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Jean-Georges
- Nearest Transit:
-
59 St - Columbus Circle (1, 2, A, B, C, D)
57 St - 7 Av (N, Q, R)
66 St - Lincoln Center (1, 2)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 12 pm - 11 pm
- Attire:
- Formal (Jacket Required)
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- 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:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
592 reviews for Jean-Georges
Review Highlights
"Foie Gras Brulee w/ Strawberry- MY FAVORITE."
(in 65 reviews)
"Skate with chateau chalon sauce - I love skate."
(in 27 reviews)
"also amuse bouche was great as well."
(in 103 reviews)
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591 reviews in English
-
Review from Brian C.
New York, NY
2/6/2012 4 photos
I must say this is the best restaurant I have ever been to. I have been to some of the top french restaurants in NYC such as Daniel & Bouley and I must say Jean Georges tops my list.
Dim and Romantic setting, service is outstanding and the dinner was unforgettable. I started off the sea scallops w/ caramelized cauliflower followed by butternut squash soup and finished off my dinner with minted rack of lamb. I also had the caramel dessert tasting. It consisted of four different styles of desserts all using caramel in a different type of way.
I cannot express how wonderful each course was. It was an anniversary dinner so this a is a great place for a romantic outing with a girlfriend/wife. I can't wait to go back ! -
Review from Kian A.
Los Angeles, CA
2/5/2012
Another reason to miss New York. Took a date to JG in May of '10, was most of all impressed by the theatricality of the service. Food was beyond amazing. Had my dessert comped by the manager for no reason at all... (but don't come here expecting that).
I don't know if they're still doing the pineapple trick, but that was a highlight of the night as well. -
Review from Mark M.
2/4/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Excellent VALUE for the food you are getting. My wife and I are from San Francisco, and you would spend the same amount of money for a 1 Michelin star restaurant (e.g., Gary Danko's), while Jean-Georges is a 3 star.
The food really was superb. I generally consider my palate excellent, able to distinguish ingredients and compositions better than the average person - thus, I tend to be very picky when it comes to high-priced foods. However, I was really wowed by how well this restaurant uses combinations of ingredients and spices that I seldomly see elsewhere.
The first two courses I had were wonderful: My first course were sauteed scallops topped with roasted cauliflower, topped off with a caper-raisin emulsion Who would have thought that capers and raisins would somehow come together like that (at least without anchioves right)? The goat cheese royale (with beet puree and toasted pistachios) was wonderful. I was surprised by how the beets and pistachios also somehow came all together.
Of course, my meal was really topped off by the wagyu beef. Perfectly cooked to a medium, with a slightly crispy outside. Just awesome.
My wife also had a wonderful 3 course dinner here - I am not going to bore you with it (but really, her fois gras was amazing). But for the gentlemen, here is the "catch": the standard $98 prix fixe menu is supposed to be "only" 3 courses, but it is really 4, as dessert is included. And they give you ample portions for all of these courses; thus, the standard 3 course really is more than sufficient as we were absolutely stuffed. With some wine and coffee and some additions to your fixe...well...it only came to a little over $300 for my wife and I.
All of that plus wonderful service for a 3 Michelin star restaurant. I realy don't think it will get better for anyone looking for a superb meal in NYC than that. Absolutely great value for amazing food here. No complaints; all compliments. -
Review from Stefan L.
Austin, TX
1/29/2012
SIX STARS if they allowed that on Yelp!
I travel A LOT! I eat out MORE than I eat at home. I have worked for chefs, including Roland Passot (a lifetime ago)...I have eaten at some of the best named chef establishments... Keller, Bolud, etc.. AND I HAVE NEVER EVER had a better dining experience than at Jean-Georges on October 27th.
I know the date because it was my 10 year wedding anniversary, and of ALL places that we could have picked and in ANY city that we wanted to go...we decided on Jean-Georges in New York City. And boy, are we glad that we did.
We were reserved an incredible corner banquette table with a view of the entire elegant dining room. Simply gorgeous.
Shelley had the Seasonal Tasting Menu and I had the Chef's Tasting Menu, so we covered all the bases the Chef had that evening.
I really can't even put into words the evening gastronomic that we had. Every course induced almost delirium. It felt like someone who was deserted on an island with virtually nothing to eat, putting the most amazing morsel in their mouth for the first time. The thing is, that feeling endures bite after dizzying bite.
It is true that by one of the meat courses we were hoping the courses were winding down. We were getting stuffed to the gills. But everything laid in front of us was incredible and every crumb was consumed with delight and amazement. Amazement at the ingredients or how they were prepared, or the mystery of a particular ingredient.
The service was as you would expect from one of the best restaurants in the world. Perfect and almost invisible. My every whim was met, but I never felt pestered or crowded. The pace was luxurious - as was the food. The service was disciplined and professional. This was the best of the best. The Superbowl of dining out.
I wish I could say that I would be back soon. I don't make enough to visit more than once or twice a decade. Unless of course I am someone's guest. Anyone need a friend for dinner at Jean-Georges? Let me know, I'm in! -
Review from Paola S.
New York, NY
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
Brian took me here for our 7th year anniversary & omg!!! more memorable than Daniel & better service than Bouley! as far as fine french fare, this is the best meal i've had all around.
SETTING:
the dining room is actually smaller than i anticipated. it's appropriately dim & we were seated on the far right wall - perfect to see all the activity! i don't know if this is possible but next time [oh there will DEFINITELY be a next time], i think i would like to get a table in one of the alcoves. it feels a bit more private.
FOOD:
AMUSE-BOUCHE: a slice of salmon with creme fraiche, a small spring roll stuffed with gruyere [i think] wrapped in a small lettuce leaf, and lastly, a small serving of pumpkin soup. my tastebuds were definitely teased.
1ST COURSE: SEA URCHIN on black bread with a jalapeno on top - so good. this is the 2nd time i've ever had sea urchin & i have to say, im glad i had it here. it was so fresh, creamy & had a really good texture. our waitress succinctly put it when she said that it's the foie gras of the sea.
1ST COURSE: SEA SCALLOPS with cauliflower & a caper+raisin sauce - so good!!!!! scallops is good with anything mildly sweet anyway but the capers just adds a hint of salt & tart. amazing.
2ND COURSE: SHRIMP with thin sliced water chestnuts & a sauce with saffron & chipotle. THIS you have to order. i'd have this over & over again. i love anything savory & the saffron/chipotle is so right up my alley. SO GOOD!!!!
2ND COURSE: BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP with creme fraiche, chopped mangos & roasted seeds/nuts [?] - yum! brian loves butternut squash & he wasn't disappointed.
3RD COURSE: LOBSTER with egg noodles, swiss chard & liquid gruyere. YES, LIQUID GRUYERE. aka liquid gold. so good & the lobster was perfectly cooked & the sauce wasnt overpowering.
3RD COURSE: MINTED RACK OF LAMB with forest mushrooms & a red curry sauce. the creme de la creme of all lamb. two HUGE pieces, perfectly coated with this crust & super pink & juicy on the inside. the curry just complements the flavors & i love the texture of the mushrooms. ugh i want it all now!
DESSERT: CHOCOLATE TASTING: jean george's chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream, three beignets [i tasted pepper or something with a hint of spicy], a peanut butter/chocolate ganache with salty popcorn/gold leaf on top & a meyer lemon sorbet on a white chocolate ice cream. by this time, ive died a hot, lusty chocolate death. everything was good... but a bit too much for one person!!
DESSERT: CARAMEL TASTING: candied chunks of pineapple with carrot cake bites on top, caramel flan, a souffle with passion fruit sauce & a cake i don't remember... good god - that souffle with passion fruit was yum x 93942875!
we lived through all of this & of course, during dessert, they served us a chocolate cake with candles [for our anniversary], two white chocolate macarons with sesame seeds on top, a small plate of chocolate & candies AND lastly, HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOW. omg it was all too much we had to take the big anniversary cake home! ...i had to take a bite of the marshmallows though & i don't regret that at all.
SERVICE:
it's not as stuffy as Daniel - even though it's a formal occasion, i felt more relaxed. the waitstaff were all impeccably professional & not overbearing at all!
PRICE:
Brian wouldn't show me the bill [how very old-fashioned] so i wouldn't know. it's definitely a once or twice a year dinner - it wouldn't be special if it's for everyday!
overall, everything was nothing short of spectacular. this is one of the more memorable fine dining experiences i've ever had!
xoxo -
Review from Andrew C.
Manhattan, NY
1/25/2012
More like 5 Michelin stars. Had the luxury to sit down for lunch at Jean-Georges with some awesome people: Jessi P., a cardiologist ex-New Yawker who practices in Tennessee that flies out bi-monthly to go to Jean-Georges, and a lovely couple that couldn't keep their compliments away from Jessi: "Oh my, do you know how beautiful she is?" (Vomit now.)
L'Amuse Bouche: Fresh Green Onions on Fluke Tartar, Shot of Carrot Miso Soup, Slice of English Radish with a homemade Grain Mustard mixed with Vermont Butter over Multi-grain toast.
Slivers of Japanese Madai Sashimi with Muscat Grapes, served with a Buttermilk Emulsion.
Foie Gras Brulee.
- A *must try* at this location or at the budget friendly Nougatine although Jean-Georges did it better.
Goat Cheese Gnocchi with Caramelized Baby Artichoke.
- The only dish I wasn't blown away by--the gnocchi was a bit rough though the goat cheese creaminess almost perfectly concealed that fact!
Red Snapper Crusted with Nuts and Seeds, Sweet and Sour Jus.
- Masterfully cooked snapper; as buttery as it gets without melting through your fork.
Parmesan-Crusted Confit Leg of Chicken, Salsify and Lemon Butter. Supe
- Yearbook superlatives come to mind: Most likely to change your mind about chicken. Excellent flavor, with the parmesan and lemon butter flavors mingling perfectly throughout the depth of the meat.
Rhubarb dessert set. The infamous Jean-Georges Signature Lava Cake.
- Oft overdone, rarely overwhelming, Jean-Georges' rich chocolate lava filling literally blows the competition away.
Call ahead for reservations, the dining room experience is not to be missed. If you don't feel like splurging, Nougatine (literally shares the same kitchen) and carries a few of the Jean-Georges signature items. Definitely a must try if visiting the city (with your parents?) -
Review from Wei K.
San Francisco, CA
Lunch at Jean Georges was one of my first meals on a recent NYC trip and it certainly did not disappoint. The two course lunch is an excellent way to try the food and environment before committing to the full deal at dinner. It's a relatively good value at $39 dollars, but note that there are items on the menu with supplemental fees.
The meal starts off with an amuse bouche trio of: raw fluke, fig and cheese skewer and shot of potato puree soup with a hint of truffle. My first course was the Foie Gras Brulee, which was a cold preparation. I normally only like seared foie, but this preparation was quite interesting. For my entree I had the cod, which was cooked just right, flaky and perfectly seasoned. I was pretty full at this point and passed on dessert. They did bring out petite fours at the end of the meal which consisted of house made marshmallow, macaroons and chocolates.
The one aspect of the meal that really stood out was how immaculately orchestrated the entire lunch service was. The presentation of each course and setup for the next course was perfectly choreographed. Every single member of the waitstaff performed their functions in a overt manner that was never intrusive even though there was staff stationed all over the room to make sure everything flowed smoothly. One of our dining companions did not particularly like her appetizer course. The waiter saw that she barely made a dent in her dish and graciously offered to swap it out even though she said it was not necessary. They really make a point of making sure their customers are happy and enjoying themselves!
Dining at Jean Georges was a great start to my trip and I'll definitely be back again. I may opt for dinner the next time to experience the full range of the chef's creations.Listed in: Fine Dining
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Review from Johnathan L.
San Jose, CA
1/1/2012
Fine dining is alien to me and I suspect it'll always be. It's strange that the act of consuming food for sustenance went from man slaughtering animals with spears & roasting the shit out of it into such heights that include a sterile and refined reigning cavalcade of meticulously crafted pieces of art that just so happens to be edible. Meanwhile, I'm still stuck in a culinary purgatory somewhere in between boiling an egg and frying rice.
I had the comte risotto with marinated pear cubes for the first course and the Scottish salmon with black truffle crumbs and parsnips for the second. This was my first time having risotto and it's nothing real special. It was good, don't get me wrong - just nothing as astounding as what one would expect from such a place. I get that the idea was to have some sort of salt/sweet contrast going but it was overly salty with unpleasant jolts of over-sweetness with each stumble across a pear cube.
I ordered the salmon for one reason alone: I make salmon at home by frying it to unholy degrees and wanted to see just how wrong I'm cooking it. Objective met: I am definitely fuckin' up. Good to know. The black truffle crumbs and parsnips made the dish for me. They could have gotten rid of that coconut-tasting puree - it was too sweet and in no way tasted well with anything on the plate. It tasted like it should have been kept at a distance and poked at with a small stick instead.
This ranks as one of the most decadent experiences I've had up to now. People referring to me as "sir", opening doors in my way, pulling out chairs & tucking me in, then charging my bank account profane amounts of money.
Oh, I forgot to add: fuck Fiji water. -
Review from Hanna H.
12/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was visiting from CA and seriously the best meal I had in NY! Go for lunch at the dining room proper (not Nougatine) and enjoy a really nice dining experience for a good deal - 2 plates for $38. Make sure to dress up because almost everyone was in nice/business attire.
The food was seriously amazing. They gave amuse-bouche of truffle and goat cheese spring roll, shot of butternut squash soup, and salmon with picked cucumber. For my two plates I got yellowtail tuna ribbons and beef tenderloin. The BF got the kampachi sashimi and crusted salmon, and we shared the pear risotto. My favorite was the kampachi sashimi but everything was delicious. They also give little chocolates and house made marshmellow for dessert. I've eaten at Providence in LA and I still like this place better.
I will definitely be coming back to enjoy a nice dinner next time I'm in NY! (Recommended to call 1 month in advance for reservations) -
Review from Steven C.
12/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
I arrived in NYC Friday, 7 am, and at 12 noon I'm being ushered into this fancy restaurant in my suit which no longer fits. I have to say sitting down was a relief until I realized everyone kept their jackets on. I sat uncomfortably because after thanksgiving I'm too robust to sit with a jacket on.
Upon sitting down, we were greeted by our server who was very polite. The rest of the wait staff was extremely polite and attentive as well. I'm not sure if the waiters are telepathic or not, but the second we asked for a different kind of knife from one waiter, the other brought it over. I'm still puzzled over their sign language or telepathy which goes beyond any fancy restaurant I've ever dined at.
Ok, so onto the food/ First before anything else, the bread was awesome and I kept stuffing myself with it. There were 3 or 4 types, the mini ciabattas being my favorite. Next we had an amuse buch(sp?) which had a tuna sashimi and mushroom puree. I usually gag and then proceed to dry heave or throw up when I eat fish, but this was different. I actually enjoyed it, a restaurant which serves fish I can eat? this just blows my mind! Next I had a Creme Brulee'ed Foie Gras which was really interesting. Its like your typical foie gras au torchon with a sugar caramel glaze which really complimented the salty savoriness of the Foie.
Lastly a veal cooked perfectly and breaded. I forgot what went with, but I remember being very satisfied. Sorry to cut this review short, but I think I did a bit too much drinking in NYC also.
So to sum it up, 5 stars = would come back. I suggest the 2 course lunch! -
Review from Diana W.
--------LUNCH ONLY-------
I really wanted to like this place. It was good but it's hard to give it a good rating after eating Daniel & Per Se the two nights before. How are all 3 of them in the same ranking, I don't know. However, I did only come here for lunch and maybe I ordered the wrong items on the menu.
Foie gras brulee- This was warm, rich, and a nice change from the standard foie gras.
Sea trout sashimi with trout eggs, lemon, dill, horse radish - The horse radish completely overtook the taste by way too much. It left a really sour taste in your mouth. It looked promising but damn, it was way too sour for my liking.
Red snapper crusted with nuts and sweeds - I've never had red snapper before so it was interesting to try. Full of flavor but probably not my favorite fish
Steamed cod - This was cooked very well and flaked perfectly.
Homemade Marshmellows - This was pretty cool. The waiter walks over with a big jar of white fluff and they turn out to be huge marshmellows. Pretty savory and a nice change from the cheap supermarket brand that I'm used to.
Lavender Macaroons - Standard macaroons but I discovered that I like lavender one
Overall, the meal was okay but I wasn't impressed (but it's hard to match Daniel & Per Se). The ambiance was really nice though. I'd probably skip this if another chance came to eat here. -
Review from Mika S.
Los Angeles, CA
12/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Creeper status: I used to always walk past the Trump towers with my dog to watch all the tall hat/double breasted jacket chefs make flawless dishes from the window..
You know how you see a store and say I'm going to come back or go there someday. That's what I thought every time I walked passed here.
Finally, I went last Saturday. Walking up the stairs to the restaurant, my date and I were greeted by the host and coat check. We walked through a high ceiling, beautiful bar filled with well dressed people who looked to be enjoying themselves then into the dining room. Dining room was an intimate, romantic setting.
The menu was 2 pre-fixed menus to choose from. They prefer you to choose the same side of the menu as whoever you're eating with. $98 per person for a three course meal. Everything was served table side and they explain every dish to you. We ordered tuna, (spicy radish with ginger marinade) butternut squash soup, (fresh pumpin seeds at the bottom) and tender sliced beef tenderloins with steamed spinach underneath. At the end, they come around with their signature chocolates, macroons, and a French marshmallow. Service was excellent beginning until end.
Oh! Finding a taxi is easy when getting out of the place. -
Review from Daniel K.
Tysons Corner, VA
12/19/2011
Perfection in the form of food. Everything was flawless and delicious from the lamb shanks to the gnochi to the seasonal desert dishes. Unbelievable. I actually proposed at this restaurant during my recent visit so it will always hold a place in my heart.
Our waitress immediately brought us some great champagne when she say my fiance's ring (at no cost to us), that was seriously thoughtful of her.
Dinning room is right next door to Nougatine which is also Jean Georges and also delicious.
Jacket is required.
Expect to spend $250-300 for 2 people if you get 1 glass of wine and the fix menu. -
Review from Eva G.
12/16/2011
Very classy yet non-precocious small restaurant next door to Nougatine. At first, we were going to opt for the signature or seasonal tasting menus at the respective $148 or $168, but decided that the regular $98 three-course (four, if you count dessert) prixe fixe dinner offers a good variety of choices, many of which are included in the tasting menus anyway. They're known for seafood, so we made it a fishy night.
Breads, Petit Fours
1st
Sea Scallops (3 pieces, with caramelized cauliflowers on top; nice combo)
Yellowfin Tuna Ribbons (the tuna was pretty fresh and paired well with the avocado and sweet and sour ginger marinade)
[you can get the sensationalized signature egg caviar if you pay a $25 premium]
2nd
Slowly Cooked Arctic Char (my friend's favorite dish of the night, due to the delicious crust atop the fish)
Turbot (it's pronounce it tur-BO, not TUR-bit; it was not as spectacular/memorable as the arctic char... perhaps the buttery sauce is what made it one of JG's signature dishes)
3rd
Black Sea Bass (quite ordinary)
Duck Breast (meat was soft, and I really liked the amaretto jus for dipping)
Dessert [a flight of 4 themed tastings]
Chocolate (some cake, ice cream, etc, featuring salted caramel)
Autumn Fruits (some sorbet, creme brulee, tart, cheesecake)
Marshmallows (cut at your table before your eyes), chocolates, more chocolates boxed to take home.
We got some cocktails, which they tended to pour heavy-handedly.
Service never faltered; the everyone was well dressed (simplistic, not over-the-top), and I did not have to raise my voice to keep a conversation. This place deserves its recognition. -
Review from Anthony Z.
Chicago, IL
12/28/2011
Went for a Saturday lunch during a visit from Chicago for a long weekend. This was an excellent decision. One of the best meals I have had in years. We each ordered the degustation and each course was completely delicious and satisfying. Our server Nicole and her team could not have made us more comfortable. Her choice of wine was exactly what I was looking for. Can't wait to return. Overall the value was excellent.
Some helpful hints:
The dining room is not able to accommodate strollers, and this really is not a place for kids.
Jeans and gym shoes are "not allowed," but this did not seem to be enforced during our visit. In fact, we felt a little overdressed.
As a minor observation, the legs on the dining chairs looked pretty beat up, which surprised me. Otherwise, the room is very attractive after all of these years. -
Review from McGibblets C.
New York, NY
1/24/2012
Great atmosphere. Very romantic. We had a great table but the dishes were hit or miss for me. However, the Jean-Georges sighting more than made up for it.
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Review from Navid T.
Manhattan, NY
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Be sure to check the menu out before you come here to ensure you like the general themes of food that the chef provides. There were only a few things on the menu that I recognized but luckily I am the adventurous type. The food was great, the dessert was even better, but I heard the dessert chef was leaving so who knows if it will be that good anymore. I guess I have to go back and check it out.
Be sure to dress up as this is a fancy restaurant and you will feel out of place in jeans or a t-shirt. -
Review from Chris M.
12/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Sweet baby jesus this was a great meal.
Staff was fantastic. The Captain was outstanding and helped us pick a great white that would not overpower the lunch.
The room is very pretty.
Amuse bouche was out of this world: chili cured salmon w pickled cucumber, blue cheese spring roll/lettuce wrap, and a shot of sweet potato soup w chili infused apples and crispy pork bits. I would been happy with 3 of 4 of these plates along with some of that beautiful bread selection.
Had the foie gras brulee w fig marmalade to start which was excellent and the skate with spaghetti squash and soy and yuzu consumme with toasted pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and something or other that was maybe the best fish dish I've ever eaten to follow.
The dessert was thoroughly delicious (orchard selection). Chocolate and pear cake paired with a cheese and pear gratinee and pear liquor gelee in addition to macaroons, chocolates, and homemade marshmallows, skip the marshmallows. -
Review from Pritio M.
Manhattan, NY
12/12/2011
Yes I know that this restaurant has received excellent reviews in New York City, but in all honesty my dining experienced here was rather gruesome and I wished I had not spent $900, wine included, dining here with my friend.
Let me just say that to make matters worse, our waiter dropped his tray right near our table. That is not the reason I am giving this place a bad review. The reason is that Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the chef of this joint, attempts to disguise his lack of skills behind the "fusion" category; while embracing this genre can assist a mediocre chef in disguising his lack of skills and at the same time save face, it is certainly not French. And it does not taste French in the least; worse it doesn't taste like anything! Again! --- Mr Vongerichten does not serve French food! Even more tragic is that Mr Vongerichten is owner of 18 restaurants around the world some of which allegedly serve "French food". Yes you read it right.
I would advise people wishing to have a French meal to avoid this place and to look for a smaller less advertised place in New York City; for starters, any place given 4 stars by the New York Times should be avoided. For the cost of dining here, you can fly to France for a weekend and dine in Le Figuier de Saint-Esprit in the French Riviera, or Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée, or if you want real traditional French try Pavillon LeDoyen, the last two both in Paris. One restaurant that reminds me of Jean-Georges is the now defunct "Tavern on the Green", may it rest in peace after defrauding so many gullible diners. In passing let me add that New Yorkers are lucky that Tavern on the Green went under, as the only thing that kept if going was positive coverage in the New York Times, primarily because the owner was well connected. Wink, wink....
Frankly, Jean-Georges is a bad case of the emperor's new clothes and should be avoided. New Yorkers are not as clueless and vulgar as this place makes them appear. "Yes Donald Trump has dined at Jean Georges", I was told by a disgruntled West Village man who designs wedding crowns. But honestly that means very little-- just look at Donald Trump twice. Remember that having a discriminating palette is similar to the ability to do mathematics in that there is no royal path to the palett just like Euclid said that there was no royal path to geometry.
Let me just finish by mentioning that David Cross in the comedy CD " It's Not Funny", discusses his experiences at Jean Georges in the track "Tasteless, Odorless".
Yes, you read it: tasteless, odorless.
Avoid this place unless you are a college student writing a paper on "The Psychology of Mass Deception and Poor Taste".
This one star rating of Jean-Georges does great justice to the place, except that I would have deleted the entire 3rd sentence:
http://shorttext.com/7... -
Review from Shirleyanne Z.
San Francisco, CA
12/4/2011
I was not impressed. My boyfriend, his buddy and I went here for lunch and we each spent a lot of $$$ for a six course meal. Don't get me wrong. The service and friendliness of the staff was perfect. We didn't opt for the wine pairing, but we did want to enjoy a couple glasses on some of our dishes. The sommeliers were very knowledgeable and knew exactly which wines would perfectly match our dishes. The ambiance and decor of the restaurant is very elegant. Despite these positive points, we do not plan on going back because of the lack luster taste of the dishes that were served.
Amuse-bouche: leek soup with a piece of white fish and fig. The flavors blended beautifully and this brought my hopes up that it was going to be a fantastic meal but we'll get to where it went downhill in a bit....
Next course was the egg caviar appetizer. I thought it was mediocre. Imagine the taste of a soft boiled egg topped with tobiko. That's pretty much it. I don't see what's the fuss about caviar.
Next courses were the yellowfin tuna ribbons in a ginger marinade and comte risotto. These were my favorite dishes out of the whole meal . The ginger marinade was extremely delicious and the tuna was fresh. The comte risotto was rich in flavor and I really liked the texture. Both dishes just melt in your mouth. I just wish the other courses were up to par with these two dishes.
The next entree was steamed skate on spaghetti squash w/ soy-yuzu which I disliked. The skate did not taste fresh and I did not like the bed of spaghetti squash it was served on. The soy-yuzu sauce just made the whole dish soggy and I think the sauce did not complement the flavors of the fish and squash.
The last entree was beef tenderloin pear-horseradish puree & comte beignets. The beef was cooked perfectly and it was extremely tender although I think the meat was bland. You really had to smear the beef with the horseradish puree to get any flavor. I really liked the beignets but my boyfriend didn't so I ended up eating his.
For the dessert, you get an assortment of mini desserts. The chocolate cake had the perfect sweetness and I loved the mini souffle. I didn't like the shot of liqueur that was served with the dessert. It tasted like a shot of Welch's grape drink. The lavender macaroons had too much lavender. The taste was so overpowering that I felt like my macaroons were dipped in soap.
I really wanted to give more stars but I was extremely disappointed with the food that was served. I expect to be blown away by 3 Michelin starred restaurants but they failed to do so. -
Review from jessica O.
Rowland Heights, CA
12/3/2011
I had such high expectations. A 3 Michelin starred restaurant should pretty much blow you away, shouldn't it?
Lunched here with a party of four, and sampled an array of dishes and desserts. The food was beautifully presented and was in no way bad, but it didn't have that special something that I expected out of a restaurant of this caliber. I found our waiter to be a little aloof rather than welcoming as well.
The amuse bouches, the yellowfin tuna ribbons, and the complimentary purple macarons were probably my favorite parts of the meal. I sampled a portion of the foie gras brulee and thought it was impeccably done as well. I personally ordered the comte risotto and the red snapper, and although both were fine, neither really were anything to sing praises about. In truth, I regret not dishing out a few more bucks for the sea scallops. Or the egg caviar.
To be fair, their lunch prices are very reasonable. All in all, I have very mixed feelings about this place. As my first fine-dining experience in New York, I expected so much and was let down. As the same time, are they to blame for my high expectations, especially during a lunch service at that? I didn't think that any of the dishes were poorly executed or flawed in any way. They just didn't elicit any fond feelings. I definitely plan on coming back some day, for the dinner service. I would still come back for the lunch service as well - I would just order different items. My expectations are still high, I still have great respect for this institution, and I have this blind confidence that my next dining experience here will be more impressive. For now, it's still 4 stars because of the incredible value. -
Review from Sara L.
12/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is probably a must stop in NYC if you're a food lover like me. Of course, unless you are made of money, come here for lunch. How often do you get to experience 3 mich star food/service for the semi-affordable price of about 80 dollars out the door including dessert (again, for lunch)?
They aren't too strict about dress code, just no sneakers/jeans I think, so that's another plus for a tourist. Who wants to lug a full suit with them onto a plane?
Food was good, I was reccommended the foie gras, and the corn raviolis. The foie gras was a bit too sweet for me, but it was interesting. It had good texture since you get the creamy foie gras, the cripsy top layer, and the soft cake underneath. But because it was tiny and too sweet for me, it wasn't worth the inflated price. I also got the scallops, which also cost more, and just my luck, it was also tiny! 3 small scallops scattered on the plate... they sure tasted good though.
Service was top notch as expected, and when we called to tell them we were running late (stuck in subway), they were understanding and told us they would hold our seats for 15+ mins. -
Review from Emmanuel K.
Las Vegas, NV
1/24/2012
I was expecting so much more from this restaurant. It's too bad! The service was pretty good, the food didn't wow me, but they did accommodate for two vegans. The atmosphere was also just ok. Bummer!
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Review from Andy S.
1/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Wow! This dining experience was the Big Leagues in every way, shape and form. We had a fantastic meal here on our first night in NY, and nothing else could measure up after that. We entered to a short wait and excellent ginger margaritas at the bar, and after seating, were delighted by the incredibly well-serviced and coordinated dining experience that followed.
The dining room is elegant and 'alive', and full of organized action and attentive staff. I'm always happily impressed when the waiters who take the orders do all of the 'little' things attentively such as clearing plates and filling waters alongside the other table staff. Beyond that, not a hiccup at any point in the meal's well-executed service. The dress is 'upscale', I believe jackets are either suggested or required, and everyone had one on that I could see. We each had 3 course meals, and every sequence of the meal was really 1st class, including the petit-fours and house-made marshmallows at the end. I'm sure there is some fluctuation on the entrees, but I had a wonderful turbot dish and my wife had a filet mignon. The starting plates were also amazing- truly every dish was great, but bey/beef entree. Beyond that they happened to be featuring items that my wife and I particularly like- so this of course helps even more. The dessert 'themed' menus were impressive and overwhelming- basically 4 'mini' desserts with each menu which were artistic, creative, and very adequate in size.
I highly recommend Jean-Georges if in NYC. When you pay the fiddler for an upscale dining experience ($200+/person), you expect a great performance- and J-G delivered it. Really neck-in-neck or better than any elite restaurants I can think of in SF (Gary Danko, La Folie, Acquerello, Seasons....), and reminiscent of some superior meals I have had in Paris & Tokyo. 5 BIG Stars from me... -
Review from Jean S.
New York, NY
12/13/2011
Never disappoints! Came here a few times for birthdays/anniversaries and such, always an amazing experience. Every course is carefully prepared and satisfying. Service is top notch. Definitely will be going back again.
I'm too lazy to write a separate review, but their bar room restaurant, Nougatine, is great too. It's worth its own visit. -
Review from Anna L.
11/28/2011
Immediately got seated when we got into the restaurant. Very formal service - they circled back when they realized they didn't know who ordered what. Always fascinated by the manners and processes around high end service.
Food was excellent. They took down that I had a soy allergy and switched out my first course to a spicy watermelon soup. Boyfriend liked it more than I did - but I'm a fairly picky eater and I'm not the type to eat raw fish, tartare etc. For a lunch, I was pretty full by the end of my main dish. However, I still made room for dessert! We got a raspberry based trio which was sooo yummy and they also gave us complimentary macarons and marshmallows, which they lifted out of the jar and cut (going to steal that idea for my dinner parties).
Thoroughly enjoyed the lunch and it was a great way to end my three year stint in NYC :)
P.S. They raised their prices but still VERY reasonable for a lunch at this type of restaurant I believe...my coworkers all still go :) -
Review from Lili K.
11/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
This fancy Michelin restaurant just didn't knock my socks off.
First off, we had to wait quite awhile in the lobby, though we had reservations. As for the food-I got the risotto which was pretty good, but risotto normally is. I also got the beef tenderloin-it was soft and a bit juicy, but nothing that made my mouth burst into a happy frenzy.
The dessert was the best part-ordering a plate of chocolate sweets. The purple macaroons were tiny yet hard, and the big marshmallow was unique yet flavorless (as most marshmallows, right?).
The service was fine, and I enjoyed eating a couple rounds of bread (esp the sesame!). Other than that, I really didn't see what was so *fantastic about the food. -
Review from august m.
New York, NY
11/11/2011
I can't really put my finger on why I'm wavering to give five stars on what was a ridiculously fine dining experience. I think perhaps because it was too perfect, too refined, it almost lacked soul.
I've had the honor of dining at three 3-Michelin star restaurants in the city, and JG was the one that seemed to be missing a certain quality that the others had. As delicious as the meal was, I could not sink into it like I wanted to.
We ordered the Spring Tasting menu at $250 ($275?) per person (before cocktails and wine). You're expecting one of the greatest meals of your life at this price, and it was. Chefs know they have the highest (and many times, unrealistic) of expectations to fulfill with their tasting menus. Especially when their reputation seems to supercede everything else..
Each dish was a masterpiece in presentation. Artwork you can eat. Like I've been wont to do since I was a teenager, I snapped pictures of it all. Course after course, all of your senses are delighted and there's a great melody they're playing for you. The lemon gelee with caviar was an absolute favorite, as were the morels with asparagus (I've never had asparagus so delicious). But when you're averaging forty bills a plate, you realize soon enough that you're paying for the name and their mortgage (the latter, as with anywhere you go) more than the food itself. (Have to say that the red meat they substituted for a shrimp dish (date's allergic to shellfish) was pretty bad. Was surprised at how pungent and overpowered it was by the accompanying olive tapenade, way too heavy.)
The favorite part of the meal was the cheese plate, which I found charmingly amusing. They wheel a cart topped with the most exotic cheeses I've ever seen. These are no run-of-the-mill varieties. The standout? It was wrapped in chestnut leaves and it was DIVINE.
All in all, this is the kind of place you take someone (a date, a client, the prince of Penzance) you want to impress, and who knows and appreciates fine food. It's a landmark institution in the city and deserves its accolades. But I'd rather dine at Le Bernardin or Daniel any day, if we're solely going on the Michelin lights. (disclosure: We dined there 7/11.) -
Review from Yum yum B.
Manhattan, NY
1/3/2012
I am still a bit confused and disappointed. Three star restaurants are suppose to be worth a special journey. I live downtown, and it was hardly worth my 10 dollar cab ride.
We had the Jean George tasting menu. The food was ok, but definitely not worth the price they charge, and not worth 3 stars. Half of the dishes were tasteless, the serving staff were pretty lost and found (except the Asian man with glasses, he was great!), the restaurants manager was really rude, prob because his brother is more successful.
Anyway, with so many excellent restaurants in this city, I see no reason for anyone to come here. Try one of the 90 other Michelin star restaurants... River cafe is great! -
Review from Erum R.
New York, NY
10/12/2011
What an experience.
I brought my mom here for her birthday pre Lincoln Center performance. I mean, coming to an establishment like this of course you have certain expectations in terms of service. They treated us like gems. We were a bit unsure how to react in such a fancy restaurant but they helped us feel extremely comfortable and we didn't have any sense of snootyness the entire time.
We stuck to the 3 course pre fixe, which is actually 4 courses (score!!!). Started off with a delightful amuse bouche, and many many servings of delicious bread. Tried to limit that, but with bread so good how can you? Next our first course came out: mine the scallop, my mother the sashimi, and WOW these were the best preface for a meal that was going to literally blow our minds. I've never tasted something so savory and yet mouthwatering, but moments later the experience would continue as course 2, 3 and 4 came out.
My second course was the goat cheese royale with beet marmalade and pistachios. It came out beautifully but I didn't know how to eat it. Before I could even look twice though the waiter recommended I blend the three portions together and wow was it amazing. My mother enjoyed the Parsnip soup with coconut and lime. I strongly dislike coconut but this soup was amazing, rather thick and frothy, but soooo tasty.
Next were our entrees: I enjoyed the sea bass which I've actually never had before and it was a great introduction. Did I mention, by the way, that portion size was very generous here at Jean Georges? YUM! My mom had the beef tenderloin which they cut up into three individual pieces right in front of her. My mom is normally wary of undercooked steak but I convinced her to stick to a medium and she adored it. Wow that beef literally melted in your mouth better than any other cut I've had before. I even doubt that a place like Del Frisco's could rival the tenderloin that my mom enjoyed at Jean Georges.
Mmmmm, thinking about this meal is making my mouth water, even months later...
So now is the surprise, DESSERT!!! I did NOT expect this course, but whoa what a huge pleasure it was! Jean Georges apparently stuffs your face with dessert and doesn't tell you ahead of time that they're going to do it. The servers literally came out with 4 desserts for each of us! You choose your theme (I had the chocolate, my mother the citrus which is seasonal) and you are served 4 desserts in that family. Each of them were out of this world and I literally thought at this point that I would explode. They also brought out a plate of petit-fours and macaroons (yum!) and we ordered some cappuccinos.
VISIT THIS RESTAURANT. It is worth every penny. Service, food, ambiance, and general giddiness at the end of the meal. -
Review from Jeong K.
Butler, NJ
11/26/2011
Food was creative and tasty however; was a bit heavy after the courses were completed. Seating was a little tight so I basically heard the waiter argue with the customer on the choice of wine he selected. Would I go back? Deals for lunches are worth more for the buck.
Two Words after the meal... Explosive Diarrhea... maybe it was something I ate? -
Review from Sara D.
Manhattan, NY
11/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
By far one of the best dining experiences to date. From the attentive service to the seasonal 8-course tasting menu, Jean Georges definitely offers a true Michelin 3-star experience.
Each dish was incredibly tasty and unbelievably palate pleasing. We opted for the tasting and wine-pairing menu and appreciated how passionate our server and sommelier was in describing the food and wine selection.
Up there with Joel Robuchon in Monte Carlo and Per Se in NYC. Can't wait to go back! -
Review from David R.
11/10/2011
Not sure if this place deserves 5 stars or not, but since I think it does, it does.
I came here just about 2 years ago, and have been meaning to write a review ever since. I just never found the time to sit and write how perfect a dining experience this was, and by now, well I simply don't remember.
The more I got into food, the more I wanted to try and dine at the best restaurants in the world. Jean Georges was one of only 4 restaurants with 3 Michelin stars in NYC, and the best option for my foray into fine dinning. At the time I was dating a gorgeous girl whose birthday was right around Christmas, and this was a gift as much for her as for me.
I told her to dress up nice, and picked her up wearing a suit. We took a cab over to Jean George, and what unfolded I can only remember as nearly perfect. The food was delicious, but not nearly as memorable as the experience.
You walk into one of the fanciest most famous restaurants in the world, dressed up to the nines, and walk past opulent displays of wealth. You are then seated at a beautiful table, and treated like royalty, or that is just how you feel.
I still remember sitting across an incredibly stunning girl, and thinking how perfect a way to spend the night it was, even knowing the bill to come.
We both ordered the tasting menu. I got the Jean George menu, and she got the seasonal menu.
I remember dish after dish coming out. The amuse brouches were fun, and I think came in a shot glass. Scallops, lobster, Frog legs which were delicious!!, and even venison. By the time the courses stopped coming I was so stuffed I could barely breathe. The service was impeccable, and the waiter knowledgeable. We ordered wine separately, and the wine was not only delicious, but relatively cheap.
And the end, we were given chocolates to take home, which I gave to my date.
The bill was a little over 500 for 2 people, but at the time totally worth it.
Ironically, 6 months later I quite my job to travel for awhile. The realization that I could have used 500 dollars to travel 3 months, or fly anywhere I wanted to, struck me at some point, when I was down to my last 30 bucks, hitch hiking and on food stamps, but that being said. It only makes this meal that much more special, and I total think everyone should experience a perfectly luxurious meal at least once. -
Review from Richard D.
New York, NY
10/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good times for lunch. Service was excellent.
I really enjoyed my tuna ribbon sashimi. It looked like it was pasta made out of sliced tuna. It was delicious.
2nd dish was sweetbreads. Pretty good. Anything battered and deep fried is tasty.
I loved the dessert presentation. Get the chocolate. I loved the marshmallows and mini macarons. -
Review from Mike C.
Located in the Trump Tower building, it's really easy to get here via the Metro system. Plenty of trains travel through Columbus Circle so no need to drive or anything. Although jacket is required.
This is one of the top in fine dining. The service was impeccable, the food was outstanding, and everything else was pretty much perfect.
Even for a table for one, I got to enjoy all that JG had to offer. My lull time included just people watching. Everyone getting all semi-fancied up and all. Seeing a great variety of people kept me entertained. After all, I was eating for about 2.5 hours.
I did their "Summer Menu" with several tasting courses.
The amouche bouche was a watermelon, cucumber dill pickle, popcorn miso soup. It's like an energy drink, but fancy and stuff. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I started off with their softly poached egg, caviar, yogurt and herbs. Yum, I'm not used to having caviar, but it was nice and smooth. Definitely a delite to have this once in awhile. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Next was the yellowfin tuna with five flavors. From left to right, the tuna was wrapped in jalepeno, radish, fennel, ginger and surrel. The yuzu dipping sauce complimented well with the tuna. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The third dish was the charred corn ravioli with cherry tomato salad and basil fondue. I never had corn ravioli before so this was a new surprise for me. Great, comforting food. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The black bass with sea bean radish salad and white sesame and lavender was next. Nice aromatic smell and the black bass was nice and flaky. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The roasted Maine lobster with market corn and smoked chili almond emulsion was next. The lobster was fatty and juicy. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
More meat came as the rack of Colorado lamb with tender summer beans with fresh tomato barbecue sauce was next on the menu. Very, very tender piece of meat. Lots of juices on this lamb. And the barbecue sauce was more of like a chipotle tomato jam. So it was more on the sweet side. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
For dessert there was a plethora of pear tart, sorbet, http://www.yelp.com/bi... chocolates, macarons and marshmallows. http://www.yelp.com/bi.... Yes I got some more of my macaron fix!!!
Bottom line is that if you have the time and a few extra dollars lying around, then I would take a date here or celebrate something special here. You won't be disappointed. Make sure to call and make the reservations in advance.
Michelin 3 starListed in: Macarons Prestige Worldwide, Le Michelin
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Review from Joe B.
Brooklyn, NY
1/4/2012
One of the best Foie's I've ever tasted - sorry ducks. And if you have budget constraints JG's is a 3 Star Michelin restaurant which has a lunch time menu where you can get two dishes for a little over $30. Food wise this is probably my favorite of all NYC restaurants. Even a mediocre dish at JG's tends to be on par with a great dish at most "good" restaurants. There is a reason why the the flag ship of the Jean-Georges empire has garnered so many awards - nuff said.
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Review from Catherine T.
New York, NY
11/16/2011
There is only 1 reason I will not give this place 5 stars:
I called to let them know I was going to be a little late and they were jerks! They threatened to give my table away. I did arrive and my husband was having a drink at the bar and they started rushing us to our table.
The food however is superb. We chose the 4 course menu (luckily) because we left so full. We were not able to finish all of the 3rd course and left most of the 4th (dessert) course. This was one of the best meals I have ever had only second to la tour d'argent in Paris.
Well done at this restaurant, the only thing left to work on is the people skills from the individuals answering your phones. -
Review from Erika C.
11/3/2011
Four stars for lunch (and lunch prices!), all the courses were decent. We treated our host here on our last day in NYC, right before we took off for the airport. It was a tight one, I was panicking in the taxi.
It was totally with squeezing in. The food was good and the service was excellent. -
Review from Janice C.
Dining at Jean George is a once in a lifetime event.
My bf and I talked about how there's no way we'd be able to afford an extravagant dinner here anytime soon, so their $32 prix fixe lunch was the next best thing.
I love how the dining room is understated yet elegantly furnished, with the big windows that look out to Columbus Circle on one side and Central Park on the other. The decor is clean with lots of light hues and pretty chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling. Seating was arranged where you're not too close to hear your neighbor's conversation.
Their cocktail list has a lot of light and fruity options on the menu, I'd imagine this is so because they dont want their patrons getting hammered at lunch, you are dining at Jean George after all! * wink * I ordered the Clementine Fizz with gin and fresh juice, topped off with sparkling wine. I needed a bright, happy drink. Bf said his whiskey sour was watered down.
Our amuse bouche came shortly after and presented our palettes on what was to come: Crepe filled with mushrooms and cheese, rye toast with mustard mayo and radish and carrot juice with kaffir lime.
Their sea trout sashimi were sizable cubes of fish sitting in lemon, dill and horseradish sauces. Although the fish was fresh, I think the horseradish overpowered this dish a bit.
The foie gras brulee with meyer lemon jam is any foie gras lover's dream come true. I mean, its so hard to come up with words to describe this dish: it was decadent and sinfully rich.
Their beef tenderloin is tender and flavorful. While the chicken parmesan with white asparagus was good, this dish fell flat for me. The flavors were one dimensional -- I just tasted cheese. That's it. If not for the creamy sauce, I would've felt like I made a wrong entree choice.
The dessert stole the show! it was a duo of caramel flavors presented as an espresso-caramel ice cream and a salted-caramel chocolate hazelnut tart with creme fraice ice cream. Totally blew away my tastebuds!
Service was professional but not aloof. I like that a multitude of people catered to our every need, we were totally treated like they are happy to have our business there. (although, I'm still wondering why I didn't get the complimetary marshmallows like everyone around me did?)
If you want the 3 Michelin star experience without the 4 $$$$ sign, Jean George should be on your list of places to try, at least for a nice business lunch.Listed in: I Heart NYC!
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Review from Michelle R.
Mountain View, CA
12/2/2011
On a recent trip to NYC, I needed to add another 3 star Michelin Restaurant to my dining experience. 3 Michelin star for 5 yelp stars works in my book.
I loved the dining room decor. Low-lit, subdued, intimate with high windows that are covered but give the feeling of openness. Service was impeccable (as it should be when you're paying an arm and a leg for your meal!) Our server was thorough with explaining the menu and did an excellent job of recommending a few different glasses of wine. He orchestrated a perfectly synchronized food service, always with a smile - albeit, his "character" appeared quite robotic as the meal progressed and it would have been more comfortable if his own personality made an occasional appearance. Aside from that, I was impressed when I noticed another server catch sight of my dwindling water glass and somehow magically directed someone else to dash across the dining room with the water pitcher. It was like being at a ballet for waiters.
But let's get to the food. Amazing and decadent. We selected the prix fixe menu for 3 dishes at $98 plus dessert. The amuse bouche consisted of hamachi, a skewer of fig, mozzarella, and basil, and a shot of some type of soup. I was melting over the fig and mozzarella (and I rarely eat cheese!) and contemplated asking for a whole plate of these skewers as one of my courses :) Note: I attempted to recreate this at home but I don't have the Chef Vongerichten touch so....yeah it was a fail. My first course was the tuna ribbons and this was by far my favorite of the night. Not only did the flavors of the tuna, ginger, spice, and avocado feel wonderfully balanced on my palate, but the presentation of the tuna wound into a rose was just a work of art and made me smile. My second course of the steamed cod with lime and lemongrass echoed a familiar Thai flavor profile but looked and felt rather one-dimensional. Finally, my third course was the Minted Rack of Lamb. The lamb did not feel as memorable to me but the mushrooms on the dish were absolutely delectable and they went down so well with the 2008 Brooks Janus Pinot Noir I was enjoying. Mmmmm.....
I loved the dessert course presented in a theme. I enjoyed the Late Harvest and my husband got the Chocolate course. Notice this is the first time I mention his food? I was so into my meal I never paid attention to what he ate until we got to dessert. This last course was accompanied by an endless amount of sweet treats and take-home chocolates. Jean-Georges turns dessert into a full event that is worth at least 5 extra pounds.
Overall, a wonderful dining experience capped off by a gluttonous saunter back to our hotel in the autumn rain. I so love NYC!
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