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Amaranth Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Mediterranean Mediterranean [Edit]
21 E 62nd St(between 5th Ave & Madison Ave)
New York, NY 10021
Neighborhood: Upper East Side
(212) 980-6700
- Nearest Transit:
-
5 Av/59 St (N, Q, R)
Lexington Av/63 St (F)
59 St (4, 5, 6, 6X)
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
22 reviews for Amaranth Restaurant
Review Highlights
22 reviews in English
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Review from russell b.
New York, NY
12/18/2011
I really do like Amaranth despite the many reasons one could dislike this place. Its proudly overpriced, almost like a fee to mingle with the crowd - which is a mix of European snobs and really plastic looking upper east siders, just the right mix for people watching and odd behavior. However, as an upper west sider, I get some pleasure out of just that, coming here around 7 on a weeknight when the place is jammed and hanging with a crowd which is not typically my own.
If you're coming here for the food, expect a hit or miss menu. Its a similar vibe to a meal at Nello or one of those overcrowded French bistros in the area. One cool thing to do here is have a birthday and get the sparkler treatment. They also turn this place into sort of a loungey/restaurant mix after 11 on some nights. -
Review from E B.
Atlanta, GA
3/27/2012
This is a tradition with me every time I'm in Manhattan. Forget the food, let's talk about the people watching. This is by far the most interesting place to have lunch. A group of girls having a get together to show off their engagement rings. Literally 5 of them all just engaged and not a one under 5 carats . Throw in the little Tom Ford leather bags they all had, and you get the picture. The place is not snotty and actually is very accommodating and enjoyable for the mere fact they let you sit and savor without pushing through your leisurely lunch. Prices are no different than other upper east side places, and well the food is good solid bistro fare.......... see y'all next time.
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Review from Kelly F.
Manhattan, NY
4/23/2012
A little too pretentious on the customers side but not the fault of the restaurant. Overall all the food and service is fine..
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Review from Chowound x.
New York, NY
10/6/2011
Great service and atmosphere.. great for people watching :)
Last visit my sea bass was a little greasy and lackluster but otherwise a delightful menu. -
Review from Colin F.
Brooklyn, NY
5/25/2011
Simply splendid! We thought the food was rather good (I had the grilled salmon with asparagus, she had the pounded-flat chicken with cabbage), the atmosphere spot-on (wealthy, older manhattan crowd (LOVED the euro guy with the jacket draped over his shoulders)), and the unique aspects of this restaurant made the meal extra special (we were treated to the birthday sparkler show *TWICE*!).
It's a nice place, attractive, a little crowded in a good way. Would visit again. -
Review from JJ P.
Roselle, IL
9/25/2010
The concierge at our hotel recommended this restaurant and since his first recommendation had turned out so well, we eagerly accepted this rec. He had told us the food was mediterranean. If it was, it was the most americanized med food I have ever had in my life. Mom's risotto was bland. My chicken curry with jasmine rice? The rice was underdone and the chicken was overdone so it was dry, also, I found a hair in the chicken. The service was slow, rude, and when we complained, we were brushed off and just presented with the bill.
Want to pay far too much for a crappy meal that you can make better at home and get terrible service? Go here. -
Review from Megan C.
Brooklyn, NY
9/11/2010
This place would merit a much higher review if it weren't for the service. Oh, God. The service. Our waitress was one of the rudest people I have ever met. She acted like it was a chore to get us our drinks and take our order, then she never came back again. Someone else brought our food out and brought us coffee, then she graced us with her presence to place down our bill with a frown on her face. I'd say that near ruined the experience.
The food, however, was tasty. I had a main lobster risotto. The sauce was cherry tomato-based, and was simply amazing. The people I ate with enjoyed their meals as well. I would definitely not go back because of the rudeness of the service (I can get food just as good but with a smile millions of other places), but if you do find yourself here, tough it out because you'll probably like your food. -
Review from Michael C.
New York, NY
5/21/2007
The Upper East Side, Madison Avenue in particular, is chock full of restaurants that cater the the "ladies who lunch" crowd. That is part of what makes NYC NYC, and it should be that way. It has its ups - you get to see women wearing hats, which is a weakness of mine - and its downs - you get to pay $50 for a small sad little salad, and the waiters often make you grovel for allowing them the privilege of wandering by your table on their way to do much more important things.
Amaranth, tucked away on 62nd St. just yards from Madison, escapes the worst attributes of those types of restaurants and shines in the category that is most important - food. The food is wonderful. One of the very best dishes I have ever had anywhere in the City is the pan seared sea scallops with mushrooms, braised leeks and lemon white wine sauce.
It's comfortable, warm, and inviting; true, the service can be spotty but it's not out of malice or boredom, and in my mind attitude makes all the difference. It's just a little gem that escapes the hullaballoo of Madison Avenue and puts out consistently excellent food. -
Review from Marlo G.
9/2/2007
A cute place with tablecloths covered with paper with their name stamped across it in red...LOL, but seriously.
(I'll admit I paid too much attention to my date to give you all the details of Amaranth...if you wanted details on my date, yes, I've got those....but am not sharing! ;* )
With a nice and friendly wait staff, Amaranth has outdoor seating. A yellow glow bathes the restaurant which has very good bread (Italian or French...can't distinguish...a nice hard crust)...I don't find that at restaurants of Amaranth's caliber; the bread is usually soaked in oil or trying to do something fancy.
The four cheese ravolini, which I saw someone else on Yelp mention (GO VEGETARIANS!), is very good and yes, it does come in butter and sage, but I asked for tomato sauce which they very kindly made...my date liked it as well. ;) My date had the halibut which he said was good...I can't comment though.
Before venturing to Amaranth which my date selected on a recommendation from a coworker, I searched the net which mentioned that Amaranth is a Euro scene mixed with UES older ladies a la plastic surgery and jewels...again, I was paying attention to my date, but I didn't see any of the aforementioned, sans a woman who I assume to be the owner (she was all kiss-kiss with some of the tables) and a gentleman who must've been the matire d (slicked back hair and a strange mismatched ensemble...very Euro though!).Listed in: For Dates...
-
Review from Maria D.
Brooklyn, NY
8/27/2011
This is a small-sized restaurant, good for a quiet conversation. Believe it or not, I loved the chairs. They were so comfortable, as opposed to the rickety wooden chairs you find in most places these days. The food was good/very average. I ordered Veal Provencale, and to tell you the truth I don't believe it was veal - which normally has a strong taste, and this didn't. It was very tender and came with saffron rice. I ordered a side of spinach. Not sure why you can't get a veg with your meal these days. The prices were too high for the quality of food. Clearly, their rates are based on location. The service was fine, although I don't enjoy having to flag down a waiter for a check, especially when they're more focused on personal conversations amongst themselves. If you're nearby, you should give it a try and see what you think.
-
Review from Ro N.
New York, NY
7/19/2007
I came here last year in December and it's not a place I would have picked on my own but it's worthy enough for a review!
I don't care too much for the scene---lots of older ladies showing off their latest plastic surgery that wears skimpy outfits!
(But hey if that's what you like---then GO FOR IT! Those ladies are on the PROWL!)
This restaurant is famous for their Focaccia Robiola - it's good but it wasn't that good for them to be famous for!
The Tuna Tartare was pretty good but I haven't ever gone to a place that can mess up a tuna tartare...perhaps Beef Tataki but not Tuna!
A lot of the Vegetarians raved about their Four Cheese Raviolini with Butter and Sage.
I cannot remember what I had for my entree, however I remember their delicious dessert-Mille Feuille Napoleon with Mixed Berries.
It's a dessert that leaves an lasting impression in your mind and your stomach!
In other words---ME LOVES!
This dessert is very light and airy...
I wonder if you can say it's HEALTHY for you?
Since it's just light, crunchy, and sweet-thin cookies sandwiching between seasonal fresh fruit!
I love fruit and I hate really really decadent desserts that are so rich and disgustingly sweet, so this dessert was PERFECT for me!
But if you like the heavily sweeten desserts than go with the Warm Flour-less Chocolate Cake. A lot of people raves about this but it's just too rich for me!
I would come back again just for the DESSERT, sadly I would have to be reminded of the entree again! -
Review from Holden W.
Stamford, CT
3/21/2010
I generally don't get excited at a prospect of eating at the table setup on a sidewalk as passing cars fumance my palate on a warm day, but that block of 62nd street seems to be traffic-less enough to create a nice outside-brunch experience.
We had their house pinos, fresh squeezed oj, Florentine omelet and berry and fruit salads - all were well prepared. It is an expensive place, but good food, service, setting make for a decent value. -
Review from Mariana C.
New York, NY
6/14/2008
Came here with two friends (one of which comes here all the time) since we were starving and didn't know what other restaurant around here was open at 10:30pm on a Tuesday. We got there right as they were closing the kitchen but my friend convinced them to keep it open for us. The wait staff was definitely unhappy with us arriving so late and it showed throughout our meal.
We ordered the foccaccia to share (ok) and then my friends ordered the duck and I ordered the scallops. My scallops were tasty but waaaaay overpriced.
The quality of the food was ok but the combination of lackluster service and exaggerated prices was too much. Don't plan on going back. -
Review from Aram S.
New York, NY
7/13/2009
Went for dinner Thursday 4th of July weekend at 830pm. We were one of three tables. Service was slow and poor. The tomato provencal was drowning in oil and were not that fresh. The curry chicken special 1) didn't taste like curry 2) they didn't have chutney to go with it 3) was drenched in butter sauce and 4) the white rice was ice cold and hard.
Server and the host / manger were usless, clueless and should be fired.
All in all a crappy dinner. I would have rather gone to Bilboquet around the corner or any other french bistro fare place a few blocks away.
Used to be MUCH better. -
Review from Francoise F.
San Francisco, CA
10/10/2011
Tried Amaranth for the first time today. Food was quite good. I had the Amaranth salad with chicken, feta and olives and my companion had shrimp with some kind of greens. We both enjoyed our meal. Atmosphere was pleasant. My only complaint is that you do have to chase after your server to get your order taken. On the other hand he/she won't bring you the bill and rush you out before you are ready.....
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Review from DEE L.
Suffern, NY
10/9/2009
I lunched here two weeks ago. Crowded and service slow but I did enjoy the food.
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Review from Chinku G.
Hicksville, NY
1/13/2006
Four of us all had seafood dishes that were very good, but it ends there. The room, when full, is very noisy and the service was spotty at best. The physical layout is pleasant enough but unless it is raining it will be a while before I try them again.
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Review from Michael D.
Manhattan, NY
6/30/2011
Attractive restaurant with attractive patrons. Food is average. Service is terrible.
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Review from Dan G.
Washington, DC
7/7/2009
My favorite restaurant when I go to NY. Their flatbread appetizer is by far one of the best I have had and I highly recommend the steak tartar. Amaranth is a small place but it still is very very good.
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Review from G F.
Manhattan, NY
11/21/2010
food is amazing!!!!!! seating is a little awkward and dark. that said, if it is your birthday they bring out sparklers and play music really loud and it's really fun!!!!!!!!! i had the halibut and chocoalte cake and it was TO.DIE.FOR. the crowd was a lil weird mostly wealthy old peeps but i think thats pretty much expected from the hood. think it would be really fun for brunch or lunch outside! awesome, delicious, flavorfull food!!!!!!
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Review from David P.
New York, NY
10/24/2009
My wife put it best. There is simply no recovering from bad service. We went on a Friday night before a show at the Regency with two friends. The service from minute one was terrible. We were greeted by a rude maitre d' who briskly sat us down in the crowd. We were not offered a drink while we waited for our friends. Once seated and browsing the menu, we had to flag down the sommelier and practically beg for wine. The waiter was fine, but the staff cleared all plates at different times and practically pulled the plate out from under my wife's fork when she was still eating. Needless to say, even though the food was fine, we won't be going back and I recommend everyone steer clear.
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Review from Kurt S.
San Francisco, CA
9/6/2009
Food was sub-par. Service was unfriendly and inattentive, especially since there were only about four other tables. My wife got the shrimp over arugula with avocado. The shrimp was tough and overcooked - and there was no avocado. I got the fettuccine with seafood - I had to dig for the clam shells and, upon noticing many were cracked and chipped, I had to dig for and remove the many small, cracked shell pieces that would have turned my teeth into the same had I not noticed this first. They brought out two of what my wife ordered and were unapologetic (more attitude) when they had to take them back since my dish was not yet ready. The water scam says everything you need to know about Amaranth: When you ask for water (and you have to ask) they ask if you would like sparkling water. You say "no thanks, just plain". They then bring you a bottle of plain Fiji water and tack $9.00 on to your bill (the same price as the minibar at the Regency). It is no wonder the place was almost empty on a Friday night. The next night we went back to our usual local favorite, Jubilee - it was amazing in all respects - and they don't charge you for the water:)
