Papilles

I have a love for small restaurants run by owners that serves excellent food. Papilles is a perfect fit for that. Look in the kitchen, and you will see Chef Calstier working with a small team. Service was impeccable, and cocktails were excellent as well. The food, seems to come from a much larger kitchen, as many of the courses combined different techniques on the same plate. As you progress through the meal, you can tell that each course was created with care. The flavours are well balanced, the the execution is on point. The squab was one of of favourites of the night, the breast is cooked just right with crispy skin but the meat was still tender and moist. The fish and lobster course was another favourite, the lobster sauce fragrant and rich and the lobster meat itself was cooked just right, yielding the perfect texture. Overall, IMO, Papilles is an under radar gem in NYC, putting out food that is better than many of the larger, more popular/well known restaurants. Will definitely return and recommend to anyone.

I enjoyed Papilles last summer on 3 separate visits. The chef and bartender are both so talented. If i has one wish it would be for them to have more options on the menu. (Slightly more would he fine.) It’s only because my husband doesn’t eat fish. But I do agree that having a few dishes of perfection is better than more of any lower standard.

The restaurant venture Papilles, located just above the East Houston St, and thus sitting on the border of the Lower East Side and East Village, across the street from the famous (or infamous, depending on one's point of view) Tompkins Square Park, is one of our very best dining experiences in the city. "N'importe" that Papilles is a restaurant étoilé, proudly carrying its Michelin star distinction, for we have dined in a multitude of restaurants distinguished in all kinds awards and figuring at the top of competing lists, and the end result was a veritable 'blah'. Not so the Papilles, what an amazing food, what an amazing degree of deliciousness, attention to the minute detail, unparalleled mastery in both preparation and plating and care about their customers! The dynamic trio of the young entrepreneurs, Chef Calstier, Elena Oliver, and Nicolas Thoni have combined their efforts to offer one of the best food in the city. Also, to bear in mind, a five-course tasting menu (of generous portions, at that), with a possibility to choose your own dessert (or a cheese platter) is priced at $95, which is an honest bargain for a restaurant of that level (and a Michelin-star establishment). Unlike many a restaurant that try to include into their tasting menus the least expensive dishes, Papilles does an excellent job of featuring the most elaborate (and expensive) courses in their tasting menu, offered as 3,4, or 5 courses. And the amuse-bouche we enjoyed immensely was of a bigger size that many of the main courses served by the famous and celebrated restaurants in NYC (the size shouldn't matter, but it is a great demonstration of a an honest and considerate approach by the Papilles team). The amount of care and effort that goes into every dish is exemplary. We won't elaborate on specific dishes here, for the restaurant changes its menu pretty frequently. Just refer to our photographs, and no comment would be needed. The restaurant is small, numbering only about 9 tables. For our taste, the tables on the left side of the restaurant (facing the open kitchen) allow for better privacy. The reservations are available through Resy. We with lots of success à toute l'équipe. Great job, guys!

I had brought my family here to show them what it’s like to have the true authentic fine dining experience. From the staff to the ambiance to of course the FOOD! Everything was amazing and we had zero complaints.The attention to detail that the chef puts in every dish is just remarkable, everything was fresh and cooked to perfection. It is definitely the perfect spot for couples and families to try. You won’t be disappointed !

Sophisticated food, great wine list, cute decoration and the kindest staff in town ! The chef Andrea plays with the flavors and the different textures for a delightful result. I definitely recommend Papilles to all my friends !!

It was a nice, cozy but elegant dinner at Papilles. You can see Chef Andrea working on his artistry in the kitchen, and Nicolas and Elena make you feel special. I recommend Papilles as a great anniversary spot.

Delicious food and wonderful ambience! One of the few places in NYC that I'll actively go back to (and I've lived here 7 yrs). Menu descriptions are understated - the care, quality, and artistry of the meal was delightful.

Every bite was delicious. The cocktails were very good and the service was friendly and attentive. We loved the experience. Highly recommended