France C.
Yelp
In a nutshell: EXCELLENT French Vegan food with MEDIOCRE service.
THE GOOD
Because it is Christmas and I wanted to make sure I have a special night I made the reservation on Open Table. Everything went smoothly reservation's wise and for other than being dropped off at the wrong side of the street, no hiccups no wait, destination has been confirmed and safe landing.
The best is the food period, if you go on a large party or super engaged with your date perhaps you don't perceive or care about other details other than strictly food and in that regard the texture and flavors always meet expectations.
THE BAD
Perhaps they are expecting patrons to be very methodical and know from beginning to end all they want to eat BOOM, and I'm like, can I breath with the menu for a bit? Like, how much time in advance you need to fire up "complicated" dishes? So I ordered the Brie Roti e Fondant Vegetal with Sauvignon Blanc, not a second passed and even before having a chance to taste the appetizer or getting acquainted with the wine I was already asked what I wanted for the main course, I asked for more time and it might be my perception but it wasn't long for the other waiter to ask again what I wanted for my main... Oh great, rushed into making decisions!!! Happy Christmas to MEEEE!!!
THE WORST
The transactional and pressured manner to quickly order, ruined what it should had been a beautiful Christmas dining experience. Because of the freezing temperatures, understandably the outdoor dining was out commission yet this restaurant always manage to have a table available. I believe people that order take-out from the restaurant are the smartest of the bunch because my dining experience didn't improved with time, it only worsen.
I'm unsure if the tall waiter speaking French was co-owner (logically speaking?) but if he was, either he has no idea what a 5 stars restaurant experience should be like (they're always wearing jeans and t-shirts) so I suppose this is one of those lazy restaurants with lazy underwhelming decor (not even bulbs on the chandelier, do you see?). I mean... dressing like Walmart, treating you like the DMV and charge you Saks 5th Avenue prices, hmmm... NO!!! It is obviously less about the tired casual attire of the waiters, and more about their "We couldn't care less about you, if you leave, another client will take your place" attitude that's really really upsetting.
The tagliatelle was lukewarm and compared to other dishes I've had, quite bland in taste. Perhaps adding salt would had saved it but if the Rosé was not able to bring this flavors together... doubt that bothering the waiter for salt wouldn't have been worth it, anyway.
The music was depressing at best, if they would had sprinkled some French holiday songs it may have been preferable to the borderline cut-your-wrists music. By the time I ordered dessert, and this time I was the one who had to wait around, I focused more on the joy the ring (thanks Edwin's Jewellers) I got, than the lousy dessert. The Parissiene crepe paired with Sparkling wine its better on paper than reality. Perhaps I was expecting a Nutella-like chocolate explosion and just got another lukewarm treat with store-bought-cocoa-powder-flavor topped with whipped cream it wasn't worth taking a picture of.
Perhaps, if you go with friends, perhaps the experience will be more personable than if you're dining by yourself, read - Your value is based on potential spending - Either if one or both waiters believe than treating or other engaging more large groups will result in better tips, more often than not you (they) will get the minimum standard (15-20% in NYC). Meanwhile, solo patrons like us can be and are far more generous. I actually doubted on how to tip because I was sooooo disappointed and yet I tipped if I would had received a good service because the food is what merits the credit. I certainly won't return to this restaurant ever again, the music, the ambiance and definitely the service are just NOT right!