Rouge Tomate

huge snafu

by runariga

Rouge Tomate is my first Michelin Star rated restaurant. The expectations were high from my side prior to our visit. I must say, I wasn’t disappointed. The interior is modern and nice looking. We were seated at a booth (there were 5 of us), with plenty of room on a table and to seat. The service was very nice – attentive but not annoying, offering just the right amount of information that you want to hear… except one thing… which I consider to be a huge snafu on their part. When describing the specials, we were told that they just got white truffles and are offering 5 grams of white truffle shavings on their Wild Mushroom Farrotto dish which is typically part of the Tasting menu but can be ordered a la carte. But they didn’t mention the price of this “very special dish”. Obviously, we knew that with truffles being precious commodity, it will be more expensive than a typical dish on their menu. But considering that $39 venison dish on their menu was the most expensive dish, we couldn’t imagine that this one would end up costing $89! Two of us ordered it (without knowing the cost)! It was stupid on our part not to ask about the price, but I think the waitress should’ve mentioned it, since it’s a bit of an abnormal “special”. We ate our entrée enjoying every bite – without even knowing how precious this cup and a half of farrotto grain with wild mushrooms and white truffles is. It was truly exquisite and out-of-this-world. No regrets that my husband and I ordered it but it was quite a shock to see the bill. Nevertheless, the rest of the food that our group of five had was very delicious – from complimentary Autumn Squash Soup that was brought in tiny shot glasses at the beginning of our meal, along with great bread with wonderful dips, to a couple of flavors of Seasonal Toasts (Wild Mushroom and Sunchoke), to Spanish Octopus Salad with fennel, to Ricotta Gnudi and Striped Bass a la Plancha. This all was topped by great desserts, with an option to satisfy a sweet tooth without guilt (Small Sweets option). I am taking a great lesson out of this experience: don’t ever feel that asking about a price of a dish at a fancy restaurant makes you a less desirable client.

great food

by janiesmithsmith

This place is great for small and large groups. There is a large slection on the menu. The food is lite but filling. And the deserts are amazing!

• Pros: tasty
• Cons: none

Good Restaurant

by mmuller2

My husband and I ate at Rouge Tomate last night and overall, we enjoyed it.

Ambience:

- Big, open modern space -- nicely decorated. Tables not too close together

- Not necessarily romantic, would probably be good for a group.

- Granted we went out on a Wed. night, but it was a little empty. I do think it's important for a big open space like that to be full and bustling. I do hear that it gets a bigger lunch crowd.

Service:

- Excellent, attentive service

- Knowlegeable staff

- Food came out quickly -- almost too quickly!

- Accomodating with special requests. My husband and I like to eat out nicely, but don't eat meat, which can be a challenge. They took the prosciutto out of 2 dishes for us.

Food:

- Overall, very good.

- Appetizers - I had the Tuna Poke, which was very good, and my husband had the Parsnip Apple Soup (minus the prosciutto), which was delicious.

- Main course - My husband had the Fettuccini, which was very light and overall superb. I had the Black Cod minus the bean stew w/ Prosciutto. The only problem with the fact that they were so accomodating is that I think my dish suffered without the bean stew -- it was a bit bland. Although, the fish was perfectly cooked and it was helped along by the delicious vegetables that accompanied it.

- Dessert - We shared the Blood Orange dessert with was one of my favorite restaurant desserts ever. Presentation was beatiful and the flavors (orange, pomegranite, sesame, vanilla) complemented one another beautifully.

Wine - we had a wonderful white wine, sold by the glass and reasonably priced

- Portions -- a little on the small side. Although they were sufficient and we didn't feel stuffed when we left.

Overall, recommended. But maybe try it for lunch or on a weekend so that it's more lively.

• Pros: Good, accomodating service, Blood Orange Dessert - Yum!
• Cons: Wasn't a full house

Just like Jeter - overrated

by Buck

I first experienced R.T. during its pre-opening, and it was really terrible. The servers knew nothing of the dishes, and the food was inedible. Giving it another chance, I returned recently to find the service quite attentive and knowledgeable, but the food was worthy of a Rotten Tomato as opposed to the unbelievable Michelin Star it received. The amuse bouche burned my mouth it was served so hot. The Ceviche was prepared with stale popcorn I wouldnt eat at a second rate movie theatre. The entrees (only 7 to choose from) were not exciting. We tried 2 - first the Scallops which were prepared on a bed of vegetables that I honestly think were cooked with the oil from the stale popcorn. The flank steak itself was OK, but the vegetables it was served upon was not terribly good and too many disparate tastes - not supportive of the steak. I forgot what I had for Desert as I was already aganozing over where I would eat after this unsatisfactory meal. Oh wait, it was the tasteless sorbet. I left feeling hungry, disappointed and perplexed how this place received a Michelin star. And I will not return for a third try to see if I 'missed' anything.

• Pros: nice looking clientele, service
• Cons: the food, the bill

what a deal!!

by evan007

What a terrific place!

I went there with a friend after work to have a coctail, and we ended up eating at the bar.

Great service, food and atmosphere

I can't believe I've never heard of that place before!

...another of manhattan's well kept secrets...

• Pros: best business lunch spot