One if by Land, Two if by Sea

08/05/09

dated food, fishy seafood, beautiful room

by tonykelley

Went on a monday night and had the tasting menu. It's true, you shouldn't order fish on a monday (at least at One if by Land) first course; hamachi, fishy, slimy, overly salty and otherwise inedible. Next was a dorado, fishy, uninspired. So far off to a bad, if not nauseating start. Fois Gras, hard to mess this one up.. it was pleasant and as expected. Main course; beef wellington, probably the most popular dish here, it was all over the menu, it was adequate, if under-flavored. Dessert was a strawberry rhubarb concoction that was over-complicated, with such fresh seasonal ingredients, why try so hard? The dessert was the only part of the meal that I could describe as "fresh". The room is beautiful (think Sign of the Dove) but the food was mostly a disaster, service was acceptable. Not recommended.

• Pros: ran into Patrick Bateman
• Cons: food, present

05/03/09

Thoroughly enjoyable dining experience

by swindler123

When my boyfriend and I stepped into this restaurant, we immediately felt transported into a different, romantic, old world era. What was previously a stable for horses has since been transformed into a most beautiful dining room complete with crackling fire place and baby grand piano. Amidst the tuxedoed servers, we felt like characters straight out of an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel.

The service was highly attentive without being intrusive. The food was truly unforgettable. Get the beef wellington, the buttery texture simply melts in your mouth. Desserts were divine as well. Really liked the sweet and salty combination of the Rocky Road Fondant. Though there was some lag between the appetizers and entrees, they more than made up for it by giving us a free bottle of wine as well as free appetizers, whilst we waited. Looking forward to my next visit there!

• Pros: Great food, amazing atmosphere, very attentive service
• Cons: pricey ( but worth every penny)

03/18/09

great hidden find!

by benlbr

I had originally made a Saturday reservation for two for my wife's birthday. However, an emergency came up and we had to reschedule our dinner. The restaurant was very accomodating and was able to give us a reservation two days in advance. Although we arrived an hour early, they were able to seat us right away anyway! The decor is very lovely, and adds a classic appeal to its ambiance. We ordered scallops for our appetizer, and the duck and beef wellingtons for our entrees. The scallops and ducks were FANTASTIC! Although my beef wellington was a bit on the salty side. They remembered to put a birthday candle in my wife's dessert without my reminding them, which was a nice touch. Overall, it was a wonderful experience. I would definitely come back again!

• Pros: attentive staff, friendly service, yummy food
• Cons: a little tight on space

03/05/09

Romantic dining, great food

by ajk1

We went here for our engagement dinner, and it was perfect. The place was crowded (which I equate with good food), but it wasn't very loud. We were seated in the room that leads to the balcony, and the christmas lights were lit. That, the candles, and the flowers on the table, set the perfect romantic mood. The restaurant only offers prix fixe (at least when we went), and I don't remember exactly what we got, but it was very, very good. All in all, a perfect night and I would highly recommend this place to anyone.

• Pros: Great food, very romantic ambience
• Cons: A bit pricey (2 dinners, 1 glass of wine = $250)

03/03/09

No romance in the food

by villagefoodie3

Romantic---yes. But so is Central Park on a perfect spring day. The difference is, you don't expect an edible meal in Central Park. Terribly disappointing.

• Pros: atmosphere
• Cons:  the food

11/29/08

overall dining

by lisanadyy

I used to dream about going to One if by Land, Two if by Sea and then, when I finally did get to go , I understood that some dreams can come true. A subdued atmosphere doesn't take away from the excellent service, presentation and overall dining experience at what is surely one of New York's top five restaurants.

• Pros: food,service

09/01/08

Very nice

by hsl4

Its a great resturant. Dim lights, very romantic. Food was excellent, very fresh. Waiter was very knowledgable and attentive, but not overbearing. The place was hidden, hard to find, almost secluded. Didnt even look like a resturant from the front. Resturant staff = excellent. Overall experience = excellent

I went there for resturant week. I been to other places for resturant week and quite frankly the service sucked. i dont know if it was because we was there for resturanrt week and not the regular menu. But here, I was treated like royalty. Just go. Dont bother reading about other reviews.. with some guy complaining about his drink tasting like kiwi.. lol.

• Pros: Food, service, romantic, definitely will impress your date
• Cons: Location hard to find, bring big bucks lol

08/25/08

Terrible drinks

by rebelyell

Ok- I like gin... I like Kiwi...Not necessarily a taste explosion when paired together! It actually looks like lizard puke...the smell, not too far off?!? How exactly does their cocktail list go with the romantic-upscale food! I love the food! I would love a great drink to go with it!?!

Never again!

Decent wine selection-but it could be updated and the waiter didn't really know the wine list? I had to go with what I knew. This place always impresses my dates, and it always works...but I just wish they had something better to drink.

I will come back for the food!

Service needs improvement-especailly regarding the "cocktail list"-YUCK

08/14/08

Romantic?

by RichelleO

I surprised my fiance by taking him to One if by Land for dinner while were in New York celebrating the anniversary of our engagement last week. The menu was great - we both selected a steak entree - and I ordered a bottle of wine. The ambiance, the food and the service were all great. There was only one disappointment - but a big one. Shortly after our wine was poured - a large party of 12 was seated adjacent to us - in the dining room upstairs. What I had expected to be a quiet, romantic, celebration dinner quickly turned into dinner in a bar - or so it seemed. The large party seated near us - had no respect for the atmosphere in the dining room - nor for us or the other 3 couples seated upstairs. They were obviously having a business dinner and were very rowdy. We thought about requesting to be re-seated downstairs, but did not want to make a fuss. We endured the rowdy party and made it through dinner. I was very saddened though - that my romantic dinner wasn't that at all. I would go back - but I would ask the hostess seating us - if we could avoid this again.

• Pros: Very dark, quiet place for a nice candle lit romantic dinner
• Cons: Make sure that it remains that for the length of your dinner

07/29/08

INCREDIBLE !!!!!!!

by Harvey1Weinberg

I went there on Tuesday 7/29./08 for Restaurant Week, with my wife and another couple. We haven't been there in years but have heard great things about the new chef, Craig Hopson, who comes from Picholine. What an amazing experience --- to die for ! ! . The food wasn't your standard restaurant week fare --, steak, shrimp, pork, fish -- and it didn't disappoint. Simply excellent, innovative, and top notch. The place is beautiful and subdued with wonderful life piano music. The wait staff was courteous, efficient and knoweldgeable. The hostess and I found out later, the owner, Colleen was charming. She alone is reason to re-visit this gem. I can't wait to come back and savour the menu.