664367 Tue Nov 03 09:24:39 -0800 2009 11 18 Manhattan 0 5152067 Last night, a friend and I decided to see what all the hype is about at Degustation. We opted for the ten course tasting menu, plus a supplement of foie gras. Normally, I'm more of a lurker on boards such as this one, but the quality of the food was so shocking-- mediocre at best and downright awful at worst-- that I feel the need to warn you all. Some lowlights included foie gras in a stale hazelnut cacao sauce (hard to mess up foie gras, but they managed), burned oxtail cannelloni, a duck confit flatbread with tough, undercooked confit (too bad, because this dish seemed to have a good concept behind it), and bland pork belly with an overcooked poached egg. The best dishes were a Jerusalem artichoke soup with apple gelee (nothing earth shattering, but nothing wrong with it either) and a very respectable lychee sorbet for dessert. The service outperformed the food-- barely. As we ordered, we inquired if it would be possible to have a tasting menu without cheese; we were happy to order a la carte otherwise. We were assured that the kitchen could easily accomodate us. However, the pork belly showed up topped with a parmesan crostini of sorts, and our first dessert was a ricotta cheese concoction. We were unable to get the attention of our waitress, but we did convince a staff member to take the cheese dish back to the kitchen. It was never replaced, however-- we just lost a dish which we had paid for. As you can imagine, neither of us complained when the check arrived prematurely. It felt like a pardon. The restaurant did not seem to take any pride in its food. Dish after dish went away half-eaten, but nobody ever asked us why. The party next to ours did complain about a few dishes, and the complaints were received politely but not graciously. I feel like this place has a bit of The Emperor's New Clothes about it-- there is a hip vibe, limited seating, innovative cooking, and careful attention to detail, so nobody can believe that the food is really awful. Save your money. Come to think of it, don't even go if someone else is paying. Tue Nov 03 09:24:39 -0800 2009 1121374 ChrisWW 1 5152102 That's really too bad that you had such a poor experience. My experience in June was great from food to service to atmosphere. I would encourage you to give it another chance, but you are probably better off trying something else given that your first experience will probably color any subsequent ones. Tue Nov 03 09:33:30 -0800 2009 5152067 73034 ChemWork 1 5152140 Wow! Thanks for the warning. I had been thinking about trying Degustation, but I will hold off based on your review. Tue Nov 03 09:43:41 -0800 2009 5152067 12019 ellenost 2 5152162 This is by far the most negative post of Degustation I've every seen on this board. Some people have been far from wowed but this is the first outright pan of the restaurant. When I see huge praise or pans from a first time poster I take it all with a large grain of salt. Tue Nov 03 09:49:32 -0800 2009 5152140 10195 KTinNYC 3 5152213 agreed. i was there two weeks ago and it was perfectly fine. nothing amazing but the prices are reasonable and i love seeing the chefs cooking up close. maybe the OP was expecting fine dining a la jean georges or 11 madison. it's totally not that vibe, much closer to momofuku if anything. Tue Nov 03 10:01:06 -0800 2009 5152162 19052 shane 4 5152266 have to agree. went about a month ago (third time there over the past couple of years) and had a very good meal. it is not a 4 star restaurant, nor does it try to be. the cooking is interesting and most everything is quite flavorful. given the price point, I think it is an excellent meal relative to most Manhattan places. will gladly go back. Tue Nov 03 10:16:54 -0800 2009 5152213 13432 jimmyjazz 1 5152391 I'd say it was one of the least hyped restaurants in the city. I am surprised by the references to the "kitchen:" in the first post. At Degustation, your food is prepared right in front of you. And you say "your waitress," but the way service works at Degustation, unless there's been a recent change, is that diners communicate their orders to the hostess who works behind the counter alongside the chefs. Other servers deliver beverages, tableware etc from behind the diners. This doesn't sound anything like the restaurant I know. Tue Nov 03 10:49:22 -0800 2009 5152261 10475 Wilfrid 2 5164246 "I am surprised by the references to the `kitchen': in the first post." Yeah, that's really weird. Degustation is a counter in a kitchen. My experience there last March was fantastic, in terms of both food and service. I suppose it's possible everyone was sick with the flu and had to be replaced by people who didn't work out, but I won't assume so. Sat Nov 07 19:00:14 -0800 2009 5152391 17058 Pan 1 5153323 Thanks for reporting on your experience. Sorry it was not good. We have eaten at Degustation many times (including week nights) and have always had excellent service and very good food. The cheese course has always been a favorite. Unless things have changed desserts are not their forte. I don't eat red meat and have always had my dietary requirements handled graciously. The $50 menu, if still available, is an excellent value. IMHO Degustation is affordable and somewhat innovative, not one of the top, fine dining restaurants in the city as other posters have already mentioned. Tue Nov 03 15:26:42 -0800 2009 5152067 73159 financialdistrictresident 2 5164461 ... desserts a weakness?... that might be true overall, but I'll assume you haven't tried the caramel soaked brioche. OP, I have no idea how you were unable to get the attention of the waitress, since she would would basically never leave your immediate presence. Sat Nov 07 21:45:27 -0800 2009 5153323 246333 ian9139 1 5177874 Ive never had anything bad at Degustation. The croquettas are my favorite and are amazing. I cant imagine what happened when you were there Chris maybe the real chef didnt show up that nite Thu Nov 12 22:46:46 -0800 2009 5152067 118604 foodwhisperer 1 5179183 Wow, that is not the Degustation that I know and love. On our few occasions to dine there, including the restaurant newbie day of valentines, we have never been less than impressed and often really floored at the food quality. I wonder how no one thought to inquire about your meal throughout, as to dine there is to eat in direct view of everyone working in the building. I'm surprised the dapper host didn't make his presence very known if there were bites of food un-enjoyed. The constant care that i have witnessed being taken with the ingredients in front of me speak to an entirely different restaurant. I would take this review as an aberration. Fri Nov 13 11:05:40 -0800 2009 5152067 185211 vinicity