Re: prefix 20.00 menu at fishtail = worth it?

[Legman]

Hey folks-my wife and I were hoping to have a nice memorial day (monday) dinner on a low budget. Well, a friend suggested fishtail for dinner on monday night as they're offering a 20.00 prefix. Is this restaurant any good? We love fresh seafood and were looking for other suggestions-thanks -Lee.

[City Kid]

I went with a party of 4 over Labor Day for the then $20 now $25 prix fixe and was quite impressed. Nice table and service, not at all rushed as another poster noted, and a very good meal, especially considering the price...fresh plump oysters, excellent grilled salmon and swordfish with very good fries. I especially loved the peanut brittle available at the hostess station. Not sure what people expect for $20-25 but I certainly did not feel ripped off.

[fayth]

We dined there this Sunday and it was quite good.We made an OpenTable reservation for 4 at 7pm and they graciously accomodated us when an exra person joined our party. We waited about 30 minutes and were seated upstairs. The place has a lot of energy, diverse crowd that night- young (teens and early 20s) to old,casual to upscale dress.Loved the vibrant decor. Fantastic pretzel bread (wish there was a doggy bag just for extra bread!).There were many choices on the 20.09 menu. Four choices for starters- we chose mediterranean salad(a bit vinagery and more cabbage slaw than other ingredients. Enjoyed the spring pea soup with shrimp. Five choices for the entrees including a nightly special of mahi mahi with stir fry vegs(mostly peppers), roast chicken, and swordfish with frites(very tasty). Three choices for dessert including a chocolate mousse topped with a fish cookie & a pineapple tart with coconut ice cream. Presented with a plate of small cookies to finish off the meal. A bowl of peanut brittle at the register was a tempting treat for our after dinner stroll. Service was friendly and efficient if a bit frentic in close quarters.I would definitley recommend trying the $20.09 menu despite news of chef changes.Many diners that night were also ordering the seafood tower (supplemental charge) and the cheesecake lollipop tree.

[workintheater]

Well, first off, the Sunday Supper is now $25, something that the reservationist failed to mention when I asked her specifically if the formerly priced special was being offered. And I have NEVER been so rushed through a meal as I was at Fishtail. I had barely sat down before menus (with supplemental charges--what a despicable practice!), bread, and drink orders were flung in my direction Two days later, I don't remember a thing about the meal (except for the grossly overpriced wine). Spare me the New York bargain!

[Gin n Tonic]

Not directed at you specifically, but I see "prefix" a lot lately. Is it so hard to be correct and say/write "prix fixe"?

[RGR]

If you're aiming for correctness, it's "prix-fixe" (hyphenated). :-)

[bobjbkln]

Not according to Merriam-Webster (note hyphen here); the unhyphenated form is the preferred one. See http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictio...

[RGR]

So noted.

[RGR]

You might want to consider Tocqueville. While not a fish/seafood restaurant per se, Chef/owner Marco Moreira's fish and seafood dishes are always seriously delicious. While the a la carte menu is on the pricey side, there are budget-minded options, including a $44 "pre-theater" prix-fixe until 6:30 p.m., and the just-launched annual Greenmarket menu, $48 at dinner. (Chef Moreira regularly shops at the Union Square Greenmarket, which is one block east of the restaurant.)

There's a very good wine list, service is excellent, and the space, with its understated elegant decor, is one of the most beautiful in town.

Tocqueville tends to travel under the usual culinary radar, which is a shame, because those who haven't been are missing out on a truly wonderful dining experience.

http://www.tocquevillerestaurant.com

With regard to Fishtail, we haven't been, but to be honest, I would hesitate about going there. Not only because a new chef has just taken over. More because I don't think David Burke is paying proper attention to his restaurants -- now a mini-empire. We recently had dinner at his NJ outpost, Fromagerie, in Rumson. The food, while not horrible, was far from what one would expect from a chef with Burke's pedigree, especially in what is a high-end restaurant. Essentially, he was just phoning it in, and I have a feeling he's doing the same with his NY restaurants.

[Legman]

Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely check out tocqueville!-LEE.

[captainspacefood]

Fishtail had a shrimp uni risotto dish on the menu, not sure if it is still there. It was a pretty blatant rip of the lobster uni risotto from Providence in LA, but somehow it was even better. And served in the urchin shell, definite cool points. Get an order if its available.

[David W]

Can't say, but take a look at this before you decide:

http://eater.com/archives/2009/05/che...