Cafe d'Alsace

Being from the area, I know whenever I have guests over and we head out to eat Cafe d'Alsace will never let us down. I headed over there with a group of 4 last night and they were having an Apples, Sausages and Beer festival. I was reluctant to shy away from my usual fare but we decided to go for the special, and really it was so special. We shared the Triple Sausages tasting, i think it was about 18 bucks. We got it as a hors d?oeuvre for the table
served with potato pure?e, sauerkraut, apples & all types of mustards. It really was perfect with the huge beer menu they had. I recommend this place always, but this festival really was a fall treat.

Pros: Upper East Side Gem. Never lets me down

Cons: The Festival Ends at the end of the month

Posted 10/26/09

I met a friend here yesterday and was completely charmed by the sort of shabby-eclectic decor paired with big windows that let in lots of light even on a dreary January afternoon. The cups are big, and the hot chocolate I had was deliciously creamy and not over-sweet. The baristas are friendly but sincere, and the space is nice for people watching, reading, having a quiet chat or getting some work done on your laptop. Overall, it's just your standard charming, neighborhood coffee shop. I hope they stick around.

Posted 04/29/09

Was just at Cafe Dalsece for the first time this past Friday. The service was great...the wait staff was attentive and very familiar with both the wine and food menus.The food was innovative and very yummy. And although I enjoyed the atmosphere I don't know that it was very romantic...but that could have been the company too. I would definately go back

Pros: food'service

Posted 11/13/08

The food is amazing. Because the flavors are so well thought out, you don't have to order a lot to be satisfied. My friend and I ordered appetizers and soups and it was the perfect amount and price!

I highly recommend their specia lHOMEMADE CHEESE CAKE . Literally the best cheese cake I've had in NY.

The only reason I gave it four stars is because our waiter was very snooty.
.

Cons: server

Posted 10/01/08

Went here a few weeks ago on a Friday night and sat outside... the location on the corner makes for good people watching and a pleasant atmosphere on a summer evening. The beer selection is fantastic -- rivals the bottled wine selection at most restaurants, and it's filled with great possibilities for very reasonable prices. The service was just okay, as it seemed like our waiter was running around a bit so things were sort of slow, but he made every effort to keep us happy and we appreciated that. For apps we ate a goat cheese tatin (really delicious) and a cold gazpacho soup, (a special that did not disappoint -- in fact, the chilled gazpacho was really satisfying on a warm day). Anyway, we went specifically because we heard the burgers were great... and sure enough, they were delicious. They were cooked just as we wanted them, but I wasn't very fond of the muenster/onion combo that came on the burger. The french fries really made up for that though, since they were probably top 5 for french fries that I've ever eaten. But if all you want is a fat, juicy burger and you're in the Upper East Side, I'd just say you should head down to J.G. Melon instead. But if you want to try great beers as well and enjoy a casual French dining experience, then Cafe d'Alsace works great, and I'm looking forward to coming back and trying some of the other entrees that sounded quite enjoyable...

Pros: Casual, Excellent Food, Fantastic Beer Selection

Cons: Somewhat Slow Service, Muenster/Onion On Burgers

Posted 07/02/08

My boyfriend and I were looking for someplace local to go to dinner on a Friday night before joining our friends out. Some friends had recommended Cafe d'Alsace before, so we decided to check it out. The food was fantastic - I had the shrimp and scallops and my boyfriend had the bouillibase. Both were really yummy, and we finished it all! The drinks were great as well - they have an entire drink menu based on champagne pairings. I had the Lychee Bellini and some sort of Strawberry Bellini (that had mini strawberries floating around). My boyfriend went with two beer choices recommended by one of the waitors. We were thrilled with our entire experience! I'd highly recommend it!

Pros: Great Food, Amazing Drink Menu and Beer Menu

Cons: Can't think of any :)

Posted 05/06/08

The place has great food & drinks. No question. But.. it's a little too crowded and way too noisy. You practically have to scream to have a conversation with someone in this place. Also, there is one particular waiter there, (has been there every time I've been there) who is consistently b*tchy and rude to everyone he encounters.

Also not crazy about their 'sharing charge' of $5.00. It's ridiculous.

Pros: Great food & drinks

Cons: Too crowded, too noisy most of the time,

Posted 02/21/08

This place is great. The brunch is fantastic and the eggs benedict are the best I have ever had with rosemary potatoes and the French toast also rocks. I have never had a problem with service and go almost weekly in the summer and often in winter. The place can get crowded and sometimes has a wait for brunch. Also a great spot for dessert's - a raspberry tart was piled 4 inches high with fresh berries and my date's chocolate dessert was fantastic.

Pros: great food, Cute decor (look at the floors!), don't rush you

Cons: strong mimosas, wait for outdoor table in summer

Posted 01/20/08

I absolutely love this place. It is consistently delicious, for both brunch and dinner. I never really considered myself a lover of German food, but the hearty dishes warm you up and make you feel like your mom is in the kitchen. It's cozy and welcoming, a place you feel like you can have a 2 hour dinner and not feel bad about it. I live around the corner and this place is such a welcome addition. Definitely, definitely try the oxtail entree .... I can't stop ordering it! The croque monsier for brunch is to die for, too. It's also a great place to try beers from around the world. The staff is very knowledgable about all the drinks they serve. Seriously, can't say enough good things.

Pros: Cozy, welcoming, amazing alcohol selection, hearty yummy food

Posted 12/06/07

The food was mediocre.. sausage came out lukewarm on a bed of clammy saurkraut, the salmon was way past the temp requested. Our waiter could barely understand us and the management was insanely rude! We asked him for a different table since we kept ketting bumped by the stream of workers running in and out of the kitchen. He seemed reluctant to accomodate, but finally, he moved us to an even more crowded table, but not before turning to waitstaff and rolling his eyes at us. Funny thing was.. he did so in front of a mirror, thinking his back was to us. Incredibly rude and unprofessional!

Posted 03/27/07

I came here with my family for dinner and it was fantastic. The Duck breast is especially tasty. I lived in the south of france for months and this was def. just as good. We brought our own bottle of wine ((only 25 dollars for corkage)) but it wasnt necessary because there was a huge selection of wine and beer. The dessert was equally as good - I had the flourless chocolate cake and it was to die for. Service was very professional and atmosphere was very home-y. Make sure to reserve in advance, gets very busy.

Pros: Delicious Authentic French Bistro Fare, Service, Wine/Beer Selection

Cons: Close Quarters/Tight Squeeze

Posted 03/14/07

Our waiter was very snotty. The food was mediocre. I don't recommend this place at all. it's too bad that there's nowhere else to go in the 'hood.

Pros: One of the few restaurants in the area

Cons: Average food, snotty service

Posted 03/04/07

I came here with my mother-in-law for a quick bite before heading to the theatre Friday night. We didn't have a reservation, and the host generously gave us a great table in the back corner. My mother-in-law is a very picky eater, and is usually hard to please (sometimes it is embarassing)... Our waitress was very patient, and completely respectful with the (outragious) demands. Our food was delicious, I had the Lamb Shank with a lovely risotto, and my guest had the quenelles, like some sort of fish mousse with shrimp. They both were great. I will definitley come back with my husband for a relaxed dining experience.

Pros: Service was awesome

Posted 03/03/07

I loved this place! We had a four course menu constructed from our super sweet waiter who then proceeded to consult the beer sommolier and pair our courses with beers! Who does this anywhere else in the city? We had duck sausage and tart flambe with fisher ambers...then onto a special of tuna tartare and sea scallop and salmon carpaccio mixed with franzikaner heffeweisens...entrees were short ribs in red wine sauce and duck breast with savoy cabbage paired with La Chouffe...finally an apple tart and pear fuillete with a pomme lambic...Why do I remember all of this? That's how good the experience was!

Pros: Food,Beer,Service,Decor

Cons: Upper East Side snobs all around us

Posted 02/22/07

outstanding bistro, has a real french/alsace feel to it. staff are amazing, very helpful/professional. will go again.

Pros: wine list, desserts, the whole menu

Posted 02/15/07

I have been a regular at cafe D'Alsace since it's opening. The food is consistently great and have always really enjoyed eating there. Sevice has always been average but the food has always made up for it until recently. The past few times that we have had dinner our waiter (forgot to get his name/gray hair and a french accent) has made our dining experience all the better. He's very knowledgable and eager to give his opinion about the food,wines and beer. Always pleasant and in a short time remembered us by name. It's a personal touch that is really appreciated . You can tell that this is someone who cares about the customers .I now can add not just great food but GREAT SERVICE as well.

Pros: sevice,food

Posted 02/04/07

Any place with a beer sommelier, I'm in. I tried so many different types of beer; beers I never knew were out there. Unusually dark beers, sweet light beers, beers that have tiny little champagne bubbles, and they go with the food too. You gotta check this place out, it's a (beer) blast.

Pros: the beer sommelier

Cons: the lighting was a bit bright

Posted 01/29/07

The host was rude, the service rushed (even though it was 2 pm on sunday) and the tall manager clueless to this incompetance. The food was decidedly not alsation but some New York representation. I love to eat in France: this is no replica. What a drag.

Cons: Bad service, Boring food.

Posted 01/07/07

My boyfriend and I went there on our anniversary, and it was the best overall dining experience we've had in New York. When I made the reservation, I had briefly mentioned that it was for a special occasion, but I was so pleasantly surprised when we arrived that both the hostess and our waiter wished us a happy anniversary :). Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable about the menu, and we loved the warm potato salad and the sausages we tried. The sommelier came to give us recommendations, and we had a fun time ordering beer pairings instead of wine. Our waiter also recommended the dessert special for us, and it was a great recommendation - absolutely delicious. They even brought over a complimentary dessert plate for the occasion, which was so thoughtful. We loved the atmosphere and attentive service of the restaurant, it made our anniversary extremely special. We live in the neighborhood, so we will definitely be going back!

Posted 01/04/07

I was just at Cafe D'Alsace Wednesday Night. Out of curiostity I researched this site. There is no way that I could believe some of these reviews. The host squeezed us in with no reservation. The manager was so vigilant that he sensed that we weren't completely happy with our meal. He came over and introduced himself said the right things. This was a special night for us and it was made even more special by him. We were surprised when he sent an extra dessert and checked back with us. Thank you, sorry we forgot his name.

Pros: Staff

Posted 12/06/06

My boyfriend and I love Nice Matin so we tried this place per the Maitre'D over there's recommendation. We went on Friday but the place was packed and we didn't want to wait the 30 minute wait for a table so we left but made a reservation for the following night. On Saturday it was also packed but the Maitre'D (incidentally the same girl we know from brunches at Nice Matin) recognized us and we were seated pretty quickly in relation to our reservation (we kind of expected to have to get a drink first like most places with a crowded room but our 7:30 table was ready by 7:35ish, which was nice). The room is small and most tables are close which is okay but it can get pretty noisy, I imagine this isn't very good for those with hearing problems. My server was pretty great in the respect that she was both attentive but also made a lot of recommendations to guide us through the Alsation cuisine and huge beer list - both a bit different from "regular" French dining. I think we would have been a bit overwhelmed and lost had the sommelier not come over to pair our beers with our food, so take advantage of that. The food itself was good but not exquisite, though we were a big fan of both the duck and the apple dessert. The fish dishes could use a bit of bulking-up on sides, but we ordered a side of spaetzels that did us well. I think the major draw is the atmosphere and that this place is a bit of something different - particularly for that neighborhood. We'll definately be back there this winter, which the heavier German-influenced food seems best suited for (the thought of hot sausages and saurkrout in the summer is less appealing, but we'll see what the do in the warmer months). It seems we were lucky to get in though, as we saw some people interrogating the front door girl (we were smart enough to get her name [Kara]) on the way out - sweet girl & very professional). Anyway - go, eat, enjoy but be prepared for the noise and crowd.

Pros: atmosphere, service, host staff

Cons: loud, crowded, loud

Posted 12/02/06

Was there Saturday Evening, over the holiday weekend with my friend from UK. We were going to leave because of the of the treatment by the host staff until out of nowhere the Manager appeared. He guided us to a table and made us feel warm. The meal was very good and service was great although food came out a little slow. Had a great wine reccommended to us by their sommelier. We didn't enjoy our first dessert, but the Manager recommended a light pear dessert claiming it was his favorite. It was outstanding. What started as a bad experience ended up being a great evening thanks to those two handsome gents. We will be back soon. I must add it is very busy and loud, but worth going.

Pros: Manager, food and value

Cons: loud and crowded

Posted 11/28/06

A few things that ought to be set straight about this place, 1.) the food is very good. 2.) it is not a place to take children AT NIght. 3.) Because it is a small restaurant, you have to call in advance to reserve especially for parties more than four. 4.) The day time management tends to be more easy going, perhaps because it is slower and it is in fact a great place to have a lesuirely lunch.

If you keep these guide lines in check, this is a great restaurant ... Ps, the owner is Not Rude, too bad they had such a negative experience.
Enjoy

Posted 11/27/06

What can I say, but wow, its about time some one got it right on the UES. Its a godsend, food rocked service was helpfull and smart. They came, they saw and they conqured my taste buds. P.S Amazing Beers, but you definately need a reservation!!! Have Fun !!!

Pros: Food, Service, Beer, Hostess

Cons: Might need a reservation

Posted 11/20/06

I have been away from New York for more than three years. The night I came back to my old UES apartment I decided to dine alone. A few blocks up the street I found Cafe D?Alscace. I had a wonderful dinner at the bar. The bartender was very pleasant and knowledgeable; and guided me through their extensive beer list. The food was excellent, Lamb casserole, perfect for the weather and for my mood: I needed something fun, warm and soothing for my first night in the city. I will be back with friends and family.

Pros: great food and atmosphere.

Posted 11/20/06

My husband and I are regulars at the fabulous upper west side restaurant Nice Matin. We had heard of Cafe D'alsace from our friends that live nearby and were curious to try it. Although we did not have a reservation, finding ourselves on the upper east side we decided to drop by Cafe D'Alsace and try our luck. The manager, who also frequents Nice Matin, reassuared us that after a short wait we would get a table. This warm welcome foreshadowed the rest of the meal. My husband had the steak and i had the choucroute meat, both of which were delicious. In addition, our server was helpful and attentive. At the end of the meal she came to our table to present the dessert special, which we promptly ordered; a very wise decision as it was excellent! In the future, we will definately find the time to take the trip to the east side and visit Cafe D'Alsace again.

Pros: great service, delicious food, vibrant atmosphere

Posted 11/16/06

When three of my girlfriends decided to drag me all the way uptown to an Alsatian restaurant, I have to confess that I was not particularly excited. I was expecting a place looking like a German wood cabin and having an overdose of pork and cabbage for dinner. I was pleasantly surprised when we arrived to a light, modern restaurant that could be in any good neighborhood of Paris. The food was fresh and interesting; our appetizers were light and easy to share: tart flambee and charcuterie. My main course was a fish choucroute, elegant and unexpected. We took advantage of their huge beer list and order several obscure, at least for me, French and German bottles. At dessert time we chose to share Alsatian cookies and apple tart, the sommelier approached our table and suggested a Belgian apple flavored beer, we certainly accepted and it was a really wonderful experience. The service was nice, a little on the slow side, but the place was busy. I will go back.

Pros: wines, beers and food

Cons: very noisy

Posted 11/14/06

I looked forward to finally trying the new restaurant in my neighborhood. Unfortunately I had built myself up to a letdown. To start, why is their menu written in half English, and half French? Idon't mean the explantions, but it seems if there is a traditional name they use it, if no, they write it in English(I'm sorry, but bad form!).
The food was mediocre at best, but the portion sizes were...OK. The charcuterie was very small, and more similar to Boars Head then to a culture of rich charcuterie. The first time there, they ran out of Cassolet aroud 8:30, ok, but... The second time I tried the Chocrut Garnie, beautiful presentation, very bland in taste.
The wine list bewittled you, as did their; Sommelier? They list their wines in price order, the first time I tried them, I ordered a mid-priced wine, the second time a very inexpensive bottle, look at the look on the sommeliers face, and tell me how you would feel.
All in all, I tried them twice hoping for a better experience and it wasn't. Just because the dining room is often full, doesn't mean much, we can all think of similar places we've been let down in.

Cons: Over Priced

Posted 10/06/06

My husband and I had dinner here last evening. We thought the service was ok, we both thought the waiter was a bit arrogant. THe food was ok, not off the charts. My salmon was definitely better than the steak frites my husband ordered. I was sickened looking at the amount of fat/nerve on the meat and felt sorry that my husband had to eat it. What was the purely stunning moment of the night was when we got our bill. We were out for a quick bite and decided not to order a bottle of wine, rather order by the glass. The waiter suggested 2 wines by the glass that were "on special". We decided to try them. The glasses were definitely "underfilled" and we ended up ordering a second glass each. When we got the bill we realized that each glass was $14 a glass. It was not the price but the principle. In many dining establishments, the waiter will inform the customer that the wine is a certain price and even suggest getting a bottle of wine.

We do not plan to return any time soon.

Posted 09/29/06

went in the other night as a walk-in, seated near the bar, that was ok, never asked what i wanted to drink, when i did, the waiter completely forgot about it until i suggested he buy me one. dinner and appetizer came nearly the same time. served just ketchup with my steak frites, where is the mustard? anyway, just a cheap imitation of downtown classics, typical ues, place was clearing our by 10pm. take the cab ride downtown, life is too precious to waste!

Posted 09/26/06

Had the goat cheese tatin there the other night which was just fantastic. My friend had the duck at the waitress's reccommendation, and said it was one of the best dishes she had ever tasted. Presentation was beautiful; the restaurant was a tad noisy for me though. It was difficult to hear each other, never mind the waitress who had to shout the specials over all the din. Nevertheless, service was friendly and prompt, which could not be said for the seating. The bar also makes a fantastic lychee cocktail. Definitly stop by, but not without a reservation.

Pros: Friendly, knowledgeable staff, immpressive drink list

Cons: Need a reservation

Posted 09/19/06

What a lovely place! It was lively and energetic and, overall, a great experience. The food is wonderful and just one aspect of the appeal, in my opinion. It is on a busy street corner, the staff was attentive and knowledgable and the beer, abundant! I highly recommend. The only issue was that I had to call a week in advance for a reservation for two and still had to negotiate with the hostess on the time.

Posted 09/04/06

The cheese (and fruit) plate was beautiful and scrumptious-5 well chosen cheeses of the world, along with fresh fruit. The wine list is large, however I did send back 2 glasses, which I've not ever done before; extremely full bodies and I thought both were off. Super beer list and a fun place to just sit at the bar to try a few. I liked that the place was more family than I thought-there were a few tables of extended families having dinner at 8pm-grandchildren and grandparents, so it'sa mix of trendy, dates, couples of all ages as well as families. The service was not superb by any means, waiter was rushing around and didn't seem particularly knowledgable about the wine or the food. The waiter was also not apologetic in anyway about my wine challenges but seemed bothered, instead. It's worth it just for the cheese plate alone and I plan to go back to sample some other dishes and to see if the service has improved. I'm updating this just 2 days after raving about the place! Yesterday, the manager wouldn't even get on the phone when the ktichen was closed at 4:15pm, I had a question and he refused to get on the ph one stating to the hostess, I said the kitchen's closed. I've never encountered such rudeness , especially at a place I frequent. Unbelieveable. So, as it turns out the cheese plate was great, but his treatment towards an unknown customer over the phone yesterday was dispicable and shows that the red warning flag regarding service was, in fact, correct. I'll be finding a cheese plate elsewhere!

Pros: Location, cheese plate, wine and beer lists

Cons: service, slightly cramped if in a table along the wall, attitude of management is unacceptable

Posted 08/22/06

great selection of beers, it can be a bit noisy but overall a great addition to the neighborhood. If possible get the outdoor seating for prime people watching

Posted 08/20/06

I tried this restaurant almost 3 times. I had high hopes. The first time we sat outside and the service was excellent and the food was OK. The second time I was with 3 friends and 2 toddlers and the day manager outright refused to seat us even though the place was empty. The receptionist was pleasant but the manager was mean for no reason at all. We were flabbergasted. The last time I went with 3 friends and 1 toddler. We had reservations and were seated at a table comfortably set up for 2. They told us that the toddler doesn't need space. (Anyone who's eaten with a toddler knows how ridiculous this actually is.) The toddler could actually eat off the neighboring table, which made them quite upset. And one of my friends was sitting sideways! It was a terrible experience and only the waitress seemed competant, but tired. To top it all off, we waited 15 minutes for them to "find" the stroller before we could get out of there.

If you DO go, I can recommend the duck, but not the steak frites, trout, salmon or chicken dishes.

Pros: the duck; waitstaff

Cons: management, seating, anything but the duck

Posted 07/22/06

Train station welcomes the new express engine. If you call this gentrification then every neighbourhood should welcome it. Only if the kitchen would keep the side doors closed would the experiance be better...watching the coals being put into the engine makes it a messy experiance...

Pros: good food

Cons: average service

Posted 06/28/06

This restaurant has the best of both worlds. We had brunch there and the food was amazing. All four of our dishes were oustanding. The eggs, the french toast, waffles and pancakes were among the best I have had in some time. Food aside, this restaurant has the worst service of any place I have been to in a long time. It took forever for the waiter to come over, even longer to get drinks and the waiter disappeared and never brought more water, coffee or maple syrup. If we had not walked around the restaurant to find him we may still be there. Not to mention there was no one in the restaurant so there were no excuses.

So overall, great food but be prepared to sit and sit and sit and sit.

Pros: food, ambience

Cons: worst service ever

Posted 06/02/06

I went a week ago so this post is late but I can still taste the food. Cafe d'Alsace would be hip & crowded in any neighborhood in Manhattan...the fact that the East Side has it is a score for me...I'll be back soon for more of the duck sausage and Belgian ales.

Pros: Food, Service, Beers

Posted 05/31/06

Reasonably priced fabulous food!
All those delicacies you can't find in NY - such as Moelle, Frog's Legs, Lapin, etc and the desserts ! Whoa! The warm flourless chocolate cake served with homemade pistachio ice cream is to die for! Watch out for the espressos - they're delicious but deadly!
Just excellent - that's all I can say.

Pros: Fabulous food, Fabulous desserts, Amazing bar

Posted 05/27/06