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All Reader Reviews of...
Artisanal
2 Park Ave., New York, NY, 10016
at 32nd St.
212-725-8585
| 5.9 | "Mixed Reviews" Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10 |  |
Stressed out staff and a chef resting on his laurels
tasterC from 10023 | Posted on 5/5/09
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I ate at Artisanal years ago and enjoyed myself. Last night I took friends from Canada. It was packed on a rainy Monday, so we waited at a bar area table. Twice waiters confused our table with the one next to us. When our table was ready, we discovered our bar tab couldn't go on our dinner bill. In giving the specials our waiter didnÂ’t say the fish special included chorizo. My friend, who ordered it, doesnÂ’t eat pork. Our waiter (insincerely) apologized, but we were almost done when her new dish arrived. I had mushroom risotto with butternut squash, and truffle essence. Some squash was undercooked and unpleasantly crunchy. At $19.50 it should have been perfect. Artisanal claims to serve seasonal food, but butternut squash is a fall vegetable. For dessert we had chocolate fondue. When we mentioned a nut allergy, our waiter went to check ingredients, informing us the madeleines were bought in, not homemade. Maybe chef Brennan is preoccupied with his new downtown eatery, or is more concerned with maintaining his Michelin stars at Picholine, but that's no excuse for letting quality slip at Artisanal.
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Tasteless and Watery Fondue
silc from 10023 | Posted on 8/30/08
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First I felt compelled to send back their tasteless and watery "blend fondue"; then came the "fontina, garlic and herbs", which tasted even worse... I had no choice but to send it back again and go home hungry. The waitress was super nice and kindly apologized...
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Restaurant has plummeted since your review. Go elsewhere
infdaze from 10016 | Posted on 3/29/08
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The quality of food and service has dropped substantially. It is sad to see another neighborhood restaurant falter in a location otherwise devoid of quality dining options. Last time I was there, I never received my entree. The check came back and everything but my entree was on the bill a total of $80. Not even a token discount or drinks removed from the order! According to the time on the receipt, we wasted an hour and a half there for one round of drinks, apps, and half of our table's food. If you are looking for a brasserie experience, head to Balthazar or Pastis instead, or go a couple blocks away to Le Halles.
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Dissapointing
CindysTake from L.I. N.Y. | Posted on 10/29/07
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I love nothing more than cheese, so I thought this would be my mecca. Unfortunately for me the OVERPRICED and Small Portion of Cheese Fondue must only be described as disappointing. The cheese used was too sharp and made the roof of my mouth itch. It lacked the creamy bubbly consistency a true fondue is known for. The bread served with it is baked hard and Black on the bottom. My tongue stayed black all night and I have never been back.
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Cheese for those who don't know cheese.
blunto from 02460 | Posted on 6/24/07
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I grew up in the parts of Switzerland next to Haute Savoie, France. A few hundred cheeses made in the close vicinity. From this perspective, Artisanal is a bust. The fondue ("traditional Swiss fondue") is worse than the cheapest fondue you could pick up in a grocery store in Switzerland (and available in many stores in the US). Wrong mix of cheeses and kirsch. Not very pleasant if you expect something like authentic fondue. And the cheese selection is deceptive. The one cheese from Haute Savoie was a poor specimen. Cheese is great. Bad cheese is terrible.
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Attitude and faxes almost rot the cheese
jeanmartin | Posted on 12/28/05
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Perhaps for being a cheese lover I rate the food at a high 10+ so that I cannot help but to go here very often. Unfortunately, many a times have I not booked a table at this restaurant only to avoid the cumbersome fax reservation system (What are they thinking?), not to mention the attitude of the reservation staff. Friends of mine who are more service-sensitive simply will not go ever again after being ridiculed by the reservation lady. Once you book at table though, things tend to run smoothly.
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What A Cheesy Brunch!!!
ywwan from 10003 | Posted on 11/26/05
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First of all, the food at is truly wonderful - from the lamb to the duck to yes, even the fish. It is one of the few places where I will break my rule of not eating fish in a non-Asian restaurant. Yes, I savor every heavenly bite of the olive cod and the skate. Time after time. And well, it goes without saying that the cheese is one of the highlights of the Artisanal experience - from the moment the pungent aroma assaults you as you walk in the door. Especially if like me, you like it soft and stinky and paired with just the perfect wine from the wide selection. Having said all that, I have found that the busy and noisy environment becomes overwhelming in the evenings and I much rather save this place for long, leisurely Sunday brunches with friends from out of town. I also have a special weakness for pastries on weekends... did I mention the wonderful selection of pastries, beginning with the beignets... And of course, you should make it a cheesy brunch!
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Loved
sjbst17 | Posted on 7/2/05
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Extensive selection of wines all available by the glass and commendable cheese selection. Wine and cheese are sexy. Romantic...and, fun! The prix fixe restaurant week was boring and uninspired - salmon or hanger steak/frites. My husband and I shared a stilton with Sauternes fondue appetizer. He had glass of chablis and I had a sweeter riesling to start. We took our time and savoured each bite. Then my husband had skate wing and I had the terrific, flavorful bouillabaisse or fish stew. It may have been the best I've ever had. Their rouille definitely is. The rouille is truly the key to the best bouillabaisse. The presentation was very neat. No bones, no skin. Some shrimp and a few mussels. Just the way I happen to like it. My husband's skate wing was so light and fluffy - delicious. Our waiter was knowledgeable. Service was professional, prompt, efficient and friendly. In terms of value since I started with fondue which is very filling I was more than full after my entree, with sadly no room for dessert.
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OKAY. Good but nothing spectacular
Gnewey | Posted on 5/20/05
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I have no complaints. Everything was good. Nothing bad, nothing stood out neither. I had the Artisanal Blend Cheese fondue, crepes appetizer, mesclun, hanger steak frites and chocolate fondue. Very satisfying, good portions. Server seems knowledgeable... overall good, would go back, but won't go out of my way there.
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Say Cheese and Smile!
skyblu | Posted on 6/11/04
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Just went to Artisanal with a large group. We were very happy. We started out with Artisanal's famous gougeres and a fondue that was perfectly prepared and presented. We then had entrees, again..happy! Although we were stuffed, we went for broke and had chocolate fondue for dessert. Fantastic! Service was impeccable and we'll definitely go back.
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