One of the best tasting menu's in nyc. Second time going here. Every dish is flavorful and balanced. They are not afraid to use spice. The first bite is an amazing way to start dinner. I recommend sitting at the chefs counter to see all the action upfront. Highly recommended to anyone new to fine dining. The menu is seasonal so each visit may have different courses. Service was great. read more

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Dinner at Luthun was a real treat. It feels like a cozy small restaurant where everyone is friendly, but the food is out of this world. From the first bite each mouthful packs a punch with innovative flavors and spices and dry ice. We sat at the counter with 8 others and each course was served for the group altogether. The wines paired nicely and it was a real enjoyable experience. Afterwards, Chef Nahid spoke with us a bit before we left. read more

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I went to Luthun looking for a great meal and a night that would pull me in. Reddit kept pointing me there. It is in my neighborhood, and I had walked by it plenty of times. I finally stepped inside. The room is clean and modern with an open kitchen that sets the tone right away. The staff greeted me, took my code, and started a drink without any fuss. Conversation felt natural. When the sommelier arrived, he asked smart questions and listened. The whole team moved with quiet confidence. I ordered wine as the meal progressed. I started with high acid and strong minerality, and the sommelier poured an Argentine wine that felt crisp and focused. For the next course, I asked for a skin contact wine. It opened slowly with a light smokiness and gained depth as it breathed, staying in step with the food. With the beef, I moved to a medium-bodied red with bright acidity that carried the dish cleanly. I finished with a digestif that closed the meal on a calm note. The cooking was consistently excellent. The lightly fried scallops were the standout, cooked precisely with rich texture. Sauces across the meal were balanced and supportive, never distracting from the main element on the plate. A frisée salad treated with liquid nitrogen brought a crisp, quick crunch that made the course pop. What impressed me most was the clarity of the experience. Food, wine, pacing, and room all felt aligned under one steady vision. Nothing felt showy. Everything felt intentional. I left settled and happy. Luthun delivered. One of my best dinners in New York, and it has stayed with me in a quiet, lasting way. read more

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Very nice experience at the chef's counter, which seats only 10 on an L shape. The menu was a variety of international inspired dishes, which a slight lean towards Thai influence. All the dishes had a healthy and tasty amount of spice, and showed creativity. Not every single dish wowed me but all were very good, except for the dessert (a flan) which was a bit disappointing. The service was very friendly, prompt, and engaging. The dishes are served and announced to the whole counter at the same time, which is fun. The restaurant is small and cosy, a nice space whether you're at the counter or the few tables. read more

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Service fantastic, food with an Asian flair and a thread of heat/spice throughout the pre fix menu that is well balanced and creatively paired with elements of crunch, freshness, salt and sweet nuisances. read more

Luthun - Lamb with mole sauce - New American Near Me - New York, New York

One of the most unique food experiences I had in NYC. I tried certain ingredients for the first time under different textures and presentations. The service was great, I spent some time talking to the chef and learning about his story. In terms of ambience, I loved eating at the counter and seeing the food being prepared :) read more

One of the most incredible tasting menus I've ever had the pleasure of eating. The staff here is incredible and made us feel like we were all family. They really understand the meaning of hospitality. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and easily helped one of our party navigate the tasting menu with some dietary restrictions. read more

Luthun - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Ambiance (5/5): The intimate chef's bar table seating overlooks into the kitchen with 9 spots at the counter. There were a few floor tables unoccupied and some occupied. However, it is a must to eat at the counter to watch the chefs prepare right in front of you with meticulous fervor at the direction of the head chef. Service (5/5): I did no know that they start preparing when the whole reservation hour parties arrive!! I was 20 minutes late and as soon as I arrived, the chefs started whipping away. I felt terrible for delaying their service interrupting the guests' time. They were very courteous nonetheless and treated all guests with personal care and attention throughout. Food (6/5): I haven't had a meal this spectacular in a while both in taste and presentation. There are so many flavors, textures, and ingredients that melt into one dish. Chef Nahid Ahmed has done a superior job in curating an all around perfect meal. Some of the dishes have cuisine themes (Thai, Japanese, Portuguese). I can't even give one critique is how great I thought it was. We added a supplemental $7 milk bread (1 piece to be shared with 2 people) to the last two courses. I think just the 1 piece would have sufficed because 1) we were stuffed and 2) there was not that much sauce that needed to be soaked in the bread. However, the bread is pretty darn good. My friend seemed to really enjoy her wine pairing! I've already shared the restaurant with accolades to friends/family and plan on coming back for a birthday to try another seasonal menu. Summer Menu 2025 Fushka | Japanese Grain | Sudashi Aguachile Thai Tartlet | Crispy Eggplant | Chayote | Papaya Fisherman Ragout | Octopus | Guan Curry Cod Cheeks | Potatoes | Apple Kosho | Morel Dashi* Fish & Chips | Brown Butter Béarnaise| Escovitch Monkfish | Popcorn Laksa | Foie Gras Emulsion French Onion | Kansas City Beef | Crispy Maitake | Black Truffle Demi Glace Chai | Passion Fruit | Mascapone & Vermouth read more

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Luthun is a restaurant with dishes inspired by the Chef Nahid Ahmed's global and life experiences and the restaurant's aesthetics reflects that with a warm feeling as well, for instance having a large photo framed of the Chef and his mom. I dined at the chefs counter overlooking the kitchen - staff were immediately attentive and helpful in selecting drinks- I went with the drink pairing that had quite unique wines reflecting the global focus. Dishes swapped in themes from Thai to Japanese to Portuguese and had complex flavors and textures and some aesthetic presentations. The milk bread is an add on I found worth the supplement. A very fine meal and solid value, I appreciate how enthusiastic and dedicated each of the chefs were towards the dishes! read more

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TLDR: impeccable service; creative, flavorful, unique dishes; Luthun does not miss a beat and it's easy to see why they're all over Reddit fine dining as best restaurant in NYC. SETTING: after reading about Luthun for a bit, and seeing many glowing reviews, I made a reservation here for the chef's counter at 6 PM on a Saturday. The restaurant is in the east village; and is small but not too small with a big chef's kitchen counter seating about 11 people, and 5 or so tables around the perimeter. We arrived a bit early but by 6, every counter seat was taken and by the next 30 minutes, so was every table. With low music and a nice buzz, the ambiance is Perfect for date night, also saw a bunch of families and groups of 4. Really the kind of place you can go for any occasion. FOOD: the tasting menu ($170 PP) was very very good. I had flavors, spices and textures I have never had before. The chef is inspired by his many travels so we went around the world, with dishes inspired from India, Vietnam, and others. The highlight of each dish for me was the attention to SAUCE. If you're a sauce fiend like me, you will be impressed. I think for at least three of the dishes I actually used my finger (classy) to sop up every single last bit of sauce. Not only that, but the depth of flavor* and thoughtfulness of every element on the plate was just amazing. SERVICE: As incredible as the food was, the service was unmatched. Everyone was super kind and friendly (and funny!) including the head chef and founder who made it a point to shake hands with every single person dining and introduce himself. I could see how much he cares about the food- there were a few times I caught him carefully studying people as they ate to see what the reaction to the food would be. He even came over a few times to ask what we thought about the dishes (though im pretty sure you could see on my face how damn good i thought it was). The restaurant also has regulars and it's clear he treats everyone with much kindness and care (including his staff). VERDICT: I will say I think Luthun will get a star, but beyond any accolades, this restaurant really stands apart because of the flavors and unique fusion of different types of cuisines and cultures. We will be back!! read more

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We came for the 6pm seating on a Wednesday night and experienced the Spring/Summer 2025 menu with wine pairings. Each dish was bold, flavorful, and carried a touch of heat, beautifully reflecting the chef's Indian Bengali heritage and love for spice. The wine pairings were refreshing and thoughtfully chosen to complement each course. We sat at the chef's table, which made the experience even more special. It was amazing to watch the team prepare each dish right in front of us. Everyone started at the same time, and the chef introduced each course with insight and personality. The service was attentive throughout, and the entire eight-course meal took just under two hours. Perfectly timed to wrap up before the next seating at 8pm. read more

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We also came for the spring/summer tasting menu! Overall, agree with others that everything was bold, creative, and delicious! Each dish on this menu also had a touch of spice that was not overpowering, but elevated and complemented the overall flavor. The staff's dedication, spirit, kindness, and knowledge truly elevate the experience. Surprisingly, the highlights for us were the DESSERTS (surpassing the desserts at Jua in our opinion). That night, we received an extra pre-dessert dessert whose flavors they were experimenting with, and it turned out to be a highlight of the meal. My only criticism is that a couple dishes were a touch too salty for my taste, but even then, they were delicious. Highly recommend for an extremely special fine dining experience! read more

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From the minute we walked I. The door, it became an incredible experience! We were transported to a culinary heaven! From the chef to everyone on staff, they were so welcoming, fun and skilled at entertainment! read more

Luthun - Prepping our dessert. - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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I was surprised with dinner here, but while I'd like to say the surprise was amazing, our dinner here was just meh. If you're new to fine dining, Luthun will blow you away. If you're well acquainted with pretty plating, open kitchens, Asian "influences", small portions, and dishes that require an explanation, Luthun is a solid choice without much to distinguish it from the sea of other Michelin-starred/Michelin-star aspiring restaurants of NYC. The menu changes every few weeks, so I won't bother reviewing each course. The general takeaway is that most of our dishes had East Asian (and sometimes Middle Eastern) elements since those cuisines are far away more flavorful (and interesting, LBH) than European cuisines. The standout dish was the kimchi octopus taco. The most unique aspect of the tasting menu was the insertion of crunchy elements in almost every course. Usually, when this is done, the crunchiness detracts from the other ingredients and ends up being a chore on my teeth. Not so with Luthun. The crunch was done well. Kudos for that. The other thing worth noting is that Luthun clearly doesn't have a pastry chef, so don't expect much from dessert. It was a pear and passionfruit concoction with dried Nutella. Tasty, but not remarkable. Docked a star for service issues, like forcing us to sit right in front of the cold and therefore freeze every time it was opened, even though we were the first people at our seating and asked to sit further inside. Don't make your guests develop hypothermia. Or invest in thicker entry curtains. Also, they overlapped seatings, and as soon as the later seating came, we stopped getting any proactive service. When I asked them to refill my pot of tea, they took it away and never gave it back. When we finally flagged down someone to get a new pot, it arrived lukewarm. Finally, don't come here for special occasions. They don't do anything besides give you a candle. read more

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I don't mean to sound dramatic, but this was probably one of the most memorable dining experiences I've had in NYC. They have chef's counter seating that faces the open kitchen. I love being able to watch the chefs create the intricate dishes right in front of me. If you want a more intimate experience, they also have dining room tables. Their website describes the cuisine as "progressive american" - their menu consists of seasonal ingredients from all around the world. Most dishes incorporated southeast asian spices, which I really enjoyed. Everything was so well balanced, yet exploding to my taste buds. Service was the best. The chef was very involved in the entire process, from cooking to plating. The entire staff was so personable. We even took a shot together to celebrate one of the guest's birthday. What a spectacular dining experience! read more

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Outstanding food and service! Every tasting dish is absolutely delicious--you're truly in for a treat. It's the perfect spot for an intimate dinner on a special occasion. read more

OMG!!!!!! This place is a must goooooo!!!! My boyfriend booked this for our Valentine's Day dinner and I have to give him credit for choosing such a great place!! We were recommending this place to our friends and family and planning our next visit before dinner was even over (the chef confirmed that they change their menu every month, so we have decided we will be a regular and try it out once a month). It is very reasonably priced. The Chef was friendlier and nicer than the comments posted online. He asked us for our names and made quirky jokes that wasn't too much and made simple conversation with us. This guy definitely knows what he is doing and his cuisines!! They did a really great job mixing different cuisines. My favorite was the tortellini with pho. The pho was better then vietnamese pho restaurants in NYC. The flavors from the tortellini combined very well with the pho and this was the same for all dishes. We were very impressed. My boyfriend doesn't like fish at all and he thought both the trout and tile fish were really good. We also don't like beets but the beets they served with the beef absolutely blew our mind. The only thing we didn't like was the desserts. The first dessert was mixed with lemongrass and wasabi. I did not like that combo but not worth me taking off a star on the rating. My boyfriend and I agrees with other people that this place definitely deserves a Michelin star. read more

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As always, from start to finish Chef Nahid and master sommelier, Jahdea, blow me away. If the food wasn't so creative and impressive, the wines so delicious and interesting and the service so immediate, friendly and perfect, I might feel like I was at home (joking, not joking but seriously Luthun is so warm and welcoming and delicious)! For all these reasons we keep coming back again and again, often bringing friends we want to impress or more recently our kids - to introduce them to new tastes to grow their curiosity for the world. Looking forward to our next trip and yet another new menu and especially, another take on fushka, one of Chef Nahid's signature dishes. read more

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Stop reading this and go. You're welcome. Honestly one of the best tasting menus we have had in NYC. Each dish had so much flavor (best described as hint of Indian spices) and is cooked to perfection. There is some heat in the dishes, but people who like spicy food will say it isn't spicy enough and people who don't like any heat at all will say it is a bit spicy. The ambiance is great, very cozy without being too fancy. There are 8 seats at the kitchen counter and a handful of 2 and 4 seat tables. The sommelier (Jahdea) is very knowledgeable and we had some of the best mocktails (highly recommend the lemon pom) we have ever tried. Each course was fantastic and had a great combination of flavor and texture. We are not big into oytsters, mushrooms or mackerel and we loved each of those dishes. The staff is friendly and constantly describing dishes as awesome or f*ing awesome and then you try the dish and realize they are right. We would absolutely eat each course again and have no suggestions for improvement, but if we had to choose, the pushka (panipuri), octopus, cod and wagyu were the highlights. The wasabi jasmine sorbet before dessert (a gift from the chef) was surprisingly delicious and very creamy. The menu changes every 2-3 weeks so we will surely be back again! The portions are enough that you are satiated by the end and the presentation is art. Cannot recommend checking this place enough (FYI they are only open Wed-Sat). read more

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Saturday night, group of 3, dining room seating at 7p to celebrate a birthday. Our server Eric was most excellent. Food was overall really good for a tasting menu; beautiful presentation; great combination of flavors and textures - delicate, whimsical, mature, well- balanced; only flop for me was the sea bass which had tapioca pearls that weren't cooked through which created an unpleasant powdery texture. Had a really awkward period in our dining experience when chef and founder Nahid Ahmed threw a big temper tantrum and yelled at one of his staff repeatedly for the way he handled a group of diners that didn't stay; felt bad for the diners who were sitting at the counter because they got front row seats to for the angry pacing and bursts of shouting. It was clear that Ahmed was upset, but I don't think taking it out on your staff in front of diners is appropriate/professional. He really could/should have just held it in and dealt with this behind closed doors. Coulda ripped his staff persons head off behind closed doors for all I care. But it really deducts from the entire experience when the chef himself is throwing a tantrum. Makes for a good story if you went with a date tho. read more

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Very beautifully made food. Such creative concepts and ideas. The atmosphere was very serious and production focused which was interesting to watch. I may have liked A little more engagement or warmth as we did sit at the counter. Food was all tasty. Wine was good. Service was nice but again could have been a bit more welcoming. Id go back for another seasons menu read more

Food 5/10 Paying 172 for this meal was not justified. Nothing really impressed me and it was very unsatisfactory. There was no dish that stood out, and some things came out cold. Atmosphere 5/10 It's quite a small space, but the cold just was not it. Service 1/10 It took forever for each dish to come out. Literally 20 minutes between each dish, I was getting bored and we were running late for our bar reservation afterward. It all of a sudden got really cold and we felt a draft near our feet, but when we asked them to increase the temperature, nothing happened. Two of my friends had to grab their coats because it was so cold. read more

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We came here for my brother in laws bday because I loved the progressive modern and international cuisine. Menu, staff and service exceeded expectations and each dish was thoughtfully and artfully prepared and delivered. This place is a gem! read more

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Luthun is a really cool restaurant with a great tasting counter option. The interior is well decorated, and the staff goes out of their ways to learn your name, which was a very different change from other restaurants we've been to. While it's true that the seats near the door are chilly, there is a curtain that helps block out some of the cold. Of course, it's not possible to completely block it with their layout, so I'd recommend bringing a sweater or light jacket to wear in case you're by the door. The food is a really cool accumulation of the chef's travels and food journey. There's lots of fusions in the meals, and incorporations from East Asian, South Asian, and Middle Eastern aspects can clearly be seen in many of the dishes. The jasmine-wasabi sorbet was delicious, as was the lemongrass-bone marrow soup! I got the non-alcoholic pairing, and I'd highly recommend this. They did really cool fermentations and syrups that were added to tea bases, which added great flavor without being too sweet, and I had no caffeine issues either! Overall, would definitely recommend this experience to others looking to explore. Luthun is a hidden gem, and seeing the chefs at work was a very enjoyable experience. read more

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Somehow got lucky enough to get reservations here for the night of my partners bday and this place did NOT disappoint! The chef, the staff, the ambiance, the flavors, the presentation... it makes such a unique and desirable experience. I was blown away by the exceptional wine/spirit parings offered by their in house sommelier (superb gent-- I think his name was Jahdea--) and truly enjoyed every aspect of the journey. Very fresh ingredients and very knowledgeable staff. What sets this team apart is their education, standard of service, and superior commitment to their crafts. 10/10 recommend for fancy fun but not pretentious dinner. read more

My first tasting menu and I LOVED OT! Amazingggg experience!! Staff was super tentative and professional. I loved how small the dining area was bc all tables had a view of the kitchen - which was SO COOL! The food progression was a story and the pacing of the food was great. I really recommend this restaurant. read more

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I have no idea why this place does not have a Michelin. From the food to sitting at the counter, this entire place is nothing short of an experience. Every single dish on the tasting menu was incredible. The service and hospitality was magnificent. The sommelier was knowledgeable. The team behind the counter worked together seamlessly. The owner/head chef clearly passionate about the craft and detail oriented to the tee. That dry aged beef, jeez it's going to live in my head rent free. The ambiance felt eclectic. The food, from beginning to end is going to live in my head rent free. A must go if you're celebrating something special or if you want to treat your palette to a glorious meal that you will think about for weeks to come. read more

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I honestly do not think there are enough words to say about Luthun. It truly is a 10/10 on all levels. The food, the atmosphere and the service are all just spectacular. You truly go on such a culinary journey while eating at this restaurant. Each dish surprises and delights in the most fantastic way. The combinations are interesting and exciting and it keeps you wanting more as the dinner progresses. The team at Luthun works together in perfect harmony and are just so friendly. I could talk to anyone of them for hours and hours. This was my second visit to Luthun and I truly will keep coming back! If you're considering or questioning it at all, just go already. read more

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Came here for my birthday. It was a really special one. The service was EXCELLENT. The ambiance was calm, beautiful, and tasteful. The presentation of the food making process, the plating, the chef commanding the team, and serving the food was entertaining. It was serious and intense. Especially when someone made a mistake. The food was exceptional, every bite was full of surprises and wonders. The flavors exploded in my mouth, and gave new meaning to the food that I love. For example, there was a Vietnamese noodle soup dish, the noodle was made out of sliced squid and the beef broth was a seafood broth. They had mushrooms in the soup so a pescatarian like me can enjoy it fully. I think the regular folks had it with beef. That was mind blowing to me. There were a few really yummy dishes such as a sword fish steak vs steak for every one else. OMG. I wanted a second. They have a lovely wine list and non-alcoholic drink menu as well. We didn't go with the drink paring but we did have two drinks on the side. Definitely a nice place for special occasion :) read more

The best meal I've had in a long time! We went to Luthun on a Saturday night and had the 9pm seating at the chef's counter. The counter only seats eight and there were about five or so tables. The decor and music reminded me of restaurants in Copenhagen for some reason. The staff and chefs were very personable, making the experience fun and homey. Luthun had a 10 course tasting menu for $100 and a wine pairing (6 glasses) for $75. It's really a steal for such creative dishes. All the wines were delicious as well. The courses were mostly vegetable and seafood focused, and one course had beef. It made the meal pleasant because the courses were light and I wasn't uncomfortably full by the end of the meal. It's hard to choose a favorite dish, but the squid dish that tasted like pasta was incredible. The tasting menu is seasonal and they told us it would be changing in a couple weeks, so I'll definitely be making another reservation soon. read more

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Incredible! Have been fortunate to experience fine dining and Michelin 2-3 Star restaurants all over the world. I would rank Luthun solidly in top 3! Amazing originality, explosion of flavors, and fun-personalized service. Enjoyed every single creation. Must experience! We will be back and be spreading the word. Ambiance was intimate, tasteful, and the opposite of stuffy. AYT from San Francisco read more

December Supper Club convened at Luthun's chef's counter, and it might just be my favorite meal of 2022. I am dumbfounded that this restaurant doesn't have people fighting to get a reservation for their exquisite ten course tasting menu. With a laudable pedigree (El Bulli, The Fat Duck), the cuisine can't be pigeonholed into a specific region, and the menu itself ambitiously changes every few weeks. Nahid Ahmed expedited our meal, while Arjuna Bull oversaw the team, and it was an absolute joy to watch the team painstakingly build beautiful plates for our enjoyment. I don't know how they're inspired to create some of their mad gems, but I'm so glad I was able to enjoy them. Inspiration for courses ranged from India, to Japan, to the good ol' Southern U.S.A. - but every dish was elevated, gorgeous and delicious. Since the menu changes so often, I won't go into details of every single dish like I usually do (since you'll likely experience a completely different symphony), but I have to highlight the ones that make my mouth water just to think about. The First Bites were a trio of Fushka, crispy chicken liver and egg custard. The fushka was tart, exploding with flavor with a hint of spice after. The crispy chicken liver was like the silkiest chicken satay and the egg custard was rich and dreamy (it made me enjoy lentils, I mean, who actually enjoy lentils?!) There was a beautiful fried black ink Maitake, but it was the accompanying umeboshi tea with pumpkin seed oil and fermented garlic that had me gasp in absolute joy. I'd pay an obscene amount of money to bring a quart of this home for a cold rainy day. The octopus with popcorn grits, tomato butter and wasabi foam? I wish I could order an entree size of this dish! POPCORN grits! The one dish that has stayed in rotation for over a year is the shrimp, foie gras, nuoc cham, cured egg yolk and crispy rice cake (and I can see why) -it is utter joy - contrasting textures and flavors will have you scraping the bowl to get every last bit. The service I experienced was on par with Michelin rated restaurants, and every member of the staff was passionate, focused, but still friendly. After our meal, the staff kindly took a group photo with us in the kitchen, and Nahid and Jahdea (the sommelier who shares my love of sparkling tea) shared a little home-made eggnog that a supper club member made and gifted to the rest of us. I wish I could become the regular that just shows up every week, and always has a place at the counter. This is the treasure I want everyone I love to enjoy (while not really wanting to share the place with the masses). In fact, I'll be back in January for a friend's birthday - my friend booked the reservation while we were finishing our meal! I can't wait to see what new joys the extraordinary team will have prepared for us, while I'll be ready to mourn the loss of the popcorn grits and umeboshi tea. read more

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This is absolutely my favorite restaurant in NYC (no question) and I'm embarrassed that I haven't reviewed it yet. A friend recommended it wholeheartedly as her fave restaurant (and she tries to go whenever the menu changes), and I've been wanting to go for over a year now. I finally made it for my anniversary with my boyfriend (and to celebrate his md/phd), and immediately had to start thinking of reasons to take people here (and people who deserve to eat here). Then again, do any of us deserve this utter perfection? With every bite, I sit there thinking "What did I do to deserve this heavenly perfection?" Chefs Nahid and Arjuna are absolute creative geniuses, and I am so thankful to be able to eat here. I have NO CLUE why they're not fully booked every night - it's honestly better than any other 2-3 Michelin star restaurant I've been to that cost way more. They recently increased the 10-course menu from $100 to $135 but it is still such a steal. This is the place to go for any special occasion - not only for the food, but also the people and the ambiance. I have never established any rapport with the staff at any restaurant because I'm pretty introverted and I generally just want to spend time with my friends, but Luthun is so warm and hospitable that it really feels like joining an ultra-cool family. It's incredible to sit at the counter because we are literally in the presence of genius, and it's so delightful and enchanting to be able to converse with Chef Nahid, who is approachable, humble, and chill. I loved hearing the stories behind the various dishes - from the inspo of his ex's mom's dish to running around the city looking for a special pot to house the Mongolian rocks - and every member of the staff truly makes the experience really special in a way that I've never encountered. I'm honestly low-key jealous of their social skills because both my friend and my boyfriend are extremely introverted and they were able to instantly put them at ease. It's easy to see how Luthun inspires loyalty, and I definitely want to be one of those people who come here to celebrate my life milestones with them. I'm excited that I'll be graduating residency this June so I will have another excuse, and then I'll have the income to dine here way more frequently. :p I could go over the dishes individually, but they change their menu every 2-3 weeks, so you likely won't eat any of the dishes I eat (except for the nuoc cham staple, which has been on the menu for the last 2 years). The menu is globally-influenced by changes from menu to menu; the one I had last night was inspired by Mongolian, Japanese, Thai, and French cuisine. I pride myself on cooking with various global influences, but these dishes are inspiring on a whole new level. Normally I would just discuss the highlights, but every single dish was exceptional (and would be the highlight of any other menu on its own). Everything is beautifully arranged and the whole completely transcends the sum of its parts. It's hard to do justice to each dish because the melange of flavors is so unique. For example, the egg drop soup with wontons dish sounds very simple, but the clarity of the roasted chicken broth was magical. I love passionfruit, congee, and red coconut curry, but I would've never thought to put them together into a comforting dish that brings me so much joy. Each dish is carefully executed and remarkably thoughtful, and I was really surprised that this menu was completely different from the other menu I had (which included a stunning uni cappuccino and monkfish, a fish I had only seen in an anime). I also really appreciate the really delicious non-alcoholic beverage options - Unified Ferments is wonderful. Even though Chefs Nahid and Arjuna have impressive pedigrees from the world's best restaurants (including El Bulli in Spain and Fat Duck in England), they manage to cultivate an intimate, low-key space that feels like a homey living room. It also helps that the staff joke around with each other and us, and include us in their fun. It was Dorian's birthday last night, and the staff poured everyone a complimentary glass of wine to toast him. (I normally don't drink, but it was lovely). They also invited us to join them in Chinatown/Ktown to hang out after; we had to decline since it was a work night, but I love the thought. TLDR: Luthun is the perfect restaurant to celebrate all special occasions and if you haven't been, you need to find a reason to go ASAP. Soon you'll be like me, trying to come up with reasons to celebrate just so you can dine here. read more

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Such an incredible tasting menu - very much recommend. Can't claim credit for this find, as we heard about it from our friends who love it so much they've come many times. We came to celebrate our first year anniversary - we wanted something new that we hadn't tried before, but vetted by people I trust to have good taste! Highly recommend you book chefs counter and do the full tasting menu for your first time (and I say first because I bet you'll be back :p). They have both a wine pairing and non-alcoholic pairing too to go alongside it. If I could drink more I would have tried the wine pairing - guy next to us did it and I was really intrigued by the wine selection. Not to mention I very much enjoyed the two wines they recommended for us (one skin contact funky citrusy white and a jammy light red). Still dreaming of the vermouth they gifted us to go alongside dessert for our one year celebration. Staff is fun, outgoing but professional. For the menu itself, we loved basically every dish. Won't go too much into the detail bc they will walk through each dish plus chef's inspiration behind it. Menu also is switched up every 2-3 weeks so you'll probably be eating something different (outside of what sounds like 1-2 core dishes where ingredients stay same - the one I remember them saying was a classic was the prawn/foie gras emulsion), and more seasonal than the courses I had! Presentation is gorgeous and dishes are as beautiful as they taste. Flavors are strong - which I like. Favorite dish of the night was a scallop dish (think it was #2 of the meal). Fairly priced for what you get, fun night, and as good and/or better than other Michelin rated tasting menus I've had in the city. read more

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This was a bit of a letdown. At the prices they're charging, I expected every dish to be creative and flavorful. Unfortunately, while they mostly nailed the creative part, the flavors and textures left much to be desired. There was a lot of smokiness and overly acidic bite to some of the dishes. The peas in the pea and razor clam dish were undercooked and hard. The squid dish (if I remember correctly) was a nearly inedible mess of rock-hard seeds. The sweat bread taco tasted okay, but it's a poor choice for an upscale restaurant. People show up dressed nicely, only to be served an insanely messy taco that falls apart and sends sauce and toppings everywhere. The first bite and beef tartare were good. The prawns and lamb were good but nothing special. The dessert was tasty but the textures seemed off, like it'd been frozen just a little bit too much. Service was okay, but I could do without a story about the "inspiration" behind each dish. It felt like an effort to add some backstory to otherwise uninteresting food. The progression slowed noticeably once a large party arrived, to the point that I wondered if our table had been forgotten. I wouldn't say the experience was horrible, but it was certainly disappointing, especially at this price level. There was nothing that felt especially unique and nothing that would make me eager to come back again. read more

Luthun - Uni - one of the better offerings. - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Best fine dining experience I've ever had - and that includes Michelin-star tasting menus such as Per Se. Not only was the food incredible and perfectly seasoned, but the service was top-tier, making us feel at home without a hint of pretension. Each dish transported us to a different part of the world, showcasing remarkable techniques such as frozen foie gras. The beverage tasting paired beautifully with the courses, and the maître d' was exceptionally knowledgeable about each drink read more

A special restaurant in East Village. Unique vibe, intimate setting and most importantly the food was one of a kind

Omg that was one of the most beautiful meals I have had in recent memory. Chefs Nahid & AJ have such an extraordinary range of flavor palates at the tips of their hyper talented fingers. Usually most "global" cooking sticks to one lane and throws in a nod to another. The way they blend flavors is astounding. And on top of that, I can't believe they change up the menu every few weeks. The service was also so incredibly gracious & friendly. I really adored how much the team feels like a family, and how genuinely passionate everyone seems to be creating these memorable experiences. I don't understand why they don't yet have multiple Michelin stars, or why people aren't fighting for a table here. It's a truly stellar experience!! read more

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Had such a wonderful experience here! I tried their tasting menu (6 courses for $65 and an optional $45 beverage pairing). I highly recommend getting the beverage pairing as the sommelier that works there was so knowledgeable about the drinks (mostly wine but also got to try sake) and also gave some very healthy pours. I liked that I got to try styles and types of grapes that I had never heard of too. For the food, it was such an experience of different textures and flavors. I felt like I couldn't even talk for a bit after eating each dish because I was processing what I was tasting and feeling in my mouth. Each dish felt inventive and thought out. The most surprising one for me ended up being the mussel dish which I usually don't like but the way they treated the dish had such a depth of flavor while still being balanced (even with nuoc cham in the dish!). The service here was wonderful the whole night. I never had to wait for drinks or food and my water was constantly filled. I can't recommend this place highly enough! read more

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A review of the reservation/cancellation process not the food. Please do not book unless you're 100% sure you'll go otherwise you'll lose your deposit which they charge at the time of booking. Booked for Sep 15 on Sep 8. Charged a deposit per person and resy said non refundable, which itself is odd. Cancelled on Sep 9 after calling the restaurant to ask about this policy, explaining my reasons, and being told ok to cancel since we'll in advance. Unwilling to refund the deposits in spite of advising me ok to cancel. Was told they require call to the restaurant which also I had done and shared time stamped proofs of my call. The best, well established restaurants in NYC don't have such restrictive, inflexible policies. read more