One If By Land, Two If By Sea

Repeat visit - but earlier in day and Friday night - very busy and not as quiet - the candle was dripping non stop and flickering because of gusty spot - but it is still nicer than those French style nearly cafeteria style seatings along the wall that so many restaurants use. Wish we could have heard the pianist like the first time - but sitting upstairs was nicer. Soup was great - the creative ginger spicing was creative in both the soup and the ice cream dessert. Desserts are good. The entrees were more simple: chicken was tasty and not dry as was the salmon and pork. Vegetable complement was good. The breads were good but not warm - and not as creative as Picholine which has a less expensive wine list, great breads and better service. In the formal fine dining league - Gramercy Tavern is still at the top for value and service and creativity - but Picholine and One if By Land run second - the privacy is better at One if By Land but the Service is a bit brisk at One if By Land (I know that they had a crowd waiting and wanted everyone to move within 1.5 hours) It was better last year when we came to dine after 9pm and could sit and enjoy the less crowded atmosphere.

I want to compliment the owners and staff of this tremendous restaurant. I travel quite extensively and I am always looking for the perfect place to take friends or clients. It is rare to find such a friendly atmosphere with such fine food and superb service. Yes, I have been to great palces with fine food, but not always with the combination of service, atmosphere, and friendliness. What a great find. I noticed one bad review but I dismised it as I have also dined in other parts of the country and realize the differnt preferences of people. I am sorry they had a bad experience and hope they give it another try. I once bought a very expensive bottle of wine and had to spit it out. I still buy the same vineyard and have never since had a bad bottle.

This was my first restaurant week meal with my bf. We were seated in the small upstairs room, which seemed more intimate than the larger downstairs dining rooms. I had the goat cheese gnocchi for the appetizer, pan-roasted Atlantic salmon with harissa-creme fraiche potatoes and braised red cabbage, and for dessert creme brulee. The gnocchi were perfect, and rather filling for only being an appetizer. I enjoyed the salmon, the potatoes were tender and the sauce was rich but not overpowering. I was surprised by the cabbage, it had a tangy slightly vinegar-y sauce, and I enjoyed it despite not usually eating cabbage. Dessert was wonderful, and I was so full I had to leave a little bit (horror!). My bf had the potato leek soup, which he said was wonderful, salmon, and the pear cobbler. After pear cobbler, I'd never want apple again; too obvious and sweet. The pear was far more subtle. Overall the atmosphere was wonderful, very dark and romantic, and although I'm usually not inclined to "traditional" restaurants, I would definitely go back.

It is indeed surprising to read these 2 recent 'unfavorable' reviews of this exceptional restaurant. Both my husband & I travel extensively, both domestic & international, for both business & pleasure, & One If By Land..... continues to be one of our favorite places to dine. We have recommended it extensively; no one has ever been disappointed. The service is superlative, the menu & wines exceptional, the atmosphere perfect. We are regular diners here, & have never had a 'bad' experience. This is not just due to the fact that we are 'regulars'; we have seen many a 'first-timer' treated with the utmost courtesy & professionalism by this well-trained staff. Although it is perfect for a romantic dinner, we each have used it as a venue for business entertainment; all of our collegues rave about the food, service, wine, decor, music, atmosphere. To those dissatisfied reviewers, something must be remiss with them, there is nothing remiss with One If By Land...... The food does not 'swim in butter', the service is extremely courteous & attentive, the value is good (unless, of course, the reviewer is more at home at an 'all you can eat for $9.95' establishment), the music is not 'cheesey' (perhaps the Billy Joel tunes were the only ones the reviewer's musically untutored ear could identify), & believe it or not, some people DO dress for dinner in the middle of the week.

This is by far one of the most romantic restaurants I have ever been to. The lights were dim, the piano music was great, the waitstaff were very professional, and the food was incredibly delicious. A bit pricy, but aftertasting the food, it's worth every penny!

Like previous reviewers, my boyfriend and I had been wanting to come here for a while - what a disappointment. The service was inattentive, the atmosphere was totally corny and that could have all been forgiven had the food been delicious but it wasn't. The food tasted like a second rate wedding food and everything from rice to salmon to veggies were absolutely drenched in butter - we barely ate anything and decided to stick to sushi samba next time we are in the neighborhood!

My wife and I celebrated our 20th Wedding Anniversary Saturday night. The blizzard outside just added to the entire evening. We had a great dinner (Beef Weelington and Salmon) and exceptional service (Lori) and the entire atmosphere just could not haver been better. Sure the price was a liitle high but there are not too many places that can make you feel the way we did that night. Thanks to all at that restaurant that made it sooooo special.