09/18/09

Not that impressed

by rockstar1974

We went also for the pre fixe menu at 6:30 pm. My very organized friend called several times after we changed our reservation from 5 pm to 630 pm that the pre-fixe would still be available. Of course they gave us trouble about that saying we all have to order it or it wont work. I preferred to order of the regular menu, so after the waiter talking over with the manager we were able to make it work. I thought the food was not that amazing. My fish was good, but the rest of the meal wasn't anything spectacular. I would not go back because of the food quality. However, the most unbelievable thing of the night were the rude patrons. I prefer not go into personal details, but let's just say that because of the ambience I will not return. Definitely not a good atmopshere. It reminds me more of a retired country club where people have been members for years and you are the new person in town.

• Pros: Nice prices for presentation
• Cons: Rude patrons

08/19/09

Excellent

by greenplantain

This is the second time I have eaten here and I think it is one of the best experiences that one can have in a NYC restaurant. You must try it for yourself! Bon appetit! It is guaranteed to please.

• Pros: Great Service, Fantastic Food
• Cons: The location is hard to find the first time around

07/28/09

You will love this restaurant

by Uberime

First, the food is fabulous, and I'm a foodie/cook. Secondly, the ambition of this restaurant mirrors that of its big brother and shows in the attentiveness of the service, the place settings, the wonderful summer drinks and in the food. The table we enjoyed was fronted by the preparation area, and it was an additional treat to watch this somewhat hectic, but controlled ballet as the dishes poured out while the crowd settled in. Two of our table of four did not show, and our waitress never blanched or reacted although it must have been what they dread most. Wonderful service.

Prix fixe lunch was $26 (restaurant week) and it was simply to die for. As this is not Kansas and not some tourist trap steak house joint, but rather a serious effort, it is necessarily relatively expensive. It is fabulous and beautiful and worth every penny.

• Pros: Beautiful setting; sophisticated food; impeccable service
• Cons: None

04/10/09

Service does not live up to Jean George's name

by julieg11

An absolute disappointment.

My second visit was a drastic change from my first encounter at this restaurant.

I called ahead to make sure my reservation at 6:30 wouldn't hinder part of my party from getting the $35 prix fixe that available from 5:30-6:30pm. The receptionist said that it wouldn't be a problem because our reservation is at 6:30. I arrived 5 minutes late, waited 15 minutes just to find our table was given away and was sat right next to the entrance, where my seat was partially obstructed the entrance. In addition, it took 15 minutes for the waiter to realize we were ready to order. The waiter refused to give us the prix fixe menu because it was past 6:30 and referred us to the manager.

The manager approached our table without introducing himself and said, "What's the problem?" As I spoke of my grievances, he responded by saying, "And is this my problem? It is already 7pm, which is past 6:30 and our prix fixe only is offered until 6:30." Obviously, it is a manager's problem when a customer is not satisfied with their service and the major part of us ordering at 7pm is due to their service.

After I had to fight to get the prix fixe menu, he said that he was doing a favor for me by granting me to order the prix fixe. Should be grateful to the manager for encountering such horrendous service as I entered the restaurant? His attitude was especially rude, pompous and demeaning. I do not expect a manager of this kind of restaurant to treat their patrons in this manner.

Unlike other guests, I wasn't automatically given to my table as we were seated, and throughout the dinner, I had ask for a refill for every empty glass of water while some waiters were looking off to space.

But when we paid, they were overly attentive, quickly getting the checkbook as we closed it. And there was no sign of appreciation, no thank you, no nothing as the waiter ran off with the check.

Even though the food was good, but a tad salty. Nothing the food could do that would compensate for the service. I would not be returning to this restaurant.

• Pros: food
• Cons: service, saltiness of the food, rude manager

08/14/07

Amazing Foie Gras!

by kawaiicat7

I don't think I'm being unfair in giving La Nougatine 3 stars. It was both good and unimpressive at once. We started with the tuna tartar which I had not realized was highly praised and which I don't honestly think even deserves being noted. It was bland and did not gel with the ginger marinade - though the marinade did pair well with the radishes. What was magnificent and truly worth going back for (and I will!) was the foie gras. I have had the foie gras and eel at L'Atelier and have tried foie gras at countless other spots, but this has got to be the best foie gras I have ever tasted. Buttery beyond belief, playfully and truly "brule," rich, heavenly, sinful - etc etc etc. The accompanying muscat grapes are off by themselves and are unique, piquant, and exciting, though certainly not necessary, and thankfully left as an option.

I had the short rib 'vinaigrette' which was unfortunately unimpressive. The meat itself was certainly beef, but tasted as impressive as any roast one could find anywhere, and the jalapenos were barely flavored, not at all spicy, and the favas were an after thought. My date had one of the fish courses which certainly upstaged my own meal. We couldn't decide which desserts to get so we got 4 - and of those four, one was decent (sort of a chocolate brownie in cherry sauce) and one was phenomenal - but what it was called I cannot remember. Also, the bread is fairly pointless, but you can't win them all. I'd love to see how this compares to Jean Georges next door.

Oh, did I mention I would be back for the foie gras? Other notes: great environment, nice lighting, awkward/insecure/naive waiters - perhaps they are in training for the more upscale restaurant next door.

• Pros: Foie Gras, ambience (cozy)
• Cons: Not amazing entree, silly waiters

03/18/07

a great lunch

by theresax

After doing a tuna tartare search on yelp and reading everyone's reviews about the one at Nougatine, I had to try it. went here for lunch yesterday since I heard they were participating in restaurant wk but of course, I ended up not ordering from that menu and sharing 3 appetizers (plenty of food and more variety) on the regular menu, which the waitress was kind enough to split everything. Wait I take that back, we did try the white bean soup w/ chili gelee and shrimp off of the prixe fixe menu ($10)which was very tasty though I didn't get the gelee but the shrimp was delicious and well seasoned. And from the regular menu we got: the lump crab (delicious and not heavy $16), tuna tartare which came in a zesty chilled tomato broth (very nice $14. a nice portion), and a shrimp & avocado salad (the best ive ever had. The dressing on the shrimp was soooo good and its bugging me that I can't quite figure out what it was. Large portion, just perfect. I could've had just that and be happy $14). Our bill came out to about $77 before tax w/ a glass of Riesling and an ice tea. The decor was really modern but not out there, it has great lighting and a beautiful view of central park. Thanks to the other yelpers for recommending this place, I am coming back.

• Pros: service

10/18/04

Too Cool for Own Good

by mgindi

Too cool by far. Temperature wise, decor wise and service wise.

Food was quite good, but expected more. And by the way, had to queue for the Ladies' room.

• Pros: food
• Cons: , temperature, restrooms

11/03/03

Nougatine: Needs a Tune-Up

by Omnivore

Venue currently falls short of its first-rate capacities, kitchen and service suffering too-frequent lapses. This especially odd, as Chef himself is often trotting about.

Tasting menu a mixed bag: lobster soup amuse with grapefruit intriguing, but marred by excess bitterness as prepared. Bland pate de fois gras ice cold on a cold slice of brioche. Crab cake, however, a graceful and delicate treat. Salmon a bit overcooked; Veal cheeks a standout succulent w/heady demi-glace w/jalapeno pepper punctuation: Chef's on point here. Decent cheese course. No palate-cleanser offered. Dessert tasting: a tired disappointment. Hot apple cider served ice cold.

Service distant and mechanical: precise, but ungracious and disinterested. No gourmandises offered.

Wine selection good under $ 100; room nicely-lighted if a bit noisy and cavernous.

You wont leave feeling cheated, nor with eager anticipation of your return as there is a distinct lack of joie de vivre here.

• Pros: Some fine dishes, Pleasant space
• Cons: Expensive, Service/food Lapses