Bouley

My husband took me to Bouley for a birthday celebration and it still makes my blood boil. We had been to the restaurant the previous year, and had had an exceptional meal there. Not so with the current, nouveau riche location, created to serve as many people as possible with passing regard to food and little if any regard to service. First we were seated in the over-sized, rectangular waiting room, which, by virtue of its size, tells you that waiting is part of the "experience." Be prepared. Here we were seated with other unfortunates -- all of us with reservations, dressed up and ready to go -- nowhere. My husband and I had to wait ONE HOUR for a reservation we had made a MONTH in advance, with barely a word from the useless hostesses, who claimed to know nothing of why or how long we would be held. Finally, we asked for drinks which were grudgingly brought. For my "special bday," the Bouley staff chose to seat us in an "ante-room" outside of the main dining room which was clearly set up for those of us below celebrity status. Imagine for my "special evening" that they sat us directly across from the waiter's station, with all the hustle and bustle of Grand Central Station. It was insulting. We had to fight to get our waiter's attention the entire evening. The food was good, but by no means exceptional, and they were sold out of the items we first requested. By the end of the meal we were unhappy with most everything except the dessert course, when the waiter decided to bring us some extra goodies to "make up for our experience." Frankly, it was too little too late. We will never go back. If you have never been to Bouley, or have not been there in a while, think again. The beauty of Manhattan is that it offers an endless choice of restaurants where fine cuisine is served with pleasure rather than disdain. They deserve your business. Bouley does not.

It's been a long time since I've had such excellent service! The food presentation, flavors and ambience were top notch. I do not rate or review restaurants; guess I never felt the need until now. There were three of us for lunch and we left after 3 hours; we felt that all our senses were so beautifully pampered. Our "host" has been back three times within 30 days to entertain clients. I will definitely go back to Bouley!

Seating was very comfortable and little chocolate mousse as part of a dessert choice was very tasty. Wife said rest room was exceptional. Everything else in $112 lunch for two, with no wine, was terrible or tasteless. Bread was unappealingly flavored. Chicken was tasteless with a blue/green medicinal-like sauce.

I left hungry.

We have eaten here many times over the years but everytime we go the wine list becomes more egregiously priced. The last time we did the wine pairing which is like $90/person, none of which were enjoyable. When I looked up each wine served the next day, not one of them cost more than $16/bottle. This time we ordered a bottle of Lioco Pinot Noir 2008 Sonoma Coast, which was a very nice wine. Bouley charges $130/bottle, when we looked it up on-line you can easily buy this same bottle and vintage for a measely $29.95/ bottle, from wine shops and the directly from the winery. That is a hefty 433% mark up over retail. Needless to say, we will never return. I understand there is a cost for the restaurant to carry the wine, the wine program cost, etc, but 433% is absurd, I feel defrauded. Not sure how the sommelier sleeps at night.

I've never experienced anything like what I experienced at Bouley. From the initial greeting and champagne to the exquisite cuisine, impeccable service, even amazing restrooms!!!

After reading relatively recent reviews of Bouley on these pages, I went for lunch today filled with apprehension and dread, especially since I was treating some friends. The food was absolutely delicious .. and consistent --- each dish was wonderful. Maybe things have changed since the reviews I read, because the food and the service was excellent and the wine selections were also very good. So I was very relieved and happy, and felt that Bouley should get the kind of review it deserves. Bon Appetit