One If By Land... I don't get it.
Last night, I enjoyed yet another perfect meal at One If By Land TIBS. Now guys, I'm hardly a Kennedy or Madonna, so I don't think any of the staff were put on "best behaviour" for my sake. Still, I have yet to have a bad meal there; nor have I experienced lackluster service. One of our party was disabled and they were very accommodating with his wheelchair and our seating.
I've been going to OIBL since (IMS) somewhere around the mid 80's. I've been there for business dinners and romantic suppers alike. I don't ever remember being treated shabbily or having one morsel of food that wasn't picture perfect.
Until such time as I receive the "horrible" service about which I've read, I will continue to pimp them as a favorite and a relatively risk-free, higher end NYC restaurant.
Can someone who has written them off tell me what happened when you dined there?? What went so horribly wrong??
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5 Comments:
I went once, and probably won't go back (unless it's with a gold card that a future fabled employer has supplied me with). Not because of some terrible experience or poor service, just that the whole thing was kind of bland and a little, eh, cheesy.
Granted, the quality of the food is excellent, but a $75 prix fixe before beverages is a pretty steep fee, and I don't know that the food was quite that exceptional. The service was friendly, but not elegant, and the atmosphere was actually a little louder and more overdone than I had expected. So it wasn't so horrible as it was underwhelming -- I can spend significantly less money for just as nice an experience somewhere else.
savecara at 9:59AM on 07/11/08
I had the house specialty, Beef Wellington as did BF and my friend had a duck entree that was TDF. Between the amuse bouche and the rest of the courses, I found the price to be relatively fair. I was pleasantly surprised at the portion size of dessert. The chocolate souffle with its rocky road garnish covered an entire plate. I had the baklava and my friend had a roasted peach with basil ice cream that BF and I just had to sample. It was out of this world. I try to limit my consumption of this type of rich food but for special occasions, it can't be beat.
As for the atmosphere, the lower floor was definitely a bit more party-like than the top floor which I found much more romantic. I think I'd specify upper floor for a cozy romantic meal whereas for a party of more than two, I'd ask for downstairs.
@savecara - thanks for the account of your experience! :D I appreciate it.
Anyone else?
chiff0nade at 10:19AM on 07/11/08
chiff0nade, I appreciate your willingness to stand up for a place you love so much!
I went there during Restaurant Week a couple of years ago, and it was very disappointing -- but since it was Restaurant Week, I don't think that really counts. I would definitely try it again during a normal time, but it isn't high on my list. If someone else really wanted to go there, I'd be game for it though.
I did love the bar area and could see going in there for a nice romantic drink before going elsewhere for dinner.
CookiePie at 10:48AM on 07/11/08
savecara - i totally agree w/ you on the cheesy thing. great way to describe one if by land. it feels very very touristy to me.
we requested to sit downstairs (i find upstairs to be a little boring) and they wouldn't seat us there even though we were willing to wait for a table. then the service was pretty unattentive. the food was good, but by no means fantastic. and i got some chocolate thing for dessert which was totally mediocre at best, and so not worth the hefty price tag.
ceforrester at 2:04PM on 07/11/08
Oh well... I guess until I'm really disappointed with OIBL I'll continue to go there. The food I've ordered there has never been less than I remember, nor has the service. I find the building to be historic and beautiful and not the least bit "cheesy." This could be a reflection of my love of historic buildings and my relative disdain for tearing them down to make room for spaceships that keep going up.
Thanks everyone for your input! :D
chiff0nade at 9:05AM on 07/12/08