Ivo & Lulu

12/10/08

Gem of a Find!

by AlexSef

We went there on a Friday night with 3 friends. It took a little while for us to get our table, but that was expected. We were able to open our bottle of wine (BYOB) in waiting. The staff were curtious & friendly. The food was amaizing, highly recomment the Duck Breast! Can't wait to go back & try a couple of the other dishes.

• Pros: Atmosphere, food
• Cons: can get crowded

11/16/08

No table despite a reservation. No food despite a menu. Like a bizarre movie set. All facade & empty promise.

by ThePalateKnife

I really wanted to like this place. It's charming, albeit cramped & has the feel of a hidden gem. Sadly, I find myself wishing there were a half star rating to serve up here.

My friend confirmed reservations for our party 48 hours prior to our arrival, only to be met with blank stares of incredulity. " No. Nothing here under that name. I'll seat you as soon as I can."

"As soon as I can" translated to almost an hour wait. A wait in which we watched with utter dismay as our host seated his friends who had audibly "just popped by" at a table he had only moments before nodded toward and said, "he'd have ready for us shortly." Once finally seated at a cramped alternate table, we were informed that of the 7 apps on the menu ,a scant 3 were available. "Ok, the food must be really good," I thought. More bad news. There was 1 entree from the menu to be had & 1 special of merguez w/ cous cous.

After ordering what we could, we were informed that of the 3 app choices, they were now "down to two," & "sorry, dessert's on the house." Of the apps left the alleged "terrine de faisant," which, when it finally arrived, tasted suspiciously like ground pork. I grew up eating pheasant almost weekly, so my tongue was primed but I found myself dabbing at the little clumps of meat masked in gooey brie & wondering...

The chicken was scant & a bit dry but pleasant. I ate my partner's few remaining bites as I was still starving.

We opened our 2nd bottle of wine, meant to be a gift, just to put something in our bellies. Our host/waiter came blithely by , visibly drunk, offering us the check instead of our promised dessert. Upon my inquiry as to what there was for sweets, I was told to "pay no attention to what was on the menu." He begrudgingly brought 2 unremarkable mango mousse for the 3 of us & staggered away.

We left- hungry & dismayed.

• Pros: BYOB, cute.
• Cons: Disorganized, ran out of food , unapologetic

09/03/08

A truly unremarkable and upsetting visit to a once fantastic restaurant.

by NYCEat

I used to be a big fan of Ivo and Lulu but after tonight?s experience I will never go back. I made a reservation over a week ago for a party of four. When I got there tonight not only was there no record of my reservation but the waitress/hostess was absolutely rude and inconsiderate. Although half the restaurant was empty she said she was too busy (understaffed?) and told us to wait. After 45 minutes I asked for my bottle of wine back (which she had placed in the freezer) and then she continued to chat with the chef. After another 20 minutes we left, and she followed us out to scold us for leaving. Her behavior was unacceptable and uncalled for, and the experience was an overall disappointment. A truly unremarkable and upsetting visit to a once fantastic restaurant.