wd~50

07/31/2008 Posted by msk83

I was so disappointed in WD 50! I think innovative cuisine is great - I'm all for it - when it tastes good. The food at WD 50 is very interesting and I was very impressed by how weird the menu was - but I didn't like anything I ordered. In fact, I went home and made a box of macaroni and cheese and enjoyed that more; had a 5 course dinner at WD 50 and left hungry! Had some version of Arctic Char that just kind of lay inert on the plate with some neon purple mushroom thing that tasted like cardboard. It's interesting what they do with food - but it should be in a display case, not in my mouth.

07/23/2008 Posted by tdv

It's exactly what people described it as - very unique. The experimental cuisine isn't really my cup of tea so I wouldn't take my review too seriously. I thought the restaurant was very nice and the unusual combinations were always surprising. I didn't like the food too much, but it was worth the trip. I'm glad I went.

Pros: Definitely a new dining experience

Cons: Not my type of food

07/07/2008 Posted by choulli

After having read about Wylie Dufresne & "wd~50" for years, my husband & I decided to give it a try for our anniversary dinner. Prepared for the unique & unusual, we were not disappointed. Our server, Chris, helped to make the entire experience even more special, by being helpful, friendly, informative & efficient. He even replaced a cocktail that I disliked with something more pleasing to me - a courtesy that I would expect at an establishment of this caliber. Their bartender's version of a Cosmo is out of this world by the way - not the usual bright red, (many of which border on cough syrup) but rather, a cool, smooth tonic infused with fresh fruit juice & vodka & topped off by a generous slice of fresh lemon zest. Amazing! Don't eat too fast or you'll miss the marvelous mix of flavors & textures that chef Dufresne has concocted, from the banana with quail to the lychee candy with grilled octopus, it was like taking our palates to an amusement park! The menu is small, but interesting & the wine & spirits list is quite extensive, featuring some excellent choices, especially when it comes to aperitifs & dessert wines. Our server kindly brought us several tastes of different wines, before we committed to our dinner accompaniments. I would love to return to wd~50, but with a group next time, so that we can all share the experience & freak out together! Loved the ambience too, with its colorful lighting, soothing bamboo walls & wooden tables. And the ladies room is terrific. The juxtaposition of this serene little gem in its gritty, artsy, lower east side neighborhood is something so typical of Manhattan that it only adds to its allure. In closing, I don't know why anyone would come to "wd~50" without some advanced knowledge of what to expect. If you want a cheeseburger, go to the appropriate venue for that, rather than whine & complain that you didn't get a meal on par with McDonalds.

Pros: unique, interesting food & spirits, terrific service

Cons: a little pricey & the location difficult to get to (but it was worth it)

06/13/2008 Posted by star67

My boyfriend surprised me with dinner at this restaurant as a congratulations for my new job, so needless to say we were not dressed to go here--jeans, sneakers, flip-flops and what we got was sub-par service to say the least. I have been wanting to go here since it opened, and while eating here won't break us, it's not a cheap date! When we didn't order the tasting menu, the waiter was annoyed. I was totally annoyed at him from the get-go. Although he didn't do anything outright confrontational, he was totally a snob (smirks, snide remarks, haughty tone) and did not speak to us like the waiters at the other table spoke to their patrons (didn't check on us or explain/describe each course). I know because we were surrounded by three tables. I was super-excited about the great food (get the pork belly--perch is cooked to perfection, but the sauce was not my thing, duck appetizer was AWESOME). The patrons next to us were friendly--get rid of that guy! I am so sorry I didn't get his freakin' name.

Pros: excellent food, you get to see the kitchen and Wylie (woohoo)

Cons: expensive, snobby waiter

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

05/21/2008 Posted by drlisadds

We were very disappointed! We did not order the tasting menu because they don't tell you what you are getting, It's a $125 mystery, so we ordered from the regular menu, the lamb was very rare/bloody, even though I asked for medium well and super fatty. There was more white chewy fat on it than meat. Same thing with duck, rare and extremely fatty. Food tasted bland, and was very expensive for being very mediocre. The only good thing was the flat bread (sesame crackers they give in the begining) and drinks.

Pros: drinks

Cons: everything else

04/25/2008 Posted by itoitoito

easily the worst meal ever. nothing was good. $125 for the tasting menu had us feeling completely hoodwinked as we walked out. service was great. the decor is downright silly. the bad italian modern light fixtures made me nauseous. the food has no soul whatsoever. take one look at wiley, and it's hard to see any soul in the man. DO NOT EAT HERE.

02/22/2008 Posted by kneering

Came here and was surprised how casual the space was given the extraordinary prices. The tables are very close together, too.... not a lot of privacy. I had heard the food was "weird" so I was prepared to be surprised. Bottom line, yes, the combinations are crazy. But when you eat all these unlikely flavors together the food is actually really good. The presentation is top notch. This is a foodie haven. The desserts are the best! I'm glad I tried it but it is very expensive so not sure if I would come back. It's not likely I will crave octopus but hey, you never know.

Pros: Culinary experimentation at its best

Cons: Expensive, unimpressive ambiance

02/13/2008 Posted by Kareneastvillage

We went for dinner and it was $250 without dessert/coffee and 1 bottle of wine which is okay if it were good.. THE OCTOPUS tasted like canned TUNA and TROUT was so fishy and HORRIBLE no flavor only fishy.....Duck was like deli meat! Great wine and great service BUt we go to every high end and local downtown innovative place..This is not innovative, IT IS just not good.....hated it and it was my husband's bday!

Pros: great service and wine

Cons: horrible food

01/24/2008 Posted by Carverino

This is the best restaurant in NYC in my opinion. If you are tired of the same old Itallian placed with pasta and such, this is the plce for you. The Ched Wylie Dufresne is not from this [planet. There is not way the recipes he has come up with are anything short of innovative and spectacular. He is extremely creative and revolutionary. The Fried mayonnaise is so creative and delicious. He also has these lentils which are acutally mole sauce and the Foi Gras is heavenly. I had the Lamb Chops with Bananna Consomme and it had to be one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten. I would eat here every night if I could afford it.

Pros: FOOD FOOD FOOD!!!

Cons: Location

11/13/2007 Posted by usctim

Just a few words about this place: the portions by themselves are not large by any means but the tasting menu left me stuffed (granted I have small stomach, but regardless, the size of the meal is more than adequate). The food is like nothing you've ever tasted. Some of it is bizarre, most of it is beautiful and nearly all of it will provide you with a new experience whether you love the flavors or are simply intrigued by them. The prices are high, but when you consider what went into preparing each dish (ingredients and composition), there's a good reason for them being what they are. I highly recommend the dining experience at wd-50!

Pros: Food, Service, Experience

Cons: Cost