Went to Artisanal for Thanksgiving-NEVER AGAIN!!!

[UES Mayor]

Was one of the worst meal experiences in my life! Decided on that because i read somewhere they did a nice Thanksgiving. I felt I was being served peasant food!!! Granted it was a prix fixe which I was told beforehand-the stuffing tasted like a scouring pad and the service was so pathetic I returned my meal. One very annoying thing was that one of my guest wanted a slice of ham which was on kid's menu and I asked manager if I could order a slice. He said he only had about ten slices (at opening time) and there might be a lot of kids coming-which made me think-what does that have to do with anything!!! All in all a very unpleasant experience and will be contacting establishment when I feel better. BTW-later on that evening went to Le Cirque spontaneously-and had the most amazing dinner-and guess what??!! They served complimentary ham to everyone because it was Thanksgiving!! I am a very frequent diner out and never will I go to Artisanal for Thanksgiving ever! In all fairness I order a cheese course off the menu and that was delish!

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Artisanal
2 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016

[pizzajunkie]

I went to Artisinal for Thanksgiving once and didn't love it.

[UES Mayor]

BTW-the restaurant wasn't (Artisanal) busy at all when I went-I had noontime seating and there were only about 4 other parties there. The point is the food just sucked so bad!!!! The stuffing was like eating a scouring pad-dry and tasteless. Mind you I am not a whiny picky eater BUT when you pay for a special meal AND TAKE GUESTS-you expect something great and not embarrasing!! I will be calling them today to discuss my experience.

[Monica]

i think it's best to avoid eating at any restaurant during major holidays. It's just impossible especially in NYC where kitchens are tiny to expect highend meals even at a highend restaurant. It's just a big risk.

[ellenost]

I usually go to Bouley for the major holiday meals (Thanksgiving, Mother's Day), and have always been very pleased that both the service and the food are excellent. Last year my captain, George, even had Chef Bouley autograph my mother's menu when we were there for Mother's Day. No surprise that she has it prominently displayed in her curio cabinet.

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Bouley
163 Duane St, New York, NY 10013

[sugartoof]

"It's just impossible especially in NYC where kitchens are tiny to expect highend meals even at a highend restaurant."

Huh?

A lot of remarkable meals come from tiny kitchens the rest of the year.

The real elephant in the room is that restaurants are opening, even offering special dinners, and then letting their chefs go home to spend the holiday with family. The only chef I know of who worked Thanksgiving and had his family spend it at the restaurant, is the guy under Jean George at ABC Kitchen. There's a lot of money to stay open and do business, but there is a lack of respect towards customers if they can't handle the crowds, or execute their menu.

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Jean Georges
1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023

ABC Kitchen
35 E 18th St, New York, NY 10003

[Cheeryvisage]

We had our Thanksgiving dinner at Seasonal this year. Chef Eduard Frauneder was at the restaurant too. He was working and occasionally, came out and greeted tables. I'm guessing Chef Wolfgang Ban was overseeing their other restaurant, Edi & the Wolf, that night.

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Seasonal
132 West 58th Street, New York, NY 10019

[sugartoof]

I was really tempted to go to Seasonal this year. Seemed like it would be a good balance of inventive while still traditional. I'm sure there are even more hard working chefs out there who understood the importance of the day and worked it.

[Cheeryvisage]

FYI, for you and anyone else who find this thread in the future, this was what our Thanksgiving meal at Seasonal looked like: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheeryvi...

[RGR]

Cheeryvisage, For some reason, when I click the link you've provided, it does not go directly to your Thanksgiving photos. Here's the link I used: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheeryvisage/sets/72157628163682209/with/6398300995/

We've been to Seasonal twice (though not recently) and loved the food. Looking at their Thanksgiving menu, I don't see turkey listed as an option. While I adore duck (which it appears is what you chose), Mr. R. and I would be unhappy if turkey was not on a restaurant's Thanksgiving menu since for us, it's the traditional thing to have.

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[Cheeryvisage]

Thanks for providing the correct link, RGR. You're correct, turkey was indeed not an option on their Thanksgiving menu this year. I personally am not a huge fan of turkey and was rather glad to have duck instead. Perhaps duck is more Austrian and the restaurant wanted to stick to its Austrian roots, even for Thanksgiving. :)

ETA: Actually, I think my first link goes straight to the Thanksgiving dinner at Seasonal. While your links goes to the Thanksgiving set that encompasses all of the photos I took on that day. Either works though. :)

[RGR]

Cheeryvisage, My apologies! Actually, your link is correct. My computer was having a major hiccup, which I've now fixed.

Yes, duck is definitely more Austrian than turkey, and under regular circunstances, it would definitely be my first choice. Like you, I'm not a big fan of turkey, but I have it just on this one day. Mr. R. loves turkey, so he doesn't need any excuse. :

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[ellenost]

Another great choice for Thanksgiving dinner! I've had the first course before at Seasonal, and liked it very much. The duck looks fantastic, and would have been my choice for my main course.

[Cheeryvisage]

The way the menu worked was that each diner picked one item from the appetizer section and one item from the main course section. All of the sides and desserts were provided automatically to share with the table. My friend and I chose to share our main courses too.

Since the items on the Thanksgiving menu were more or less from their regular menu, I did a rough calculation and concluded that there was barely, if any, Thanksgiving markup. It was a great meal and a great deal.

[sugartoof]

I've learned to avoid Artisanal on holidays when the house is packed (Christmas Eve, etc.) and avoid the 2 older veteran servers of the restaurant who think they're working at Durgin Park.
Actually, I've been avoiding the place for any special occasions.

[ellenost]

Artisanal is always a "mad house" when I've been there for brunch through the years (I do love their food which is why I return), but the "mad house" becomes impossible for holidays. Took my mother to Artisanal for Mother's Day--too crowded. We all enjoyed the food.