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Payard Patisserie & Bistro
1032 Lexington Ave., New York, NY, 10021
nr. 73rd St.
212-717-5252
| 6.1 | "Mixed Reviews" Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10 |  |
Wedding Disappointment
YallaUSA from 07302 | Posted on 9/18/09
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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.
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Exquisite Pastries, Rude Waitstaff!
fifa from 10011 | Posted on 1/14/09
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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...
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Really a Great Restaurant!
junipper from 20100 | Posted on 1/11/08
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The food was so good and refined I felt the urge to write this short review.
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Awful Service from start to finish
celiaspencer from 10044 | Posted on 7/22/07
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We went for tea in the afternoon and the room was mostly empty. The service was still AWFUL. They took our orders without a smile or a suggestion. They showed their impatience when one of the girls took a second glance at the menu before ordering. They brought out trays of what we had ordered and after a few minutes, whisked the trays of finger food away without a word. If there had been a mistake in bringing us that tray, they could have said something but instead, they just ignored us as if we didnt exist! Lucky for them we had not touched the food yet! From the hostess at the front to the manager to the bus boys, they make you feel unwanted there. Portions for Tea were tiny. Never again. And you should not bother either. Unless you are French. (Someone nearby suggested the staff was racist.)
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Mediocre and very overrated
glenge from 06520 | Posted on 5/19/07
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Lunch - dishes were left sitting in the kitchen, quite obvious with lukewarm, coagulated croque monsieur and soggy salad. Tortellini shells were too hard and meat inside was dry. Asparagus and pea soup tasted bad. Only good thing about experience was sardine appetizer. Even the complimentary mini-baguette was tough and taste was off. Don't go for the pastries either - poor taste and texture with all four items purchased. Sad when formerly good restaurants become lazy and allow quality to decline to such an extent.
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Paris' Left Bank
Blondeheiress from 90210 | Posted on 5/17/07
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Payard Patisserie & Bistro is one of my favorites restaurants in New York. It evoke the feeling of familiarity, warmth and coziness of a long established neighborhood pastry shop on Paris' Left Bank. The perfect stop during a day of shopping for a dainty coffe, lunch, and pastries. The bar is also one of my favorite, eatting spots in town when I am on the go and alone. Always friendly and french. The Interior Design alone is fabulous and inspired by Europe's grandest cafes. Chocolates, candies, pastries, breads and packaged gifts are fabulous here!
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Skip the dinner, order the pastry.
outoftowner | Posted on 6/19/05
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The bouillabaisse that won raves in 2002 has become, in 2005, potatos and fish in a thin broth accompanied by doctored mayonnaise pretending to be aioli. Other dishes sampled were unimpressive. The check is the most noteworthy part of the meal.
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Awful Service
UESider | Posted on 4/6/05
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The only saving grace here was that the food was good. Service was terrible, I've never waited over an hour for my entree and not had someone come by to let me know that there had been a problem in the kitchen and my food would be out shortly. When we complained the GM said there was nothing he could do - made me wonder what he CAN do? I will never go back there.
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Great food but disappointing service!
France | Posted on 2/12/05
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Payard definitly makes the best pastries on the East Coast. The creativity involved in the shapes, colors, and textures of those little pieces of art is just amazing. The Beaux Arts pastry for example is a real fiest for the eyes and the palate alike! However, I have found lately that the service at Payard's is not up to the high standards set by the food. Front desk attendants and waiters can be very unwelcoming and unattentive to customer needs... This is regrettable as it is likely to turn away many loyal customers such as myself in the future...
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Yum, yum, yummy, yum-yum!
truly_sweet | Posted on 10/3/03
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WOW! What a find! If you like fine french pastry - made in the true, traditional, buttery way - and served with an elegant flair, then this is the heavenly place for you. Payard is a chocolatier's dream and a patissiere's vision. Everything is freshly prepared and artistically presented. A must-try! (Order early for the holidays - they get busy!)
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