Manuela NYC

“This is one of my absolute favorite restaurants. I love the service here and the food is incredible. Even the way we are greeted when we arrive by Raylee and Jimori is so genuine and warm. Every time we visit the menu is slightly different and offers the freshest ingredients based on the season so it’s impossible to get bored! It’s truly such a wonderful restaurant that I plan to bring all of my friends to.”

“Truly an amazing Experience. The atmosphere feels like an art gallery supper fun trendy and modern. Staff is amazing and the food is incredible. Everything farm to table and seasonal. Been living in nyc for 8+ years and this is a must try.”

“This was truly one of the most thoughtfully curated dining experiences I’ve had in New York.From the moment we walked in, the energy of the space stood out. The ambiance is warm, artistic, and intentional; every detail feels considered. The walls are lined with real artwork that you can actually purchase, which adds a layer of depth and storytelling to the environment. It doesn’t feel like a typical restaurant; it feels like you’re stepping into a living, breathing creative space.We came as a group of seven and ordered a wide variety of dishes to share, which I think is the best way to experience the menu. Every plate that came out felt like it had purpose. Nothing was forgettable. The biscuits deserve their own moment; they were, without exaggeration, the best I’ve ever had. Perfectly soft, warm, and delicate with a richness that wasn’t overwhelming, paired with a butter that elevated them even further. That alone would bring me back.The rest of the meal continued at that same level. From the oysters and small plates to the heartier dishes like the chicken and pasta, everything was balanced, flavorful, and beautifully presented. You can tell there’s real care in both the execution and the ingredient selection. Even the desserts felt intentional, nothing overly sweet, just layered, well-composed, and satisfying.The drinks were equally impressive, clean, refreshing, and thoughtfully crafted. Whether it was something citrus-forward or herbaceous, everything felt elevated without trying too hard. Service was seamless. Attentive, intuitive, and present without ever feeling intrusive. The timing of dishes, the check-ins, and the overall flow of the evening all felt effortless, which is always a sign of a strong team.What stood out most to me was how cohesive the entire experience felt. The food, the design, the service, the energy, they all aligned. Nothing felt out of place. This is the kind of place you go to not just eat, but to experience. Perfect for sharing, connecting, and being fully present with the people you’re with. I would absolutely recommend, and I already know I’ll be back.”

“Spent Valentines Day here and the set menu was a hit!!! The vibe in the restaurant immediately seems cool and hip in my opinion. Playing oldies and goldies I grew up on. The gnocchi was a stand out favorite for me! But I have to say as simple as it may be I typically am not crazy about biscuits or every go out of my way to order them, but the biscuit starter with butter so perfectly melty, sweet and delicious it was by far the best biscuit I've ever had and I'm from the south. Excellent dinner. Beautiful restaurant.”

“Not gonna lie: Even though I'd done my research, I still half-expected Gene Wilder to start singing about pure imagination when I walked into Manuela and saw the gorgeous rainbow mushroom chandelier. It felt like I had stepped into a candy wonderland designed by ex-EDC ravers. But it wasn't a world of sweets, it was just Manuela being a colorful Art Basel of a restaurant. Fortunately, the five-star visuals of this beautiful new outpost from LA are matched by the five-star flavors of their (albeit pricey) farm-to-table, locavorian dishes. - Cream biscuits with country ham and butter: Rich, buttery and flakey to the point of embarrassment (wear a bib if you're clumsy). The fact that they arrived piping hot only added to the delicious decadence. - Atlantic tuna carpaccio with pickled chanterelles, salsa verde and mint: I adore all things crudo and carpaccio, but this might be the first time I've had such a dish with PICKLED mushrooms. It was divine, and I was left wondering why no other chef has thought to do this. - Dry aged beef tartare with Calabrian chilli, garlic aioli and toast: At first glance, this looked like a plainer tartare than recent ones I've had, but there's something comforting about a back-to-basics approach that lets the naturally rich flavor of the beef shine on its own. The light touch of chili was just right for a bit of flavor enhancement, and the buttery toast was perfect to sop up remnants. - Heirloom tomatoes with sungolds, garlic chives and thyme vinaigrette: As a diehard tomato lover, I've not come across an heirloom tomato salad I didn't like, but Manuela's has to be one of my favorites in recent years. Not mentioned on the menu is that the tomatoes like on a bed of sumptuous, freshly made, basil paste, which just makes them taste even better. - Pan-seared Maine halibut with summer squash and bouillabaisse: Halibut is one of the harder fish to sear just right, in my experience, but the team here did it perfectly. The bouillabaisse sauce was perfectly seafood-y without being too briny, while the paper-thin slices of squash were crunchy satisfaction. My only quibble is that the halibut and sauce were lukewarm, while the squash was piping hot. - Romano and yellow bean panzanella: Threw this in because I can't resist a crunchy long bean dish. The beans were perfectly julienned, and the dressing was tart without being overwhelming--a rare feat, in my experience - Fig bakewell with creme fraiche: We decided to spend our remaining calories on this scrumptious tart, and I have no regrets. It had a moist, caky texture with tons of fresh figs, and the crust was buttery perfection. For libations, we opted for the gingery and zesty RX Spritz, as well as the green juice perfection of Doctors Orders. If you're torn on which to choose, go for Doctors Orders--you'd have to be born without a tongue not to like this. And yes, prices are steep, on par with most upscale Manhattan restaurants that are nice enough to impress your i-banker Tinder date on your 6-month anniversary. However, for once, I'm not griping about the dent in my wallet because I actually felt the near-perfect quality of each dish justified the cost. At the very least, I'm already planning my return visit to Manuela, and I can't remember the last time a ~$100-dinner had me doing that.”