davidburke & donatella
New York, NY 10021-8101
Phone: (212) 813-2121
- Price:
- $$$$
- Cross Street:
- Between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue
- Directions:
- 4, 5, 6; N, R, W at 59th St; F at 63rd St
- Hours:
- Mon-Sat 12pm-2:30pm, 5pm-10:30pm, Sun 11am-2:30pm, 4:30pm-9pm
Editorial Review for davidburke & donatella – by Paul Adams
The Scene
The series of showy white-on-white rooms reverberates with the gregarious chatter of a high-rolling clientele, many laden with Bloomingdale's bags. Tables turn over slowly, so would-be diners mill impatiently in the front bar area. The harried staff is accommodating, but keeps a cool distance.
The Food
The perplexing menu comprises rich dishes with dubious tweaks, like excellent foie gras terrine with superfluous breaded grapes, and tender scallops gussied up with quail eggs, chorizo oil and lobster foam. A delicious salmon filet benefits from sauteed greens in housemade XO sauce, but not from cloying Chinese sausage. Simple--though still unctuous--pasta with mushrooms is a refreshingly uncomplicated choice. The over-the-top desserts include cheesecake lollipops with a bubblegum-scented dipping cream.
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Insider Tips
The ExtrasThe curious can order Chef David Burke's gourmet lollipops online; they come in flavors like foie gras and cheesecake.
What to DrinkThe "wine atlas" lists wines by place of origin, an innovative, but only somewhat enlightening, approach. There are plenty of three-digit bottles on the menu, and only a few less than $40. Quite a few by-the-glass deals are available.
User Reviews for davidburke & donatella
07/23/2008 Posted by rachelz3
For one thing, they deserve the top prices because their food is actually worth it. Their service is charming and even though they are clearly UES and have that snobby air, they actually do have a clue about treating people well regardless. Their italian red wine list has a bottom price of $170 - no Chiantis- and no Italian red by the glass but they have a lovely Pinot Grigio by the glass for $12 that suited us fine. The Restaurant Week menu was splendid. Lobster Bisque with a genuine taste, appetizing crabcake, Wild Salmon with heft, perfectly cooked, braised short ribs (reported to be quite nice, but I was too busy with my salmon to even try it, which is saying something in itself). Presentation a delight in every respect- I hardly recognized the butter. And dessert... was truly special. We all opted for the milkshake and cookies - which were clearly neither but still magically transported us back to being little kids with cookies and milk. Plus, they remembered we had birthday guests, gave them special plates and candles. Very nice. It was a transcendent experience. I took no risk by eating there during Restaurant Week but will surely aim to return there and pay full price. These folks took Restaurant Week as an opportunity to strut their stuff, and they did. Kudos.
Pros: Superb Cuisine
Cons: Expensive, not good for stroller crowd, so-so decor
07/22/2008 Posted by dpelavin
Lunched here on first day of Open Table prepared to poke holes in this pretentious, "provocative," trendy, hot spot. Immediately surprised to be accommodated graciously by General Manager Michael Shef who, when we asked about the mysteriously interesting prints adorning the walls, made a special effort to inform us of their origin and availability. I refuse to make this review a report on the moistness of the truffles or pungency of the Acieto Balsamico so, if that's how you judge a restaurant, stop here. I believe it is sufficient to say that we were treated as special guest by an attentive staff, served generous portions of food that was delicious and handsomely presented and given a bill at the end of the meal that made us wonder how they possibly could do this for such modest prices.
Pros: everything
Schedule
| 10/13/2008 | Fifth-Year Anniversary Menu | |
| 10/14/2008 | Fifth-Year Anniversary Menu | |
| 10/15/2008 | Fifth-Year Anniversary Menu | |
| 10/16/2008 | Fifth-Year Anniversary Menu | |
| 10/17/2008 | Fifth-Year Anniversary Menu | |
| 10/18/2008 | Fifth-Year Anniversary Menu | |
| 10/19/2008 | Fifth-Year Anniversary Menu | |
| 10/20/2008 | Fifth-Year Anniversary Menu | |
| 10/21/2008 | Fifth-Year Anniversary Menu | |
| 10/22/2008 | Fifth-Year Anniversary Menu | |
