Country

Doesn't Recommend

kizzypoo2

Joined 6 years ago

Terrible Service. We arrived on time for our reservation at 8 PM on a Wednesday night and we weren't seated until 9:15 PM. That would have been fine if our food arrived promptly. It didn't. Our server blamed the kitchen manager for the delay with both a side dish and dessert. The side dish (bleu cheese potato gratin) arrived under cooked and had a soupy consistency. My dining companion had been to the Cafe at Country many times before in the past year and had a wonderful experience. I suspect the restaurant has lost some of it's luster. Though most of the meal was tasty, it wasn't spectacular. Bad service always creates a bad dining experience.

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concierge_nyc

Joined 7 years ago

Great. The restaurant itself is beautiful. If it werent for subtle, contemporary flairs that cut through some of the austerity of the space, it would be a very formal dining experience, even for the most seasoned Epicurean and bon vivant.

Not being a huge fan of prix-fixe menus, I indulged in the Spring Tasting menu, which, before we received what was actually ordered, a few amuse bouches that challenged our gourmandizing bellies arrived. A frog-leg in green-garlic sauce and a foie gras mousse tartlet. I neither enjoy frog or goose liver, but I couldnt turn down the gratuitous delicacies. The frog was ironically served on a silver lily-pad with a silver little frog, which seemed to be enjoying its wee green life before being slaughtered, dismembered and dunked into a zesty, verdant sauce.

Our first course was a spring-pea soup with fresh shrimp and a seafood gelatin. The latter was an odd, unnecessary and untouched addition to what could possibly be some of the most fresh-tasting, velvety soup Ive ever had. It was a nice start with exception of the shellfish jello. Our second course was a wild-salmon with fresh fennel and Meyer Lemon sauce. A very moderate portion that, at first, had me jumping to a typical American reaction, Thats it? In any event, I got back to the matter at hand and enjoyed a succulent piece of salmon. Next was Spring Lamb with an eggplant puree and rosemary. Im sure Im missing some flavors that graced the meat, but it sure was delicious.

Dessert was a toasted brioche with lemon sorbet and fresh lemon wedges on a passion-fruit puree. It would not be the dessert I would order off the menu if I had the choice. Unfortunately, I didnt so I sucked it up and ate every last morsel from the plate, exclaiming how light and delectable it was.

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huie

Joined 8 years ago

Nice but could be better. We dined at the cafe on the ground floor of Country and the entire experience was overall a pleasant one. The interior sets a dark mood with wooden tables and booths. This would be a great spot for a romantic date. The bar area was definitely the most happening place and the wine list did not disappoint. Now for the misses.. the food was extremely ordinary. For a restaurant of this caliber with a great chef backing it, we expected more innovation food-wise and for the prices we paid. The food tasted fine but it just wasn't right on. Perhaps we were looking for a dining experience and Country didn't deliver. When the evening ended, we left a little lighter but not happier. I would not revisit.

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nikolaos

Joined 7 years ago

Amazing food!. I stayed at the Carlton, the hotel in which the Country reastaurant is located. First night I was tired so I ordered room service. The girl that took my order, Gabrielle, was absolutely amazing in helping me with my choices, and let me tell you, when the food came, I was amazingly surprised at the taste and quality. Second night I went back for a drink and had something there to eat again, even though I was going to another restaurant later for dinner. Amazing food and nice atmosphere, I highly recommend it!

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josh21

Joined 7 years ago

Super!. Beautiful setting with a most tremendous and well-executed menu. Desserts are quite tasty as well.

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Kathleen Squires

Joined 10 years ago

This casual companion to Geoffrey Zakarian's Town features a formally informal menu in cushy, manor-like surroundings.. The Scene
The mahogany-paneled room, furnished with marble-topped tables and gleaming leather upholstery, feels like a study in an English manor house, though the loud, suited-up crowds are most certainly city slickers or Carlton Hotel guests. A stainless steel bar at the center adds modernity, while its overwhelmed keepers unfortunately set the service tone.

The Food
Both Doug Psaltis' new American menu and the waitstaff's service yo-yo between formality and casualness. A fancy dollop of fennel cream and flan-like salpicon enrich a buttery lobster soup, for example, while puny stone crab claws could have used some frills to distract from their mealiness. The luxurious presence of black truffles in the opulently comforting artisanal pasta--and its accompanying lid-lifting fanfare--contradicts its homey Pyrex serving dish. In fact, the abundance of tableside flourishes--from the aged balsamic sprinkled upon a side of crispy roasted artichokes to chocolate sauce artfully drizzled on profiteroles--may explain the often beleaguered service.

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zressavid

Joined 7 years ago

Country / Upstairs Dining. Four of us who eat out pretty much every night of the week went on a whym to Country tonight. Aside from the fact the maitre de claimed the dining room was 'full', we were seated at a great table overlooking the lobby of the hotel and ordered the 5 course tasting menu. Though expensive (which every new joint seems to be these days), the experience was more than fantastic. We requested the 'surprise' tasting menu, everything at the decision of the chef. The service, the settings, the courses, the sommelier, the atmoshphere, all were top notch. An absolute delite for clients and parents alike. Every staff member was knowledgeable of their service and product. Every dish true to it's form and taste. Truly a satisfying experience. I would suggest this restaurant to anyone in search of a culinary experience.

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grace1981

Joined 7 years ago

Alacrid service, invigorating menu. My friend and I went to have brunch at Country a while back and it was an incredible experience. We have a couple of friends coming into town next week and we thought this would be the best place to show them a truly NY experience. The ardently decorated cafe matches their alacrid service and invigorating menu.

Everyone has too at least try it once if not for the menu, then for the atmosphere. An absolutely wonderful new restaurant.

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pseudon

Joined 10 years ago

Chef Zakarian's new "Country" home. Being a fan of Chef Zakarian's Town restaurant at the Chambers Hotel, I was anxiously waiting the new Country to open it's doors at the newly renovated Carlton Hotel. When they finally opened after some delays, the wait was well worth it.

Madison Square park area is becoming the new Restaurant Row. The Country fits perfectly to this new wave of fine restaurants. Cafe downstairs gives a casual yet refined dining and the main dining room upstairs gives you an elegant and upscale dining experience. Even the prices and the food ingredients and preparations are quiet different on each floor, the overall feeling is the same; extremely satisfied with the ambience, service and the food.

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janinesagar

Joined 7 years ago

just great. an all-around wonderful experience, in my book. the menu has some surprising -- and delicious -- comfort food options. the wait staff was knowledgeable and attentive. and the setting was sultry without being too scene-y. A+