Gabriel's

Gabriel's was a very good experience: Excellent wine list, delicious food, very good service, convenient location

Pros: Food, wine, service

Posted 11/12/09

Dinner at Gabriel's was a very nice surprise. I always was hesitant to try Gabriel's because the pictures of the sign out front made me think it was more like Chucky Cheese- I mean the interior is beautiful- calm, warm and inviting. They should get a more subtle sign in the front. But that's just my opinion- the owner has children, their pictures are on the menu which makes you feel more connected to the family restaurant?nice touch, so I guess that's the reason for the funky sign. The fresh mozzarella appetizer was out of this world- definitely soft, homemade mozzarella, and since I order it everywhere I'm somewhat of an expert at this point. I ordered the short ribs with a polenta side. Perfect portion- I like a little more then most women, and I got exactly what I wanted. My husband ordered the seafood risotto which I was surprised he said was excellent because the plate looked kind of boring, and it was just beige, and didn't look so hot. Mine really did as far as presentation. Our other guest had the tuna steak which he raved about. The location is really great because we like to get cocktails after dinner and the Mandarin Hotel is steps away- so we went up to MoBar to end the night. It is a great restaurant that I would highly recommend for an intimate date night or big get together with friends. Service was impeccable.. Thanks for the good times-- I'll be back!

Pros: Great fresh dishes

Cons: Front sign

Posted 02/01/09

A client recommended lunch at this restaurant and I had never heard of it. I can now say I think it is fantastic! Very cool decor and the food is unique and delicious. You should definitely try it. The appetizers are always good - and the desserts are worth to try.

Pros: food'desert

Posted 12/07/08

Their excellent dishes were accompanied by their excellent service. We were extremely pleased with the experience overall.

Thanks for being a classic!

Posted 11/07/08

Delicious, good atmosphere. Someone below said "small portions"? Well, he probably ordered small because my friend and I got huge portions! This place is not that expensive really, typical restaurant. The service is good & the food is fresh & taste great! I would recommend this place to any one.

Pros: ambiance,staff,food

Cons: n/a

Posted 09/29/08

I went on a first date recently to Gabriel's and had an excellent time. The food was delicious, the waiter was very attentive and the wine list was exceptional. The ambiance was also very nice for for a first date. Highly recommended.

Pros: Cuisine, Service, Ambiance, Wine List

Posted 09/02/08

My wife & I have been to Gabriel's several times over the years. We love the atmosphere & service but mostly return due to the delicious cuisine which is always served fresh and cooked perfectly. What we also like about it is that it's not all typical red-sauce Italian dishes and the menu always has something interesting to offer. Highly recommended!

Pros: Cuisine, Service, Atmosphere

Posted 04/23/08

I stopped in here for dinner all by myself one day. I had to spend some time before going to the opera. I'm so glad I did because the food was delicious and the martinis generously sized and perfectly made. Before my dinner arrived I was given a wonderful selection of bread and rolls. My entree was a zucchini pasta and it was so good I could have eaten two. The atmosphere struck me as a little snobby (the other patrons, not the staff), but it could have been because it was full of well-heeled folks on their way to the Met. I definitely would like to go back, next time for an occasion. It's a little pricey but I left there feeling I had gotten more than my money's worth.

Pros: Great food and drinks

Cons: none, really

Posted 01/31/08

Went to Gabriel's on recommendations from friends. We had a great time. Very good food, great wine list and nice ambiance. The service was friendly and attentive as well. Definitely be back

Pros: Food, Ambiance, Service, Wine List

Posted 05/24/07

I went to this restaurant with my husband last Friday based on the good reviews in here, but was very dissappointed. We ordered the scallop and beef ribs. The scallop was overcooked and the rib is very dry, its like chewing on paper. The service was not bad. But the food is really not good and price is expensive. Not recommended at all. When it comes to food, I am usually not as picky as my husband, but I have to agree with him this time.

Pros: Okay service, nice setting

Cons: Pricey, Bad Food

Posted 05/17/07

I had the Grilled Portobello appetizer and the Tortellini filled with Lamb and my dining partner had the Cesar Salad and the Baby Chicken. Everything was delicious! The service was attentive and the atmosphere was simple and quiet. The highlight remains, for me the food. This was one of the restaurants that we both left raving and recommending prompting my company to ask how I had found such a wonderful place.

Pros: Delicious food, Convenient location, Quick lunch service

Cons: Odd outside signage

Posted 09/04/06

So convenient for me, ends up being a great standby. Courtious staff who always remembers a face and good food. It has gotten a little crowded since Time Warner Center opened, but still a good place to have around in a snap.

Posted 08/11/06

For those looking for a well-turned, moderate-to-expensively priced dinner close to the theater district and Lincoln Center, this unassuming American bistro does a nice job. You would hardly notice the restaurant on 60th Street even if it does have a prime location near Columbus Circle simply because the massive Time Warner building complex dwarves it. Yet, you can get a fine pre-theater meal even if the sight of four (count 'em, four) hostesses seems a bit overwhelming. My friend and I were there at around 5:30PM, and a number of guests in their theater finery were already well into their meals.

It's a relatively small place, tastefully appointed...just the type of place that wealthy, older Upper West Siders are bound to go to avoid the crowds. A little more pizzazz in their decor wouldn't hurt as there was no one remotely hip in the place (a lot of fur and sequins...and on women, no less), but fortunately the food is quite good. My friend had the pappardelle with quail and mushrooms in a light creamy sauce. It was tasty and the noodles had a nice consistency. But I have to say my order was superb...butternut squash ravioli in a brown butter sauce that was almost decadently flavorful. Our waiter was quite nice and attentive and not the patronizing sort one would expect from such a place. This is definitely an option to consider before a performance at the Met or a Broadway show.

Posted 06/25/06

My wife & I went here for a Birthday dinner and were immediately impressed with the wine list. So many to choose from. The service was attentive without being bothersome. The appetizers(Caesar Salad & Portobello Mushroom) came out fresh & timely. My wife had gnocchi which was cooked perfectly. I had the salmon which had a really nice sauce. No room for dessert, maybe next time as we'd go back again

Pros: wine list, freshness of food, service

Posted 05/07/06

After reading good reviews, I was looking forward to dinner here, but it was nothing special. The food was just ok, service marginal. The ceasar salad didn't taste especially good & had too much anchovy (& I like anchovies). The waitress, though polite, basically ignored us after taking our order. And it was expensive for what we got. To say something positive, the bread was very good. I'd try it again, maybe it was just a bad night, but with so many other better places nearby, I wouldn't rush back.

Pros: good location, not too loud, nice atmosphere

Cons: ordinary food, indifferent service, expensive

Posted 02/12/06

Went there for only the second time last Thu with friends at 9pm for a quick bite. The waitress lost some points for not refilling our champagne glasses. We only wanted appetizers but also ordered a pasta entree to share. It couldn't be helped, delicious! The mussels were all fresh, unlike most places in NYC where you always get a few bad ones. The beef carpaccio was also marvelous as was the apple pie dessert. The first time I went, we rushed to catch a show. Take your time and enjoy wine or champagne or both. You won't be disappointed. Only thing not on the regular menu is a nice veal dish, parmagiana should be a staple in every italian restaurant. I always try to use it for an apples to apples comparison. But then again, I'm neither italian nor a chef, just an amateur food critic.

Posted 11/06/05

We have eaten at Gabriel's several times, and each time the food was delicious. It is not completely authentic Italian but very good anyway. If you go, be sure to request the Italian waiter (I think he's the only one in the restaurant). He's great--really knows a lot about food and cares. The decor could use a little bit of an update. Overall, a great place to eat if you're going to a show.

Pros: Service, Food

Cons: Decor

Posted 10/15/05

Gabriel's is both dismal or very good. We have been there numerous times times over the last five years and have found the food and service very inconsistent. One time the food and service top notch, another time the food is uninspired and the service poor. The previous reviews only confirm the assessement. In other words it's hit or miss. If you find the right nighy, enjoy. Otherise you have our complete sympathy.

Pros: food, service

Cons: food, service

Posted 08/17/05

The reds are served far too warm, the whites far too cold. This is a pity since the selection really is good. Even a great wine can be ruined if served at the wrong temperature.

Food was of mixed quality. A side of grilled asparagus with parmesan and quail egg was fresh and simple. The Caesar salad was sub par as was the grilled tuna. The pappardelle was nicely smokey, however. Despite the editorial review, our desert of chocolate-hazelnut cake was dry and a few days from fresh.

Seating was far too crowded.

Pros: wood-grilled dishes, wine list

Cons: non wdgrilled dishes, badly served wine, crowded seating

Posted 07/20/05

The hostess, bartender, and waiter were so friendly and attentive. Really amazing service. The mussels (appetizer) were excellent, but the entrees (red snapper for me, seared tuna steak for my friend) were lukewarm and dissapointing. There are too many other places in the city I'd rather go to for a $30 entree.

Pros: Service

Cons: Food, Lighting

Posted 06/25/05

The dinner and wine menus offered many tantalizing options, from which it was truly difficult to choose. The service and staff were excellent: accomodating, helpful and charming. A truly lovely evening and ideally located quite close to Lincoln Center for pre-opera dining.

Posted 06/09/05

My wife & I visited Gabriel's before a show at nearby Lincoln Center. We both enjoyed our meals very much. She had the Tuna Steak & I had the Seared Sea Scallops. Both were cooked perfectly. The service was great and the wine list was exceptional. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Posted 04/20/04

bad for words. Too crowded. Too smelly (could've been the guy eating the gigantic sardines at the TOO close table next to us). Too noisy. Too B&T. Too loud. Too expensive for what you get. Too bad.

Pros: Wine list, Near Lincoln Ctr.

Cons: Crowded, Rude patrons, average food

Posted 01/13/04

Have eaten here a dozen times or more, this is an absolutely reliable standby. Love the pastas and the pork shank and definitely get a recommendation from the sommelier - he is excellent and won't suggest anything overpriced.

Posted 01/28/03

Good restaurant. Service is good. Food is good. Better than many for restaurants on the west side.

Pros: Good for the W.Side

Posted 01/18/03

We live a few blocks away and have become regulars. It's too pricey to go every week but it's always terrrific and brings us back 1x/mo or so. The staff is very professional and friendly. A terrific place to linger over a nice wine -- their cellar/selection is excellent and sommelier is terrific, too.

Casually elegant setting, and good place to pop in for a drink, too.

Pros: ambience, staff, wine

Cons: can be slow service

Posted 12/08/02

I've been to Gabriel's once before and had great service and an excellent meal. My wife & I returned and tried different menu items. This time, I liked it even more than the first visit and the wine selection is exceptional. I highly recommend Gabriel's.

Posted 11/21/02

Soo many better restaurants in this area that this should not even be around. The food is mediocre and the prices are too high! I had seafood lasagna with shells in it and just plopped into a bowl. It took a very long time to receive our food as well. Go somewhere else!

Posted 10/26/02

The #1 worst restaurant experience ever. As other diners were seated around us and began to get their orders, we waited over a bottle of wine. The waiter would not respond to us. Finally, with 20 minutes to go before our theater performance, the waiter brought our food explainig he would send the manager because the kitchen lost our order. The manager arrived saying "Yeah, what's the problem here?" When we explained, he offered dessert. But we were already late for the theater, so, as we scarfed down our food, we asked if he'd comp the wine. His response was to berate and insult us with language unprintable here. We will NEVER be back.

Pros: Decent ambience

Cons: Rude service, Slipshod kitchen, Nasty manager

Posted 10/26/02

The food was decent but not worth the $350 + it came to for just three of us (before tip, just one bottle of wine). We had to wait quite a while between appetizer and entre so not sure it is good for pre-theatre. Overall, I would say there are better, more reasonably priced restaurants in the area and for the type of food.

Posted 10/11/02

This restaurant is great. The pasta I had is outstanding. Service was slow but the food made up for it. You have to try it

Posted 09/18/02

this is a classy restuarant with great food. not your typical dull Italian, this it the real deal. service is attentive and pleasant. highly recommended.

Posted 09/10/02

I've been to Gabriel's many times for both business and personal meals, and although the food is delicious and interesting, there's something about the ambiance I don't like. It's a little too roomy, and feels a bit sterile. Very good wine list.

Pros: business lunch

Posted 09/08/02

I have been back a few times and have never been dissapointed in the wonderful service, unique dishes and delightful decor.

Pros: Great location, cool decor, great service

Cons: bit pricey

Posted 09/04/02