Cru
New York, NY 10011-8858
Phone: (212) 529-1700
- Price:
- $$$$
- Cross Street:
- 9th Street
- Directions:
- 6 at Astor Pl; N, R, W at 8th St
- Specialties:
- Wine List
- Best of Citysearch:
- Wine List 2006
- Hours:
- Mon-Sat 5:30pm-11pm
Editorial Review for Cru – by Erin Behan
The Scene
The windowed bar and front waiting area seems bright and airy compared to the somewhat stuffy main room. Jacketed servers glide across its carpeted floors, whisking jewel-like amuse bouche from table to table in the well-appointed dining room. Established diners, older couples and serious dates fill the foodie haunt.
The Food
Rich, sensuous cuisine, with equal attention to texture and presentation as to taste, emerges from chef Shea Gallante's kitchen. It's hard to go wrong with his twists on the classics. The crudo is especially appealing, with the mackerel in the tartar trio presenting a palate-pleasing opening, and the sweet arctic char melting delicately on the tongue. Of the pastas, the risotto challenges with its briny combination of sea urchin and frog legs. Main courses are equally impressive, with lobster cooked to perfection and divinely tender lamb. For a savory ending, try the chocolate cake with caramel-thyme ice cream.
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Insider Tips
What to DrinkThe 4,000-bottle wine list arrives in two weighty leather-bound volumes. Sommelier Robert Bohr recommends a Burgundy, specifically the 2000 Morey St. Dennis "Clos De La Bussiere" from G. Roumier ($70).
Look GoodConsider ordering the prix-fixe, with three courses for $74, or the chef's tasting menu, which starts at $135. The restaurant requests that everyone at a table either order off the regular menu or order the same special menu.
User Reviews for Cru
04/07/2008 Posted by gofish321
There are many other restaurants I would recommend with food that is as good but with better ambiance and service. The room was boring and the atmosphere was staid. The sommelier was generally unfriendly and, when we asked for a recommendation for a glass of white, brought us two $38 glasses without telling us the price in advance and without offering us the wine list. The food was good but almost too pretentious - sous vide, foam, blah blah blah - I also never need to try white asparagus or curry ice cream. Not worth the price. Go to Union Square or Gramercy for a better experience on all levels.
Pros: wine, food
Cons: service, ambiance, attitude
01/20/2008 Posted by tadevosy
So I went to Cru encouraged by the high rating on city-search and the "best wine list" promise. The latter didin't disappoint--their selection of wines is head-spinning, and the sommelier knew pretty much each one of them from the pricey chateauneuf-de-papes to the obscure galician wines. Their by-the-glass selection, too, was impressive. The wait-staff was great, too, though yes, a bit intrusive at times. The food, on the other hand, left so much to be desired that I literally came home and had a midnight snack before heading to bed. For one, our excellent appetizers were followed by rather mediocre entrees, with an intermission of about one hour, during which our food was "being plated." The portions were laughably small, no larger than the appetizers. That I would have lived down had it been memorable food. My lobster-broccoli pyramid was bitter. My husband poullard tasted of... well... nothing and was luke-warm. Will definitely go back there for a pre-dinner glass of wine but not dinner.
Pros: Amazing wine list, good service, nice decor
Cons: quality and quantity of food
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