Nice Matin

Went to Nice Matin with a large group of friends. Being a downtowner I rarely go to the upper west side, but I have friends who live there, so about 6 of us hightailed it up to Nice Matin. I can honestly say that the choice was a perfect one. The service was very accommodating (and we can be loud,) and the food was quite good. We got to try a lot of items since everyone shared, it was all delicious with a special nod to the 5 napkin burger, lamb and cod entrees. I'd definately leave the west village again for their fries. Pros: food, atmosphere, service Cons: that it's on the upper west side more

I've heard mixed reviews about Nice Matin. Unfortunately I need to chime in with the less favorable ones. Our waiter forgot about us; three bottles of wine were presented to us before they brought the correct one (and I was parched!!); all of our food was brought to us at once - salad, soup, buger, sides, etc. Our meal was then left under a heater until it was the proper time to serve it and was subsequently soggy and over-cooked and the vegetables were lifeless. Fries were unbelievably salty. The list of complaints goes on. I'll stop blabbering. NEVER AGAIN. Consider yourself warned. Pros: atmosphere is decent Cons: service was pathetic more

My friends and I went last Sunday for brunch. They don't take reservations for brunches, which was a downer for our party of seven but we were seated in twenty minutes - which is what the girl said it would be - and we even got a window seat. The server knew the menu pretty well and even let my overly picky friend get her way with multiple changes to the order - something she rarely gets away with at most places. The croissants were perfect (soft, flaky, slightly doughy) and my boyfriend's burger was to die for: huge, comte cheese and caramelized onions. I got a salad so large I couldn't finish it but really can't complain about that. One friend was less impressed with his croque monseur, which he said was a bit rich or heavy for brunch cuisine. It got pretty noisy but the atmosphere was vibrant - both due to the bright/festive decor and the people moving pretty much everywhere. The bustle will definately wake you up...I don't know how early you'd have to get there for it to be quiet. There are only two bathrooms so the line can get lengthy and god help you if you get stuck behind someone taking their kid in. All-around they seemed to ""have their act together"" when we went - we'll be testing this place again soon to see if it is so... Pros: Accomodating, Food, Atmosphere Cons: Two bathrooms in that huge place? And no parking. more

I was here on a Sunday afternoon on a recent return trip to NY. After moving from NY to London over a year ago I have become somewhat accustomed to slower service... this, however, was appalling! After being seated we waited over 10 minutes for our server to show up at the table only to have her arrive with a 5 minute speech on how we shouldn't rush her b/c it makes her ""confused""... what?! We had to request a bottle of sparkling water 4 times only to have it arrive over half-way through the meal. The most annoying part was that everytime we looked for our waitress we found her engrossed in conversation with one of her other tables or someone else on the staff. Each time she would return to us we got another 15 minute speech about the difficulties of her life. On a Sunday afternoon when I am relaxing with friends I do not need this level of reality dumped on me. The icing on the cake was when my native French speaking friend ordered the Tart Tatin in a flawless French accent and the waiter (oh yes, we gave up on the waitress and just started grabbing anyone with a yellow shirt) CORRECTED HIM pronouncing it exactly any child might sound it out... ahahaha. At least at the end we had a laugh and took the opportunity to tip like we were back in the UK. more

I just came here over the weekend to try their brunch since i heard it was quite good and the menu online looks interesting. unfortunately i was sorta late to the brunch menu and was given the late lunch menu instead. the food tasted ok but can't say i am satisfied with the portion. for drink, it was average ... the mimosa was nothing special but the raspberry belini was refreshing. \r \r they must have re-hire a bunch of new servers cause the lady for my table was extremely nice and courteous. so i would recommend this plc for a lazy afternoon hang out... i have not been here for dinner so i don't know if that's where most frustration comes from. \r \r Pros: location Cons: pricey for what's being served more

Brunched here on a few sundays. Small but lovely sidewalk cafe. Great food and service! The Belgian waffles are the lightest and crispiest on earth! :) more

Wanted to try someplace new. So what better way to try out a restaurant than during restaurant week. If restaurant week is a way to drum up business and to lure me back again then Nice Matin surely failed. The prix fixe menu was uninspired and LAZY. I had artic char, which came out cold and came back luke warm. Even the sauce- fennel and mussel couldn't save it. My husband had the risotto- which was hot and well done. Way overpriced. I know 35.00 is not expensive but the very least they could have done was add a small dollop of potato or a green bean to the lonely little piece of char. Fresh fruit for dessert with a nano-scoop of lavender ice cream finished off the meal. and don't get me started about the bread, my husband asked for a piece of each kind of bread(2) they were offering and was given the two tiniest pieces in the basket. Is bread being rationed??? The 125. we spent would have been a much better meal somewhere else. Also, they were really trying to turn tables. The over anxious busboys had to be shooed away from our plates and drinks. Our conversation was interrupted every 5 minutes ( No exaggeration) to tell someone we weren't done yet. Sorry, won't be returning. Pros: Decor Cons: Service more

We chose to ignore the reviews about service - and that was a mistake. The service was terrible, and not just for us but for just about every table I could see. The food was only OK - for these prices you can find somewhere else that is better. The one thing I will say is that the wine list is impressive, and so is the wine service - and the bar scene seemed pretty fun. So drink/dine at the bar if you feel you must go here. Pros: wine list Cons: service more

My boyfriend and I have been enjoying Nice Matin for a while now -- the only con is the service. They will seat you in strange spots, make you wait and even act patronizing toward you. That said, the food is fabulous and the prices are just right! Pros: Food, Food, Food Cons: Service, Layout, Service more

The hace a great steak. Great service. My favorite restaurant. Pros: Food, Service, Steak Cons: Nothing, Nothing, Nothing more

We live in the neighborhood and were looking forward to another great addition to our stable of regular restaurants. But alas, it wasn't meant to be. Although the Bloody Mary's are great and food is generally OK, the service is bottom of the barrell. Requests for things like ketchup and more water regularly unanswered. On one visit, (we've given them about five chances), we had to ask no fewer than 3 different people for condiments. And this was after waiting over 40 minutes for our food to arrive. For these kinds of prices, service should be adequate and not neglectful. Pros: Bloody Mary's, atmosphere, location Cons: Service, Service, Service more

The good: despite not having a reservation on a busy, rainy Saturday night, the hostesses had us seated within 20 minutes. After that it was all downhill. The service here was awful. We were treated rudely and dismissively by our waiter, who seemed more interested in having a ten minute conversation about his college with the table next to us, while empty appetizer trays and drink glasses piled up. The food was no better than okay, and certainly did not justify the prices charged for the meal. The whole place reeked of snobbery, quite frankly - if you weren't ordering more than $200 worth of food, they weren't going to treat you like a decent customer. Not worth your money, or your time. There are other French places worth your investment. Pros: hostess service Cons: bad service, average food, over-priced more

highly recommended for a excellent meal without all the fuss! Call ahead for a reservation because neighborhood locals pop-in and some nights it can be busseling, but they doorstaff accomidates walk-ins as promptly as possible (it's not their fault no one wants to leave the place). The servers are excellent; friendly and eager to please as well as knowledgable of the food and wines. Great for after-work, a first date, a casual bite, before or after a show or anytime you want a great meal! Pros: service, food, wine Cons: busy, semi-loud more

There are few things about eating out that can get me really angry. I'm very tolerant of mistakes in orders, spills, etc. What really sets me off is when the host staff doesn't follow any rational criteria for seating and doesn't respect the time of people who have been waiting longer. I arrived and put my name on the list and was told that we would have to wait about 10 minutes. Three parties who arrived subsequent to me, who I saw put their names in after I did, were seated before us; all three were larger than mine, and there were many empty tables. Despite my loud statement of that observation in front of their station, there was no acknowledgment or apology forthcoming. The waiter was actually quite good and almost made up for it, but this was infuriating; I am definitely spreading the word about this nonsense. Pros: Good waitstaff Cons: Awful host staff more

I've been twice for breakfast, and both times I've been pleased. Warning: they use alot of butter, but they have some healthier options as well. The ambience is beautiful, however, it feels like you're in the spotlight while you dine. Overall, though, the food is quite good, and we will return. Pros: food, decor Cons: average service more

Johnny Walker on the rocks with a stalk of celery, my new favoret drink. You gotta love the bartenders at this place. I was looking for a new drink and I love Scotch, so the bar tender told me about this drink. As simple as it seem it the stalk of celery really makes a difference in the oakieness of the Scotch. I was surprised I hadn't known it all along because he told me it's been around for about 10 years maybe longer. I asked him if I used Johnny Walker Blue in it would it be to rich to be called a stalker, he told me if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck it's a duck. I love this place. Pros: drinks more

I need to get in this place more often. My boyfriend had been dragging his feet to take me out here and I'm so glad he came through for our 2 year anniversary. The place was so fun and romantic. Points for my man and points to the staff. I've waited tables for years and know how it can be on a friday night in New York. Staff was friendly and quick. It felt good to be taken care of. The food was delish. I'm coming back with my girls! Pros: dessert, steak more

My friends had been raving about the breakfast/brunch at this rising staple restaurant on the Upper West Side. The expectations all came to fruition on my first visit. The dining room was lively and full. Our wait wasn't too bad; the bloodymarys making it all the more bearable. Although very busy, our waiter had our entire meal under control. I never felt forgotten. The breakfast fare is some of the best I've had this side of Central Park. Pros: Atmosphere more

Eat Sardines, Pistou,Merguez sausage,Cod, Short ribs,Bouliabase, more Bouliabase and clever Cheese. Easy and attentive wait staff. Helpful wine. This is well worth returning to for repeated and new pleasures. more

It is unfortunate that such a great place is taking that slow slide into the Manhattan abiss. I have eaten here on a regular bases starting when it opened. It seemed to me to be ironing out it's problems and then became a fairly good restaurant, however now it seems to neglected or past it's prime and sliding into mediocrity. I hope it can make the turn around again. Pros: seated quickly Cons: , slow service more