Le Cirque

I had eaten numerous time at Le Cirque when it was on Maddison Ave. The food in those days was excellant. I was extremely dissapointed when I took a party to the new location for Restaurant week and found their quality and taste had greatly diminished. The Shrimp and Chicken Dishes we had were very salty. The Apricot tart was extremely sour and not what you expect from a quality restaurant. The pastry was however first class. the Creme Brulee remained the best in NYC. Ambience wise it is excellant. I would definitely go to the bar again but probably not to the Restaurant.

Just went for a business lunch. Got seated comfortably at a table for 9. The food was superb. Had very delicate zucchini blossoms and the braised short ribs (so tender, you can eat with a fork). I don't write many reviews... never really wanted to. But because of all the negativity going on about this place at the end of 2006, I really think it deserves another chance. Yes it was expensive, but it wasn't snobby, and the decor was cool too.

Was once one of the finest french restaurants in the city, but since they've reopened it's not the same place and doesn't deserve the same name. Unfortunately the food is no longer worth the money and the atmosphere is not what one should expect from a french restaurant. I would recommend elsewhere if looking for great french food in new york.

When Le Cirque first reopened, all the dud reviews dampened my desire to visit the new digs. But now with the new chef (Christoph Bellanca? I believe is his name?) I'll personally override all the prior naysayers, and nudge anyone in search of a special occasion dinner to hurry up with their reservation. I had a HUGE assortment of dishes the night I went. Starting off with a (wildly expensive, but) profoundly flavorful yet delicate stuffed zucchini blossom (I adore eating flowers). My companion was jealously eyeing it, also because his fois gras duo wasn't quite as perfectly rendered. Next came the king crab cannelloni, which I ordered mostly because it's menu description was so all over the place, I couldn't imagine what might end up on my plate. That said, what ended up there was an exquisite play of fresh and sweet, a lovely hash of crabmeat and chive rolled up in thinly sliced granny smith apples and a matching log of sweet chunks of crab leg with a lobster bavaroise. Simply mouth-watering. Next, came the scallops provencale, which may have been slightly too browned on the outside, given that they were in an oily herb reduction broth, but inside they were just cooked, and overall made for a very flavorful small plate. And then came a lovely black and white sesame crusted icelandic cod, the seeds lending a nutty crunch to encompass the mild, snowy white fish. On a bed of white asparagus (sort of bland, but that was the point) in a galangal or lemongrass or some type of citrussy-asian broth. His trio of beef sat upon drool-worth carmelized onions, and the best of the three (oxtail ravioli, ribeye) was the short ribs, so richly braised to look like a flourless chocolate cake. Tender enough to have eaten with a spoon. Then came the barrage of desserts, which I loved the iles flottantes best of all, but the show-stopped was a solid chocolate orb which encased a tiny sponge cake, pear confit and chantilly.

I had lunch there today and while it was pricey, it was not bad for a high-end venue. The dessert was wonderfully presented. And Barbara Walters was dining a few tables from us. I did a double take on my way to the restroom when I spotted her.

Unbelievable how things change. What was a leader in elegant dining has now become loud, lame and few redeeming qualities. We had dinner last night and were regretful before we even got the menus. The new digs are crowded, incredibly loud. First we had to wait (along with the tables besides us) at least 20 minutes for a menu. Drinks were weak, slow in coming and when they arrived, they were wrong. Our dinners (when they finally arrived) were cold - really cold. When we complained, it too another 20 minutes to receive them back again - only lukewarm. The waiter was a dim as they get, repeatedly pouring us various another table's wines and sparkling water instead of our own. It was so loud I had to basically scream to talk to my dining partner across from e, and it doesn't help the general volume when every has to raise their voices to be heard. There are much nicer, more civil places for this kind of money where you can get personalized service and fabulous food. For $350 for the two of us, we left deflated and really missing the old Le Cirque. I know the tables next us felt the same way and I know for certain that none of us are going back.

If you want a great NY splurge, this is the place. Great food and people as entertainment atmosphere. Media types, moguls and midwestern ladies shopping the big apple make for a vibrant midday meal mix. Make sure that your on the corporate teat or that Aunt Sophie is picking up the check.