Café Boulud at Maison Barnes
French · Upper East Side · $$
French · Upper East Side, New York, NY · $$$
Designed by partner Jean Denoyer, Orsay strikes that difficult balance of sophisticated chic in a warm convivial atmosphere. Dark mahogany raised paneled walls meet Art Nouveau styled arches in a deep, creamy butter color. The floor is a work of art, Italian mosaic tiles in warm tones of precious metals hand laid in a beautiful fan pattern that floats in waves across the expanse of floor. Banquettes with high wood backs topped with frosted glass panels provide privacy if wanted, and the low, soft lighting emanates from Art Nouveau period chandeliers that Denoyer had custom designed. A 20-foot-long zinc-topped wood bar shipped in one piece from France, and French doors that spill onto the sidewalk terrace. This elegant Parisian-style brasserie marries modern French cuisine and classic brasserie fare.
“Excellent staff. Beautiful venue for a wedding. Food delicious. Staff awesome. Top notch in every area..couldnt be better!!”
“Service was attentive and very friendly. Full disclosure: I’m not much for French food generally so I went for the burger which was excellent. The artichoke appetizer was delicious with its balsamic dressing. Others raved about the cheese soufflé, French onion soup and escargot. Desert of the day was toffee pudding. Loved that it was not too sweet.”
“Couldn't be happier with our brunch choice. We stopped in without a reservation, and they kindly accommodated us. We frequent Paris a few times a year, and this restaurant-- from hostess to manager to servers to clientele-- all made us feel like we were in Paris. Beautiful yet understated. Elegant and not arrogant. Reservations highly recommended if weekend brunch, as every table is occupied. Outdoor seating as well. Food-- delectable and they prepare everything to perfection. Perfect temperature, perfect seasonings... beautiful presentation. Our new 'go to' spot. Could tell there were many 'regulars.'”
“We celebrated our 10-year anniversary with a date night at Orsay. The restaurant is beautiful, with a slow, relaxing vibe — perfect for a summer evening. We sat right on the cusp of indoor and outdoor dining, which was a lovely spot. The escargot was delicious, though the tuna tartare fell a bit flat. Our entrées were excellent, but the service was lackluster; it felt like we didn’t have one set server, and after waiting 30 minutes for our second round of drinks (the rosé spritz, which is a must-try), we canceled them as we were finishing our meal. To their credit, once the manager found out, he brought us two glasses of champagne to end the night, which was a thoughtful gesture. Overall, a beautiful setting with great food, though service could be improved.”
“I used to actually like this place. The food was solid, the vibe was decent, and it felt worth the price. Clearly, those days are long gone. What showed up at my table this time felt like a sad, reheated tribute to what the menu used to be. The flavors were flat, the portions mysteriously shrank, and everything tasted like it had been sitting under a heat lamp contemplating its life choices. And then there's the manager. If indifference were an Olympic sport, they'd be on the podium. Rude, dismissive, and somehow annoyed that customers expect edible food and basic courtesy. When we politely mentioned an issue, we were met with eye-roll energy and a tone that suggested we had personally inconvenienced them by existing. It's impressive, really -- not every restaurant manages to downgrade both its food and its customer service so dramatically. If you're feeling nostalgic for how good it used to be, save yourself the heartbreak. Some memories are better left untasted.”
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