(212) 517-8826
242 E 81st St
(2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue)
New York,
NY
10028
40.7751
-73.9555
Neighborhoods: Midtown, Yorkville
Price:
$$$$
Parking:
Street
What People Are Saying About Etats Unis Restaurant
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
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…
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 For example the filet that was part of the vietnamese steak salad has been replaced by a tasteless flank (a/k/a cheaper) steak.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
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
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!
The Details on Etats Unis Restaurant
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.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Diners Club, Visa, Discover, MasterCard, Debit Card
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Special Occasion Dining, People Watching, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene, Notable Wine List
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