Nice Matin

Everything you loved about the original Nice Matin is here, the beautiful setting, the food; Best of all the staff is gracious and professional but more laid back than before. You get exquisite food and comfort all in one.

Posted 10/27/09

I recently stopped by one of my favorite stomping grounds to try out their Apples, Sausages and Beer festival. Once again I was blown away. I loved the cocktail, some apple martini that was perfectly balanced to my favorite french fare. I think the advertisements I have seen said the festival ends soon, so I will try to stop by one more time, and I suggest you do to!

Pros: simple, delicious

Cons: impossible to beat!

Posted 10/26/09

I meet my friends here every time I stop in. No matter morning noon or night. It is a neighborhood haute cuisine sort of wining, dining or breakfasting comfort zone where the service matches the food (always good). And you never angst if your dollar is being mispent. Very boulevard in the best sense of the word. Always my first suggestion when people ask where we should share a meal.

Posted 02/27/09

This place is always a good bite to eat! If you're looking for some good food and great service! One item that i have recently enjoyed is the Sole "Milanese." Has such a great taste, not as fishy as I thought it would be, because the salad and dressing mixed with the fish tastes perfect! The atmosphere has a very chic and comfortable feeling! The server was very nice, and made the lunch date enjoyable!

Posted 02/10/09

I am a regular at Nice Matin and enjoy every meal -- breakfast, brunch on weekends, lunch and dinner. I was just there this past weekend for dinner and their delicious grilled salmon. On my way out I saw a card advertising the Stinky Cheese Festival! It sounds so interesting and judging by the rest of their selections many delicous choices can be expected! I cannot wait to see what they have to offer for the festival. Nice Matin is the perfect place for friendly, excellent service and delicious food for any meal of the day.

Posted 02/10/09

Inviting, airy room, comfortable seating and great ambiance.
Service was better than expected based on other reviewers, maybe they got the message, everyone was friendly and we wanted for nothing.
The food was very tasty and well cooked. The choices on the Prix Fixe were great and we enjoyed every dish we had. Can't wait to return or to visit other restaurants in this group this is number two for us.

Pros: Ambiance, Food, Service

Cons: None so far!

Posted 02/04/09

When I first walked I really liked the atmosphere! The lights, and walls are gorgeously decorated! Very chic! I ordered the Chopped Salad with Chicken. It was very good! Pretty big size too! My friend ordered the 5 napkin burger which was a perfect burger! One of the best I've had in a long time! The service was very good! Very friendly!

Pros: Great tasting food! Good atmosphere! Prompt service!

Posted 02/02/09

Wonderful place! I visited recently with my husband and our two children for brunch and had a great experience. They were very accomodating since we had children and even brought them things to color. Also the food is spectacular! I had the lorraine omelette and my husband had the croque monsieur -- both were delicious!

It was a great cozy place to spend a cold saturday morning -- will definately be back soon!

Posted 01/28/09

I whent to nice matin for the firts time in the midle of summer 2008, by recomendation of a friend , she told me about some thing called 'the daobe of short ribs' , she said they were out of this world, so when I got there I already had a mental picture of the dish, so I asked my server about it and she made me drull with details of the way the ribs are prepared,. if i didn"t know better i would say i was talking to the chef she really knew her food and also the summelier suggested a 1/2 bottle of wine with it and it made it perfect. I am really happy having nice matin around great place, very impressive wine list, on d the service very pleasant.

Posted 01/27/09

The service was excellent here! I was there for dinner but I also have enjoyed their delicious breakfast. They had a great restaurant week menu which my guests really enjoyed. I had the 5 Napkin Burger which was AMAZING! This is by far my favorite restaurant in the city!

Posted 01/26/09

The noise level was insufferable even at lunch. The service was snotty, abrupt, rude and condescending. I had a salad nicoise that included poached tuna which was overdone and totally without flavor. The accompanying salad was nice, fresh and abundant. The decor is neutral and in no way is reminiscent of anything Parisian.

Posted 01/05/09

The Nice Matin is one of the best place I have been too.The service is fantastic, food is awesome, and the place is wonderful. Everyone makes you feel so good and make sure that you have a good evening.

Posted 12/09/08

One of the best Upper West Side experiences I've had! Food is wonderful -- especially the hummus. They have a great selection for a variety of diets, including kids. My younger brother who was with me loved the steak. Service was very attentive and friendly, they even provided coloring sheets and crayons. It is hard to find somewhere so kid friendly in nyc so I look forward to returning!

Posted 11/30/08

They have great steak, juicy and delicious. The waiters are cute and nice, the bartenders are great as well.

Pros: Service and steak

Posted 11/26/08

Nice Matin is a great little restaurant that knows how to treat its patrons. The 5 Napkin Burger is absolute heaven. The wine list is very reasonably priced with many selections around 30 dollars. I can not wait to go again and perhaps try their brunch which I hear is amazing. It does get a little crowded so I would make a reservation.

Pros: Burger, Wine, Ambience, Service

Posted 11/13/08

Nice Matin has a wonderful ambience, good service and clean. The food was flavorful, European influence. Appetizer of mussels, served cold was unique/excellant. I ordered the PAN ROASTED CHICKEN-very comforting.My husband ordered the GOLDEN SNAPPER- was excellant. The dark chocolate dessert awesome. One negative, they did not have the Escarole in Garlic & Oil.

Posted 10/15/08

I've been here quite a few times and the last time was great. We had appetizers, entrees and desserts and the entire meal was delicious. I had been a few months before and was disappointed, but we tried it again and it is as good as I remember it in that old days! We'll be back!!

Posted 10/01/08

This restaurant is my favorite in NYC! The service is excellent, the food is the best I've had -- of ANY entree it is the best I've ever had. The atmosphere is nice but not too fancy or too casual. Hosts, waitstaff and management are all welcoming, professional and provide service above and beyond expectations. The bar staff truly knows how to make a fine coffee beverage and the cocktails are fabulous! I highly suggest Nice Matin for breakfast, lunch or dinner, I myself frequent as often as I can for every meal possible. There is nothing more rewarding or enjoyable than becoming a regular at this restaurant!

Pros: Ambience, FOOD, cocktails, espresso drinks, dessert menu, wine list, service

Cons: I can't eat there every meal of every day.

Posted 09/16/08

The last year everything---food, service, friendliness---has gone up a notch. Excellent and consistent. They continue to raise the bar for restaurants the world over.

Pros: Great people and ambience, great attentive service

Cons: Not enough restaurants this high-quality around!

Posted 09/12/08

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this restaurant. It is a neighborhood favorite of mine. The staff is friendly, the food is FANTASTIC and the atmosphere is lively and hip.

Pros: GREAT food!

Cons: Tiny bathrooms???

Posted 09/09/08

Three out of four of us ordered the special Branzino fish. It was delicious but the tiniest portion I have ever seen. "A nice hors d'oeuvre" one friend said. With the bill close $150 including tip, there should be more food on the plate.

Posted 05/30/08

From the minute I walked in the door of Nice Matin, I felt completely at home! I read about this restaurant in a magazine article and was intrigued by its unique name, but I didn't get the chance to eat there until last night because I am usually never on the Upper West Side. I am so glad I finally decided to make the journey uptown because the food was absolutely delicious and the service I received was the perfect touch of attentiveness without trying too hard. I especially loved the fava bean hummus. It was very creamy and smooth and paired perfectly with the pita and crustini. The spinach salad was especially wonderful as well. The roasted beets in combination with the shallots and goat cheese were a perfect combination with the taste and texture of the spinach leaves. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone because the diverse menu allows virtually any taste to be satisfied.

Pros: Ambience, Food, Service

Posted 02/23/08

Consistently excellent food. I initially went for brunch and loved everything from the delicious bread basket to the fantastic Guava mimosa. I also tried a house specialty of poached eggs over a puffy pastry with cream sauce and swiss chard. Absolutely delicious. I later made reservations for dinner and found the atmosphere just as lively and fun as it was during brunch. I loved the specialty cocktails they offered and the sommelier was very helpful to navigate their wine list. I enjoyed some of the best salmon I have eaten in New York. I highly recommend Nice Matin. They offer great service, consistency and delicious drinks and food. What more could you ask for?

Pros: Atmosphere, Service, Food

Cons: Parking

Posted 01/28/08

I went to Nice Matin on Wed. 11/21 (the night before Thanksgiving) and I had never been there before. I wasn't disappointed.

What a great experience all around! The service, food, and atmosphere were perfect. Everything was wonderful! It was my birthday and I was hoping it would be good food. I enjoyed everything. I had the short ribs ravioli and my boyfriend had the beef short ribs.

We had gone to see the parade balloons blown up and we thought we would be running late so we called the restaurant to change our reservations to an hour later, the restaurant had no problem with this and then we arrived at the restaurant at our original reservation time and they had no problem with that at all. The restaurant was crowded. We waited maybe 15 mins. to be seated.

The service was amazing. I highly recommend it. You can't go wrong. We'll definitely be going back.

Pros: Service and food

Cons: Loud

Posted 11/25/07

I live half a block from Nice Matin. The Upper West Side is bereft of good restaurants, so I'm very happy Nice Matin has established itself here. However, the quality of the service has declined noticeably in the past year, which is a major concern. I had brunch there today and had to wave my arms in the air to attract a waitperson; it wasn't until our meal was halfway over that our designated waiter approached. This is not acceptable.

Pros: One of the better spots on the Upper West

Cons: Really bad service

Posted 11/24/07

One of the best experiences! Enjoyed dinner with family and had a wonderful time. Amazing people who make you feel welcomed and the food was terrific! The price is reasonable and you really get a great meal for your money. Best waitress ever. Highly recommmend the Haggar steak or duck. Best dessert as well to top off everything!

Pros: Great food, Service

Cons: None

Posted 11/23/07

I love this restaurant. I had the best restaurant experience on my date there a few days ago. From the moment I walked in the restaurant the atmosphere made me feel like I was a guest in their own home?and who knew that you can actually get that experience in New York. I highly recommend Nice Matin.
The service and food is superb!

Posted 10/30/07

I'm surprised by all the negative reviews. We went for dinner on a Friday night and everything was just perfect. Everyone who worked there was downright pleasant (shocking, I know) and the food was excellent. We had hanger steak, veal medallions, garlic shrimp, and tuna tartar plus two desserts and a bunch of wines by the glass. Our waiter was incredibly pleasant and made helpful suggestions. We eat out a lot and are discriminating, so we were pleasantly suprised by every element of this place. We didn't dine outdoors because it was humid and hot. Indoors was nicely decorated and reminiscent of Paris. I'd say it's worth a try. I've heard of places having "off nights", but not "on nights" so I doubt our experience was a fluke.

Pros: Food, service, location, unisex bathrooms

Cons: none

Posted 06/01/07

We have lived directly across the street from Nice Matin for 3 years and have gone there many times. Yes, it has a fabulous location and enticing outdoor seating in the summer. The food is pretty good if a little overpriced. It wouldn't be a bad place if it weren't for how it is run.

The service is horrible, waffling between mismanaged and inattentive to incompetent and downright rude. They can't keep simple orders straight, are mysteriously missing every time you need something, and if they make an error they are completely remiss to correct it or even apologize. They take forever to do anything and then basically force you out if you take your time(especially at brunch). Every time we go we vow we will never go back, and ostensibly we end up giving them a 'second' chance. But after my last experience there, I left so angry with the dining experience for my $40 burger and glass of wine that I really will NEVER go back.

And my experiences are not even the worst that I have heard. Today, a coworker casually mentioned her horrible dining experience there AND that afterward they realized that they were charged for their table AS WELL as the table next to them! Other friends of mine were accosted by another patron (incited by the hostess), and the staff just stood by and watched. I would suggest NEVER going there unless you want to leave completely frustrated with your overpriced meal and horrible service.

Pros: nice outdoor seating (the ONLY pro)

Cons: service, service, service, price, food

Posted 05/29/07

I went to Nice Matin recently in the late afternoon. This was my first time and it looked as though they would have good quality food that would be a nice late lunch. I waited for several minutes to be seated but since there were many empty tables outside I sat down on my own. I waited about a half hour and then went over to someone who seemed in charge and she asked me if anyone seated me and I said no. She seemed extremely annoyed by this and then I sat down and waited. I waited so long that I wish now I left. A busboy came over and cleaned the table but never wiped it down. Several minutes went by and I asked for a menu and several more minutes went by and I finally received the menu. Since it was so beautiful outside in the sun and I was sitting down, it didn't bother me very much. I felt if it got any later I would get up and go home and make dinner since I live in the area. Someone came over with silverware and napkin and I had to remind them to please wipe the table down as there were drink stains there. Someone gave me a menu and then someone else came by 20 minutes later to take my order. I ordered their crabmeat sandwich and when it finally arrived it had mostly mayonnaise and a piece of octupus and a piece of shrimp on a delicious large bun. I ate it and it was delicious but certainly not worth $15.00. Now I wonder if I was being tortured because I had the audacity to sit down on my own?

Pros: Food is well seasoned, but the quality and quantity is lacking

Cons: terrible service, bad attitude and seems to be inexperienced wait staff, do not bring children because the wait would be impossible for them

Posted 05/10/07

I came here with a group of girls from the office for a Farewell dinner. When I had made the reservation, I told them what the party was for and if they could have champagne waiting. As soon as we arrived I had a glass of champagne in my hand! I was very impressed. The dinner was amazing. They have these great hors d'oeuvres that are great to share, and everyones entrees were divine. The portions were big enough, but not to big. The sommelier was a treat too (and really cute). He helped pair all of our courses with the perfect wine. I hadn't been there before, but I will be there again.

Pros: Wine, Ambience

Posted 03/03/07

Nice Matin captured the atmosphere and the vibe of the French Riviera. The place is fun, the service attentive and the wine list complete and most important, fairly priced.
Their hors d'oeuvres are excellent, try the panisses, as well as the main courses. I will go back. Kudos.

Posted 02/27/07

I found the place to be really romantic and the staff was attentive but knew when to back off. I can't stand over-the-top actors trying to sell sell sell...this was more fluid and satisfying of an experience. I recommend the crispy chickpeas and the merguez to start. The sauteed shrimp was a great appetizer and the sweet breads were the bomb!!! I love them like they were my own children. Don't forget to ask about pairings for food otherwise it ain't worth living. Enjoy this gem on the UWS!

Pros: Everything

Cons: Nothing

Posted 02/22/07

Stopped in for a couple of lattes and dessert around 3 on a Sunday afternoon. After being served lukewarm coffee, cold creme brulee arrived. We asked our very nice waitress to please bring it back; she returned in a few minutes and informed us that the creme brulee was intended to be cool. (Hmmmm.) However, the kitchen would heat it for us if we so desired. After another ten minutes, our half-eaten dessert was returned to us, a very little bit wamer. Ewwwww. Not enough self-respect to serve us a fresh dessert. The rest of our stay was interrupted by over anxious busboys asking to clear our table when we were obviously in still in the middle of our meal. Not at all impressive.

Posted 02/18/07

Went to Nice Matin with a large group of friends. Being a downtowner I rarely go to the upper west side, but I have friends who live there, so about 6 of us hightailed it up to Nice Matin. I can honestly say that the choice was a perfect one. The service was very accommodating (and we can be loud,) and the food was quite good. We got to try a lot of items since everyone shared, it was all delicious with a special nod to the 5 napkin burger, lamb and cod entrees. I'd definately leave the west village again for their fries.

Pros: food, atmosphere, service

Cons: that it's on the upper west side

Posted 01/24/07

I've heard mixed reviews about Nice Matin. Unfortunately I need to chime in with the less favorable ones. Our waiter forgot about us; three bottles of wine were presented to us before they brought the correct one (and I was parched!!); all of our food was brought to us at once - salad, soup, buger, sides, etc. Our meal was then left under a heater until it was the proper time to serve it and was subsequently soggy and over-cooked and the vegetables were lifeless. Fries were unbelievably salty. The list of complaints goes on. I'll stop blabbering. NEVER AGAIN. Consider yourself warned.

Pros: atmosphere is decent

Cons: service was pathetic

Posted 01/17/07

My friends and I went last Sunday for brunch. They don't take reservations for brunches, which was a downer for our party of seven but we were seated in twenty minutes - which is what the girl said it would be - and we even got a window seat. The server knew the menu pretty well and even let my overly picky friend get her way with multiple changes to the order - something she rarely gets away with at most places. The croissants were perfect (soft, flaky, slightly doughy) and my boyfriend's burger was to die for: huge, comte cheese and caramelized onions. I got a salad so large I couldn't finish it but really can't complain about that. One friend was less impressed with his croque monseur, which he said was a bit rich or heavy for brunch cuisine. It got pretty noisy but the atmosphere was vibrant - both due to the bright/festive decor and the people moving pretty much everywhere. The bustle will definately wake you up...I don't know how early you'd have to get there for it to be quiet. There are only two bathrooms so the line can get lengthy and god help you if you get stuck behind someone taking their kid in. All-around they seemed to "have their act together" when we went - we'll be testing this place again soon to see if it is so...

Pros: Accomodating, Food, Atmosphere

Cons: Two bathrooms in that huge place? And no parking.

Posted 12/01/06

I was here on a Sunday afternoon on a recent return trip to NY. After moving from NY to London over a year ago I have become somewhat accustomed to slower service... this, however, was appalling! After being seated we waited over 10 minutes for our server to show up at the table only to have her arrive with a 5 minute speech on how we shouldn't rush her b/c it makes her "confused"... what?! We had to request a bottle of sparkling water 4 times only to have it arrive over half-way through the meal. The most annoying part was that everytime we looked for our waitress we found her engrossed in conversation with one of her other tables or someone else on the staff. Each time she would return to us we got another 15 minute speech about the difficulties of her life. On a Sunday afternoon when I am relaxing with friends I do not need this level of reality dumped on me. The icing on the cake was when my native French speaking friend ordered the Tart Tatin in a flawless French accent and the waiter (oh yes, we gave up on the waitress and just started grabbing anyone with a yellow shirt) CORRECTED HIM pronouncing it exactly any child might sound it out... ahahaha. At least at the end we had a laugh and took the opportunity to tip like we were back in the UK.

Posted 11/07/06

I just came here over the weekend to try their brunch since i heard it was quite good and the menu online looks interesting. unfortunately i was sorta late to the brunch menu and was given the late lunch menu instead. the food tasted ok but can't say i am satisfied with the portion. for drink, it was average ... the mimosa was nothing special but the raspberry belini was refreshing.

they must have re-hire a bunch of new servers cause the lady for my table was extremely nice and courteous. so i would recommend this plc for a lazy afternoon hang out... i have not been here for dinner so i don't know if that's where most frustration comes from.

Pros: location

Cons: pricey for what's being served

Posted 08/24/06

Brunched here on a few sundays. Small but lovely sidewalk cafe. Great food and service! The Belgian waffles are the lightest and crispiest on earth! :)

Posted 07/21/06

Wanted to try someplace new. So what better way to try out a restaurant than during restaurant week. If restaurant week is a way to drum up business and to lure me back again then Nice Matin surely failed. The prix fixe menu was uninspired and LAZY. I had artic char, which came out cold and came back luke warm. Even the sauce- fennel and mussel couldn't save it. My husband had the risotto- which was hot and well done. Way overpriced. I know 35.00 is not expensive but the very least they could have done was add a small dollop of potato or a green bean to the lonely little piece of char. Fresh fruit for dessert with a nano-scoop of lavender ice cream finished off the meal. and don't get me started about the bread, my husband asked for a piece of each kind of bread(2) they were offering and was given the two tiniest pieces in the basket. Is bread being rationed??? The 125. we spent would have been a much better meal somewhere else. Also, they were really trying to turn tables. The over anxious busboys had to be shooed away from our plates and drinks. Our conversation was interrupted every 5 minutes ( No exaggeration) to tell someone we weren't done yet. Sorry, won't be returning.

Pros: Decor

Cons: Service

Posted 07/18/06

We chose to ignore the reviews about service - and that was a mistake. The service was terrible, and not just for us but for just about every table I could see. The food was only OK - for these prices you can find somewhere else that is better. The one thing I will say is that the wine list is impressive, and so is the wine service - and the bar scene seemed pretty fun. So drink/dine at the bar if you feel you must go here.

Pros: wine list

Cons: service

Posted 05/26/06

My boyfriend and I have been enjoying Nice Matin for a while now -- the only con is the service. They will seat you in strange spots, make you wait and even act patronizing toward you. That said, the food is fabulous and the prices are just right!

Pros: Food, Food, Food

Cons: Service, Layout, Service

Posted 01/04/06

The hace a great steak. Great service. My favorite restaurant.

Pros: Food, Service, Steak

Cons: Nothing, Nothing, Nothing

Posted 11/25/05

We live in the neighborhood and were looking forward to another great addition to our stable of regular restaurants. But alas, it wasn't meant to be. Although the Bloody Mary's are great and food is generally OK, the service is bottom of the barrell. Requests for things like ketchup and more water regularly unanswered. On one visit, (we've given them about five chances), we had to ask no fewer than 3 different people for condiments. And this was after waiting over 40 minutes for our food to arrive. For these kinds of prices, service should be adequate and not neglectful.

Pros: Bloody Mary's, atmosphere, location

Cons: Service, Service, Service

Posted 11/15/05

The good: despite not having a reservation on a busy, rainy Saturday night, the hostesses had us seated within 20 minutes. After that it was all downhill. The service here was awful. We were treated rudely and dismissively by our waiter, who seemed more interested in having a ten minute conversation about his college with the table next to us, while empty appetizer trays and drink glasses piled up. The food was no better than okay, and certainly did not justify the prices charged for the meal. The whole place reeked of snobbery, quite frankly - if you weren't ordering more than $200 worth of food, they weren't going to treat you like a decent customer. Not worth your money, or your time. There are other French places worth your investment.

Pros: hostess service

Cons: bad service, average food, over-priced

Posted 10/23/05

highly recommended for a excellent meal without all the fuss! Call ahead for a reservation because neighborhood locals pop-in and some nights it can be busseling, but they doorstaff accomidates walk-ins as promptly as possible (it's not their fault no one wants to leave the place). The servers are excellent; friendly and eager to please as well as knowledgable of the food and wines. Great for after-work, a first date, a casual bite, before or after a show or anytime you want a great meal!

Pros: service, food, wine

Cons: busy, semi-loud

Posted 08/14/05

There are few things about eating out that can get me really angry. I'm very tolerant of mistakes in orders, spills, etc. What really sets me off is when the host staff doesn't follow any rational criteria for seating and doesn't respect the time of people who have been waiting longer. I arrived and put my name on the list and was told that we would have to wait about 10 minutes. Three parties who arrived subsequent to me, who I saw put their names in after I did, were seated before us; all three were larger than mine, and there were many empty tables. Despite my loud statement of that observation in front of their station, there was no acknowledgment or apology forthcoming. The waiter was actually quite good and almost made up for it, but this was infuriating; I am definitely spreading the word about this nonsense.

Pros: Good waitstaff

Cons: Awful host staff

Posted 07/23/05