81 Restaurant
(212) 873-8181
45 W 81st St
New York,
NY
10024
40.7848
-73.973
Neighborhoods: Midtown, Upper West Side
What People Are Saying About 81 Restaurant
The Editor
Josh Ozersky
Citysearch
In Short
Despite all the talk about fine dining being ready to give up the ghost, recent years have brought a number of ambitious fine dining restaurants to town, of which Eighty One was the most opulent. The cream-and-crimson room is marked by oversize banquettes and little else by way of ornament. The focus is on the food, which tends toward the complex and multi-layered such as the duo of short rib and strip with a tarrragon marmalade and eggplant caviar, and poached duck breast. It's grown-up food for a clientele that is affluent, middle-aged and appreciative of fine dining in the traditional model.
User Reviews
christina2004nyc
April 22, 2009
The price fix option makes this restaurant a lot more affordable. When I go, we usually mix it up with some people ordering off the regular menu. The ingredients are fresh and so well prepared you never feel like "why did they have to go and add that to it?!". My favorites are the steak, mushroom soup and spring salad (love love the seafood in it). The service is top notch and the greeters at the door are sweet and friendly with no attitude. This can be a bit too expensive for an every week type of place unless you only order off the special menu. But you can get away with under $50 a head if you order carefully.
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pastrychef
March 29, 2009
Great dining experience and excellent service. Check out the price frixe dinner. I had pumpkin risotto and cod with black lentils - fabulous! Can't wait to go back.
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lane01
February 27, 2009
a great experience. Overall extremely friendly staff, selection on menu decent although not expansive. great prix fixe, although we ate off the regular menu, we ordered from the "economy" wine list that was unbelievably priced. the chicken was great, the pork chop special was flavorful and tender, the peekytoe crab was good, but not great. While not a cheap experience, not over the top compared to similar restaurants of the caliber. The decor and atmosphere managed to be both fun and somewhat opulent. Will reccomend to friends.
read full reviewThe Details on 81 Restaurant
Save Money:
Eighty One wasn't conceived as a cheap restaurant, so the $42 pre-fixe menu is a great way to go. But watch out for the wine.
Notable Chef:
Ed Brown
