One if by Land, Two if by Sea

Last night I was invited by friends to this restaurant. The food was good but overpriced and the decor was a little stodgy. Our waiter was very prompt and friendly, but the worst part of the experience was actually after the meal when I was leaving. I needed change to give the woman at coat check a tip. I stood at the bar waiting patiently for change. The female bartender completely ignored me helping other customers standing next to me and those who came up after me. Finally, after waiting so long my friend lent me money to give the coat check woman.

Pros: food

Cons: , decor, overpriced

Posted 01/20/05

I went to this restaurant last night expecting a romantic setting with above average food. However, I was very pleasantly suprised. Although I didn't have the tasting menu, the food on the prix fixe was excellent. The service was superb, without being pretentious, and the room was goregous.

Pros: Romantic, Quiet, Delicious food

Posted 01/04/05

Must try the seven-course tastings are great values. The food and service was excellent. The prices are very reasonable. The portions are not huge but filling, and leave enough room for desert.
The food was excellent!

Pros: Romantic, Great Services, Ambience

Posted 12/27/04

i took my boyfriend their for his 24th birthday and we had the greatest night! It was very romantic and beautiful...The service and food was INCREDIBLE and the wine was amazing also! I can't wait to go back!

Posted 11/20/04

My b/f took me here last night for my birthday. We had a table in the corner w/candle light. Our waiter was great in suggesting what specials we should have. They also have a nice selection of wines. Dessert (my favorte part) was AMAZING. Thanks honey the night was memorable.

Posted 11/04/04

I went here for my birthday with my boyfriend, and we are pretty tough critics. I love good food and so does he and none of us mind paying for it as long as it is worth it. In this place it was all worth it. It was amazing decor and service. The food one of the best dishes I have had in NYC. I would suggest this restaurant for anyone that can make it. Great spot for special occasions.

Posted 10/21/04

A classic Village restaurant (one of the oldest in the city..the building has been their FOREVER).. great for a romantic dinner for two. Excellent service and ambiance.

Posted 09/21/04

Being a newyorker, I've been hearing about this hyper-romantic institution since forever. I'll bet this place was something in it's hey day, and it's still a nice place, with rich wood & carpeted ambiance. Charmingly good, but un-inspired dishes combined w/good service and luxuriously decorated albeit aging infrastructure places it about a notch lower than the $$$$ it charges. This would be a top-notch experience anywhere else but NYC.

Posted 09/16/04

I took my fiancee to celebrate our one year anniversary last Saturday. It's started badly with the bar running out of martini glasses - $15 for a cocktail and they served a martini in a white wine glass. Then we were seated in a dark corner upstairs and it took 15 minutes for us to get the waiter's attention. Neither of us liked the starter, although the main course was good. I ordered the soufle for dessert and thought it tasted too eggy (compared with a incredible souffle I had at March). Total check: $313 including tip - for this amount of money, I thought the overall experience was extremely disappointing. Try Danube or March instead for romantic occasions.

Pros: Atmosphere, Reputation

Cons: , Very expensive, Average food

Posted 09/06/04

GF and I went (non-occasion) after hearing good reviews, but had to wait 30 minutes past reservation with not even an apology. Decor is rather gothic, granniesque.

Ordered tasting menu with wine pairing, for which the waiter/somelier paired the wrong first wine. For the entree pairing, there's an "optional upgrade" wine for $40 extra, which we declined. The dishes themselves were nothing spectacular (Aquavit, Bayards, Grammercy are much better).

I asked the waiter why we were CHARGED EXTRA for the declined upgrade on the bill, he adamantly claimed that he had specifically asked me and I had accepted! When I demanded to talk to the manager, he returns without the manager, saying, "We'll do you a favor and charge you only half price for the wine upgrade." I was so pissed that I just payed the whole price and walked out.

$26 bar + $286 mediocre meal for horrid service.

Cons: , wait times

Posted 08/30/04

Outstanding food,wine and ambience.Service was excellent,(our waiter sat us next to the ornate fireplace.) This was a romantic experience which made our vacation.

Pros: romantic

Posted 07/14/04

I have no idea where the people complaining about the waitstaff were eating, but it couldn't have been the same restaurant I ate at last night.
Everything was absolutely perfect. Even after we ordered off the restaurant week menu, the staff treated us with kindness, let us eat leisurely well past closing time, and even made suggestions as to what drinks would best complement our desserts. I love One if by Land and will be going there again!

Pros: Food, Service, Ambiance

Posted 06/28/04

This is a nice romantic restaurant. I know what other revier means when she says its not really for young lovers because its not a trendy scene. Its more of a traditional romance type place. The food is good--especially the pork chops (I should have ordered that!). The service is pleasent, but they did forget to bring my mother in law's appetizer. The price is great. You just can't beat the pre fixe price for a meal like that in such a nice place, but it would have been nice if they didn't forget one of our appetizers.

Pros: good food, great price, people getting engage

Posted 06/15/04

I went here to celebrate an anniversary. While the food was good enough (if old-fashioned - my meal tasted like it was out of a fancy 1950s cookbook, all creamy and rich) the environment was sort of bizarre - rich tapestries, yucky corner-grocer roses on the tables, and a strange '80s mirrored wall, which we sat against at the back of the restaurant. The waiter was nice enough but seemed sort of bored and insincere. This would all be bearable if the meal didn't cost $250. A lot of older people there seemed to be in the zone, enjoying their pork chops. Maybe this is not quite the place for young lovers...

Pros: decent food

Cons: , expensive

Posted 05/19/04

With all the hype and recognition this place has received, I was bit intimidated at first. That quickly changed as soon as we entered into this historic old restaurant. From the ambiance to the service to the cuisine, it lived up to all of its expectations. Highly recommended.

Posted 04/02/04

Had great expectations and we were both very disappointed. Classic "decent restaurant but not on Saturdays" syndrome perhaps.

The decor is nice enough and the atmosphere is old-school romantic but all a but tatty. We were sat upstairs up with all the other "special occassion" diners. The service was slow to respond, patronizing - a $90 prix fixe menu and we were offered a mushroom tart as a substitute to a meat course??

It was fine but for $130 pp+ it should have been great. We left feeling distinctly untouched and unispired. It lacked that special something and instead left us feeling like one of the hundreds of other couples celebrating an anniversary that night. Never again.

Pros: Desserts

Cons: , Service, Cost

Posted 03/31/04

This restaurant is romantic as described, but it is a little too dark and too crowded. We were practically shoulder to shoulder with the couple next to us. We were seated upstairs, would recomend being seated in the main dining room. We went there for our 5th anniversary trip to NYC from CA. The service is impeccable, and they did provide us with plenty of extras, knowing that it was our anniversary. The tasting menu was good, but nothing surprising like Commanders Palace in Las Vegas or New Orleans' tasting menu. Auquavit's food is much better and more surprising and would recomend them over OIBL, TIBS. Dessert was excellent.

Pros: service, food ok, dessert

Cons: , old, nothing surprising

Posted 03/22/04

This place deserves all the praise it get the service is great the ambiance is great the food is great! This menu and wine list have a goods to choose from. And most importantly you get no non-sense service! You'll what you ask for. You won't be told oh we don't have this today after asking the waiter for it. This place is a great hide away while your inside you forget your in New York. I highly recommed this place.

Pros: Romantic, Private, great service

Posted 02/14/04

This restaurant is supposed to be romantic? The tables were practically on top of one another - I could listen to other peoples' conversations and I'm sure they could hear mine. Not exactly what I'd call intimate.
The food was fine, but was a little overpriced for what was served. I'd recommend sticking with a NYC staple and go to Aureole instead.

Pros: nice space

Cons: , tables too close

Posted 02/05/04

It was my first trip to NYC. My husband and I spent five wonderful days exploring the city and the culminating event was our dinner at One if by Land, Two if by Sea. Our server was John and he was the absolute best, I felt like a princess, roses and wine included. Totally recommend this place!!

Pros: Service!!!, Food, Lovely piano bar

Posted 01/21/04

My fiancée and me were celebrating our anniversary. It was a very special occasion for us, however the evening was almost ruined after we had dinner there. We foolishly believed the descriptions and ratings that it is one of the most romantic restaurants in NYC. We made reservation 3 days in advance and particularly asked to be seated by a window or a fireplace. However, when we arrived we were seated in the darkest coldest corner upstairs, right next to the kitchen. The waiter, who was serving our table, was very stuck-up and unfriendly. Nobody would come and suggest pouring water in our glasses. We waited for our dessert for 45 minutes! The place was crowded and loud. I had to lean to hear what my fiancée was saying. We went there, expecting to have one of the most romantic dinners, and came out very upset and disappointed.

Cons: Crowded, Bad service, Overpriced

Posted 01/18/04

This place really does a great job to make you feel special. the candle is lit when u sit down, the roses are fresh on the table. The waiter and the people at the front cater to your every need. The food is amazing. Everything was perfect. I love when you go somewhere and you take a sip of water and they refill ur glass. Very attentitive service. I will definately be revisting this place very soon. Dinner for 2 people with one drink(boyfriend doesn't drink) was 210 with tip...not including the 35 bucks for parking garage. Very reasonable considering the high quality. Perfect evening

Pros: extremely attentive, great food, great atmosphere

Cons: none

Posted 12/13/03

Just a warning to all who are looking for a quiet romantic restaurant - KEEP LOOKING. There was an actual sing-a-long complete with some slobbering drunk unrulypeiple. They were singing and cursing and belching all night. Management was encouraging it and completely ignored our complaints.

Posted 12/03/03

I have made reservations two weeks prior to my one year anniversary, requesting a table by the window in the main dining room. When me and my sweetheart have arrived we where promptly seated at the requested table. The ambiance was unbelievable; so romantic so authentic and charming, everything was just ideal. The place had a stunning effect on me and my darling. The service was fine. The food was exquisite and scrumptious. That night I have tasted the finest apple martinis, and I know martini. The price is great value for special occasions. I and my sweetie loved it and I was very pleased with my choice.

Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Service

Posted 11/18/03

My boyfriend and I went on Sunday night for our anniversary and I found it to be the perfect place to go for a beautiful night out. We are twenty somethings so I expected to be treated with less respect, as usually happens in nice restaurants, but the hostess seated us in a prime table right by a window, the waiter was friendly and knowledgeable, and even the bus boys were funny. We had a fabulous time - the food was excellent, though not the best I've ever had...wine list was large and not as pricey as expected. We sat down at 9 and did not leave until after midnight and were not rushed at ALL. It was worth the money in the end, because of the good mix of food and ambiance. I would go there again, and reccommend it to anyone who wants a very special night out.

Pros: beautiful, Good service

Cons: $$

Posted 11/16/03

After reading some negative reviews, I was skeptical about going to this place. But my mood has changed the minute the four of us stepped into this romantic historic-looking restaurant with candles, flowers, and multiple fireplaces. We were greeted at the entrance and seated right away in on the main floor. The waiter was great and very helpful with multiple reccomendations. The pre-fix menu price was $63 which I think is reasonable considering the portions were large and delicious. The wine list starts from $60 & up. The bill came to $450 with tip for four people. This was a wonderful experience and the place is absolutely romantic. The piano man is awesome and plays everyone's favorite tunes. I would go there again in a heartbeat and would reccomend it to everyone who wants to have a great & wonderful evening.

Pros: romantic atmosphere , great food selection, good location

Cons: expensive parking

Posted 10/24/03

After making reservations 1 month ahead, they sent us to the bar when we arrived, you know to get you out some extra bucks because they had available tables at the moment.

The food was good, but certainly over-hyped as a romantic place. Very dark, loud and crowded.

I dont mind spending heavily in restaurants, but this was not cheap yet did not impressed us. We are not to hard to please, but would not go again.

There are far better choices in the city.

Posted 10/15/03

We had an amazing special occasion dinner there on 10/07/03. I had read a number of very negative reviews on line, which I can only conclude were from people who are not accustomed to eating in restaurants of this caliber. The food was more creative than we expected. There was a special green pea soup with truffles and lobsters which was ethereal. Our main courses were perfect. Although we were first time visitors, we were given our pick of wonderful tables. The ambiance is unparalleled, and the service was polite and friendly. The wine list has serious bottles but also good values. With a splurge bottle of wine, our bill was $268, very reasonable in comparison to other fine restaurants in NY.

Pros: ambiance, food, value

Posted 10/07/03

Went for our anniversary. Service was awful. Brought the wrong bottle of wine and never apologized. No refills on water. Waiter dropped check on table while I was in the middle of handing my wife her anniversary present. Very, very disappointing.

Pros: Good food

Cons: Lousy service

Posted 09/18/03

Dinner was ok. Not the best meal I've ever had but the food was good, better than average. the piano music was lovely. My biggest complaints are about the staff. We had a waiter that had breath so bad it could kill a cat. The other problem we had was with the Host/Maitre'D. When we checked in he couldn't find our reservation and then mumbled something under his breath about the bar. We asked him to repeat himself and he got very nasty. We waited at the bar for 15 minutes to be seated when the restaurant was only half full. This ruined our evening.

Posted 09/08/03

I was seated promptly, even after getting there 30 minutes late due to traffic. Placed at a nice table, the decor was very nice, although there was loud conversations. the prix fixe menus were given pretty prompty and a mini-app was brought out along with some bread. service was professional, although scarce. the appetizer (sea scallops and shrimp thai salad) were both very good, although the entrees were too salty. midway through the dinner, another couple was seated right next to us, although it didn't bother us. deserts were slow to order as waiters passed us twice, even with the menus closed. deserts were also slow to come. Overall, it was an enjoyable dinner, even with the many glasses of water drank.

Pros: Atmosphere, candle-light

Cons: salty, pretty packed/loud

Posted 08/29/03

My dining experience there definitely started off on the wrong foot. My husband & I had made reservations and we arrived on time. A hostess asked us to wait for an available table, which I had no problem with. However, 2 parties of 2 arrived about 10 minutes after we did and they were both seated immediately. When I confronted the hostess and asked her why we were not seated first, she tried to deny that she had seated anyone before us. When I persisted, she eventually mumbled an apology and we were then immediately seated in an area where there were several available tables.
Otherwise, I thought the service was very good...the waiters and busboys were very attentive and gracious. The food was okay, but not worth the money. It's a romantic setting for a private dinner but unfortunately the mood can be spoiled by questionable service.

Posted 08/28/03

My wife and I were at least expecting a romantic dining experience, but even this one saving grace was lost between an unfriendly greeter, a haughty waiter, and an overly anxious busboy who kept circling every five minutes asking if we were done yet. On the other hand, the piano music was nice, and this helped me choke down an undercooked and overpriced piece of salmon.

The icing on the cake and why we will never recommend this place to anyone was the blatantly obvious service gap between first class regular customers and everyone else. Unless you're a regular, do yourself a favor and try any number of other vasatly better restaurants on the NYC dining scene. La Grenouille if you want to spend a little more, Raoul's or Cafe des Artistes are comparable price and much more romantic sans attitude.

Pros: Poor Service, Overpriced, Cramped Surroundings

Cons: Bad Waiter, Unfriendly Greeter, Below Average

Posted 08/26/03

It's too bad so many of the reviewers on this site expect to go to one of the top NY restaurants, pay $30 during restaurant week and get the meal of their life. It's also not McDonald's - the point IS to spend 2 or 3 hours over a leisurely meal!!

Every day of the week, this restaurant has a $59 prix fix dinner - which I had last night for my boyfriend's birthday. The food was excellent (the pork loin and mushroom tart were of particular note) and the service was fabulous. The waiter recommended delicious, reasonable wines and we asked him for advice on the menu. I can't wait to go back!!

Treat the waitstaff as your host, not your adversary and you just might see what a great experience you can have!!

Pros: Romantic, Attentive Service, Great food

Cons: None!!

Posted 08/10/03

We went during restaurant week which is key - i would not pay full price for this place. we had a good pre-fixe meal, but the service was sooo slow. we had a 6:30pm reservation and was finished by 9pm. it was as if they forgot their customers as most of our section was looking around for the wait staff.

the atmosphere is romantic, but nothing to go out of your way for.

Posted 07/16/03

I found One by Land Two By Sea to be very impolite to Food Week customers. Both the barman and the hostess were snappy and offensive. I was told that I had to pay at the bar before I could be seated. The food was insipid at best and we had to wait 45 minutes between the starter and the main course. Embarrassingly enough, I was trying to impress my guest by taking them to this so called, romantic restaurant. I will never go there again nor recommend it to anyone.

Posted 07/15/03

I am really sorry we waisted our time during resaurant week to visit this restaurant again. Since the last time we were there the place has gone down, downhill. The rooms are old, the food was nothing special, the staff was nice, but lacked skill. Thank heavens we didn't spend much money on the awful pork meal (tasted more like a Thanksgiving ham) and the boring chiken. Do not waste your time and money. Go to Montrachet, Chanterelle, Park Avenue Cafe, Union Square Cafe, etc.

Posted 07/05/03

Every aspect of this restaurant is amazing. The food is incredible (especially the Beef Wellington), the service is spot-on and the decor is beautiful. The cost of $59 for the pre-fixe 3-course dinner is well worth it and I would eat here every weekend if I could.

Posted 06/03/03

This restaurant is absolutely amazing. Romantic atmosphere with dainty old-fashioned decor - beautiful. "Hidden" location on Barrow street makes it even more inviting. The Beef Wellington was out of this world! And the wine list and desserts - great! Definitely splurge at this restaurant because it is well worth it!

Pros: location, parking

Posted 05/04/03

This is truly one of the most amazing restaurants in New York City. As a veteran restaurant goer in NYC, I can honestly say that I had one of the most memorable meals in my life at One IF by Land. The rack of pork is to die for. My wife's monkfish was also very incredible. Great food and attentive service in a candlelit atmosphere with live piano music. Who can ask for anything more.

Pros: Great food, Great atmosphere, Great service

Posted 04/27/03

I went here with my boyfriend for his birthday. This was the most romantic restaurant I've ever been to. The food was good, but not for the price we paid for it. However, the service was the best I've ever had at a restaurant (although that's the way it should have been since we paid a lot for the food).

Also, we were the youngest people at the restaurant. The average age of the restaurant patrons was approximately 35/40 years old. However, the servers did not treat us badly(which I find happens often to younger people in classy restaurants).

I definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a romantic night out!

Pros: atmosphere, service, location

Cons: price

Posted 04/24/03

Visited mid-week. Busy but not overly crowded. Had a table for 2 on the main floor with view of the entire room. Beautiful setting with well prepared and attractively plated conservative "continental" fare. Tuna tartare is a standout. Overall effect is unfortunatley flawed (at least in our case) by earnest but unpolished service. The wine list is on the expensive side. I had them fax me the wine list and found a solid 1999 Graves for $45 (checked it against Robert Parker vintage chart) Suggest you do the same.

Pros: Ambience, cuisine, solid cocktail piano

Cons: unpolished service

Posted 03/26/03

valentines dinner package was way over priced. Service was no where to be found. Not even sure who was my waiter. The bread guy came over more than the waiter. Check came before we could finish the dessert. One time experience.

Pros: food, location

Cons: expensive, service

Posted 02/23/03

This is one of the most romantic restaurants in the world. The atmosphere is positively wonderful - especially when the gifted pianist is playing (very nice touch on the keys). The warm glow of the fireplace makes it a really nice winter restaurant. The service was very friendly, but unfortunately inefficient. Some of the white wines we sampled were not properly chilled. It was also terribly smokey by the bar when we first walked in. Fortunately the smoke didn't carry into the restaurant area. Despite our minor complaints, the overall dining experience was still very positive.

Pros: Very Romantic, Lovely Piano Music, Friendly Service

Cons: Inefficient Service, Overcooked Entree, Badly Chilled Wine

Posted 02/10/03

But they've got to do something about the bad, live piano act. Abba, for goodness sakes! Inappropriate for such a romantic setting. The service was spotty with repeated requests to refill out water glasses necessary. The appetizers fine, but nothing outstanding. The entrees were better than the first course, but still nothing to write about. Desserts were blah and definitely not up to par for such a place. Wine list was extensive, but we got mixed drinks instead. The one thing we did enjoy quite a bit was their dirty vodka martini. Pricey, but mixed very well. We'll probably not be back; too touristy a destination.

Posted 01/30/03

Had a lovely evening there lat night with my boyfriend and another couple. Even though we are 20 somethings who were there for restaurant week the staff was very courteous and didn't treat us differently than any other patrons. The restaurant is very romantic in an overdone sort of way. We sat upstairs in a quiet red room which was lovely. The food was excellent and they accomodated our vegetarian requests with a delicious leek and truffle ravioli that melted in the mouth. Portions are a bit smaller compared to most restaurants but the food is very rich. My only 2 criticisms were the very expensive wine list and the ordinary dessert. The chocolate chip cake tasted like a store bought muffin. Over all it was great though.

Pros: romantic, special, great food

Cons: pricey wine list

Posted 01/30/03

Restaurant week got us here - we'll definitely come back. Great place for a special occasion. Very romantic - lots of fresh roses, silver, candles. Feel sorry for those who did not have a pleasant experience during restaurant week - our's was superb from begining to end. Had visited Chateau La Nerthe on a recent trip to France, so were especially pleased to see their wine on the list!

Pros: romantic, historic, wine list

Cons: service could improve

Posted 01/29/03

Granted we made the mistake of going during restaurant week, so the service was rushed and the menu was sparce. But there is still no excuse for running out of HALF the wine list and half the entrees on the menu.
Our waiter must have been a 'stand-in' because he did not know the menu, choices or basic service protocol (bread plate on the left). Also, tables were ridiculously close together. Lots of large groups. This is not what we expected from "NYs most romantic restaurant!

Posted 01/27/03

This was one of the best dining experiences I have ever had in my life. The food was phenominal, beef wellington to die for. The atmosphere was very romantic, our own little table in the corner, very quiet. Service was excellent. Dinner was very pricey, but it is worth it for a special occasion.

Pros: Food, Service, Ambience

Cons: Price

Posted 01/25/03

So far, OIBL,TIBS is the best cuilinary experience that either I or my finacee have experienced. We opted for the tasting menu, a nice option that many more restaurants should provide, with the wine option. The salmon was quite nice, but once they brought the lobster second course, we achieved nirvana. The beef wellington was beyond description; the desserts I won't even profane with mere language. The room was very romantic (though I would have preferred to be downstairs) and the staff was dedicated to the overall experience. Nice. We'll be back and will recommend this one to our most special friends.

Pros: Lovely atmosphere, Great food, Very romantic

Cons: Quite dear, Close quarters

Posted 01/20/03