Advertising

Cloudy 53° » 5-day

You are not logged in

New York Magazine

Skip to content, or skip to search.

Skip to content, or skip to search.

Home > Restaurants > Payard Patisserie & Bistro

Payard Patisserie & Bistro

Critic's Pick Critics' Pick

1032 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10021
nr. 73rd St.  See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
212-717-5252 Send to Phone

    Reserve a Table

  • Price Range: $$$

    Key to Prices and ratings

    Upscale
    • Almost Perfect
    • Exceptional
    • Generally Excellent
    • Very Good
    • Good
    Cheap Eats
    • Best in Category
    • Excellent
    • Delicious
    • Very Good
    • Noteworthy
    • Very Expensive
    • Expensive
    • Moderate
    • Cheap
  • Critics' Rating: **

    Key to Prices and ratings

    Upscale
    • Almost Perfect
    • Exceptional
    • Generally Excellent
    • Very Good
    • Good
    Cheap Eats
    • Best in Category
    • Excellent
    • Delicious
    • Very Good
    • Noteworthy
    • Very Expensive
    • Expensive
    • Moderate
    • Cheap
  • Reader Rating:

    6.1 out of 10

      |  

    12 Reviews | Write a Review

  • Cuisine: Dessert / Ice Cream Shop, French
View Slide Show
Photo by Jennifer MacFarlane

Official Website

payard.com

Hours

Mon-Sat, noon-3pm and 5:45pm-10:30pm; Sun, closed

Nearby Subway Stops

6 at 77th St.

Prices

$28-$34

Payment Methods

American Express, MasterCard, Visa

Special Features

  • Great Desserts
  • Lunch
  • Private Dining/Party Space
  • Prix-Fixe
  • Romantic
  • Take-Out

Alcohol

  • Full Bar

Reservations

Recommended

Profile

This venue is closed.

François Payard must pay Philippe Bertineau in gold bars or know some dark, ghastly secret about the man, because it is astonishing that this gentle-mannered, unassuming yet undeniably gifted chef has remained in the kitchen at Payard Patisserie since its inception. Bertineau's sautéed rouget with Persian-cucumber rémoulade, potato tourte layered with goat's-milk brie, sautéed skate with curried cauliflower purée, and braised leg with trumpet mushroom-stuffed loin of rabbit are first and second courses that wonderfully match the artistry of Payard's universally touted thirds. It is easily one of the best meals you can have on the Upper East Side. — Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld

Prix-Fixe

Pre-theater menu,  5:45 p.m.—6:45 p.m., three-courses, $37; five-course tasting menu, $72; with wine, $112; six-course menu for two that includes a signed copy of François Payard's cookbook, $174; with wine, $268.

Le Thé
Mon.—Sat., 3:30 p.m.—5 p.m. Includes a selection of miniature sandwiches, scones and madeleines, and miniature pastries.

Kids Cakes
The revered confections shop produces sumptuous customized children's cakes in a range of flavors, topped with exquisite, hand-crafted marzipan figures (like Winnie-the-Pooh).

Wedding Cakes
Payard’s bakery makes wedding cakes that are customized to match a couple’s personal aesthetic. There are four fillings for the classic tiered cakes, including Opéra (almond génoise soaked in espresso syrup layered with coffee buttercream and chocolate ganache) and Sacher (chocolate ganache and raspberry preserve), for $10 per serving.

Recommended Dishes

Terrine of foie gras, $22; bouillabaisse, $32

Related Stories

Best of New York Awards

Featured In

Recipes at Payard Patisserie & Bistro

6.1 "Mixed Reviews"
Average Reader Rating
on a Scale of 10		 Write Your Own Review
50% Would you go back?
50% Would you take a date?
12% Would you take kids?
60% Would you go on business?
40% Would you go on a special occasion?
Food: 7.1
Service: 5.4
Décor: 6.6
Value: 6.0

Wedding Disappointment

YallaUSA from 07302 | Posted on 9/18/09

Overall Rating: 3 (Not Recommended)
Food: 1
Service: 1
Décor: (NA)
Value: (NA)

I ordered a Croquembouch for my wedding expecting a not only a stunning wedding cake but a culinary delight. Visually, the pastry met my expectations. However the taste was so bad that it was inedible. When I contacted the patisserie, their attitude was that I don't know what a croquembouch tastes like and that it was I who made the mistake. I assured them that there was no mistake. I even had a letter from the wedding site manager in agreement that the taste was terribly amiss. I understand mistakes happen and I am very tolerant. It was how I was treated that compels me to write this review. Their response was unsympathetic (my wedding cake was ruined), they were complacent with no real concern for my loss and arrogant. I didn't even get a "we're sorry to hear that" much less an apology. To make a long story short, I took them to small claims court and won. I've been happy with their products in the past and most likely you'll be pleased with your order but if you aren't for any reason, be prepared to have a similar experience.

Exquisite Pastries, Rude Waitstaff!

fifa from 10011 | Posted on 1/14/09

Overall Rating: (NA) (Not Rated)
Food: 9
Service: 2
Décor: 5
Value: 5

I think the pastries here are beautiful, but are they worth the price and rude waitstaff? I went in today and ordered a croque monsieur to go in the cafe section, and asked for it heated. The french person behind the counter let me know it would take 10 minutes to heat, which was fine with me. I decided to sit down at one of the cafe chairs while I waited for it since nobody was there. I am about to give birth any day now so standing up for 10 minutes is not exactly comfortable. The pastry clerk came from behind the counter, tapped me on the shoulder, and had the nerve to ask me to get up because the table was reserved! Who asks a woman obviously very pregnant to get up when nobody is even sitting there or waiting for a table? I never write reviews, but felt like this one is a doosie...

Read All 12 Reviews >>

Advertising

Latest News Near

Advertising
Advertising
Advertise on this Site