Degustation
New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 979-1012
- Price:
- $$$
- Cross Street:
- Between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue
- Directions:
- 6 at Astor Pl; F, V at 2nd Ave
- Specialties:
- Small Plates
- Hours:
- Mon-Sat 6pm-11pm
Editorial Review for Degustation – by Kathleen Squires
The Scene
A 16-seat wood bar surrounded by stone walls and floors make up the extraordinarily intimate setting of this tasting room, formerly a Japanese grill and Korean kalbi bar. Unsurprisingly, the spot fills up fast, primarily with couples and practiced palates looking for a casually special night out.
The Food
Spain and France are the centerpiece, as is young, inventive chef Wesley Genovart, who holds court behind the bar while dazzling diners with inspired creations like magically light croquetas, perfectly crisp on the outside, and oozing with a soft potato, apple and serrano chile center. In his accomplished hands, surf and turf is ingeniously reinvented with short-rib stuffed squid; an ordinary roast beef sandwich becomes remarkable with sashimi-like rib-eye piled on toast and sprinkled with green herbs; and even simple grilled strawberries are transformed with ginger and eucalyptus. Astonishingly reasonable prices warrant that the third time should be the charm for this spot.
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Insider Tips
Save MoneyThe tasting menu--$50 for five courses--is a gourmet bargain.
What to DrinkThe small but well-chosen wine selection is available by bottle or glass, with some good values such as an Italian rose from Alois Lageder for $7 glass and $35 bottle.
The ExtrasTry sister (and neighboring) restaurants Jewel Bako, Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar and Jewel Bako Makimono.
User Reviews for Degustation
06/17/2008 Posted by sf6
We had a reservation at 7:30. Arrived a bit early. One couple was leaving, an we were informed that they'll set the place for us. No one else was waiting. Then a couple of middle-aged ladies who obviously were regulars march in, point to the place that's being set for us and say "we'll take that". The host then informs me that these ladies were ahead of us and that it would be another 15 minutes. Come on. I know you have to take care of your regulars, but don't take me for a fool. I told the host that he made a mistake, but he genuinely did not care. No food is worth this kind of treatment. Of course we left, and would never go back. Odd how it's always the "fashionable" places that think this kind of treatment is acceptable. You'd never get this at Jean Georges or any place that had the least bit of grace. (and neither Jack nor Grace has any, by the way) Little wonder their restaurants keep closing.
Pros: It will probably close soon.
Cons: There are enough idiots in this city to keep it open despite the atrocious service.
03/27/2008 Posted by roger13
"WOW! This was one of those meals - the kind where you wake up the next morning, and as you lay in bed you relive what you consumed the night before. I don't know where to start, so I will just say this is the kind of place for people who like to eat at the bar (very sushi bar-like). BUT I mean a really nice, cool setting (a la Casa Mono) where you can see your food being prepared by skillful, friendly food artists (yeah it's corny, but they are amazing). OK now the food. I am Spanish and definitely have tasted the best (and worst) tapas around the world, not just Spain (and not just Madrid). The croquetas were UN B LIEVABLE! The pepper sauce made it. The poached egg with jamon serrano and chorizo "broth" for lack of a better term were so different I was suspect at first (since I am a tapas purist), but my fears were dispelled by my girlfriend's squeal of delight. The scallops were tremendous too. The wines were great - we had 4 different kinds total, my fav DEF was the ONIX PRIORAT. Rioja was also great, and the prices were decent. Also, the owner who I met after my amazing meal was more than just a guy happy for the business - he was genuinely pleased that I loved the place. Just read Jason O's review to show how this place operates. Ignore the bad reviews - this place is LO MEJOR!"
Pros: Ummm...everything?!?!
Cons: small, not enough seats for the high demand
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