Tocqueville: Is service bad/food overpriced?
I've seen too many anecdotal reports of bad service and ratings of meals at Tocqueville considered overpriced for the value, and so I'm wondering if ch's who've recently dined there can add their own experiences/opinions. Confirm/deny the rumors! And thanks.
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jacquelines
Jul 25, 2009 07:19 PM
Ate here last week and I had a great experience. I am not sure if Rest Week makes a difference or not but it was just lovely. My Mom and I happened to be toasting the end of her chemo treatments and the waiter overheard apparently. At the end of our delicious meal, 3 servers brought us a special congratulatory dessert (with congratulations written on it!) and a small toast to her health! We had a complimentary cheese amuse bouche and a choice among brioche, focaccia and another bread with fresh made herbed butter. I had the tomato salad and consome, then the seared flat iron steak w// confit potatoes, finished w a warm chocolate torte. My mom and I were both full and thrilled with the whole experience.
Again, this was RW so I cannot speak for a regular evening there since it is not in the student budget, but I very much reccomend it.›1 Reply-
re: jacquelines
So pleased to hear that you had such a wonderful experience at Tocqueville. Your mention of that absolutely sublimely addictive brioche roll has me drooling all over my keyboard. lol We've always received friendly, attentive service, and it's really nice to hear that the staff went out of their way to do something special for your mom.
Re: your student budget. Keep in mind that Tocqueville serves the $24.07 3-course lunch all year round, as well as two quite reasonably-priced prix fixes at dinner.
My best wishes to your mom for continued good health.
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I went for Restaurant Week. I thought the apps were good, my date got the steak and I tried the Sea bass, I thought the plate was bland but her steak was really good. The pear gazpacho and chocolate torte were both good for dessert as well.
However, my service experience was quite odd. The waiter barely acknowledged me the entire evening. He would stop by and ask my date if she needed anything or how the food was and then give me a weird look. When I asked for the check he gave it to my date. I grabbed the bill and handed it back to him with my credit card. When he returned he handed the bill with my card to her. As we were leaving he wished her a pleasant evening and just ignore me. I had never experienced that in a restaurant before and thought it was weird. Maybe he thought my date was hot and I should just be flattered.
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re: hellsboy
hellsboy,
Should you feel flattered? No way! Snubbed is more like it. Imo, his behavior throughout the evening was inexcusable. When he handed the bill folder back to your date, you should have spoken up and said, "Excuse me, but you've given the folder to the wrong person." Then, you should have reduced his tip by at half -- since he didn't pay any attention to half the party at your table, namely you -- and left a note in the folder saying exactly that.
Btw, what was your date's reaction to his behavior?
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re: RGR
Haha, that is an excellent suggestion. I will have to try that if something like this ever happens again. I am never one to notice or complain about service but it was quite obvious to both of us. My date didn't think she was being hit on but she definitely thought his behavior was weird as well. I wanted to tip less but my date thought it would be rude to the Sommelier and bus boys who were all excellent. That being said, I probably won't eat here again.
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re: hellsboy
It really was such bizarre behavior that I doubt you will ever come across it again. But one never knows.
I can understand your reluctance to reduce the tip because they are most probably pooled. However, it really is the only way to show one's displeasure with service issues. In restaurants of this caliber, there's usually a comment card, so adding a note explaining the reason for the reduction at least lets the staff know eactly who is to blame. In the case you describe, I'm sure the others would have been all over this guy like lint on a cheap suit.
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Tocqueville is one of our favorites. We have had dinner there a number of times and lunch more times than I can count. The incentive to do lunch is strong because they serve the $24.07 3-course prix fixe all the time, and it's a steal for cuisine of such high caliber. At dinner, there are two prix fixes, but we order a la carte. While those prices are relatively high, imo, the cost is totally worth it.
We've never had anything but pleasant and professional service. The dining room, which has understated elegant decor, is one of the most beautiful spaces in any NYC restaurant we've been to.
I highly recommend you give Tocqueville a try.
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misnatalie
Jul 22, 2009 05:40 PM
I've only been twice but thought it was great both times. The first time was for winter R.W. and loved it so I went back for dinner a few months later. I was not disappointed at all. It's not a bargain meal but definitively worth it. Since they are participating in R.W. now it might be a good time to try.
