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Blue Hill
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New)
75 Washington Pl(at Avenue Of The Americas)
New York, NY 10011
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village
(212) 539-1776
- Nearest Transit:
-
W 4 St (A, B, C, D, E, F, M)
Christopher St - Sheridan Sq (1, 2)
8 St - Nyu (N, R)
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
368 reviews for Blue Hill
Review Highlights
"Can't wait to try out Blue Hill at Stone Barns."
(in 50 reviews)
"Loved the warm chocolate bread pudding, though."
(in 33 reviews)
"THIS MORNING'S FARM EGG YOLK CARBONARA."
(in 25 reviews)
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368 reviews in English
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Review from Benjamin C.
Brooklyn, NY
1/28/2012
*Shhhh!* It's a secret.
In fact it's so secret that this culinary classic's sign is hidden behind a well-sculpted shrub. Only the gleaming "A" on the door suggested that something delicious was happening, down a darkened flight of stairs.
It is no secret that the staff and well-lit spread of wall-lining booths and tables create a warm atmosphere that is friendly, relaxed and refined all-at-once.
The five-course Farmers' Feast is a great menu for that special occasion.
It's not really possible to describe the food as I might in other establishments. The selection of plates are very much a story - a food journey. I can't just write, "I had the gelato". Although the gelato was the feature of the plate, the champaign jelly and pomegranate seeds built the full flavor experience.
So, with that in mind I'll fumble through some of the other highlights of the evening...
- Marble sized burgers of shredded beet.
- Towering paper-thin sheets of crispy Kale, served up-ended on a horse brush (untested at the farm.)
- Oven-hot bread sticks paired with a variety of butters and tallows.
- Pâté, sandwiched between delicate dark chocolate wafers served on slate.
(Peanut butter cups have some competition...)
-A firm scallop that was so fresh, it could have been someone's pet.
-The golden orange farm-fresh egg was proof that
"breakfast any time"can be life changing.
-The rest of the herd is still looking for the medium-rare venison plate. "Bambi come home!"
I cried into my omelette at breakfast the next morning.
Everything had changed, -
Review from Emm C.
Manhattan, NY
1/17/2012
Wow - 6 stars. This place is so much better than wd-50, not that they can be compared but we just went there last night and it was such the disappointment that we were craving a perfect dinner that would make up for last night. And Blue Hill did the trick, and then some! They welcomed us with freshly baked warm bread (i love bread that's warm; it shows care in the complimentary items) and soft butter, followed by an amuse bouche of mini-beet burgers. We recall the buns were made of ricotta and almond but don't quote me. I had the venizon with dirty carrots. IT was SO good, not overly salty, flavors went so well together and the meat was close to perfect in color & taste. Finished off the meal with a cheese plate. The only thing I'd recommend is to change the tea selection...we really don't like Pursuit of Tea brand and oddly that's the brand every top restaurant seems to offer :(
oh, I forgot to mention..we also had an app of *fruit and vegetable salad* that they generously split for 2. It made me want to eat my veggies! that's always good. It was a pretty unique mix of vegetables. The cool thing was that it was not all raw...I don't know if it was a blanche or what technique they used but it was not overly crunchy and certainly not mushy. Served on a beautiful slate...mmmmm
Our total including 3 glasses of wine, app, 2 entrees and dessert was about $150. Normally, we'd do the tasting menu but I wasn't feeling two of the items and after such a great meal, I'd happily return for full portions anytime! YAY for great service, exquisite ingredients, and a warm/romantic venue nestled in the Washington Square area. Blue Hill is on the north side of the street and if you're not careful, you can walk right by it. -
Review from kelli p.
New York, NY
1/7/2012
I've been anticipating a meal at Blue Hill for some time and it saddens me to say that I was disappointed.
I had such high hopes of a delicious birthday meal but alas Blue Hill left something to be desired. I will say the service was excellent. Our server was very knowledgeable of not only the food but the wine as well. I did enjoy my appetizer, a beat salad, that was very fresh and beautifully presented. However my entree of striped bass was lacking. I will say it wasn't horrible nor inedible, just lacking in flavor. The description of the dish also included bacon however I tasted no beautiful pig flavors on my plate. My friend also said his entree was bland as well so I don't think it's just me.........
For the price point of Blue Hill I do expect a fantastic meal. Again the service was exceptional just not the meal as a whole -
Review from Selena L.
Los Angeles, CA
1/4/2012
Part 10 of a Series: The PMD Chronicles (How I Fell in Love with a Murderer)
When your murderer beckons to the server and asks, "Do the chefs cook while wearing straightjackets? Because the food's crazy good!" you know you're eating somewhere special. Our server, a lovely young woman who appreciates dining and madmen, divulged to us the secret behind the "bio char." We're not sharing it with you. You'll have to find out by booking your own reservation.
That a restaurant can serve you tiny vegetables impaled on tines for an amuse and you're grateful: this is the majesty of Blue Hill. I could trot out all the key buzzwords: "farm to table," "locally sourced" and "organic" but you can't eat words (trust me, I've tried). What you can eat are the egg of the day carbonara and the milk fed pig. Though the menu offerings vary based on what's available, these two are spectacular (our other selections were no slouches either), leaving me and my murderer stunned. It was at this moment when one of the chefs wandered past our table and my murderer flagged him down.
"Are you responsible for this?" my murderer demanded, mouth still full of pork and bio char apple.
The chef, an awkward, lanky man, shifted anxiously. "Partially."
"My god, you are a genius," my murderer exclaimed, heartily shaking his hand. "Thank you."
The poor employee beamed proudly before scurrying away.
Don't scare the staff like we did. Just eat and make a solemn vow to return repeatedly.Listed in: my bucket list, The PMD Chronicles (How I Fell…
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Review from Chris C.
12/8/2011
I'm definitely a fan of the whole farm to table movement. Dan Barber's Blue Hill has been on my restaurant to-do list for a while and last night, we finally got there. The evening as a whole was a memorable one.
We started with an amuse bouche of beet burgers on a tiny brioche. The sweetness of the beets was expected but, the flavor in the brioche was the real surprise. It lingered a little after the beet had gone and made me wish I had more.
For my cocktail, I had the Salt and Pepper. Now, I'm a big fan of gin, especially for the bright, juniper notes. This was right up my alley. With pickled green bean floating as a garnish, the Salt and Pepper had enough brightness and contrast to make you think, not just imbibe.
We shared a few appetizers. The fruit and vegetable salad was subtle but, also surprising, a trail of very mild vegetables and fruits dotted with a wonderful sauce to drag them through. The fennel appetizer, by contrast, was bolder and more straight forward but, still delightful.
We all tried different entrees; the Hake, Chicken, Turkey and Pig. I had the pig with apple and cabbage. It was dotted with specks of bacon and an apple glaze. The meat was cooked perfectly and the combination of all the elements on the plate worked really well together. Our sides were squash and brussel sprouts. Both were spot on. I did get to sample the other proteins and they were prepared very well. There's just not enough to make a fair comment about them.
Finally for dessert, we decided on the chocolate bread pudding and the apple beignets. One of my party went to town on the chocolate bread pudding. What I could get for myself, I thoroughly enjoyed. The beignets were still hot and deliciously covered in sugar and cinnamon.
I have only a few reservations. The portions border on meager. These plates are not fore sharing which, would be fine but not at these prices. The bartender did seem to get in the weeds pretty easily.
Overall, they really know how to contrast tastes and textures at Blue Hill. They definitely prepared some outstanding cuisine. The restaurant is spotless and the staff is endearing. It's worth making an event out of your locally grown food at Blue Hill.Listed in: The Iron List
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Review from justin t.
12/7/2011
A couple friends treated me out here and it was good but nothing mindblowing.
Maybe because earlier in the week, I was at the Modern, Gramcery Tavern, and Sushi Yasuda so my palate was spoiled.
The ambiance was dull and plain with a hint of farmhouse. A gripe I have is that the tables were way too close to each other but I did enjoy the unpretentiousness.
The star here is not the cooking, but the ingredients. Nothing was exceptional but everything was fresh and delicate.
Amazing passion fruit souffle dessert!
Come here for a healthy alternative to fine dining for a nice, unfussy night. -
Review from Suanne L.
Classy yet unpretentious, fresh, quality, yet inventive, indulgence without the guilt, Blue Hill scores very high on my favorite restaurants list. The space is small, elegant, and cozy, with a comfortable noise level and kind service. They welcome the average walk in wearing sneakers as well as the couple celebrating their 50th anniversary with the same enthusiasm and grace.
Perry L. treated me to an "early Christmas present" at Blue Hill last week and I was blown away by the freshness of the food and the presentation. We chose to partake in the $78 tasting menu:
- beet burger
- braised copa
- bread with arugula salt, pepper lardo house butter
- beet salad
- poached egg arugula salad with pancetta
- lamb belly (for me) and pork medley (loin, tenderloin, belly) for Perry
- yogurt sorbet amuse with apple granita
- dark chocolate balls filled with apple cider
Blue Hill absolutely deserves its Michelin star. I'll be back! -
Review from Sisi Z.
New York, NY
12/11/2011
Before I get lynched, let me just say, if you had blindfolded me and asked me to rate the food, I would definitely NOT have guessed that it was from a 5*, $$$$ place. Took the visiting parents here for their first dinner on the town, and was generally underwhelmed by the food. The service was great, except that our waitress was not terribly helpful about the menu; when I asked her what the difference was between the two lamb dishes, she hemmed and hawed before muttering something like, "well the lamb belly is... rich." Oh well, you were nice so you get a pass. Bread and butter come warm at the table (and keep coming if you like) and is delicious.
We started off with fried kale/collard chips, which were too salty, then the tiny beet burgers which were ok, braised cod head was fishy (ok, my fault perhaps for ordering fish on a Sunday) not to mention a b*tch to eat and super salty if you merely touched any part of the salt garnish on the side; egg carbonara was good but way too small for $18; the seared tuna from the tasting menu was quite good; lamb belly was kind of tough to get through and yes very fatty; mullet (fish) dish was nothing special; beef strip loin was done medium rare like I prefer but left chewiness in your mouth. Dessert was yummy, we shared the braised pear and the apple dish -- I should mention that you could probably totally forgo the dessert menu, since you'll most likely be served a complimentary mini dessert plus a chocolate truffle pop at the end.
In summary, for ~$80pp all-in without drinks, I was underwhelmed. Notice the lack of descriptiveness of all the dishes -- that's because the food was merely good, not memorable, and I can't recall any specific tastes that excited me. Sure the ingredients were fresh (and I appreciate locally-sourced), but I won't be getting in line to come back, too many other worthwhile places to try. I have to regrettably give this place an "OVER-HYPED" stamp. -
Review from Misty B.
Las Vegas, NV
1/22/2012
Ten stars if possible... Every single aspect of this dining experience is incredible.The eight course meal and wine pairing was the ultimate experience! This is hand's down the most elegant and amazing dining experience- the farm to table excellence, knowledge of the wonderful servers and managers, and presentation are absolutely devine. Be prepared to be wined and dined, and know that it is pricey but totally worth it. Words cannot express the quality and ambiance, definitely an experience to check off of the "bucket list"! Indulge and enjoy!
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Review from Arif R.
Manhattan, NY
12/5/2011
I visited Blue Hill on Sunday the 27th of November. We were seated near the back against the wall. If you haven't been here before, you'll find the two-top tables incredibly close together, which is not untypical of NYC dining, but even more at Blue Hill compared to its peer restaurants. It very much felt cramped and hard to concentrate on your own conversation whilst within accidental spray-range of your neighbors mouths.
That said, all the comfort issues went away once the food started arriving. Which, was fairly quick after ordering. The bread was warm and the butter soft. The amuse bouche of "beet burgers" was a hit with me, they should have served four instead of two, but that's just me being greedy.
The apple and fennel soup had a nice flavor with, if I recall, a slight kick in the pants. This morning's farm egg served was served with a Yukon gold puree and mushrooms and the egg (which was a chicken egg), was succulent and soft and melted in your mouth. That's what a 45 minute bath at 140 degrees will do to an egg, btw.
The trio of milk fed pig was, good - but I wouldn't say it was great. The artfully plated on a bed of sauteed greens. The duck, however, was great and certainly glad I got to share in it.
The apple cider beignet's were delicious, but be careful - just like McDonald's apple pies (not making a comparison at all), the filling is hot!
We had a glass or two of the Tempranillo, fyi.
Would I go again? I would. -
Review from Jerry B.
Brooklyn, NY
1/20/2012
This is by far my favorite restaurant in NYC. You get full and simply do not want to stop eating - it's that good.
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Review from d d.
Manhattan, NY
10/24/2011
As a recent transplant from the San Francisco Bay Area, I thought Blue Hill would appease my homesickness for California-esque cuisine with its local and artisanal ingredients, simple and clean flavors, and artful presentation. While Blue Hill checked off all the boxes, it appeared that was its only achievement.
Last night's tasting menu: The seared tuna was beautiful, but the aesthetic didn't translate into good flavors. It went beyond simple; it was simply bland. The farm egg overcompensated by being too salty. The milk-fed pork had a variety of cuts, all of which were obviously carefully selected for tenderness. Tender they were, but flavorful they were not. Our desserts came in two separate courses, one of which was an apple sorbet and almond ice cream, and the other was a spice cake with strawberries. The rather boring desserts maintained consistency for the rather boring meal.
Although I can't compliment the food, the restaurant succeeded by providing a very sophisticated--even romantic--atmosphere in the garden room. You feel like you're outside even though you have a roof over your head. Fine dining is never just about the food, it's about the overall experience. The professional, unpretentious service and the lovely decor made the overall experience a pretty good one. -
Review from Olivia W.
Manhattan, NY
12/16/2011
After my Lupa disaster, I decided to enter Blue Hill with zero expectations. I didnt read any reviews and I left the daunting task of reservations up to my better half. With that in mind, I can say with 100% accuracy that Blue Hill leaves much to be desired. The food is decent, but for those prices, I would have expected much more. I started with an apple fennel almond soup. It was fair. The consistency was nice but every so often Id get a bite of sour that threw the entire dish off balance. My Hudson Valley duck was okay, but it wasnt rave worthy. For dessert, I tried the beignets. They werent very good. Try the chocolate bread pudding instead. The waitstaff was sufficient, but none of the service stood out as remarkable. Overall, a fine restaurant that's way too expensive for the quality of the menu.
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Review from P V.
Honolulu, HI
11/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Had my first dinner here last night. Was definitely excited, as I love local food. But was very disappointed. Not a whole a lot of positives so I'll focus on what I disliked in this review:
- the decor was fine, but the tables are so close together. I know it's NYC, but it's a bummer to get dressed up to go out on a date and have 6 inches on each side separating you from all the other couples along the wall, men on one side and ladies on the other. It's impossible not to hear everyone else's conversations, or avoid watching them eat their food.
- the food was pretty but disappointing.
- ordered the cod head appetizer. sounded interesting on the menu. when it arrived, looked disgusting. actually looks like a dog's head. it was braised, but not quite enough so it's very slimy. mild and slightly salty taste, but nothing special. it was certainly a memorable experience, but not one that i would want to repeat. comes with a side of greens, which was probably the best part of the whole meal. i wish it was cooked more thoroughly and with more seasoning - any seasoning.
- this morning's farm egg appetizer - pretty on dish, forgettable in taste. lightly poached egg so yolk spills out on touch, so this dish is difficult to share.
- entree 1 - lobster. probably the winner on the menu tonight. but portion was quite small, and i would prefer a steakhouse lobster or luke's lobster roll any day of the week.
- entree 2 - chicken. the waiter convinced us to go for the chicken - he said it's often overlooked but is a real standout on the menu. i wish we had gone with our gut and selected the duck or the veal schnitzel. but we didn't. the chicken was sous vide in buttermilk. maybe i am not edumacated enough to enjoy it, but it basically was a very mild tasting, mushy piece of chicken that seemed undercooked. actually i think it was prepared 3 ways, with one tiny piece being roasted (which is the only piece we enjoyed) and another piece being braised (?). very forgettable dish.
- sides of squash/hubbard and brussel sprouts were good. desserts of bartlett pear and chocolate bread pudding were also tasty.
- booze was a decent value for this kind of establishment. good selection of bottled beers (no draft), wines by the glass starting at $13 or $14 with generous pours.
- service was ehh. our waiter was polite enough but was MIA for the last half of the meal. -
Review from Gabriel G.
Brooklyn, NY
11/27/2011
My wife and I celebrated our 2nd Wedding Anniversary on a Menuless Monday several months ago at the height of the summer bounty and I am still wistfully recounting several dishes...
I wont recount them for you. There is no point. They have since moved on and I am certain even tonight are serving dishes that pop just as brightly with flavor and inspired combinations.
It is a very small space, not stuffy at all. Depending on your style, it is quite suitable for a special occasion... you may be seated quite close to others...
Not many restaurants, especially after an omakase or tasting menu make it back on our ever growing restaurant list. We'll be returning to Blue Hill annually. It is excellent. -
Review from Becka W.
New York, NY
1/6/2012
Excellent food, subpar service. Basically, the food here is amazing but the wait staff needs to get over themselves.Came here with 2 of my girlfriends and we were ignored for about 10 minutes.. and then we finally had to ASK our waitress if we could order wine.. to which she says, umm ok. I love Dan Barber and I SO want to love this place, its totally up my alley foodwise and I love the concept, but Dan.. please.. get more pleasant wait staff!!!
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Review from Yelena K.
Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, CA
11/13/2011
Words pale in comparison.
I'm speechless. -
Review from Parisa A.
10/12/2011
I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars. This was a lovely meal. Was it 5-stars lovely? No. But lovely nonetheless.
To start, I had the heirloom tomato salad. It was definitely fresh, and the presentation was hands-down beautiful. Was it the best tasting tomato salad I've ever had? No. But it was good.
Boyfriend's tomato soup was delightful; probably more so than my salad. He finished his bowl.
Moving on to entrees, I opted for the milk fed pig. If I were to do it again, I would choose differently. The dish came with several different cuts of the pig. I learned from this meal that I am not a fan of pork belly. As an aside, why don't they just call it "pork fat", as opposed to pork belly? At least this way expectations would be appropriately set. In any case, I was not a huge fan of this dish. Disappointing, as I typically love pork chops so figured I'd love Blue Hill's pig.
The roasted potato side was WAY too salty. Boyfriend agreed.
Dessert was chocolate bread pudding. From what I recall, it was fine. Perhaps wiser diners would opt for a fruit-based dessert, seeing as how chocolate does not grow on a farm. Sometimes, a wise diner I am not.
Service was impeccable, our wine was excellent and I enjoyed my pre-dinner cocktail. Perhaps the highlight of this meal, however, was sitting a table away from Kelly Ripa, who happened to be celebrating her birthday with husband and friend, the night I was there. If the food had been mind-blowing, I probably wouldn't have cared. -
Review from Christine y.
West New York, NJ
12/27/2011
I really recommend going to Blue Hill at Stone Barns. Not the one in the city.
The experience was beautiful. food was exceptional. playful and creative.
I tried the 5 course tasting menu and it was honestly so much to eat. I recommend the tasting menu for sure if you have never been here. Reservation is pretty hard to get so plan this in advance! -
Review from Audrey L.
San Francisco, CA
10/16/2011
Awesome neighborhood hole-in-the-wall that deserves a lot of recognition. Let's just say everything tasted top-notch and was all naturally grown on the restaurant's farm in Massachusetts! One of the mushroom dishes was a bit on the salty side, but nothing untolerable. The freshness and deliciousness of all the other dishes far outweighed that! The wait staff were all very friendly and down to earth, and they even took the time to chat with us and explain the preparation of some of the dishes. The amuse bouches were always welcome and a very nice touch.
For the appetizer, I ordered the grilled peaches and green beans. You wouldn't normally think of putting these two ingredients together, but it worked amazingly well.
I had the crispy skin mullet as the entree and it was prepared exactly as I had imagined it would be -- with a crispy crunch on the top and soft, tender fish beneath, all the way to the last bite.
Really wished this meal didn't have to end!! -
Review from Alexander T.
New York, NY
9/10/2011
Have you ever been to one of those places where every ingredient listed on the menu has it's source listed with it: West Virginia Ham!! Terhune Orchard Tomatos!!!! SERIOUSLY!! TERHUNE!!!! and then the food comes out and it's completely ordinary? Blue Hill is the opposite. They list things like "Chilled Corn Soup, Chanterelles, Pancetta" and then it comes out extraordinary. The info is there on the website for those that want it, but it's not shoved down your throat.
Blue Hill takes farm-to-table to a whole new level. The thing that is so wonderful about it, however, is that they do this without that whole hipster-pretentious thing that has become such an irritating part of the dining scene these days.
I've had several meals at the New York branch of the Blue Hill trio of restaurants and never have I been disappointed. The food is always beautifully prepared, the ingredients the freshest and most seasonally relevant that you can find in NYC, the wine list is extensive, and the service is better-than-good. It is also not terribly expensive, for an expensive restaurant: it'll cost you more than your average place off the street, but not tons more.
What makes Blue Hill unique is the degree to which they are willing to emphasize the freshness of the ingredients. Can you imagine going into Daniel and receiving a carrot as an amuse bouche? A Carrot? Really? And yet at one trip to blue hill, that is exactly what I was given: a carrot, served in an ice-cream cone holder. At any other restaurant this would be absurd, but at Blue Hill, it works. It matches the style of the restaurant perfectly, not to mention it was the best damn carrot I ever had.
And that is the kind of place blue hill is. Every course is a testament to the restaurant's commitment to using fresh, seasonal ingredients, prepared lovingly, and with great skill so that each ingredient is complimented by the preparation, rather than being overwhelmed by it. It is absolutely unique in New York City: other fine dining restaurants don't do what Blue HIll does, and other "farm-to-table" restaurants are just poor imitations.
The only real drawback is the restaurant itself. Blue hill is small, in a basement, loud, and the tables are too close together to be really comfortable. It is always packed, so these last 2 things are particularly troubling. The dining room seems to be in stark contrast to the food and the philosophy of the restaurant, in fact.
Anyway, go to Blue Hill. It will give you a new appreciation for your veggies. -
Review from Maia D.
9/19/2011
Menu-less Monday was full of amazing seasonal summer fruits (watermelon) and vegetables (tomatoes, lots and lots of tomatoes) in a tasting menu style.
The highlight was the curry egg dish.
The chicken was tender and melty in my mouth deliciousness.
Several gripes - because it was menu-less Monday, you simply state what you won't eat (in my case it was lamb) but because of that, my husband who LOVES lamb, also got served the chicken. I felt really bad about this (however the chicken was really freaking good - he said he didn't mind).
I also was really hoping for the roasted veggies on the sticks - but didn't get that - perhaps it was for vegetarians only? -
Review from Lindsay G.
New York, NY
9/9/2011
Lovely intimate atmosphere. We showed up in jeans but had a reservation so they treated us nicely despite our casual attire. I liked that it wasn't too snooty.
The menu constantly changes but it's worth it to say our apps were a farmers egg, braised cod head and peaches and beans. The veggies tasted so clean and fresh, and preparation and presentation are exquisite!
For entrees we had lamb and pork prepare many ways. They are decent sized portions and interesting variations including different cuts of the animal. It's all really delicious.
Desserts were based on fruits and were both really good. The ice cream in particular was smooth and pure, those were some healthy, happy cows!
A great experience all around, and can't wait to try stone barns upstate! -
Review from Vintage G.
Manhattan, NY
1/6/2012
We were the youngest people there. Very old crowd. But food is great. Would I go back after my mandatory three tries? Most likely not. Not really memorable but I recall it be good but no real stand outs.
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Review from Randall S.
Manhattan, NY
11/23/2011
Lovely intimate atmosphere. The food is very fresh, which is what it is known for. The presentation and service is very good. Food is well prepared and very good, but not terribly exiting. The This Morning's Farm Egg Yolk Carbonara was good, with the sweet corn being the best part. The Grass Fed Lamb grilled radicchio, cherries and pistachios was also good. It comes medium rare without asking. The Chocolate Bread Pudding with cocoa nib ice cream followed by petits fours was a great end to the meal. I always like some petits fours at the very end. A fine finale.
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Review from Milano S.
Manhattan, NY
12/13/2011
Blue Hill does not live up to its billing as a top New York restaurant. The farm-fresh gimmick apparently makes it okay to charge fine dining prices for ordinary food. I also found the staff surprisingly aloof.
My girlfriend and I both ordered the tasting menu, and we were surprised by the poor execution. We were either waiting longer than we should have between courses, or one was put on the table before the last one was finished.
The dishes were neither inventive nor particularly remarkable, although I will say that everything was fresh and well presented. Nothing stood out except the mini-burgers at the beginning, which were notable for being tasteless and sponge-like.
The restaurant has a nice atmosphere, but the staff does not cultivate a friendly, welcoming feeling. Our waiter was absolutely distant. When I arrived early and waited at the bar, the bartender stood around chatting with the waitresses rather than seeing if I wanted to order a drink.
Bottom line: If you're going to set high expectations in the marketplace, you have to deliver. Blue Hill does not. It is not a good value or experience for the money. There are many other restaurants in New York where that money would be much better spent.
. -
Review from J G.
Providence, RI
9/18/2011
Recently came for a nice dinner with the Mrs. I am all about farm to table and had high hopes for blue hill. While it was good, it just didnt quite live up to the hype and hyperbole.
We started with the pan fried egg with fresh corn app, which as others have described is simple and yet perfect. It was the highlight of the meal for us and something I would order again.
For mains, we had the duck which was cooked perfectly and served with some fresh veggies. It was solid, but not transcendent. My wife had the veggie entree which featured quinoa. It was actually quite creative, fresh, and great tasting, but its presentation left a lot to be desired (it was just all heaped messily onto a plate).
For dessert, we had the passion fruit souffle with fresh raspberries which was a great way to end the meal. it was tart with a hint of sweetness and perfectly done.
We found the wine list to be decent with slightly high prices (would you expect anything else). Our service was good without being overbearing and although the room is cramped/loud we felt comfortable at all times. -
Review from Jeanne W.
New York, NY
9/25/2011
Blue Hill is fine dining in a not too stuffy environment. And man, is this food fresh and good. They source their produce, fruits, meat, eggs from local farms, i.e. Stone Barns.
It's not as expensive as 11 Madison Park, but it's right up there. However, it is definitely worth a splurge for a special occasion.
I did the tasting menu. They did not have to modify it to make it gluten-free! Even the almond cake was made with almond flour and no gluten flour! ANd they don't use flour to thicken any of their sauces.
It really will be a delectable meal. Trust me! -
Review from Lana S.
Minneapolis, MN
8/8/2011
One of the best restaurants in the world. Loved everything about it. We were here for my mother in law's 70th birthday. She was expecting an amazing experience (the Obamas had just eaten here, it's in the newspaper all the time, etc.). We had two children with us who were at the time ages 7 and 11, and who are far from adventurous eaters. My sister-in-law is a vegetarian - who doesn't like most vegetables. All kinds of things could have gone wrong given that combination of people! I was hesitant to bring kids here (and to be honest, it isn't worth it to bring your kids), but my mother-in-law insisted and it was her birthday dinner so...
The interior is very small, beautiful, more modern than I expected given the "farm" element of their food/marketing. We waited a tiny bit past our reservation but were made comfortable with a glass of wine at the small bar (where you can also eat if you want to try to walk in). Our table was round - perfect for a group of 6.
The food was amazing. We had mini carrots and radishes to start. Superb. Sweet, tasty, served on an interesting sort of dish with greens still attached.
The adults all had the tasting menu - I think it was called the Farmer's Menu. The kids had pasta with butter on it. That is not on the menu, but when we asked they had zero problem making it up for us. They also made a piece of broiled chicken for our older son. At no time did we feel like our children were a bother (and thank goodness, they were well mannered too).
We all tried different desserts and each was amazing. The menu changes frequently and seasonally and I cannot wait to go again. -
Review from Thomas S.
New York, NY
7/21/2011
This place is a foodie's dream. Fresh ingredients that are well prepared in a simple, understated fashion. Blue Hill is a unique hotspot because it's a no frills place that simply focuses on the food. It doesn't care about being a scene or having the latest Phillipe Stark inspired avant garde decor. The fresh ingredients are the star here, and nothing else. I recently had the farm egg as an appetizer and the wild sea bass. The aroma and flavors will simply captivate you.
Blue HIll is a great litmus test for your relationship. If your girl likes it, she has good taste and cares about subtle flavors and good company. If your girl doesn't like it, she's a golddigger that only cares about being seen at a place she once saw on Sex and the City. Leave her. Life is too short. Enjoy. -
Review from Angela H.
Berkeley, CA
6/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
I didn't know eating straight out of the earth can taste this good. Blue hill somehow transforms food literally pulled right out of the garden (okay farm) and prepares it to tasty perfection. It's also one of those places that you leave feeling full but not gross, since the food you ate was not only delicious, but also actually healthy and fresh. Easily a "I will come back" place (very important in my book).
I went with the Farmer's Feast tasting menu - June 22, 2011 (yea I know I finally have time to write a review on the same day haha)
First came a few baby carrots served... pretty much as is with a light citrus dressing. They were still served with the leaves which made me want to eat them bugs bunny style but in the interest of dining at a fairly fancy restaurant I refrained. Standard carrots served raw; crunchy and complimented with the dressing in harmony.
Then came the mini asparagus burgers... the asparagus pureed into small pieces and sandwiched between two buttery buns. Tasty little bite.
Charcuterie - two thin slices of pork shoulder was a nice little addition to lead the way into the actual meal...
First Course - First of the Season String Beans and Grilled Peaches - Homemade pancetta, Fennel and Cucumber: Let's just say, I'm not really a veggie eating kind of person, and I vacuumed it all up. Maybe it's because the waitress brought out the actual fresh string beans prior to the meal (a mixture of green beans and wax beans), maybe it's the light citrusy seasoning that made the salad flavorful yet light, maybe it's the perfectly grilled peaches paired with the pancetta. One of my favorite salads ever.
Second Course - This Morning's Farm Egg - Morel Mushrooms, Snow Peas and Lamb's Quarters: Gooey goodness. The slow cooked poached egg blended in creamy harmony with the chopped sweet snow peas. And always a fan of morel mushrooms. Yum.
Second Course (Swapped one of the tasting menus for a Cod Head) - One of the best pieces of cooked fish I've ever had. A must try for those who come. We inquired about the preparation and was let in on how.... but out of respect I will not disclose any details. Although let's just say it takes lots of love to get that eyeball-less cod head to taste like perfection. The texture was almost crab like... just melts in your mouth. Minimal spices needed as the fish goodness takes center stage.
Main Course - Hudson Valley Duck - Fava Beans, Garlic Scapes, Peas and Almonds. Nom nom. Once again the beans and pea were fresh and delicious (and I hate peas)... somehow the slivered almonds played in just fine and provided some texture omph. The duck was tender and tasty and the portion size was just right. The best duck I've ever had is still at Alinea but this is fairly close.
Dessert Course 1 - Blueberries - Stone barns honey, yogurt sorbet - a tasty blend but nothing to call home about.
Dessert Course 2 - Strawberries - Caramelized white chocolate, Milk Jam Ice Cream - this was the tastier of the two; the caramelized white chocolate was deliciously paired with a little slice of chocolate cake and ice cream.
We ended the meal with a piece of little brownie that fell apart in my mouth, and a passion fruit marshmallow that was very passion fruity (in a good way).
Service - wonderful. Passes the 30-second napkin folding test (actually happened within 10 seconds of leaving the table). I spilled some sauce and dipped my napkin into my water to clean my dress and the waiter immediately brought me a new cup of water... impeccable attention to detail. Thumbs up!
All and all, a wonderful dining experience and one of my best overall.Listed in: My Michelin Adventures
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Review from Lisa M.
6/13/2011
It's 8:30 on a Wednesday night. I'm at a friend's apartment for an impromptu housewarming glass of champagne. She says "Let's go and eat somewhere close by". I say "Great idea - let's yelp it". Blue Hill comes up tops so I phone and work the "I have a foreign accent" angle with the hostess. It works. We get a table for 9:15.
I had no idea what awaited me. I think that made the experience even more special because it was so unexpected.
First of all, I was completely unaware that it was a fine dining establishment and I arrived in my usual work attire. Some ladies were in cocktail dresses. But it didn't seem to matter in the slightest. We were treated to excellent service just the same.
We had fresh salads followed by fish. I'm sorry I'm not being more specific here. I can't recall the actual fish I chose - but we all had a different one, and we all thought they were heavenly. Light, fresh and balanced. I think ramps were involved somewhere. Or fiddle-heads? What is this obsession with obscure green thingys?
But here's the bit that really sticks in my mind. Dessert. Cappuccino. But not just the usual cappuccino, no, my friends. Some inspired cheffy person - some godlike woman/man in white - has taken the essence of cappucino-ness and turned it into a dessert that delights. Layers of soft light coffee-flavoured ricotta cream, interspersed by layers of a firm, clear espresso jelly (jello not jam), topped by a fluffy-as-a-cloud foam layer. *sigh*
Go here! Go here now. Go here now with lots of cash. (It's not an inexpensive meal but its definitely worth it) -
Review from Lina F.
5/31/2011
I have to say Blue Hill in the NYC was a mixed bag of emotions. On one hand, the food was great and the wine was tasty. On the other hand, the service was terrible. Waiters dropped serving trays, messed up orders and only paid attention to elderly NYC socialites.
The duck was delicious and the coffee and creme dessert ended the night perfectly. However, the $16 sunny side up egg was a bit of a mistake - it's really just 1 egg. My boyfriend had the cod head which was accompanied by a rice soup. It appeared good, but seemed uninspiring.
The duck and the pork were delicious, but the service definitely left a bad taste in our mouths.
I have a feeling if you went to StoneBarn, you won't be disappointed with either the food or the service. Or if you do plan to go to the NYC one, dress up like a rich socialite (or Skeletor's mom). The entire Blue Hill waitstaff will kiss your ass and continuously give you free wine throughout the night.
YOU the average guest will be ignored and your order will be messed up. -
Review from Samantha P.
New York, NY
8/2/2011
Man this place is good. It's Fresh, local and well-executed. Magically my expectations were met, and they were HIGH.
The restaurant itself is much smaller than I expected, but this only added to the feeling of intimacy when you walk down the stairs, and into the restaurant that is tucked below a painfully quaint Greenwich Village brownstone. The lighting is dim, the walls, chairs and booths are all colored a neutral grey stone, with warm wood accents. The mood is relaxed, cozy and elegant (in that minimalist kind of way).
I went with a party of four, and we each chose our own entrees and apps, and to our delight, one of our guests chose the Farmers Feast, which basically meant that we were exposed to an entirely different menu, with a few additional courses. With this meal, the palate cleanser before the dessert is shared with the entire table, so instead of having one serving of blueberries in home made cream, we had four, which was a nice treat.
Our meal started with an amuse bouche that was a Barbie sized "hamburger" made with corn bread buns, and a sweet tomato paste center.
We were then treated to a trio of spreads that accompanied some fresh bread. Home made butter (like churned-on-the farm home made), bacon spread (yup, made with bacon, like an elegant version of the stuff that ends up on the bottom of the frying pan you make your bacon in), and tomato infused spread (mild and satisfying).
For my app, because I must always choose eggs on a menu that celebrates farm fresh eggs I had:
THIS MORNING'S FARM EGG YOLK CARBONARA
PANCETTA, ZUCCHINI AND CORN
For my entree:
STONE BARNS BERKSHIRE PIG
SWEET CORN, SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS, TITAN PARSLEY AND ALMONDS. This was so great because you got three different cuts of pork on your plate, chop, belly and third that I was less familiar with. All of which paired perfectly with the other items on my plate, and with different pork pairings, different aspects of the dish were highlighted. It was so simple, yet so complex in both taste and execution.
This restaurant is a five star experience, without the pretentiousness that follow some of the City's five star restaurants. I will definitely be returning when I have the money. -
Review from DeDe D.
New York, NY
6/20/2011
I feel like a wet blanket here, but wow, worst service ever. Blue Hill has a reputation to live up to ... and they don't. Our waiter was incapable of answering any questions about the menu - he finally sent over another server who was moderately helpful.
When we asked to speak to the sommelier about wine pairings, she came over with two bottles of wine and poured full glasses while explaining that it went with our entree choices. No discussion, no taste, no mention of what might match with our starters. It was startling. I've never seen wine service handled so poorly.
There were many other missteps, but the piece de resistance occurred at the table next to us. A woman was served the chicken entree without the chicken.
The food we were served was very good - but at those prices, they're selling an experience. I hope they were just having an off night, but it was pretty egregious. -
Review from Ann Marie V.
Washington, DC
9/5/2011
From the amuse bouche to start, to the cocoa-dusted truffles to end, it was the best meal I've had all year ... enjoyed the tilefish, and the duck is excellent too. The potatoes are so far from the run-of-the-mill potatoes. Also the marinated cherry tomatoes (side dish) are not to be missed. Small space, lovely staff. Do make this a special occasion venue.
Also - must add that we sat at the bar, and really enjoyed the conversations with not only the bartender, but especially the various friendly patrons. -
Review from ehsan i.
New York, NY
10/19/2011
Wife took me here for a 30th birthday dinner. Well done by her!
I would love to give this place five stars, but a few things conspired to keep it a 4. Also, we had 5 dishes (two apps, two entrees, cheese plate) of which only 2 were extremely good.
First, as we entered the restaurant, a mouse was scrambling inside under the door. This is NYC, so I'm not above a mouse sighting (hey, it wasn't a rat), but we did choose to point this out to the greeter. When we told the greeter, she implied that it was a reality of the city and they tried to keep it in control. Fine. But a few minutes later a manager came by the table and said in her 3 years at the restaurant she had never seen a mouse... Not sure why the discrepancy between the staff, but it was odd.
Second, the wait staff laid down the incorrect dish in front of us for EVERY COURSE. This wasn't just putting the wrong dish in front of the wrong person. One of the appetizers wasn't right, both entrees were wrong and taken to another table, and they laid down 2 desserts even though we ordered a cheese plate. For the entree course, my wife's wound up sitting in front of her for 5 minutes while they scrambled to bring mine out. We honestly thought they must have had some table mislabeling issues; the waitstaff was completely confused every time they laid food on our table only to find out it wasn't our order. Bizarre, because these quirks rarely occur even at much lesser restaurants. Even more bizarre, they didn't really apologize or try to make amends.
Anyways, moving past this, the food was quite delicious. The tomato soup is simply amazing, just the perfect iteration of this classic dish. The lamb entree outshined the pork. I'm a big lamb fan, and I can't remember I had lamb this tasty, executed so well. The egg appetizer sounded better than it tasted. Cheese plate was a strong showing .
I would give Blue Hill another chance on the assumption that we caught them on an off night - obviously the place has a great reputation. But they didn't do themselves any favors on this night! -
Review from Alyssa K.
7/12/2011
If you're not a veggie lover, Blue Hill will definitely turn you into one by the end of the night. And then you'll be sad when you try to make veggies at home and they don't taste anywhere as fresh or delicious as they do here.
I took my boyfriend here last night for his birthday, and lucky for us, it was Menuless Monday, an approx. 2-hour-long meal where you have no idea what you're going to eat until it's put right in front of you. Chefs at Blue Hill must be overjoyed on the second Monday of each month. Instead of cranking out the same tired dishes night after night, they finally get to play with that day's freshest ingredients and let their imaginations run wild.
Here's what we got:
Started off with a shot glass of chilled tomato water. Light orange in color with a crisp, full tomato flavor. Very interesting and refreshing.
Amuse-bouche:
*Tomato burgers with ricotta and almond bun: These were the most adorable things, and definitely one of the more memorable foods of the night. Imagine a quarter-sized "burger," no more than an inch tall, with a savory tomato spread and a dab of ricotta, wrapped in a light airy "bun" that tasted more like a cookie. It was even topped with little sesame seeds.
*Grilled padron and shishito peppers: Deep green peppers charred to perfection. The waiter warned us that 1 in 9 of the peppers is spicy; turned out the largest shishito pepper was the one that had that kick. Awesome flavor.
Bread came out next. Warm breadsticks that were crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside... perfect. They came with an assortment of homemade ricotta, rendered pork fat spread sprinkled with paprika, homemade butter, and spinach salt. All of them were excellent but the boy liked the ricotta the best, while I loved the butter... it was so light and the right amount of saltiness for me. The spinach salt was good, too... looks more like powder and has a very subtle taste of spinach. Rendered pork fat, as you could guess, was pure fatty goodness. We probably ate more bread than we should have.
Savory courses:
*Summer fruit salad with gazpacho vinaigrette, grilled bio-charred peaches, and straciatella cheese: Wow, who knew salad could taste this good? The gazpacho vinaigrette definitely hit it out of the park, and the peaches were oh-so-juicy. The salad was filled with every kind of summer fruit and veg you could imagine, from cherries, to plums, to sugar snap peas.
*Wild Alaskan sockeye salmon with sofrito tomato and cucumber: I felt so healthy eating this. The sofrito was a perfect complement to the fish, and the cucumbers we got weren't your run-of-the-mill cucumbers. They were small in diameter, but plump, almost like pickles.
*Variety of cuts of Berkshire pig with side of corn and various beans: This, unfortunately, was the most disappointing dish of the night. Not only did they pile on way too many slices of pork (I think it was about eight slices), but there was nothing really unique about the flavoring. It was very simple, as was the sauce that was drizzled on it. The corn/bean side was tasty, though.
Our palate cleanser was a sour cream sorbet with honey and red currants. I wish I got a huge bowl of this.
Desserts:
*Poached peaches with sliver of almond cake, golden raspberries, milk jam ice cream, and chamomile foam: I bet you're salivating now just reading that. Words cannot describe how amazing this dessert was. The flavors blended beautifully and my only complaint is that the portion just wasn't big enough. Big props to the Blue Hill pastry chef. And they remembered it was my boyfriend's birthday, so they even added a little candle to his plate :)
*Caramelized flaxseed and blackcurrant chocolate cake: These sweet little bits came at the end with our check. The flaxseed was in the shape of a little mound, and it reminded me of Korean sesame candies I love eating. The blackcurrant chocolate cake was moist cake with a thin layer of blackcurrant on top. Great way to end our meal.
Our server was great and very attentive. If you're not too much of a picky eater, you like surprises, and you want to taste the real Hudson Valley, definitely check out Menuless Monday on the second Monday of each month. If you have allergies or if you absolutely refuse to eat certain foods, they will accommodate and whip up something else for you. Blue Hill's not cheap (what Michelin-starred restaurant is?), but I'd say Menuless Monday is definitely worth trying at least once if not for the food, then at least for the fun and unpredictable experience. -
Review from Amit N.
New York, NY
11/13/2011
Had an amazing anniversary/birthday dinner here a few weeks ago. Service was impeccable and the food was absolutely divine. Definitely recommend it for a lovely dinner or special occasion.
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Review from susan h.
New York, NY
1/2/2012
An experience! Go! Run!
