Bandol

04/21/2008 Posted by lealoff

Loved this place! The proprietress and staff are charming and helpful and the dinner was marvelous. 1st rate Boullibaise (sp?) and a lovely mushroom/ escargot / frisee appetizer. Also an excellent wine which the proprietress helped us select. We can't wait to return.

Pros: food, service, ambience

Cons: can't think of any

04/12/2008 Posted by pdv_33

I was very surprised this place is unreal. The food and service is excellent. It's funny that these little Upper East Side Bistro's can almost outdo the stuffy "Fine French Cuisine." The service and atmosphere was A+ and I plan on coming back. I really enjoyed it a whole lot. What else is there to say?

Pros: Food, Service, Atmosphere, Deserts

Cons: A little hot inside

06/17/2007 Posted by hlindell

Great food, great ambiance! They have a wonderfully friendly staff. Our waiter deliciously described the specials of the day and offered suggestions of wine to go with our food. My wife and I had a delightful evening and to top it off - we were surprised when an acoustic jazz duo started entertaining around 10:00 - a beautiful way to end a romantic dinner. We highly recommend the experience. We will definitely be back.

Pros: The best calamari I've ever eaten!

Cons: The bathrooms could use an update.

05/17/2007 Posted by ang4101

I decided to take my mom to this restaurant for mother's day and I was surprised to find a place in the Upper East Side that has great food, great wine, great prices and great service all in one. First off the food was to die for! You think you know french food, well you don't until you have eatin at Bandol. I have yet to find a bowl of fish soup or a chocolate souffle as good as theirs. For our entrees, my mom ordered the Hanger steak and probably would have licked the plate clean if we weren't in public and I had the oven roasted chicken. When I ordered the chicken the waitor was nice enough to let me know that due to the fact that it was not precooked it would take 25 minutes to cook. It took only 15 minutes and was totally worth the wait. And you don't even want to get me started on those hand cut french fries...sorry I mean frites. The waitstaff was very organized and made sure that at all times we had our wine glasses full and a smile on our face. When I was unsure of what wine to drink, the owner came over and explained all the different kinds of wine and helped me find the perfect one for me. On the way down to the bathroom, I passed the kitchen and the downstairs pantry area. Both doors were wide open and I was able to see everything. This made me extremely comfortable to know that they had nothing to hide. Everything was clean and organized. The night was absolutely perfect and my mom has yet to stop thanking me for taking her there. Your crazy if you don't give this restaurant a try.

Pros: All around great restaurant

Cons: Nothing

05/17/2007 Posted by dysco

I went there for the first time on may 5th with my girlfriend. It was the most romantic place i have been to in the city so far.. my girlfriend and i LOVED this place. it is our new favorite restaurant. I am a chef and i actually Specialize in french food.. and i must say that only someone with lots of ignorance would ever rate this food as "mystery food".. haha.. thats actually a funny joke. This food is as close to authentic french cuisine i have tasted in the city.. it is apparent that they are very steadfast to taste and quality. i had the fish soup for an appetizer and we split the endive salad.. for our main course i had the scallops.. with risotto.. and my gf had the Salmon.. i have to say that the seared scallops were the best i have ever had.. my gf absolutely loved her salmon.. as for the report of rodents.. i didnt see a single rodent or anything for that matter that was at all unclean.. when you walk downstairs into the bathrooms. you can see into the kitchens prep area.. and it was immaculatly clean.. cleaner than my house... now onto the wine list.. if you are a fan of french wines and or red wines from around the world.. this place will be your new home.. i have never seen such an extensive wine list.. in any restaurant in nyc. moderatly priced.. excellent food.. and excellent service The waiter who took our order was named fred.. he was the nicest person i have met in a restaurant in a while.. he actually sat down with us.. and talked to us... built good repor with us.. this place is excellent THIS PLACE IS A MUST FOR EVERYONE 5 Stars BEST RESTAURANT IN MANHATTAN this is now our new favorite place.. hopefully well see some of you guys there..

Pros: Food was amazing, service blew my mind, new favorite place. extremely romantic

Cons: no cons..

04/08/2007 Posted by icandyxtc

Things were going ok, until we were about to leave and saw a m0use run across the dining room floor. We informed our waitress only to get an elaborate performance like she didnt know there was a rodent problem (there is a saying all waiters are wanna be actors right?) She later went on to contridict herself and said they have been having this problem ever since the restaurant next door closed down (probably for rodent infestation?). Diner BEWARE!

Pros: Perfect if you like Mystery dishes!

Cons: everything i just explained.

11/16/2006 Posted by maureenuw

I've eaten here twice and have been quite pleased both times - the mussels are excellent. They have nice, affordable wines by the glass, and entrees have been consistently good. Recommended.

Pros: Good reliable French bistro

Cons: Maybe a bit pricey

07/28/2006 Posted by michel

We were very surprised by how good the food was on our first visit here on a Sunday night. Service was excellent, and the AC worked very well too (thank God, it was hot!). Decor is nice and minimalist, food simple yet very well presented and cooked, and the wine list matches the food very well. Even better, they know how to cook French classics like Steak au Poivre and Onglet without burning it to death or overcooking it. Black and blue, that's all I need! Quality of the meat was excellent, I might add. Frites were delicious if a bit on the thick side. Service was very good and warm. Overall I was impressed and will return, it's a great QPR (Quality to Price Ratio).

Pros: Excellent meats, good service

Cons: Wine list could use more diverse pricing and regions, only one supplier

02/10/2006 Posted by helyn32

What a great experience! My friend and I sat at the bar for an hour or so and were thoroughly impressed by the extensive wine list. When we requested a table our bar tab was quickly transferred and the LOVELY hostess sat us at a table of our choice - we chose the corner. Our meal was delightful! I had an arugula, red beet and cranberry salad which was divine. My dinner of sea scallops and saffron risotto was delicious and generous, although admittedly slightly on the salty side. My friend enjoyed her boullibaise which looked hearty and well-portioned. The service was IMPECCABLE, the staff couldn't have been more attentive or kind. Sadly, the restaurant was rather empty until 9pm; we didn't mind, however, as the atmosphere was so quite, intimate, and peaceful. I will DEFINITELY return...and spread the word as well.

05/08/2005 Posted by bargain_girl

Moules were excellent, lobster ravioli was VERY salty! Took my mom for Mother's Day, and the maitre d' was pretty rude. Told us to sit anywhere, and when we sat he said the table was reserved. Stepped on my foot on the SECOND time he reached over me to adjust lighting. Tiny dessert was $8.00...just plain overpriced for what it is.

Pros: okay food, decent atmosphere

Cons: service, price