The Wooly
American · Nolita · $$
4.5(226)
Nolita, New York, NY · $$
In early February 2019, Cedric Vongerichten (Perry Street) introduces Wayan, a French Indonesian restaurant in Manhattan's Nolita neighborhood. Cedric and his wife, Ochi along with Ezra William are partners in the new restaurant, offering approachable dishes that highlight the vibrant flavors of Ochi's birthplace, Jakarta, with a modern French flair. Dishes are meant to be shared and enjoyed along with refreshing cocktails that highlight Indonesian ingredients as well as a global, accessible list of wines. Designed by Rockwell Group, the 80-seat space is both transportive and intimate, featuring lush greenery, rustic teak paneling and authentic carved wood pieces from Indonesia for a tropical-meets-downtown vibe. Taking its name from the Balinese term for "first born,” Wayan is open for lunch and brunch.
“A very nice Malaysian and Southeast Asian-style restaurant. The food captures the essence of the region while also incorporating some Western and Chinese influences, which makes many of the dishes flavorful and enjoyable. The atmosphere is also a highlight. The decor has a warm Southeast Asian feel, and the service is attentive and welcoming. Overall, this is a great spot for a small gathering or for anyone looking to enjoy flavorful Malaysian and Southeast Asian food in a comfortable setting.”
“We loved the food. Camila, our bartender/server, took the time to explain the restaurant’s French-Indonesian FUSION concept and gave us great recommendations. Honestly, we enjoyed everything we tried. Just don’t go in expecting traditional Indonesian food, since the dishes clearly lean into the French fusion side of the menu. It’s definitely on the pricier side, but it’s also not your usual restaurant experience, so we thought it was worth it. Our favorite was the escargot rendang - a really nice twist on the classic rendang.”
“Really wonderful service- think this is what made the experience. Server was able to go into detail about options and recommendations. Really love the service. Went with a couple of flavorful drinks but the star of the show was the food. Enjoyed crudo, escargot, meat skewers, corn frittata, ribs, and fried rice as well as Ube ice cream with a couple of friends. Tasting option is a lot for one person but able to take leftovers which was nice. Next time would probs just order individually but nice to try everything. Really loved escargot and corn frittata. Defs recommend”
“We really enjoyed the Lobster Noodles and the Caramelized Beef Tenderloin—both were standouts of the meal. The service and atmosphere were also very good, which made for a nice dining experience. However, overall, the food didn’t quite live up to the high price point. The seasonal Tamarind Citrus Salad wasn’t to our liking, but aside from that, I’d rate the food about 3.5/5”
“I went to The Wayan quite excited since menu looked great and we chose the Chef's Table expecting a more personal and elevated experience. That expectation set the tone for the disappointment that followed. Chef's Table (biggest miss): It's not a "chefs table" in any real sense with just six high stools lined up in a corridor/passageway. Feels awkward, exposed, and disconnected from the actual dining space.We asked to move to the main dining area, but there was clear reluctance and zero flexibility. I do understand there might not be any last minute availability but the hostess looked over worked and not interested in even listening to us. Service: Unpolished and at times intrusive. Staff seemed overwhelmed. Plates were cleared by repeatedly reaching in between us from behind while we were seated on high stools--uncomfortable and poorly handled. Cocktails: Ordered Thorn of Jalisco- blanco tequila, red thai chili, grapefruit, cinnamon. It was just an expensive sweet concoction of grapefruit with no Thai red chili. I doubt they made the same thing that was on the menu. Food (mixed): - Lamb skewers: average.. not as flavorful as expected - Escargot sambal: standout--creative, flavorful, excellent with the brioche - Branzino: very well done, nicely seasoned - Nasi goreng: average.. a bit too oily - Pandan custard: easily the best dish, 10/10 But here's the real issue: The food did not sit well with me. I had pretty bad acidity later that night...bad enough to take Pepto-Bismol. Even the next day, my stomach felt off. That's not something I ignore it does make me question ingredient quality or freshness. Overall: A few strong dishes cannot compensate for a poorly thought-out seating concept, average service, and a physically uncomfortable after eloquence. We had a good time despite the restaurant, not because of it. Wouldn't go back. Definitely skip the Chef's Table. 3/5.”
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