- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Daniel
Category: Restaurants French French [Edit]
60 E 65th StNew York, NY 10065
Neighborhood: Upper East Side
(212) 288-0033
- Nearest Transit:
-
Lexington Av/63 St (F)
68 St - Hunter College (4, 6, 6X)
Lexington Av/59 St (N, Q, R)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 5:30 pm - 11 pm
- Attire:
- Formal (Jacket Required)
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- 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:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
518 reviews for Daniel
Review Highlights
"The amuse-bouche was just beautiful and delicious."
(in 62 reviews)
"We did the 6 course tasting menu with the wine pairing."
(in 52 reviews)
"Black Sea Bass- Fresh and well prepared."
(in 33 reviews)
Loading...
517 reviews in English
-
Review from David H.
2/3/2012
Okay seriously, this is about as 5-star as you can get.
My gf and I came here on a Tuesday night for our 2-year anniversary. From the moment we walked in we were treated like royalty. The service staff were professional and on top of their game. We barely noticed when our glasses were filled, utensils replaced, and plates removed--they just seemed to happen on their own. The timing between courses was perfectly timed, and the staff always kept a respectful distance but were there in a flash if you needed them.
The food was everything I could have expected from a triple-michelin star rated restaurant. I could have eaten an entire meal's worth of the bread, which was soft, warm, and delectable. We opted to go with the a-la-carte rather than the 3-course prix fixe since we usually split our desserts. Every course was amazing--the yellowfin tuna tartare really stood out and the duo of beef was AMAZING. My gf's monkfish was also very good.
Chef Daniel Boulud came out during our meal and moved from table to table greeting the guests. This was a Tuesday night, so it was nice to see that he doesn't just show up on the weekends like some celebrity chefs do.
At the end of the meal (after our dessert), the waiter offered us a basket of freshly baked madeleine cookies, compliments of the pastry chef. It was a nice gesture and gave me an excuse to stuff my face some more.
Obviously it was a pricey meal, but we were very satisfied and will definitely be back again in the future! -
Review from Jeong K.
Butler, NJ
2/1/2012
Great service, food was well prepared and loved how they seared the Foi Gras the way I liked it. Presentation was well kept and atmosphere was perfect. Need I say more?
I'm a Fan! -
Review from Esther S.
Manhattan, NY
1/24/2012
Great food, great service and tons of FREEBIES!
My bf and I were definitely one of the youngest people at Daniel's for dinner that particular night. The waiters and waitresses however were not pretentious like at some other fine dining restaurants.
We decided to try the 3 course prix fixe, and before any food arrived, an appetizer of 3 small dishes came complimentary of the chef. Following that, every dish we ordered was cooked and presented perfectly.
When it came to dessert, we both chose something from the chocolate list, which was definitely the right choice - both of our desserts were incredible!! After dessert, a free platter of small bite sized dessert were served, followed by warm mini madeleines, then chocolates to finish off the night!
Needless to say, we were very satisfied and left thinking of our next visit. -
Review from Jami C.
Manhattan, NY
2/7/2012
What a lovely experience I had with a friend when we at here. We shared the Scallops and the Foie Gras, both of which were stellar. The White Cosmopolitan was almost too pretty to drink. The service was impeccable and the decor was beautiful but not too stuff. And Daniel walked the floor and mingled with the customers. For the time in my life, I have a chef crush after he stopped my table twice. If I could eat here every day, I would.
-
Review from Arielle C.
Manhattan, NY
2/7/2012
This place is definitely....like, a whole new level of first class. If you've got the money to spare, spend it here.
-
Review from Tony P.
Jersey City, NJ
2/6/2012
I wish I could give this place an extra credit star!!
This is quite possibly the best service I have ever had. . .
The food was delicious; we had the wine pairings with the six course meal. I am not a wine person but the wines they brought out were absolutely perfect for a dinner that could not have been executed any better.
Although there are about 75 employees running around, they are coordinated, friendly and attentive to your every need.
The food was absolutely amazing. The waiters were knowledgeable and made this such a great experience.
Be prepared to spend some money here; it is worth every dollar.
I absolutely love this place. -
Review from Nancy S.
1/19/2012
One of the most mind-numbingly exquisite dinners I've ever had. The service was exquisite, up to every little nuance. The random table busser I asked to direct me to the ladies room even walked me directly to the stairs down. Our server was at our table every moment we wanted him, the sommelier was fantastic and knowledgeable. The decor was very elegant, restaurant very spacious and ambiance was great.
But ... Oh god.. the food was beyond words delicious. My date and I each got the chef's 6-course tasting menu and since there were two choices per course, we decided to try them all. Let me tell you that from every bite, whether it was a bit of the yellowtail tartar appetizer, or the duo of beef entree, to the last bit of dessert, during which the chef sent over some freshly made french madeleines (made to perfection), everything was melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
I wish I could remember every detail about the food but I felt like I was in a sort of a daze.
Only bad thing is that I can't afford to drop so much money often to have such a great dinner! Gotta stick to visiting my cheaper greenwich village staples for a while.. -
Review from Lester M.
Durham, NC
1/15/2012
Oh Daniel, how I miss you. How many times have I made the short walk back home from your beautiful and perfect restaurant thinking to myself, "wow, I can't believe that meal was better than the last time." Seriously, I've never had a bad meal here, and I think Eric Ripert needs to eat here more often to see how service at a 3-star Michelin is supposed to be. The staff is always friendly and warm, and not stuffy and indifferent like in some other places *ahem*.
I remember I was here this one time, and sitting at the next table was this couple, a guy in cowboy boots, jeans, etc, making really rude and ridiculous requests while downing beer out of the bottle (seriously, you not only asked for, but loudly demanded, an ice bucket for your beer bottle?). I can't see the justice in pairing beer with this food, honestly. But, to his credit, the waiter never flinched, and tried his best to accomodate him while displaying no outward signs of offense. Personally, I was impressed, as I myself would have blown a gasket and dropped dead right there on the spot.
The food is also always sublime. I've had dreams about the foie I had here a while ago. On the whole, I don't think the desserts are quite as great or innovative as some other comparable establishments, and this is probably the only (albeit very, very slight) criticism I can levy against Daniel.Listed in: Michelin Starred Restaurants…
-
Review from JY C.
New York, NY
2/4/2012
The prices are high, but you are paying for a complete dining experience. Friendly and highly professional staff who cater to your every whim, cocktails that are served 'just so', a world-class wine list, and true individual attention are just a tip of the ice berg. The appetizers, entrees (we had the prime rib for two) and the desserts are masterful, and the little touches (like the chocolates and pastries that are made on-site) make this restaurant worth every penny.
-
Review from Mary J.
Manhattan, NY
2/7/2012
The food is okay and of course the portions are small. The bar makes great drinks. The environment is nice. Definitely overrated and to keep the restaurants esteem they make getting reservations harder. OVERRATED!
-
Review from eve a.
1/16/2012
I feel terrible for giving this infamous place 3 stars but I believe the truth is more important than being polite .Oh,yeah, Im the spokeswoman of justice and honesty (not when it comes to my weight , that truth I like to stretch a bit, I mean shrink a bit)
So lets go from A to Z
Service-top notch, elegant,knowledgeable ad very professional. And why all of them are so beautiful? I guess food tastes better when handsome folks serve it ;)
Ambiance- impeccably sleek. Very regal, gracefully silent and refined. No cell phones allowed! yey, to that policy,even thogh I could resist a temptation to check my phone pretending to reach for my bag. Warm colors, people in suits and elegant dresses and murmur of the ongoing conversations tranfer you into Hollywood movies about the life or rich and powerful.
Food-so here is a main actor who didnt perform his part properly. for almost $700 for dinner for two I expect my dinner to be worthy a food novel or at least a short opera. Dinner was decent but nothing memorable at all. I had tortellinis with squid ink that were quite nice due t the thin dough and unique flavor. But my deer meat was a bland and tasted like a cross of chicken liver and rib eye steak. Selection of sorbets were nice too-but that the only compliment that i can think of for them. I know its not an ice cream but just touch of cream probably would ve been a good idea cuz sorbets were a bit icy and therfore didnt have a strong taste.
Selection of chocolates and freshly baked madelines that came after the sorbets were much better than sorbets.
Overall its was a very memorable experience yet for doesnt worth the hefty price tag -
Review from Moon D.
New Rochelle, NY
1/8/2012
Let's face it. When you are reviewing a place like Daniel, the grading system should be:
Good
Great
Excellent and
Outstanding
The words "poor" or "average" should not even be included in the vocabulary.
When you are paying the price that you pay, and formal attire is mandated, the dining experience should be memorable. And it was. We went for my wife's birthday.
Ambiance: (Excellent).
Quite charming decor where older gentlemen had on the bowties and their companions had large swanky hats to match.
Service: (Outstanding).
From start to finish, thoroughly a wonderful experience. The little treats before and after dinner truly complements the dining experience. And yes, we got the Daniel bib also when we told them my wife was expecting.
Food: Ah yes, the food.
Duck Terrine with Marcona Almond: (Great)
Silky pate with well balanced sweetness from the apple confit and glazed date.
Foie Gras: (Excellent)
It was a special with supplemental charge but well worth it. Perfectly seared. Although I can make an argument that I've had an amazing $15 foie gras and kobe beef slider in the past at an upscale bar in Baltimore called Salt, that equaled the preparation of the foie gras I had at Daniel.
Black Sea Bass with Pommes Dauphine, Leeks and Syrah Sauce: (Outstanding)
Truly amazing dish. Fish cooked perfectly, amazing texture, sauce accompaniment and flavors awesome.
Duo of Beef: (Great)
Perhaps it was because my wife had to have the beef well done since she was pregnant. Nonetheless, we've had better braised short ribs in the past. Sauce was excellent however.
Warm Guanaja Chocolate Coulant: (Outstanding)
Chocolate Heaven. Enough said.
Kenyan Coffee Ganache: (Outsanding)
Dark chocolate, coffee ice cream and rice crispy.
Great combination of flavors and texture.
OK... we both LOVE chocolate... but who doesn't?
Overall Experience: (Excellent)
I would probably give it a 4.5/5 if I can.
We will be back. -
Review from Anon A.
Chicago, IL
2/3/2012
10 years ago I graduated from Harvard law school and decided to take my father to a fancy meal as a thank you for all he'd done for me. I had a humble upbringing so let's just say my father and I stood out (think department store suits). That doesn't excuse the way we were treated though: the waiter acted condescending throughout the evening and our tasting menu included items like pickled herring in a jar.
I've since joined the "rich" society that places like Daniel seem to view as the only people worth serving. But I would never step foot in this place again ... Daniel embodies every negative stereotype about New York and its elitism. And the food was very poor compared to the comparably priced restaurants I've visited since then. -
Review from Lauren C.
Sewell, NJ
1/7/2012
Daniel was the best French cuisine i've ever had. The wait staff was courteous and knowledgable, and all French! The appetizer (scallops) and main course (suckling pig) were to die for. The meal was wonderful beyond any expectation.
But then came dessert.
Oh. My. Word.
Upon the advice of one of our waiters, I ordered a pear dessert, as my husband was ordering chocolate and I love variety. It was simply divine. Just when I was finishing, we were brought hot, fresh mini madeleines that simply melted in your mouth. THEN we were brought mini chocolates with various fillings, THEN some petit fours! I died and went to dessert heaven. I floated out of Daniel on a cloud, and dreamed of madeleines all night long. Please do yourself a favor and dine at Daniel, you will not regret it! -
Review from John C.
Alexandria, VA
1/7/2012
Fantastic. Come here for the best in French food and exquisite service. Each course is better than the last, service is charming, and desert never seems to end (seriously there were like five desert courses. The dining room is refined. We even mentioned our baby, and they gave us a gift, a bib that says 'I'd rather be eating at Daniel'.
See, now my baby is a fan. -
Review from Leo O.
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here for diner and we tried their Christmas tasting menu (4 courses). A little more expensive than their regular menu but definitely worth it.
As you first walk into the restaurant, coat check in is to your left, bar is in front of you down the steps. You walk through the bar/waiting area to reach the front desk. It's very elegantly decorated and while you wait, they gave you bread sticks wrapped around olives. It was was pretty good, but I don't like olives that much.
For the amuse-bouche - they gave us potato done 3 ways. All I remember was eating it from the left to right and that was the perfect way because if you had done it any other way, the aftertaste would have lingered on your palate and ruined the next bite.
For 1st course - we had the Duck Terrine with marcona almond and Dodge Cove Oysters in sea water gelee. Out of these 2 courses, the ouster dish was the BEST!! The sea urchin was sweet and both the oysters and the sea urchin did not have a gritty taste to them. Perfectly clean!! For me, this was by the far the best dish, mainly because the sea urchin was sweet. Very hard to find good quality sea urchin cleaned/prepared well. The Duck Terrine, which is similar to pâté, I didn't like the texture as much. Reminded me of liver paste. I also wished the duck flavor was stronger. The Consommé en Croûte was delicious. The soup was very heart and a strong flavor profile. The pastry was so light and delicate. It rose very well and when you poked it with your fork, it "popped" and "deflated", it was a perfect "souffle". Excellent technical skills.
For the 2nd course - we had the Crispy Scottish Langoustines and Buddhas hand lemon pine nut crusted sea scallops. These two dishes were both excellent but the langoustines (aka Norway lobster) wins by a photo finish. They gave a lot of langoustine meat and you could taste the lobster flavor. The hearts of palm were cut into very small cubes, so it wasn't too overpowering. I love the crispiness, didn't feel oily at all. Both dishes were clean, fresh, yet filling. The scallops was cooked perfectly. I couldn't tell in the light, but it tasted very slightly raw in the middle. Other than that, it was an excellent dish.
For the 3rd course - we had the Atlantic Turbot roasted on the bone and pan seared millbrook venison loin. The turbot was a meaty/heavy fish. I was so full by the time we finished this course. The fish wasn't dry and there were no bones. Out of these two dishes, I much preferred the venison loin. Cooked medium rare to perfection and had tons more flavor than the turbot. Each root piece was a different root and it all complemented the meat well. The red wine flavor wasn't strong at all, hardly noticeable.
For the 4th course - we had the Kenyan coffee ganache and maple-honey pear variation. I got the kenyan coffee because I wanted to see how strong it really tasted. Granted it's not Kenyan coffee beans, but I figured it would be close. It was definitely strong but it went well with the ice cream. I wish I had more ice cream. The rice krispy definitely helped to cut back a little of the dark bitter chocolate taste. The honey pear variation was fresh and light. The asian pear slices were sweet and crispy. Just how it should be. The maple pecan ice cream was the best thing on that dish. I could go for thirds!! I originally thought that the pear dish was going to be poached in alcohol, but I was completely wrong and I still enjoyed every bite of it.
After we finished the courses, they gave 2 more complimentary dessert courses. One of the complimentary dessert dishes had edible gold flakes. I was so happy that I got to try them finally. Now I don't have to pay $1000 for the Serendipity sundae =P The flakes were slightly sweet and it just melted as it touched your tongue. Loved it!!
Service was beyond excellent. Always asking you how you're doing, how's the food. Always filling up the water non-stop. More than happy to answer your questions. Even the water boy knew all the components of the dishes. I was very impressed.
We sat in the long booths. The leather seating was very comfortable and your visual field was facing the center of the restaurant. Felt like you were in a Colosseum but overlooking other diners. Loved the decor!
I was extremely full by the time I left the restaurant.
When you pick up your coats, they gave us gingerbread (cinnamon, anise, ginger, orange & lavender honey glazed with rum, garnished with orange peel confit & pistachios). I liked the gingerbread A LOT except for the orange peel. I didn't think it went well at all. Pistachios was a nice touch though.
I would definitely recommend this place and I would definitely come back here again! -
Review from Kobus C.
Brooklyn, NY
2/8/2012
I love the food, nice dinner.....
-
Review from Sunny K.
Los Angeles, CA
12/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I am madly and passionately in love with a beautiful, generous man. I find myself gazing at him wondering how I got so lucky.
He whisked me away for a weekend in NYC. There's nothing more beautiful than the colors of fall in the city, other than, being with the man that can make any day a beautiful one.
He loves Daniel's. I love him. So here we are...
Again... I'm not your typical Asian that takes pics of everything I eat, while describing it like a mentally challenged virgin stalking Anthony Bourdain. Let me just say, it was.... good. From the amuse bouche to desserts, to cocktails and wine, to great service and better company. My only deduction is for the fact that I wasn't blown away. I've had some great, great food in my life. I've had some dishes that had me almost crying in wonderment. How a plate of food is edible and not some sort of art installation has had me awed. Daniel's did not quite accomplish this type of excitement. Yes, all the components were there but for a 3 star Michelin restaurant, I did not quite experience the orgasmic pleasures one would expect. That came after dinner:) -
Review from Sean C.
12/29/2011
I was completely blown away by this experience.
We were contacted by phone and then greeted by host/reservation staff in a very welcoming way without the stuffiness that I feared. After a drink at the bar, we were led to an amazing table for two with great space and a view.
The dinner service was impeccable; the staff seemed to float around the dining room like I was watching a choreographed dance. We ordered the eight-course chef's tasting menu, which is a must both from an economic and gastronomic standpoint.
From land, sea and air, the tasting covered it all with a level of elegance, sophistication and refinement that I had never experienced. Each course was introduced in a friendly and helpful manner. the sommelier chatted with us about wine pairings. All in all, from amuse bouche to the pastry chef's takeaway gifts, we ooh'ed, aah'ed and gasped after every course not believing it was possible to be better than the last.
Was it expensive? Absolutely, but the price was nothing to pay compared to the experience. They even printed a beautiful menu for us to take home to remember our night.
PS: I booked these reservations for Christmas week in NYC about two weeks prior on Open Table. It's definitely worth a shot looking on short notice, especially if you don't mind eating early (We had a 5:30 reservation, were seated around 6 and the meal lasted approximately 3 hours). -
Review from Matt H.
Brooklyn, NY
2/7/2012
Food was great. Service was perfect until the restaurant filled, then it dropped to very good. Would recommend 3 course dinner over 6 course tasting...more variety and reasonable.
-
Review from Vanessa H.
Miami, FL
12/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Restaurant Daniel is perfection. The dining room, the service, the food!!
In summary:
You won't be elbow to elbow with somebody you don't know because the tables are perfectly spaced for privacy.
You won't have your glass half-empty, ever.
You probably won't need to ask for anything because the service is always one step ahead of you. And not in that overbearing, leave-us-alone type of way. The servers are knowledgeable, and everyone is friendly.
You won't leave hungry. In fact, all of the extra treats they serve at the end of the meal may leave you wishing they would stop. Do not have a late lunch!
Don't go here expecting molecular gastronomy or the trendiest plate of food you've ever heard of. Daniel provides perfectly executed French cuisine. Period.
This restaurant is everything a restaurant should be and more. It is a five-star dining experience, so deserving of its 3 Michelin stars. And, let's be honest, for the price of a meal here you would expect nothing less. You will leave happy that you spent hundreds of dollars on one meal. You may even leave feeling indebted to Daniel Boulud for providing a restaurant experience that you will always look forward to. -
Review from Lissa G.
1/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
Just to clarify: while I am awarding the same number of stars to Daniel as I did to Eleven Madison Park, I feel Eleven Madison Park is superior. Getting that out of the way...
Had a lovely evening at Daniel, celebrating our wedding anniversary (we celebrated for a few nights, but this was the actual anniversary evening) and enjoying the ambience and food. As many have said, the room is divine: lavish, tasteful, beautifully lit, etc. We spent some time in the lounge/bar first and enjoyed the innovative and interesting cocktails. While I can't recall the name, my drink was served inside (what looked like) a hand-blown globe of ice, with a little tunnel for the straw to come out of. The ice was placed inside the glass and also had a fresh flower 'frozen' inside it. As the ice melted, the essence of the flower emerged. What a fun concept! Other drinks at other tables looked similarly interesting.
The food is wonderfully prepared with pristine ingredients. Enjoyed the tasting menu with the wine pairing. Food changes frequently, so no need to give a run down of what we ate. I will say that our server was of the opinion that if we ran out of wine while still enjoying the dish, then we must be in need of more wine! We didn't realize this until about halfway through the meal; it was good to know! Service was impeccable; it was especially enjoyable to be sitting atop a balcony of sorts, overlooking the entire room. It was from here that I watched Chef Daniel sit at a table, chatting up two women for well over 30 minutes! I just wanted to say hello! As the chef walked by us, back into the kitchen, we implored our server to get him to come by, just for a moment! He had been stopping by tables earlier in the evening, prior to his long delay at the one table. Finally, he did make his way to our table. By this time, it's near midnight and he didn't seem all that interested, honestly, in talking to us. We complimented him and his food, mentioned how wonderful everything was all evening, and even said that we had just went to Le Bernardin the night before and found his restaurant to be superior (which is true); he seemed disinterested. That was a bit disappointing, but, oh well, we still got a chance to say hello!
Overall, our evening was delightful, the food was exquisite, and the service was outstanding. I will say that this was easily our most expensive meal in NYC. No surprises, of course, but that might stop me from going back. I enjoyed Eleven Madison Park more (for less money) and even Bouley gives Daniel a run for its money. But, one must go here at least once!Listed in: Michelin Meccas, NYC, Personable Chefs!
-
Review from Calvin K.
Los Angeles, CA
12/22/2011
So my brother, sister and I were so excited to dine at Daniel and were so thrilled that we were able to get a reservation for our NYC trip (I live in LA). I did all the research, reading the raving reviews on Yelp and also came across the Michelin guide and found out that Daniel received three Michelin stars. I thought to myself, this might be the highlight of my NYC culinary trip.
We decided to get the eight-course chef tasting menu with the wine pairings. The waiter told us that the chef tasting menu was not listed anywhere on the menu and that he didn't know what we were gonna get (it's up to the chef). So we waited excitedly for our dishes, so curious as to what the genius chef would prepare for us.
The dishes, while really great, were not extraordinarily impressive. I didn't have any close-to-tears experience like I did while dining at Josiah Citrin's Melisse in LA. I mean, come on, you'd expect something so incredibly orgasmic while dining at a three Michelin stars restaurant in NYC?!
Anyway, the concept was quite unique as my sister was served completely different dishes than my brother and I. I thought it was because she is a girl and we are guys but when we asked the waiter, he told us the chef likes to prepare two of a kind or even one of a kind dish, so it has nothing to do with gender. LOL. Interesting though.
Also, I'd like to add a few words on the service. I felt like the waiters and servers didn't really welcome our presence. They were rather robotic in a way, they rarely smiled and didn't seem to make any efforts to make us feel welcome. While serving our wines, he just basically mentioned the name of the wine and what year it was from. Err... hello?? We all can read the labels! No need to help us read them. He just didn't sound knowledgable at all!! Which was crazy considering what kind of restaurant Daniel is.
Yes, my siblings and myself are younger than the rest of the crowd there and we don't look as loaded either. But it doesn't mean you should serve us half-heartedly thinking we can't afford to foot the bill. -
Review from Sarah J.
New York, NY
1/1/2012
Great food, knowledgeable staff, warm atmosphere. Felt guilty spending $200 on a 6-course tasting menu (pre-wine, pre-tax, pre-tip), but it's hard to get all that for less in NYC. Call ahead to figure out the tasting menu options because on Thur/Fri(?) it's a set menu and you can't choose between two dishes for each course. Remember to dress up (most guys were in suits).
Here's what I got:
amuse bouche - trio of parsnip puree (sweet creaminess), salmon, and shrimp
Seared Foie Gras: I was able to replace cold terrine option and mosaic of muscovy duck and parsnip (looked like a cool checkerboard when it comes out) with a seared foie gras
Tasting of yellowtail tuna: there was some debate at the table which was better, I like the refreshing tartare, a friend liked cured, the one with anchovies was too salty for our liking
shared Sea scallops and Squid ink raviolini: raviolini (squid ink bursts in your mouth) was more inventive, but the sea scallops were perfectly cooked and had celery done several different ways - I preferred the scallops but my friend preferred the raviolini
Slow poached monkfish tail: monkfish tastes like lobster, which I love, though this dish was perhaps the least memorable
Duo of beef: preferred the seared wagyu tenderloin over the short ribs (salty but more rich tasting)
Chocolate coulant: great ending to the meal, hard on the outside, warm/melty on the inside
We were actually offered 3 more desserts: set of petit fours, chocolates, and madeleines
Oh and we also met Daniel Boulud!! -
Review from Diana W.
The 2nd stop on our 3 Michelin Star adventure proved to be equally successful as the first (Per Se). Absolutely beautiful décor. Classy but more modern and casual. The noise level makes you feel like you're part of a restaurant and not one of those uptight joints. Service is attentive. Food was excellent. They offer a tasting menu but also offer a la carte which makes this place pretty damn awesome.
Overall, I thought the food was fantastic. I was particularly blown away by the appetizers, which was the best way to kick off a meal. I'd come back just to try the rest of their appetizers since it was so difficult to make a decision.
Dodge cove oysters in sea water gelee with lemon custard, caviar, avocado mousse, sea urchin -this appetizer basically combined some of my fav food items into one nice dish (avocado, uni, and oyster). SO good.
"Tasting of yellow fin tuna" was yellow fin tuna prepared in three different ways: 1) "en tartare" with northern lights caviar 2) Cured with compressed celery and 3) Cured Confit with anchovy dressing. I don't know how to describe this other than tell you what I said when I tried this dish "Oh WOW...." I'm salivating just thinking about this dish.
Black sea bass with roasted black mission figs, fennel royale, and syrah sauce - If you're a fan of seafood, I think this is a solid dish. Cooked very well, loaded with sauce, and left me feeling super full after only a few bites.
Roasted veal tenderloin with swiss charf ragout with crispy sweet breads -Savory dish that leaves you feeling pretty heavy
Warm guanaja chocolate with fleur de sel milk sorbet - This was a great dessert. Heavy with a light sorbet to complement it. Easily my favorite dessert
Caramelized honey crisp apply with granny smith apple gelee, salted caramel icecream - This dessert sounded better than it tasted. However, the salted caramel icecream was SO good
Coconut meringue, lime-rum gelee, pina coloada sorbet - This seemed a little too fruity for my taste but if you're a fan of that, this may be something you enjoy
Petit Fours -chocolates to end the meal that were bite-size and left a lasting impression.
The thing I love about this restaurant is that there were WAY too many items on the menu that I wanted to try. To me, that's a good sign of a great restaurant when there's too many things to try. I'd happily come back to try the rest of the menu. -
Review from Daniel M.
Manhattan, NY
2/6/2012
This is about as good as it gets in New York's restaurant scene! I went there with my husband. Every part of the service team was incredible, from the bussers, to the servers, to the captains etc etc etc. The food was amazing, and the ambience warm and friendly--not as stiff as I expected. Definitely a must try!!
-
Review from Mary Cecilia M.
Manhattan, NY
1/23/2012
My boyfriend and I were treated to a tasting menu with wine pairings at Daniel. I don't even know what to say to justify how delicious it all tasted. From the first cocktail to the last dessert (oh, and there were multiple phases to dessert), everything was simply perfect. Even more, the service was exceptional and flawless. I could ooh and aww about each and every dish and how wonderful the whole experience was, but it would waste precious amounts of your time that is better spent securing a reservation at this incredible restaurant.
-
Review from May L.
11/27/2011
Daniel stands out as my absolute favorite place Michelin rated place. It's been a bit since I've last checked it out. I greatly enjoyed everything from the amuse bouche forward. The service is insanely good. They are there, and yet they are not.. It's so romantic and formal.
Make sure you wear a jacket if you're a guy. They do have some on lend, though, that has to be weird. The guy I was with forgot and the sizing wasn't ideal for him.
You could definitely do a business meeting here, but I somehow feel it's better for special occasion or dating. It's a bit too upscale. I suppose if you were in a slightly older set than I, say like late 50's and up, then this is great for a high powered meeting. Otherwise, some of the booths would be a bit awkward for business. I would probably indicate you don't want one of those if you are going for business. -
Review from Jyoti H.
1/10/2012
I can't believe I forgot to write about this. I went here for my birthday in October. I can't remember the details now, but I will say: it was way, way better than Per Se. I would absolutely go back!
-
Review from Rachel P.
1/15/2012
Oh Man. Some places/some names/some chefs just ALWAYS live up to their hype. This was a no brain-er. Amazing. I had one of the first, and best dates of my life with my now forever lady here. It seriously rocked my world. The service was impeccable; sweet, attentive and genuine. The entire experience definitely lived up to everything I had hoped it would be. Comfy seating and beautiful sexy decor made me feel like I was in HEAVEN! Not to mention the food. I was drunk on love (and wine flights) and had the most amazing experience. The food had the depth, imagination, and technique one (who obsess over food) aspires to find, and be inspired by. The pace is perfect and what a crescendo of courses! Whoa. Yes. Go. Now. I feel so lucky to be able to have experiences like this!
-
Review from M N.
Newport Beach, CA
11/26/2011
Food itself was amazing. Brother and I did the six course tasting menu with the added taste of white truffle course-- we chose the risotto.
Impeccable dishes-- everything to perfection.
My gripe is with the service. The servers didn't seem friendly, and they really were not trying to enhance the dining experience. It was completely unexpected as I've dined at The FL and Le Bernadin and at both places, the wait staff was incredibly nice and friendly.
Overall, two hours for 7 courses and two complimentary desserts was short and not so worthwhile. Disappointing, really. I expected so much more! Maybe it's because my brother and I were young and not exactly fitting in with the non-Asian clientele? Seriously, the cab ride to and from Daniels was more fun! -
Review from Andrew F.
Ann Arbor, MI
12/7/2011
[For the full review with pictures, see the link to my blog on my profile.]
I enjoyed an incredible 15-course dinner, which easily became one of my top-five dining experiences. -
Review from Jing Y.
Manhattan, NY
My zara bag got a velvet stool as a seat ('nuff said!)
If I can give Daniel 7 stars, I would because the entire dining experience was comparable to a 7 star hotel I'd once stayed at. The service, the staff, the presentation, the ambiance - everything was just impeccable!!!
I was a little hesitant about going to Daniel after seeing pictures of the dining room because it looked a bit stuffy, but I got a completely different vibe when we were seated. Granted when I looked around the dining room, we probably brought down the average age of the customers because most ppl were there for business, dates, or family occasions, but I think that's what made it fun. Don't wait for a special occasion to go!
We all got the 3 course tasting menu and there were so many enticing items on the menu that I deferred to the waiter for suggestions and he did not disappoint! So I would definitely encourage you to ask them for their favorites before you order! I can even venture to say this is probably the best meal of 2011 in terms of the overall dining experience, so if you are looking to splurge on a meal, this is a great way to do it! -
Review from Jon C.
11/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Dear Daniel,
Look - I know what you're thinking... "2 stars, WTF. What, do you not like French food or something?" But here's the truth. When you charge $400 for dinner for two (that's 290 Euros, Daniel), you are rated on different scale. What I mean is, while your meal didn't taste like a 2-star Papaya Dog, when compared to other "fine-dining" experiences, you fell woefully short of expectations.
Let's begin with a suggestion. Do you think it might be possible to put pictures next to your dinner choices? I think of myself as somewhat cultured, but why did I still have to Google every item on the menu to figure out what it was that I was ordering? Oh, and you have horrible cell reception inside your establishment - might I suggest investing in a booster so others can connect to Google more quickly before ordering? Otherwise, you end up ordering squab, like me, only to discover its a pigeon (and not a tasty one at that).
Now let's talk first course. Your hearts of palm salad - yeah, needs a bit of work (and by a bit, I really mean a lot of work). Moving on to the main dish... we all know no two pigeons are alike. Sporty Thieves taught me that in their oh so clever response to TLC's 'No Scrubs. So, if I were you, Daniel, I'd suggest checking out the ones roosting near Washington Square Park. I'm sure they are a little more tender. Lastly, let's talk deserts. Yes, this was the best part of the meal - but nothing that has me salivating for more. Simply put, average.
Look - nothing personal. I'm sure you're a great person and all, and my 2 star review isn't going to hurt your stellar Yelp rating or your Michelin prestige. But, you really do need to try a little harder for the price you charge and the expectations you set for yourself.
Sincerely,
Jon -
Review from the asian jedi ..
San Francisco, CA
1/14/2012
as good as it gets.
possibly the best restaurant i have ever eaten at.
my app was DODGE COVE OYSTERS IN SEA WATER GELÉE
Lemon Custard, Northern Lights Caviar, Avocado Mousse, Sea Urchin.
this was the single best dish i have ever tasted in my life. i will remember this dish for the rest of my life. clean, decadent, and just plain perfect.
IM SORRY DID YOU HEAR ME? THIS IS THE BEST DISH I HAVE EVER EATEN IN MY WHOLE LIFE. BEST DISH EVER. BEST BEST BEST.
my entree was the DUO OF BEEF
Black Angus Short Ribs with Cauliflower Mousseline
Seared Wagyu Tenderloin, Oyster Mushroom
Crispy Potato, Poached Bone Marrow. this was amazing.
my dessert was
MAPLE-HONEY PEAR VARIATION
Poached Bosc and Crisp Asian Pear, Maple-Pecan Ice Cream.
i could not believe this dessert.
they also sent out special desserts from the chef such as chocolate souffle that was phenomenal and piping hot basket of madelines and mini sweet/cookie treats and truffles.
wine pairings were AMAZING.
the service was excellent. the food was the best. everything on point! -
Review from Krifka S.
Philadelphia, PA
1/9/2012
Exquisite! I would absolutely eat anything at Daniel. Worth every penny. My MIL, husband, 1.5 year old and I dined here one night when in NYC. The hostess was only slightly unhinged when realizing that our part of 4 was more like 3.5, but was welcoming and warm anyway. A very sophisticated gentleman closest to us, upon finishing his dinner came over to our table and shook my son's little hand --" you can dine with me anytime my little friend" (a story my MIL now tells often about her haute cusine loving Grandson). The menu changes frequently, but we did have a "seasonal spring salad" - comprised of seasonal vegetables made into minatures with special sauces (who knows what all was in it, it was that amazingly crafted). I also had a fresh fish papillote that was buttery, crispy and flaky all at the same time. A must-do in NYC.
-
Review from Lucas B.
12/7/2011
I love French food, so one can imagine how much I'd been looking forward to dining at this Michelin star restaurant. We called ahead and gave them a song and dance about how we were coming with our family, could we get a good seat etc., well strangely enough, we did get a pretty good seat. (We weren't seated in the middle of the dining room next to Emeril, but still, a pretty good seat.)
The food was good, not exceptional, but pretty darn good. As per the norm amongst the upper crust of fine dining establishments, courses are small, but plentiful and varied. In fact, I was more impressed with the variety of dishes on the menu than the actual food itself.
Finally, service. It was really good. There's a reason these guys get Michelin stars, and service is a big part of that.
Overall, a pleasant evening, a bit pricey, but worth a trip back to try more of the menu. -
Review from Kirsten S.
New York, NY
11/12/2011
Michelin knows what's up.
I am not a frequent diner in expensive restaurants, but I never once felt uncomfortable at Daniel (OK-- I'll admit that the spoon-knife contraption was a little intimidating to use). My whole table was treated like we belonged there, which I appreciate immensely.
Service was top notch. Our fantastically French server was kind, serious, and passionate about his job, recommending dishes based on the ingredients and their signature recipes. Courses were brought out by what seemed like a trio of synchronized swimmers in suits, elegantly and simultaneously placing our dishes in front of us and announcing each dish being served as if it were created especially for us. Somehow, hearing about what you are going to eat makes it taste that much better.
The food was prepared with such finesse that I was longing to get a peek inside the kitchen. I would love to know the environment that produces that kind of precision and delicacy. Some highlights:
1. I loved the bread service that was offered, with a choice of many types of fresh baked breads. The olive rosemary roll was lovely.
2. I have always heard that in French cuisine, the sauces are what make the food truly shine, and I have to agree wholeheartedly. The saffron cream atop my Squid Ink and Artichoke Raviolini as well as the Syrah sauce accompanying my Black Sea Bass took the entire meal to the highest level of luxury.
3. Dessert. There is too much to say, so it gets its own paragraph:
I do not have the biggest sweet tooth, and therefore dessert is usually the part of the meal that lets me down the most. This was not the case with Daniel's desserts, which I would return to the restaurant to enjoy on their own. My dessert was the Chocolate Coulant with Caramel and Fleur de Sel Milk Sorbet. The coulant was cooked impeccably, and adding the salted sorbet just made all the amazing flavors jump out even more. Our table was also served tiny, lemony Madelines as well as a sextet of bite-sized desserts and a round of micro-chocolates filled with flavors like passion fruit, peanut butter, coffee, and blueberry. The fact that dessert was delicious was impressive enough, but that it just kept coming is what left me astounded.
I now know why posts for Daniel are so long. Everyone wants to relive the few hours of their life that they felt a bit like royalty. The extra touches that Daniel adds to the dining experience cultivate love in each diner. And isn't that what food is all about?Listed in: My Fives, Swanky, for better or for…
-
Review from Kimberly L.
New York, NY
11/9/2011
Wow I had really really high expectations for Daniel but found my taste buds were not overly excited. The restaurant is very beautiful. The circular chandeliers and the arches create an extremely elegant surrounding. I liked how the main area had recessed seating but the tables surrounding the center also had great views of the rest of the restaurant.
The menu had lots of choices. We went with the 3-course tasting menu. We had really good olive bread to start along with a small taste of 3 different starters: snail, a celery mouse and a small bite of salmon. They were good but very tiny.
I had the squid and artichoke ravioli. It was delicious, definitely 5-start quality. I love artichokes and the squid flavor was not over-powering but the creamy sauce was savory. For my main course I was in the mood for fish. I decided to go with the sea bass. The piece of fish was extremely fresh and high quality. However I felt like it was a bit too watery. The waiter poured the red wine sauce around it but when I ate it, the fish juices kept over-powering the dish.
For dessert I had the caramelized chocolate cake. It was good but not amazing. However it was better than the main course. I guess I just wasn't flawed with this experience...lots of hype for nearly 1/2 a grand for dinner for 2! -
Review from Tony O.
Tustin, CA
10/24/2011
Unlike most restaurants that get an exaggerated 5 stars, Daniel really deserves 10 stars. If I could somehow manipulate yelp to add 5 additional stars, I would do it. I do not know how food could taste any better than what I had at Daniel during a recent trip to NYC.
My business partner and I opted for the 8-course tasting with wine pairing. We were at first disappointed that the tasting did not have any foie gras. Our server communicated our disappointment to the head chef. To our surprise, the head chef came out and told us that he had some foie gras stashed for personal consumption and would gladly share with us. The chef seared the foie gras and was on our table within seconds of leaving the kitchen. The foie gras melted in my mouth like a bar of butter on a searing pan. All the courses in the tasting were executed with surgical precision and the ingredients were fresh. The server and sommelier were extremely attentive and would spark interesting conversation with us. We even gave them our business cards to look us up whenever they come out to southern cali.
The pricing is very expensive but consistent for a top notch 3 Michelin star establishment. Daniel is on par with another 3 Michelin star restaurant I had the pleasure to dine at: el Bulli. The 3 course prix fixe for $108 is a steal for the quality of food and service you get.
I would highly recommend to anyone that visits or is from NYC that enjoys food.
Read more reviews for this business:
French (1)
