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All Reader Reviews of...

Tree Bistro

190 First Ave., New York, NY, 10009
nr. 11th St.
212-358-7171

Avg. Rating

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

Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10.

40% would go back.

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Needs A Little Time To Grow

By kris10 on 9/21/2011

  • Overall Rating: 6
  • Food: 5
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 3
  • No, I would not go back!

I went with a friend because I had purchased a special offer via email promo. I should state that I'm overall quite glad to have visited. Would I run back there with friends or visitors? Not necessarily, but I wouldn't put the place down if someone asked me about it. Be forewarned, there are extremely slim vegetarian pickings, which I knew having researched, but if they're out of those options, you may find yourself nibbling on bread. They were out of the cheese plate unfortunately, but we shared a lovely, light version of a Waldorf Salad. Then we each ordered the risotto with truffle oil. Here lies my one true complaint. I love garlic, lots of garlic, but this was more than even I can enjoy. The potency hit us in the face the minute the plate hit the table. You couldn't really pick up the truffle due to this. Also, it was over salted. I was surprised at the heftiness of the portion. At any rate, the service is great, really kind & extremely helpful. I emailed to find out the wine I had & they wrote me back promptly with a photo of the label!

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22 out of 54 people found this review helpful.

Still Angry

By Bavaria_B on 4/5/2011

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

An awful experience all around. A group of us sat in the "all weather" patio where we shivered through dinner. Orders came out sporadically, so that while some were just being served, others had already finished their meals. Those that ordered the seafood linguine were happy with their meals, so stick with that if you're forced to dine here. Do not under any circumstance order the duck confit. I watched the server and the hostess debate over whether or not to bring it to the table at all. Not only did they serve it, they left it on our bill. It was so dry the bone actually snapped and the pieces of duck were literally sharp--like splintered wood. I left cold, hungry, and $60 poorer.

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16 out of 38 people found this review helpful.

Disappointing

By cantin on 3/15/2011

  • Overall Rating: 4
  • Food: 6
  • Service: 2
  • Décor: 3
  • No, I would not go back!

I had high hopes for my meal at Tree, and was very disappointed. The "enclosed garden" in the winter is merely a tent and some picnic tables, with garish lighting. I went on a Sunday night at 8 PM and had to wait over an hour for our food to be served (thank goodness we didn't order appetizers because we might not have gotten our entrees until 10 PM), without even a gesture from the waiter that he understood how unnecessarily long of a wait this was. I had to ask repeatedly for water, utensils, and pepper. Places like this are a dime a dozen in the East Village, and I would not recommend wasting a meal here.

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25 out of 47 people found this review helpful.

My favorite New York City Restaurant

By Damond on 4/15/2010

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

Boy was I pleasantly surprised to find a French bistro around the corner from my apartment. I have been to Tree a number of times and have always had an amazing dining experience. Not only is the food good, the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed as well. I’m always greeted at the door by one of the owners as if I were part of the family. The wait staff is also down to earth and friendly. Who can beat a menu that offers exclusively French classics and American Nouveau. The meals are always beautifully presented and cooked to perfection. The outside patio and garden is awesome! I’m never disappointed each time my partner and I come here. Kudos to owners Andrew Robinson and Colm Clancy for creating a restaurant with great food without the pretentiousness.

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41 out of 82 people found this review helpful.

Dollar over Dinner

By BornNBread on 1/7/2010

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

I purchased a $25 restaurant.com gift certificate that lured me to Tree. I showed the certificate to the waitress prior to ordering, and she said to give it to her when we received the check. Upon presenting the certificate at the end of the very average meal, the management refused to accept it. They claimed it was restaurant.com's fault for "overselling" the certificates. A man with a brogue and alcohol on his breath came over to explain to me why they wouldn't accept it. He claimed to have made an agreement with the web service to stop selling certificates in November, choking on his words when I told him I purchased the certificate in December. I've never seen such crappy customer service and as a result will not be returning to Tree.

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63 out of 121 people found this review helpful.

Tree - Worth the Climb

By tie730 on 8/19/2009

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

I went after seeing one of there famed dishes featured on the Food Network. In fact it maybe there only famed dish however, it lived up to the hype. Danny Boome, of Food network fame, loved the linguine with Clams and Mussels with Saffron sauce so much he ordered it twice so I had to try it. We we lucky enough to get seats at the bar because the inside ain't that sweet and it was WAY too hot to sit in the back Patio, which is gorgeous by the way. The bartender was the owner and he was very nice and informative about his place and dishes. My lady said her Sea Bass was just OK but my dish was awesome and like I said...lived up to the hype. Definitely worth a trip to try this special dish.

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55 out of 109 people found this review helpful.

A nice surprise

By muncheurope on 4/9/2009

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

A very unassuming restaurant - lovely atmosphere, great value, friendly service, the food was good (not spectacular, it was very nice) and it certainly was good value - for those who say portions are too small - you have to get the huge american portion thing out of your head it is gross having a plate stacked HIGH with food. Go to the other millions of so called excellent restaurants in E.V. if you like GARGANTUAN portion sizes. It certainly tops any small bistro I have been to in this area! It does not claim to be a Michelin star restaurant!!

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51 out of 131 people found this review helpful.

Not worth it....

By portablereader on 5/1/2008

  • Overall Rating: 6
  • Food: 5
  • Service: 7
  • Décor: 6
  • No, I would not go back!

....unless you are invited by friends who are paying. I briefly reviewed on my site, it wasn't really worthy of a full review. Link below. http://www.huqleberry.com/nycm/2008/4/21/shitty-tree.html

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56 out of 110 people found this review helpful.

Are you sure you have ate at TREE?

By JoeRob on 11/9/2007

  • Overall Rating: 7
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 5
  • Décor: 7
  • Yes, I would go back!

I have been several times to TREE and the food has been outstanding every time. I have referred others and they all come back with the same comments that the food is fantastic. I will agree the wait staff is in need of some upgrading, but to say that the food was awful is just plain wrong. I have been for both brunch and dinner. Portions are plentiful and the prices are not that outrageous. The fish is tender and fresh, the steak outstanding and the short ribs are some of the best in the city. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a relaxed atmosphere and enjoyable dinner.

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165 out of 332 people found this review helpful.

AVOID

By clements88 on 8/29/2007

  • Overall Rating: 3
  • Food: 3
  • Service: 3
  • Décor: 4
  • No, I would not go back!

We've lived in the East Village for 5 years and love going to all the great local restaurants. Unfortunately, this is not one of them. Nothing about it is truly awful, but everything is at best mediocre. And with so many great restaurants in the E.V. to choose from, there's no reason to waste your time on this one. [And I have to say that Gael Greene's review is completely ridiculous. She clearly hasn't been spending very much time in the East Village if she thinks $45 for dinner and a glass of wine is a good deal. The E.V. may be getting more gentrified every day, but there are still quite a few places where you can get better food and classier service for a lot less than $45.]

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201 out of 382 people found this review helpful.

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