Allen & Delancey
(212) 253-5400
115 Allen St
New York,
NY
10002
40.7196
-73.9905
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Lower East Side
What People Are Saying About Allen & Delancey
The Editor
Justin Hartung
Citysearch
The Scene
With its overflowing bric-a-brac and mysterious air, this cavernous Lower East Side den looks like the setting of a classic gothic novel. Candles burn in every corner, throwing shadows across brick walls, and forlorn women gaze out of flea-market portraits. Look deeper, however, and you'll find that the diners lounging in cozy leather booths are wearing slick suits and tight-fitting cocktail dresses.
The Food
Chef Neil Ferguson was let go from Gordon Ramsay's restaurant at the London, but his misfortune is our New American gold mine. Pickled fennel and grapefruit rounds out the subtle flavor of thin-sliced, lustrous hamachi, while a rich bolognese binds sweetbreads, carrots and cabbage in an oversized raviolo. Entrees are the stuff of rustic-fare dreams: wonderfully gamey lamb mellowed by ambrosial pureed potatoes, and cod supercharged by lemon confit. For dessert, caramelized tangerine, sabayon, basil and financier combine for the world's most decadent fruit salad.
Hits: The English-born Ferguson shows the Yanks just how nuanced New American cooking can be.
Misses: The studied bohemian earthiness clashes a bit with the substantial prices and well-heeled crowd.
User Reviews
Mmmm
June 06, 2009
The service was lovely. The room had a great feel to it. When I called and asked if this was a nice place to bring my husband for a date. I was told yes but it surpassed my expectations. He loved it. We dined late so I could get a booth in the back room. The front room is a bit cramped so it is worth the wait. The girl that took my reservation said on a busy night eating after 10 pm was my only chance to get in there. The food was delicious. Simple but very flavorful. We had a few raw fish items to start the meal which was nice. The bread was a standout as were the cocktails. Between the Halibut and the rabbit Pasta I think we both preferred the Halibut but it was all delicious. Our server recommended the sorbet plate for dessert which seemed odd until we got it. Very creative flavors My only complaint was they seemed a bit understaffed but it also could have just been a busy Friday. I can't wait for another reason to go back.
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SLNP
May 30, 2009
The decor was lush, warm and inviting, especially on the cold, rainy night that I visited. While waiting for my date I had one of the signature drinks at the bar. It was delicious... a very unusual blend of flavors which came together nicely. These drinks take a bit of time to prepare, and I waited quite a while for my turn keeping in mind that the restaurant was half empty and there were only four people at the bar. Once my date arrived he waited quite a while for his cocktail as well. The bartender was obviously flustered and unapologetic, and had that snooty air that cracks me up. The service once in the main dinning room was fine. The oyster appetizer and rabbit entree were well done. I had the bass which was much too salty. For desert we split the french toast, the components of which were very tasty, but you had to compile the dish yourself and the caramel sauce was more in a solid then liquid state and impossible to drizzle over the other ingredients. I brought out the girl scout in me and warmed my spoon over the candle flame which I used to warm up the caramel sauce. This brought out it's bacon infusion as well, and it was yummy, but overall the food was a bit less exciting then expected, and therefore not really worth the cost. Also worth noting... management needs to figure out the heating/cooling system. The temperature oscillated between too hot and too cold, so much so that I had keep putting on and removing my coat. Allen & Delancey could be a gem of a place it just needs a few tweaks first of which would be hiring an additional bartender.
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JHammer
May 21, 2009
I wasn't sure what to expect based on some of the reviews of non attentive staff and mediocre food, but walking into this dark, cozy spot was simply impressive. I had taken the train to Grand Street and among the dingy stores and neighborhood, I was pleasantly surprised to walk into what felt like a whole other city. John the bartender was really nice striking up conversation, after I was at the bar for a bit; my husband was arriving later than expected. We both had the risotto and beef and were INCREDIBLY satisfied not only with our flavorful and delicious meal, but our attentive waiter. We didn't order dessert because I had a cake at home, but they brought out some ice cream with a candle (I had told the bartender that it was my husband's bday, SO NICE)! I would go back in a heartbeat and my husband's bday was a complete success!
read full reviewThe Details on Allen & Delancey
What to Drink:
The refreshing, not-too-sweet Delancey--made with pomegranate, Prosseco and elderberry liquer--is well-worth its $12 price tag; the international, manageably small wine list runs $30-$350.
Where to Sit:
Groups are best off in the comfy booths, or the large table in the middle room, while couples are best off at the two-tops scattered throughout.
Dine at Bar:
The front room offers 12 seats for a pre-dinner cocktail or even a full meal.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Romantic Dining, Date Spot, Group Dining, Dine At The Bar
