Veritas Restaurant

(212) 353-3700

43 E 20th St
New York, NY 10003 40.739 -73.989

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Neighborhoods: Flatiron District, Midtown

VERITAS-NYC.COM

Years in business

Established in 1999

Price:

$$$$

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard

Catering Services:

Restaurant Management

Restaurant Special Features:

Special Occasion Dining, People Watching, Business Dining, Online Reservations, Notable Wine List

Cuisine:

Steakhouse, New American, Traditional American, Seafood

Notable Chef:

Gregory Putin

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Veritas Restaurant

Featured Review

Josh Ozersky

Contributor

In Short – The 50-seat dining room is elegantly, if sparsely, appointed with rich leather banquettes, hand-blown glass vases, a wisp of greenery and small pastel prints. In all its sleekness, Veritas exudes a cool modernity. A striking stainless steel-topped bar looms near the entryway; a substantial business crowd and an army of oenophiles fill the dining room, which is patrolled by no fewer than four sommeliers on any given night. Robuchon veteran Gregory Pugin is the chef the restaurant has finally alighted upon to replace much-loved former tocque Scott Bryan; Pugin's distinctive…

Editor's Tips

When To Go:
The restaurant has started a "Wine in the Afternoon" Program, with a small-plates menu and the full, massive wine list.
Know Before You Go:
Wine-centric restaurants tend to be associated with the arts of seduction, but would-be lotharios would be well warned not to expect much in the way of romance in this sparse, narrow space, which is closer to a temple of wine and food.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “The food and atmosphere are superb here.”
  2. “took my wife there for our first wedding anniversary, the place was very romantic, we had a little corner table which was very private.”
  3. “Flatiron building creates an elegant and welcoming atmosphere.”
dessert
77.77999877929688% positive
  1. “The food was excellent from app to dessert.”
  2. “The tiny sliver of chocolate mille-feuille was good but definitely not out of this world.”
  3. “The fig "chocolate box" was dry, uninteresting, and just didn't taste good.”
drinks
97.5% positive
  1. “Tasty food, longest wine list I have every seen (comes in a heavy binder), very friendly and helpful staff.”
  2. “. . . and the wine he recommended was perfect.”
  3. “Though we were seated 30 minutes late, thanks to a couple of glasses of comped wine and the amazing food and terrific service, I had a fantastic night and cannot wait to return--a great value--the portions were qute large and luxurious!”
  4. “Decor was nice, wine list was phenomenal and sommelier recommended an excellent if pricey bottle.”
  5. “The best part - while we know our wine - the sommelier helped pair our meal with an excellent lesser known $80 French Rhone.”
  6. “The space is handsome, the wine list extensive, the staff knowledgeable, helpful and polite and the food is excellent.”
  7. “The wine is spectacular, with all staff extremely helpful and knowledgable.”
  8. “The extensive wine menu was so needlessly thick that it was difficult to even get through it.”
  9. “Great food, wine and service.”
  10. “Great short ribs and of bottle of the best northern rhone wine i've ever had.”
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. “The food was excellent from app to dessert.”
  2. “The squab on its own was tasty, but the pea accompaniment really didnt do it justice.”
  3. “Blue Fin tuna tartare and pork appetizers were great.”
  4. “Highlights included the scallops in thai red curry nage, a simply amazing lobster salad, succulent short ribs, and terrific lamb and duck entrees as well.”
  5. “The service was top notch and the food was amazing.”
  6. “The food was terrific.”
  7. “Only the cod entree seemed lackluster (although its lobster broth was tasty).”
  8. “The space is handsome, the wine list extensive, the staff knowledgeable, helpful and polite and the food is excellent.”
  9. “The best part - while we know our wine - the sommelier helped pair our meal with an excellent lesser known $80 French Rhone.”
  10. “Everything was delicious.”
  11. “Though we were seated 30 minutes late, thanks to a couple of glasses of comped wine and the amazing food and terrific service, I had a fantastic night and cannot wait to return--a great value--the portions were qute large and luxurious!”
  12. “Veritas is an examplar of informal refinement - no airs, no pretension, simply the mutual understanding between guests and staff that it is a place for oenophiles to enjoy an appropriately nice meal with their great bottles: on offer: the fine-dining stan”
  13. “love venison, and I appreciate a restaurant that offers game meats on the menu.”
  14. “Superb service and a memorable meal”
  15. “Tasty food, longest wine list I have every seen (comes in a heavy binder), very friendly and helpful staff.”
  16. “Great food, wine and service.”
  17. “The food and atmosphere are superb here.”
  18. “Highly recommend the foie gras, asparagus with mushrooms, and the braised veal.”
  19. “The food is simply amazing, you cannot and will never get anything that is not of the best quality here, not a salad, starter or special.”
  20. “The creamy potatoes with ricotta cheese was amazing with the prefectly cooked rack of lamb.”
  21. “The food was wonderful - delightfully tasty and imaginative appetiziers and entrees.”
  22. “The food was excellent and service was very good.”
  23. “Love food!”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The space is handsome, the wine list extensive, the staff knowledgeable, helpful and polite and the food is excellent.”
  2. “The extensive wine menu was so needlessly thick that it was difficult to even get through it.”
  3. “love venison, and I appreciate a restaurant that offers game meats on the menu.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “Though we were seated 30 minutes late, thanks to a couple of glasses of comped wine and the amazing food and terrific service, I had a fantastic night and cannot wait to return--a great value--the portions were qute large and luxurious!”
service
100.0% positive
  1. “The space is handsome, the wine list extensive, the staff knowledgeable, helpful and polite and the food is excellent.”
  2. “Tasty food, longest wine list I have every seen (comes in a heavy binder), very friendly and helpful staff.”
  3. “The service was top notch and the food was amazing.”
  4. “The service was outstanding.”
  5. “am very picky, but need to confess, this is a place run by professional people and I approve it.”
  6. “The food was excellent and service was very good.”
  7. “Veritas is an examplar of informal refinement - no airs, no pretension, simply the mutual understanding between guests and staff that it is a place for oenophiles to enjoy an appropriately nice meal with their great bottles: on offer: the fine-dining stan”
  8. “The prices are exactly what they should be, you are paying for the best ingredients and for the service of a great kitchen and front of the house staff but you never feel like you have been ripped off.”
  9. “Great food, wine and service.”
  10. “The service was attentive but not overwhelming.”
  11. “The wine is spectacular, with all staff extremely helpful and knowledgable.”
  12. “The service was excellent.”
  13. “Superb service and a memorable meal”
  14. “must commend the service though, which was excellent.”
  15. “Though we were seated 30 minutes late, thanks to a couple of glasses of comped wine and the amazing food and terrific service, I had a fantastic night and cannot wait to return--a great value--the portions were qute large and luxurious!”
  16. “The service is terrific, you don't have to be a power suit to get good service here.”
value
95.0% positive
  1. “Terrific flavors and generous portions (even the foie gras app was a good size).”
  2. “The prices are exactly what they should be, you are paying for the best ingredients and for the service of a great kitchen and front of the house staff but you never feel like you have been ripped off.”
  3. “Though we were seated 30 minutes late, thanks to a couple of glasses of comped wine and the amazing food and terrific service, I had a fantastic night and cannot wait to return--a great value--the portions were qute large and luxurious!”
  4. “Decor was nice, wine list was phenomenal and sommelier recommended an excellent if pricey bottle.”
  5. “Decent but not worth the price.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “Though we were seated 30 minutes late, thanks to a couple of glasses of comped wine and the amazing food and terrific service, I had a fantastic night and cannot wait to return--a great value--the portions were qute large and luxurious!”
1 Star Rating: Poor

02/15/10

Do not trust them to honor your reservations

by Scott Gaertner

I made reservations at Veritas, with a $175 per person credit card guarantee, and when I called the following day to re-confirm was told that they only had seats at the bar. They were not only unaccommodating, but extremely unapologetic as well.

Do not trust this restaurant. They are very willing to place a hold on your credit card, but not on a table. If you have a date or a business dinner, save yourself the embarrassment, and patronize a restaurant that honors its reservations instead.

  • Pros: Famous
  • Cons: Will not hold your table
2 Star Rating: Below Average

05/03/09

really average food

by swindler123

Having heard so much about this place, my boyfriend and I decided to check it out. Unfortunately, the food was not worth the hype, or the prices. Portions were small and really not memorable. Had the foie gras, which was just so-so. The squab on its own was tasty, but the pea accompaniment really didnt do it justice. The tiny sliver of chocolate mille-feuille was good but definitely not out of this world. The extensive wine menu was so needlessly thick that it was difficult to even get through it. I must commend the service though, which was excellent. However, based on the forgettable food, we doubt we would be returning anytime soon.

  • Pros: very attentive service
  • Cons: not worth the hype
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/19/08

Hidden gem

by btour

Expensive but highly recommended. The food is very nicely prepared, top notch, perhaps portions could be slightly larger. The wine list is impressive, please review it before you go to the restaurant. I am very picky, but need to confess, this is a place run by professional people and I approve it.

  • Pros: Wine, food, service, etc.
  • Cons: Perhaps a little bit too pricey...
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/26/07

Simply the best in New York

by sinertia

I Love food! I love to cook! I love to eat! And I can't tell you out of how many places I've had dinner at in New York, some with rave reviews, simply disappoint. Not so with Scott Bryant's fantastic restaurant. The food is simply amazing, you cannot and will never get anything that is not of the best quality here, not a salad, starter or special. The service is terrific, you don't have to be a power suit to get good service here. The prices are exactly what they should be, you are paying for the best ingredients and for the service of a great kitchen and front of the house staff but you never feel like you have been ripped off. Very much recommended.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/17/06

Superb service and a memorable meal

by starbucksrefugee

I found this restaurant to be elegant, though very simply decorated, and welcoming. The service was outstanding. We were doted upon by the waiter, the sommelier, and his assistants. We never felt rushed. I had the hamachi tartare and the venison. I love venison, and I appreciate a restaurant that offers game meats on the menu. My dinner companion had the seared fois gras and the ribeye steak. We had both white and red wines--a chardonnay from Burgandy, and a 1985 Chateau Talbot, which I can't recommend highly enough. Everything was delicious. For dessert, I tried a new item, a lovely gingerbread concoction. I wasn't sure what wine to pair with it, perhaps champagne? The sommelier's assistant recommended a Tokay, which turned out to be perfect. An immense wine list can be overwhelming. Veritas staff will graciously help you chose an appropriate wine from their vast selection. I did not visit the ladies room, so I cannot comment on the facilities, which I do consider important to a fine restaurant. No, this is not the sort of place you would go if you're on a tight budget. If you are willing to spend a lot of money, you can expect a truly exceptional dining experience at Veritas.

  • Pros: Service, wine list
  • Cons: None

The Details on Veritas Restaurant

Place Categories:

  • excellent food
  • terrific service
  • helpful staff
  • memorable nice meal
  • good chocolate box
  • favorite place
  • superb atmosphere
  • great short ribs
  • incredibly helpful sommelier
  • enjoy tremendous bottles
  • good quality
  • great wine
  • wonderful drinking experience
  • fantastic restaurant
  • delicious everything
  • wonderful eating
  • best northern rhone
  • best ingredients
  • terrific lamb
  • excellent french rhone
  • extensive wine menu
  • wonderful light
  • terrific generous portions
  • tasty lobster broth
  • recommended expensive

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