Butter

Gorgeous unique decor. But I really have to suspect the positive reviews here were written by owners/employees/friends of Butter, because I had dinner there last week with some serious foodies and none of us were impressed. My goats cheese tart was just that, goat cheese in a tart, nothing special. My vegetable risotto was burnt, and infused totally in a burnt flavor. Horrible. Here's the thing, you're in the best city in the world for restaurants. Go spend your money somewhere that really wows you. Just because P Diddy had a party at Butter doesn't mean we should be automatically impressed. Keep your standards high.

Pros: Stunning Decor

Cons: , dipsy service

Posted 12/19/04

After reading all the negative reviews I was a bit hesitant about coming here, but I think the food is much better then the other folks gave them credit for. We had the scallop apetzier which was excellent. The scallops were plump and fresh. I had the duck which was served over mashed yams that were out of this world. We also shared the desert sampler and really enjoyed what I would describe as a warm jelly doughnut. I also had the key lime pie martini which was delicious. I would definitely give this restaurant a try and ignore all the negative reviews.

Pros: ambience, martinis, comfortable seating

Posted 11/16/04

Well, I must say that although this place came highly recommended, the customer service was beyond horrible. We went there to celebrate my friend's person. We had about 40 people present, yet management could not accommodate us. No music, limited bartending service, and a bad attitude all in one place on a Friday night. The lower level was closed and there was no ventilation. Lastly, we were unkindly told that it was time for us to leave at 1am on a Friday night...after they made money off of us. Management needs some work.

Pros: Ambience

Cons: , Customer Service, Food

Posted 08/22/04

As would be expected from the owners' maxi-club backgrounds, this feels less like an upscale restaurant than just another dim-lit, over-priced, over-hyped club with a scary "door guy" and service staff complete with the look (and attitude) of super-models. I would reccomend spending your evening somewhere else, unless you are a fan of "the scene." Something tells me the scene is elsewhere.

Posted 08/11/04

Ask to be seated on the main dining floor. IT's the perfect atmosphere for dinner. Large round booths make it spacious for dining for 2-4. The food is pretty good, roast beef is a standout. Otherwise, everything else is just average. I would go there for top notch service and a great dining atmosphere. Otherwise, if you're looking for a ultra, ultra fine culinary experience, this is not the place. Check out the website for pic.

Posted 08/04/04

It could be better. The atmosphere is nice and the drinks are good. The food is just ok, not really memorable and not what you expect for the price but I guess the atmosphere is what you pay for. Our waitress had a weird attitdue toward us, it was not really bad per se but somewhat uncomfortable.

Posted 08/04/04

Butter has clearly opted for the quick buck attracting the most trendy, shallow clientele with their VELVET ROPES and surly staff. The space is fabulous but WELL-WORN, with peeling wallpaper, scuffed wood floors, torn banquettes, etc. My last visit, I was thoroughly "checked" by the bouncer before being admitted to the EMPTY dining room for my reservation. Once seated, the service was terrible, the food was average but not inspiring. The waiter kept pouring wine into glasses filled with water. Flatware was dropped on us. The food took forever & when it did come, I didn't have a fork to eat it with! SOMEONE must educate the staff on the fundamentals of service AT LEAST! Overall, we left our $600 bill (be aware that a 20% gratuity is added) with nothing more to think about than how we would have rather been at Joe's Pub... You'd be better off.

Posted 07/27/04

Looking around the room, it was obvious that diners were initially there for the scene - but what becomes rapidly aparent is that the people in the kitchen are using the plates as canvass. The determined and unwaivering use of seasonal ingredients and the steadfast committment to high quality is what diners at butter come away with. Whether you are healing your soul with spare ribs cooked with love - or tasting the devine halibut, sturgeon or scallops... you can't go wrong. My reccomendation - don't miss the angel hair with caviar or the friend doughnuts. Enjoy an amazing evening at Butter.

Pros: chefs, seasonal ingredients, creative menu

Posted 07/09/04

The new chef at Butter has outdone herself. We went for NYC Restaurant Week and were so impressed with our lunch. The food was fabulous and service was wonderful. What a great deal for $20.12. And now that Restaurant Week is still over....the prix fixe continues for an amazing $25. Go! You'll love!

Posted 06/29/04

I love the popcorn they serve at the bar, and I really enjoyed the food but boy, if I try to speak to anyone even a person next to me is not possible here. So Loud!!

Posted 03/14/04

Butter is atrocious. I spent the entire 2.5 it took to get any kind of service being horribly embarassed that I brought my date there. The crowd was totally B&T, the waiter was completely unprofessional and inattentive, food mediocre. I had to ask twice for a wine list, the waiter gave SO much attitude for no reason, a terrible wine selection- nothing from South America or Australia and four pages of "new world" (read "california"). They were trying to pass themselves off as hip by giving the smallest servings possible for ridiculous sums of $. They fried olive tapenade like a tempura... WORST OF ALL WAS THE DJ. think biggie to kid rock to old school mariah to nirvana to bad trance. in that order. it totally killed the mood, more so than the peeling "cedar" wallpaper. ugly birch forest background ruined the ambience. NOT WORTH IT.

Cons: , terrible service, long wait even w/res.

Posted 02/14/04

The review above should be updated...Butter recently acquired a new Executive Chef, Alexandra Guarnaschelli (formerly of Daniel) who has completely revamped their New American menu. I've been a fan of Butter since the beginning and can honestly say that my nights there are always a sure thing for a great time.

Posted 01/04/04

Somehow they had a mix-up with our dinner reservation, however got seated. The warm shrimp salad was excellent! Blackened mahi mahi sucked (too many various spices mixed together that did not go with the fish at all! yuck!). The NY steak was great. Very nice design and ambiance was very romantic. On the weekends it gets really crowded and loud.

Posted 10/05/03

I was taken here as a gift, and I had never heard of this restaurant before. I sat in the downstairs area, and it seemed like a preety happening place by the bar on the upper level. Our table was preety small, but the food made up for the slight discomfort. The steak I had was out-of-this-world, definetly one of the best I've ever had, and the crepes I had for dessert were equally satisfying. Lots of eye-candy, and gorgeous waitresses. The room was preety dark, but an enitre wall was transparant, and it glowed red from the wine rack that lay behind it, which was a cool effect.

Pros: Food, Service, Crowd

Cons: The seating

Posted 07/22/03

Went to Butter for the first time last Saturday. The decor was beautiful, as were the waiters and bar tenders. Service was superb, a plus ten!! I will be back for more for sure!!

Pros: Elegant

Cons: Expensive

Posted 07/14/03

We went to Butter on a Saturday night, it was surprisingly empty. The hostesses were sooo friendly. Sit downstairs for the scene and the atmosphere. Very romantic and a great place to bring a date. It turns into a club/lounge at 10. We had the romaine salad which was awesome and the portion was big. They also brought us some samples from the kitchen of their special--polenta. I got the salmon, cooked perfectly and so tasty. My friend got the chicken which was also very good. Yes, it's a little pricey but worth every penny in our opinion. Everyone was soooo friendly, we'll be going back!

Pros: atmosphere, service, food

Cons: drink price tea is $5

Posted 07/11/03

Went to Butter on Monday night for a friend's birthday dinner at like 11:00pm, the kitchen was supposedly closed, but we spoke to the manager and we were seated promptly. They had a Monday night party going on, with a nice mix of music, the waiter was awesome, the minute the wine glasses were low he would bring another!!. The crowd was really good looking and the decor is excellent. It was a bit expensive for 2 people, but we did have lots of drinks ( Drinks are very pricey) I would definitely recommend it, Mondays are pretty cool. Then go next door for Karoake night @ Pangea.

Pros: Service, Drinks, Ambiance

Cons: Expensive drinks

Posted 06/24/03

I was quite unimpressed with Butter. The menu is boring and very unimaginitive, but we managed to find some things to order. What we did order was just average (my halibut was ok, though a bit dry and my friend's pork chop was ok, though a bit tough). Given the attitude and the prices, I expected more. One utter disappointment was the raspberry beignets. Someone please tell the pastry chef that Dunkin' Donuts jelly donuts can't be passed off as beignets.

The service, however, was superb!

The decor is very woodsy, which offended me to think that so many trees died to make chairs for the lounge (which were cut out tree stumps) and for the cavernous walls and ceiling. How ironic that there was a huge mural of a forest to admire at the back of the restaurant.

Posted 06/15/03

My friends took me for my birthday dinner and I was simply in awe by the ambience and design of a place behind a dull outer facade...The food and service was excellent...Definately worth checking out on a weekday to avoid weekend chaos.

Pros: atmosphere, service

Cons: price

Posted 06/03/03

So much (expensive) for so little. The table ordered the tasting menu which was a 5 course meal. I swear we came out of the restaurant wondering if we could quickly stop by Cozy's for a burger before the show. My friend's boyfriend was not happy. Decor was really nice. Food not bad, really good sweetbread, better than the one at Babbo's.

Pros: decor, service, drinks

Cons: small portions, expensive

Posted 06/03/03

As my divine date traversed the cavernous archway to greet me, her beauty was accentuated by the glorious wood finishes and perfectly lit hallway to the main dinig area. We were promptly seated. Our Aussie waiter was attentive and knowledgeable. Appetizers arrived promptly and met standards. The entree's were another matter. For the price and expectation, they were just ok. My date had the yellowfin, I had the Szechaun filet. The yellowfin was fine, just not spectacular. The filet was requested at medium and was a touch too sanguineous for my taste--but I forged ahead. There was a also a soupcon of an ingredient that just did not seem like it belonged in the dish.The wine list was significant, yet a tad overpriced. By the by, value would be the major concern here. My experienced dinner date thought that the food was an after thought to the scene.......

Pros: Decor

Cons: Pricey, Uneven entree's

Posted 03/05/03

Made a reservation here last minute on a Wednesday night with no problem. Seated right away, friendly host and waiter and chicken entree and my friend's bass were both perfectly cooked and the sauces were delightful. Downside to this place is that the tables in the middle of the restaurant (where we were seated) were too close together and it can feel a bit invasive at times. Also, the restaurant is quite small so the noise level can get a bit loud. Would definitely go back for the food.

Pros: Great Food, Excellent Service

Cons: Limited Menu, Crowded Tables

Posted 03/03/03

Very nice. Very swank. My kind of place. Waitresses were awesome. Bartenders were hot. Nice decor. Good drinks.

Pros: quick, friendly, eye-candy

Cons: messy bathrooms

Posted 03/02/03

We waited an hour for a table even though we had a reservation; the maitre'd was snotty; the waiter was incompetent. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY OR TIME!

Cons: Terrible Service, Rude Staff, Incompetent Waiter

Posted 02/15/03

I went to Butter on a Saturday night, party of eight, many out of towners, and we all had a wonderful time. Two levels of the restaurant appeal to two different moods. Upstairs is more for the serious diner with a calm ambience and downstairs is more of a scene, dimly lit, and more upbeat. If you have friends that you want to impress take them here. I highly recommend the snapper, sea scallops, and the peppered filet mignon. Make sure to show up on time for the reservation because they have many people to please. Great food and knowledgeable staff! And the kahlua bread pudding is to die for.

Pros: Delectable, sexy

Cons: busy

Posted 02/14/03

The host was annoyingly condescending. I have a stressful job. The last thing I need is a host to give me attitude. Our waiter was completely MIA most of the night. After ordering a bottle of Dom Perignon I got up to use the facilities. Upon my return my glass of champagne and my napkin were missing. I kindly asked him to replace them. 10 minutes later he wasstill MIA. My belief is that if a bottle of champagne is going to cost me $500 after service charges, I believe it should poured for me and I should actually have a glass to drink it from.
If you are looking to try something new and have people actually tell you the specials, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE! If you are looking to be treated rudely and get average food, by all means.

Pros: Decor

Cons: Service, Food, Loud

Posted 02/09/03

Great food despite all the hipsters who look more like extras from TRL Live bouncing around the joint. -- Seriously, I was very impressed with the food all five times I've been there and I've been everywhere in the city. Clearly the chef has talent, but the front of the house is run like a wanna-be version of Bungalow 8. Or a low rent Bungalow 8 I should say. The result is that you might have to wait outside or in the lobby just to convince the door person that you in fact are there to give them your money for dinner.

Pros: Good food, Consistency

Cons: Hip hop trash, shallow staff

Posted 02/04/03

I have visited Butter several times and with each time it gets better and better. The food, despite the editoral listed, is as exquisite as the atmosphere. I feel comfortable and welcomed at this new hot spot. I only wish more people didn't know it existed!

Posted 12/30/02

Have been to Butter a few times and my opinion changes every time I visit. The best experience I have had was when I went with a large group of girlfriends and sat upstairs. I like the upper level better since it is smoke free and just nicer altogether. Good food though a limited menu. The skate is a wonderful dish and would reccomend to amy diners who have yet to visit. Downstairs is cool too since you can smoke at your table (which I do) However it gets very very smoky which isn't really pleasurable while eating and since it has become a hot spot to hang out at, It's a bit over crowded lately. Liked it better before anyone knew about it.

Pros: Great Food

Cons: Too Smokey

Posted 12/10/02

Went to Butter the other night after it was recommended by two friends and had a great time. We had reservations and were seated promptly--which is unusual in NYC. The staff was very nice and liked how we got the complimentary wine samle along with an h'orduerve. Great atmosphere as well--downstairs is a little loud, so do not recommed eating down there. I will defintely go back!

Pros: great atmosphere

Posted 11/02/02

The service was really crappy - so we left a small tip.. little did I know, a few weeks later after receiving my credit card bill I noticed the waiter has written in an extra digit to the tip.. This is an outright fraud on top of the fact that the service has been very bad and the food mediocre for the money..

Posted 10/31/02

Despite many unassuring reviews, I had a fabulous time at Butter. The food was excellent, the waitstaff was attentive and the service was quick. However, the appetizers were more tempting than the entrees. Definitely try the gnocchi with truffle sauce and the portabello salad. The wine list was extensive. The diners were mixed, but the bar goers were definitely dressed to impress. After dinner, it was only a short walk downstairs to the swanky, more dimly lit lounge. Altogether a very fine dining experience.

Pros: Ambience, Classy

Cons: Expensive

Posted 10/27/02

The room is eyecatching - cylindrical, long, and paneled in cedar with a view of a forest at the far end. soft lighting and comfortable seating. The food although a little pricey is outstanding across the board - salads, the lamb, the bananas foster dessert - all superb.

Posted 09/29/02

The space was quite beautiful. Feeling of being in a forest. Friendly service and good food.
Great for impressing and looking fabulous.

Pros: Atmoshpere, service

Cons: pricy

Posted 09/26/02

I will never understand why a staff finds it necessary to portray a haughty attitude when the substance of the venue (food, service, wine list, hostesses) are mediocre, unprofessional and bland. Our hostess was more concerned about the appearance of the banquets than wether we had the right menus. The wait staff has little knowlege of what is coming out of the kitchen except you need to eat quickly to make room for the club crowd expected later. It is too expensive for all this. They should be trying to entice customers back not act as though they are lucky to be there- this place will soon meet the same ending as its predessesor Belgo.

Cons: over-priced, mundane, rude

Posted 09/19/02

While the decor and atmosphere was really cool, and good for people watching, one would expect better food for this price level. Not that it was *bad* per-se, but rather unimpressive. The scallops appetizer was interesting and tasty, but they serve *two* scallops! I had the duck, which was slightly bland and uneventful; my fiancée had the sautéed skate, which was a better choice. Despite the negative reviews on this site, the service from the Maitre d', bartender, and our waitress was not a problem at all. In summary Butter is acceptable, not exceptional, and for this price range I expect to be impressed.

Posted 08/26/02

Have been twice and both times decent food, cool physical space has been massively overshadowed by a lame crowd and some even lamer service. Perfect spot if you are looking to log some time w/ a crowd of pretentious wannabe Hampton socialites coupled w/ a healthy dose of Bridge and Tunnel tradgedies.

Cons: rude, self-congratulatory, expensive

Posted 08/19/02

After reading the reviews for Butter, I had some reservation about trying it myself, but man was I surprised. It was awesome. Sure it reeks of Hamptons aristocracy, but that is why it is a 'beautiful people' place. I love the the vaulted ceiling upstairs and the cozy lounge downstairs. The staff was nice and I had a great waitress. The service was timely and the food well above par. Plus the eye candy was amazing. A group of 5 hotties frollicked to my left and a stunner sat at the bar with midrift showing. I was in heaven.

Posted 08/13/02

"BUTTER" was just great, despite all the negative reviews. I went there on Aug 9, 2002, from the start I was impressed. First, by the prompt seating ( even though we had no reservations), the very pleasant staff and not to mention the very cozy decor. Our waiter was helpful and friendly. Food and wine from appetizer to dessert was great too!
For such a "styish " restaurant the portions were "right on the money". I loved everything and would recommend to everyone.

Posted 08/12/02

I have basically tried all the places in the east village, and Butter is mediocre in comparison. The food is fairly good, but everything is spoiled by the OVERALL experience. I recommend Industry (food) instead.

Posted 07/25/02

screwed up our reservation had to sit 3 ladies at a table for two when we reserved a table for 4. The owner lied to me when i asked where our food was 1 hour after we placed the order - he said oh your friend said you were not ready for it. Basically it was so bad that we got them back and we dined and DASHED - thanks for the free meal BUTTA. I will say the food was good but hey when its free it always tastes better right?! he hehehe

Pros: horrendous

Posted 07/25/02

I should have listened to all of the poor reviews on this website...but I had faith. For a new restaurant in a bad economy they sure have a boatload of unecessary attitude. The maitre 'd is particularly full of himself. I have been to almost every top restaurant in the city and I have never been treated with such snotty service. Go spend your money somewhere else.

Pros: Tasty

Cons: Snotty

Posted 07/24/02

The service is absolutely terrible. I waited 45 minutes just to get a bottle of a wine placed at the table. The wait staff is incredibly inattentive and rude. We were immediately seated (the restaurant was no where close to being packed, surprise, surprise) There are very few selections on the menu and the food is not that great and the dining experience at Butter is completely overrated. You're better off walking down half a block and going to Serafina or across the street to the Time Cafe. I give this restaurant one year, one and a half maximum, before it shuts down.

Cons: terrible service, the entire dining, experience sucked

Posted 07/23/02

I was looking forward to this dinner - the reviews were great, the venue looked amazing. But, alas, the service was TERRIBLE. The management the most ungracious in all of New York (and that takes some beating). We were hassled from the beginning. The booking was made for 8. We were asked to sit down at 7.55. We were then asked again at 8.05, and again at 8.10. Our last party member arrived at 8.11 and we were told to sit or else we would loose our table - there were 3 other people in the restaurant! We were also told that we would have to leave at 10pm (this was not mentioned at the time of making the booking!). We left at 10.15 with only a quarter of the restaurant full. NO SURPRISES THERE. And all this grief for a bill totalling more than $1,500!

Pros: Food

Cons: Expensive, Rude, Unhelpful

Posted 07/15/02

It looks like Butter's architect designed a space that ultimately the owner's could not afford. The entrance is a bit unwelcoming, after you pass throught the glass doors you enter a cedar rich hallway and the woods at the entrance and downstairs are rich, but to my horror the main dining room is wallpapered in faux wood veneer making it look like a bad episode of trading spaces. The flowers also fake seemed to match only the bad wood wallpaper. Reservations were for 9:00pm,. we were sat at 10:30 then rushed through our dinner because "the kitchen is closing" menu is limited and overpriced $30.00 for chicken. The only saving grace were the desserts, which were excellent. The scene downstairs is exactly that a scene with a mixture of bridge and tunnel and east village meets holly go lightly. I give this place two years and that is being optomistic.

Pros: inventive cocktails

Cons: EXPENSIVE, LOUD, BRIDGE & TUNNEL

Posted 07/11/02

Went there with some friends on Sat. night. Our waitress was so friendly and helpful it set the stage for a great evening. Great atmosphere and vibe. Food was delicious - definitely try the tuna.

Posted 06/30/02

we had an 8.30 ressie for my friend's bday party in the lively room downstairs. we were bumped so jay-z could have the table intended for us and were not seated until 10.30 (2-hour wait!) in the quiet room upstairs. the stuck-up host had the audacity to tell us the wait was due to him trying to give us the best table they have (puh-leese!) we didn't get bread til nearly an hour after we were seated and that was after we asked for it. we did not finish dining until 1.30. if not for the fabulous hot sauce and super delice spicey dijon mustard AND, of course, our lovely waiter (he looked just like pee wee herman and was ADORABLE!), the night would have been a bust for sure. needless to say, i am no longer buying jay-z CDs nor will i be dining at butter. i'm still bitta.....

Pros: decore, hot sauce, dijon mustard

Cons: host, host, host

Posted 06/19/02

I've been to Butter one 2 seperate occasions and both times I was pleasantly surprised by the food and atmosphere. The staff was attentive. I was seated right away both times I've been. The food was superb. I particularly recommend the Black Bass w/ Fois gras and smoked ham.

Pros: good scene

Posted 06/13/02

The food was ok. It's all downhill from there. If you choose to go, insist that your table is up the stairs in "the room" otherwise you will be forgotten. If you are given a table in the entryway, do not politely ask to be moved, be rude. The table to my left and right were accomodated after bitching, I was not. The service was terrible, waiter did not poor the wine correctly, my water glass was never refilled even after asking. There was a half-hearted attempt to accomomdate my requests but it seemed I was being a terrible dinner guest. Place is awful.

Cons: Service, Attitude, Seating arrangement

Posted 06/13/02

I was very disappointed when I went to Butter this past weekend for dinner. The service was extremely snotty and there was tremendious attitude. We were not even given a wine list when we were seated. We had to ask for bread and BUTTER five times...we were finally given bread well after our entres had arrived. For the prices that they charge the service should be amicable. Although the food was tasty, it was not worth the aggrevation of this very unpleasurable dining experience.

Pros: Clean

Cons: Snotty, Expensive

Posted 06/09/02