should me and my girlfriend go to aquavit or convivio for restaurant week?

[dayexday]

we made reservations for both but decided to only go to one of them and cancel the other. which do you guys recommend?

[the_state]

I've only been to Convivio and have had excellent experiences every time. Great food, great service, great atmosphere.

Where can I find this year's menu?

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Convivio
45 Tudor City Place, New York, NY 10017

[peter j]

orthorunner: Michael White is still with Marea. He did leave Convivio and Alto along with their chefs de cuisine. Their replacements have not yet been announced.

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Convivio
45 Tudor City Place, New York, NY 10017

Marea
240 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019

[boredough]

For what it's worth, we went to Aquavit on a Monday night at the end of November, and loved it. The food (tasting menu in the Main Dining Room) and the service were both excellent.

[dayexday]

thanks for the replies guys, I really appreciate it. I'll go with your suggestions and go with convivio. I didn't know that both restaurants switched chefs recently so who knows how much reputation of either will hold? (aquavit's apparently already went down)

[orthorunner]

Ahh-thank you for the correction. Regardless, will be interesting to see how each of the restaurants changes, especially since the group of them made quite an impressive entry into the food scene within the past 1-2 years.

[ctnyfoodie]

I went to Convivio last week and was very hesitant seeing that Michael White had recently left. I did not know what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. I had one of the best meals in a long time and honestly do not think Michael White's departure has had a negative impact on the restaurant as a whole. Everything my bf and I ordered was delicious and cooked to perfection. Make sure you try the fusili with pork shoulder; it was one of the best pasta dishes I have ever tasted!

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Convivio
45 Tudor City Place, New York, NY 10017

[peter j]

Glad to hear. I should revisit Convivio soon.

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Convivio
45 Tudor City Place, New York, NY 10017

[orthorunner]

We went to Aquavit for RW when Samuelsson was still there, and it was completely inferior to non--RW experience. I can't imagine that this would have improved significantly now that Samuelsson is gone.
However, not sure how the recent news of Michael White and co splitting is affecting Convivio and Marea; any recent news?

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Convivio
45 Tudor City Place, New York, NY 10017

Marea
240 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019

[City Kid]

We also went when Samuelsson was still there and noticed that we were treated quite differently from those nearby who were ordering off the regular menu. They got much less rushed, more solicitous service. The food was nothing at all special, nor was the experience. Before we got a chance to tell them to slow down, we had been served our entire meal, which as I recall we finished in under an hour! No such thing at Convivio: always gracious, regardless of your menu choice, and excellent food, though when I went at the end of November White was still there. Going again soon, so we'll see!

[City Kid]

I've done both and consider Convivio superior in every way.

[ml77]

I haven't been to Aquavit but given that Marcus Samuelsson left last year and the new chef hasn't gotten rave reviews, I'd go with Convivio. Went there during RW last year and enjoyed it.

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Convivio
45 Tudor City Place, New York, NY 10017