Aquavit

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65 East 55th Street (at Cross Streets bet. Park & Madison Avenues)
New York, NY 10022

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(212) 307-7311
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Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Aquavit - New York, NY
Reviews
( 21 )
( 10 )
( 7 )
( 4 )
( 8 )

Best

Aquavit is the type of place, at first glance, that seems a bit on the stuffy side - a little too stiffly pressed and polished. The door is so nondescript that you could easily m...

Worst

I highly recommend the venison when in season, all flavors of Aquavit (worth a try), and the Sunday brunch is great. The restaurant is extraordinary.

Food and service doesn't match. 8/12/2006

I have been going to Aquavit for quite some time. Being from Sweden it definately takes care of that craving for good Swedish food. Their new space is beautiful I always thought the cafe at the old location was a little depressing. Last night I popped in by myself and I have to say being such an upscale restaurant the service was really bad. Waiters didn't seem confident about the menu, they seemed to belong in an italian trattoria where they'll say everything is good without further description. At the table next to they had asked for some ice and the waiter simply brought a glass full of ice no spoon, so the guest had to use her fingers. That may seem like a small detail, but being in the business myself I just think those little things determine wheather you have a staff that cares and thinks or just robots wanting to make easy money. I think Mr. Samuelson should get some better representatives for his food on the floor, beacause I think Aquavit has the potential of being packed every night. The cocktail are great too. Reading other reviews it does seem as if it is a reoccuring problem. more
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Fab Prix Fix 7/20/2006

Went for restaurant week and learned it conitnues for dinner in the care year round- GREAT deal for the dollar- shrimp toast and meatballs were divine and the chocolate peanut tort is worth going back for alone! Get the wine pairing- it is worth it. Great polite service- v. friendly- we had a doozy of a table next to us and the waiter never lost his cool or kind attitude Pros: menu, wine pairing Cons: bathroom was disgusting and out of TP more
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Very disappointing. 6/18/2006

I recently went here and was not impressed at all. I had such high hopes, considering the restaurant has topped MANY review lists but overall the food was bland and the service left a lot to be desired. The only good things were the aquavit flight and the cocktails. Pros: aquavit, cocktails Cons: bland food, clueless service more
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One of the best restaurants in the city...period! 5/24/2006

While I miss the fountain and space of the old restaurant, the new locations is still very elegant and the food rocks!...Best Sea Trout I have ever eaten...you will never go wrong taking someone there. Pros: Food, Surroundings, Food more
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Very disappointed 4/2/2006

We were so looking forward to our dinner at Aquavit after reading great reviews and jeez were we ever let down. Decor was nice, service was overbearing and food left a lot to be desired. Staff pushed the tasting menu insisting that if anyone at our table wanted to order it the whole table had to order it, an all or nothing deal. At least 3 times we were told we should all have the tastng menu. Food was very dissappointing, staff was constantly hoovering around table to tell us EVERY ingredient in every dish, service was SO SLOW a 4 hour meal. Pros: well informed staff, decor Cons: Expensive, food more
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Great food, clueless service 9/12/2005

I enjoyed the old space and had some great meals there. In the new location the food is great and service friendly but clueless. Drinks to go with appetizers arrived with desert (though complimentary..), dirty plates sat on the table 10 or 15 minutes, and the maitre d's obsession with getting us to order pinot (he pitched it 4 times..) seemed bordering on deranged, as was his desire to describe every dish on the menu in minute detail (we read the menu thanks..). Perhaps it is just teething problems but with a min $75 menu this should be right ... Pros: Great food, Spectacular space Cons: Service more
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Very nice lunch 8/11/2005

It's a shame the restaurant no longer has a waterfall, but the decor is nice nonetheless. The service is also good, though a little off. The waiters have a bit of trouble with English and sometimes it takes a little time to get their attention. The bread is very nice as is the butter/goat cheese spread. The herring sampler leaves a lot to be desired. The taste of vinegar overpowers everything else. The hot smoked salmon entree on the other hand is original and very pleasant. The prix fixe lunch is a great deal. Pros: Decor, Originality, Prix Fixe more
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spectacular Scandinavian 7/9/2005

I highly recommend the venison when in season, all flavors of Aquavit (worth a try), and the Sunday brunch is great. The restaurant is extraordinary. more
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Great service, overpriced food. 7/3/2005

I went here for restaurant week and even though there was a $35 prix-fixe menu, the bill came to $120 for 2 with tax and tip. The service is superior here. The decor and ambiance was very special, as was the carefully chosen music, wine list and Aquavit-based cocktails, however, I wasn't terribly impressed by the food, which is supposed to be the main attraction when going to an expensive restaurant. I ordered the tomato soup with goat cheese (the soup was way too sweet but the generous portion of decadent goat cheese in the center almost made up for it) and the swedish meatballs (the meatballs were savory and delicious, but textbook. The mashed potatoes, though smooth and creamy, were an exercise in overseasoning, and were so salty and buttery they bordered on inedible.) The desserts were the highlight, and were surprisingly sublime. Pros: service, decor, dessert Cons: dissapointing food, too serious, overpriced more
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Aqualicious 4/14/2005

Had a great experience. Food was amazing, there was a party in my mouth after every course. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! more
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Menu for Aquavit


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Aquavit, this country?s preeminent Scandinavian restaurant, opened in 1987. At the time it was the first Scandinavian restaurant to open in New York City in 35 years. Named for the stiff elixir that some hoped would give immortality - AQUA VITAE - or "the water of life," the restaurant offers a notable list of the stuff. Early distilled spirits were so crude-tasting, that spices were added to make it more drinkable. Aquavit continues the tradition with it's own in-house blends, such as "Svarta Vinbar-Black Currant," "Baska Droppar" and Vargtass-Lingonberry. Marcus Samuelsson, co-owner of the restaurant, has already received more accolades than most chefs receive in a lifetime: He was the youngest chef ever to receive a three-star restaurant review from The New York Times in 1995, and in 2003 was named "Best Chef New York City" by the James Beard foundation. You will find an ever-evolving and creative menu of home-cooking interpretations, whether you dine in the main dining room, café or private dining room. Also consider the traditional Swedish Smorgasbord, served Sundays from noon to 2:30 pm; it is an unforgettable experience. The present executive chef maintains the restaurant's high standards and reputation for which it is deservedly known. The ambiance of Aquavit is as wholly Scandinavian as the fare, a setting of muted woods contrasted by stark white walls that creates a calm, almost fjord-effect, if it weren't for the solid lighting and sparkling bar.

Editorial

  • Mod furniture and the clean lines of Nordic design make this Scandinavian fine-dining restaurant feel very 21st century, with dark wood tones lending the rooms warmth, and cherry blossoms in vases...

  • 4/28/2010 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Daily 12pm-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10:30pm
  • Payments: American Express, Visa, Master Card, Diner's Club
  • Neighborhoods: Midtown, Midtown Center
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