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All Reader Reviews of...

Bouley

163 Duane St., New York, NY, 10013
nr. Hudson St.
212-964-2525

Avg. Rating

8
Food: 8
Service: 7
Décor: 8
"Recommended"

Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10.

62% would go back.

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Wonderful!

By emilys261 on 5/17/2013

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

The food at Bouley is nothing short of real value for money. The dining experience and atmosphere are wonderful.

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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

As good as it gets

By scp9006 on 5/20/2012

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

Spent my engagement celebration with my now fiancee at this taste of heaven last night. EVERY detail was uterly sublime. From the maitre d to the clearing plates. The elegance of the room is breathtaking and the meal equally so. The wines were paired perfectly with the courses. I had duck that melted in my mouth and my fiancee had the lamb which was spectacular. The prices are thought were very reasonable for such an experience. I got turned away from another establishment because we needed a later time but Bouley was incredibly flexible. I can't imagine anywhere else in the world I would rather have spent the most important night of my life. Cheers to you all for your professionalism, expertise, class, and 5 star love that you showed us!

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25 out of 55 people found this review helpful.

Best meals I've had so far in NY

By viviansoho on 12/26/2011

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

Nothing bad to say about this restaurant. Just finished a 7 course Christmas meal and I am 100% satisfied. On top of that I was offered a selection of daily fresh baked breads that included fig, saffron, olive, blackcurrant, french sourdough, garlic and pistachio & hazelnut. I tried all of them and loved them all. Though my favorite was undeniably the fig. We were offered the chef's tasting room beside the kitchen and it was a delightful experience. The staff was super helpful and friendly. As a table of six with two bottles of wine, we ended spending around $300 each it was worth every penny. If you're looking for something spectacular Bouley is the place to dine. I look forward to next occasion I can use as an excuse to eat here again.

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40 out of 76 people found this review helpful.

First Review of my entire life

By matisj45 on 9/26/2011

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

I've been to many places and experienced many meals that I won't soon forget. I've served in the military and seen first rate execution first hand. I know what I like and what I don't. I've even decided to use the GI Bill to go to culinary school because I care about the experience of sharing a meal so much. This dinner tonight marked the first year of my marriage. I can honestly say that when this restaurant is in prime form (which it was tonight) that there is no better experience in the world. The staff danced, the meals surprised and delivered. The extra mile was afforded by all, and my wife and I are as happy as we have ever been. I recommend this special experience with the highest marks possible.

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46 out of 89 people found this review helpful.

Amazing Lunch at Bouley $36

By Tanner on 1/12/2011

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

Everything about the meal was perfect, non pretentious and hit the spot, especially the chicken in the pot with aromatic herbs! SECRET! If the chef has more info on what you like to eat (leave with reservations) then the meal is that much more tailored to your like and dislikes.

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73 out of 141 people found this review helpful.

Amazing Lunch at Bouley $36

By Tanner on 1/12/2011

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

Everything about the meal was perfect, non pretentious and hit the spot, especially the chicken in the pot with aromatic herbs! SECRET! If the chef has more info on what you like to eat (leave with reservations) then the meal is that much more tailored to your like and dislikes.

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70 out of 135 people found this review helpful.

Bouley

By restaurantfairy on 10/30/2010

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

The first time I ate at Bouley was in 1996. My mother in-law took my husband (fiancée at that time) and me for dinner to celebrate our graduating Graduate School from Columbia. The experience  for me was beyond divine. Even though it was almost 12 years ago, I still remember being delighted by every course we were served! Little did I know at that time that Bouley would close down that very year. I’ve never forgotten that meal. I really think it was one of the best meals I have ever had….in my entire life! So, after 12 long years of Bouley having closed, reopened, moved locations and so on, I finally went back to try it one more time. This time I went for lunch. They have a great pre-fix deal for lunch for $48. I have to say that overall I was disappointed with this meal. The two outstanding things I ate were the Crab-Porcini mushroom flan and the dessert. The rest of the meal was just okay. I would go back again though. Bouley is such a charming place, with impeccable service and grace. I really enjoyed the experience and parts of the meal were outstanding. It’s hard to judge a place like Bouley based on just one meal and one menu. I still believe that Chef David Bouley can recreate the magic that I experienced 12 years ago and I am willing to go back and try. For pictures and more food details click on this link: http://therestaurantfairy.com/2009/12/26/lunch-at-bouley/

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71 out of 140 people found this review helpful.

Other than Kurumazushi, probably best restaurant in NYC

By scottpsolomon on 7/18/2010

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 9
  • Décor: 10
  • Yes, I would go back!

"Back in the day," the great chefs in NYC were Gray Kunz at Lespinasse, Andre Soltner at Lutece, and David Bouley. Today, Bouley is worth writing about because he is still as super-talented as ever, AND he has moved into this new space that is probably the best restaurant space in NYC. Unfortunately, David is sort of a scatter-brain who distracts himself with idiotic projects. He should focus on one thing: making his flagship restaurant Bouley the one truly great French restaurant in NY. It's great now, but if he really focussed it could be legendary.

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95 out of 165 people found this review helpful.

Bouley Service Hell

By tkoby11 on 5/9/2010

  • Overall Rating: 6
  • Food: 8
  • Service: 2
  • Décor: 7
  • No, I would not go back!

We dined at Bouley optimisticly having read about poor service reviews.The lack of attention to detail,sloppiness,and lack of respect for the diner started the second we sat down.Food was great but fine dining is also about excellent service. We were impressed with the decor as we made our way to the dining room below ground on the lower level.The decor is old French castle with Far East tapestry and drapery. The menu was different than the one on their website.Online had 2 tasting menus and priced at $95.Ours had 1 tasting menu and priced $30 MORE at 125. Bait and switch,WTF! Wine list ok, not deep.We got gipped by the wine pairing's extra mini-pours.Wine pairings should last the length of the course!Other tables had deeper pours,WTF! We waited 20 mins btw courses, as long as 40,yes FORTY,once.Not ONCE an apology courteous recognition of slow service,WTF! The flatware was replaced with each course and placed haphazardly on the table. Saving grace=food was excellent.Oysters were great, though one was sandy. Rack of lamb was cooked to perfection,maybe too much sauce and caper. Jasmine tea smoked salmon was the best piece of salmon I remember having in many years: medium rare, simple execution yet complex and focused flavors delivered an exceptional course-best of the night.The bouillabaisse was excellent and the broth tasty, maybe a bit cool. I hope Monsieur Bouley realizes how poorly his food is being served and how sub-par the diners are being treated.

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92 out of 181 people found this review helpful.

Disgraceful Christmas Day

By arose03 on 12/28/2009

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

We too were there for Christmas day, and we too left before being seated. People coming out of the restaurant were complaining about the awful food and service, the wait even though we had a reservation was over an hour, and we turned around finally and took off. How could you not plan for the number of people who were there when you had the reservations booked? Joke.

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128 out of 248 people found this review helpful.

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