The French Culinary Institute
New York, NY 10013-2618
Phone: (212) 219-8890
Ratings & Reviews Summary for The French Culinary Institute
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User Reviews for The French Culinary Institute
07/31/2008 Posted by Jenna1070899
We went here with a group of 5 after a special event here, and had heard the price for a 5-course dinner was really good. I must say, the menu was nice enough, and the manager was really friendly when we arrived, and had wonderful ideas for complimentary wines. However, after the experience I have two words: BUMBLING MESS! One of the meat courses was SUPPOSED to be medium-rare, and came out completely cooked through: well done. Even a child can cook a steak - it's not difficult. Another was supposed to be medium, came out well done. All the main plates were cleaned, the undercooked steak was left untouched and obvious on the table, and noone serviced the table for an HOUR. Honestly, noone said the waiters were useless amateurs - I thought it was a culinary school. They should think to hire useful waiting staff. The manager then came with a ridiculous apology and said they could replace it - but this was 1/2 an hour after the plates were taken; one hour after they arrived. Useless. The food they actually managed to get right was average, but I understand that they're students. I understand you cannot expect Jamie Oliver at such a place, but the culinary school in my home city has x10 better food, and my boss often takes important clients there for work dinners. So it can be done. Also, the service throughout the night was exceptionally slow. Not liked a packed diner slow - ignored slow. The meat course took over an hour to arrive after the fish. Not happy. And no apologies, no "we'll be right with you". Just ignored. So after our ridiculous, wasted experience, with no useful solution offered by staff there, I say spend the extra $50 and go somewhere nice. It really isn't worth bothering here - the $42 can even be much better spent in McDonalds.
Pros: Manager had nice complimentary wine ideas; ambience was nice.
Cons: Uselss waiting staff; ridiculously long time between courses; food wa not cooked as ordered; won't ever go back!
04/22/2008 Posted by DavidJang
Okay, I am a big fan of Asian food, and , David Jang, am an Asian and just eat Asian food most of the time. However, when I ate at the French Culinary Institute, I must say that it was the best food I ever tasted. It was during pre-fix week in New York when many restaurants gave pre-fixed meals for just a fraction of the cost. It was the best $30 bucks I ever spent. Every course was the perfect portion, not too big and not too small. There were a salad, a soup, an appetizer of stuffed mushroom, the entree (choice of steak or fish) and then a beautiful desert of creme brulee, perfectly balanced in taste and texture, not too heavy and not too sweet. It was just delicious. Everything came out at exactly the right time, very relaxed. The service was impeccable. The waiter was so polite and attentive. He didn't interrupt, didn't intrude but gave us what we wanted. The meal took 2 hours, and it was the best dinner I ever had at a restaurant.
Pros: Ambience, Service, Food, Price, the food food food!
Cons: A little bit out of my budget for a weekly dinner but good for special occasions.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
02/11/2003 Posted by kflam
This is THE PLACE to learn culinary skills and patisserie from the MASTERS of their craft. While tuition is high, facilities are truly state-of-the-art and ingredients are of good quality. An investment in your future!
Pros: Facilities, Raw Materials, Instruction
Cons: Expensive Tuition
