L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon
57 E 57th St
The Four Seasons
New York, NY 10079 (212) 350-6658
- Nearest Transit:
5th Ave-60th St (N, R, W)
59th St-Lexington Ave (4, 5, 6, N, R, W)
5th Ave-53rd St (E, V)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 6:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Fri, Sun 6:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Sat 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. - Price Range: $$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street, Valet
- Attire: Dressy
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: No
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: Full Bar
36 Reviews for L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon
This restaurant is very overrated. I have visited the four seasons on several occasions to have drinks at their lounge area. One night i decided to dine at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon. There is nothing that special about the menu, to be honest i found it kind of bland and boring. Aside from being boring and bland the food was very over priced.
The wine list was decent. Ambiance was great. I would not visit this restaurant again or recommend it to friends. There are far better fine dining establishments that you can visit in the midtown area for the same cost.
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MAGICAL! i was fortunate enough to experience the divine tasting menu again this past weekend. it exceeded my expectations. simply magnificent. this restaurant far surpasses the las vegas outpost.
check out the pictures i uploaded.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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01/15/2007
this was the most decadent meal of my life!! we made this our special dinner during our weekend… Read more »
Absolutely fantastic. That's about all I have to say about this place. I had to save a bit to go but it was worth every penny.
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This rating is more of a 3.5, than 3.
Perhaps i was expecting a bit much, as several of my foodie friends had highly recommended this place, but the food wasn't exceptional. For $250 a head, I expect exceptional. I found that the pre fixe was very well put together. Very summery and light, but nothing caused me to wish for more. Nothing to complain about the service though. The staff was extremely attentive and helpful.
Just dupe most of the comments you can already read about 100x here. This is one of those standards by which to measure others across the globe.
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I went here over the weekend and the food was ok. We had the langostine and salmon as appetizer and the caramelized quail and japanese hanger steak as entrees.
They gave us complimentary lemon jello thing, and it was disconcerting at first because it had a bit of olives in it (I think), but the bottom jello part and vanilla tasted ok. Different, but not bad.
The langostine was good, but I think it was because of the bit of basil that made it better than average (I like basil a lot), otherwise, the crispy outside part was a little too salty and the langostine was ok.
The salmon was a bit oily, but better than most salmon I've had. Quite tasty, but because it was so oily, I was pretty full by this point (my boyfriend had a weak stomach at the time so I had to finish all this).
The quail was a little salty and very filling. The foie gras was tasty but I didn't like the sausage meat that was wrapped around it. It tasted like Chinese sausage to me, tasty but too filling. So even though there were only two pieces of quail and two sausage filled with foie gras, I was pretty full after just one piece of each. At the end, I just scooped the foie gras out and ate that.
My boyfriend had the steak and it was ok, though the sauce was a little too salty again. He couldn't finish it and usually I love steak, but I didn't even want to finish it for him, because it was salty. Though after I cut off the outside parts, it was ok (though tasted like any other steak I've ever had).
We were too full to have desserts, so they gave us two pieces of complimentary chocolate. It tasted like lindt chocolate, so it was good. I was too full, so that made me feel ridiculously full, even though it was tiny as well.
I think we might have not been in the mood for eating out, so that might've factored in with my boredom at the food, but I thought that since it got such great reviews that the restaurant would be able to entice my appetite. But it didn't do a very good job, as I think the food was ok, but a little too salty and filling for me.
So in general, the food was ok, but I definitely think it's overpriced.
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crispy langoustine papillote
crispy langoustine papillote
crispy langoustine papillote
crispy langoustine papillote
crispy langoustine papillote
I ate at L'Atelier in March, and the fact that there was only one of these on my plate was my only big regret. This is why I clone some in verbal form here, right now.
crispy langoustine papillote
crispy langoustine papillote
crispy langoustine papillote
crispy langoustine papillote
crispy langoustine papillote
Just having returned from Buenos Aires, I want to call it a pa-pi-SHO-te. While in South America, I noticed that langoustinos were noticeably more common, except none could be as good at Joel Robuchon's, so I thought of New York and missed her more.
I'm going to skip the play-by-play, since 1. it's all a blur; I can't remember more than five courses for months and months unless I take notes. 2. the menu changes so often that you might as well let go and remain at the mercy of the fabulous, open-faced kitchen!
The bar-style seating is really unique, and given the choice, I always sit at the bar, whether at all sushi restaurants or even something more low-key, like Soba-ya. Gives the opportunity for watching everything having to do with my food. At L'Atelier, my eyes wandered as I gave other diners' dishes the up-and-down.
Plus, we had a lovely time meeting the couple next to us. She was my birthday twin. I wasn't going to raise my hand and demand a birthday goody, but I saw that she got one. We delighted over sharing birthdays; the server overheard, and lo and behold, one just like hers appeared before me, lit candle and all. Wasn't going to resist. No complaints on the service.
As compared to, say, Per Se, where each course came out richer and heavier and richer until my heart hurt (no doubt Keller's flawless execution, but by mid-meal, I was so stuffed I could not look covetously at the tray of ow...homemade chocolates...ow...in flavors like pistachio...cry...and truffle...and we mean the fungus), the portions here were perfect. No heartache nor stomachache here. Plus, my Pardner and I split one wine-tasting to preempt that feeling. (Great idea! Max utility! Reins the bill into the lower stratosphere, too!)
I had a feeling that L'Atelier was going to be a yes yes yes! when compared to its peers, if only for its seamless and thoughtful integration of Japanese elements (yuzu, more seafood, fruitier desserts) into French cuisine. (With Daniel, Jean-Georges, etc. -- oh, the near-disgusting number of options at every level in this city -- how is one to choose her next odyssey???) I am partial to subtler flavors and less butter, salt and meat, especially if there is going to be a parade of courses.
Finally, watch out! Get the correct address, because there is apparently another Four Seasons not too far away which we find ourselves wandering about in before we arrived at the right hotel a bit late and hungrier for our res.
For the future, I'm now lusting after the langoustine carpaccio, which some other reviewer have talked about. Ooh, bet that's good, too. The lunch menu looks not too shabby at all, for a more frequent, less-splurgy L'Atelier experience.
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To get to L'Ateleir, you first have to make your way through an (elegant) I.M. Pei lobby labyrinth. If you make it out, you'll be welcomed by such a high ceiling that you'll think you're in an art deco temple.
And you are...a veritable food temple, where each course is bracketed by treats (courtesy of the chef, of course), where a roving band of waiters orbit your table, and where the rotisserie chicken is so tender that it will fall off the bone. Amen to that.
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Walking into this restaurant, in the midst of the Four Seasons, immediately introduces you to a unique Asian-French fusionary decor. With traditional Hoshizaki style coolers filled with fresh vegetables, fruits and more you already know you might be in for something unique. Despite the legit amount of cash you're about to drop, it must be seen as a "when in Rome" sort of approach. Throw caution into the wind and let 'er rip. So prix fixe then? Allrighty.
And, it proved to be no joke. The meal turned out to be a culinary exploration that grew progressively in boldness and flavor. We covered a spread that included a seafood and lobster gelee w/ cauliflower cream, squid ink capellini topped with 24K gold and caviar, crispy langoustine papillote with a basil pesto drizzle, poached quail egg over spicy veggies and greens, cod fillet in a (miso?) aromatic broth, freerange caramelized quail w/ potato puree, green yuzy granite and a dessert I can't remember. Whew.
Every bite was a new adventure, and opened our eyes to a truly unique fusion of culinary flavors, textures and techniques that netted out at a meal I still speak of today. So a break from the traditional French cuisine, but a discovery of the unequivocal in Manhattan.
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It's really hard to give this place 5 stars when the Wow to $$ ratio is like 1:$90. Which means for every $90 dollars spent I had 1 wow dish. That's really not a lot especially when comparing this place to something like Ko where the ratio is like 1:$40 or even Kenka (bull penis = wow = $7 = 1:7)
We had the tasting menu at the counter and the chef was nice enough to let us substitute the eel and fois, and the quail for a sea bass. So definitely points for letting diners be a little flexible.
The amuse, lemon gelee with olives, was OK. The flavors were unique and interesting but wouldn't say it was good.
The split pea soup again with lemon gelee was refreshing but didn't like the fact that we had two things back to back with lemon gelee. But no wows there.
The langoustine carpaccio was VERY good. No wow because I've had something similar at Ko and Robuchon's restaurant in Macao. Using langoustine was different but the flavor, while great, was very familiar.
The scallop was a wow dish. But the scallop wasn't really what made the dish wow, it was actually the pink/purple seaweed garnish that really made the dish. That garnish added a ocean/briny flavor to the sweetness of the scallop while adding a bit of extra texture.
Next was the quail and eel which was both very flavorful and rich. A minor Wow but that may have been due to not having fois in a while.
Kobe beef was Kobe beef. Cooked well, flavored well.
The pre dessert was nice, tasted like a banana daiquiri in a shot glass.
Mint sorbet with grapefruit was nice and light. I think the mint was a little overpowering but the plating of that dish was pretty amazing.
finally, the chocolate mouss/coffee ice cream with some type of crumble was a simple delicious dessert. Maybe a little too safe but enjoyed it nonetheless.
Their espresso and coffee was actually some of the best I've ever had. They were both really smooth and rich, with no bitter after taste. Wow.
So, for two, came out to ~$550, so divide by 2, then by the amount of wows (3) , the total comes out to ~$90 per wow which is pretty damn expensive.
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2 words. Yes. & . Yes.
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Fell in love with this place instantly. You must see and try.
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Since we didn't have time to wait for a spot at the dining bar in Paris, we were thrilled when Mr. Robuchon landed a spot in NYC. We made a resy immediately and headed over with another couple.
I don't understand why the entire restaurant isn't built as a dinning bar, like in Paris, and I really can't understand why you'd want to sit at a regular table when you can do that anywhere? But, hey-it's a free (kinda) country and to each his or her own.
I loved our server, I loved every bite I had and I would go back over and over again. If it wasn't just soooo...uptown. HOWEVER, I will make a special trip again. But, until that time, I'll just hold my time there near and dear to my coeur.
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I was in the neighborhood for an appointment and decided to go to Robuchon on a whim. I had just finished a 2 month diet with very little fat, decadence and to my standards, very little taste. So knowing this was a 5 star yelped establishment, I thought, I've got a couple of hours and I'm not hurting for cash right now, so why not?
First off, the Four Seasons Hotel where Robuchon is located, is designed by IM Pei and is a sight in and of itself. I'd say get here a bit early and check the place out a bit. Its worth your time.
L'Atelier is split into two kinds of seating. The first is counter-style seating right in front of beautiful open kitchen. The 2nd is more traditional seating with generously spaced tables in the well-designed space. Since I was dining on my own and was curious as to see what was going on in the kitchen, I decided to opt for the counter.
And then I was presented with options...so many good options. The $190 discovery menu? The $60 "express" menu with 1 app, 1 main and a desert? An a la carte menu with traditional entrees or should i order from the immensely creative and appetizing menu of small plates? Since I was following my whims today, I decided for the tasting menu. One small problem though...eggs freak me out. I can have em baked in something, or used to coat something that's fried up, but the sight of egg in my meal makes me gag. I guess I'm just strange, but luckily, the helpful and kind staff let me substitute the asparagus with soft egg dish with the one dish I was dying to try- Les Burgers. Being a burger fiend and and eggophobe, this was greatly appreciated.
So out came the amuse bouche....a shot glass with a bottom layer of a mousse foie gras, a small layer of port wine reduction, and a top layer of a foam of parmesan. In translation, a shot glass full of fat. And oh, had I missed fat like the deserts miss the rain. In fact eating made a little Everything But the Girl techno beat start in my head and my senses dance. Oh man, was I ready for an experience!
Next came a beautiful looking starter in an amazing little oval/bowl plate that was obviously designed with a lot of thought for a dish like this. It was a layer of avocado, followed by a layer of gazpacho and a layer of crab meat. Light, cool and spot on. It was the perfect summer starter right in the middle of spring.
This was followed by an absolutely drop dead gorgeous dish of scallops and sea urchin. A very light and delicate plate- and extremely tasty, though I regretted not taking a picture of it since it was garnished so beautifully with a little bit of green and red.
Next came what I believe was the real show stopper. Langoustine pappilout with basil pesto. It was my first time having langoustine, and man, what a creative preparation. Again, artful and light. And this dish happened to be a perfect. The crispy shell and basil sauce was the perfect foil to the langoustine. I wanted more. Good thing more was coming.
When I thought that couldn't be topped, next was the burger. It's a tiny little thing, smaller than a slider. It almost comes out looking like a toy. But that's not a toy, that's a little hunk of high quality beef, topped with another hunk of foie gras and some bell peppers on brioche. And that is greasy, fatty perfection right there. I realized that its so tiny because any bigger would cause a spontaneous heart attack. It was accompanied by some perfect, thin crinkle cut french fries and a ginger ketchup that has to be one of the best condiments I've had. Now that is an artist's take on the burger and fries right there.
After that came a fish dish- L'Amadai. Again, something I've never had, and it was explained to me that it was similar to bass. But again, simple but elegant. It came served on a terrific citrus broth and a crispy topping garnished with some edible flowers. Much, much better than I expected and the perfect transition between the burgers and my next dish- Kobe beef.
The Kobe Beef- the 3rd perfect dish of the day. It was served with a little bit of onion topping, a side of incredible, buttery potato mousse (super whipped mashed potatoes) and a little salad. Ultimately simple, but just a beautiful execution of what the French can do with beef.
Dessert was more fun times. First a pre-desert shot of raspberry and lychee, a nice cool and refreshing introduction to the sweet part of menu. Than a little papplemousse- grapefruit with a mint sorbet that was again- served in a very unique dish. You can tell there was some real artistic thought put into this. And finally, a little chocolate and coffee mousse that was the perfect ending to an outstanding meal.
This was my first experience with a tasting menu and while it cost me a small fortune, it was worth every penny. An artist's studio indeed- every detail and every plate, the work of a true artist. Sometimes the experience is just worth it.
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For me it's more of a philosophical issue - should anyone really ever pay that much for a meal? And even though I am somewhat of a hedonist and a aesthete, the marginal benefit of Joel Robuchon over a top-notch corner bistro just doesn't justify the extra expense.
So -1 star for not being worth the price, because obviously this was the most impeccably prepared and professionally served meal I've even had. But with a $285 bill for two, it still just doesn't seem worth it.
The bread was truly divine (and later I learned that NY Magazine rated it best bread of 2007) and the service was uber-professional and discreet.
The dishes are very creatively conceived and well prepared but the portions were small, so the bill actually should have been a lot more, had we not filled up on the delicious bread.
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Simply a delightful experience. Sat at the counter. Service was wonderful, and no one seemed to mind that I was in jeans for dinner. Great cocktails.
This was some time ago, so all the great stuff has slipped into a giant happy goo in my mind. I remember enough to caution against ordering the pasta alla carbonara with truffle... it did come in a lovely cracked-eggshell dish, but it also smelled vaguely of damp underpants (pardon me for saying so).
The food was amazing. I am so happy to have eaten here.
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We didn't make reservations for lunch, so we were seated on one of the sides of the dining bar, but it was still a great experience, and I'd love to go back the next time we're in NYC.
The food was lovely. I especially liked the L'Amadai, which was torched so that the scales curled up, adding a really light, crisp texture to complement the delicate fish. L'Anguille was also strangely tasty - who would have though that unagi would go with fois gras?
The service was friendly and welcoming. Robert was especially great when we explained toward the end of the meal that we were on a time crunch (it was our last meal in New York and we were going to the airport that very afternoon) and helped get our dessert course to us quickly. My husband ordered the "Tart of the Day", but when we got it, it was actually five slices of different tarts! I hadn't ordered a dessert course, but Robert brought me one anyway, complements of the house. It was fresh fruit and sorbet, but it was so much more than that - the fruit had bit lemongrass broth and it was so fresh, and the sorbet was also really refreshing.
This lunch was the best possible way to end our culinary journey through NYC. Just amazing!
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I really enjoyed my meal here. We ordered the spaghetti with mushrooms which was excellent and the mini burgers which were scrumptious and a few other dishes which I don't remember the names of and am too lazy to look up, but were all very good. My husband also enjoyed his wine. The service was impeccable and the overall ambiance was great. We sat next to a celeb couple which was an added bonus. This is a top notch restaurant and we were glad to have checked it out. I wouldn't rate it as one of the best we've been to, but it's up there.
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Exquisite & excellent french fine dining in a casual atmosphere - with waiters in white gloves serving small but divine dishes that are magical in sight , smell and taste! I went there more than a week ago and I still swoon whenever I think of the dinner we had.
It was our first time there, with another couple who are regulars. Initially, we wanted to order 2 sets of the Degustation menu and a selection of small plates to share amongst the 4 of us. However, we were told that the kitchen had just seen a large change in staff, including the chef, so in order to ensure good quality, they couldn't accommodate any changes to the Degustation menu and that everyone either had to have it, or else we all had to go for the ala carte menu. In the end, we all opted to go with the Degustation menu, and they allowed us to change the sea urchin to the Langoustine.
By then, I was somewhat miffed by the inflexibility but thought "what the heck, give them a chance".
Fast-forward thru:
3 bottles of french wine
Amuse bouche I - Foie gras mousse topped with cheese
Amuse bouche II - Tuna carpaccio
Avocado with crab meat
Langoustine papillote with basil pesto - scrumptiously crispy and light, not at all oily
Pan-Sauted amadei in a yuzu citrus broth
Spaghetti with black truffle - DIVINE!!!
Spicy eggplant with poached egg
Kobe beef with mash -The beef melted in my mouth and the mash was like a dream
The desserts were pretty and delicate, which gave a beautiful, gentle finish to a symphony of the senses. The meal was absolutely magical and phenomenal. Beware of the high price tag ($180 for Degustation menu; $17 to $25 for small plates; $50 for a main course), but for a special treat, why not? The memory of this experience will last for a lifetime.
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Wow-e-wow!
I went on vacation to New York and found all these Yelpers raving about Chef Joel Robuchon's restaurant at the Four Seasons. The hotel alone is worth a trip, as it is elegantly designed by I.M. Pei. Once you go towards the back of the hotel, you'll find the restaurant with tables and the dining bar service like at the one in France, which is where I sat. I had a budget and the tasting menu wasn't in it.
Despite the fact that everyone else was dressed to kill and I was only dressed to sort of kill, the waitress was humbling and not a jackass like she could have been. I ordered the Japanese steak while my date had the quail stuffed with foie de gras. Both meals were divine, and the mashed potatoes were like little dishes of fluffed heaven. I also had a white asparagus dish for an appetizer, and the staff was lovely enough to present my date with a complimentary appetizer as well. The drinks were strong and the service was prompt and more than courteous. I know there is a branch of this in Vegas, but why dine there when you can sip martinis in the Four Seasons? Absolutely fabulous.
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BEST French food in NYC. Was rushed to get a meal in before the Met Opera last time. The quail is to die for! Must go back to try the Tasting Menu. Service is inobtrusive and good. Don't expect big portions, but quality instead
Must get: Le Pigeon
Decor: Classy
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Finally got a chance to go here this week.
The sweetbreads and the scallops were the best I've ever had -- and I've eaten a shit-ton of sweetbreads and scallops, so I should know.
Everything else was merely phenomenal.
Ignore the prices, sit at the bar, and enjoy the best meal in New York (aside from Super Taste).
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Superb.
Sitting at the counter is an experience. The kitchen clearly operates with great precision.
I think we had the same dessert as Justin V, and the syrup that the fruit comes in is sublime. A little minty, a little limey, and incredibly light and refreshing. It was like springtime in my bowl. I wanted to pick up the bowl and down it, but managed to polish it off with some rapid spoon work.
The rest of the food was great and very creative. The mashed potatoes are indeed decadent. Whipped butter with an intense potato flavor. That did me in.
The service was impeccable and not pretentious. Our servers were efficient and friendly.
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I had lunch there today at the counter by myself and it was AMAZING.
Amuse: Gorgonzola mouse, port reduction, pear confit
1st: King crab, mozarella, romaine, parmesean, tomatoe, avocado salad
2nd: Vension medallions with mustard seed mashed potatoe and red wine soaked pears
Pre-desert: Apple gelee covered with a caramel foam
Desert: Lime-basel sorbet with fresh fruit
2nd Desert courtesy of the flirty pastry boy: Oreo cookies, chocolate truffle, espresso ice cream sundae
All that and it was just about an hour without feeling rushed!
I've also heard that people say the portions are tiny and tha is far from the truth.
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We dined at the bar and I absolutely loved it. It was very casual and light. None of the stuffiness that usually comes with meals like this. The staff behind the counter was very friendly and unlike some restaurants they were very relaxed and easy going to chat with. I would definitely dine by the bar again.
Our own tasting menu:
Amuse: Foie Gras shot- Same consistency as a flan, with the taste of foie gras. It was a delicious way to start off.
First and Second course
The first two courses that arrived were the eggplant cannelloni and fresh langoustine carpaccio. The eggplant roll is filled with tuna and tomatoes? with thin shavings of parmesan cheese flecked across the top. It was very good. The langoustine was thinly sliced and arranged flat on a plate with sprinkles of salt, herbs and poppy seads. The carpaccio itself was very delicate and I felt the herbs and salt was over empowering it. We werent crazy about this dish but thats just a personal taste and had nothing to do with the kitchen. It was a texture issue for us.
Third course
Day Boat Scallops in their Shell with a Seaweed Butter. The scallop had a nice seared top with a slight crunch when I bit into it. The scallop itself was sweet and tender. I definitely made good use of the butter with their crusty french roll,
Fourth course
Pan-Sauted Amadai in a Yuzu Citrus Broth with Lily Bulbs. The kitchen split this onto two plates so we each had our own. The meat was smooth and tender with a delicious crisp skin. I'm a lover of crispy fish skins. I loved the skin itself more than the meat.
Fifth and Sixth together
Free-Range Caramelised Quail Stuffed with Foie Gras, Served with Potato Pure and Summer Truffle. The breast and thigh arrived on a plate but only the breast section is stuffed with foie gras. The breast was delicious but the thigh was a bit dry. I thought the mashed potatoes could've lightened up a bit with less butter.
Foie Gras Ravioli in a Warm Chicken and Oriental-Herbs Broth. The guy behind the counter asked if we wanted creme fraiche. We stared at it for a few seconds because we hadn't tried the broth yet and wasn't sure what the creme fraiche would do for it so we laughed and told him its his place, do whatever you want. So he scoops it on and laughs replying he wished it was his place. The ravioli was small and bite sized. I thought the pasta was too thick in contrast to the delicate filling. It was good but nothing impressive. We took a few sips of the light broth which was good but we didn't want to fill on liquid.
Seventh course
Roast Japanese Hanger Steak with Sauted Shallots and Shishito Peppers. They did not offer kobe beef so we went with this. We ordered it rare and the kitchen split this onto two plates.The steak was delicious and tender but nowhere near in comparison to a kobe beef.
Eighth course
Beef and Foie Gras Burgers with Lightly Caramelised Bell Peppers . Ok, so this dish was added on at the very last minute when we saw everyone around us ordering it. It was the sight of french fries that did it for him. We ordered it rare and It was the best little burgers I've ever had! The thick slab of foie gras might have had something to do with it. The fries had a very nice crispy texture but it definitely needed some salt to bring it out. This would be the first time I ever asked for salt in a restaurant of high caliber. I guess this was an unusual request because she had to go into the back for it. She gave us a table top grinder. It definitely tasted a lot better. There was a small dipping sauce on the side that I did not like. I'm not sure what it is but it was like a ketchup/bbq sauce with smoke flavorings and a tad too sweet. This dish involves using the hands so it was a fun light way to end.
Dessert Amuse
I forgot what its called but it arrived in a shot glass. The top layer was liquid and sweet. The bottom was a gelee with a raspberry inside. Altogether I tasted litchee, raspberry and I think grapefruit because it was very tart.
Ninth- Dessert and coffee
We didn't need it but we had it anyways. We had the chocolate dessert which was chocolate mousse and oreo crumbs with milk chocolate. It arrived in a flower pot shaped cup with a tempered chocolate disc that had a hole in the center that allows you to see the oreo crumb toppings. The chocolate mousse is beneath it. It was good chocolate but nothing creative. Simply ok at best. We each only took a bite of this as we were stuffed. The coffee was poured table side with the pot left by our side.
Caramel chocolate was offered to us. This tipped the scale.
I actually requested for the langoustine prepared both ways but I guess she misheard me. Also, I wanted to try the eel but hes not into eel- darn it! Next time definitely.
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i fell in love when i had the foie gras ravioli in chicken broth with a dollop of creme fraiche and a sprinkling of dill....
but then i had the venison medallion with red wine poached pear and fell in love all over again!
gorgonzola mousse with apple vanilla gelee anyone?!!? awesome!
and what is not to like about the dining room's relaxed atmosphere complete with velvety banquettes and nambe silverware (i think it was nambe...)
robuchon is my hero
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Amazing experience! The food was perfect, and so was the service. By the end of the night we were so stuffed that we only ordered (1) souffle among the four of us...to our surprise the chef sent a complimentary one! And he was right, (2) souffles was the perfect amount for the table.
As for other food, we had:
*Crispy Langoustine Papillote with Basil Pesto: delicious, I could have eaten a dozen of these.
*Pan-Sauted Amadai in a Yuzu Citrus Broth with Lily Bulbs: the fish was crispy and delicate, the broth was the perfect accompaniment. a beautiful dish as well!
*Free-Range Caramelised Quail Stuffed with Foie Gras, Served with Potato Pure and Summer Truffle: very tasty, 2 quail legs with big portion of foie gras, and a side dish of mashed potatoes. delicious.
*Beef and Foie Gras Burgers with Lightly Caramelised Bell Peppers: they served this dish last, and rightly so. it was very heavy with the beef and the foie gras, but very tasty. Came with the best french fries I've ever had.
*Roast Japanese Hanger Steak with Sauted Shallots and Shishito Peppers: We ordered steak medium, and it was tasty and tender. The peppers looked a bit un-refined, but were surprisely tasty.
*Dessert: Yuzu souffle paired with raspberry sorbet. What can I say? Delicious combo of sweet and airy souffle with tangy sorbet.
*Pre-dessert: Came in mini shot glasses, layered with grapefruit gelee, lychee mousse, and wine something.
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It isn't often that a restaurant captivates you at "Bonjour" and holds your fancy throughout. L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon does so with aplomb, and leaves you absolutely wowed despite the considerable anticipation and hype. The cuisine is simply: breathtaking.
Located within the Four Seasons Hotel, the restaurant is sophisticted and elegant and leverages the architecture by I.M. Pei. As "Atelier" means "artist's workshop", the heart of the restaurant allows patrons to see the workings of the culinary team. The counter seating is limited (20) and is supplemented by table seating of 26. Ryan W. aptly calls it a "boutique".
My core group of foodie friends congregates in NYC on a monthly basis to catch up with each other's lives and enjoy a decadent dining experience. We normally decide on a restaurant after a complex voting process involving many variables (putting our MBA to full use!), but this time around I was able to convince people to try a restaurant unrated as yet by the Burgundy Bible. I would like to think it was my skills of persuasion, but frankly, it was done simply by drawing attention to the number of dishes including foie gras in the menu. That decided it for them.
We decided against the 9 course tasting menu for $190, and instead opted to select from the menu - which is divided into three sections: small tasting portions, hot and cold appetizers and fish and meat entrees (bye, bye vegetarians!). Going with the small tasting portions (Tapas style) is a good idea, for they include quite a few of the fish and meat entrees.
Having done my homework by reading up on the yelp reviews, I started with a cold appetizer, Maine lobster in turnip ravioli. Fantastic! Oh so flavorful and refreshing, aided by the addition of apple slices. I also had a warm appetizer of Foie gras ravioli in warm chicken broth. Which was also very good and the flavor accented by cream.
The rest of the table had the crab with avocado (weakest of the lot), Tuna Tartare with quail egg (good), seared foie gras with grapefruit (very good), crispy frog legs (good), the egg with light mushroom cream (Excellent).
The bread basket was also wonderful with soft focaccia, baguettes and rolls. In fact, the focaccia was so soft that one of the girls on the table commented that the food was simply amazing, and that she "hadn't had a stiff bite as yet" - prompting guffaws of laughter on our table and smiles on the adjoining one.
That "stiff bite" still evaded us at the most anticipated dish of the menu: Les Burgers - Beef and foie gras burgers with caramelized bell peppers. Exceptional, soft, juicy, dissolve in the mouth and disappeared before we could say wow! The french fries: excellent (if you've read my review of Sapa, those gourmet fries would be rated 1 on a scale where these would be rated 10).
For the entrees we selected the sauteed monkfish with sherry vinaigrette (good), the venison with port reduction (excellent) and the quails stuffed with foie gras (exceptional).
While enjoying the entrees, one of the servers had left their "signature" mashed potato in front of us. To which no one paid any attention, initially. It's mashed potato after all, and haha for the "signature" hype. But, ohmyGod! this stuff was unbelievable to the extent that people were licking the spoons afterwards. The secret to it is the inclusion of butter, and I wouldn't be surprised if the potato:butter ratio is 50:50.... Just redefines the meaning of divine. Mashed potatoes, mind you!
By now, we had reached my favorite part of the meal and I was really looking forward to dessert. Their macarons are rated highly by connoiseurs and so I obviously needed to try them (my macaron addiction should by now be clear to you'll). They don't have macarons on the menu and are instead brought out as petit fours with coffee. I ordered a cappuccino just for that - the macaron (chocolate) was of very good texture and filling, but I don't rate it as the best in NYC. (Those "food hounds" praising it to the sky are a clueless lot, and would be better served by reading Yelp, instead of bashing it).
Back to the desserts, we had the molten chocolate cake and coffee mousse with vanilla ice cream (good, bit difficult to manage), the golden sugar sphere with vanilla icecream and saffron mousse (an excellent architectural marvel), the caramel mousse with chocolate sauce (my friend thought the chocolate was too dark) and the surprise hit for a group of chocolate lovers: grapefruit with wine gelee and mint sorbet. Exceptional as the flavors came together perfectly.
L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon has to be one of the Top 3 meals of my life, along with Bouley and Jean Georges (over Babbo, Aureole, Danube, Nobu, Boulud etc.) . Sure, it's very pricey but stick with Tapas style ordering and avoid ordering a really expensive wine bottle and you won't break the bank. So, yes we paid $$$$, but the splurge was well worth it.
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Atelier is very close in style to the sister restaurant in Paris; the design is a bar wrapped around the kitchen. Now in Paris, there are no tables but here in NYC, they do have a few; I recommend sitting at the bar. The lighting is warm with big windows across one wall looking out onto the street. The restaurant is located on the second floor which elevates you just high enough to feel like your looking out over things outside. The seating at the bar is comfortable for the two hours you will spend dining (take your time and enjoy). Once you have sat and are comfortable, look around and you will see how elegant this space is.
I have had the tasting menu both times I have eaten there. I have done the pairing with wines which is pricey but not offensive for this style of service and most of all the quality of food and wine.
Our dinner was an eight course selection. Now, you will have to pardon me for not talking about the menu itself. It changes regularly and may not be available when you decide to dine there. What I can talk about is the culinary experience: the development of intensity of flavors, the plate construction and presentation. This is a professional kitchen with the highest standards of service. Robuchon is a very talented Chef with a stellar career. His staff chef (who has been in the kitchen both meals I have dined there) has opened and recreated a very close reproduction of the Paris property. His sense of balance of flavors, his use of color and form on the plates and of course exacting attention to seasoning and degree of doneness have earned my respect and praise. Like I said, the tasting menu is pricey with the wine selection but as an experienced diner it has been exciting and surprising. The wines have been both great in of themselves but paired beautifully with each of the courses. And of course the desserts have been part of the grand finale.
Atelier offers both meals and tastings. I recommend it as diner and as place to sit, eat and socialize. The staff has been friendly and accommodating. I have left on both occasions feeling I had a good value for my dollar.
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UPDATE 6/6/08
The head pastry chef is just as cute as Chef Suga.
Love, love, LOVE the grapefruit dessert with mint sorbet and the coffee hazelnut cup. Mmmm.
BEEP BEEP
UPDATE 4/20/08
So my mom and I were back in Manhattan and stopped by for lunch last weekend.
Chef Suga is as hot as ever. (Check out the photo I found.) Manny and Milon were super sweet as always.
The light, spring-inspired dishes like the avocado soup and the grilled scallop were a perfect match for the warm weather.
But I must toot my horn because Chef Suga had a special dessert sent out to us before our ordered desserts came out. The hottest chef in town requested that we eat something SPECIAL! OMG! It was like the feeling you get when you realize that the boy in your fifth period class likes you too after you've been staring at the back of his head all semester. TIMES TEN.
March 2007 UPDATE: Came back for lunch this past weekend and had a SUPER fun time with Pascal, Milon, and Manny. What a group of fun guys! We sat at the counter again but this time we had a full frontal view of the hot kitchen and of the stunningly attractive head chef Yosuke Suga. He is so hot that even my mom said, "My, he is cute."
The new stuff we tried: the amadai, the sea bass, and the roasted vegetables - all were wonderful in flavor and presentation as always. Have Milon make your after dinner coffee concoction - he knows his stuff!
ORIGINAL REVIEW
I've been to the original in Paris, then Vegas, and finally New York. I must say that I was disappointed that Joel's original concept of "casual" dining did not carry over well in NYC. Counter seating is the ultimate experience at L'Atelier! I don't understand why there are so many tables at the New York location and why were were served with white gloved waiters! What's with all the formality? That aside the quality is almost as good as Paris, however, the tomatoes in the jambon bruschetta were a little mushy and there wasn't the distinctive basil flavor that I had in Paris or Vegas. Everything else was at par. Especially loved the langoustine.
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Impeccable food and service. Very creative and friendly.
Gave us a menu and multiple free appetizer.
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If you really love great food, but don't have several hundred dollars or more to pay for a meal at Per Se or Daniel, this is the place to go. On a per bite basis, Robuchon is equally expensive or even more so than those other places, but the tapas-style approach to the menu means that you can order 3-4 small plates and not spend much more than $100 as long as you lay off the wine. On a per bite basis, the food here is as exciting as it gets in NYC, especially the eel layered over foie gras, and the lobster fritter. If it sounds decadent, you're right, but the great thing about life in NYC is that you can eat at a place like this one day, and then hop on the 7 train to a hole-in-the-wall taqueria on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens the next day, and both will be equally wonderful in their own way.
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it's very good!
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