Le Bernardin

Everything was superb! Black cod and sole perfectly cooked. Service was top notch! They kept in mind my gluten free, dairy free preference. I interacted with several servers and they all know my preference, as if I had it posted on my forehead. These type of exceptional experiences spoil me, I will be back! Also, the prices were not bad.

Came to celebrate my birthday and loved it. Had the chef's tasting menu with wine pairing. My fave was the lobster with kumquat broth and the egg dessert. excellent service and an unforgettable experience. Can't wait to return.

A Birthday to Remember at Le Bernardin I had the pleasure of celebrating my birthday at Le Bernardin, and the experience exceeded every expectation. The food was absolutely phenomenal—undeniably deserving of its reputation as the No.1 restaurant in the USA and one of the best in the world. What truly elevated the evening was the exceptional service from our server, Nicole. She was incredibly polite, attentive, and made us feel genuinely welcome throughout the entire meal. Nicole’s professionalism and warmth added a personal touch that made the night unforgettable. Thank you, Nicole, and thank you Le Bernardin, for a birthday I’ll never forget.

First things first: food and drink were all delicious and I had a wonderful time here for dinner on a Thursday evening. We decided to go with the four course prixe fixe menu, but the amount of food was on the lighter side compared to similar places in my opinion. I wasn’t starving at the end, but I wasn’t as satisfied as I was expecting, especially for the price and 3-star status of the establishment. Service was very sharp and attentive, though some of the staff did have a shorter air about them. Not necessarily a knock, but it does add to the old-school formal business-y atmosphere that I found interesting. There’s definitely a unique vibe, and depending on what you’re looking for you may either really enjoy it or dislike it; your mileage may vary. As someone visiting from out of town I enjoyed it. It felt like a part of New York City that’s older and you can only get in certain places today. For example, there was basically nobody without a suit jacket on—I haven’t seen such adherence to a dress code in today’s world anywhere else and in that way it was impressive—and it felt like almost everyone was there for some sort of business thing vs special celebrations like birthdays or anniversaries. The interior design is also a bit old school feeling, which I was into, but some may feel it “needs an update” though I’m not sure I agree. There was something special about it. Overall it is worth checking out, but if you’re looking for something specific or have strong preferences I recommend doing a little research before committing if you’re on the fence.

My wife and I tried this a few years ago. We were two weeks into pretending we were adults—salaried, suited, and absolutely freezing. The wind off Sixth Avenue sliced through wool and dreams alike. We walked into Le Bernardin dressed like ambition, hoping to taste the fruits of it. Inside, it was hushed and warm, all white linens and quiet assurance. We went for the tasting menu, of course — the full arc of what money could do with the sea. Each plate came dressed in reduction and reputation, but somewhere between the 2nd or the 3rd dish, salt overtook subtlety. It wasn’t bad. But it was a little loud, like the homeless man outside who, spotting my suits, mistakenly interpreted it and shouted “Mr. Wall Street!” before blessing and cursing me in equal measure. Still, I remember the last apple. Not the biblical kind, but the dessert: glossy, gold-dusted, improbably whole, and filled with memory. A trick of patisserie that felt like a wink. We were young. We were cold. And for a night, we were in the kind of restaurant where everything—no matter how salty—tasted like a beginning.