Tocqueville

07/11/2008 Posted by felisity33

Tocqueville has everything an amazing restaurant should have! The wait staff is warm, attentive and friendly; the atmosphere is breathtaking, and the food is absolutely fantastic! I've lived on both coastlines and visited many "French" cuisine restaurants, and short from actually being in France, Tocqueville has just the right amount of everything to make the dining experience magnificent. When I walked out of the door I half expected to see the Eiffel Tower! I couldn't have asked for anything better!

07/11/2008 Posted by talmagelane

After spending a glorious New York day I topped it off with the best meal I have had in months in one of the most welcoming and attractive restaruants in the city. I was immediately greeted by a lovely young woman who welcomed me as though I were a well known customer. I loved the Greenmarket Menu which the chef creates daily from what is fresh and seasonal. The chilled corn soup was light and flavorful and the pork milanese was a perfect main course. They served a cherry napoleon for dessert. All delicious! I found the elegant dinning room an oasis in the midst of a very hot new york day. The service was thoughtful and responsive. I look forward to my next meal there. By the way they do a great job wine pairing. Take advantage of the staff's skill and knowlege! You also leave with a surprise. Your own greenmarket shopping bag.

Pros: Ambience, Service, easy street parking

07/10/2008 Posted by Daniel45

I am posting an email I wrote to Tocqueville, for which I received no response. I am writing to convey my shock and disappointment in a recent dining experience I had at Tocqueville last Friday. I arrived on time at 7:45 for my reservation. Upon entering the restaurant I was not greeted and had to walk into the restaurant, stand around awkwardly for a couple of minutes and wait for a server to approach me. My waiter affected a condescending attitude toward me and my date the entire evening, Throughout the course of the meal it was made clear to us by our waiter's indifference, that we were not welcome. While offering us bread our waiter literally threw my girlfriend's roll onto her plate where it nearly slid off onto the floor. Later, while filling my water glass, the waiter struck my beer glass with the pitcher, he picked up my glass stared at it and left without apologies. During the course of the meal, the waiter was inattentive, staying on the opposite side of the restaurant. His failure of service was all the more stark because of the amiability of the other waiter working that evening. His behavior greatly influenced our appreciation of the meal, which we could not enjoy. All in all, our experience was one of the worst we have experienced in a high quality restaurant. I frequent these restaurants because of the attentiveness of the wait staff and the experience of dining in such places. Tocqueville failed on all of these counts.

Pros: No decor

Cons: Horrible service

05/30/2008 Posted by gzbnyc

I was there last night, 5/29/08. The room is very beautiful and formal. I was expecting a great meal, but it was only average. We were both very dissapointed. The service and meal both seemed like they were going through the motions. We had: tuna sashimi and rabbit tortolini appetizers and the tilefish and chicken as our entrees. They all looked beautiful, but nothing tasted great, just OK. Perhaps the kitchen had a bad night, but I would never go back. Our waiter seemed bored by his job and he was often MIA.

Pros: Nice room

Cons: Everything else...

08/20/2007 Posted by holzel

Our excitiment for our first visit was pleasantly rewared with excellant service, food and wine. I had the lamb, my wife, the foie gras and scallops. I never would have tried the wines they recommend,3, but I enjoyed them all. The glasses WMF and Spiegallau where uniquely engraved. A very relaxing tasty meal finished with strawberry custer and chocolate cake. Egar to return.

Pros: taste and service were exceptional

Cons: none

04/25/2007 Posted by sharmagirl

We went here on a Friday night and although the service was sub-par the food was amazing. We had half a dozen oysters, I had tuna carpaccio while my date delved into the sea urchin pasta for appetizers. The entrees were even more delectable. We both had specials, I had the grey snapper while he had the lamb. We were both very pleased with everything. The place was smaller than expected and if you don't keep your eye out for it, you could end up walking right past it!

11/17/2006 Posted by bettyo70

Enjoyed the food at Tocqueville overall... recently went there for lunch. What ruined the experience for us was the staff. They were frigid and zombie-like. It did not exactly create a relaxing environment. We just got weird vibes from the host and waiters. Would not return. Fleu du Sel was much more inviting!

Pros: foie gras

Cons: weird host, waiters and environment

07/10/2006 Posted by bestbaby100

I was a little nervous about Tocqueville's moving to a new location, but now I am sure happy they did. As always Tocqueville is a calm relaxing space. Now they have added a more luxurious aspect to the whole experience. High Ceilings, very compofortable bar and fur lockers. The food, though similar in wording, has really gone up a few notches. High quality of ingredients have always been present but somehow everything tasts and looks even better than before. Not sure how they did it. The staff always accomidating and friendly helps you feel compfortable in the new space. I love the Private DIning room upstairs as well. Recently while dining at the bar I had the Andalusian Gazpacho, it was great! So was the squab with cherries. I love squab and it is so rare to find it on a menu. Thats what I love about Tocqueville though, they don't play it safe, they really know how to cook and prepare wonderful dishes no matter what ingredients. I look forward to spending many more relaxing evenings at Tocqueville.

Pros: Great Bar and Cocktails

07/08/2006 Posted by mnangelsilly

Been going to Tocqueville for years, so I was happy to see that they've kept many of my favorite items (like the sea urchin carbonara and 60 sec seared sirloin) in the move, but what I was most impressed by is the new fantastic bar! Slightly less formal than the actual dining room, you can still enjoy a full meal there without the hassle of reservations, or just have a glass of wine or cocktail before continuing your night. And its still the same great Tocqeville service in a surprisingly beautiful space. Didn't think it could get much better...but it did!

Cons: Can be difficult to find. 1 East 15th St. If you see a restaurant, but not sure what restaurant, its Tocqueville.

07/08/2006 Posted by hopple

Owners Marco and Joann have pulled off a great move to this new location. Upon entering a feeling of interest is perceived by the maitre'd. After winding through the small hallway it opens to an opulent bar of white onyx, gorgeous, then to the main dining room with its very tall ceiling. We ate in the bar area which is elegant, but not pretentious. We nibbled on their small appetizers of beet cannellioni filled with goat cheese and the celery root croquettes with its black truffle mayonnaise, astounding!! Then for our first course was an appetizer of green and white asparagus salad tossed with a truffle vinaigrette, and the terrine of foie gras with the sweet sherry caviar, both lovely and well thought out dishes. Entrees of the dry aged sirloin seared only sixty seconds on one side, WOW, I have never had a steak that good. Then the rib roast braised for 24 hours just as good. The side of smoked whipped potatoes had outdone itself. We shared our other entree of the diver sea scallops and lobe of foie gras. Again, very delectable and bursting with flavor. Desserts didn't disappoint with the Valrohona chocolate souffle and the roasted polenta cake. What a way to finish off a meal. Along with dinner we enjoyed two great house cocktails and a wonderful bottle of Burgundy. Looking for a place with outstanding service and atmosphere, then Tocqueville is the place to be!!

Pros: Atmosphere, service, food and drink

Cons: no cons