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I have been a New Yorker for 30 years. I have dined all over the world. I admit, I did snag a last minute reservation, yet was told I coould be seated with my date at 8:30 pm. Wen we arrived, a very polite duo greeted us, neither knew how to direct us next. We went off to the cocktail lounge on our own, since the receptionist did not have an immediate answer as to when we would be seated. An hour later, ( and with no checking in from the host) I decided to ask the wonderful bartender, ( who actually does know his sakes) If he could check on our table since my date was fading fast. Finally seated, 75 minutes from the time we checked in at what is called the "Chefs Table" nothing more than a glorifed sushi bar that is large. This is where you can observe about 10 staff preparing the same dishes over and over. nothing looked unique or interesting other than the meticulous manner in which they performed their tasks. upon ordering, I was told that from the 135.00 tasting menu , they did not have any more of the waygu beef...Really? I mean how do you have a limited menu, only one beef item, and it is not available on a Friday evening??The food was good, a few dishes not interesting at all, and the portions were disproportionate, mostly too large for a tasting menu. Too much food. By the 5th course we were exhausted, and stuffed. Service for beverage refills was slow, and everyone was polite yet I wouldn't place this in a catagory above 3 stars. I wanted to like it, since the room and decor is awesome, but I couldn't find the reason to return.

Called and spoke to the manager. He was beyond wonderful and wanted to rectify the 'off' experience we had. He was truly concerned that we have a true 'taste' of Brushstroke and invited us back. That is really the measure of a good restaurant - that they care.

We went to this restaurant for my husband's birthday. We love fine dining, good food and don't mind paying for memorable experiences. We arrived at 9 for a tasting menu of 7 courses..waited to be seated and then were left on our own for most of the rest of the evening. lobster shell in sushi! no water, waited 25 minutes at 11:30 for the 'birthday dessert' (a candle on their regular dessert!) Our son had a slightly more involved meal for 135 dollars which we all intended to taste - they never brought the proper serving pieces. We had to wait and wait to be served for each course - not smooth service and I don't eat raw food and they could not get that right. I hate to waste money! We felt like we had made a big wrong turn!

God I love this place, from the service to the atmosphere to the FOOD. I could go on and on but, if you can fit this in your budget, just go and enjoy it!

Bouley's interpretation of japanese kaiseki is french fancy but delicious nonetheless. i particularly enjoyed the tomato cocktail - an unexpected whimsical play that evoked all the fresh, vegetal delight of the summer fruit but without the clunky, overly salty flavor of a bloody mary.