While Tocqueville may not be quite as well-known as some places I consider its peers, it certainly doesn't fall short in any respect. Looking back at my evening here, there is nothing that I can criticize or attempt to form a complaint about; everything, from the moment I stepped in to the final few seconds when I had my coat politely held out for me to put back on, was nothing short of flawless. My friend and I came to Tocqueville on a snowy Friday evening. We were greeted by the smiling hostess, had our coats checked in with ease, and were led into the main dining room, seated, and presented with menus. We barely touched them, though, as we'd decided beforehand to opt for Tocqueville's Signature Four Course Chef's Tasting Menu. It was, at least in my opinion, a wise decision and an option I would highly recommend for any future first-time visitors. Our meal began with a myriad of amuse bouches. We were presented with goat cheese served in a crisp, paper thin shell; a ham croquette topped with mushroom; and a sliver of hamachi. The variety of textures and flavors in just these few bites led to even greater anticipation of our actual courses. First - The Cato Farm Bloomsday Cheddar Salad. With its focus on seasonal and local ingredients, Tocqueville gave recognition to the farm in Connecticut which supplied its produce. A colorful salad composed of shaved fennel, friseé, and a slice of roasted pear, was drizzled with a hazelnut vinaigrette and topped with a slice of cheddar cheese and pine nuts. Although the friseé was a bit tricky to eat, the overall pairing of ingredients was spot-on. I absolutely loved the nuttiness and acidity from the hazelnut vinaigrette; and each of the components contributed something to the plate. Second - Truffled Creamy Parmesan Grits with Sunny Side Up Country Egg. I couldn't recall if I'd ever had grits before, but if they can come even close to tasting like Tocqueville's, I would be tempted to have it every day. It was creamy, and the truffle and parmesan flavors melded together delightfully, the small bites of bacon serving a welcome surprise. Being able to break into the still-runny egg yolk sealed the deal. Third - Seared Diver Scallops with Foie Gras. This was perhaps the dish I was looking forward to the most, and it didn't disappoint. I was presented with the largest scallop I have yet to encounter, and it was perfectly seared. The foie gras was a decadent piece of liver, smooth, and with none of the bitterness I have encountered in other (not as well prepared) variations. The cider vinegar gastrique was a smart addition, as the acidity cut through the richness of both of the scallop and foie gras. The mushroom and braised artichoke added some earthiness to each forkful, making for a surprisingly balanced, yet rich dish. Fourth - The Signature Soufflé. It is with some embarrassment that I admit this was also my first soufflé. I am more than grateful it was at Tocqueville, however; in no other dessert have I encountered the range of textures present in this one. From the crisp, slightly crunchy outer shell to the still-molten interior, the chocolate soufflé was a delight to eat from start to finish. It was served with a side of raspberry sorbet, which was much appreciated break from the richness of the chocolate. We ended the evening with a plate of petit fours, which weren't necessary as we were both completely satisfied by the end of our fourth course. Service throughout the evening was professional and warm, and was careful of being attentive, but not intrusive. While it's difficult to make frequent visits to Tocqueville, it's only to ensure that I don't get spoiled too easily. This is a place to come for special occasions or perhaps for those slightly-more-romantic dates. Yes, it is a splurge, but it's definitely worth the experience. read more

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New American restaurant, near Union Square. Decided to come here after seeing the high, overall Zagat rating (26 for food, decor, & service/ #32 best restaurant in NYC) for lunch. Tried the $68 5-course lunch tasting menu, which also came with 3 complimentary amuse bouches and an extra dessert (sorbet). They also offer a 3-course prix fixe lunch for $29 (not a typo, $29) and a market-driven tasting menu for about $50. All the courses were very good to excellent (& big portions, not your typical small-portioned NYC lunch tasting menu). At $68, this is such a great value. So, where is everyone? This place should be filled. Excellent service (Many thanks to Miguel & the gentleman, I assume the manager or owner, for recommending that excellent pinot noir for the duck.). Want to come back and try the 7-course dinner tasting menu. Highly recommend. : 9 calendars read more

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Def underrated in regards to service and galore. Worth a lot more love than its hush hushness. Prompt seating, luxury dining experiencing, the earlier the reservation, the better. Despite a notable faster serving time in between courses, it still took us a solid three hours. BURP. Appetizer-Octopus and Mushroom Risotto. I'm too lazy to look up the exact name of said dishes but damn, that octopus was soft and well flavored. How they make chewy octopus so soft???????????? The mushroom risotto. Gosh. The mushroom was a bit salty when eating alone, but with the balance of the risotto, it was so HEAVENLY. perhaps one of the Best risotto dishes I have HAD. yum. This was my favorite (mushroom risotto) course. Entree: Sea bass- ehhhhhhhhhhhh. Yummy expectations but nothing more to mark. The sauce was more tangy than I would've preferred but cooked perfectly...Eeek. Duck breast- Very tender and cooked perfectly. Tasted like ham steak in ways, other times just a merry old time chewing up the juicy flavors. Again, they pour you the concocted sauce once served and rested on your table. The sauce made it too sweet. Next time, I must demand sauce on the side or none at all. However, I find this entree BETTER than Jean Georges, I didn't dig the almond crusted duck breast Jean Georges offers, that was too weird of a combo and too much of flavor attack. Ahhh. Dessert: whatever you get, I"m sure you'll be moaning of fullness but unable to lay that fork/spoon to rest. Fig something deseert, the chocolate bon bon are AWESOME. the chocolate bon bon is more of a chocolate fudge bar but the creamines of it makes you want coffee, so I ordered coffee. Dip chocolate into coffee with a spoonful of espresso ice cream. Yabba Dabba doo Not shabby and the waitress that served us should relax a bit more. She kept coming to our table out of courtesy and everytime she came and asked "How's the food. Everything ok" we were both stuffing our mouth and had to stare at her while we chewed QUICK to answer her. Sigh. read more

Tocqueville - Can I come here just for the risotto? - New American Near Me - New York, New York

I've been to Tocqueville for both lunch and dinner and while it failed to live up to my admittedly high expectations, I had a solid experience both times. Throughout the meal, the service was courteous as expected, but again our waiter did nothing out of the ordinary or even ask us if its a special occasion (in contrast, the excellent service at Jean Georges, Daniel, and EMP comes to mind). We began with the foie gras terrine and while it was delicious-- rich and perfectly smooth texture that melts on the tongue-- it seemed like just a deconstructed version of the iconic Jean George's foie gras brûlée without the caramelized topping. The appetizer also came with inch thick sliced fresh toast which was much too thick for my liking. Would have preferred thinner and harder slices or even a cracker to provide contrast to the creaminess of the terrine. 4/5 stars We were very excited to try the uni carbonara that Yelpers rave about, but it was quite disappointing. While the pasta was perfectly al dente, the only uni flavor in the dish was some uni sprinkled on top. The most offense part of the dish was that the uni was obviously not fresh as it perforated the fishiness of days old seafood. Not exactly what I expected out of the sister restaurant of 15 East, the acclaimed sushi temple a few doors down. 2/5 stars The dry aged sirloin and braised oxtail was just okay. The steak was cooked perfectly, but it was such a tiny portion that I thought they forgot to put the other half of the steak on the plate. I have also had much more flavorful oxtail at Xian famous foods for a tenth of the price. The smoked bone marrow, while interesting conceptually, didn't add much flavor to the overall taste of the steak. 3/5 stars The unexpected star of the night was the butter poached lobster. A generous portion that was beautifully presented and perfectly executed. Each bite of the tail melted in my mouth with minimal amounts of chewing. It was probably the best cooked lobster I have ever had, even rivaling and surpassing Le Bernadin's butter poached lobster. I could eat that lobster everyday if it wasn't $42 a plate! 5/5 stars My biggest gripe with Tocqueville is that it is expensive for the amount of food that is given. Dinner came out to $200 and the portions so tiny we were thinking of hitting the halal cart after dinner because we were still hungry. For the price, I would much rather visit Jean George or Daniel instead and finish dinner with a full belly. read more

Tocqueville - Dry aged sirloin and braised oxtail - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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My boyfriend and I dined here on Saturday night and had a fantastic meal. Our server, Daniel, was excellent. He was friendly, informative, and did not rush us at all. Each dish was brought out with space in between and we were able to enjoy our time at the restaurant for over two and a half hours. For appetizers we split: -grilled octopus -grits - duck sausage and foie gras (the special appetizer of the day) The octopus was out of this world. It was the best octopus I have ever eaten in my entire life. It was smokey, tender and flavorful. I could have eaten ten servings of this--not kidding. The duck sausage was decent, but the foie gras was very good. I don't like cheese, so I only picked at the grits, but my boyfriend said they were pretty good. I gave him most of my serving, since Daniel had kindly split this portion into two plates. For entrees we got - butter poached lobster - Colorado lamb. The lobster was really good. I love lobster! The lamb was okay-- I found it to be too peppery, but the boyfriend liked, although didn't love. For drinks the highlight for me was the Blue Sage, which was served with fresh blueberries. We also got a complimentary amuse bouche and soft and fluffy brioche bread. The restaurant itself is elegant, yet comforting. We paid a pretty penny for the meal, but were both very fulfilled overall. I would literally come back to this restaurant just for the octopus. It was seriously that good. All in all, a lovely night. read more

Tocqueville - Butter poached lobster - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Dishes sampled: Champagne - Domaine Gresser 2007 Brioche, Olive Focaccia, Sourdough, Salted Butter Red Beet Cannelloni with Lemon- Montrachet Goat Cheese Gouda- Parmigiano-Reggiano Gougeres Celery Root, Potato, Black Truffle Arancini with Black Truffle Aoili Chicken Liver Spread with White Wine Glazed Shallots over Toasted Brioche with Candied Kumquat Fried Green Market Green Tomatoes with shaved Zucchini Squash, Lemon Vinaigrette, Black Olive Aoili Grilled Lobster with salad of avocado, frisee, fresh hearts of palm, citrus-basil dressing House Cured Terrine of Hudson Valley Foie Gras with Pineapple Chutney, Toasted Sicilian Pistachios, Ice Wine-Yuzu Gelee, Caramelized Pineapples, Toasted Brioche Roasted Baby Beet and Artichoke Salad with Goat Cheese Mousse, Sweet Carrot Puree, Radishes, Carrots, Basil Seed Vinaigrette Parmesan and Lemon Risotto with Mousseron Mushrooms, Toasted Pine Nuts, Mustard Greens, Parmesan Foam, Herbs Fines Truffled Creamy Parmesan Grits and Sunny Side Up Squire Hill Farm Arucana Country Egg with House Cured Veal Bacon and Preserved Black Truffles Sheep's Milk Ricotta with Sugar Snap Peas, Rhubarb, Orange Segments, with Walnut Vinaigrette California Sea Urchin and Angel Hair Carbonara with Sea Lettuce, Lime, Soy Oven Roasted Poussin with Spatzel, Morel Mushrooms, Fava Beans, Young Garlic Emulsion Pan Roasted Black Sea Bass with Saffron Cauliflower Puree, Confit tomato, braised artichoke, baby fennel, finished with Marjoram emulsion Steamed Chocolate Pudding Cake with Bourbon Pecan Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce Rhubarb and Strawberry Tart with Honey Tuille and Frozen Goat Yogurt, Strawberry Sauce Greenmarket Strawberry Napoleon with Pistachio Ice Cream Ice Creams - Chocolate, Passion Fruit, Coconut Lime, Pear, Blood Orange In a city of Michelin Stars it has always seemed strange to me that Tocqueville has gone unnoticed despite the consistent praise it receives from people and palates I trust and on the day that the Kings stood poised to capture their first Stanley Cup I visited Marco Moreira's grand dining room with three of those people and had a truly wonderful Saturday lunch; a meal where the food and friends were matched by the superlative service and setting confirming what I had long suspected - that it is often better to trust your friends than any 'guide,' no matter how prestigious. Admitting that two of my dining partners were known to the restaurant based on frequent visits and that our champagne as well as a couple of our amuses plus the Greenmarket salad were not offered to other tables the vast majority of what we ordered and received was paid for and available to all at a price far less than similar dishes at more highly acclaimed restaurants...and in many cases the version at Tocqueville was just as wonderful, sometimes even better. From high thread count linens and highly polished silver at hand to oil paintings, mirrors, and chandeliers overhead plus a bounty of exotic ingredients married with fresh organic produce and complex sauces there should be no doubt about the luxury offered by the team at Tocqueville and with everything from the outstanding bread basket to the vegetables, pastas, proteins, and desserts on par with those offered in world class kitchens my only regret is that I overlooked the restaurant for so long - Michelin starred or not this is a spot that should be on any short list for best fine dining in New York and in all but a handful of United States cities Chef Jason Lawless' cooking would be the best in a hundred mile radius; a bold statement for sure but one I'd stand by and one strong enough that I fully intend to see what Marco's team at newly starred 15 East is doing very soon. read more

LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!! I have been wanting to come here for a very long time but never got the chance to until recently. I went here during my lunch for Restaurant Week and I must say I absolutely adore this place! Our waiter recommended a very good Chardonnay-Bourgogne Les Setilles. It's great for someone like me who's sensitive to alcohol. The appetizer was either a Trout Salad, Heirloom Tomato, or another salad with Arugula. I had the trout salad and the trout was smoked to PERFECTION!!!! For entree there were soft shell crab, skate, or lamb chop. I was torn between these choices, but I decided to go with the Soft Shell Crab. Good choice and now leaves me wondering how good the other choices would've been. Dessert: Tri Star Strawberry Panna Cotta, Homemade Ice cream or Sorbet & Shortbread cookie, or a Banana Bon? (which is banana with caramel Chantilly and dark chocolate-it was quite lovely!) Very good....I would definitely come back here again! Carb: Try the french roll-delicious! read more

Truffled Creamy Parmesan Grits and Sunny Side Up Country Egg. that is all. i'm kidding. everything about this place kind of rocked. the coat check is nice. the constant rotation of brioche/rolls/butter is nice. the service from our waiter was nice. the decor is nice. very hotelier-chic. the plate presentation is nice. but... the food? some dishes were a little too salty or too bland. a seasoning mistake perhaps? the Crudo and Tartare of Blue Fin Tuna was delightful. fresh and very buttery. i enjoyed every bite of it. the true winner of the night was the Truffled Creamy Parmesan Grits and Sunny Side Up Country Egg. i talk about this dish to many friends all the time. from the first bite of the creamy, buttery and decadent grits... the taste and consistency changes ever so slightly. breaking in the egg and introducing the thin slices of bacon... the dish only became more enjoyable to eat. the Cream-less Puree of Parsnip was pretty bland for me... but it was still tasty. Apple Cider Glazed Arctic Char... sounded amazing- but my arctic char wasn't cooked to my liking. it felt like i was eating mush. a puree of fish- instead of a flaky/buttery char. nope. i was left extremely disappointed. the fuji apple confit was the best part of the dish... that's only because i love fuji so much. the Pumpkin Risotto was delicious... there is no complaint there. the Roasted Chicken with stuffing dish was extremely over salted. one bite of that sucker had me drinking gulps of water! the Date Cake with Vanilla Bean Sorbet was the winner of the night. the Poached Pear with Dark Chocolate Syrup was nice, but with a nice winter-y meal... the dates are a perfect ending. read more

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Went here with a party of 8 and while most enjoyed their food (or said they did), my husband and I were very underwhelmed. My sea bass was covered in pickles and laid on top of a butternut squash purée that reminded me of old baby food (..and I love butternut squash!!). Husband's scallops were nothing special either. Medium sized scallops served with subpar foie gras which had a funky smell to it. Little complimentary hor d'oeuvre was delicious! Cocktails were yummy too. New fashion and grapefruit caipirinha. Too bad our entrees completely fell from grace. No taste complexity. Also, this is not French. It's like French, Brazilian.. with a splash of yuzu ? No idea. read more

The BF met me after work and took me for a special birthday dinner at Tocqueville. The setting was perfection and the second I took a bite of the grilled octopus, I knew we had discovered another NYC star. From the gracious staff to the sea urchin angel hair carbonara, every moment blew my mind. I'm not a food snob but I have dined at way too many over-rated, over-hyped restaurants that dare to charge astronomical prices only to be devastatingly underwhelmed (eh-hem, wd-50). get the carbonara and definitely get the duck!!! I loved the spot so much I returned the very next evening for more indulgent dishes. If you are ever fortunate enough to dine at Tocqueville, please ask for Melissa (quirky, beautiful blonde) - she gives free dessert. === www.AlgonGirls.com read more

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I just love everything about this place! the food (French food is my favorite), the atmosphere (dimly lit room), fancy service. Food is really good!!! It is upscale restaurant and I felt like I was kinda under dressed when I entered (because I didn't expect it was my first time and I didn't check what kind of place it is in advance) but... who cares :)) I enjoyed my time :)) read more

Tocqueville was always one of those classic places that sounded attractive menu-wise, but seemed so elegant that I never made it a top priority. Though many could look upon this restaurant as a stuffy, highbrow destination, I would tend to disagree. The service was first-rate, for sure, but the classy, home-style decor made us feel like we were welcomed guests at a glamorous 5th Avenue apartment. The driving force behind our visit to the exclusive eatery was the Zagat Presents showcase of Tocqueville's 10th anniversary menu. An email from the renowned rating company provided a sneak-peek at the decadent 4-course menu, which lured us in as if we had not eaten in days. My friends and I were sold on the idea of catching up over some first-rate cuisine. I arrived at Tocqueville several minutes late for our reservation. I bustled through the front door and walked into what looked like the entrance way to a fancy home. I checked my coat with the gorgeous, statuesque hostess and proceed into the small, relaxed bar area. My friends settled their tab, and we were promptly escorted to a lovely table in the center of the dining room. Sure, we were some of the youngest patrons in the restaurant, but that did not affect our experience at all. While other top restaurants would be inclined to seat us in a cramped corner, there was no ageism at this classic spot. While my friends enjoyed what was left of their wine, I chimed in by ordering a great glass of German Riesling for an affordable $11 (many other varietals were closer to $15). Despite my snobbery regarding other screw-cap wines, this blend was deliciously tender and sweet. Our meal started with a generous basket of cheddar biscuits. The miniature buns were packed with a bold cheesy flavor. Luckily, our bread course continued when we were visited by the dough fairy, delivering our choice of baked goodness from his large basket. Our options included cranberry walnut, focaccia, or french rolls. The cranberry walnut mini baguettes were moist and full of sweet berries. Our first round of menu items was presented as an artsy appetizer sampler plate. It included an Asian soup spoon of tender tuna tartare, a crisp rice cracker topped with a lump crab meat salad, a sliced toast round topped with a hazelnut and chickpea mousse, and lastly a delicious crispy fried potato croquette. The plate of global flavors resulted in the satisfied sigh heard around the dining room. From then on, we all enjoyed separate menu items, so we were able to sample as much as possible. The second course of Mushroom & Parmesan Risotto was very creamy and packed with large hen of woods mushrooms. The fragrant broth and delicate grains were a hearty, yet artisanal delight. For a main course, Diver Sea Scallops were seared and served with foie gras, artichokes, fuji apples, and a cider vinegar gastrique. The scallops were properly cooked, though rather tiny. The large slab of foie gras was succulent and perfectly done. It possessed a surprisingly lean and light flavor. In addition, the artichokes and apples remained firm and did not lose their texture from the rich sauce. This fruity apple reduction, however, was too sweet and slightly overcooked, making it rather syrupy. The other entree option was a 21-Day Aged Sirloin and Pot Roast Of Beef. This hearty meat platter was served with the obligatory Tocqueville potatoes, an autumn mirepoix, and a rich bone marrow butter. The beef was cooked very rare, but was so well-seasoned that I forgot my fear of bloody meat. The tender, lean cut was like nothing I had ever tasted. A massive fried potato croquette tower was topped with a sunny-side up egg that oozed down the sides of the starchy mountain with each forkful. As if the meal could not get extravagant enough, we were blessed with some decadent pastries. The Passion Fruit Torte was similar to a fruity, caramelized creme brulee custard that was presented in a mini-pie crust. The crispy shell was very hard, making it difficult to slice, but the inside was creamy, gooey, and fruity. An aromatic lemongrass and lime sorbet added a refreshing coolness to the plate. A candy topping of passion fruit jellies also lended an interesting chewy texture. While the Torte was extraordinary, the Warm Chocolate Cake was more on the boring side. I sadly missed the gooey center that is usually found within molten cakes. The accompanying mint ice cream, however, was more sophisticated and less dairy-heavy than what you buy in the supermarket. Our meal at Tocqueville was quite memorable. The food was fantastic, and the decor was classic sheik. The upscale, relaxed vibe welcomed me with open arms that I plan to revisit whenever I am in need of a culinary hug. read more

After many years of passing this place, I finally made it in. There is no AT&T cell phone reception in the back room so it's not great when you're on call for something. The food was good, the service was great, and the decor was quite beautiful - modern and elegant. I was surprised the place was kind of empty - maybe it's just the location. Tried: Sea urchin with carbonara pasta - looks better than it tastes Scallops with foie gras - pretty good Mixed berry souffle with ice cream - delicious read more

We came here for my boyfriend's birthday in March and had a very nice time. The service was excellent and the food very good. The brioche bread they bring is amazing, I only wish it was warm. We also ordered the grilled octopus with chic pea spread, presentation is what got me, and it was also tasty though a little cold. The foie gras terrine was deliciously creamy. I also ordered the scallops and they were cooked very well, though there were too many mushrooms for my liking. The cooked foie gras tasted good but was a bit weird. We also ordered a souffle for dessert, which was nice. We'll definitely be back again. read more

Very cute and quaint restaurant with kind staff and a running atmosphere! It is quite traditional food and an interesting menu with Asian cuisine and a touch of italian in there too? Kind of odd. The food is EXPENSIVE so be ready to spend some money. We had the wagyu dumplings which were delish and a simple tuna and avocado roll. Simple but we weren't trying to spend too much, smaller portions as well. read more

When I saw that Tocqueville was on Gilt City, I immediately bought the $100 certificate for $60. Tocqueville has been on my go-to list for a while, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to dine here at a discount. Upon arrival, we were led to the bar area because the people who were sitting at our table had still yet to pay. Soon it became 30-35 minutes until we were actually seated. This was highly annoying because we had 9:30 reservations and were starving. When we walked into the dining room, it was nice, but a lot smaller than I expected. **Note: there are no windows and no cell reception. As for the food, we ordered and asked the waiter to have them split into two plates: Truffled Creamy Parmesan Grits And Sunny Side Up Country Egg (squire hill farm's araucana egg and house cured veal bacon): pretty much an expensive version of breakfast, but it was very good. You can definitely taste the truffle oil and I absolutely love runny eggs. California Sea Urchin And Angel Hair Carbonara (sea lettuces, lime and soy): this dish is AMAZING. The sea urchin melts immediately in your mouth and you absolutely feel like you're in heaven. I've read that Tocqueville has one of the best sea urchin pastas in NYC and I was glad to see that they were not wrong. Tagliatelle Pasta with Black Truffles (House Special): Definitely a pricey dish at $55 for appetizer, but we were feeling a little indulgent. This dish blew me away. The sauce was so impeccably delicious, once I finished my pasta, I finished the sauce as well sans bread (which is definitely saying something). Seared Diver Sea Scallops And Foie Gras (wild mushrooms, braised artichoke and cider vinegar gastrique): the scallops were seared very nicely and the foie gras wasn't too oily as I've experienced at other restaurants. However, given that this was an entree, not an appetizer like the three previous dishes, I was disappointed in the size. We were each given one scallop and two pieces of foie gras. I also thought the sauce was a bit too salty. Overall, the service and food were pretty good, but given that we had 9:30 reservations and had to wait an additional 30-35 minutes, is unacceptable. If we were given a complimentary appetizer, it would've been different, but they didn't. So one star is deducted from this review. read more

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My first experience at Tocqueville encouraged my decision to revisit the lovely establishment. We had so much food that we practically had to roll ourselves out the door! Tonight's dinner was delicious and the service was impeccable. Romantic, friendly, sexy, fun, and the mouth-watering dishes are spectacular. What more can you want? I know. More sea urchin!! read more

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I came here for RW lunch last year. The atmosphere was very very classy. I had the salmon tartar for appetizer. That was SO good! Then ordered the fish for the main entree. I normal don't like fish.. but this was the best fish I've ever tasted!! As for dessert, I had the chocolate covered pear. What an interesting, but delectable combination! Looking at the menu again now, their selections have changed immensely! I MUST go back and try it again!! read more

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Classy, stylish and family-friendly! 5 star (to the perfection!!) service + 5 star presentation of food. 4-4.5 star taste of complexity of the food. 4 star of the ambiance. (dim light, but a bit too dark and too intimate for a really classy setting) I got the 7-course chef's tasting menu for $125. But guess what, since they were so nice to add this and that as compliment, at the end of the day, I think i had 15 courses!! Yeah yeah i know, almost their entire menu. Please, check out my ten photos. Pictures tell more than anything. PS: It resembles one restaurant a lot in many different ways: Gotham Bar and Grill. read more

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Vegetarian Review I'm giving this place 5 stars b/c there are too many other places with 4 stars that don't deserve it. Loved the ambience of this intimate and warm dining room with high ceilings and a heavy curtain obscuring the kitchen area that gave it a homey but very classy feel. The waitstaff are impeccably trained and you'll definitely be pampered. Vegans are SOL. This place leans heavily into its French influences and of the 2 or 3 vegetarian offerings, most are prepared heavy on the cream. You'll feel disgusting and fat at meal's end, but the food is absolutely delicious. I started out with the cream of asparagus soup made even richer by the addition of a poached quail egg. It was very fresh and bursting with asparagus flavor, though as I made my way through it, I wish it had offered different notes, perhaps some acidity to cut through all that cream. My partner had a ridiculously rich truffled grits with a sunny side Arcana egg (without the bacon that typically accompanies it). Just the right amount of truffle. Loved that this dish wasn't traditionally French but was prepared in a French style. Comfort food! For my entree, I had the mushroom and ramp risotto, probably one of the decadent that I've had. It had a wonderful earthiness to it, just the right amount of salt and some char-grilled trumpet mushrooms that were to die for and so meaty that it would have satisfied meat eaters. My partner's entree was the only thing that was light in the entire meal: an Algerian inspired Vegetarian tartine with couscous served in a tangy and spicy broth with chunks of steamed zucchini, carrots and what looked like rutabaga. For dessert, we had the signature dessert, a very shareable chocolate soufflé which was perfectly airy and fairly traditional save for the fact that it was paired with homemade mint ice cream. I also couldn't resist ordering the Baked Alaska, a remnant from the 60s/70s that you never see anymore. It didn't arrive flaming, but the whipped meringue casing was nicely torched and the raspberry ice cream with shortcake crust was refreshing. Loved it. We had a fantastic meal celebrating our anniversary and highly recommend it for a special meal. Along with a bottle of reasonably priced champagne, the meal for the 2 of us with tip set us back a reasonable $300. We'll definitely be back. read more

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The Union Square area is sure lucky to have this gem. As my dining partner and I entered, we were warmly greeted, our coats were taken, and we were brought to the precious dining room. The neat, clean, classy interior made us feel fancy even during the lunch hour. The menu appeared impressive with both a la carte items as well as prix fixe items. We were initially eyeing the $29 prix fixe lunch which was a 3 course meal (appetizer, main, and dessert) but we were attracted to the individual entrees more so. We started off with the house made bread that was offered graciously and not your typical offering. I chose the rosemary and olive bread and my dining partner chose another buttery and flaky bread. They were served with butter in a dish and we were offered more but we declined since we wanted to save room to savor our entrees. We were then brought a mushroom amuse bouche which was delicate and flavor packed, with a smoky flavor to accentuate the mushroom on a crispy toast like foundation. I had the duck breast with bok choy and pears and it was extremely juicy and tender. I was amazed with the crispness of the skin and how well the consomme complemented the duck. The foie gras and seared scallops were also delectable and well executed. The foie gras was the perfect amount one person would have as an entree without feeling too overwhelmed by the richness. The seared scallops were so fresh and balanced the creaminess of foie gras. Lastly, we shared the baked alaska for dessert. Not only did its presentation wow us, but so did the taste. The raspberry sorbet and meringue were so delicious that we wished we had ordered two. From start to finish, it was a joyful experience and if I were around the area more often I'd become a regular! There were many regulars that were dining at the time and the servers seemed to know their guests well. I'm planning a next time as I'm not opposed to trying their prix fixe options. read more

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Great place to get dressed up for a nice night with a date or friends. The customer service was 5 stars. The best 7 course meal I've ever had, amazing quality, authentic French restaurant. The experience was phenomenal and we had wine pairing with each course. I would suggest wine pairing because it enhanced the meal and each wine was so different from the next. read more

Definitely much more romantic and high class than I expected. My entrance into the restaurant with 2 Whole Foods bags, snow covered boots, and a puffy wet jacket, was un-smooth to say the least. But the coat-checker quickly came to my aid (she was probably embarassed for me) and checked all my goods away. A great RW option, I would have ordered anything on the menu. If you order the salmon tartar, beware: you must like raw foods. I typically don't, so I don't know what I was thinking. The tartar is actually a mix of regular salmon, smoked salmon, and salmon roe (all raw obviously). I was horrified however, when the waiter instructed me to crack the RAW quail egg onto the salmon before I ate it. My facial expression must have answered for me, because he kindly brought me out a soup instead :) The pumpkin risotto tasted nothing like pumpkin but was unbelievable. The elderflower grapefruit caparinha was also delicious, but had definitely had no alcohol in it. I wasn't that pleased to be paying $13 for a very small glass of sugar and grapefruit juice read more

Tocqueville - Salmon tartar app. - New American Near Me - New York, New York

I was truly wowed by this place. Maybe it was the company I was with but the restaurant itself is grand and beautifully decorated. The food combinations are delicious and plentiful. There are two tasting menus and also a la carte. There were many Asian options and the sushi was varied and amazing. It was truly a remarkable evening and I highly recommend it. The menu changes often so best o review their Website. read more

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Always a perfect meal. Food, service, wine list all top class.

Tocqueville is on track to potentially become an amazing restaurant. First off, their food is without a doubt 1-star Michelin quality. We did the 7-course tasting menu and they were very good about bringing out different dishes for each course so in reality it was like 14-dishes. And they do all the fancy stuff with amuse bouche, petit four, etc. I really can't say anything better about the food and I have no complaints. From a drinks perspective, their cocktail list is atrocious. I'm sure plenty of people come here and don't want cocktails but if you're going to have a list it should be good; Tocqueville is definitely aiming for a star and places like Ai Fiori, Rouge Tomate, etc are able to offer a more full experience from start to finish because of this. While their wine pairings are a little too french-heavy for me (I think about half the pairings were french), they do a good job of mixing in some Greece, Spain, Italy, USA, and Australia. However, I don't remember having the "Wow this pairing is amazing" reaction very often, which I do at many other restaurants. So I think they'll probably need to do some work in this area as well. All in all, for 2 people it was around $600. That's about what it costs at Ko if you do pairings as well, and I didn't even spend that much for 3 people at Marea. I would hesitate to say that Tocqueville is a good value at that price, so just go in with proper expectations. read more

Very intimate setting for a romantic date. What we ordered: Appetizers: California Sea Urchin and Angel Hair carbonara.... Ahhh my favorite, UNI! The sauce is some kind of cheese sauce, very yummy. They give you 3 pieces of uni. Delicious app! House Cured Terrine Of Hudson Valley Foie Gras... Ugh, stay away from this appetizer. The foie gras was served cold and it has a bitter taste to it. Probably not the BEST quality of foie gras as they would not have offered such a big piece of it. Oh yeah, on the plates were also some kind of fruit jams you can spread em with your toast. DO NOT GET THIS APPETIZER! Parmesan and Lemon Risotto... I love risotto if its done PROPERLY. And this was done pretty good. I would get this again for appetizer. Entrees: Seared Diver Sea Scallops and Foie Gras.... AMAZING! I knew this foie gras was legit because its so smooth and not bitter like the one i had for appetizer. However, I do wise they give me a little more of the scallops and foie gras since its priced so darn high. Lightly Smoked Duck Breast.... BEST COOKED DUCK I ever tasted, actually second to Zhi Zhang's BANG BANG DUCK LOL. The skin is literally very crisped and the meat was cooked to perfection. 5/5 stars for this dish. Dessert: Chocolate Souffle.... The waiter told us that we had to wait for like 10 to 15 minutes for this since its made per order. Once he said that I KNEW IT HAS TO BE GOOD. And when it came out, it was delicious. It was also served with a side of vanilla ice cream as well. 5/5 STAR for this one. I also got the cocktail "The Thinking Man's Man" drink. That shit was strong! read more

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Overall it's a place somewhere between a neighborhood gem and an up-and-coming classy place. SERVICE: The restaurant clearly tries very very hard to render a high quality customer experience. However, there is something OFF about it. Sometimes you just can't help feel that the smiles are not genuine and they are not sincerely pleased to serve you. Sometimes they come way too often to check on you so that it interrupts your dinner conversations. This happened to my table and the tables next to us... As for the FOOD: 3/5 really the grits appetizer was way too filling. Don't get it why you want to stuff someone with a whole plate of carbs and cheese and eggs As for the foi gras + octopus entree, I was really excited to try it but was underwhelmed. The texture was just off.... DRINKS- 4/5 decently pleased with all the drinks that day, including whiskey/champaign cocktails and red wines read more

Tocqueville - Seared Foie gras and scallop - hard to find anywhere else! - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Spotty food. The foie gras dish was amazing and the steak was perfectly cooked. Strangely, the omakase sushi didn't seem fresh or well presented. And the servers on the sushi side were rushed and not particularly focused on our table. read more

I was planning to take my mom to Tocqueville for dinner but since she wasn't available, my brother took her place. My mom would've enjoyed it more, in my opinion the restaurant itself was elegant, classy and romantic. We arrived for early dinner and sat at the corner table. Service was superb, all the waitstaff was remarkably attentive and detailed. We had the 4 course tasting menu and they started us off with bite size cheese, croquettes and crudo mackerel. I love when they throw in extras - makes me feel special. Our first course was a cheddar and roasted pear salad, it was light and really opened up our appetite. 2nd course was their famous truffled creamy parmesan grits and sunny side up egg, the presentation of that dish was fabulous and it tasted delicious. My brother thought otherwise, I laughed when he told me he could've made that at home. Finally our main course was seared sea scallops and foie gras, I enjoyed every bite of that dish so much I wished there was more! We had chocolate soufflé and cranberry sorbet as dessert, I didn't think the two go that well together but I devoured them separately nevertheless. I was glad that we had reservations and came early because we were seated in the main dining room. I saw a few tables behind the bar and am not sure whether they were for walk-ins, I personally thought that was a less desirable location to be seated. read more

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Went for restaurant week with pretty high expectations. But overall i was disappointed in the food part of the experience. Got excellent service, but didn't go for the service, went for the food--duh. Tocqueville you failed restaurant week. I dont think id return to try the real menu... I rolled in at 8pm on my Brompton, and the host was gracious to put it away in the coat closet. Very nice touch, even wondered which folding bike it was and if i liked it...nice. Coursing through the bar into the dining area we are greeted with soaring ceilings and gracious appointments. However, the room is very "adult" feeling. I mean, i thought this was more grammercy tavern or union sq. cafe style dining folks, it was more my parents...ahem. but still my expectations were high. My usual dining companion Yvette G. and i got a reasonable table in the rear, with good views of the room. The service was well done except at the end of the meal it took forever to get the check. Not a big deal but we were ready to go. As for the cuisine. The bread selection was a trio of either brioche (dry and too dense), sourdough (perfect) and focaccia (nice roasted veggies). The appetizer selection was gazpacho, Boston salad and skate. I had skate and Yvette had Boston salad greens. The salad looks meh at best, with the soft poached egg in the middle a little weird. No flair or creativity with this one. The skate was nice with a good broth. It was minced i think and placed between a crepe of some kind. The presentation was nice, but texture was a little strange. The winner of the meal overall. The mains were a choice of veggie bouillabaisse, monkfish, or lamb ravioli. I chose lamb--total mistake. it was just gross, too gamey too much cheese on top and there were burnt beans in the broth. WTF is this? Anyway the monkfish "balls" was spot on aside from the pea puree on the side which was bland. The dessert which was the lowest point was a apricot panna cotta type scoop in a pistachio "soup" that tasted like fruit loops. When Yvette G. tried it and said that i nearly burst with laughter, and it really did. Made me wish we'd have gone to gristedes for a box instead of spending 80 to eat at Tocqueville. i had the chocolate/cherry ganache...Pass on the restaurant week menu. read more

Tocqueville - Skate - New American Near Me - New York, New York

The food was really really tasty. The dumplings were SO GOOD and the sushi was amazing. The service was HORRENDOUS and it was very expensive for portion size. read more

Since my initial review , I returned to Tocqueville for the third time with two friends and had a fabulous lunch. The restaurant staff did a remarkable job to accommodate our table, allowing me to order the tasting menu and my friends to order a la carte. The timing difference made the staff's work more difficult, but they pulled it off superbly (this was while the dining room was almost full capacity). We dined like queens for nearly 4 hours. By the time we left, it was almost time for dinner service. The food was fantastic as always. What a wonderful establishment this is! read more

Had my anniversary dinner here last weekend. It was absolutely amazing. The ambiance was very quiet; the quietest restaurant I've ever eaten in. Y'all ceilings and simple modern paintings on the walls gives the place a regal elegance yet not too pompous. I called ahead to bring my own wine from my collection and paid $50 which is pretty standard. They took very good care of us and gave us extras for the occasions. The food was just pure bliss. We didn't do a tasting menu and decided to do a la carte. We got the foie to start and the sea urchin carbonara. The foie was a good portion and had great contrast flavors with encoutrements. The carbonara was very rich and very buttery and pretty heavy. Then we got the poached lobster and wagyu beef steak with braised short ribs. The lobster was fresh and had amazing flavor; every delicate and sweet. The wagyu beef I asked for be cooked black and blue. They did an amazing job and My butter knife went right through it like butter. Not question it was wagyu. Very savory. The cheese plate after was beautifully plated. They sent us some petit fours and ice cream after. We felt very spoiled. Bravo Tocqueville! We can't wait to come back. read more

My husband and I visited Tocqueville on a recent Saturday evening for dinner to celebrate my 40th birthday and were incredibly disappointed by the service, which tainted our entire experience. Because my husband had scoured reviews and put a lot of care into the choice of restaurant, one that has very positive reviews, it was all the more surprising. First, we were provided the wine list (but not the menu of food) upon being seated. When the server appeared and asked for our drink order, we indicated that we'd like to see the menu before deciding (my husband is a somm and pairing is particularly important to him). The server noticeably rolled his eyes at us before going off to retrieve the other menu. Um, what?! Then, when he returned and announced the specials (which included a truffle risotto), he took care to put extra emphasis and enunciation on the cost of the truffle dishes (NINETY dollars for the appetizer portion and ONE HUNDRED FORTY FIVE for the entree portion) in a way meant to suggest we certainly wouldn't be ordering them. We ignored his behavior and ordered. The first courses (corn soup for me, portobello risotto for him) arrived quickly and were, admittedly, delicious. But then we sat. And waited. And waited. We noticed the table immediately next to us, which had ordered one of the tasting menus, was also waiting a long time between courses. Ultimately, after almost 30 minutes for us, just when we were about to ask the server if there was an issue, our entrees arrived. There was no explanation or even acknowledgment of the obvious delay. The table next to us then inquired about their delay, as they had been waiting twenty minutes, and were told brusquely that the kitchen had suddenly received a slew of orders and was backed up. At a restaurant of this caliber, I expect the kitchen to be able to manage table turnover and I certainly wouldn't expect the servers to pretend there is no delay, much less provide a borderline hostile response when addressing a diner's questions about it. Our entrees were also good, but not particularly noteworthy and the rim of my plate (I had the filet of beef) was visibly greasy, which was quite a turnoff. At this point in the evening, we decided to go elsewhere for dessert and a nightcap. When I asked for the check, the server seemed inexplicably shocked that we weren't staying for coffee or a digestif. He then brought out a complimentary dessert (my husband must have informed them that it was my birthday, which makes his earlier behavior all the more disappointing if they knew it was a special occasion). The slice of cake was stale and pretty inedible, so it was hardly a treat. I'm not sure what happened, but the server here turned an otherwise unremarkable experience into a bad one. Kitchen delays occasionally happen and it should be within the capabilities of the front of the house to deal with it. Apparently, our server was more interested in displaying his superiority than doing his job. Skip Tocqueville. read more

I and three friends were lucky enough to have heard about Tocqueville before visiting the city for the week. What a find! Gracious and welcoming staff. Beautiful decor in a subdued and peaceful 2-story restaurant. We opted for the lunch prix fixe menu and were not disappointed. We were surprised with an amuse bouchée, a delicate whipped egg concoction on a small round of toast topped with caviar. The Cato Farm salad with roasted pear was sublime! Fresh greens, a sweet grilled pear slice with a piece of cheese presenting the salty counterpoint. The duck leg parmentier was out of this world - the au jus reduction scattered around the plate was unbelievable! Quart to go, please! The value can't be beat for such high quality food in a beautiful room with terrific service in NYC. I will certainly return! read more

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Ambiance wonderful. Service was beyond terrible. We were a party of eight. Restaurant only half full (mid-week). Sat down and ordered drinks which did not arrive for 30+ min. We were seated for at least an hour before we were able to place our orders. Could never get our server's attention. Sometimes a four hour meal is what you want, but that should be up to you. Grossly overpriced for the level of professionalism. read more

Love the class, elegance, and true quality of food. I don't have too much to say but that this restaurant is perfect for celebrating an occasion. Everyone who works here makes the evening better, through service, conversation, and overall warmth. We returned a second time and were welcomed as if we were coming here for years. The egg grits appetizer is a must. Also the mushroom risotto. The meals are not food but an experience. Come and enjoy. Also for dessert the strawberry rhubarb napoleon is a must and the Bon Bon tastes like the fancy deconstructed version of a ferrero rocher (which I could and may have eaten hundreds of) A very under appreciated restaurant in the city. I wish them so much success because not enough places like this exist in the sea of all identical new locations. Can't wait to return! read more

One of the best meals I've had in recent memory. Scheduled a lunch date with my hubby on a Friday after the holidays. Perhaps it was right after the holidays that they were short staffed in the kitchen? The 5 course tasting menu took 3.5 to 4 hours, with the longest waiting between the cheese course and the dessert. Aren't desserts all pre-made anyways? We weren't in a rush to go anywhere afterwards, but please plan accordingly. The tasting menu was delicious and a steal at $68 for lunch. I'm not sure if this price applies to weekend lunch as well, but I would totally go back again. What made it even better was that both my hubby and I got different tastings, with the option to choose an item that we definitely wanted. I wanted the Foie Gras and he wanted the Uni Carbonara. We shared our dishes so we effectively got to taste ten different dishes. Tasting Menu Amuse Bouche Beet Cannelloni with Goat Cheese Gruyere Cheese Puffs Cheese and Potato Croque, Celery Root Emulsion with Truffle Cauliflower Almond Soup (No Cream) Mushroom Terrine with Pickled Mushroom Reduction Course 1 Fluke Sashimi with Calamansi and Vinegar Foie Gras with Poached Pear, Candied Fruits, Red Wine Sauce Course 2 Uni Carbonara with Angel Hair Pasta, Sea Lettuce, Lime and Soy Farm Egg Parmesan Grits Course 3 Striped Bass with Fennel Tarragon Sauce, Parsley, Sliced Applies Scallop & Foie Gras, Wine Reduction Course 4 Lamb Shank Braised with white beans and red wine Duck Break Bok Choy, Citrus, Star Anise Sauce, pear, Parsley Course 4.5 Cheese Course with Melon sherbet with rose champagne 'soup' Course 5 Huckleberry Tart, Banana Sauce, Cheese Sorbet Chocolate Souffle with Blueberry Sorbet Pear & Blood Orange Sorbet All the dishes were very well executed, and quiet possibly one of the best French meals I've had outside of France. The staff was friendly and attentive. We also opted for a wine pairing. We thought that the French, Italian and California wines were good. The Greek one was okay, but it was possible due to the pairing. I highly recommend this restaurant and cannot say enough good things about it. read more

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We had what I would call the best value tasting menu in NYC- if you're willing to eat during lunch, which is okay, because you get what most places would serve at dinner. The catch? Well, we took 3 hrs to get out of there. Perhaps it was the holiday staffing? Service was nonetheless excellent, even if the kitchen was a bit slow. The space is very pleasant, with interesting large-scale art on the walls, like tarnished mirrors. A very elegant and modern look, with very high ceilings that give the feeling of airiness. We ordered one wine pairing to share with our two 5-course tasting menus, and man, we received so much bounty that we didn't need dinner afterwards- although we did leave at around 330 - having arrived at 1230. The food was uniformly excellent, starting with delicious brioche and olive-oil brushed foccacia, then moving on to gruyere puffs, which smelled like heaven, and little crispy beet rolls stuffed with goat cheese, and then little croquettes with celeriac cream and a nice shaving of black truffle. Our courses were diversified by the chef, with each receiving a different course, which I found to be an excellent touch as we were sharing, so we got to try many different flavors. We got fluke sashimi, foie gras terrine, uni carbonara, egg parmesan grits and bacon, more foie gras with scallops, striped bass, braised lamb shanks, and lightly smoked duck, before cheese plates, chocolate souffles, huckleberry tart, and four flavors of sherbet. The wine pairings were also very, very good and very good value in my opinion as well. Stupendous. Superb. read more

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