Square Meal (CLOSED)

Square Meal has become a favorite of ours. The food is sensational and plentiful. The service is excellent. The duck, pork chops, fish of the day are all "yummy and flavorful. The appetizers are excellent, especially the pear napoleon...you need to try it to believe how good it is.

The four of us deceided to try Square Meal, after a concert, because we were in the neighborhood. We were quickly seated but had to exchange one of the chairs from another table because it was about to collapse and a leg was loose. The place was reasonably comfortable and the waiter (someone who looked like a charactor from a Woody Allen movie) brought the single page menus. I asked him if the duck was "all it was Quacked up to be" and he simply said "yes". After a while the food came. Jumbalaya in a large soup bowl with little rice in it. Cod fish in a soup bowl with coconut milk and rice in it. Small scallops in a small portion and some other colorful but undersized dish. Dishes were nicely presentable in appearance and seasoning and out of the ordinary. No dish comes with anything on the side like pasta or salad. We all finished our meals, nothing was sent back, and dismissed the dessert menus. $150.00 for four dishes, including tax and tip. No appertizer, dessert, coffee or wine ordered. This place is overpriced, even for Carnigie Hill. Go to Sarabeth's accross the street if you want an expensive dinner. Not worth it.

My wife ordered scallops with sauce on the side. The reply was, We won't do that. She repeated that she was not requesting that the dish be altered, just that the sauce be on the side. The maitre d' looked us straight in the eye and said that they will not alter a dish to suit the customer's preferences, even by putting the sauce on the side. I can understand the recently-closed El Bulli requesting (not demanding) that people eat their highly idiosyncratic dishes a certain way, but this is not El Bulli. Although it was clearly a lost cause at that point, just for the fun of it I checked out their corkage policy which I did not believe when I heard it the first time. We came in with the very ends of two bottles, perhaps a total of one-third of a bottle between them, because we were going to a concert afterwards and did not want to walk in with a half-drunk bottle of wine. We were advised that, nevertheless, we would be charged for two bottles. When I checked this with the maitre d', his comment was, Well you came in with two bottles. Although their corkage fee is ridiculously low, I could do without the attitude. We walked out, went a block down the street, and found another restaurant, which was as nice and accommodating as Square Meal was arrogant and nasty.

Have visited twice, both times sitting in the garden. The food is special, offerings not found at other establishments. Square Meal represents the best of Yura's vast experience in the food business. This place is a find!

My mother and I were excited to try Yura's new restaurant. It was as if I picked out something at Yura's store!! I expected it to be more memorable but I guess it was just alright. The food was lukewarm by the time it landed on our table. The atmosphere felt very stiff and so did the waitstaff. I guess i will return and give it another chance sometime. But first time around was not very pleasing.

The Food quality was very good. Portion sizes were just right. We walked in and were greated by a friendly manager. We liked the bar area with the books. No liquor license yet, so bring your own wine without a cork fee. Main dishes were under $28 dollars. Chicken was very good. Just a bit too much butter.But I love Butter:) Tomatoe Bruschette was great as was the Butternut and Corn Soup, Burger very good. Desserts were terrific. We had the Apple Crisp,Chocolate Parfait and the Blueberry Pie. We would for sure go back. As for the decor, it was simple. We noted that the place needed a few pantings. However, the paint color and lighting was very nice. Tables were a little close together, yet it was not a noisy place. Service was honest and attentive, and we were there on a buisy night. I think Square Meal is off to a very good start.

We took a chance on a new restaurant in the neighborhood and Square Meal was a very pleasant surprise. It has instantly become one of my favorites. The food was wonderful (we had the roasted chicken that was tender and seasoned to perfection and the barolo meatballs whose sauce was elegant and sensuous. ) The staff was attentive, pleasant and seemed genuinely happy that we were there. (Let's hope it stays that way after the glow of newness fades.) Our server, Melanie, was amazing. She knew each item and passionately described their flavors. After telling us about some "great" mini bruschettes, she ran into the kitchen and brought a couple out, "You've got to try these." The place itself is intimate and comfortable.