Wow! Wow! Wow! Fine dining in my own hood and a James Beard finalist. The nomination is so well deserved. My fellow yelpie Jeannie has been raving about their duck à la pressie for ages and we finally organized an outing so she can share her love of Tourmaline and the duck with us. Thank you Jeannie. The duck in itself deserves an award. You can tell that Yvan the head chef and owner has put so much detail into creating this magnificent dish for his customers. From picking the perfect farm to order the duck from in PA, to purchasing the machinery for churning out the sauce from the bones and internals of the duck, to incorporating different aspects of duck preparations from different cultures (French Normandy, Chinese roast duck) and teaching to Daniel in the city for some tips. You know Yvan has put his heart and soul into this one dish. I love how this dish is prepared table side by the chef himself with so many different stories and presentations. He starts off the duck with a serving of the perfect tot crispy skin served with his seasonal sauce. We had rhubarb. We were the stars of the room with everyone envying us. I can't recommend this experience enough. Worth every penny! In addition to the duck, we ordered some apps, salad and a fish dish. The seasonal cocktail Noveau Peach so refreshing and delish and dessert wine was a perfect accompaniment to the desserts. The atmosphere or the restaurant was cozy and high end. Lots of couples on cute romantic dates. The owners Yvan and Rebecca are the sweetest. I met Rebecca at our building bbq that they catered and she was just so lovely. Mentioned to her that we were going to see her the following week and she remembered me. Definitely check out Tourmaline. A true gem in FH and so happy to have them here. read more

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We had dinner last night for the first time at Tourmaline ! The ambiance and service from Seth were excellent! But sadly, the pork tenderloin special that I had was tough and dry . Both my husband's and friend's hanger steak was very chewy!!! A restaurant of this quality should definitely serve a better cut of beef!!! We really looked forward to this dinner having read about the chef but were very disappointed with the entrees! The kale salad and celery root latkes were good as were the desserts. Too bad as Forest Hills is really lacking in fine dining restaurants !!! read more

Came here for friend's birthday dinner. We ordered the duck (DUCK À LA PRESSE) a week ahead of time. It was dry agedl. We ordered eggs in a nest for appetizer as well. It was very light and delicious. Loved chef's passion for making the duck in front of us. The sauce was definitely the most expensive part made from duck jus. Duck with the sauce tasted very fragrant and full of flavor. Hard to decribe how good it was but it was heavenly. Highly recommend to anyone who likes french cuisine. read more

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Luxury dining with creative presentation of food that tastes amazing! Very thoughtful staff and nice atmosphere. My husband, a vegetarian, had the Le Jardin which has perfectly prepared veggies with aldente agnolotti. The dessert cocoa pod is a must try for chocolate lovers. read more

Nice place, hostess was friendly, but for these prices you'd expect superb service. The waiter was very awkward and not friendly in any way. Barely said hello as he barreled over with a champagne cart and offered champagne. We were confused whether this was complimentary for our birthday occasion or not. Anyway, we declined because we wanted cocktails and he simply asked what we want. No hello, welcome, happy bday, etc." We ordered 3 entrees but each item came out much later than the last. We waited about 20 minutes for our last entree, with no comment or explanation. I figured they forgot and we would just have it taken off the bill but no, it came at the wee end. Drinks were good but nobody asked if wanted another. If they had we would've definitely had another round. They were out of the lamb lasagna, and with such a limited menu it was very surprising. The waiter barely said 2 words outside of our order. Besides "is this enough food for you guys?" Which was a bit of a weird question, because yes it was enough, the timing was just really off. The 3 entrees were served like a 3 course meal, one at a time. read more

Elegant white table cloth, and candles French place. The staff are well dressed, it's a cozy romantic place, good for a date. On a random Tuesday night it was packed, and they asked if we had reservations! Beware. They were however able to accommodate us about 35 minutes later. The coctails are very good, tried a few... the cheese selection is pretty good. All the appetizers we tried were amazing. The potatoe app was good. We were so excited for the rib eye.... and were so disappointed. It lacked flavor, it was too chewy... it was such a sad way to end a really, seemingly great high end meal in queens. Throughout the meal I was thinking 5 stars, then the steak came... read more

I was so excited to try this restaurant as it was so highly rated, and right in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, food and experience were not up to the expectations I have at this price point. To be honest, everything was a bit bland. The Tuna "melt" appetizer was great, the bread basket was pretty good but nothing special. The Bass was cooked well but lacked flavor. As for the truffle pappardelle, I really wanted to like this dish but the pasta was too thick and it lacked the flavor depth I look for in dishes like this. I was surprised that during my meal, no one came to check on us and ask us how everything was tasting. We were never asked if we wanted to look at a desert menu, instead, the menus were plopped in front of us. At the end of our meal I asked for the pasta and leftover bread to go and they were placed together in the same box which kind of annoyed me. It's the small touches that set a good restaurant apart from a great restaurant. I feel like Tourmaline is definitely trying hard to be a fine dining experience and perhaps they are almost there, but not quite there yet. I'm glad I tried it but I probably will not be back. Also, side note, I noticed that some of the waiters uniforms were stained. read more

I had been so excited to try Tourmaline since it opened. I decided to go there to celebrate my birthday. The hostess was very welcoming upon our arrival. We were seated immediately at a table for 6, which was an awkward set up for a party of three. They happily allowed us to move to a 4 top. We had the Beet Salad, the Chicken and the Truffle pasta dish. I really wanted to try the Lamb Lasagna, but they were out of it. All of the food was wonderful. My biggest let down was our waiter. He seemed generally unhappy to be there. There were several instances where he was dismissive and rude. The Truffle Pasta had a nice addition where the truffles were brought to the table in a domed dish and grated over the pasta. Other restaurants that I have had do this made it a fun presentation... our waiter couldn't get away from our table fast enough. My water glass sat empty on multiple occasions, while I watched our waiter stand there and stare off into space. The only time he had a smile on his face was when we were presented the bill. Upon making the reservation, I had informed them it was my birthday. They had a nice birthday note on the table... which I thought was cute and special, until I noticed all of the tables had the exact same card... my friends and I got a dessert to share at the end of the meal, which was lovely... but I was disappointed to learn that they charged us for the dessert. With a restaurant with those prices in Forest Hills, one would expect a comp dessert on their birthday. The experience with our waiter overshadowed the wonderful food at Tourmaline. I will most likely not return and will share my experience with others. Perhaps he was having a bad day, but I was desperately trying to have a wonderful evening and salvage was had been a pretty rough start to my birthday. His attitude and behavior just put a damper on the whole evening. read more

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10 stars - Tourmaline is refined dining, in a very intimate dining room with a French countryside decor. The menu has French inspired dishes with a hint of fusion into other cuisines. In some featured dishes, you would not even think French at all but Chef Yvan delivers, regardless of cuisine. He deserves a Michelin Star or at the minimum, the Bib-Gourmand. As of this review, I've dined there three times already. And I was lucky to go when the menu changed from Summer to Autumn so I got to try both, as some dishes are seasonal. This particular review, I must tell you about their steel press duck experience. The duck entree is good for 3-4 people depending on appetite and it must be reserved one week in advance (+ deposit). Believe me, you will love it! It's literally the best duck I've ever had! (As my guests echoed the same sentiment as well). The fascinating process and the story behind the concept of this dish was what compelled us to return to try it. This meal was quite the experience. Not only do you get one on one time with the Chef, as he tells the story behind the concept of the dish, you get to watch first hand how the duck gets pressed and how the splendid sauce is made. All done table side on a portable cook top. This was worth the price tag because it's not just one dish, it's the prep before, during and in the serving of it all. Felt so much like an exclusive private dinner as he cooked and entertained us. The duck itself is quite large and the meal is paired with two side dishes (rice and veggies). The skin was glistening and wonderfully crisp (not oily). The meat was cooked to medium temp, absolute perfection. And gorgeous! The duck is served in three courses - first, a taste of the crispy skin by itself. Chef Yvan explains how he achieves this and the attention to every detail to make this a success. Second, the duck breast with the signature sauce - which you get to see how the Chef operates the press and presses every ounce of juice from the bones and the duck carcass. It's further reduced and a roux is made (with some added alcohol). Watch as Chef Yvan drizzles it onto your plate. And the third course, the rest of the duck (think the leg and thigh and other parts) gets plated and served in a stunning silver plated duck platter! The dome is the shape of a duck. This presentation was unlike any other. Past visits I've ordered the celery root Latkes, peach and burrata salad, the beet salad with amaranth and goat cheese, and an eggplant dish with quail egg served in a phyllo nest. Presentation is everything! The other notable entrees are the mushroom pasta with black truffle, the Montauk Cod en papier and the steak. Desserts were even more imaginative and unique - think Raspberry meringue, Panna Cotta and even an option of a cheese plate (which I tried, of course). I'm reliving each dining experience as I write this. You must make a reservation and get there before it gets even busier. read more

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It's a nice, elegant restaurant away from the main areas of Forest Hills...we walked over.. The restaurant was full of locals though the space wasn't too big. The chef can be seen working all night in the back in their open kitchen. The host was very nice, as well as our server. I did try a few cocktails but they weren't very strong. We also had sparkling water. We ordered lobster ravioli, the cod for me and L had the steak. The lobster ravioli was a bit overpriced since it's a really small amount but expected since it's lobster. I thought it was just okay. The cod was not salty ..its was a light and healthy dish. L liked his steak and all the accompaniments. Not a lot of meat since L is a big guy but we got a lil snack after the restaurant even though he wasn't really hungry. We also ordered dessert. It was delicious...The peach one was amazing. We'd return for that alone, it was so good. Don't expect big portions. Everything is light with quality ingredients. I should've ordered one of their salads.. We did enjoy our dinner and the atmosphere. read more

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Had a couples night out and enjoyed a lovely meal in a candle-lit cozy environment with attentive service. The dishes are unique and you can't find anything similar in the area. The level of attention in preparation, technique and presentation is apparent as each dish is extraordinary. Will be back to try their specialty dry-aged duck (which requires pre-ordering). read more

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Wow, a true fine dining restaurant in our neighborhood WORTH what they charge! Lately this feels very rare in forest hills. Tourmaline is beautiful, well lit, intimate, yet roomy. Staff and service were phenomenal- went out of their way to accommodate us (I had my 3 yr old son with us). And most importantly, food was really really good and so worth the price. Truffle pasta was delicious, chicken was tender with crispy skin, peach dessert was so good and you could see the fresh peaches in the open kitchen. 100% will be back - this is a place to be proud of!! read more

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A newer French eatery in Forest Hills from Chef Yvan, we stumbled upon this place while in the area and decided to try them out for dinner - We ordered: +Eggs in a 'Nest' - preapred with kataifi, eggplant caponata, and soft quail eggs +Plaisirs de la Mer - prepared with bluefin tuna carpaccio, hokkaido sea urchin, and regiis ova royal white sturgeon caviar +the Alaskan Cod 'en Papillote' - with baby corn, new potatoes, zucchini stripes, and corn chowder +and, the Hanger Steak - with burnt onion tarte tatin, potato aligot, and bordelaise sauce I'd love to try the Duck a la Presse the next time, as this is a tableside presentation and with a pre-order only, as well as their pastas. Every dish was beautifully presented! Service was very sweet and welcoming, and we were checked upon often throughout our dining experience. The space is very cute and great for date nights; they can also host events and larger parties. +friendly staff & service read more

A rare French jewel in Forest Hills, everything was absolute perfection. From the butter presentation by the chef himself for the bread service, to the chocolate cocoa pod with the thinnest dark chocolate shell with airy and melt in your mouth chocolate mousse- the dining experience was totally memorable and will definitely be repeated in the near future. read more

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Everything was perfection.. ambiance, service, and food of course. We had the Duck which was not just a meal.. but an adventure! My only advice is you are getting the Duck make your reservation early.. like 5 pm because it took about 3 hours to finally get the Duck. It was a fun experience but get there early ! read more

Heidi and I had a wonderful experience at Tourmaline restaurant (on Metropolitan Ave) this evening. This is one of the best meals I have had ... ever. A true experience. Great food, attentive waitstaff, and really good people as owners. Rebecca and Yvan have exponentially upticked the Forest Hills dining experience. A+ read more

Tourmaline - Chef Yvan preparing a special duck dinner (that requires advance booking and a week's preparation.) - New American Near Me - Forest Hills, New York

Had my baby shower here the space was perfect, the staff was incredibly helpful, communication was seamless and clear, and the food was amazing! read more

My husband and I celebrated our 50th Anniversary here. It exceeded our expectations in every way. Rebecca and her staff were attentive to all of our needs and the food was outstanding. . I would definitely recommend Tourmaline. Thanks to all! Susan read more

As good as I hoped! After reading the reviews, which set a very upscale expectation, I was pleased that by the end of my meal all my exceptions were met. The creativity of the menu, the presentation of each plate, the attentiveness of the staff, the thoughtful interior design, and of course the flavors, were all worth what turned out to be a very reasonable expense. When my wife and I left we were already talking about when we could return. I will not praise a specific plate since the menu does change. I suspect that whatever Tourmaline creates will be as delicious as the meal we experienced. read more

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My wife and I went to Tourmaline to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary and the food was impeccable and the service was magnificent. I highly recommend the bread basket from Balthazar as an appetizer. The warm bread comes with olive oil/butter and some delicious vegetables on the side. I also recommend the buratta and peach salad which was outstanding. The flavors were rich and tasty. I had the lamb lasagna which was very different with flavors of dill and extremely satisfying. My wife had the chicken over mashed potatoes which was fabulous. We had a delicious raspberry dessert with fresh raspberries and ice cream on the side. The presentation was awesome and all of the food was spectacular. I would highly recommend this restaurant to everyone! read more

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Great addition to the community. My brother and I enjoyed our meal here and we were both impressed by the warmth and professionalism of the owners Rebecca and Yvan . The whole ensemble is good for NYC and great for Queens Celery Root Latkes were good but not sure all these flavors matched very well- would have enjoyed the salmon mouse on its own The tuna melt was the best bite of food i've had all year - it's a creative dish with very high quality ingredients . i wanted it to be bigger but in this case , less is more the lamb lasagna was good but needed a bit of salt and was served room temperature , not at all hot . portion size generous The lobster cappellacci was just ok- the cauliflower didn't match the dish and the pasta was mealy the chocolate pod was perfect...you can tell a lot of thought went into this dish. this seems very labor intensive and was worth the up charge on the dessert menu Some thoughts : # the tap water is a bit harsh and would benefit from a filter. if it is being filtered, the filters may need to be changed # the back of the servers pants were filthy from the waist line down to the buttocks . small oversight but these are things that separate a good restaurant from EMP , Saga, Jung Sik or Penny # not a criticism per se but the kale salad was very very vinegary / overpowering and unpleasant IMO . they offered to remake it which i appreciated but I declined . If you order , be prepared for very potent balsamic vinegar read more

I predict a future Michelin star for Tourmaline in Forest Hills. French- trained Chef and owner, Yvan Lemoine and wife Rebecca Sussman, actress and event planner extraordinaire, have elevated the property value on Metropolitan Avenue with fine American and French-inspired cuisine. As you read this, try and get a reservation. read more

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Lovely restaurant with nuce clean and relaxing atmosphere. Food is simple elegant and elevated! What a perfect addition to the area, definetly beats any other restaurant in queens! read more

Really great restaurant. This was a must needed upscale dining establishment for this neighborhood. The bread service along with the duck were incredible! read more

A great addition to the neighborhood. Call at least a week in advance to reserve the duck. It was fantastic and the table side presentation was lovely. Hope to go back again soon! read more

We had anniversary dinner at this place. We booked this place because we saw a good review in facebook forest hills group. Both appetizers and main dishes were excellent. It is a hidden gem in Forest Hills. I highly recommend this place. read more

Amazing! Pinch me, am I really in Queens Yvan and Rebecca pull it off flawlessly True professionals providing great tastes. Their daughter Dylan at two has a tough act to follow but with the guidance from these two great young people she will surpass them Thank you for a great 80th birthday event Rich read more

Absolutely incredible -- everything from the food to the service to the atmosphere. Michelin star quality food and vibe. Highly recommend the tuna carpaccio, the steak, and the cocktails. I'm so glad this place exists and we will definitely be back! read more

I've been here twice and it was a hit both times. This is probably the best restaurant in Queens. Everything is meticulously prepared and refined. Can't wait to go back. read more

Wonderful food, attentive and knowledgeable staff, quiet and classy atmosphere. We didn't try the duck but if you do please let me know how it was! read more

I am so happy to finally have a Restaurant of this quality in our neighborhood. I have gone numerous times because I want to try different dishes. It never disappoints from appetizer through dessert. It's one of the brightest lights in our area and I hope that neighborhood people, as well as visitors, to our neighborhood will continue to support it so that it stays with us for a long time. read more

Went there with a group of 7 and we had a phenomenal high-end meal with great service that was affordance and accessible. Can't wait to return! read more

Went with friends to this excellent resturant tonight in Queens First let's talk food. Their speciality is a dish called Duck a Le Presse. A whole duck aged and prepared wonderfully and along with a wonderful presentation table-side .You need to order it a week in advance. The duck was succulent and tasty without being gamy One person had chicken. Incredible as was the salad and desert The service was super friendly and professional. We sat at our reservation time. Good cocktails and staff knowledgeable about wine choices The chef/ owner and his wife are up front andpresent. Both really nice and very professional. We could not of asked for more. We will be back as I hear some menu items change as per season. read more

Fantastic food, excellent service, a lovely, understated atmosphere make this the perfect place for a romantic dinner to get-together with friends. The menu was limited, which I think is a good thing because they don't stretch themselves thin with variety. At our first meal there, everyone in our group ordered a different entree. They were so good, we rotated plates so we could also sample the great meal. read more

outstanding food and service. held our 50 th wedding anniversary there and everyone from the young children to the family elders were impressed thank you KMcCabe read more

I walked out hungry after we 2 appetizers and main course. The pernil was very small, just 2 strips

Exceptional food with attention to detail. Great date spot. Very high end menu at a very reasonable price point.

Found out they have a restaurant space Wed-Sun. Made reservations but our table wasn't ready-happy accident! We like to eat at the bar but they have no bar but they do have a patio out back that they are working on so they put us there to wait with drinks. It was so nice we asked if we could dine out there. Not super convenient for the wait staff but they were phenomenal. Food was top notch. My partner had the Pernil and I had the hanger steak. Flawless. I will make one observation-the hangar steak temperature was perfect but there was not enough of it for me. It was reasonably priced so I'm not saying I want more for the same price. I would gladly pay more for that kind of quality-maybe offer a couple of pricing options. Again- good portion but so like my steak. I feel the place elevates Metro dining-others better bring their A game (my favorite-not a competitor for this cuisine-already does). If they ever put a bar in-watch out! read more

True to its namesake Tourmaline, this new Franco-American fine dining establishment is indeed a gem to behold. The quality of food, service and ambiance is of Michelin star exceptional. Already having established a repeat clientele since its month long opening, the word is out. Make your reservations early and experience for yourselves the newest dining treasure of historic Forest Hills. read more

Tourmaline, Tourmaline, Tourmaline. Remember that name. We have a new French restaurant on Metropolitan Ave. between the Cinemart Theatre and Ascan Avenue. The interior is elegant in its simplicity. The menu is varied and delicious, from appetizers through desserts (including a cheese cart). We know that if we don't support the establishments we enjoy they won't be able to stay. This one is uniquely different, and although not the same menu as Danny Brown, (which left us years ago) it is certainly steps above the usual fare in the area and a positive asset to our neighborhood. BTW the staff is charming and lovely and more than helpful........... Tell us what you think. read more