Bar Americain

Doesn't Recommend

rpl3601

Joined 5 years ago

Don't ask for bowls.... We went with a party of five for New Year's Day 2010 dinner. We all love to watch Bobby Flay cooking on t.v., so we were expecting the best. I eat out for lunch every day and for dinner 3-4 times a week at very nice restaurants, so again, I know what to expect and pay for a place like this. When we arrived for our reservation(By the way, the gentlemen were dressed in suits and the ladies in cocktail dresses.), I was looking for the rest of my party at the bar area. The host became belligerent with me about checking in our coats. I said to hold on I'm looking for someone, and he was miffed. I finally gave "mister personality" my coat and met the rest of my party. At dinner after ordering a nice bottle of wine and 5 appetizers for the table, we asked the waiter for several small bowls to share the pumpkin soup appetizer with the rest of the table. The waiter seemed puzzled and had to go ask permission. Why does he need permission to bring out bowls!!! The waiter said no, so we called for the manager. The manager also gave us a hard time about stupid bowls. I've never seen such a thing. I go to a restaurant of this supposedly caliber for the food number one and the service number two. If I'm going to spend $800 on dinner, I want a damn bowl if I ask for one. This made the entire table angry, so we canceled our entrees and left. This place is ridiculous. I've never seem such a stuck-up staff of employees. Bobby Flay should be ashamed to have such a place with his name on it. Who cares if the food is any good, if you cannot enjoy your time there...

Doesn't Recommend

hockeyparents

Joined 4 years ago

Poor food and service. I recently went to Bar Americain with my family on Sunday December 6th at 5. We were a party of 10. No one checked our coats upon arrival. So we carried all our winter coats scarves etc... to the table.

The waiter seemed bothered he had to serve our table and while trying to order - mid order he left our table several times.

Every time we needed a drink we had to flag the waiter or someone who could help us. Our waiter continually rolled his eyes at us and seemed bothered we had three girls age 5 and 6, who were very well behaved.

I had the asparagus salad that had way to much dressing and only three tiny pieces of asparagus.

For my entree I had the horseradish crusted Halibut and it was drenched in salt. My daughter had the skate with out the spicy sauce. Also way to much salt. When I asked the waiter to bring a little melted butter I was informed there was butter on the table for the bread and to use that! The food came out at different times as well.

There also seemed to be a lot of drama between the maitre d' and the staff and saw him yelling at people through out dinner. They need to keep it behind closed doors. Maybe the drama works on TV but when I am paying I would like a serene dinner.

Needless to say it was not a positive memorable dining experience. This was my first and my last time at a Bobby Flay restaurant.

Recommends

briz47

Joined 5 years ago

Exceeded expectations!. Went to NYC for a short getaway by myself. One of the wishlist items was dining at Bar Americain. Sat at the bar, was treated warmly.with genuine interest and attention (and I'm not a runway model!). Had four courses, including the seafood cocktail sampler and was delighted with every bite. Staff let me take my time between courses and I never felt rushed. Good food is hard to find, innovative food is even rarer and true hospitality is like finding a diamond in the streets of New York. Thanks, Bobby!

Doesn't Recommend

cutsey

Joined 4 years ago

food was very bad. 3 or us went to B.A on Sept. 18th, the food was awful, we ordered the pork which was overcooked and so big if was nearly impossible to cut, we also ordered the spicey tuna which was full of veins and overcooked, also ordered was the shrimp and grits and when it arrived it was unedable it looked and tasted awful also ordered was a vidalia onion soup - usually onion soup is served with coutons, this one came with a hugh slice of burnt toast, the toast was so hard that I had to take it out of the soup and tried to cut it with a knife and even that was not possible - the only good item was the tuna tartare - we definitily will not return to bar americain

Doesn't Recommend

vinr

Joined 4 years ago

Flay Flunked. Went there with a party of six...I was expecting a pricey place, no problem...when you get what you pay for...

Started off with the tiered raw bar platter..generally good but the clams and oysters were saltier than usual.

Now the fun begins...plates were cleared, and it wasnt until 30mins later that I needed to inquire as to where the entrees were...servers are not attentative in providing updates or asking if there is anything they can do. After 40 min, when the entrees did finally arrive, presentation was tops along with flavors..temperature of my veal and my wifes pork chop was tepid..leading me to beleive out server had just forgetten about bringing us the food. Not what I expected from a place with an owner like Bobby....your service is a direct representation of your self..sorry but I'm done with visiting any more of his places..

Doesn't Recommend

professeurv

Joined 4 years ago

Bland Food, Poor Service. I met friends at Bobby Flay's Bar Americain yesterday for brunch. It was our first (and will be my only) time there. The server was pleasant and really encouraged my choice of brunch entrees. When the omelette I ordered arrived, however, it was the most bland and tasteless thing I had eaten in months! I waited for her to return so I could advise her that something had obviously been left out, but she never again came back while we sat there for almost an hour! Even when she brought the check, she never said 'how was the meal' (althought mine remained almost 90% untouched) - so I simply paid and left with the intention never to return. The only staff we saw between ordering and paying was the person who refilled the water and the always lukewarm coffee A real disappointment. When one orders an egg dish - in which the ingredients cost almost nothing, one expects their $17 will pay for some artistic and tasty treatment of the basics. Not so in this case. (by the way - no accomodation is made on their website for feedback - which I why I am writing this here. I strongly recommend you take your business elsewhere. Bryant Park Grill, for example, is far superior in every way. We ate there the day before (and my omelette there was excellent).

Recommends

TroyNYC

Joined 4 years ago

Awesome. I picked Bar America tonight because of the rib special and I'm picky about my ribs. I have no complaints what so ever. Bobby Flay even stopped at our table to say hi and he was so nice. I can't wait to go back!

Recommends

VinDivine

Joined 4 years ago

Great pre-theatre spot. For the full VinDivine review: (add h*ttp://)bit.ly/info/6Svx

First off, the place was pretty packed when we were there. Late afternoon/early PM before the theatre. The place was jammin', especially the bar. First kudos to this place? Even though were two deep at the bar, we got immediate service. Main reason: my wife Janine is smokin' hot and about 6' in heels. Yee Haw! But the bartenders here don't have that typical tunnel-vision so many do. Very cool. 'Cuz I despise waiting for a cocktail!

And even with the crowds & no resie, we got seated in under 30 minutes. Turn 'em and burn 'em Flay!

The menu here is eclectic and seems way bigger than it really is in sheer number of selections. Well played, Bobby. They have a raw bar, 10 appys including an awesome Vidalia Onion Soup w/ Vermont Cheddar, a tasty, filling bowl that could go toe-to-toe with most traditional French Onion Soups. Another killer is the Spicy Tuna Tartare. I know, I know, you're asking: "VdV, when the hell is this staple on all appy menus gonna wear itself out and swim away into the sunset?" Hey I hear ya. But ya want Bobby to keep this one on 4-ever. This Tartare is excellent sushi-grade tuna, cut into generous chunks and seasoned perfectly with jalapeno and smoke. Yes, smoke. Don't know how he got that smoky accent in there but it works....

For the full VinDivine review: (add h*ttp://)bit.ly/info/6Svx

Recommends

hervecayard

Joined 4 years ago

nice american bar. All is goodd pues eso que maravilla , es un abr bar bar bar bar bar bar bar bar bar

All is goodd pues eso que maravilla , es un abr bar bar bar bar bar bar bar bar bar

Recommends

mrgn

Joined 4 years ago

love the brunch. I've been here once for brunch. It's well-prepared and presented. The service was so-so, but I'd go back anytime.