Picholine

For the first time in my life, I feel compelled to write a restaurant review. I took my mom to Picholine the week before Christmas. We were greeted very cordially and seated immediately. The interior is warm and classically elegant. The wait staff was friendly, efficient and knowledgeable without being pretensious. The food was exceptional. I had venison loin that was the best piece of meat I've ever eaten. My mom pronounced the same verdict over her beef ribeye. The cheese cart was outstanding. Only the salad left a bit to be desired, although, to be fair, this is strictly in comparison to the rest of the meal: compared to the universe of restaurant salads, the salad at Picholine is better than average.
I assume because our reservations were for 5:45, the staff asked if we had theatre tickets and, if so, our curtain time. We did, indeed, have theatre tickets, and made our show in plenty of time. The pacing of the meal was quick but not in any way rushed, just as we wished. Both my mom and I left Picholine feeling satisfied and grateful for such an enjoyable dining experience.

Pros: Ambience, food, service

Cons: None

Posted 01/04/09

So we decided to go to Picholine one fine evening. All dressed up and ready to experience what they have to offer.
I will be brief and to the point fellows.

Service: Fantastic (couldn't be better) not snobbish at all but friendly & professional.

Ambiance: Cozy

Food: Tasty & well presented

Price: Expensive but I would pay it for the value & experience.

We ate a lot but didn't feel overly full. Just great:-)

It would be a great place for bring your high class client or if you want to impress a chick or I must say "a lady" perhaps;-)

Pros: quality,food,service,wine

Cons: none

Posted 10/18/08

We came here for dinner. The place is very pleasing to the eye. The service is top-notch. The waiter knew my name. The napkins were replaced as soon as one got up from his seat. The staff knew every ingredient in every dish. The service is also seamless. The food is delicious. The mushroom tempura and "tomato water" pre-appetizer was excellent. The gazpacho was incredibly complicated and interesting, yet very tasty. The scallops were close to perfect, though perhaps not as tender as they could be. The tuna on the other hand was perhaps the most tender I've ever had. The rabbit was quite interesting and also very tender. Overall, the food was tasty, though not always perfect. However, what makes this restaurant so amazing is that everything is presented and cooked in such a way as to make the whole meal a celebration. That is rare in New York. This is a truly a special occasion place, and in my opinion one of the top restaurants in this city.

Posted 09/22/08

A table for six. Everyone was greatly impressed by the food and service (wish I had reserved the wine room though). Everything was cooked to perfection and each course delivered en masse by the waitstaff. Although the wine list is very good (a bit pricey, but not outrageous), I really appreciate a fine dining establishment that enthusiastically accepts outside wines for a corkage fee. We brought 4 bottles of wine (which on their list would have cost approximately $2500 - our price substantially lower) and only paid $50/bottle corkage (I would have paid double that). For our two reds they decanted them and gave us the proper new stemware for each bottle. The cheese cart is not as extensive as I thought it would be, but what they lack in sheer depth of choices they instead make up for by focusing on quality. We tried 7 different cheeses and were loving each. I can't remember the time I last went out to dine with a group of foodies where almost every morsel from every course was consumed on every plate. Live in LA and enjoy Spago, La Cachette, etc., but will gladly revisit Picholine on my next trip back East.

Pros: Food / Cheese Platters / Service / Corkage Policy

Cons: None.

Posted 05/08/08

We were not offered the tasting menu because per the waiter our reservations were too early (5:30) and they don't offer the tasting until 8PM (as he offered it to the next table at 6PM). Were they afraid we had theatre tickets and couldn't spend the time? Well, we didn't and they never asked. To the waiter's credit he gave me a fourth course for $10. The venison was excellent although I've noticed in restaurants of this calibre that no matter how you ask that the meat be done, it will always be delivered per the chef's "suggestion" which is medium rare. The rest of the food was pretty forgettable. The service was more polite than Chanterelle but I still got the feeling that they did not care about us one whit. They really did have quite a snooty attitude
and I would not return to see if I was mistaken the first time. Of course, Picholine just turned up in New York Magazine's list of places to eat in 2008!

Pros: A few good dishes, nice ambience

Cons: Snooty service, indifferent flavors

Posted 01/04/08

Though I'd heard complaints about how purple the restaurant is, the decor is actually quite nice. For a room without windows, the space is cozy and soothing without seeming claustrophobic. The food is exquisitely plated, every dish looks stunning. A trio of amuse bouche was lovely, especially a little beet dish. Scallops with tiny croutons were a nice combination of textures. Sturgeon with sauerkraut was a little one-dimensional. But it apple brioche with salty caramel more than made up for it.

Posted 11/28/07

Having dined several times at Picholine before the renovation I made a reservation for my husband's birthday. Our family of four arrived at 7:45 for an 8:15 reservation expecting to have a drink at the bar before dinner. I called the restaurant and asked for a square table for four in the front room.

When we arrived I began to speak with the maitre d' . He answered the phone mid-sentence and proceded to ignore me. We were handed off to a hostess who led us to Siberia (the back room). I stated my requested preference and we headed back to the podium. We were told that a table would be opened in a half hour. We sat at the bar, had a drink and left without another word from the maitre d'. Since my preferences were noted in the reservation book, I expected an apology at the very least. How about complimentary drinks?

Later that week I wrote to Terrance Brennan at an address given to me by the Artisinal Cheese Center. Three months later I have not received a response.

We have often enjoyed dining at Artisinal but will not be going back after the poor treatment we received at his other restaurant. I'm guessing that Picholine put a big "NBD" next to my name. If you are not a regular, stay away.

Pros: A beautiful room, excellent food

Cons: Poor welcome

Posted 03/22/07

I've dined her many times and I returned last week for the first time since the remodel. For the first time, I decided to dine at the bar and was very happy. The place looks terrific and the food is as good as ever. Of course, I ordered up a cheese tray and as always it was fabulous. My only gripe is that the port selection is extremely lacking. With one vintage (Dow's '83) and a couple of tawny's (10 & 20 yr), I felt like I should have brought my own. That aside, this place is the quintessential mecca for cheese.

Pros: Cheese

Cons: Port wines

Posted 01/22/07

Still doing it after all these years. Great job staff. Love the new design, about time!! Love the bar. Best place to eat is at the bar, truthfully. Amazing wine list.

Posted 01/17/07

This was a wonderful dining experience-- the food was absolutely perfect. With respect to the menu, there are a few options-- A) two tasting menus: a "regular" tasting menu, a "cheese" tasting menu, and B) the 2 course, 3 course, or 4 course choice. With respect to the 2-4 course choice, you can choose any combination of the following (which seems a bit confusing at first): 1) 1 appetizer and 1 entree, 2) two appetizers and one entree, 3) one appetizer, one entree that is a smaller "appetizer" portion and one "full" entree, and the aforementioned combination may or may not include dessert according to your appetite. The food is very rich and very good.

Posted 07/11/05

I have never felt I had to write a review for restaurant until now. We have dined at Picholine this evening and were very let down to say the least. All reviews we had seen for this restaurant had been positive. Perhaps we had a bad night. In short our food was oily and was barely touched, to which nobody inquired if everything was alright. We decided to leave before the remainder of our pre-fixe courses were served. Our recommended wine was below par and we have not been known to shy away from most wines. The dining area was so very noisey that conversation was strained. In all for approx. $600 for dinner for 2 I have had better meals at restaurants that served only house wine and cost approx. $50 for 2. As said perhaps an off night but my what a night.

Cons: food, crowd, head waiter

Posted 03/26/05

I have been here on various occasions and not once have I been dissapointed.

Worth every penny. I would like to give an example of a night out at Picholine for a normal middle to upper class American couple. This is for anyone questioning the dinner cost of the restaurant.

$100 Bottle of Merlot
$35 Cork Fee
$58 Fixed Appetizer and Sirloin Entree
$58 Fixed Appetizer and Sirloin Entree
$20 Glass of Merlot
$20 Glass of Merlot

Total of $291 plus tax

The ambience, great tasting food, and and professional quality of the staff really brings Picholine up to an exceptional level of a NYC restaurant. One of the top 5 best of NY in my opinion.

P.S. For anyone in there mid to upper 20's in age, dont feel uncomfortable taking a date or wife to a restaurant like this.

Also, the wine list is HUGE!!

Pros: Food, Ambience, Staff

Posted 12/28/04

I ate at Picholine last week, and everything was wonderful! Courteous staff and expedient service. The food was divine, and I especially enjoyed the delectable cheese course! I would recommend Picholine to anyone.

Posted 11/23/04

This restaurant is one of the gems of new york.
The overall experience was wonderful.
I had a four course menu with cheese on a recent visit, although I had been there 3 years ago and its even better now, the food was tastier than at some 4 star restaurants with exciting combinations that i can still remember now
And then theres the wine and the relaxed yet professional service and needless to say the cheese

Pros: food, cheese, service

Cons: , dated decor

Posted 08/04/04

Ambience: the space was cozy and the noise level was pleasantly low, but the decor had a worn-out, tired edge.

Service: professional and efficient

Food: the tasting menu was solid, but uninspiring, everything was pretty good, but nothing was truly memorable, the cheeses were good, but frankly almost all of the cheeses are available at Fairway/Citarella for a fraction of the cost

Value: Dinner for 2 with 4 glasses of wine total= $400.

Nutshell: If the company expense account is picking up the tab, this may be the place for you....otherwise look for another joint to drop $200/person

Posted 06/08/04

Great experience! Terrific food, expert service, elegant atmosphere!! Love this restaurant! Save room for the Cheese.

Pros: Perfect Service, Relaxed/NOT stuffy

Posted 04/09/04

One of the best meals I have ever had in NYC. The service was near perfect. We were there on a Friday night and it was a little noisy, but not bad. I would highly recommend Picholine!!!

Pros: Food, Service, Cheese cart

Cons: Little Noisy

Posted 05/19/03

one of my best dining experience in Ny. and certainly the best game birds you could find in the city.

Posted 02/07/03

What a perfect dining experience. Everything was great. The staff polite and courteous and the food certainly outrageous. All of my seven course tasting menu were sublime. In fact the best tasting menu I have had in NYC.
Bravo!!
We shall return

Posted 02/06/03

This is bar none the most perfect pre-theater dining experience in the city. Everything impressed me- the menu, wine list, gracefully expedient service and a beautiful dining room.
I would advise anyone to go- whether you have theater tickets or not!

Pros: Service, Pheasant, Wine List

Posted 02/06/03

i usually don't take the time to write reviews but Picholine deserves 30 seconds of my time. Last night I had one of the best dining experiences. The service was professional, attentive yet completely un-obtrusive. The food out of this world (lobster app) and decor old school and Grand. The only draw back was that Picholine was Packed and a bit loud. Perfect for a special occasion or just a great meal

Pros: GREAT FOOD, GREAT SERVICE

Cons: expensive

Posted 02/01/03

Went to this delightful restaurant with my mother for the prix fixe lunch and the service was by far the best I've ever experienced. The staff was courteous without being officious or condescending. The portions were small, but thoroughly satisfying (granted, a linebacker for the dallas cowboys might not want to dine here...), and the food was excellent. The ambience is lovely, though old-fashioned. Perfect place to bring a date before the theater, a mother/ grandmother/ or aunt for their birthday, or friend for lunch.

Pros: excellent service, unique dishes

Cons: expensive; try lunch

Posted 01/22/03

What a great experience I had last night at Picholine. The food was sublime and the service un-obtrusive and attentive. Every need was met, and we were NOT an easy group.
Don't miss it!!!!!!!

Pros: elegant, Great

Posted 01/10/03

Terence Brennan is unmatched. The evening was superb with food exquisite. I had the ditalini risotto with black truffles - OH MY!! The service was friendly and helpfu. A must in NYC!!

Pros: Food, Cheese course

Cons: Not cheap

Posted 01/09/03

After trying most of the top restaurants in the city, the only one I keep coming back to is Picholine. The service is great, the food never disappoints and the atmosphere is perfect. I've been there for birthdays, aniversaries, etc. I always long to come back for the best cheeses and the best lobster in town. Thier prix fixe menu is not cheap, but it is a steal compared to the other alleged top restaurants.

Pros: Original, Classy, Intimate

Posted 11/05/02

What a wonderful Meal!! Thank you so much for an exquisite experience. Your restaurant is beatiful, relaxing and elegant. Your food combinations were suprising, delicious and superbly presented. The wine was lusciuos and served at the right temperature which is so rare these days. The staff is very kind welcoming and caring.

Thanks

Posted 08/25/02

My wife and I recently celebrated our 2nd anniversary at Picholine. We were made to feel as if we were the only guests in the restaurant. The service was impeccable and the meal was sublime. Richard the sommelier really helped us with the wine. Thank You Picholine for the great experience . WE WILL BE BACK

Posted 08/25/02

Wonderful Service, nice presentation, informative cheese dude. Better than any restaurant in Phili. including Le Bec Fin Good Job!!!!!!

Posted 08/25/02

Home of the "micro portion." I'm a fit guy and when they served the lamb chop "entre" -- with two baby lamb chops -- I almost started laughing. Are they kidding? What a rip. I was saving Picholine for a special night and, well, I can only say i'm glad there are a few pizza places where you can grab a slice after dinner. I like the sommelier -- he wasn't pretentious and didn't try too hard to upsell me when we chatted at the bar. When i had to wait 15 minutes after the entree was cleared for the cheese tray, my enthusiam waned -- wish I could say the same for my apetite.

Pros: , very few

Cons: overpriced..., microportions

Posted 08/21/02

Perhaps its the fact that Picholine seems to cater to older diners that may explain why I was thoroughly unimpressed with this restaurant. I thought the decor was dredfully boring, and the service snobbish (as did the previous reviewer). Most importantly, I thought the food was very average and somewhat bland. I would definitely not suggest this restaurant to anyone under 40.

Cons: Boring

Posted 08/05/02

The food lived up to it's reputation. This place is for serious food lovers ONLY. the timid must stay way.
The sea urchin panna cotta and the shelfish paella are amazing.
the staff was gracious and extremely accomadating towards our four month old baby.

I also couldn't believe how busy the place and it just seemed GREAT.

the prices are high but I don't mind paying for the BEST.
and yes the cheese is also great!!!!!!!!!!

Pros: romantic, excellent food, great service

Posted 08/03/02

This is my second visit to Picholine. My first visit was before a show at the Lincoln Center, and it was extremely dissapointing, but I gave it a second chance after reading so many good reviews. The second visit confirmed that Picholine is truly a waste of money. I went there because it is so close to the Lincoln Center; next time I will eat somewhere else and take a cab to the performance.

Cons: snobbish

Posted 07/21/02

I think many of these glowing "10" reviews are phony, cooked up by the restaurant's puppets. We went for a pre-theatre meal. Awful. Cheese course, as other reviewers have noted, is interesting, but you'll do much better by going to Dean & Deluca's and putting it together yourself.

Posted 07/16/02

There are a lot high end restaurants in New York that pay tremendous attention to the periphery of their menu: amuse bouche, appetizers, starters, in-between courses, etc. But they often get just a satisfied--not exuberant--nod when diners tuck into the main course. That won't happen at Picholine. The menu is well-crafted, thorough, and the main course is as well put-together as any exciting introduction. Excellent.

Posted 07/16/02

If you'd like to treat yourself and feel like a King or a Queen for the night, Picholine is your kind of place! The food was outstanding-especially the "chef's treats" that were on the house, of which I received three! (I especially enjoyed the tiered tray of pre-dessert confections). The service was impeccable, the decor sublime. Sure, the prices are lofty, too, but well worth it. Relax and indulge yourself!

Posted 07/10/02

I have been many times and two nights I had an experience that was wonderful eve by Picholine standards. The menu and food was great and the service attentive and sincere.
I will be back "againn"

Posted 07/04/02

totally agree with 5/12 review. total waste. what an attitude!

Posted 07/04/02

Picholine no doubt garners and exploits the "pre-theater" (Lincoln Center) crowd. As is typical of such restaurants, the cusine does not warrant the high prices. The cheese course, however, is fun. Tightly spaced tables. Stuffy (jacket required). A full dinner for two (with wine) is easily $300. Be sure to check the menu before you go; depending on the night, it's quite possible you will find few dishes of interest.

Posted 06/22/02

Extremely expensive and boring food. If good food is what you seek, take your money elsewhere.

Posted 06/18/02