I came here for lunch. We did not get the whole tasting menu, but we did try a lot of different items so we tried the lobster, hiramasa, tuna and fluke. obviously everything was delicious and well presented, the staff was super helpful. We were asking questions and they were more than happy to oblige. They made recommendations on the drinks and they also helped us to decide which dishes we should order so that they complemented each other since we were sharing. It's definitely white tablecloth kind of seating and the tone of the restaurant seemed relatively laid-back. I saw people in general business tire I saw one lady wearing shorts and some men were without jackets so I did not think it was incredibly formal which is nice for summer afternoon. They also allow very well behaved dogs because we saw a really sweet poodle in there. perhaps it gets more up scale at dinner time. for dessert, I tried the peach cottage cheese dish, and the person I was with tried the macaroons, both really good but I think I preferred mine thankfully. I would definitely recommend a visit at least once :) read more

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Not bad, but the vegetarian tasting menu has a huge lull in the middle. Most of the courses make truffle their central flavor, making all of those blend together into a somewhat boring smear of one-note dishes. Amuse-bouche: first was a vegetarian sushi roll that was just like any other I've had before. The middle was a green pea tartlet with some crunch and some vegetal flavor, and finally a mashed potato bite with some creaminess. Cucumber: the most interesting savory dish. The gazpacho is light and refreshing, with nice notes of herb and chili. This goes well with the slices of cucumber. Soba: the start of the boring section. The buckwheat noodles are tossed in a soy and vinegar based sauce with black truffles shaved over top. Nothing special. Artichoke: warm and probably meant to mimic the texture of fish. The tomato puree in the center helped liven things up a bit, but the dish lacked any sort of complexity. Leek: literally just grilled leeks with truffle and some greens with a vinaigrette drizzled over top. Easily the low point of the meal - almost nothing of interest to note here. Cabbage - picking up slightly. The cabbage is stuffed with mushrooms and there are braised mushrooms in the mushroom broth based sauce. Felt hearty, which was a slight improvement, but about as impressive as the soba. Pasta - back to a high note. The sauce was still a truffle cream one, but I felt this executed best because the flavor of the fresh pasta really popped through. Tomato and basil: a palate cleanser, but low key the best dish on the menu. The basil sorbet is light and refreshing without being too sweet, and this is paired with some cherry tomatoes for some acidity and texture. Honeydew - pretty fun, with fresh melons and sorbet in the shape of a melon slice, over a cake full of warm spices. For all the hype this place gets, the vegetarian menu is lackluster. Maybe you'll have a better time eating the seafood. Total was about $350 after tax and tip. I sat in the lounge which has an a la carte option and doesn't require a reservation - do this and stick to the highlights. read more

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Came here for lunch on July 4th weekend and it was fully booked. Their lunch menu have an option of a 3 course pre fixe menu for $135 or their chef's tasting menu for $350 and we opted for their tasting menu which consists of 8 courses that focuses on seafood and here are my thoughts on each course: Bluefin tuna caviar: The nori was crisp, tuna was fresh, complimented by the briny flavors from the caviar. The seaweed emulsion was umami and had a lingering ocean aftertaste. Uni: this course was a chawanmushi with various shellfish and finished with uni on top which were all very fresh. The steamed egg was silky smooth and the dashi made it extremely fragrant and flavorful. However, I found the shrimp consummé to be too salty and unnecessaey. It would've been nice to just let the seafood's fresh flavors shine. Langoustine: this was one of my favorite course. The langoustine was fresh and snappy. The yuzu broth was refreshing and had just the right amount of acid along with a subtle sweetness from the butternut squash, which was surprisingly crisp. This was perfect for a hot summer day and I finished every drop of the broth. Turbo: although the plating was a little underwhelming, the fish was cooked to perfection - silky and juicy and paired well with the citrus butter sauce. Tilefish: this is one of the dish that I actually did not enjoy. Although the fish was cooked well, flavors were strong and it was also plated with fennel which is not my favorite. Halibut: this was my favorite main dish. The halibut was moist, silky and literally melted in my mouth. The mushroom broth was rich and earthy. And I appreciate it being so light given I don't want to eat anything too heavy or creamy on such a hot summer day. Peruvian dark chocolate: I'm particularly picky about desserts and chocolate is not something that will excite me. However, I do like the quality of the chocolate as it was rich and smooth, yet not too sweet. The tart was filled with warm chocolate and contrasted well with the ice cream. Overall, although not every course was to my liking, I feel they were mostly well executed and cooked flawlessly. So the foods are pretty solid. Our servers were professional and attentive. The restaurant itself was spacious and comfortable. I would recommend if you are a seafood lover. read more

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I came to Le Bernardin with high expectations, and the experience delivered on everything except what matters most: the food. The dining room is stunning. Warm wood, dramatic florals, and a single orchid on each table set the tone for an elegant evening. The service team was attentive, polished, and gracious from start to finish. My one critique on service is the pace. Courses arrived so quickly that the meal felt rushed, which is not what you expect from a tasting experience at this level. The real disappointment was the cooking. Nearly every course was poached, and many lacked flavor. The opening trio of bites and the uni with toast showed promise, and a few dishes had flashes of brightness. But by the time the fish, lobster, and broth courses arrived, the proteins had started to taste remarkably similar: delicate to the point of muted, with sauces that didn't add enough depth or contrast. For a restaurant celebrated for seafood, I expected more range in technique, texture, and seasoning from course to course. Le Bernardin gets the hospitality and setting right, but the plates left me wanting. For my money, Eleven Madison Park is still the king of New York. read more

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15 years later and this time I brought my son for a very special lunch. Le Bernadin continues to demonstrate why they are one of the best in the world (also the best lunch hands down in the city). My son came to try the famous skate that I haven't been able to stop talking about and it continues to live up to expectations. The dining room is comfortable and elegant. And the service was impeccable as always. The staff really went out their way to make his first experience special to include a trip to the kitchen to see behind the scenes. Out of all the amazing restaurants that I've been lucky enough to dine at, Le Bernadin continues to hold a special place in my heart. read more

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Came here for a business dinner. Since I was entertaining, I wasn't able to fully enjoy the dinner. I love seafood, but I don't know that I was really blown away by most of the dishes. We did the tasting menu and added the egg dessert. All the desserts were good, and not overwhelmingly sweet despite the multiple courses. I even enjoyed the petit fours, which is usually a throwaway for me. They come with bread basket and you can ask for more if you want. I asked for recommendations for wine and they really did this well. I appreciated that they don't automatically go for the most expensive wine options. read more

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The service was kind - only a couple minor hiccups - the ambiance beautiful- the food was good- memorable not so much. No explosion wow moments of flavor. read more

It was delicious, but not quite three star level for me. We did the tasting menu, and it started off super strong, especially caviar, uni, and langoustine dishes. I thought the white fish dishes were a bit bland, and the sauce didn't really combine that well with the fish. And I thought the act of serving the dish, then having the server separately pour the sauce over it was a bit overdone in doing it for each course. I also thought the breads were just ok. The chocolate dessert was amazing and a showstopper. If we come again, I might choose to do the prix fixe instead, so I can select less white fish. Had to book a couple weeks in advance to get a decent time (5:30 on a Wednesday). The service was very nicer read more

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Amazing! If you're planning a visit, do yourself a favor and go for the lunch prix fixe. You get the full Le Bernardin experience without the dinner sitting dragging on for hours -- it's the perfect pace. And the bread basket? Absolutely to die for. Honestly could have stopped there and left happy. Highly recommend. read more

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We had a late reservation after a show and opted for the chef's tasting with wine pairing. What followed was a 3.5-hour experience--amuse-bouche, eight courses, and even an after-dessert dessert tasting. They absolutely lived up to their Michelin-star reputation. From the moment we walked in, we were warmly greeted and our coats were taken. The space is moody and dimly lit with white linen tablecloths--elegant, cozy, and refined without feeling stuffy or pretentious. I felt completely comfortable and well taken care of the entire evening. Each course was beautifully paced, with place settings refreshed in between. Our server thoughtfully presented every dish and its ingredients, followed by the sommelier explaining each wine pairing--notes, region, and why it worked with the course. The final two courses were desserts, and just when we thought it was over, we were surprised with petit fours to take home, packaged in a beautiful box (which I've since repurposed for keepsakes). It was a truly memorable experience. Definitely a splurge, but worth it for a special night--you only live once. read more

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Great spot for a special occasion - the ambiance inside is nice without being tacky, the service is fast, and the food is overall really delicious. Left feeling very full and happy. If you are celebrating something, they will even give you a little something extra for dessert, which I always appreciate. The only nitpick is that the sommelier was a bit demeaning which was a bit off putting in the beginning, but everyone else was really nice! For the food - I really enjoyed the apps, especially the tuna on nori chip was prefect. The main courses were all fish, and while they were cooked really well and definitely high quality, I think I may just not have the taste palate for expensive fish... I prefer my cheaper fish fillets. The most amazing part of this meal though - that also filled me up quite a bit - was the unlimited fresh bread. I think me and my partner had at least 6 pieces each. You can choose whichever you want, however many you like, and they come around extremely often. Each time they bring out a fresh tray of bread thats warm and also are super attentive to refilling your butter, which is delicious. While I got to try all the breads, my favorite by far was the rosemary foccacia - it was unreal, probably the best foccacia I ever had. So soft, chewy, a bit sour, and airy. Dessert was also amazing - the granita and sorbet blended together for the most refreshing palate cleanser, and the peruvian dark chocolate tart was outstanding - I just wish they gave a bit more ice cream because on its own it was really rich. And yes, they gave us a complimentary cupcake for our celebration! But it was not a traditional cupcake by any means - it was a chocolate mousse with bits of cake, enrobed in a chocolate shell. Overall, had a great experience here and highly recommend the tasting menu for your first time here. If I came back, I would definitely try a la carte! read more

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We had a 5 PM reservation at Le Bernardin and opted for the chef's tasting. We were seated immediately and greeted quickly for drinks - almost too quickly as both the waiter and Somalia approached at once which felt slightly overwhelming at first. I went with a Chardonnay selected by the sommelier and my friend ordered the 51st street Manhattan. We started with fresh bread and they're incredible butter. I chose a brioche and the roll - the roll was crusty outside, soft inside, and essentially the perfect butter vehicle. The amuse-bouche was beautiful and delicious, a great way to open the meal. The bluefin tuna caviar course was spectacular. The mix of crunchy nori, tuna tartar, and briny popping caviar created an amazing contrast of textures and flavors. The shrimp in Uni chawanmushi stood out to me because it had that fresh popping texture served along with the creamy egg custard and uni. I didn't love the texture of the langoustine, but it came with a spiced yuzu squash broth that was nice. The turbo had a satisfying texture that I loved paired with comforting chowder emulsion. Midway through I asked for a lighter wine recommendation and had a chance to chat with a small who was friendly, knowledgeable, and approachable. The red snapper with coconut green curry sauce had a Thai influence. I really enjoyed the mushroom flavor of the halibut with truffled morels and mushroom bouillon. Across the board, the sauces were exceptional - refined, layered, and exactly what you'd hope for from a French restaurant. Dessert finish strong with a warm Peruvian chocolate tart which repaired with a recommended Austrian dessert wine. Service was highly attentive throughout. Overall, a fantastic dining experience and a memorable evening. read more

Le Bernardin - Amuse-bouche - French Near Me - New York, New York

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Beautiful room. One of the best lobster dishes I've ever had. The pistachio dessert was out of this world. The skate was slightly underseasoned and tasty. It was so tender, but ultimately didn't pack a punch. My companion had the vegetarian options and loved them all. The service was very good, but I wouldn't call it warm. Very stuffy. Very formal. But not a single service mistake. I had a very slight feeling of being looked down upon. However, the greeting at the door was definitely very welcoming. And for a place with a dress code, there was somebody in a graphic T-shirt, which was definitely not complying with the dress code. I really liked that this very busy room, which was quite large wasn't at all loud. Conversation was easy with my dining partner. read more

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The ultimate in white glove service. The restaurant has a very Zen-like minimalist decor, understandable considering Eric Ripert's adherence to Buddahism. Even if you don't dine often at Michelin star restaurants, the staff is so accommodating and welcoming. The food is art. Intricate sauces paired with the raw or lightly cooked seafood we opted for as a menu choice. I will say after three courses of fish, the tasting started of feel a bit one note. The desserts were sublime. Tastes and textures you couldn't even imagine ever being in sweets- light, airy, fruity, subtle Definitely recommend for a truly incredible dining special experience read more

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Food was amazing , no complaints at all The service needed a lot of improvement though. Our water was never topped up once. My mother's plate was taken away with obvious food still on it, without being asked if she wanted to finish (and yes she was still working on it). One of our waiters explained our menu while looking around the restaurant the whole time, completely uninterested. Along with several other mishaps. Overall a weird service that I did not expect at a 3 star Michelin... again the food was great. It was only the service that made this place feel less special and not worth the price read more

Beautiful dim interior with a lot of friendly staff. The brioche and butter were amazing. I had to refrain from having multiple so I could have the main dishes. The first course was great. I was surprised by how transparent the yellowfin tuna was. However, I could not taste the foie gras. The second course was delicious. The umami and smokiness of the chawanmushi was amazing. The lobster course was great. The coriander was a touch overpowering, but I love coriander so it's ok. The Dover sole was good, but not as tender and melt in your mouth as I would have expected. The hiramasa and bordelaise was phenomenal! My absolute favorite. The dessert was amazing! The chocolate crunch was stunning Overall, the sauces were delicious and the best part of the meal. read more

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Dining at Le Bernardin was a mixed experience overall. While the fish courses were executed with precision and the desserts were genuinely outstanding, other key elements fell short. The lobster was overcooked and noticeably chewy, and the bread served was too stale to eat. Service was similarly inconsistent, marked by an unattentive and cool demeanor from one server who repeatedly checked on neighboring tables while entirely neglecting to check in on ours. read more

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As you should know if you're reading this review, Le Bernardin is one of the most famous seafood restaurants in the world. They have held a coveted three Michelin Stars for what seems like forever. And I finally had the opportunity to try it two weeks ago (October 2025). My friend and I got the tasting menu with wine pairings so that we could get the full experience. I thought that overall, the tasting was very good. The ingredients are all fresh and all of the dishes were technically well prepared. Standouts included the shrimp chawanmushi, lobster, and salmon-caviar. Also, the Peruvian dark chocolate dessert was just stunning. However, I was honestly underwhelmed by the signature dishes of the tuna and foie gras first course and the dover sole. I wish the foie was more prominent in the tuna course and the dover sole was a bit boring. A true highlight of the meal was the excellent wine pairing, which I would highly recommend with the tasting. Service was formal, efficient, but a bit stiff in comparison with other restaurants at this level. The dining room, while elegant, is definitely old fashioned and could probably do with a more modern refresh soon. At the end of the day, the most important thing was that my friend and I both had a great experience here overall. Not every course hit the mark and I found the service a bit too stuffy, but I still had a great three hours here. I think it's a restaurant anyone interested in fine dining should absolutely experience at least once. read more

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This place is absolutely amazing. I came here for lunch with my wife. Mistakenly, I set the reservation for the next week, but despite my mistake, they still sat me, which I am grateful for. Each dish they provided for us was fantastic. The dish that stood out the most to me was a salmon-caviar served with a horseradish cream sauce. That dish absolutely blew me away and I couldn't help but close my eyes to taste and appreciate the dish more fully. Every dish served was absolutely amazing and cooked to perfection. The service was immaculate as well. For example, as I was getting to the end of my Salmon dish, one of the servers knew and sent by the bread basket so I could sop up all the sauce that I was going goo goo gaga over. The experience was so good that I was about to come again during the week, but I couldn't get reservations before I left the city. read more

Dream dinner date! Scored a rare reservation on a Monday night so we could eat at a Michelin star restaurant while in New York seeing Broadway shows! So fancy and so delicious. Our sommelier was the star who made perfect drink/wine recs. Food was amazing and inventive. Worth it! read more

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Bucket list dinner for me! I did the vegetarian tasting menu which featured truffles and everything was so wonderful. I truly have no notes and nothing but the best things to say. The interior is so elegant and lovely and the sommelier and service was spot on. read more

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My children bought me here to celebrate my 71 first birthday,there probably was 4-5 tables doing the same,,I have been going to upscale restaurants for over 46 years,Le Bernardin blows them all away,The staff was. Just amazing, I have never seen so many people taking care of a room,not to mention that everyone there was helping out Everyone was moving in in one smooth motion Anticipating every need We had the chefs menu with the wine pairing,each course out did the previous one I have never experienced anything like this before The price tag is high but in my opinion it is worth every penny.You must experience this at least once in your lifetime read more

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My husband and I have eaten at Le Bernadin multiple times over the years, and the food has never disappointed. The service was top-notch and attentive, as always. The previous day, we dined at another 3 Michelin star restaurant. Service was spectacular, dishes artful, and the food was bland. This meal was a whole other level. Every bite was amazing and memorable, from the appetizers (bluefish with caviar) to the main course (dover sole) to the chocolate tart. Homemade bread was delicious, as were the two mocktails we ordered. The meal was one of the best of my life. This is what a three-star Michelin restaurant should be. read more

My wife and I were thoroughly impressed with our dining experience for celebrating our 25th anniversary. Deciding to opt for the chef's tasting menu over the four-course prix fixe was an easy choice with the restaurant handily accommodating our request to substitute for shellfish. Every course was a work of art, and every bite was exquisite. Service was super on-point without approaching an annoyance. I wish I had the time and money to eat here every month. read more

Do I need to tell you that every last detail was flawless? Do I need to point out the absolutely exquisite dining room and lounge? Do I need to describe the other-worldly preparations on the menu? Do I need to tell you that Le Bernardin is probably the greatest meal in the City of New York? Do I need to tell you to go here? What can I say about Le Bernardin that hasn't already been said? Nothing. 10 out of 10. No notes. read more

Le Bernardin - Skate. Absolutely flawless preparation. In every conceivable way. - French Near Me - New York, New York

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My boyfriend and I have been looking forward to dining here for months. There's a pretty strict dress code and the restaurant is very sophisticated and organized. We got the lunch prefixe menu which came with 3 courses: one from the almost raw/barely touched sections, one from the entrees, and one dessert. We also were able to pick out a bread from their selection twice during our meal, as well as a trio of amuse-bouche before our meal and a trio of petit fours afterward. Our amuse-bouche trio included hamachi sashimi, a small cracker with smoked salmon filling, and a crunchy potato bite (I can't quite remember the exact names so those are just descriptions). These were amazing, and I absolutely loved the smoked salmon as the flavor lingered a bit in a good way. The other two were also amazing and set my expectations high. For our appetizers we got the oyster-uni and the tuna, which I heard was their signature dish. The oyster-uni was personally my favorite as I'm a big fan of those flavors and the pairing of the two was just harmonious in my mouth. It came with seaweed and gelee as well as nori crackers, which made the presentation one of the best from the meal too. I'm still talking about it every day and it's been 2 weeks since I've been! The tuna was their classic, tuna pounded into a thin layer and placed over a toasted baguette with foie gras. My boyfriend liked this a lot more than the oyster-uni, and although it was good, I think I just liked the oyster-uni so much more. For our breads we both tried the brioche and the focaccia. The brioche was perfectly fluffy and soft on the inside and was a great addition to the meal. The focaccia fell short in comparison - I wasn't a big fan of the flavor and it just wasn't as good as the brioche. The entrees we ordered were the black bass and the hiramasa. They were both very tasty, but admittedly a but underwhelming compared to the appetizers we had gotten. The fish was cooked very well and the vegetables and sauces paired well, I just think it can be harder to execute entrees as there is a bigger portion and it may be more difficult to "wow" people. Nevertheless they were both very good and not too heavy on the stomach. Our desserts were the strawberry and the Peruvian chocolate. I think at this point in the meal I was thinking too much about the oyster-uni, so my strawberry dessert didn't "wow" me either, although the fruitiness of the dessert was a perfect finishing note to the savory meal. My boyfriend absolutely loved the Peruvian chocolate dessert, and I agreed that it was really good. Our petit fours trio consisted of small strawberry, pistachio, and chocolate desserts to complete the meal. Overall, the presentation of each dish was amazing and the flavor was great. However, I was expecting more for 3 Michelin stars and the entrees were a bit underwhelming. read more

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*Pls excuse my itchy fingers! These were just a few of my old notes (w/ updated prices as of 5/11/26) vs my proper review, which I will post sometime later after a couple more visits w/ (my usual) new LOVE's, OK's, etc ;) Born in Paris 1972 & later started in NYC 1986, Chef Eric Ripert's 4-star NYT & ONLY NYC resto that has maintained its status of excellence for 3+ decades & has received more James Beard Awards than any other NYC resto! 3-star Michelin w/ mostly seafood-focused French cuisine. Try $350 8-dish tasting, $220 4-dish PF Dinner or a $139 3-dish Lunch PF (M-F 12-2:30pm). MUST-TRY: *Tuna (w/ foie gras), Tuna-Urchin, Scallop-Caviar, Mediterranean Sea Bass, *Lobster, *Salmon-Caviar, *Hiramasa, Dover Sole, *Halibut, "MADELEINE." read more

My second 3 star Michelin restaurant I've been to! The ambiance and service are flawless of course, as to be expected. All the courses were excellent, delicious and beautifully presented. We opted for the tasting menu and loved everything. My favorites of the savory courses were probably a toss up between the tuna and the lobster. They offer unlimited bread between each course, which I thought was a creative way to cater to different appetites (accompanying butter was fantastic; of the different types of bread offered, the focaccia is by far the best one). Surprisingly, the highlight of the night was dessert, specifically this PHENOMENAL chocolate tart that might have been the best dessert I've had in my life. I'd return for that alone-- probably would opt for the prix fixe menu, now that I have a better grasp on what the different courses are like. read more

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I had a great experience at Le Bernardin, a Michelin 3-star restaurant. The service was exceptional. Most of the servers were really nice and helpful, except for one. He didn't seem very friendly with his tone of voice. The amuse bouche was great. What a nice start to the dining experience. Soon after, we were served with their house bread. There were four different kinds to choose from, and my favorite was the focaccia. It was soft and aromatic. The Tuna was delicious and plated very nicely. I liked the combination with baguette inside. It added some nice texture to the dish. I was expecting the portion to be really small since it's a fine-dining restaurant, but it was bigger than I thought! The Hiramasa was recommended by the server, but I actually didn't like it. It looked like grilled chicken at first glance. The fish was cooked well, but the taste seemed off to me, same with the sauce. The server was very attentive and noticed that I didn't eat much of it, and asked if I would like to replace it with a different dish. I got the Lamb and it was so much better. The meat was tender, and I enjoyed the stuffed baby romaine as well. I appreciate their service! For dessert, I got the Peruvian Dark Chocolate. It looked incredible and I enjoyed every bite! Overall, this is an amazing fine-dining restaurant. It's worth a try. I don't think I'll return though and would like to try other Michelin-star restaurants and compare them. read more

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Everything you would expect from a Michelin 3 star and NY Times 4 star restaurant when it comes to food, service and atmosphere. Considering this, the 3 course lunch menu actually comes across as pretty reasonable at $137. It includes starter, main, desert and you get an amuse bouche and some end-of-meal small sweets. Since we were celebrating my birthday, they also brought a small chocolate torte, which we took home--even the candle was the highest quality! The food was superb--taste, plating, portion, freshness, and on and on. Service and timing were perfect--prompt, unobtrusive, unpretentious. The clientele not surprisingly skews toward older, but the atmosphere is not stuffy and a family with children (though not babies) will not feel uncomfortable. Definitely worth a holiday splurge! read more

Walked into the Lounge to have a bite to eat a bit later in the evening and was seated at a table there with no problem. The ambience is dark and moody and luxe, and the service was impeccable. I started with the Scallop which was a ceviche with chives, preserved lemon, and extra virgin olive oil and then followed up with the LB Lobster Roll with black truffle buns. Both were well seasoned and delicious but nothing life changing, and the portion sizes were appetizer sized because it was the Lounge menu. I also tried a few things from the dessert menu and found them intricate and delicious. The Strawberry dessert with Harry's Berries Strawberries and Tahitian Vanilla Chantilly was a bit sweet for me and I personally favored the Banana-Toffee that was banana sticky toffee pudding with a bourbon crème anglaise. Overall I'm really glad that I went and experienced it, and it definitely satisfied my needs for food that evening. I probably wouldn't go back to the Lounge again if I'm looking for a proper meal, but would definitely try to get a reservation for the main dining room next time I'm in the city. read more

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TLDR: happy to have finally tried it, but I think my expectations were too high. After all these years of wondering what it's like to dine at Le Bernardin I finally found the perfect occasion for it. The expectation was extremely high: 3 Michelin stars, 4 stars from NYT, 50 best restaurant world list and each of these for so many years! Food was excellent. Signature tuna with foie is the signature for a reason. I would return just for that. Also the salmon caviar. Will be thinking about that dish for a while. Also loved the hiramasa. Desserts were great, but main dessert didn't really make sense to me. An extremely rich dark chocolate tart that was delicious, but I couldn't finish. I was expecting something that used the abundance of late spring produce. The tart was good on its own, but to me, it just didn't fit into the menu or season. Then afterwards, the Mignardise was MORE CHOCOLATE LOL. Last thing I wanted to see after the uber chocolate tart. Big fan of pastry chef though. When I compare my experience at Le Bernardin with other 3-Michelin starred restaurants I've been to, what was different for me here was the service. The handful that I've been to made me feel special and excited to be there, personal. What I experienced at Le Bernardin wasn't bad, but it was also not exceptional or memorable. We were greeted as one would be at a restaurant, sat at our table, dishes were explained to us, and then only when we were leaving it seemed people were interested in us. Suddenly about 10 different people said goodbye to us and asked us if we enjoyed ourselves as if the only impression that mattered was the last. Decor was smart, seemed a bit outdated but I think there was some charm in that, knowing its history. Overall: My expectations were extremely high but they weren't met. I'm happy to go back for the tuna and salmon caviar! read more

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High on my list of favorite dinning experiences. First off, service was impeccable. They made me feel really welcomed and took care of me the whole night. As expected for a 3 star. If seafood is your thing, you will love it. Every bite was delicious and kept me wanting more. The salmon was probably the best cooked salmon I've ever had in my life. The wine was amazing as well. I would definitely recommend getting a few pairings if you can, well worth it. And the dessert was one of my favorite desserts ever. Surprisingly, my fave dish of the night. It just ended the meal perfectly, especially with the dessert wine. The restaurant has a nice, moody vibe, but not stuffy at all. I would highly recommend. Institution for a reason. read more

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SO and I had a celebratory dinner here over the weekend and it was worth the many unsuccessful attempts in getting a reservation. If you like seafood, then the chef's tasting menu offers a great variety of elevated seafood entrees...you can also order a la carte, but everyone in your party must do either all al a carte or all tasting menu. Our favorites were the lobster and salmon along with the desserts. The ambience is soothing with jazzy music playing at a reasonable volume and you might see some celebrities. Bottom line, the food and service were excellent...definitely worth a try at least once in your life. read more

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Le Bernardin, one of the illustrious NYC French restaurants, delivered on its reputation and experience. The restaurant is set in the hustle of the theater district in a beautiful dining room though quite lowlit and I saw multiple tables needing to use their phone flashlights to see the menu. They offer two options for dinner - a 4 course prix fixe menu at $218 and chef's testing menu 8 courses at $350 or if you get wine pairing then $530 total. The tasting menu includes dishes all from the prix fixe courses however of note, the portion sizes are considerably larger from prix fixe versus tasting menu. As this was my first visit, I went with the tasting menu recommended by server as in repeat visits many repeat guests do the prix fixe choosing their favorite dishes. The service was impeccable, the staff operated well choreographed and were in tune to each diner's needs and attention throughout the whole meal. They also never approached me during a course to ask how it is - a small detail I personally appreciate to eat uninterrupted and I'm not one to send a dish back or say I don't like it in that moment (cue "how tough are ya" at the Salty Spitoon - I am not that tough). The drink menu was quite extensive with many options across all types of drinks and impressive vintages and producers for wines. I did opt for the wine pairing and though I didn't have experience with the particular wines, they were all very good with nice pourings though the sommelier rushed through talking about each one. The pairings are available on their menu online. On to the food: Amuse- consisted of fluke in ?green apple, tuna tartare and lobster in cream sauce with truffle. Each bite from left to right progressed strong - the fluke was a refreshing, easy course to start. The tuna tartare then hit with strong flavors immediately and with each bite. It had a nice crunch with the crispy wrap and soft interior. The lobster mini soup was then a combo of the two - delicious lobster with a refreshing, tasty sauce. Tuna - thin yellow fin tuna covered over foie gras was heavenly. Such beautifully presented down to the plate resembling a tuna and then able to mix bites with the tuna and foie gras or separate, each bite had enormous flavor. Seafood medley- had shrimp, scallop, danish custard. This dish was very good though not as impactful as the prior course. Texturely it was a nice contrast with the crispy bite and then soft seafood and broth. Lobster had Kumquat and Charred Cucumber, Spiced Shellfish-Citrus Broth, this was excellently cooked and the broth paired so nicely. Salmon and caviar was absolutely divine. This was the best salmon I've had in my life and as someone who is mostly indifferent to caviar at best, I loved it and it all tasted unreal together. Horseradish emulsion offered a contrasting taste to balance the richness well. Dover sole - also unbelievable. Served with brown butter sauce and so tender, juicy with tons of umami. The texture was nicely balanced by a few cut nuts. Best Dover sole I've had. Hiramasa - grilled with cabbage and wild mushroom - this dish unfortunately ended the savory courses weakly for me but may have been because the previous dishes were so strong. It just didn't have a memorable taste and was quite forgettable for me. Pear sorbet - artfully presented palate cleanser, sweet and satisfying. Peruvian dark chocolate - tart with vanilla ice cream. Amazing dessert with such rich chocolate flavor, a bit warm tart contrasting the ice cream perfectly and texturely the chocolate ?cracker (also beautifully crafted/presented) added that extra sugary punch. I'll be dreaming about this dessert for so long. Overall a fantastic meal with dishes living up to what I'd imaging 3 Michelin star quality is, especially for seafood. It would be among my top choices for a special dinner and I would return for prix fixe now knowing my personal favorites. It's the exact restaurant that makes you think what a privilege it is to eat this food. read more

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I've had the pleasure of dining at several two Michelin stars and one Michelin star establishments by now, so I was curious to see how a three Michelin star establishment would differ. First off-- service. I... was a bit let down by the service here. Yes, it was good overall (most of the staff were friendly), but it definitely felt colder than other Michelin star establishments (I.e. compared to the impeccable service at Jean Georges). The icing on the cake, however, was when I felt almost rushed by the end of my meal? Mind you, it had only been a little more than an hour since I had been seated-- the tables next to me were still enjoying their appetizers. Idk if it was just because I came here for lunch, but also for a Michelin 3 star establishment? Second-- the ambiance was great. A little dark and almost "corporate" in a way, but it felt very classic. Third-- the food was also great: - Amuse Bouche: 10/10 (I especially adoredddd the salmon tartine and the puff in the end. They were a great way to kick off the meal) - Tuna: 100000000000000000/10 (this... might honestly be the best dish I've eaten this year. And that's a tough standard considering Albi and Jean Georges has a special place in my heart by holy... this tuna dish was like another level??? It was so fresh but creamy and just like... honestly mind blowing) - Bread: 9/10 (brioche was pretty good and the focaccia was great) - Hiramasa: 8/10 (it was fresh but idk I felt it was pretty bland??? I've had amazing flavorful seafood dishes elsewhere, so maybe that's why I thought it was so bland) - Peruvian dark chocolate: 100/10 (decadent, rich, goodness. Lovedddd the caramel ice cream that added a nice touch to the rich chocolate cake. One of the best chocolate desserts I've had in a while) - Complimentary dessert: 10/10 (loved the almost cheesecake flavor dessert in the middle) - Wine: 9/10 (Riesling and Sauvignon blanc were both pretty good and well priced) Overall, I'd come back just for the tuna dish itself, but idk if it would make my top 3 Michelin star/fine dining spots. read more

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We very much looked forward to a celebratory dinner at Le Bernardin as we'd only ever dined at Le Bernardin for lunch. I believe it was the first truly exceptional restaurant my husband and I enjoyed during the early, lean years of our marriage, so it was high on my list for a very special birthday. We left overall disappointed in our experience. When you spend a small fortune on a dinner for 2, you expect a degree of care, moments of delight...above and beyond in experience and wonder. Ours was not that. Yes, the food was excellent but the meal lacked those spontaneous extras that usually accompany such an experience. Little touches that aren't on the menu to make the evening special and memorable. We did not receive a birthday greeting upon arrival, despite my husband including a note with the reservation. We also experienced a significant wait for service; other tables that arrived after us were already enjoying champagne before our waiter even brought our menus. At the end of the meal, they wished us a happy anniversary instead of a happy birthday, getting the celebration wrong. The pours on our wine tasting were, I hate to use the word but there is no other, remarkably stingy (the table next to ours also did the pairing but seemed to be regulars and while ours were perhaps 3 mouthfuls of wine, their glasses were consistently roughly 1/2 inch more in the glass). The extra dessert was a nice touch, but when they wished us a happy anniversary, it cemented my feeling that neither the occasion nor we were special to the staff or the restaurant. We thought carefully about our choices for an important dinner for us and Le Bernardin just didn't meet the moment. A similar meal enjoyed at Palais Royal in Paris on a recent trip was absolutely incredible. We were pampered with so many dizzying extras; service was warm and personal. It felt like a true party in celebration of our mere attendance...on a night of true celebration of a momentous day in my life, I just expected more. read more

A truly spectacular presentation and commitment to a wonderful and delicious dinner. Attention to detail and service was above and beyond. Every single dish of food delivered wonderful flavor. The atmosphere was exactly what it should have been. A meal that I will remember forever. Thank you read more

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This was my bucket list of all bucket list restaurants. Finally got to dine here on Saturday, 10/11 at 10:30pm for my birthday. Surprisingly busy at that hour (many people were also just starting their meals). Got the 4-course prix fixe. The service was the best I have ever had at any restaurant. Bravo to the entire dining staff! The food was mostly good but ultimately underwhelming, especially for a 3 Michelin-starred restaurant. Amuse-bouche (5 stars): A trio of seafood preparations (forgot what fish were used). Delicious way to start the meal. Bread (3 stars): While the baguette and brioche were very good, and the salted butter even better, it was surprising that they couldn't serve it warm. 1st course (5 stars): The striped bass was my 2nd-favorite thing from the meal. So delicate and the orange and pink peppercorn vinaigrette was easily the best of the sauces poured over the many dishes. You need to get this. 2nd course (2 stars): I had my heart set on the scallop-sea urchin, but we were informed when ordering that the kitchen ran out of scallops. A bummer but it was a 10:30 reservation, so I understood. So, I got the tuna. I wish I didn't. The yellowfin tuna was seared but the crust had zero flavor. When I have ordered tuna "black and blue" at other restaurants, typically they'll get a nice quick sear on the outside with a flavorful crust, but not here. And the soy-ginger vinaigrette was underwhelming. 3rd course (0 stars): I was dying to try skate for the first time. The meat was so wonderfully flaky. When I started eating it, it smelled of ammonia. Keep in mind, I've never had skate and naively did not know its flavor profile, so I figured "Oh, it must be natural for skate to smell like ammonia." I was already so full and wanted to save room for the 4th course, so I eventually stopped eating it. If it wasn't for the accompanying green papaya salad and spiced pho broth, I wouldn't have eaten as many bites as I did. It wasn't until I had left the restaurant that I Googled "Should skate have an ammonia smell?" Part of the answer was "For fresh skate, a strong ammonia smell indicates it is not fresh, and the fish should be discarded." Thankfully, I did not get sick whatsoever, but I was floored. How could a 3 Michelin-starred restaurant serve any fish that wasn't at the peak of freshness? 4th course (5 stars): I had the honey-roasted figs on top of a brown butter cake with a crème anglaise poured over the top. Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, that brown butter cake is a wonder to behold. It was the best bite all night. I wish it were larger, but it probably was for the best given how much I had eaten throughout the dinner. Also ordered was the ice cream, which is supposed to be 4 quenelles of 4 different flavors. I wanted to try the pistachio and coffee, and didn't care to try the vanilla or chocolate, so they were accommodating to bring out 2 quenelles of pistachio and 2 quenelles of coffee. I wish I had asked for all 4 quenelles to be pistachio, because this was better than any pistachio ice cream or gelato I have ever had. It was creamy and ever-so-slightly salty, which was in perfect harmony with the rich sweetness. Petit four (3 stars): We received 3 one bite pieces of chocolate and a mini macaron. They were all fine. A nice way to end the meal, but the high I was on from the brown butter cake of the 4th course couldn't be matched. In summation, I wish I had been able to snag a much earlier reservation, as they still would've had scallops, and I would've ordered the salmon, red snapper, or black bass as my 3rd course. Go for the service, get wowed at the start of the meal and the end of the meal, and hope you don't get a fish in the middle of the meal that smells of ammonia. read more

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From the over seasoned and over sauced Asian methods (Creole/ Cajun too), to the often bland or over-buttered western methods, and even the sometimes one dimensional sushi/ sashimi method, seafood is not the easiest thing to get right. Le Bernardin stands out in triumph, however, to represent the best of the best in this culinary genre! In my estimation the success of the dishes here is that they combine the freshest of ingredients with French preparation, while being mindful of the Japanese influence of not overcooking anything as to diminish the natural flavors and textures of those underlying ingredients. The results are ethereal dishes like tuna and foie, caviar salmon and their hiramasa, all seemingly simple at first glance, but expertly prepared to make some of the most satisfying dishes I have ever had. Of course the fine food is combined with meticulously efficient service and grand surroundings to make for a fantastic dining experience! These guys deserve whatever accolades they have received over the years! read more

Le Bernardin - The tasting menu. - French Near Me - New York, New York