Cafe Luxembourg

11/28/09

Upper West Side Classic

by jay2002 at Citysearch

I suppose its the Balthazard of the Upper West Side, a brasserie like place that is great for brunch lunch or dinner. Big with the theatre crowd, we like to go there before walks in the park (mostly in winter since this place gets no light and is very warm). Had brunch at the bar last week, 2 egg dishes and 2 mimosas and dropped $80. Not sure its worth the price tag but if you choose more carefully off the menu (we got the specials) you should be able to do better...

• Pros: Classic joint & dishes
• Cons: Can be expensive for what it is

03/08/09

Have never stiffed a waiter until now

by dreamer9 at Citysearch

I have lived in NYC for over a decade and have yet to recieve such poor service. Our waiter was rude and inept. Our main course was overcooked and over salted. Brian, our waiter, continued to ignore us while we sat in the midst of a milling crowd of arriving guests who hovered over our table. He then followed us out of the restaurant to complain about the lack of tip he received.

• Pros: none
• Cons: service, food

03/01/09

Upper West Side Staple

by LSmith23 at Citysearch

I have been coming to Cafe Luxembourg for twenty plus years and while it has some ups and downs, the past few years it has been one of the most reliable restaurants on the city. The wait staff has always been attentive and the menu, while constantly changing, has always provided a great selection of good food. Rarely do I leave Cafe Luxembourg without having had a good meal.

• Pros: attentive waitstaff

01/13/09

Still Wonderful & Grown Up - a Few Extra Bucks but Worth It.

by sakumawiki at Citysearch

I have to say that I am always skeptical of faux brasseries (and what other type of brasserie is there in NYC?). One too many crusty-mirrored, darkly lit - and weeks-old - restaurant has turned me sour on the idea of French neighborhood shabby chic anywhere in Manhattan. However, Cafe Luxembourg has a particular magic in location, decor and energy that make it seem utterly genuine. In the end, the food is what matters, and it doesn?t disappoint. The choices are pleasantly familiar and are all perfectly prepared. A particular favorite of mine is the schnitzel pork chop, but you can?t go wrong with steak frites or ? well, you just can?t go wrong. Expect a mob scene before (and to some extent after) any show at Lincoln Center but rest assured that the staff is efficient and always seems to accommodate reservations on time. Better prices can be found elsewhere - but it is exceptionally consistent and worth the extra bucks.

• Pros: atmosphere, Lincoln Center location, consistently good food, a classic
• Cons: price, crowded

04/25/07

Bad Bad Bad

by luvfrenchfood at Citysearch

The ambiance is horrific and the food is even worse! Maybe it's because there aren't that many restaurant is the UWS but the food is pathetic to be even considered premier european food! How did this restaurant not go out of business beats me!

02/16/07

I wish the food were a little bit better

by kelsiecsurams89 at Citysearch

Stopped by for lunch today for the first time in about 5 years. The atmosphere has not changed much - a good thing since it's a nice, relaxed vibe. The food, however, could be a little better. If I'm going to spend $15 for an omelette I would like chunks of black forest ham in it and not chopped up deli meat like you would find at a corner deli. The service was very good and attentive.

• Pros: Nice ambiance, nice classic zinc bar
• Cons: Too little food for the money

02/01/07

Nasty tude

by djcamara at Citysearch

Maybe I was over dressed -- I was wearing a jacket and tie after work. Or too polite -- "hi, can I please get a ..." Whatever it was, I was shocked at the treatment I received at this place. I sat down at the near empty bar and waited and waited for some service. The bar tender gave me the once over and must have found something he didn't like (even though I shower regularly and am fairly presentable) because he pointedly served several people who sat down after me before coldly asking me "do you want anything?" I ordered a martini and then, maybe in spite, ordered something to eat from the menu. Don't think he liked that. It probably wasn't just me the guy didn't like. I overheard him bad mouthing several regular patrons mi-voix. Would love to know what he said about me.

• Pros: decent food
• Cons: bizarrely rude staff with a strange value system

01/01/07

Great food, service and atmosphere for a meal.

by timozero2 at Citysearch

First time here for me and another of several vists here for my girlfriend. After a quick drink at the bar (which has a great by the glass wine selection) we were promptly seated and attended to. Our server was cheerful, didn't rush us but kept us pn schedule to make a 7:30pm curtain. The food was outstanding, the pork chop was perfectly cooked and paired wonderfully. My girlfriend had great reviews on the NY strip steak. For desert we had french profiteroles. Our roommate is french and had happened to make them earlier in the week and these were every bit as good and dare say they were excellent. I would recommend dining here and will be sure to return.

• Pros: Great Service

This French bistro seems to enjoy a never-ending heyday.

by Kathleen Squires at Citysearch

The Scene
Two decades have made the yellowed walls with that tobacco-stained feel, red banquettes, art deco lighting, tiled and mirrored columns, and bamboo chairs feel even more authentic. A sophisticated 30-50 year-old set of celebs, homesick Euros, politicians and loyal locals bask in the blend of Manhattan glamour and Parisian bistro food.

The Food
Dishes that might seem passé on paper become brand-new once on the palate. Just when you thought you were tartar-ed out, fresh salmon chunks sitting on hot-chili marinated cucumbers bring a kimchee-like zing to the clean flavor of the fish. A terrific saffron aioli doesn't dare mask the freshness of crunchy, cornmeal-crusted oysters and though everyone touts the steak frites, the rosy, tender hangar steak deserves equal accolades for its unforgettably robust red wine sauce. Desserts, like the creamy mango pudding paired with fresh raspberries, affirm just why everybody loves Lux.

11/17/06

Waiter chased me out the door!!!!

by fluddy at Citysearch

After the waiter - who was generally overwhelmed all night - broke a glass at our table by dropping it on my shoulder before it shattered on my dinner plate, I thought the night could not be less impressive. I used to be a waitress, so I give pretty wide latitude on service issues. I also left a 20% tip.

Well, I guess he didn't expect that. As I walked down the street with my girlfriend, the waiter came running out of the restaurant demanding I stop and explain why I didn't tip him. He was actually yelling - if you saw it in a movie, you would think it was a caricature.

His behavior was totally wrong and the manager was little help. The manager actually argued his case to me, "it was an honest mistake"! Mortifying is what I call it. I will not return. The place used to be good years ago, but before this incident, I had gone a few times to mediocre results.

• Pros: Great ambience
• Cons: Waiters running down street screaming at customers