Remarkably good service in NYC
I'd like to know the restaurants in the 5 boros that serve a high standard of food where people consistently receive good service. By good service I am talking knowledge, eloquence, friendliness and grace--the things that the server him/herself can control.
I find I can rely on service at:
Mas, Lupa, Babbo, Cru, Gramercy, 11 Mad, the bar at Balthazar, Zenkitchi (wburg), and after that I'm drawing a blank...
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15 Comments:
Il Cantinori...
BirdDoggie at 1:49AM on 07/10/08
I'm on a trip to NYC (yay!) and I'm lucky enough to be going to One If By Land, Two If By Sea. (17 Barrow Street.) It's my favorite NYC restaurant although I know I'm in the minority. I have never put a piece of food in my mouth at OIBL that was not perfection. The service is also impeccable and the piano player in the bar area just adds to the overall glow.
chiff0nade at 6:49AM on 07/10/08
disagree about one if by land. last time i went (last year) i had TERRIBLE service. was practically ignored, had to wait forever for my drink order. it was such a let down because it's generally a great place.
ceforrester at 9:14AM on 07/10/08
Jean Georges. Per Se. Sushi Yasuda. Ouest. Ama. And of course, Momofuku Ko ;)
simon at 9:21AM on 07/10/08
Daniel. We had fantastic service there.
capndesign at 9:26AM on 07/10/08
Union Square Cafe, Grammercy Tavern, 11 Madison Park and Tabla. (Haven't been to Shake Shack - yet - so can't comment on it.) Danny Meyer's hiring habits or SOMETHING makes for first-rate customer care.
lemons at 10:01AM on 07/10/08
Service at Blue Hill at Stone Barns was incredible - gracious, knowledgeable, playful.
eater at 10:17AM on 07/10/08
Any smaller, standalone places that stand out to anyone for service?
rrakes at 10:55AM on 07/10/08
Definitely agree with Sushi Yasuda, Daniel and Blue Hill at Stone Barns. I would add Chestnut and Saul (both in Brooklyn).
CookiePie at 11:19AM on 07/10/08
Aquagrill and Esca. The servers there are eerily chipper, nice, knowledgeable.
kathryn at 12:23PM on 07/10/08
ESCA! I keep forgetting I ate there... I don't know why, the food was phenomenal, and the service was impeccable.
simon at 1:45PM on 07/10/08
Great call on Aquagrill -- especially if you like oysters. They have so many different varieties every day, and the waitstaff can always run down the whole list and describe each and every one. It's remarkable! My husband and I love to sit on their deck and get oysters, fries and a great bottle of white wine.
CookiePie at 3:25PM on 07/10/08
Bellavitae. Delicious food aside, the servers there are smart, often actually Italian and really know they're stuff. They aren't afraid to tell you what's best that day and their wine recs are spot on. 24 Minetta Lane.
srbrooklyn at 10:23AM on 07/11/08
i love the food and service at jane, on houston at bleecker.
cybercita at 10:27PM on 07/11/08
Danny Meyer made his name--in no small part--by bringing hospitality (a concern for the diner's overall experience) to New York City. I am a huge fan of Gramercy Tavern. (I have also eaten at Union Square and Eleven Madison.)
His book, Setting The Table, tells the story. It's a worthwhile read with a point of view that applies to many businesses.
Purepumpkin at 5:25PM on 07/23/08