Bar Boulud

An excellent place for a quick bite before or after a performance. If you are used to eating chartecurie often, not all items will impress. But many pates are delicious and many wines are affordable. Unfortunately there is a rather limited selection of wines by the glass, so you have to get a bottle if you want to drink what you like. Definitely a welcome addition to Lincoln Center.

I've always wondered about the dearth of good dining (vs. eating) experiences available in the Lincoln Center area. Cafe Luxembourg gets old after awhile. Compass has lost traction since the departure of its wonderful chef for Dovetail. O'Neal's is okay for a bite, but it is far from wonderful. And, as for Picholine, see my review. But Bar Boulud has changed that. Granted, it is not cheap. However, for an excellent meal before or after the ballet/opera/symphony, it can't be beat. My two friends and I shared the small charcuterie platter as an appetizer, and while it was far from generous, all the offerings were tasty, and the accompanying bread was great. We also shared the cauliflower and ramp gratin as a side, and it was marvelous. Ditto my skate with brown butter, which was prepared just "comme il faut." The service is excellent, too. My waiter suggested a wine and, when I told him it wasn't to my taste, he immediately substituted another full glass, which I liked a lot. The atmosphere is nothing to shout about (sort of Swedish modern overall), but the booths are comfortable, and they now have outdoor seating, which is a plus when there is a crowd.

I arrived on Friday, early evening, to have a bite before the opera. The place was 3/4 full, and I wanted to eat at the bar...but there's just a long communal table for those eating alone- With my glass of wine I was brought two small gougere, (a nice bit of hospitality) then my soup...in a lovely deep bowl, almost a small terrine. There was no rushing me, even though it was apparent that the place was getting crowded. My pate grandmere was superb! Redolent with cognac, and the cornichons were just right. A little arugula salad accompanied this and it was a perfect light meal. I can't wait to go back!

Despite our reservation, we had a 15 minute wait. My steak frites was delicious. My husband had the sausage blanc for $27, which consisted of 1 sausage & a tiny portion of potatoes. His entree looked like an appetizer portion.

We went for Sunday brunch to take advantage of the pre fixe menu. Staff was great and explained the dishes, as some may be difficult to understand if you are not used to that kind of food. We ended up getting a pate appetizer that was pretty much a meat gelatin and we hated it! Salmon sandwich and eggs were good but very salty and rich. Dessert was our favorite part- choclate ice cream mousse and cheese platter. Over all, if you like this rich and heavy kind of food then try it because the service is good and they truly care about people enjoying their food, but if you are "trying" it, the way that we were, go else where- u need to really appreciate this kind of cuisine to enjoy it.

I disagree with the negative reviews below. I have been here 5 times and each time was better than the last. For what you pay, you REALLY get a good deal considering the food is much higher quality than any other brasserie/bistro and the prices are about the same. I have frequented all of Daniel's restaurants and I love that this new addition focuses primarily on charcuterie which is a completely new take on French food in New York. All of the pates and especially the Boudin Blanc (white sausage) is delicious and very well made. Try the aoli dish with steamed seafood and vegetables served with a dipping sauce - a very refreshing dish. They have an excellent wine and cheese selection as well. It is true that the service can be a bit spotty, but like all new restaurants, they have to learn how to work out the kinks here and there, which is normal.

What a disappointment! A lot of hype and price for a crowded, mismatched subway station of a place. I am referring to the look and feel of Bar Boulud. Having eaten in many wonderful restaurants in Lyon and in France I was looking forward to some good food. This place would not rate very high in France. The food is mostly edible but not good, and while the somelier makes a great show of pouring wine into your glass, a serving of wine by the glass barely reaches half the glass (the glasses are regular size). In addition, unless you are seating in a booth, be prepared to be trampled over by people waiting to get a table, by waiters, busboys, and suited emlpoyees. Our party of four was seated in a booth and we sampled a small charcuterie plate (dry and lacking in distinctive flavors), saucisson en brioche (ok) steak frites (edible but not good) all sorts of vegetable platters (heavy but not bad), sunchoke soup (excellent), rotisserie chicken (just ok), pasta with cuttlefish (just ok) petits fours (not good) pear tart (outstanding), almond tart (very good), coffe eclair (mediocre), chocolat noisette (ok). The only part that impressed me was the service which is excellent and attentive. I expected more from a Boulud restaurant since I very much enjoy eating at Daniel. However, since they just opened, perhaps they will improve.