Etats Unis Restaurant

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(212) 517-8826

242 E 81st St (2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue)
New York, NY 10028 40.7751 -73.9555

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Neighborhoods: Yorkville, Midtown

Price:

$$$$

Last updated 10.02.09

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard, Debit Card

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Special Occasion Dining, People Watching, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene, Notable Wine List

Cuisine:

New American, Traditional American

What People Are Saying About Etats Unis Restaurant

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Inside, it looks more like a minimalist gallery than a dining room, with shiny white plaster walls, sandstone panelling and tendrils of green leaves artfully arranged on a single windowsill. Despite the diminutive size, harsh acoustics and tightly arranged tables, the Rapp family makes diners feel exceedingly comfortable. Service is personalized, tableware is elegant and a reverent mood surrounds the open kitchen. But don't even attempt an impromptu visit--a tony crowd keeps this hidden find's reservation line on speed dial. – – The Food – The seasons…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
There are just a few under-$40 options on the international list, and none are as exciting as La Planella, a chocolatey, oaky red from Tarragona, Spain ($48). It's one of the 20 wines by the glass ($8-12).
The Extras:
Directly across the street is a hip little nook of a bar illuminated by an impressive abstract paper lantern arrangement. There's banquette seating for sandwiches (prepped across the street) and fantastic guacamole (freshly smashed-to-order at the bar).
When to Go:
The bar is open until 11pm every night.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. Beside the small room, the decor was nice and the food was definately worth the trip.
  2. It is cozy peaceful place with the best food on the U.E.S.
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. Service is very friendly and there is a good wine selection, but my salmon was undercooked and not very flavorful.
food quality
94.44000244140625% positive
  1. enjoyed perfect duck confit with a crisp, bright mango salad and a glass of steely Saint Veran, followed by the truly awesome date pudding.
  2. loved my short ribs, which were served over a bed of tasty mash potatoes.
  3. My boyfriend's crab served with corn on the cob was good, but nothing to come back for.
  4. It is cozy peaceful place with the best food on the U.E.S.
  5. The food is always awesome!
  6. The food interesting and creative and the service is attentive and unpretentious.
  7. Service is very friendly and there is a good wine selection, but my salmon was undercooked and not very flavorful.
  8. had a scallop ceviche, and a codfish dish which was great.
  9. Beside the small room, the decor was nice and the food was definately worth the trip.
  10. another great meal
  11. Good food but really, really expensive
  12. They love food here.
  13. The food was good and the portions more than adequate, but there wasn't any real creativity or excitement about it.
  14. I've been going to Etats-Unis for 4 years now and never have had other than a great meal.
  15. Good food, but prices ran high
  16. For example the filet that was part of the vietnamese steak salad has been replaced by a tasteless flank (a/k/a cheaper) steak.
  17. The food is so good, so fresh and flavorful.
  18. We enjoyed our meal here, but for the price I expected a bit more.
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. The limited menu is prepared onsite sans kitchen, but patrons can also order from the restaurant across the street.
  2. Service is very friendly and there is a good wine selection, but my salmon was undercooked and not very flavorful.
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. My boyfriend's crab served with corn on the cob was good, but nothing to come back for.
  2. did think the appetizers were more interesting and a bit better than the entrees; if I go back I may just have two apps instead of hitting the main courses.
service
100.0% positive
  1. Go as often as possible if you want excellent service, quiet, and fabulous delights on your plate.
  2. The food interesting and creative and the service is attentive and unpretentious.
  3. Engaging and polite staff members only add to the warm and inviting environment of this delightful treat.
  4. The restaurant is small, but intimate and the service is great.
  5. Service is very friendly and there is a good wine selection, but my salmon was undercooked and not very flavorful.
value
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. As an Upper East Side resident, I am often frustrated by the overpriced and underwhelming restaurants in my neighbordhood.
  2. The food was good and the portions more than adequate, but there wasn't any real creativity or excitement about it.
  3. We enjoyed our meal here, but for the price I expected a bit more.
  4. Good food, but prices ran high
  5. Beside the small room, the decor was nice and the food was definately worth the trip.
  6. Good food but really, really expensive
1 Star Rating: Poor

08/09/09

Wine bar menu changed - makes place radioactive - stay away

by Trollerboy

There has been a menu change at the Etats-Unis wine bar (this is not a comment about the regular restaurant). The new menu is a disaster, and the items that neighborhood regulars used to visit for (cuban sandwich, lobster club, burger on english muffin, vietnamese beef salad) are all gone, and replaced with disasters. In addition to the place looking terribly tired (please change the lightbulbs), it seems that cost cutting is at work. For example the filet that was part of the vietnamese steak salad has been replaced by a tasteless flank (a/k/a cheaper) steak.

Our neighborhood group of 10 or so will not return to this place until they bring back the menu that people came there for. How can you have a wine bar without those sandwiches. Anyway, whoever is running this place now, you're making a large mistake.

* Pros: they still have Toshi's desserts

* Cons: everything else - any good food items are gone

  • Pros: they still have Toshi's desserts
  • Cons: everything else - any good food items are gone
3 Star Rating: Average

12/11/08

Good food but really, really expensive

by tbrax

We enjoyed our meal here, but for the price I expected a bit more. The food was good and the portions more than adequate, but there wasn't any real creativity or excitement about it. The paella was probably the most interesting item we saw in that it was deconstructed--rather than being integrated there was some arborio with seafood and sausage nicely arranged on top. Nice presentation, but the rice ended up being a bit bland for a paella. I did think the appetizers were more interesting and a bit better than the entrees; if I go back I may just have two apps instead of hitting the main courses.

And the prices...wow. It cost more to eat here than in most other upscale restaurants and I didn't see enough difference in the food to justify the expense.

Service was a tad sluggish but not bad by any means, and I like the more casual vibe of the place. It is a small room but wasn't overly loud and didn't feel that crowded once we were seated, though getting from the door to the table required some contortions to avoid the various obstacles in the way.

  • Pros: good food, ample portions, casual environment
  • Cons: price
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/14/07

Excellent

by sonia10021

Creative but simple.

I have never left Etats-Unis disappointed.

The Restaurant side has a better seating arrangement to fully enjoy your dinner and company.

My favorite!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/02/07

Best Restaurant on UES

by charlesmstam

As an Upper East Side resident, I am often frustrated by the overpriced and underwhelming restaurants in my neighbordhood. Eating at Etats Unis is always a lovely experience. I have been eaten at Etats Unis twice and have come away pleased both times. The food interesting and creative and the service is attentive and unpretentious. The decor isn't anything fancy, but it suits the restaurant well. The only downside to this place is the cost, but if you order wisely you could avoid a big check. The winebar across the street is very cute but can be cramped and uncomfotable and the no reservation policy doesn't help. I would stick to the main dining room.

  • Pros: Creative food, Attentive Service, Great Bar
  • Cons: Price, Cramped Quarters
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/09/07

Perfect Place to Eat with Your Lover or Best friend

by ahkilah

Oh yeah!!! This place was exactly what I needed. My college buddy and I enjoyed a simply splendid winter evening in this quaint little restaurant. The mojito?s were great. I loved my short ribs, which were served over a bed of tasty mash potatoes. The evening was topped by the simply splendid chocolate souffle (that they make to order while you are enjoying your dinner), with which we ended the evening. Engaging and polite staff members only add to the warm and inviting environment of this delightful treat.

  • Pros: Good Food, Great drinks, Nice staff
  • Cons: Expensive, Small DIning room - so you may have to wait

The Details on Etats Unis Restaurant

Place Categories:

  • good food
  • creative service
  • great meal
  • overpriced restaurants
  • enjoyed perfect duck confit
  • inviting environment
  • better appetizers
  • incredible guacamole
  • best presents
  • truly awesome date pudding
  • good crab
  • like more casual vibe
  • excellent fare
  • nice decor
  • great codfish dish
  • loved short ribs
  • delightful treat
  • tasteless steak
  • disappointed etatsunis
  • celebrate lifes little victories
  • tasty potatoes
  • order patrons
  • great scallop ceviche
  • fully enjoy dinner
  • cozy more grownup
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