Serge's Restaurant

03/26/2008 Posted by tanagra

I am in NY every 2-3 months and have made it a tradition to stop with my friends and colleagues at SERGE. The atmosphere (fresh flowers on the tables and a majestic arangement on the bar), the decor (great art from the owner's personal collection), and the food - everything makes for a great experience. The "calf liver" & the "hanger steak" are some of the best I had anywhere. The menu is updated every season, which shows the owner's dedication for quality and good French cuisine. With my espresso, and little chocolate I always get a few "quatre quart = pound cake" pieces, which is something you do not get in too many places, if anywhere. All in all a great place to have a fun evening with friends or a quiet dinner tete-a-tete.

03/24/2008 Posted by verydiscriminating

To the person who seems to dislike the restaurant so much, why don't you just stop going instead of trying to destroy someone by writing reviews under ten different names...what is your problem....why are you such a negative person....don't you have anything better to do in life.....go find a place where you can get a meal that pleases you and let the rest of world live.

03/24/2008 Posted by Residentfun

Interesting that there are split reviews of this place, some of which are really unflattering. I do not think only one person in NYC didnt like their meal at this place, I am at least number 2, and my friends were 3, 4 and 5. I think Serge has his inner circle that eats and dines well enough for what this place is. For those of us who just try it because we live or work nearby (its not a destination), we felt sort of out of it, and would not go back because it is not cheap and it just wasnt all that satisfying. It must be nice to have those on here who defend you, but I am sure it was the crowd we saw at a back table, enjoying wine and the company of a very arrogant Serge as we sat and wished for more and some attention ourseves! Loyal following, continue away, the rest of us will find our own spots.

Pros: loyal friends

Cons: the rest of nyc

03/22/2008 Posted by InspectorClouzot

A simple restaurant that generates that many reviews and conflicting opinions must be interesting in itself and worth a try. So I went there to see for myself and decide who's right and who's got an ax to grind? It seems obvious that: "localexpert"; "cheflousia"; "NYCdiningmaven"; "food lovers extraordinaire"; "nanlovesgoodfood"; "lovesdining"; "bistroafficionado" etc.. are one and the same person. Quit the gripe buddy! Serge is a great local little restaurant and the man it is named after is a very professional and dedicated restauranteur. He can be cocky and surly at times but only with those who come with an attitude. Serge wants to please, entertain and seduce his customers, but he is also very serious about his food. I never had a bad meal there. Most of the time I actually wished for more. This is not Per Se or any of the Boulud restaurants but it holds its own with the all the better bistros of NY.

03/21/2008 Posted by parisjunkie

I took my aunt to dinner at Serges last night, I had been there last year and had an ok meal, but I thought this would be convenient for my aunt, who loves french food and works nearby. No no Nannette, this was not even close to the real deal and our check was quite large for what we had. I cook alot and my aunt does alot of french cooking and we are an easy audience to please. Yet...we were not pleased. This "clubhouse" feel referred to on this page is accurage, we were not part of the inner circle which translated into waiting too long for our meal and having to send my aunt's back just to get her steak medium rare. I also heard the maitre 'd' who I assume is Serge talking very loudly often during the course of the night and at times it interfered with our conversation. In the end I view it as a member's only experience for people that need a place just to go, where the food is incidental to the bar and to the ability to just sit down.

Pros: a place with a bar

Cons: not my idea of a good french meal

03/21/2008 Posted by lunchgoer

My job requires me to take business colleagues out to meals often. It is mostly lunch, but can be dinner as well, so I know my NYC, Boston, Chicago and Florida restaurants well. Recently I was entertaining folks who were staying near this restaurant and kept passing it and were curious. We were a fairly large group, so as a result, we had a large sampling of what Serges has to offer. Almost to a person, we did not like our meals. We spent too much money on food that I quickly forgot (happily) and I felt that they were going through the motions in presentation and quality, but not hitting their mark on any of it. At lunch, I try to eat light, the salads we had were soggy and again the presentation and the details were off. The salmon was tough, my colleague joked about having to use his knife and that slicing off a piece felt like hard work. felt embarassed at the remark but as I looked around the frowns on the faces of this business team were palpable. So even for an ordinary business event, it doesnt work because it does not pass the most basic of tests for a quality meal. I would not go back for dinner as I expect no better after our large sampling of menu items. Fortunately, there are many other choices to dine people in style, without overpaying and with a meal that offers memories in general and ones that are more positive and lasting.

Pros: Not much in the area

Cons: Not much to enjoy

03/21/2008 Posted by bistroafficienado

I had to try this restaurant with all of the review on here, most of which are not flattering. Ok, the verdict is in, thumbs down. There is no doubt that Serge has his following, they appear to be friends and family there to enjoy a cocktail or two. My food was ordinary and over priced for its quality and the tired decor, acoustics and clubhouse feeling. I too had a bad experience with the fish, almost wanted to go back into the kitchen to catch the frozen escargot boxes in the garbage and felt the service of my meal was also done poorly. My companion who had steak tartare was equally unhappy, she was even worried that her stomach would bother her afterwards. Montmartre is commercial and anyone who eats up there is looking to get caught in a tourist trap lacking in value and quality. So yes, that comparison works.

Pros: If you are Serge's Mother

Cons: Everyone Else

03/21/2008 Posted by BELMONDO

i'm french ,and i fall in love with that lovely place , music food , the verry nice personality of the boss serge , verry clean restaurant , the food so good , a verry nice wines liste for a bistro.i never had a salmond like that so good well cook the way i love my salmon grille and juicy ,mmmmmmmmm god what a meal, i will try to go more often ,i ded a lot different restaurant in NY ,this one keep in your best resto adress, verry french mediteraneen, when i see the bad review ,i juste think what a joke, thos peopeles do not know real good french food.

Pros: the grand restaurant

Cons: louis defunes

03/20/2008 Posted by ParisAmour

I am originally from Paris and try many New York City Bistros. I was not pleased. This is not authentic, I do not believe that they are being particulary creative or true to recipes I know well. For me, the atmosphere was lacking. I was not part of Serge's inner circle and have never been treated as such, so I dont find or didnt find the experience to be welcoming or neighborhood oriented and it isnt about the food there at all. Serge may have friends there who inhabit the tables and dont mind the appearance of it and the favoritism, but if your food doesnt outshine that, then you end up just feeling like an outsider from a club you dont want to join. The fish was bland and my friend thought her frites were undercooked and even raw. Frankly, even if Serge had paid attention to us, it wouldnt matter.

Pros: Inner Circle Seems to Like it

Cons: Mediocre Food doesnt Compensate for the Unwelcome Atmosphere

03/20/2008 Posted by ArthurStein

What a find in the middle of New York.I have eaten there many times-- avery varied menu with consistently friendly service and excellent quality.Many times french restaurants make you feel like an outsider - not here The owner is always present and is warm and affable and makes you feel welcome.