Brasserie 8 1/2

07/21/09

Very good food and nice, upscale ambiance

by yippee

I went here for restaurant week. The heirloom tomato salad was beautifully presented and very tasty. The skate was "good". For dessert I got the banana pudding and my friend got some type of bl00d orange dessert. I tried both desserts and would have to say that the dessert chef seems to be the star of the restaurant. I'm a dessert connoisseur and can say that both desserts were spectacular.

This restaurant has two nice bars and an open bar area with cushy leather sofas. I think this would be a great place for after work drinks...a bit more sophisticated than your typical after-work bar.

• Pros: Open space, nice bar area, good food
• Cons: Feels a bit dated...too 90's expense account

05/09/09

Awful food!! Overpriced!! Dark and Mall-like feeling..

by MichelinStar

First of all, the food was horribly over-priced, over-salted and the proportions were a joke..and simply put, not good.

Second of all, the restaurant feels like a huge war bunker or underground airplane hanger with no windows and no sun. They should have built a mall there instead.

And last but not least, the manager appeared to be 80 years old, probably living there like a hermit and in serious need of a hearing aid and an english dictionary. Nothing worse then asking a simple question three times and having the other person scream out WHAAAT??

Rue 57 is across the street with fresh air, city views and good food. Hope this was helpful.

• Pros: The bread was free. At least the waitress spoke English.
• Cons: Everything else..

02/25/09

Just cancel the Foie Gras, and it will be PERFECT!

by MisstheBoat

This place is gracious, beautiful and expensive but worth it!

A staircase leads to the lounge. Sit back on great, comfortable couches and choose appetizers from a wonderful bar menu, and cocktails as low as $8.50!

Continue to the beautiful main floor where you will be greeted with graceful, relaxed, and completely professional service. Our server, Peter, made our experience one of the best ever. He appears to LOVE his job, and couldn't wait to make our dining experience the best. We left there feeling like we had a new friend.

The food! Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! The 12-oz Steak Frites is so flavorful with its incredible bearnaise sauce. The Crabcakes are the best I have ever tasted. And, don't miss out on ordering a side of the Macaroni and Cheese with Lardo and Truffle butter. It will melt in your mouth!

My only criticism is that I cannot understand how a restaurant with a chef of such high caliber insists on condoning the use of Foie Gras! (Even West Hollywood passed a resolution to ban its use.) I am asking Chef Julian Alonzo to please take a stand against this cruel menu item. It will only increase the integrity and "heart" of this otherwise, wonderful restaurant.

• Pros: Professional, friendly service, ambiance, great food
• Cons: The use of Foie Gras