Ivo & Lulu (CLOSED)

Don't let the small space fool you, this is a great place for groups, if you have a reservation they will often open the second dining room for you. Service can be slow but that's just because there is often only 1 or 2 people staffing the entire place, front and back. But no corkage fee so what more could you ask for?

We were curious. We went. We will never go back. I am French and I don't see anything about this place French. Except maybe a trendy pretention to get away with mediocrity because it is...French? The food is expensive for what it is. I can get better in a can. The magret is basically 8 thin slices layed down in a pool of sauce with in a middle some couscous that would feed a one year old. For $17...Please! My friend went for the confit. It was more a duck leg athan anything else. Then the best of the best: we were asked to leave! was it because we misbehaved? talked too loudly? got naked? no mind you! Obviously we were taking too much time at our table after waiting for ever for the main course. In 17 years in this city, nobody ever had the nerves to ask to free the table for others waiting. Don't waste your time nor your money in this empty place.

Ivo and Lulu is the perfect dinner spot for you and your laid-back friends, the ones who don't mind waiting a little (or a lot) for your table, and are willing to crack open a beer on Broome Street until it's ready. Inside, charming service and food that is worth the wait.

I went with a group of 8 for a birthday party - we had reservations a couple of weeks in advance for 830 on a Saturday. We were all present by 830, but were told as we waited outside in the cold that "everyone else showed up 30 minutes late for their reservations, so you guys will be seated late, too" and that we were welcome to the bar (where about 3 people can fit). Once 5 of us went inside to check out the bar, we were actually told to leave (this was already 20 minutes after our reservation) because there wasn't enough room. A group of 10 was then seated before us, despite having shown up very late for their reservation and well after we were all present. The food was good and the atmosphere pleasant once we were inside, but the staff handled themselves quite poorly given the reservation situation. They also tried to spring a group per-person $32 prix fixe menu on us at the last minute, even though we'd asked prices when we made the reservation. After the 55-minute wait, that was pretty insulting. Would maybe go back again with 2 people, but I don't trust their staff to handle a reservation and I'd never bother my friends with trying to make a group go there.

Everything we tried was under seasoned and smothered in heavy and super sweet sauces. The avocado stuffed with mousse is an entirely unappetizing dish. The vinaigrette is the only thing you can taste on it. The escargot is drowned in a basil based curry. The pear has some potential, but again a lack of seasoning ruined it (S&P was not on our table we asked for it twice and it never came). The entrees we ate were equally disappointing. In fairness, I do have to tip my hat to the bangin' gratin, the highlight of our dinner. Oh, also don't go for the service...if that's what you want to call it.

I used to be a big fan of Ivo and Lulu but after tonight’s experience I will never go back. I made a reservation over a week ago for a party of four. When I got there tonight not only was there no record of my reservation but the waitress/hostess was absolutely rude and inconsiderate. Although half the restaurant was empty she said she was too busy (understaffed?) and told us to wait. After 45 minutes I asked for my bottle of wine back (which she had placed in the freezer) and then she continued to chat with the chef. After another 20 minutes we left, and she followed us out to scold us for leaving. Her behavior was unacceptable and uncalled for, and the experience was an overall disappointment. A truly unremarkable and upsetting visit to a once fantastic restaurant.

The food slipped a little after Sebastian left, as did the decore - now they added yellow highlights to things, yuck - but still just as good and strong as before. You have to know what to order, and what to stay away from. The mussels, the apple, the sausage and the chicken are great. The avacado and the duck (and whatever vegetarian entre they attempt) are subpar, but unusual taste combinations. Great otherwise. Fabulous.