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All Reader Reviews of...

A.O.C., (l’Ail ou la Cuisse)

314 Bleecker St., New York, NY, 10014
at Grove St.
212-675-9463

Avg. Rating

5
Food: 6
Service: 5
Décor: 5
"Mixed Reviews"

Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10.

56% would go back.

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Never Again . . .

By CherryxBomb on 12/11/2010

  • Overall Rating: 4
  • Food: 6
  • Service: 1
  • Décor: 5
  • No, I would not go back!

I made a reservation asking for a nice table for a special birthday - not a crazy ask, right? The night started with an unbearably rude hostess who could not be bothered to ask our the name of our party. After waiting a while, not unlike any other NYC restaurant, we were shuffled to a table that was too small for our party. Our area consisted of 2 tabled pushed together however the tables were so uneven, one table fit under the other and guests were expected to balance their meals magically in the over the divide. This ultimately led to spilled drinks. The waitress unapologetically said there was nothing she could do about the table. Further more they were out of chairs so ppl had to squish on the bench. Not really conducive to having a meal but fine. We had to ask multiple times to have bread brought to the able and the entrees were not brought out together (nor were the desserts.) Wine was served in a wet glass and the waitress didn't notice or care enough and poured the wine in with water! I found clear plastic bits in the dessert. They never brought us the food we asked to have wrapped to go. When asked if we could add a scoop of ice cream to the dessert the waitress said not sure if they could accommodate the request - really adding a scope of ice cream (which was on the menu) was too much to ask?!? We weren't asking for it for free! The meals were good, not great, and ultimately not worth the headache. I would never go back and would not recommend going to AOC.

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30 out of 57 people found this review helpful.

Where the angels do not eat!

By EmilyFF on 1/13/2010

  • Overall Rating: 3
  • Food: 2
  • Service: 3
  • Décor: 5
  • No, I would not go back!

"When one has tasted it he knows what the angels eat" - Mark Twain. Let me make it clear that this was a place that even the ghost of Mark Twain wouldn't venture near. I went here with a few friends and ordered the escargot & confit de canard. The ecargot were chewy and sadly done. The confit de canard was surely reheated and an unfortunate choice. The plus side was sitting by the windows watching the people walking by (to eat decent food - presumably!). I might visit again but not to eat - more to sit by the window and watch the world go by...

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76 out of 142 people found this review helpful.

Excellent Food, Everyting else bad

By ajw18 on 4/11/2009

  • Overall Rating: 4
  • Food: (NA)
  • Service: 3
  • Décor: 5
  • Yes, I would go back!

This is very European like. There is a open space in the back that is available for seating during the summer. The food is spectacular and the waiters are very knowledgeable about the great wines and the menu choices. Service is very slow, and they only take American Express. They are also very keen on rushing you out during busy times that is off-putting. Definitely a must, but try going a little early if possible.

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52 out of 116 people found this review helpful.

HORRIBLE--BEWARE

By gabjen on 10/7/2008

  • Overall Rating: 2
  • Food: 2
  • Service: 2
  • Décor: 4
  • No, I would not go back!

OK, LET ME JUST SAY 1 WORD AND DECIDE FOR YOURSELF......HAIR., AND IT WAS INTERTWINED AROUND THE KNIFE, SO BIZARRE I WANTED TO THROW UP. THE PLACE WAS DIRTY AND DISGUSTING. SERVICE WAS HORRIBLE, THEY JUST WERE OUT OF SINC...ONE PERSON CAME ASKING A QUESTION THE OTHER JUST HAD ASKED, LEFT HAND DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE RIGHT WAS DOING.

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75 out of 133 people found this review helpful.

Garden Gem

By SophieGoodwin on 8/2/2008

  • Overall Rating: 8
  • Food: 8
  • Service: 9
  • Décor: 7
  • Yes, I would go back!

The intimate garden hidden in the back of this West Village Bistro is the perfect place to cozy up with a date, a bottle of wine and some solid French fare. The menu is extensive and may leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed, but the food delivers and the pleasant servers are happy to help you navigate through it. For a late afternoon pick-me-up, try the Charcuterie Plate and a bottle of the Rose de Provence. They do meat best, and a more hearty meal should include the juicy Onglet A L'Echalote or the Confit. For those who truly believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, you can have not only eggs any style but also virtually everything off the entire menu. I'm not sure how I feel about eating Coq Au Vin at 8AM, but it's rarely busy through the week and a peaceful place to read the paper over coffee. Be sure to arrive early as they do not take reservations for outside. Also, you'll need an American Express or Cash Money since they don't accept anything else.

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64 out of 126 people found this review helpful.

Good French food without French Prices

By blueshiva on 5/25/2008

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 9
  • Décor: 8
  • Yes, I would go back!

My first encounter with AOC was on a February Sunday around lunch time. All the other bistros around the area were over-packed and this one looked charming and had seats. I had a simply delicious lunch with very adequate portions and coffee refills. Everything was marvelous and very reasonably priced. Now I am in Paris contemplating lunch out on a May Sunday 2008 and expecting to pay at least 40 Euros ($60.00) for something similar. Alas, missing NYC in Paris! We've got it good in NY. Looking forward to coming home and going back to A O C.

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64 out of 133 people found this review helpful.

Poor choice for large party

By MarcusMaso on 4/16/2008

  • Overall Rating: 1
  • Food: 1
  • Service: 1
  • Décor: 1
  • No, I would not go back!

Recently tried to plan a birthday party for 15 people here and was completely disappointed. We spoke to the first manager who told us it would be $75/pp for a prix fixe. When we called back to negotiate, we then spoke with a different manager who quoted us a price of $55/pp. We made a deal with the second manager (with reason, seeing the $20/pp price differential) and thought the case was closed. Tonight we get a call from the second manager saying that since we spoke with the first manager and had "negotiated" a price of $75, we were bound to that price. RIDICULOUS. We never accepted $75 per person, so there was no binding agreement. In fact, we called to counter their $75, and the second manager offered $55 for the menu that was presented. He took my credit-card info and said the contract would be ready for tomorrow. Both offers were without gratuity & tax, but I would have gladly done the deal at $75 without gratuity & tax to make up for the arbitrage between both managers. The restaurant business is part of the service industry, which tonight they failed miserably.

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72 out of 137 people found this review helpful.

Authentic and Rich

By FTC5150 on 3/26/2008

  • Overall Rating: 8
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 7
  • Décor: 5
  • Yes, I would go back!

The food here is absolutely divine! The portions are unusually large for a French restaurant and the wine list is superb. The service is somewhat lacking, but that does not detract from an amazing meal. Very quaint, and very delicious.

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61 out of 127 people found this review helpful.

French?

By stevensteven on 7/4/2007

  • Overall Rating: 8
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 7
  • Décor: 7
  • Yes, I would go back!

Always ask for the Garden area; it won't be offered. The service is friendly but hardly efficient. I had a salmon tarter that was a wonderful mixture of tart and sweet. The entre was a superbly done stripped bass with cauliflowered potatoes. My partner had a fois gras pate followed by a salad nicoise with the tuna rare. All was accompanied by a reasonably priced pinot noir. This is a little gem that delivers on the promise of affordable, innovative continental cuisine.

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125 out of 279 people found this review helpful.

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