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nyc_girl

Joined 11 years ago

Excellent Food. Some of the most inventive and delicious cuisine I have tasted in some time although the portions are admittedly very small. The pork was so amazing we ordered a second plate. The scallops, and seafood were divine. Amazing flavors and just the right seasoning. Wine selection is also quite good and service is very friendly.

The restaurant is set up with one huge C shaped table surrounding the kitchen area so you have to look to your side to talk to your date. Because the space is so small, there is a lot of bumping and jabbing from patrons trying to slide behind you and eat very close next to you so that was the one negative. Otherwise, if you're in the mood for a delicious and unique meal, this is a great stop.

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mreiffe

Joined 8 years ago

Couldn't be happier. Went here for my birthday with my girlfriend and we couldn't be happier. We only had to wait a few minutes for our seats (we had reservations). We got the chef's 5 course taster and each dish was just awesome. In particular, the lamb loin was absolutely amazing. There was also a great wine selection and the waitress was more than happy to help us pick a wine that would best suit our meal. overall, we couldn't be happier with the choice and we're ready to make our reservation for our next birthday.

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AMandK

Joined 10 years ago

exquisite and civilized. The attentiveness of all aspecs in such a tiny space strikes a wonderful note. It is very inimate: you cannot help but strike some banter as dishes are served and savored. There is excitement at seeing the dish that you did not order being served beside you, and eventually you see all of the small menu being prepared. Each little dish is elegantly displayed, with appropriate cutlery set. Service is aware, pampering, and invisible.

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kitdluca

Joined 7 years ago

Cute but not my type. Found this in New York Cheap Eats. Made reservations for a 10pm for dinner. This was our 2nd dinner for the night so we were not too interested in getting food. We each got a glass of wine, fairly good prices. I had the dessert and my friends had scallops. it was ok. The best part was the owner who liked these books we found in the street. We got a couple free martinis. Not too shabby for a night out on the town. I'd go their again, but maybe when I'm not paying for it.

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bboo22

Joined 7 years ago

Terrific!. The food and the ambiance at Degustation are terrific! I had a 10 pm reservation on Friday night and did have to wait about 25 minutes for a table, but the manager treated us to some cava while we waited and some muscato at the end of the meal. Each dish we had was bursting with flavor. The shortrib stuffed squid and the pork belly were our favorites. My only gripe would be the desserts. The grilled strawberries were good but almost too small (3 small strawberries for two of us) and the chocolate mousse with caramel gelee and banana is better on paper than in your mouth. I understand they are changing a few menu items soon for the fall season, so maybe that second dessert will be replaced. Overall, a great experience and I can't wait to go back!

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mojo79

Joined 7 years ago

Divine. i'm near speechless! just the best time, food and experience i've had in ages. to DIE for. just go!!

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hopenyc

Joined 7 years ago

great NYC experience!. Well......I understand the rants about waiting for a table.......but I have to say that this restaurant is worth all of the wait! The food foremost is amazing, the staff is impeccable and caring. We had one of our best meals in all of NYC there the other night. Highlights....The Heirloom Tomato Salad...WOw, the egg with asparagas soup , the squid and the roast beef sandwich,Scallops and the cheese plate.. delicious! Everthing was really understated and the seats and atmosphere are beyond comfortable. I have to say that when you go to a restaurant where they really care that you are there, it makes your night!,no matter how long you wait.

Great job Degustation Wine and Tasting Bar for sharing your passions with us!

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fcrimins

Joined 11 years ago

great food...reservations don't matter. Basically the same things as afnyc had to say. Didn't get seated until 10:15 with a 9:30 (as if that isn't late enough) reservation. Owner's friends who arrived after us also sat first. Not to mention we had to then sit next to them and they were relatively loud and obnoxious--relatively for such a small space, that is.

Food is pretty amazing though. Wide variety of subtle yet complex flavors. Definitely a step up from your typical East Village restaurant. Also had an excellent bottle of wine, which was especially nice given their relatively small wine list (6 bottles of red all priced $30 to $60).

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afnyc

Joined 7 years ago

Great food that, in the end, may be worth the wait.... We were anxious and ready to enjoy another fabulous food experience from the Lambs. We made our reservation and excitedly waited for the day to arrive... only to show up and find that reservations apparently don't matter at Degustation. We waited about an hour and a half (there is no area to sit and you are crammed into the entry way). Waiting is one thing... we eat out often and respect busy, booked, small establishments, it's how you are treated while you wait that matters. They failed miserably in this department. They gave us no excuse or reason as to why our reservation had been tossed aside, and to make matters worse friends of the owner showed up 30 mins after we did (apparently also holding a reservation); they not only sat them 45 mins before us, but we were simply ignored by Jack himself who walked right in front of us (and the 6 other people crammed tightly next to us also waiting well past their reservation times) to seat his friends, open their wine and make sure they were comfortable. I don't object, in theory, to giving special attention to friends of the owner, I understand this is a business, but ignoring paying customers who were obviously frustrated strikes me as bad business. To give credit where credit is due, however, they did serve us a glass of sparkling wine on the house while we stood there, and in the end they comped our dessert as well.

When we finally did sit, the food was outstanding, and our server did a great job of making up for our horrible beginning, and that was no easy feat given how frustrated and hungry we were. The food is beautifully executed (not perfect but excellent), as is the space. The flavor combinations are both interesting and delicious, the menu is intriguing and diverse, and the presentation of each plate is pristine. The execution in the front of the house, however, could use some help.

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pamimo

Joined 9 years ago

Jack does it again, simply divine food, service - we loved it.. Pickly eaters, that's what we are. we want the best of the best. That is why we have dined at jewel bako so often over the years. Degustation fits the bill - extraordinary in every way.