Picholine
(212) 724-8585
35 W 64th Street
New York,
NY
10023
40.7716
-73.9805
Neighborhoods: Midtown, Lincoln Square
Reviews & Ratings for Picholine
40 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 40 reviews
Wonderful in every way
by Hartjaeger
January 04, 2009
For the first time in my life, I feel compelled to write a restaurant review. I took my mom to Picholine the week before Christmas. We were greeted very cordially and seated immediately. The interior is warm and classically elegant. The wait staff was friendly, efficient and knowledgeable without being pretensious. The food was exceptional. I had venison loin that was the best piece of meat I've ever eaten. My mom pronounced the same verdict over her beef ribeye. The cheese cart was outstanding. Only the salad left a bit to be desired, although, to be fair, this is strictly in comparison to the rest of the meal: compared to the universe of restaurant salads, the salad at Picholine is better than average.
I assume because our reservations were for 5:45, the staff asked if we had theatre tickets and, if so, our curtain time. We did, indeed, have theatre tickets, and made our show in plenty of time. The pacing of the meal was quick but not in any way rushed, just as we wished. Both my mom and I left Picholine feeling satisfied and grateful for such an enjoyable dining experience.
- Pros: Ambience, food, service
- Cons: None
Fantastic Restaurant
by gyirby
October 18, 2008
So we decided to go to Picholine one fine evening. All dressed up and ready to experience what they have to offer.
I will be brief and to the point fellows.
Service: Fantastic (couldn't be better) not snobbish at all but friendly & professional.
Ambiance: Cozy
Food: Tasty & well presented
Price: Expensive but I would pay it for the value & experience.
We ate a lot but didn't feel overly full. Just great:-)
It would be a great place for bring your high class client or if you want to impress a chick or I must say "a lady" perhaps;-)
- Pros: quality,food,service,wine
- Cons: none
One of the best restaurants in NY
by mr_meursault
September 22, 2008
We came here for dinner. The place is very pleasing to the eye. The service is top-notch. The waiter knew my name. The napkins were replaced as soon as one got up from his seat. The staff knew every ingredient in every dish. The service is also seamless. The food is delicious. The mushroom tempura and "tomato water" pre-appetizer was excellent. The gazpacho was incredibly complicated and interesting, yet very tasty. The scallops were close to perfect, though perhaps not as tender as they could be. The tuna on the other hand was perhaps the most tender I've ever had. The rabbit was quite interesting and also very tender. Overall, the food was tasty, though not always perfect. However, what makes this restaurant so amazing is that everything is presented and cooked in such a way as to make the whole meal a celebration. That is rare in New York. This is a truly a special occasion place, and in my opinion one of the top restaurants in this city.
A top restaurant that gets it!
by mpoole01
May 08, 2008
A table for six. Everyone was greatly impressed by the food and service (wish I had reserved the wine room though). Everything was cooked to perfection and each course delivered en masse by the waitstaff. Although the wine list is very good (a bit pricey, but not outrageous), I really appreciate a fine dining establishment that enthusiastically accepts outside wines for a corkage fee. We brought 4 bottles of wine (which on their list would have cost approximately $2500 - our price substantially lower) and only paid $50/bottle corkage (I would have paid double that). For our two reds they decanted them and gave us the proper new stemware for each bottle. The cheese cart is not as extensive as I thought it would be, but what they lack in sheer depth of choices they instead make up for by focusing on quality. We tried 7 different cheeses and were loving each. I can't remember the time I last went out to dine with a group of foodies where almost every morsel from every course was consumed on every plate. Live in LA and enjoy Spago, La Cachette, etc., but will gladly revisit Picholine on my next trip back East.
- Pros: Food / Cheese Platters / Service / Corkage Policy
- Cons: None.
Inconsistent food and service, when making reservation ask about tasting menu
by maguro
January 04, 2008
We were not offered the tasting menu because per the waiter our reservations were too early (5:30) and they don't offer the tasting until 8PM (as he offered it to the next table at 6PM). Were they afraid we had theatre tickets and couldn't spend the time? Well, we didn't and they never asked. To the waiter's credit he gave me a fourth course for $10. The venison was excellent although I've noticed in restaurants of this calibre that no matter how you ask that the meat be done, it will always be delivered per the chef's "suggestion" which is medium rare. The rest of the food was pretty forgettable. The service was more polite than Chanterelle but I still got the feeling that they did not care about us one whit. They really did have quite a snooty attitude
and I would not return to see if I was mistaken the first time. Of course, Picholine just turned up in New York Magazine's list of places to eat in 2008!
- Pros: A few good dishes, nice ambience
- Cons: Snooty service, indifferent flavors
A worthy night if you're in the neighborhood
by justinh
November 28, 2007
Though I'd heard complaints about how purple the restaurant is, the decor is actually quite nice. For a room without windows, the space is cozy and soothing without seeming claustrophobic. The food is exquisitely plated, every dish looks stunning. A trio of amuse bouche was lovely, especially a little beet dish. Scallops with tiny croutons were a nice combination of textures. Sturgeon with sauerkraut was a little one-dimensional. But it apple brioche with salty caramel more than made up for it.
A new color scheme and a revamped menu make a bid for continued relevance at this stately Upper West Side classic.
by Contributor
April 05, 2007
In Short
Even after a recent lavender-heavy makeover, Picholine's high ceilings and glittering chandeliers maintain an imposing old-world vibe that's still in sync with the room's moneyed crowd. But with the exception of a few options on the "classics" menu--the renowned cheese plate, for example--chef Terrance Brennan has completely revamped the seasonally changing, Mediterranean-focused menu. Twists abound in dishes like scallop sashimi with watermelon relish, "bacon and eggs" made with polenta, tuna and truffle toast, and huckleberry-kissed venison.
- Pros: cheese selection
Stay away if you are not a regular
by frequent
March 22, 2007
Having dined several times at Picholine before the renovation I made a reservation for my husband's birthday. Our family of four arrived at 7:45 for an 8:15 reservation expecting to have a drink at the bar before dinner. I called the restaurant and asked for a square table for four in the front room.
When we arrived I began to speak with the maitre d' . He answered the phone mid-sentence and proceded to ignore me. We were handed off to a hostess who led us to Siberia (the back room). I stated my requested preference and we headed back to the podium. We were told that a table would be opened in a half hour. We sat at the bar, had a drink and left without another word from the maitre d'. Since my preferences were noted in the reservation book, I expected an apology at the very least. How about complimentary drinks?
Later that week I wrote to Terrance Brennan at an address given to me by the Artisinal Cheese Center. Three months later I have not received a response.
We have often enjoyed dining at Artisinal but will not be going back after the poor treatment we received at his other restaurant. I'm guessing that Picholine put a big "NBD" next to my name. If you are not a regular, stay away.
- Pros: A beautiful room, excellent food
- Cons: Poor welcome
Go for the cheese
by cherengracht
January 22, 2007
I've dined her many times and I returned last week for the first time since the remodel. For the first time, I decided to dine at the bar and was very happy. The place looks terrific and the food is as good as ever. Of course, I ordered up a cheese tray and as always it was fabulous. My only gripe is that the port selection is extremely lacking. With one vintage (Dow's '83) and a couple of tawny's (10 & 20 yr), I felt like I should have brought my own. That aside, this place is the quintessential mecca for cheese.
- Pros: Cheese
- Cons: Port wines
Great New Design, Great Food, Great Wine!!
by biggastro
January 17, 2007
Still doing it after all these years. Great job staff. Love the new design, about time!! Love the bar. Best place to eat is at the bar, truthfully. Amazing wine list.
