Raoul's
New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 966-3518
Fax: (212) 966-0205
- Cross Street:
- Between Sullivan and Thompson Street
- Directions:
- N, R at Prince St; C, E at Spring St
- Hours:
- Daily 5:30pm-1am
Editorial Review for Raoul's – by Allison Austin
The Scene
Opened in the mid-'70s, this Prince Street bistro was immediately packed with the city's most fashionable faces; somehow, it's managed to retain its popularity. The minute bar upstairs is impassable on a Friday night, and all three dining rooms require reserving ahead. Servers often appear to be stretched a bit thin.
The Food
For the price and the Soho location, it would be hard to find the French classics done better. Seafood fares especially well, particularly seared scallops in a buttery soy-madeira sauce, and wild bass in a lovely tarragon-scented broth with fresh peas and mushrooms. Frisee salad topped with cambozola cheese and studded with bacon, partnered with the house pâté, is an ideal warm-weather meal. And for those who can't resist, the peppercorn-crusted steak frites does not disappoint, and the frites hold up their end of the bargain as well.
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Insider Tips
Where to SitWhen reserving, specify your dining room preference. The main dining room is dim, the walls coated with the remnants of years of Galoise smoke (though smoking is no longer allowed). Upstairs is the light-filled garden room, as well as the club room, a bit more refined than the main room.
User Reviews for Raoul's
08/06/2008 Posted by kjes
This was my second visit to Raoul's and I was blown away by the fantastic service. Don't get me wrong, the food is amazing as well. But when you live in a city of fabulous food options, service is one of the areas where a restaurant can truly stand apart. From an excellently selected Loire Valley wine, to the salad of mixed greens with goat cheese, to the pork surrouded by delicious apricots, and ending with melt-in-your-mouth profiterols, I couldn't have asked for a better meal. The wait staff was patient, available without being overbearing, and always smiling. I felt like I was visiting a friend's house. I highly recommend Raoul's and can't wait to go back. Maybe next time I'll try sitting in the garden!
06/13/2008 Posted by beanster830
I am not surprised at the number of reviews here knocking the attitude of the employees. Apparently the reservation taker is too busy being a snob to keep his reservations straight. I called early in the week to reserve in the garden for later in the week. I was told to call day-of to confirm. When I did this I realized my reservation had been put down by mistake for the night I CALLED, not the night I was supposed to come. I was told there was availability but not in the garden. When I said I didnt want to eat there unless I was in the garden and I couldnt believe they could make such an error, I was told 'well that will happen sometimes' in the snottiest way. NO apology was given. I was amazed by the lack of apology and attitude (after all this could have been a very special occassion for all he knew that was ruined by his incompetence). He then said 'well we'll play around with this and see' regarding availability for the garden. If they were packed every night this attitude would still be appalling but clearly they are not or they wouldnt have been able to take me day of at all. There's too many garden dining options in this city to give your money to those who clearly don't care about customer service.
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