Blue Ribbon Brasserie

(212) 274-0404

97 Sullivan St (nr. Spring St.)
New York, NY 10012 40.7255 -74.003

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Neighborhoods: SoHo, Downtown

BLUERIBBONRESTAURANTS.COM

Hours:

Daily, 4pm-4am

Price:

$$$

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants, Food & Dining

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Late Night Dining, Celeb Hangout, People Watching, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene, Notable Wine List

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Eclectic & International, New American, Traditional American

What People Are Saying About Blue Ribbon Brasserie

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Opposite an exposed-brick wall painted a lurid red hangs a painting of a lobster with a death grip on a fish. If you can stomach the vivid decor, there's little to complain about in this intimate and unpretentious Soho spot teeming with movie-star regulars, off-duty chefs and neighborhood Joes. At the teensy bar, a hip, lively and good-looking crowd chats with bartenders who are not beyond bringing in a television for the World Series. – – The Food – This isn't your mama's comfort food: Expect to see foie gras, roast pigeon and beef marrow marmalade on the…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
A staggering list of 250 wines accompanies the comfort food. The medium-bodied 2000 Robert Sinskey pinot noir ($66) and a more budget-friendly Spanish Rotlan I Torra 1999 Reserva ($34). There are also several beers on tap.
Know Before You Go:
The famously long wait is the result of the no-reservation policy. With a party of five or more, call a week or two ahead for a table, and you'll be seated as soon as you waltz in.
ambiance
96.14999771118164% positive
  1. It gives you a chance to sit at the small, cozy bar, with your date and suck down raw oysters and well prepared drinks prepared by the overly nice bartender.
  2. Very reasonable policies, cozy environment.
  3. extremly pleasant service, nice atmosphere, cozy decor - loved everything about it!
  4. love how cozy and friendly this restaurant is.
  5. The waits are long due to its popularity and lack of reservations, but the bar is fun and the staff friendly.
  6. This cozy restaurant has perhaps the best lamb chops in the city, and a beef marrow and oxtail marmelade appetizer which is probably one of the richest things I've ever had but truly amazing.
  7. (I have only been to the SoHo location - home of Lorenzo, best oyster shucker in the city)
  8. The atmosphere is great and the shrimp provencal is amazing but they don't take reservations and they're always busy.
  9. It's no wonder, when they provide great food, good service and a fun and lively atmosphere.
  10. Finally, the ambiance is perfect.
  11. Not very welcoming on the inside for such a cool looking place in a great location.
  12. The service was attentive and relaxed, and although a very small restaurant, it felt cozy and intimate.
  13. the decor and atmosphere creates a comfortable but elegant and distinct environment for dining.
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. Great service, outstanding quality food and wine menu, super deserts.
  2. When check came, we then found out deserts were on house for applogy and celebrate my friend's BD.
  3. shared three appetizers, a nice bottle of wine, an entree, a dessert, and an appertif.
drinks
84.09000396728516% positive
  1. The dinner/bar tab was pretty high because we had $20 glasses of champange and a $130 bottle of wine but here were plenty other selections of less expensive wine's available.
  2. James is the favorite at the bar, always accomodating and if you are lucky Kyle will be your server.
  3. We brought 5 bottles of good wine with us and paid the corking fee ($
  4. The waits are long due to its popularity and lack of reservations, but the bar is fun and the staff friendly.
  5. The striped bass was fantastically prepared, and the wine was reasonable and excellent.
  6. went here late night after a a few drinks at my favorite watering spot and was amazed that a place which serves food till 4 can be so damned good.
  7. It gives you a chance to sit at the small, cozy bar, with your date and suck down raw oysters and well prepared drinks prepared by the overly nice bartender.
  8. The raw bar is fabulous.
  9. Great service, outstanding quality food and wine menu, super deserts.
  10. Nothing bad about this place, while you wait try the raw bar or some tastey foreign beers they have on tap.
  11. They have a great wine list and we opted for a nice bottle of Pingus (spanish wine) to go with our meal.
  12. Time and time again I am duly impressed by this place - great energy, some of the best food in the city, the freshest raw bar, gracious and knowledgeable staff - though the waits can sometimes be a bit longer than you'd normally be willing to endure, you'
  13. The wine list is good, without being over-the-top and the oysters are always superb.
  14. The service was wonderful, the selection of beers impressive (woohoo Chimay!)
  15. shared three appetizers, a nice bottle of wine, an entree, a dessert, and an appertif.
  16. The raw bar here is simply delicious.
  17. Reservations for parties under 5 people isn't allowed but their yummy cocktails and handsome waiters help soothe the pain.
  18. This was an excellent restaurant choice for a relaxed couple who doesn't mind sitting at the bar for a bit and who enjoys delicious food.
  19. but the bar is good in fact we love just hanging out with the bartenders there so it's really not a 'wait' in the typical sense.
  20. ...as their wine list is extremely overpriced!)
  21. Great meeting place strong drinks.
  22. stay away from the calamari but, enjoy the raw bar.
food quality
86.3599967956543% positive
  1. The food was really good but not excellent and service could've been better.
  2. Reservations for parties under 5 people isn't allowed but their yummy cocktails and handsome waiters help soothe the pain.
  3. The food was great and the service was top notch (thanks tall, bald guy!)
  4. Come early, make reservations, explore Soho and then come back for a great meal.
  5. great food, great service - a bit cramped but worth it.
  6. The wait can be annoying and the less-than-expert bartender doesn't help, but the food really is excellent.
  7. Where else can you get fresh lobster at three in the morning.
  8. The food was amazingly good, and considering the fact that I showed up with a few friends really late at night, I was impressed with their service as well as with the quality of the meal.
  9. We started with the fondue appetizer which was really good.
  10. btw the burger was damn good too
  11. went here late night after a a few drinks at my favorite watering spot and was amazed that a place which serves food till 4 can be so damned good.
  12. Such a classy, unique dish!
  13. The food was brilliant, we had a wonderful waiter!
  14. Next time, instead of going to a well-known establishment like this, I'll support a newer restaurant where the owners and staff really care about great food and service.
  15. The bone marrow and oxtail marmalade is wonderful, and I have yet to try a dish I didn't like.
  16. The food is great and the service is friendly.
  17. i've never been to Blue Ribbon before 12AM and the food and the service is always fantastic.
  18. The meal took forever, and the service was so bad.
  19. The raw bar here is simply delicious.
  20. The food had great texture and the fish was fabolous and fresh.
  21. The food was good for the price, and service was just excellent.
  22. The food is truly unique and delicious.
  23. have never had a bad meal at Blue Ribbon.
  24. amazing food!
  25. think the chef favors fruity sauces, but I don't mind and the food tastes great.
  26. the foie gras was good spreaded on the bread.
  27. The food was below average, disappointing.
  28. had the chicken breast and it was terrible and the much-touted matzoh ball soup was mediocre at best.
  29. The food is incredible and the service is impeccable.
  30. Time and time again I am duly impressed by this place - great energy, some of the best food in the city, the freshest raw bar, gracious and knowledgeable staff - though the waits can sometimes be a bit longer than you'd normally be willing to endure, you'
  31. Their seafood, graciously shucked by Alonso is as fresh as can be with Plateaus of Fresh Crab, East and West Coast Oysters, Clams and Jumbo Shrimp.
  32. Cozy restaurant with great service and yummy food!
  33. My boyfriend doesn't like fondue but he loved theirs!
  34. My friend did not like his meat tar tar.
  35. This cozy restaurant has perhaps the best lamb chops in the city, and a beef marrow and oxtail marmelade appetizer which is probably one of the richest things I've ever had but truly amazing.
  36. excellent seafood and great cosmopolitans!
  37. really loved the food here.
  38. First, the food is amazing.
  39. Great service, outstanding quality food and wine menu, super deserts.
  40. Very good seafood, nice low-light lounge-type atmoshere, and great service are three reasons I tell my friends to take their girlfriend and/or nice-looking dates here.
  41. Amazing food, and about the best service you will receive in the city.
  42. Foie gras terrine w/ challah bread = excellent combination.
  43. The fried chicken dish is expensive but fabulous, and a chance of pace from the usual American fare.
  44. maybe we'll come back earlier in the evening when the place isn't packed to the rafters b/c it sounds like the food is incredible.
  45. great big cheeseburger on nice bun with fresh lettuce and tomato and crisp french fries.
  46. there are people in jeans/sneakers chatting up a storm with business suits all because thanks to the love of great food.
  47. The highlights include the bone marrow marmalade on crostini, the fresh oysters and their succulent hanger steak.
  48. The skate was delicious as well.
  49. Best oysters - best service - imaginative and tasty food not cheap at over $60 per head but was still good value.
  50. The food is awesome along with the service and I have been to many so called great restaurants in the city and Blue Ribbon has that rare combination of good food,great music and good looking people.
  51. Another delicious entree is the paella which is absoulutely delicious!
  52. service, like blue ribbon sushi, is excellent, attentive, friendly and knowledgeable.
  53. Food is always reliable and good, in our years of going there we've only had one bad dish.
  54. It's no wonder, when they provide great food, good service and a fun and lively atmosphere.
  55. You have to love a place that serves great food and treats you like a king, at 4am when you are drunk.
  56. food good but not excellent
  57. This was an excellent restaurant choice for a relaxed couple who doesn't mind sitting at the bar for a bit and who enjoys delicious food.
  58. And did I mention that they serve food until 4am - full menu, I believe.
  59. amazing seafood
  60. would order the fried chicken entree for the greens alone.
  61. We tried as many dishes as we could manage and every dish was excellent with a taste that keeps you coming back for more!
  62. They have a great wine list and we opted for a nice bottle of Pingus (spanish wine) to go with our meal.
  63. The food is really good.
  64. The atmosphere is great and the shrimp provencal is amazing but they don't take reservations and they're always busy.
  65. one would think people would be turned off, but if you like food (my tummy proves it!)
  66. Nice people, excellent food
menu variety
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. Great service, outstanding quality food and wine menu, super deserts.
  2. The staff is excellent and the menu is diverse.
  3. Really interesting menu, but filled with items that would please anyone.
  4. And did I mention that they serve food until 4am - full menu, I believe.
  5. The service was wonderful, the selection of beers impressive (woohoo Chimay!)
  6. The dinner/bar tab was pretty high because we had $20 glasses of champange and a $130 bottle of wine but here were plenty other selections of less expensive wine's available.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. After being told by a close friend that this was hands-down her favorite restaurant, I invited two collegues to dinner.
  2. Blue Ribbon is my favorite restaurant in New York City, by leaps and bounds.
  3. This is my favorite restaurant in Manhatten when i can get in.
  4. theres really no need for me to add another review because this is simply the best restaurant for several reasons.
  5. What a great place!
  6. have been going since 1993 and this hasd always been my favorite restaurant.
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. Come early, make reservations, explore Soho and then come back for a great meal.
  2. maybe we'll come back earlier in the evening when the place isn't packed to the rafters b/c it sounds like the food is incredible.
service
91.35000228881836% positive
  1. Next time, instead of going to a well-known establishment like this, I'll support a newer restaurant where the owners and staff really care about great food and service.
  2. Everything was good and our waiter was really really nice.
  3. Reservations for parties under 5 people isn't allowed but their yummy cocktails and handsome waiters help soothe the pain.
  4. one would think people would be turned off, but if you like food (my tummy proves it!)
  5. Very good seafood, nice low-light lounge-type atmoshere, and great service are three reasons I tell my friends to take their girlfriend and/or nice-looking dates here.
  6. just don't get how restaurant management can be so rude.
  7. great food, great service - a bit cramped but worth it.
  8. The food was great and the service was top notch (thanks tall, bald guy!)
  9. The food was amazingly good, and considering the fact that I showed up with a few friends really late at night, I was impressed with their service as well as with the quality of the meal.
  10. The food was good for the price, and service was just excellent.
  11. The service is attentive and gracious.
  12. The food is incredible and the service is impeccable.
  13. The staff is excellent and the menu is diverse.
  14. love how cozy and friendly this restaurant is.
  15. The staff are attentive and knowledgable.
  16. The service was wonderful, the selection of beers impressive (woohoo Chimay!)
  17. The food is great and the service is friendly.
  18. The bartender gave us both nice size pours of champagne and we were feeling pretty happy by the time we were ready for dinner.
  19. The food was brilliant, we had a wonderful waiter!
  20. but the bar is good in fact we love just hanging out with the bartenders there so it's really not a 'wait' in the typical sense.
  21. Everyone was friendly and nice.
  22. extremly pleasant service, nice atmosphere, cozy decor - loved everything about it!
  23. Time and time again I am duly impressed by this place - great energy, some of the best food in the city, the freshest raw bar, gracious and knowledgeable staff - though the waits can sometimes be a bit longer than you'd normally be willing to endure, you'
  24. Food is great, service is top notch, no attitude, very relaxed.
  25. Service was attentive and prompt, however the wait is incredibly long.
  26. Nice people, excellent food
  27. We were taken VERY good care of throughout the night and constantly looked after by the great, knowledgeable staff.
  28. The food is awesome along with the service and I have been to many so called great restaurants in the city and Blue Ribbon has that rare combination of good food,great music and good looking people.
  29. The service was excellent and very friendly.
  30. Best oysters - best service - imaginative and tasty food not cheap at over $60 per head but was still good value.
  31. James is the favorite at the bar, always accomodating and if you are lucky Kyle will be your server.
  32. The service here is also great.
  33. It's no wonder, when they provide great food, good service and a fun and lively atmosphere.
  34. The meal took forever, and the service was so bad.
  35. Our waiter was excellent - Great staff and service.
  36. Popular restaurant usually get very snabby, but blue ribbon still maintaines "friendly and hospitality oriented" atomospher.
  37. Great service, outstanding quality food and wine menu, super deserts.
  38. The host was excessively rude.
  39. The waits are long due to its popularity and lack of reservations, but the bar is fun and the staff friendly.
  40. First of all, when going to trendy places it's hard to find nice staff.
  41. service, like blue ribbon sushi, is excellent, attentive, friendly and knowledgeable.
  42. The staff is very friendly and always gives us impeccable service.
  43. The wait can be annoying and the less-than-expert bartender doesn't help, but the food really is excellent.
  44. Service was amazing, they were considerate, attentive, friendly, prompt, and accurate.
  45. Amazing food, and about the best service you will receive in the city.
  46. there are people in jeans/sneakers chatting up a storm with business suits all because thanks to the love of great food.
  47. It gives you a chance to sit at the small, cozy bar, with your date and suck down raw oysters and well prepared drinks prepared by the overly nice bartender.
  48. Cozy restaurant with great service and yummy food!
  49. The service was attentive and relaxed, and although a very small restaurant, it felt cozy and intimate.
  50. feel like the staff wasn't attentive enough.
  51. The food was really good but not excellent and service could've been better.
  52. i've never been to Blue Ribbon before 12AM and the food and the service is always fantastic.
value
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. Time and time again I am duly impressed by this place - great energy, some of the best food in the city, the freshest raw bar, gracious and knowledgeable staff - though the waits can sometimes be a bit longer than you'd normally be willing to endure, you'
  2. great food, great service - a bit cramped but worth it.
  3. Best oysters - best service - imaginative and tasty food not cheap at over $60 per head but was still good value.
  4. Not a bad restaurant but certainly not worth the money or the hype.
  5. The fried chicken dish is expensive but fabulous, and a chance of pace from the usual American fare.
  6. ...as their wine list is extremely overpriced!)
  7. The dinner/bar tab was pretty high because we had $20 glasses of champange and a $130 bottle of wine but here were plenty other selections of less expensive wine's available.
  8. The food was good for the price, and service was just excellent.
  9. Wine list is a little spare and overpriced (the Rhones are good value).
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. Service was attentive and prompt, however the wait is incredibly long.
  2. The waits are long due to its popularity and lack of reservations, but the bar is fun and the staff friendly.
  3. ... I had an incredible dinner there not long ago and the both of us were treated like royalty.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/18/10

Excellent

by macbaum

I've never left this place disappointed! The food is always excellent.

Once we had to wait for the main course quite a bit but I didn't mind waiting -- a beautiful evening and a great company -- yet we appreciated when our waiter brought us delicious shrimp cocktail and chef's apologies as the kitchen was backed up. Once the main courses arrived (duck for me and lamb for my friend) -- they were simply great! We had a wonderful evening!

  • Pros: Great food, ambiance and service
  • Cons: Long wait if you don't have reservations
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/07/10

LOVE BLUE RIBBON

by Austy

I was in NYC to visit family and they really wanted to take us to Blue Ribbon. Now I see why. What a great place! I really loved the food here. Simple yet fantastic food - really unpretentious. Our waiter was excellent - Great staff and service. No wonder chefs love to eat here. I'll go back to BR next trip to NY for sure.

  • Pros: Consistently excellent
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/27/09

Consistently great

by mar933

I've never left this place disappointed. Yesterday, as usual we had an extremely pleasant evening -- good service and excellent food. Their menu selections are exquisite. Duck confit yesterday was great. I love their combinations -- how flavors complement each other. Excellent atmosphere and decor. Looking forward to going back.

  • Pros: Excellent food, choices, combinations, wine list, service
  • Cons: Expensive. Occasionally loud diners
3 Star Rating: Average

11/16/08

food good but not excellent

by eelijjahh

My experience at Blue Ribbon was just okay. Really didn't do much for me. Overrated, perhaps? The food was really good but not excellent and service could've been better. I feel like the staff wasn't attentive enough. We asked for bread two times and we never got it, I just couldn't believe it! I

  • Pros: late night dining
  • Cons: rude staff,
1 Star Rating: Poor

08/11/08

Rude and Pretentious

by leslies1981

This is such a pretentious place. I just don't get how restaurant management can be so rude. It must come from the top; always does. We went last Friday night, about one AM. No wait, we could see one table open. The manager says, let me see what we have available, walks around the dining room. Meanwhile a party of four comes in, introduces himself to the manager, back slapping commences, etc. and they are given the table that was open. He comes back to us and tells us there's a 30 minute wait. In a restaurant that takes no reservations, this is just rude and snobbish. I'll never go back to Blue Ribbon, or any of its other restaurants

  • Pros: If you like to be abused by pretentious restaurant workers, its your paradise

The Details on Blue Ribbon Brasserie

Place Categories:

  • great quality food
  • great extremly pleasant service
  • favorite restaurant
  • love place
  • great knowledgeable staff
  • simply delicious raw bar
  • less expensive wine
  • good fried oysters
  • amazing seafood
  • great big cheeseburger
  • amazing oxtail bone marrow
  • comfortable environment
  • great blue ribbon
  • incredible dinner
  • really nice waiter
  • great atmosphere
  • not excellent food
  • hospitality oriented atomospher
  • all excellent appetizers
  • never bad meal
  • bad fried chicken dish
  • like crowd
  • recommended highly
  • suck raw oysters
  • favorite watering spot
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