Falai (CLOSED)

This is my second time at Falai in 1 year. My fiance and I selected the tasting menu which included 4 courses and 2 small dishes provided for free by the restaurant. The food was not only delicious; it was unique, sophisticated, and beautifully presented. Service was impeccable. Portion size was perfect, although by the fourth dish we were quite full. Our favorite dishes were the bufala ricotta flan for antipasti, and pici for pasta. The Anatra dish in the carne was incredibly tasty. Falai is a gem among New York City restaurants.

What happened to the A-Team behind the kitchen and wait staff? Used to come to Falai religiously for as long as it's been in business. What used to make this place special was the overwhelming precision in the kitchen and charm of the waitstaff. Food this time around was off. Chicken liver tasted like a packaged mousse, sauce was mealy and unappetizing.

We found the atmosphere soothing, the service gracious, the presentation elegant, but the portion sizes so ridiculously small that only the severely anorexic could go away satisfied. Why bother serving broccoli at all if it's just one sliver the size of a thumbnail? Why even list cauliflower as an ingredient in an appetizer if the crumbs of cauliflower could fit in a teaspoon? Is the purpose of serving a soupspoon with a pasta dish to call attention to the fact that the entire pasta dish amounts to a single spoon full? This is ridiculous.

The decor was modern and service was acceptable. The food was flavorful, but I have never had portions that were so small. The appetizers were so small that we had to control ourselves. We wanted to openly laugh. We chose not to do that and giggled as we tasted our food. Eating would be a strong statement; we only needed to nibble. Then came the main courses. I had the lamb. Two small pieces of lamb arranged attractively on top of fregola and black trumpet mushrooms (a tad bland) with 2 small dollops of smoked eggplant puree, & fregola, black trumpet mushrooms...oh a flurry of cumin breadcrumbs scattered on the plate. The price of $28.00 was robbery. We love to eat out and try new restaurants. This was a disappointing experience. My friends selected the restaurant so we all tried to put on a good face and spoke of how tasty the food was. But we know we were just trying to be polite with each other. Oh I almost forgot to mention that I had a glass of the Trimpilin. My wine was served in a slightly narrow glass and I must say for $16.00 I would expect more than a wine tasting pour to be served.

As a chef and a food enthusiast I cannot begin to exude my excitement and appreciation for Falai, a truly memorable and satisfying dinner experience. The chef works the line with one helper and artfully prepares every plate in stoic fashion! From the beautiful pasta course, the hazelnut and winter flower pasta to the dessert, my friend and I shared three (Caramel apple, chocolate brioche and the souffle with raspberry sauce and granata) the one thing that constantly rang in my head were memories of great meals of the past. The amuse was a delicious, Onion Soubise with a cheese like walnut cream and corn flakes. The Stracci (?) was a wonderful combination of the best chicken marsala i ever had (The chef used hearty royal trumpet mushrooms in lue of chicken) combined with delicious macaroni and cheese (Asiago Fonduta). It hit the mark in every way. The chef was kind enough to split the portion for us so my friend and I were able to enjoy our own plate, which hardly seemed split. The entrees all sounded great so we decided to split the scallops, rabbit and Duck. The scallops were like the best puttanesca I had ever had, deconstructed into individual flavors that were exceptionally fresh and tasty. The aioli stuffed heirloom tomatoes topped with exquisite trout roe were one of the finest taste explosions i have had the luxury to experience. (They are worth the price of admission alone!). The Rabbit dish was heady and whimsical, it was as if every part of the rabbit was represented, the liver was profound covered in its glace. My friend enjoyed the whimsical aspect of it as well, Paired with carrots only the easter bunny wouldn't have approved. The duck was succulent, The pear and mustard puree was a interesting but right combination along with the buttery broccoli puree. We were then treated to 2 pre-desserts that were bites right out of heaven. Being that the chef has a 3 star pastry background all of the desserts were a hit. Coffee was served hot(!) and tasty, despite the fact it was illy it seemed to be the best cup i had ever had. Service and ambience were on par with the food, exquisite yet inviting, I felt as though if we had desired we could've sat there all night. Overall it was a sublime experience, one that I wouldn't hesitate to revisit given the opportunity. The price was right, for all that food, wine, cheese and coffee we still left without crossing over $200. For anyone seeking a true food experience Falai is for you!

had an excellent experience at Falai. The food is incredibly innovative and presentation is beautiful. Portion sizes are appropriate and artful. Just right!

Considering that this place is my favorite restaurant in the city, I awarded it with 5 stars across the board. Keep the good work