L'Absinthe Restaurant

01/28/09

Le Tourment Vert

by gfunk21

This place has a very nice decor and atmosphere. The food is very delicious and the waiter was very helpful. He introduced my wife and I to an absinthe called Le Tourment Vert. It's definitely a must try if you are here.

10/27/08

Worst French food ever!

by kim69nc

L'Absinthe really isn't that bad if you enjoy eating disgusting food and don't mind getting ripped off. I went with 5 of my friends last weekend, foolishly expecting an evening of fine dining. The menu looked very intriguing and impressive, which just amplified the level of disappointment when our food was finally served. I ordered lamb chops medium-rare, but instead got a well-done tasteless piece of cardboard. It did bring back a feeling of nostalgia though: I was reminded of how I almost choked to death while attempting to eat a Lego block when I was 5 years old. But at least I didn't have to pay $37.99 for the Lego block, and it was more properly seasoned than the lamb chops. None of the meat dishes that we ordered were cooked properly. Perhaps the executive chef took the night off and let the busboys man the stoves. Our waiter seemed to be an amiable fellow, but he was not very attentive to our needs at all, nor did he even seem like he had any idea what he was doing there. I guess his overnight transition from taco-bell-cashier to pretentious-french-restaurant waiter did not go as smoothly as envisioned. Even the restrooms were disgusting, and no fancier than your local pizzeria's. In short, the experience was HORRIBLE. For that price, you can find 200 better restaurants to dine at in New York. Don't be fooled by the positive reviews on Citysearch, because they're probably written by the restauranteurs themselves. Be wary of the fact that there are almost as many 1-star ratings for this place as there are 5-star ratings. L'Absinthe? More like L'Awful.

• Pros: no fo0d pois0ning afterwards
• Cons: bad food, overpriced, inexperienced wait staff, mediocre decor

10/09/08

Excellent food...

by ritterpete

I love this restaurant and I'm not really a fan of going out to eat. The food is always excellent, the wine superb, the staff friendly, and the other patrons a joy. oh yeah, and the prices are reasonable! It's a great cozy place for an intimate dinner.

• Pros: food,service

09/22/08

A very fancy menu but the food is very normal.

by thomasaustralia

I was very impressed when i read the menu. But the dish i ordered was not tasted the way the menu had described it. I'm a bit disappointed since i heard so many good thing about them.

09/12/08

a true french experience

by hollyandbill

Fantastic from beginning to end. Chef Jean Michele Bergounoux never ceases to amaze us. We return again and again. He is magic with the fish and his lamb is succulent! The service is always outstanding. Why visit anywhere else in the city? This is the place to be! Take our advice - go now! Your taste buds will thank us later.

Keep up the good work L'Absinthe!

• Pros: Makes you wish you were in Paris
• Cons: Makes you wish you were in Paris

09/09/08

Great Atmosphere- Wonderful Service-Declicious Food

by jsp424

I took my parents to L'Absinthe last night for their anniversary and we all loved it! The atmosphere is wonderful...you feel like you are in Paris. The waiter could not have been nicer and more accomodating. My mom and I split the lobster salad and then I had the dover sole for my entree which was delicious and she had the duck. My dad has the fois gras for his appetizer which he loved then the lamb which he said was one of the best. For dessert we all split the caramelized pears and the warm chocolate cake! Both were delicious! We will definitely be returning! Had a great time!

• Pros: excellent food, service & atmosphere
• Cons: none!

09/09/08

Best French Brasserie in NY

by cafiouni

I am French and an expert on French food, I have tried many different French restaurants and cafes in NY and this one is by far the best. We went there with my husband for our anniversary and boy the experience was phenomenal, excellent food paired with really good wines, staff very courteous and knowledgeable, the chef stopped at every table to check how things were for everyone. The ambience was so French and genuine. We loved it and we will come back....

• Pros: Everything
• Cons: Nothing

08/27/08

Excellent Service. Food is ordinary but very expensive.

by vogel77

The service is top notch. the food lack of wow factor. for a restaurant that charges so much for food, ordinary food is unacceptable. the cook definitely needs some work.

• Pros: Excellent service.
• Cons: the food is expensive and very ordinary.

08/25/08

It's a highway robbery

by frenchguy

Nowhere near two stars. the price is outrageous. Only a true idiot will dine there. don't be fool by the parisian feel because it is not.

• Pros: fake parisian feel
• Cons: lower rated french food.

08/25/08

Snobbish Chef who only cares about their regulars. Out of towners/ tourist beware!

by tommielang

I heared many good things about this particular french eatery from my friend who used to live in the upper eastside. So i went with my wife last month. the food is okay but the prices is definately high even for the upper eastside. while we were there, I ordered a roasted chicken, two side orders and a bottle of red wine. Everything was fine until our waiter brought us the third side dish which we didn't order. thus, the waiter took it back to the kitchen i assumed. A few second later i heared a yelling occured. the waiter who served me was being yelled by the white headed chef over the third side dish. We felt so bad for the waiter. i would take that third side dish if i knew that waiter would be in trouble. I went to talk to the chef but he just walked away from me and talked to his wealthy regulars. we we so embarred and felt so bad for the waiter. we felt so bad that he had to work for such snobbish, obnoxious individual that only know how to nurture the spoiled rich.

• Pros: Waiters are friendly
• Cons: the chef only care about the wealthy regulars