Café Boulud
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"A lovely experience in every way"
My wife and I dined at Cafe Boulud on Friday, August 29th, and had a truly wonderful experience. We were warmly greeted at the door and seated right away, with excellent service throughout from our server Cassandra and the rest of the staff. To start, we enjoyed a well-priced bottle of Fleury Blanc Champagne before selecting the restaurant week pre-fixe menu, which offered great value. Our starters were a burrata salad and a salade Niçoise, followed by Dorade Méditerranéenne and hanger steak for our mains, with Tarte Chocolat for dessert. We also added Pommes Dauphine and Haricots Verts as sides, all beautifully presented and delicious. The pacing of the courses was perfect, allowing us to enjoy the evening without feeling rushed. For those planning to visit, attire varied widely—some men wore jackets while others opted for collared shirts or even t-shirts, and most women chose dresses or dressy outfits. The noise level was lively but fitting for a bustling café atmosphere, and the adjacent bar offered excellent cocktails. Overall, the combination of attentive service, refined dishes, and inviting ambiance made for a memorable evening, and we would happily recommend Cafe Boulud for a dining experience in NYC.
"Excellent French cuisine"
The food here is truly outstanding with a creative and well-thought-out menu. The foie gras with rhubarb was unique and delicious, while the duck was perfectly cooked and absolutely excellent. The setting is beautiful, making it a lovely spot for dinner. That said, the service was uneven. Drinks took a long time to arrive, appetizers came out at the same time as the drinks, and it was surprisingly difficult to get the waiter’s attention. At times, we felt both ignored and hurried along. Overall, despite the service issues, the quality of the food made it a memorable dinner worth recommending.
"Disappointing"
I was looking forward to brunching with my family at the new Café Boulud in the space that once housed the Park Avenue Café. Unfortunately, the experience was a major letdown. The service was pompous yet inefficient, the food was no better than average, and to top it all off, I waited an unreasonably long time for a simple second cup of coffee. A restaurant of this stature should be able to deliver both quality and attentiveness—sadly, this visit offered neither.
"$5 for tap water?"
We returned to the new Café Boulud after many satisfying dinners at the former location, and at first, we were impressed—the food, service, and décor were all excellent. However, the experience soured at the very end when we noticed a $5 charge for tap water, which we had specifically requested instead of bottled. The amount isn’t the issue, but there was no indication anywhere that tap water would carry a charge. When we asked the manager about it, he did remove the fee, but his dismissive and condescending attitude left a bad taste in our mouths—especially after what had otherwise been a lovely dining experience. Sadly, because of the way this was handled, we doubt we’ll return.
"Elegant neighborhood restaurant"
The food was both delicious and beautifully presented, with service and ambiance meeting every expectation. I appreciated the three thoughtfully designed menu options, offering something for every preference. This is a wonderful spot for special occasions or intimate gatherings, where both the cuisine and atmosphere make the experience memorable.
"Wonderful and creative dining experience"
The restaurant is absolutely beautiful, complete with a very inviting bar area where Linda and I began our evening with martinis before moving to the dining room. The seasonal menu is cleverly divided into four themes—classic French, global inspiration, farmer’s market (vegetarian), and seasonal flavors—allowing diners to mix and match from each. I started with a unique braised octopus and squid tart, which was absolutely amazing, while Linda enjoyed the pan-seared scallops St. Jacques, which she loved. For mains, her Black Sea bass wrapped in crispy potatoes was spectacular, and my coffee-rubbed sea trout was equally delicious. We paired our dishes with excellent wines by the glass, perfectly complementing the meal. The waitstaff were fabulous throughout, making the entire evening a seamless, enjoyable experience filled with wonderfully creative plates.
"Elegant lunch near The Met"
After a visit to the Met, we enjoyed a late lunch at this elegant French restaurant on the Upper East Side, just steps from Central Park. The two-course lunch offered a choice of soup or salad and a main dish. The fish was excellent, while the pasta was more average. Service struck the right balance—attentive without being pushy. We complemented the meal with some tasty wines by the glass and ended by sharing a delightful dessert.
"Highly recommended"
This restaurant offers an authentic French atmosphere with elegant décor and a location just steps from Central Park. The cuisine is exquisite, paired with a fine selection of quality wines. Service was impeccable, attentive, and professional—making the experience truly delightful.
"Glad I didn’t walk out"
This visit to Café Boulud was something of a curate’s egg—good in parts. I had booked through the restaurant’s website, noting that I wished to dine from the Restaurant Week menu, which a third-party site indicated was available on Saturdays. Upon arrival, however, I was greeted by a rather grumpy waiter who brusquely informed me that the menu was not offered on Saturdays. His tone was so unwelcoming that I very nearly walked out. Fortunately, I stayed. The rest of the staff and management were quite the opposite—gracious, attentive, and knowledgeable. They even brought me a bespoke mocktail. My main course, the Beef Paleron, was superb, and the passion fruit dessert was equally excellent. Despite a rocky start, the evening ended on a high note, and I was glad I gave the restaurant a chance to redeem itself.
"Birthday celebration"
I enjoyed a quiet dinner in a beautiful setting with a wonderful wine selection. The wait staff were attentive without being intrusive, stepping in only when needed, which made the evening especially pleasant. The meal itself did not disappoint, perfectly complementing the refined atmosphere.
Café Boulud
French fine dining on the Upper East Side. Elegant décor and seasonal French-American menu create a refined dining experience.
Address
100 E 63rd St, New York, NY 10065, United States
Website
http://www.cafeboulud.com/nyc
Email
[email protected]
Telephone
+12127722600