Gascogne Restaurant

This place took me back to France and I ate everything there! just about. my bff also loved it and she doesnt even like french stuff escept french fries. haha.

Pros: ALL OF IT

Posted 10/21/09

Gascogne has the most amazing food. It is just like going to Paris only you are NYC!!!! It is authentic and the service is spectacular! I added Gascogne to my FAVE list :)

Posted 10/21/09

This is by far some of the best French food I've ever had. The environment is warm and seductive. It's a great place for dates.

Pros: Great Food and Atmosphere

Cons: none

Posted 10/21/09

I love Gascogne! The food is a delicious and the atmosphere is amazing! I come to have brunch in the beautiful garden at least twice a month. The staff is always extremely accommodating and I love the wine selection. I highly recommend Gascogne!!!

Pros: Everything!

Posted 09/01/09

I took my wife to this restaurant for our anniversary and we really had a good time. Their backyard garden was very beautiful however I would not suggest you go on an extremely hot evening. The food was good, the staff pleasant and very accomodating. An excellent experience overall.

Pros: Little bit of Paris in NY

Cons: Garden very humid

Posted 07/13/09

This is the second time I have walked out of this restaurant because the waiter was so incredibly rude. Everyone else at the place was polite and charming, yet this one waiter (whom I have had the misfortune to have before) is rude, dismissive, and foul mouthed. Having given this restaurant a second chance, I will never go back. A restaurant that keeps such an employee deserves to be boycotted.

Cons: service

Posted 12/06/08

A fabulous indulgence! Excellent seasonal dishes, gorgeous wines, and exceptional service. Finally went for the first time last week, and I can't wait to go back!

Pros: food,friendly service

Posted 11/30/08

Went last night with 2 friends and right away i loved the atmosphere! Basically, this is a great restaurant to take a date. Business dinners...not so much!

The food was great but not remarkable. You're basically paying for the atmosphere.

Mentionables were the soups, the Cassoulet, and the Profiteroles

Cons: staff

Posted 10/07/08

Stepping into Gascogne my first time was like stepping from the pavements of NYC into the cobblestone charm of southern France. In a blink, it was like I had flown hundreds of miles to Europe and dining in one of their local favorties~ Since then, I've been a regular and I've never been disappointed! Lovely ambiance, decently priced food (for once!), and GREAT desserts! (Try their homemade tiramisu and you will never eat tiramisu anywhere else!) And to top it off, there's always great music playing softly and it's filled with friendly waiters who let you linger and who laugh and greet each other like old friends...a lovely oasis in the middle of a hectic city~

Pros: food, service, ambience, dessert!

Cons: location - i wish it was more central

Posted 08/12/08

What has happened to these people?! In celebration of a special evening, my boyfriend and I sat together on the "park bench" side of a table for two in the garden. WE, do have manners, and we behaved very appropriately. We were so happy, and spoke quietly feeling very romantic. First the waiter was rushing and pushy, but we overlooked this and ordered a bottle of wine, 2 appetizers and entre. When we finished the appetizers, the manager came over and rudely barked "you cannot sit this way, it is not normal, it is unnacceptable!! You must move!!" At the time there was no one sitting next to us and the garden was not busy. When we asked why, that we have not done anything innapropriate, he said someone didn't like it , and repeated, very hostile, that is was "not "normal" and "you have to move." It was truly terrible. I recommend that you make a point to sit on the same side of a table for two and take back the romance that is obviously a problem with this host/manager!

Cons: rudeness

Posted 05/18/08

Nice staff, romantic setting, ultimately disappointing food. Good for a first date but don't expect to be wowed by the cuisine.

Posted 02/14/08

This is a beautiful restaurant. The setting is intimate and does feel a trip to France in the heart of Manhattan. That said, we've had a mixed experience. The food is somewhat disappointing, the only consistently good dish seems to be the lamb. My fish was boring and seemed micro-waved, and on another trip I got the pleasant and found it very dry. If it was a little less pricey I'd take the food as it is (well maybe), but in Manhattan there are better French restaurants for this price.

Our worst experience was the wine. We bought a $70 bottle; I think it was a St. Jullian? (on previous trips we had stuck to the 40 to 50 dollar range and found the wine not great, but acceptable). This wine however we couldn't drink - and we aren't that big of wine snobs. It just sat in front of us all night. We thought it was corked and the waiter did oblige us by opening a second bottle, but the first was as horrible as the second. The waiter had trouble opening both bottles, the corks seemed dry? Maybe we just found that rare bottle of wine we couldn't stand, but my guess is that the wine (as a lot) hadn't been stored correctly or something was wrong...

Our warning - watch out for the wine list. Anyway, as beautiful as the restaurant is, and as much as I love dinning outside, we won't be back.

Posted 10/21/07

We enjoyed Gascogne very much. They have an outdoor garden in the back, and the setting was romantic. The house champagne was fairly good, but not great. My roast chicken was succulent and cooked with perfect herbs. Mee lady's duck leg confit was so good she refused to share but one bite. The beet salad was fresh and dressed lightly.

For dessert, the creme brulee and profiteroles were excellent. And, best of all, the price was reasonable for Manhattan. Recommended, especially for a date. Z

Pros: Romantic, classic French fare

Cons: small

Posted 07/11/07

This is a great restuarant. Very authentic, food was just wonderful, extremly flavorful and prepared perfectly. The decor is understated but upscale, very warm and romantic without being overdone. The staff was very friendly and attentive. I'd go back in a second!

Pros: Food! service, ambiance, garden

Cons: ? I was the only one who didn't speak french?

Posted 04/05/07

Checked out this charming place on a busy Saturday night. It was jammed but the gracious host found us a table in the romantic downstairs area. Although the place was crowded it felt cozy & festive, not packed. Everyone at Gascogne is happy to be there, from the staff to the delighted patrons. After having a great meal I understand why. Great old fashioned French food with a few new twists served by knowledgeable & friendly staff at decent prices in a lovely setting is just about all you can ask for. This is a wonderful place for a first date as it is romantic without being pretentious. It was also fun to watch the great staff interact with each other?these are real pros who get the job done with finesse & seem to love doing it. The wine list is perfect with many excellent bottles under $50, the bartender makes GREAT drinks & make sure to leave room for dessert as Gascogne?s wonderful desserts wouldn?t be out of place at Serendipity. I plan on being a regular at this marvelous restaurant! A suggestion: try the duck. They do duck breast like no one else!

Pros: food, service, decor, price

Cons: none!!

Posted 01/30/07

Went back for the third time last Friday at 10:30pm because the wait for a table in the near by Caffeteria was 45 minutes. Two minutes later we were seated at a cozy table in the basement acompanied by the soft, wamr light from the garden. The food was delicious, and the waiter is attentive with cute French accent. We had lamb ,halibut with seadfood pastry appetizer - delicious. This is the place to go !!

Love it.

Pros: good French food, nice wine selection, cute staff

Cons: crowded, crowded, crowded

Posted 01/29/06

Went on a Monday night, and I guess it was more crowded than usual. Staff was generally OK, but there were a lot of them running around and not getting a lot done. Our waiter was sweet, if a bit forgetful. Salads and appetizers were good, main courses fair, and desserts above average. Ordered wine by the glass, and it was quite expensive. Many of the restaurants on 8th ave. in Chelsea are mediocre -- this one is still a cut above some of the others.

Pros: good appetizers, nice atmosphere

Cons: mediocre main course, inconsistent service, expensive

Posted 12/28/05

Went there on a Saturday night w/ 9:30 resv for 2. Seated w/in 5 mins. So much on the menu looked good - we shared oysters ($2.50/each), I had the duck ($25). One word: mmmmm. Good-sized portions (not enormous, but not tiny), I left full. Enjoyed a bottle of white Bordeaux (2004, forget the name) with the meal, which complemented it perfectly. Service was impeccable: our waiter checked in on us often, but not too often, and water glasses were never empty. Very romantic. There were two bday parties, which might explain the noise - for such a small place, it was quite loud, but not unbearable. Romantic. Make reservations. Will return!

Pros: food, service, wine

Posted 12/16/05

Gascogne is fantastic. The food is excellent, ambience cozy, and the staff is very nice. I have never failed to enjoy myself at Gascogne. Its price, usally 100 per person with wine, always woth it.

Pros: food, staff, outdoor patio

Cons: small

Posted 11/12/05

Went with a friend for dinner there on a Friday night. Seating was very prompt. Food (duck breast, venison, pear tart) was absolutely delicious. Food prices are on the expensive side, but the wine list is reasonably priced. They also have a cute little bar up front with very cute Frenchmen. The place is small, so it's great for a dinner for two, especially a romantic occasion, but not for a larger group.

Pros: Food, Wine, Service

Cons: Tight space

Posted 11/11/05

A friend took me to Gascogne for my birthday. We sat outdoors in the back. It was almost a shame I wasn't there with my boyfriend because it was one of the most romantic gardens I've been in. Dim candles lit the tables, the sound level was at a hush, the genteel waiter who gave us our specials on a small chalk board...I completely forgot I was still in Manhattan. The food, however, was forgettable. Good--but forgettable. We started with the scallops, a healthy serving. My friend's pheasant was a huge portion and she enjoyed it; my spinach-stuffed salmon was pleasant as well. Definitely go for the atmosphere...the yummy food is just a bonus!

Posted 10/12/05

This is a sensational restaurant that serves southwestern french food in a romantic, rustic and cozy setting. The cassoulet was the best I've ever had in the city. The foie gras was top notch as was every aspect of our meal. The dessert special was a real head turner presentation-wise--we opted for the poached pear w/a chocolate truffle filling coated with a lite pastry puff and drenched in sweet syrup. The couple sitting next to us took one look at our dessert and immediately confessed to dessert envy.

Pros: Food, Ambiance

Cons: Crowded

Posted 03/15/05

I don't understand how this restaurant got its high rating. The food was pretty basic and not interesting. I had better french food at a diner. The garden is nice during the warm days.

Pros: Garden

Posted 01/13/05

Check out their brunch menu. Three-courses with drink and coffee starting at just $16.95. The staff was very friendly, too. The place is very small, so make reservation! In any case, it's worth the wait.

Pros: Food, Romantic, Price

Posted 12/21/04

Aside from the service -- which felt a little rushed -- the experience was completely first-rate. Sure, it's pricey but the food is stunningly good.

Pros: Food, Decor

Posted 11/13/04

I made reservations for 7 p.m. We were not seated until 7:40, thus we were told that we could not order from the pre-theater prix fixe menu. After 1.5 hours, we were told that we've been there long enough and that we had to leave. I would recommend making reservations but it doesn't seem like it really matters. We were not seated at the reserved time anyway.

Posted 05/09/04

Fantastic, wonderful, charming, food was great, service was excellent, host was stellar, even the music was terrific. Will be back again and again and again!!

Pros: food, winterized garden, ambience

Posted 12/14/03

I went here for a friend's birthday party and was pleasantly surprised that this little restaurant has such a lovely backyard garden, perfect for a romantic rendevous! The Monday night prix fixe was also a pleasant surprise at $29 for four courses. The staff was cordial and attentive and with the owner personally welcoming you in and seating you, I felt like I was coming to dine at an old friend's chateau. We were a large party of 12 so we were sat downstairs in an intimate spot. Definitely will be back in the spring to check out the garden!

Pros: Great prices, Great food, Great Staff

Cons: small place

Posted 10/21/03

We were there yesterday for a pre-theater brunch, and I must say that I was very pleasantly surpised. The food was so good, and the ambience was so nice. I would recommend this place to anyone for a nice, VERY REASONABLE meal

Posted 10/05/03

I just discovered the Monday night prix fixe: $27 for four courses, all delicious. Discount prix fixe menus are often sloppy, and you get the sense that the restaurant is saving the good stuff for the a la carte dishes. Not so here. It was a great dinner, which I appreciated all the more for the price.
Only complaint: my clafoutis dessert sort of sucked - mushy and bland. The goat cheese appetizer and tender chicken entree in a delicious honey sauce more than made up for it. As did the bill.

Pros: prix fixe-great deal, great food

Cons: too hot dining room

Posted 06/23/03

I eat at Gascogne from time to time, and have always loved the warmth of the staff, the ambiance, the nice clientele, the food. I went last night, not having been there for about 3 months. Have things changed there, or was it just an "off" night? As soon as I walked in, it just didn't feel the same. There was a bartender I'd never seen before, and he wasn't as charming as their others. I didn't see the "jolly" owner(?) who's usually there. My entree was good, but not as good as usual. And I noticed the bill was presented in a somewhat tacky green plastic billfold. All in all, it just wasn't the experience that I'm accustomed to there.

Pros: garden

Posted 05/20/03

This place is a small jewl of romantic, country like restaurant that take you to another country without having to fly, right in the heart of the big apple. The service was very attentive, and personal. Specialy the owner who offered us drinks and jokes to start with. The wine list is very reasonable and contain selection of tastefull french wines to compliment the meal. If you are looking for a cozy, romantic place which offers great food and service, this is it.

Pros: Food, Service, Athmosphere

Cons: fewer seafood items

Posted 04/05/03

I've heard it's just like a REAL Parisian restaurant. Great food. Great service. Candles. Perfect. Romantic!

Pros: great food, romantic

Posted 03/18/03

I went there last night with my girlfriend. We had great service from everyone -- the owner, waiter and the rest of the staff. The wine list was very reasonable (given the quality and selection) and the food was delicious... our experience was great overall.

Pros: Service, Food, Affordable wine

Posted 01/17/03

Ask to sit in the garden (when the weather permitts), in fact only try to go there in warm weather as the interior is rather plain, but the garden is beautiful. The food is excellent and filled with delicacies like truffles and foie gras. Even though the menu is a tad expensive (or more then a tad), its definitely worth it.

Pros: Great Food, Great Desert, Great Atmosphere

Posted 01/11/03

Exquisite French fare, with a quaint country touch. I can't recall better foie gras...impeccable service, warm atmosphere, beautiful garden and, unlike Balthazaar and Pastis, quiet. If there is someone dear to you, then this consummate French experience is the way to show it.

Pros: Foie Gras, Venison, Atmosphere, Service

Cons: None

Posted 12/27/02

Last time we were at Gascogne couple years ago and seems to me it was much cheaper place money and food wise. This time we came there because so many other places were closed on the Christmas night. We were able to make reservations with almost no notice...half hour in advance. The place was full. We got very romantic table downstairs. The food was supperb, much better than I remember. Well worth the money we spent.

Posted 12/24/02

The French? Nah....just kidding. Though we didn't dine in the romantic garden, we had the next best seats: overlooking the windowpanes onto the garden. The owner/waiter greeted & accomodated us warmly and like family. A lovely and tasty dinner well worth the price.

Pros: Price

Posted 12/08/02

I hesitate to write much about Gascogne, because then it will become even more crowded than it already is! Such delicious food. The $29 weeknight prix fixe is one of the best bargains in town. and the totally French ambiance!!! Ooh-la-la! The romantic garden is the pièce de résistance, however. To be able to dine with a loved one in this charming setting and such delicious food, is pure delight.

Posted 07/22/02

We sat in the lovely and romantic garden which I highly recommend. We had the Monday night prix fixe and it was delicious but, we encountered a number of unpleasant things aw well. First of all we ordered a wine from the menu listed as 2000 but the waiter brought the 2001 vintage and tried to pass it off as the 2000. Then one of my companinons told the waiter about an allergy to peas and then was brought a side of them with his meal--which had to prepared again. We found a greasy Hershey wrapper in our water carafe and they charged us for 2 desserts even though we got the price fixe. It could've been a lovely evening but it was ruined by these unpleasent experiences.

Pros: Beautiful Garden, Affordable Price Fixe, Delicious Food

Cons: Bad Service, Bad Service, Bad Service

Posted 07/17/02

Excellant food and service, perfect place to start off a romantic evening, especially in their outdoor garden. Great attention to detail across the board. Absolutely one of my favorite places in the neighborhood, as well as NYC overall.
A must try, there is no way you'll be dissapointed.
French fare at it's best.

Pros: Ambiance is key, Excellant service, Fabulous wine list

Posted 06/28/02

I went there last night and sat in the beautiful garden outside! The waiters were attentive but not pushy...hard balance to find in the city sometimes.
Definitely a must for that romantic date!

Posted 06/12/02