and we sat in the window bar area up front. I dd take a quick walk around to check the place out and it is lovely inside.
The bar service was speedy and friendly, the clientele were the same. I will definitely return for the bar, the restaurant, or both. As people have said before, this would be a great date place! -
Review from Parisa A.
5/6/2008
1. I want to know how I could've liked it so much here, considering I am not a fan of "New American" cuisine
2. I want to know who decorated A&D. Because when I am nice and rich, I will be hiring said person to decorate my entire Hamptons home
3. I want to know how the French are so in-the-know...not only about fashion, but about the best places to hang on a Friday night in the city...because they were all over A&D and they definitely gave the place a fabulous Parisian flare that I loved
4. I want to know who the pastry chef here is, because that chocolate and peanut butter cake thingy with the whiskey milkshake was the best dessert I have ever had. Ever. Seriously.
5. I want to know who would be crazy enough to come here and not order the tuna hamachi appetizer. Divine
Yeah, there's a lot I want to know. What I DO know, however, is that A&D is phenom and I will be back again and again, if even just for drinks.Listed in: Birthday Dinner Approved
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Review from Marie B.
1/4/2010
Allen & Delancey's decor reminds me of a sexy library, dimly lit and draped in red velvet. The sultry lighting and fabric not only makes [you] feel sexy, but it also makes the experience (and possibly your date) more attractive too.
During my most recent visit, my date and I shared the daily special of Roasted Chicken for Two and their Chocolate-Peanut Butter Bar. The savory-herbed chicken was perfectly cooked and flavorful and the deconstructed candy bar tasted like an adult Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. (Smile.)
I have not had their cocktails in a while, but from memory, they were very good.
I just read that they canned the chef... I hope that A & D will be able to maintain their outstanding reputation!Listed in: Great Dates!
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Review from Deborah H.
New York, NY
4/8/2008
Sometimes I eat at places that just don't live up to the hype. You know, when your high expectations are demolished by that slightly overcooked fish or the overpowering clash of textures (Eleven Madison Park)...
But then again, I've also been blown away by restaurants where I didn't really know what to expect (Annisa)...
And then there are the even rarer places that I just KNOW I'm going to enjoy. Maybe it's a self-fulfilling prophecy, or maybe I just trust Yelp that much...
Yes, there's a reason why this place was hailed as one of the best new restaurants of last year. It's called: flavor. We started with the bone marrow and sea scallops, and had the lamb and cod for our entrees. I'll be the first to admit that I was expecting better quality ingredients: the scallops were chewyish, the lamb was on the tough side, the vegetables were kind of wilty... But WHAT-ever. The thought and time that went into the seasonings and sauces made this meal a mind-blowing experience.
As others mentioned, yes, the bread is warm and crusty and I THINK the waiter said one of them had bacon in it. Drool.
Scallops are usually good enough to be minimally flavored with sea salt, cracked pepper, and olive oil. Why mask the texture with the overpowering flavors of bacon and maple syrup?
UM, BECAUSE IT'S FREAKING DELICIOUS.
The bone marrow was good, but extremely fatty: it's NOT for the faint of heart. It was too heavy even for me, the queen of lard, to eat more than a bite.
The cod was a little meltyish, but the flavor was really spot-on. Oranges and olives? Who knew? My only gripe is that the portion of this dish seemed meager.
Now the reduction on the lamb was ay-may-zing. It was so rich and bursting with flavor that you know it's been a-stewing in red wine and drippings and butter for a LAWWWNNGGG time. The whipped potatoes soaked up that sauce like nobody's business. And while the lamb chop was, as I mentioned earlier, rather tough, the middle neck was delectably braised to a tender tee.
For dessert, we had a chocolate peanut butter tart, milk sorbet, and whiskey vanilla milkshake. No, we're not total fat-asses, all the desserts come in sets of three. REALLY. Dessert was probably my least favorite part of the meal; I'd probably skip it next time.
Service was fine, not particularly overbearing or pompous or friendly.
Yum. Check it. -
Review from Lara R.
New York, NY
7/9/2008
I seem to be on a run of trying "New American" restaurants around the city (and must say they've been mighty tasty). A&D has been on my list for quite some time, so I was glad to finally make it here. I started off with their moroccan whiskey -- which ironically had no whiskey in it, but did have some really crisp vodka and fresh mint among other items. Ahhhh.
I really liked the ambiance. It is as dark as it looks in the pictures up online... mostly candles everywhere and lots of dark wood. Kind of intense, but I liked it. It was a perfect date spot.
The peekytoe crab portion was smallish, but the pistachios and avocados really made the dish. I'm still pondering though what the heck a peekytoe crab is? Can't escape the mental image of a crabs toes. Odd. I digress...
I opted for the cod. The blood oranges added a much needed kick to the cod and the olives (usually I'm not a fan) were a sharp contrast to the oranges as well. Lots of contrast but it made for a great combination.
And as for the chocolate peanut butter tart, whole milk sorbet, and whiskey vanilla shake? How could something with three components so fabulous be anything but fantastic?? Loved it.
This is definitely four bordering on five. If we could go halfsies, it would be a clear 4.5. -
Review from Mac d.
NY
8/14/2008
When you hop out of the yellow car on the dimly lit corner of Allen & Delancey, you may have 2nd thoughts if you remembered the address correctly or if you made the right choice of a date destination. To the South - the dim glow from the neon lights of Chinatown - and up north - a relative barren wasteland of nothingness leaves you yearning for the familiarity of the crowds of a more mainstream neighborhood. These feelings evaporate faster than the first glass of Rose on a warm summer day the instant you enter this warmly lit, cave-like-gem of an eatery.
Passing through the entry bar you are surprised by the expanse of the romantic dining area and wonder how they manage to fit so many tables in the space and still allow for it to not feel crowded! Once seated, we perused the fun, if not cliché wine menu on the clipboard and tried to balance our order between wines priced over $100 and some of the more reasonable selections. As we had indulged before arriving, I did not get a chance to thoroughly read the page explaining why it is fine to forego preconceived notions about rose and enjoy it in all its pink glory (though we are experts on topic already).
As you turn your attention to the food clipboard, you instantly realize this is not your everyday fare but rather a well thought out balance of foodie offerings and selections for the less adventurous. We started with the potentially excellent mixed tomatoes, melon and prosciutto, but felt a little tender in the rear due to the hefty price tag, and limited cured meat. We could have done this dish just as well. Fortunately for us we listened to the recommendation of our server and ordered what turned out to be the redeemer of appetizers, the Hamachi with grapefruit, fennel and mint (1 point for Mac). This intuitive collection of flavors that may not seem natural together really worked and would have scored an A+ if it was just a slight bit colder.
After a reasonable time for digestion the big guns arrived. Beth got the snapper and I ordered the lamb chop. The snapper was crispy, with a welcome flavor of what I can only guess was high quality smoked paprika. To top it off it was plated on a bed of bacon-tomato compote which got my heart squealing with delight, seriously! My lead was in jeopardy, I needed a solid 9.5 (16.3 or something with the new Olympic scoring system, does anyone really know at this point?) to keep myself in the lead for the overall title.
Well, needless to say Allen & Delancey did not let me down. At first glance I thought I was served a chicken drumstick, but to my delight it was in fact one of the largest single lamb chops that I have ever seen/inhaled and boy was it good. Juicy, tender, cooked to perfection and on top of a piled of mashed butter mixed with some potato and a pile of braised lamb. This dish got the A+ and I felt like a 13-year-old Chinese gymnast who just won the gold metal (I kid, I kid!).
Due to the noticeably tighter waistline we passed on desert and just finished our wine in the warm, dimly lit atmosphere of Allen & Delancey. If you are looking for something off the beaten path, with a creative menu and romantic vibe, definitely go for it. Order right and you too can win the gold. -
Review from Meryl C.
New York, NY
10/15/2007
I like it. I like it a lot.
Great decor - very accesible. Good date place, ladies (and guys).
Good food, though, if you're a picky eater, go somewhere else. The menu is filled with stuff like sweetbreads, porkbelly et al.
We enjoyed the Scallops app and the Beef and Cabbage entree as well as the chocolate dessert. All not as basic as you'd imagine. -
Review from Paulius N.
Cleveland, OH
10/7/2009
Allen/Delancy,
Incredible service for
a low check couple.
No complaints here. We were well taken care of. 1 bottle of sparkling water, two entrees. Flawless, non "check discriminatory" service. The Halibut with fennel, lemon was flawless. Pistachio crusted sea bass was very nice. Tricky to find, but the Starbucks across the street will clue you in. A nice cocktail list too. However, the food is the strong point. I will be back.
Carry on.Listed in: Food and Drink Notes
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Review from William B.
Brooklyn, NY
2/25/2009
Stand and fail to deliver....
I've been wanting to go to Allen and Delancey for quite some time. With my father in town I finally had the opportunity and was really looking forward to it. Called at 2pm for a reservation and my options were 6:15 or 8:45pm. Normally I would have preferred to eat closer to 7:45, but I was willing to wait.
Upon arriving you notice the elegant and fancy bar. In reading the cocktail menu you can tell a lot of thought when into the creation of the cocktails. They are separated by a bass liquor such gin, whiskey, bourbon, tequilla but with some extravagent ingredients that I had no idea what they were. The cool thing about it is that there are two different takes on each liquor. Each side has a very designed make up that goes into the finished product which essentially becomes two different drinks. At $13 dollars a pop, they are certainly not cheap.
Since we were a party of four they seated us at one of the nice comfy booths. Definitely spacious, but not overly so. The menu has a good range of fish, poultry, and other meats served with a variety of accompanying additions.
They have a tasting menu for 79 dollars which was quite expansive. I was all set to order it until the waittress came along. Her introduction really put me off. She said something along the lines of "the Chef prefers the whole table order the tasting menu" or something along those lines. It just came across as a really forced way of upselling.
Instead I settled on the dive scallops and the veal loin. Two other people in my party got the striped bass, and the fourth got the roasted duck.
For apps my two friends got the oysters and the polenta. The oysters were alright but had this weird cold crispness to them that didn't really do it for me. The polenta was lights out. The scallops I had were also bomb, perfectly cooked with some israeli cous cous.
Unfortunately, the entrees didn't follow the path of the apps. I understand the vibe of the place is mellow/relaxed but I felt like they took about 10mins longer to arrive then they should have.
My veal loin was suppose to be wrapped in proscuitto but it was paper thin so you didn't get any hint of it in the flavor profile. Also it said it came with brussel sprouts but it was more like brussel sprout flakes. Much prefer the brussel sprouts at another restaurant(Sorella).
The striped bass my dad and cousin got was a very weird cut in that it was more like a big hunk rather then a filet.
Overall the apps and drinks were stellar, the entrees did not justify the 30-35 dollar price tag, and the service was nothing special. I really had high hopes but I won't be returning here anytime soon. -
Review from Mark S.
New York, NY
9/28/2009
Allen & Delancey has been a backup plan of mine for a while, but never quite made it to the forefront. Man have I been missing out. I was naturally on time to meet up with some friends, and they were naturally not on time. This gave me a chance to check the bar area out. Cozy spot and dimly lit, Allen & Delancey are known for their excellent drinks. And when my friends ultimately did arrive, I indulged in the Tinker's Stand #1. This bourbon based cocktail hit the spot quite nicely, with refreshing Lemon and Honeyed Ginger Syrup to round out the whole mix.
I'd heard A&D are not known for their food, and that the drinks actually over shadow it. But not for me, and definitely not this night. I had been dreaming about Grilled Lamb Belly and much to my dismay they were all out of it. Alas we settled on the Fluke Crudo and a substitute lamb appetizer. The fluke was amazing. Such a light and tender fish wrapped around a refreshing bit of melon and topped with some crunchy bacon bits (the online menu doesn't list bacon, but I swear it was there. That or the Tinker's Stand #1 really got the best of me...).
For the main course, I had the poached Halibut. So unbelievably delicious. The fish flaked so gracefully and was accompanied by a light and very complementary sauce that just melted everything in your mouth. My friends had the rack of lamb and a sea bass special, which were also fantastic. We ended the meal with some delicious sorbets and a parfait of yogurt panna cotta.
Overall, I thought the food was excellent. Perhaps others are right about the drinks overshadowing the food experience and I just wasn't as focused on the drinks as I was the food. Looks like I'll have to come back and indulge in some more of their fine spirits (and food too of course; especially that grilled lamb belly that managed to escape my clutches). -
Review from Sara L.
Brooklyn, NY
2/5/2008
Hickory Dickory Dock,
The Hamachi rocked my socks,
The clock struck nine,
and then formed a line,
Hickory Dickory Dock.
Seriously though, this was some of the most delicious Hamachi I've ever tasted with major hints of pink grapefruit. So tasty. The wine list is pretty impressive and all my compatriots seemed satisfied with their drinkables. I had a very strange tasting ginger ale that I kept swearing was laced with wine.
As restaurants and bars are wont to do around the 9:00 hour on a Friday night, douchey-douche galore and his friends strutted into the joint on the dot and stared at us while we paid and got our things together asking each of us at least twice whether we were leaving and if they could have our table.
The dining room is nice but we sat in the bar in the big cubby-hole in the front. It too is nice but be warned that if you must dine or drink after the hour strikes douche-o'clock in the LES, you will turn into a pumpkin*.
*Code for a fuming, impatient, disenchanted, otherwise pleasant patron baffled with the baggery of it all. -
Review from Jonathan Z.
Queens, NY
9/23/2009
A worthwhile experience. Came here to meet up with friends and per their suggestion, ordered the delicious Lamb belly appetizer which did not dissapoint.
Sampled 5 drinks, all flavorful even though I personally did not care for one of them. The bartender, (a fine, friendly guy) even offered to exchange it, but I declined.
The place has lots of cache and ambience, but expect a quiet evening if you go.Listed in: Cocktails Bars
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Review from Jamey W.
Brooklyn, NY
1/8/2010
Well, I was slightly apprehensive about taking my lady here for her birthday dinner after hearing the news of Chef Ferguson's departure. However, after our dinner on Saturday night, I can say that this was one of the better meals we've had in a while.
Starters: Two words...bacon bread. Hell yes.
The appetizers were fantastic (Seared scallops with israeli couscous and lemon confit and Crispy Polenta, Mushroom Ragu and Sottocenere Fonduta).
Our entrees were just as impressive. Prosciutto wrapped veal loin and the Halibut. The sweat breads that accompanied the veal loin were perfectly cooked. The whole dish was really well balanced both in flavor and texture.
Even the desserts were damn good which is not often the case.
Overall the staff was friendly if slightly less than stellar but nothing egregious in the least bit.
I'd give this restaurant a Full Price, personally. -
Review from Yen D.
Portland, OR
9/16/2009
I hate giving this place 2 stars. The staff and hostess were awfully kind to us, since my date and I were walk-ins.
We had good seats, my wine was excellent and the ambience was dark and rustic.
We tried the lamb belly. It was crunchy and dry and unfortunately, salty.
Next, I had the sirloin. At $33, I was hoping for bigger portions. The tomato panzanella was delicious and rich. I also tried the rack of lamb. It was satisfying but so, so paltry in size.
Overall, it was a mildly dissapointing experience. -
Review from Marleigh M.
New York, NY
4/30/2009
To the chef:
Please add 1-2 more vegetarian dishes to your menu. There is no doubt I will return (especially after learning a former Death & Co. bartender designed your cocktail menu). However, I would like the option of ordering something other than rice and vegetables. It is somewhat insulting to drop $100 on a meal without really eating anything, if you know what I mean. If you need help, my tastebuds are more than happy to offer up their services free of charge.
Despite the tempting cocktail menu, I ordered a glass of white wine to start. It took a while for the complimentary bread to arrive, but I later found out the chef made it special as the regular bread contained bacon.
I had the "Crispy Polenta, Mushroom Ragu, Artichokes, Sottocenere Fonduta" for an appetizer. Polenta is made with cornmeal. That evening might have been my first taste of polenta, and all I can say is WOW. It was incredible. I can't believe I've never had it before. The cute little mushrooms were a nice touch as well, in taste and visual stimulation.
For the main course, I was limited in options, or should I say option. The only vegetarian dish was risotto. Opting away from rice, I talked the waiter into letting me order a mixed veggie platter with mashed potatoes. Although the potatoes were fantastic, I was saddened at the final outcome of the entree.
The dessert, however, was a completely different story. I ordered the "Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart, Whole Milk Sorbet, Whiskey-Vanilla Milkshake" as well as the "Chocolate Coconut Cake w/ a Thai Coffee Sorbet & Caramelized Bananas."
If it looks and sounds fantastic, believe me when I say it was. The peanut butter tart was filled with a warm chocolate ganache that was out of this world. The milkshake was the size of a shot glass, but it turned out to be just right to finish off the dessert. The chocolate coconut cake was great; I had to stop myself halfway thru because I realized my dining companion had yet to try it.
The server was attentive and friendly, especially after learning about the vegetarianism. I loved the intimate atmosphere and could see myself coming back. My only qualm came from the lack of options; I nearly walked out after taking one look at the menu. What stopped me was the fact it was 11 at night, and I don't do 24 hour diners.
I give it 2.5 stars. -
Review from A B.
New York, NY
2/14/2008
Another stellar new American. Well executed food, but nothing surprising. I really don't have anything to complain about, but it just seemed like the the complexity of the dishes took priority over the yum-factor. It's like fine art that you know was skillfully done, but you don't get huge amounts of pleasure from viewing it. You like it. You say you like it. You talk about it. But in the end, you can just walk away.
I rather try new places than go back. It's definitely worth one visit, though. -
Review from Hercy H.
New York, NY
12/17/2008
My boyfriend and I loved it! It's great because they really do take care of the locals...and it's good enough for couples and a special dinner w/ family/friends.
This place is definitely very special. On our top 10 list for nyc.
Had the pork belly, and fish. YUMMMMMO! -
Review from Anuja G.
New York, NY
6/7/2009
I have mixed feelings about this place, and teetered between a 2 or 3 star rating. In the end, the brussel sprouts and the chocolate peanut butter tart (explanations to follow) bumped it up to 3 stars.
I liked the decor (though it did seem more suited for a date than dinner with a friend which is what I went for). The hostess and our waiter were really attentive as well.
Foodwise, my friend got the seared duck breast (which she liked, with the exception of the rice that was served with it), I got the halibut (which had so many variations of seafood that it was a little bit overwhelming), we split the brussels sprouts (I'm usually not a fan of them, but these were amazing - the highlight of the meal according to my friend), and we also split the chocolate peanut butter tart (which might have been my favorite part of the meal, though the whiskey vanilla milkshake packed a punch).
So why did I almost give this place two stars? THE BREAD (or rather, lack there of). For some reason our table and our neighbor table were in the "no bread zone" and did not get the supposedly delicious bacon bread and mini baguette while every other table in the restaurant did. Of course we only realized this after we got our main courses, so it didn't seem appropriate to ask for bread at that point, but I don't think one should have to ask for bread when you're blowing at least $50 for a meal. Ok, rant over. I kind of want to go back to my 2 star rating after that mini rant but I'll focus on the highlights of the meal and be nice.
Overall, it was good but I won't be running back (unless I am guaranteed some bread on my next visit). -
Review from Sean K.
7/16/2008
I think some of the concerns about service are perhaps a bit warranted. I'll say this - when I called to make a reservation, they said that I had to give my credit card and if I were to miss said reservation, they would be charging me $50 per head. Ok, I could see this if I had to reserve a month out and I was killing their business by taking a table, but I was calling 2 days in advance and they had a spot. I noted "that's aggressive". But whatever, I'm not going to flake on a good table so its not going to cost me.
Then we arrived a few minutes after our ressie time and were told that we had a 1/2 hour to wait. I thought to ask for their credit card so I could charge it but... So we went to the bar. At first I thought the bartender was either blind or had mistaken me for someone who had recently run over her son and driven away. Repeatedly. Finally she elected to notice who we were and that, having sit at the bar, we would want something to drink. Her responses to questions were curt and, at times, patronizing. Sorry - I'm a huge tipper and you just lost yours. So we dropped a paltry amount on the bar above our bill and went to our table which was now over 45 minutes late.
I'll give them credit - apparently there were some real loafers there that night and so be it. It happens to the best of us. They totally recovered. We got a couple of glasses of wine and the meal, quite honestly, just rocked. They don't have a 'salad' per se - its a mix of veggies that's not quite conventional. Its not necessarily a steal at $17 but still quite spectacular. My friend had the risotto and I had the halibut - again, both fantastic. I wanted to get the chicken but, good for them, those puppies stay as raw as the day baby Jesus killed them until you order so its a solid wait. Hey, you order a roasted chicken and they start cooking - you can only do so much and 45 mins to wait is fair. I'm ordering it next time.
Our server was great, the food was great and the atmosphere is fantastic. I would give more than 4 stars but because of the wait and the shite bartender, I just can't. Go to this place, check it out and enjoy - you won't be wasting your time. -
Review from Tim W.
12/22/2008
Might need your economic stimulus check to pay the bill here. Not going into great detail, but I've been here a few times. Despite my harangue that it is overpriced...i love the food and the service is impeccable now, i'll pay for both usually w/o complaint especially when the eatery is worth it (and A & D IS--dont get me wrong) but the prices are about 15% too much in my opinion. loved the risotto but they were out of the morrell mushrooms that night and replaced them w/ chanterelle...not normally a big deal, but the cost b/t those two mushroom varieties is enormous...just check at whole foods next time you are there...anyway...at nearly 30$ i want my morrells!!
This would be a great place for a date as long as your date does not order more than an entree and 1 glass of wine and you take ice water and a chef salad--no dessert! :) enjoy -
Review from Joanne B.
11/11/2009
I love this place...it's amazing and is one of my standby favorite restaurants in NYC.
I am a little disheartened to see so many not so great reviews on this place. I've been here several times although most recently it was in June and I will be going back again in the near future....
The service has always been excellent and attentive....from hostess to coat check to waitstaff. I happen to always be seated at the same front table in the corner...odd but enjoyable.
The food hits the spot for me...one time it was oxtail ragu (melt in your mouth?!) and another time braised rabbit tagliatelle...phenomenal. I fall in love. Charred octopus, striped bass...amazing. Hamachi, halibut... And even the desserts are excellent..(I am not a dessert person)...the peanut butter tart and whisky milkshake is delicious...and the cutest presentation ever.
Take a break from being absorbed by the food to take in the decor...the ambiance can almost steal the show. It's just so damn dark and sexy...candlelight and maybe a vintage feel with the old pieces and books.
I can't wait to go back. -
Review from darla s.
San Francisco, CA
3/11/2009
Allen & Delancey will always hold a special place in my heart as it is the bar where I first met and fell in love with the ginormous ice cube. I've had the big cube at other bars, and you know, there's nothing like your first.
Interesting bar menu concept - each drink has a No. 1 and No. 2 option.
We didn't eat there, just came for post-dinner drinks and the bartendress was superb. -
Review from Sean T.
Norfolk, VA
8/21/2008
I loved the atmosphere here - I'm a sucker for dark candlelit rooms. The food and service were equally impressive. We ordered the eggplant appetizer - I thought it was pretty good, though I'm not a huge eggplant fan. My date was vegetarian so I let her make that choice - yes, I'm quite the gentleman.
I ordered the Halibut for the main course - very good. It could have been a larger portion, but good things come in small packages (that's what she said). She ordered the Vialone Nano Risotto and she scarfed it down like a hostage. I tasted the Risotto and it was very good.
The highlight of the night was the Passion Fruit Crème Brûlée. I could see myself coming here just for this. Very good! I would definitely return to Allen & Delancey. -
Review from Emily R.
West Hollywood, CA
3/12/2009
*nb I would give it a bit less than 4 stars if 3.85 was available to me
I have wanted to go to Allen & Delancey for a very long time and finally went last week. I sat at the bar for a bit (Tuesday night, 1/2 off cocktails) and had a tequila-agave drink. I enjoyed the drink and the scene, although the bar area is so narrow and popular that at times instead of feeling like I was "in the know" I just wanted space. The area behind the bar almost looks like an apothecary's den and the drinks are mixed with shot sized silver goblets which I thought added to the mixology feel.
When we were seated my cousins and I noticed our table was uneven. It took our server an inordinate amount of time to fix this issue once we made it known. In fact everything took an inordinate amount of time. 30 minutes to get our bread, another 15-20 for our appetizers, longer for our main courses... part of this is our fault for getting distracted by each other and the atmosphere, but mostly it was the wait staff. It seemed they were trying to add to the scene by making everything a wait.
That being said every dish we had was amazing. The bread was wonderful; the wine list had a variety of price points and an interesting selection of regions and vintages. I had the octopus starter and a great fish dish with spinach puree which had a big flavor and great texture. My cousins had scallops and oysters to start and both had the lamb- which looked like it was perfectly cooked. I had the blood orange pudding cake for dessert which was actually a trio of sweets and again texture and taste were huge.
I would go back in a heartbeat for the food, but maybe earlier so I could avoid a wait? I recommend co-diners of the patient variety. -
Review from Annz H.
New York, NY
6/4/2008
Had a great dinner here to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. Service was attentive yet casual, not too stuffy. Our server recommended a good bottle of wine and we had the sweetbreads for an appetizer. For the mains, I had veal canneloni, which was incredibly tender, shredded meat and fresh pasta with a sweetbread and asparagus. My date had the Colorado Lamb chop, which he couldn't stop raving about. Dessert we had the chocolate peanut butter tart with the whiskey milkshake-- totally delicious.
Great meal, but the atmosphere is also really great- dark wood bar in front, exposed brick walls, velvet curtains and lots of candles to warm it up. Also a good amount of spacing between tables. Definitely recommend!! -
Review from Kathy L.
New York, NY
3/20/2009
The BF and I came here to take advantage of their Sunday night $38 prix fixe (going on during March) but the minute we saw their $78 tasting menu, we couldn't resist. Okay, so we may have to eat $1 dumplings for the next week to make up for the $250 meal (with wine) but it was worth the experience. The $38 menu was comprised of a salad, a lamb stew, and a dessert (lame).
First off, their freshly baked bacon bread is addictive. Ask for extra rolls early as they are baked to order. We then had the following dishes:
The hamachi and foie gras appetizers were great - small little flavorful packages, cooked well and presented beautifully. The two main entrees, artic char and veal with sweetbreads, seemed like very typical french bistro fare. They were both cooked well but seemed kind of plain.
The cheese assortment was the best part of the tasting menu, in my opinion. 3 unique cheeses with different fruit accompaniments that highlighted sweet, peppery, salty components in each of the cheeses. I would come back here just for the cheese plate.
I gave this place four stars because I felt like even though everything was delicious, the appetizers, cheese, and dessert outshone the main entrees. Perhaps their ala carte entrees are a bit better (the bone marrow wasn't available when I was there)... Either way, the tasting menu was plentiful and fun. I would do it again if I found $250 on the street.
Also, they need to do something about that big table for a large group that is permanantly stuck in the middle of the dining room. Pretty annoying when there is a loud and obnoxious group.Listed in: Top Restaurants
