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I hadn't been to any great restaurants recently that excited me- until I went to 10 Downing. Now, I keep going back and look forward to new items on the menu. The service is great, especially for a new establishment. Atmosphere is pretty, comfortable and a little loud. But, as I said, I go for food these days. I loved the squid ink pasta Agnolotti which is stuffed with fresh crab meat. One of my favorite main courses is Beef Cheeks. I also loved the roasted Main Cod. It's so delicate tasting this way and the sauce is a perfect compliment. For desert, my favorite was yougurt with berry glaze. Delicious, but it's not low fat yogurt, I could tell. The restaurant was packed and nearly everyone at the bar was also having dinner. I forgot we were in a recession. People still pay clamour for good food.

I went for brunch for the first time a few weeks ago and was wowed. I went back this past weekend and ordered the same things - the brussel sprouts and the dutch baby pancake. The food was very different this time. The poached egg on the brussel sprouts was overcooked so that it wasn't runny at all, and the brussel sprouts were also overcooked so there was no crunchiness - this is after the waiter voluntarily took the dish back to the kitchen. The pancake was too dense and did not come with the delicious fruit marmalade it had come with the first time - instead it came with dry preserved fruit bits and they were terrible. I politley explained the differences to the waiter. He was very nice and apologetic, but the restaurant did not take anything off the bill. My friend and I ended up paying a lot of money at this expensive restaurant for a brunch of which I maybe ate 15%. I don't think I'll be returning...

My date and I shared several dishes (hey, eating was all we could do, considering it was completely impossible to hear one another through the bizarrely amplified din -- I'm guessing the conical shape of the venue contributed, but I'm not an engineer). We both agreed that the tartare was our favorite dish -- small bites, apps, entrees included. The flavor was surprisingly meaty (in a good way), and the texture was satisfying in a way that fish tartares rarely are. But, alas, he ordered his steak medium, and I ordered mine blue, and they were both identical (let's call it both med-rare) -- so the kitchen managed to disappoint us both in one fall swoop. Oh well. The sommelier (my vocational field), was embarrassingly unknowledgable. But with a little effort, we found one great bottle on the list that was worth the price (and worth the fight against the headache we were fostering from exposure in the loud room). I'd give the kitchen another chance, but I lost my voice yelling sweet nothings to my date across the table, and I was worn out while attempting to use sign language to communicate with the waiter just to attempt to understand his lip movements as he rattled off the specials. A definitely WILL NOT RETURN. Not that they'd care -- the place was full anyway (barflies congregating at the entrance, and wannabes waiting for tables). Good for them. Another NYC venue that survives on buzz and little else.

I recently dined at 10 Downing with another couple, and had a very pleasant experience through the appetizers. When my chicken came back RAW, not once, but twice, I was very disappointed. To make matters worse, the server gave me an excuse that "organic" chicken tends to be a little pinker on the inside. I have eaten plenty of organic chicken in my day, and this chicken was raw. To make matters worse, when we finally called the host over - at most fine dining establishments, the host will seek you out to apologize - he was extremely rude. They did not charge me for the chicken, but did proceed to charge me for the dish that I ordered after, and did not offer any other compensation (round of drinks).

i read new york magazines review of 10 downing and thought why not?? i was hoping and boy was i happy. my husband had an appetizer that i cant remember what it was and didnt taste it. i had the trout tartar, was skeptical but at the waiter's urging tried and loved it. as main courses we had the chicken and the duck, both delcious and i finished off the meal with the chocolate cake which is a chocolate lovers heaven. would recommend would go again.

Went for New Year's Day brunch. Very cool space, friendly and talkative staff and patrons. Big windows add a lot of natural light. Food was actually excellent - brussel sprouts, duck meat balls, the burger, pasta, not a dud among them. Very good prices for the quality. I must say I was very impressed, pleased to have found the place.

The food is first rate in preparation & quality. The menu is nicely market driven and good quality ingredients cost, but the market driven concept can limit the depth of the menu. There is a lot of fish on the menu, some interesting salads, a delicious gnocchi on an interesting and tasty mix of veggies including Hen of the Woods & squash squares. The bravas (potatoes) are not to be missed (addictive). The beer & wine list is well thought through and priced well. The nice music and artwork works well with a very knowledgable and unobtrusive wait staff. Would definitely start on the early side to avoid a busy night. Class is class and it shows from the style through to the execution.