Bar @ Etats-Unis

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247 E 81st St (at 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue)
New York, NY 10028

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(212) 396-9928
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Reviews
( 5 )
( 16 )
( 2 )
( 0 )
( 1 )

Best

Creative but simple.

Worst

There has been a menu change at the Etats-Unis wine bar (this is not a comment about the regular restaurant). The new menu is a disaster, and the items that neighborhood regulars ...

Wine bar menu changed - makes place radioactive - stay away 8/9/2009

There has been a menu change at the Etats-Unis wine bar (this is not a comment about the regular restaurant). The new menu is a disaster, and the items that neighborhood regulars used to visit for (cuban sandwich, lobster club, burger on english muffin, vietnamese beef salad) are all gone, and replaced with disasters. In addition to the place looking terribly tired (please change the lightbulbs), it seems that cost cutting is at work. For example the filet that was part of the vietnamese steak salad has been replaced by a tasteless flank (a/k/a cheaper) steak. Our neighborhood group of 10 or so will not return to this place until they bring back the menu that people came there for. How can you have a wine bar without those sandwiches. Anyway, whoever is running this place now, you're making a large mistake. * Pros: they still have Toshi's desserts * Cons: everything else - any good food items are gone Pros: they still have Toshi's desserts Cons: everything else - any good food items are gone more
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Good food but really, really expensive 12/11/2008

We enjoyed our meal here, but for the price I expected a bit more. The food was good and the portions more than adequate, but there wasn't any real creativity or excitement about it. The paella was probably the most interesting item we saw in that it was deconstructed--rather than being integrated there was some arborio with seafood and sausage nicely arranged on top. Nice presentation, but the rice ended up being a bit bland for a paella. I did think the appetizers were more interesting and a bit better than the entrees; if I go back I may just have two apps instead of hitting the main courses. Pros: good food, ample portions, casual environment Cons: price more
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small, cramped, good food. next. 11/19/2008

ClaraPark Provided by Partner
small, cramped, good food. next. more
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Excellent 8/14/2007

Creative but simple. more
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small, cramped, good food. next. 7/30/2007

small, cramped, good food. next. more
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Best Restaurant on UES 7/2/2007

As an Upper East Side resident, I am often frustrated by the overpriced and underwhelming restaurants in my neighbordhood. Eating at Etats Unis is always a lovely experience. I have been eaten at Etats Unis twice and have come away pleased both times. The food interesting and creative and the service is attentive and unpretentious. The decor isn't anything fancy, but it suits the restaurant well. The only downside to this place is the cost, but if you order wisely you could avoid a big check. The winebar across the street is very cute but can be cramped and uncomfotable and the no reservation policy doesn't help. I would stick to the main dining room. Pros: Creative food, Attentive Service, Great Bar Cons: Price, Cramped Quarters more
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Perfect Place to Eat with Your Lover or Best friend 1/9/2007

Oh yeah!!! This place was exactly what I needed. My college buddy and I enjoyed a simply splendid winter evening in this quaint little restaurant. The mojito?s were great. I loved my short ribs, which were served over a bed of tasty mash potatoes. The evening was topped by the simply splendid chocolate souffle (that they make to order while you are enjoying your dinner), with which we ended the evening. Engaging and polite staff members only add to the warm and inviting environment of this delightful treat. Pros: Good Food, Great drinks, Nice staff Cons: Expensive, Small DIning room - so you may have to wait more
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Bar Etats-Unis 12/12/2006

Let's stop reviewing and keep this place sacred for the local followers. It's getting too popular :-( Pros: Food, Drink, Staff, Cons: Parking more
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Good food, but prices ran high 5/1/2005

We went for an early Saturday dinner. The restaurant is small, but intimate and the service is great. The date pudding is absolutely spectacular. However, the appetizers and the main course, while good, didn't seem at the same level you would expect from a restaurant at this price point. more
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Uniquely Superb 9/10/2003

Divine. A reason to win the lottery is to be able to eat there every night. They love food here. They know how to cook it. Don't go here if you don't know food. Go as often as possible if you want excellent service, quiet, and fabulous delights on your plate. It's tiny. And wonderful. The flashy part is the cooking not the surroundings. You can eat at the bar across the street, too. And get the incredible guacamole there. Pros: fabulous food Cons: can't move in more
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Small but Stylish 8/18/2003

A cramped room is where you can find excellent fare. I had a scallop ceviche, and a codfish dish which was great. Beside the small room, the decor was nice and the food was definately worth the trip. more
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sophisticated gem 5/14/2003

At first I stumbled into the restaurant when I was actually seeking the wine bar, but the host very kindly set me straight, so I crossed 81st St. and settled in for a lovely solo meal at the Bar at Etats Unis. Small and stylish, with persimmon-sponged walls and hanging paper lanterns, the convivial little room was filled with a lively crowd. I enjoyed perfect duck confit with a crisp, bright mango salad and a glass of steely Saint Veran, followed by the truly awesome date pudding. The limited menu is prepared onsite sans kitchen, but patrons can also order from the restaurant across the street. I liked everything so much I returned twice more in the next week. If only it was a tad cheaper I would go there every week! Pros: Stylish, Friendly, Superior food Cons: On the expensive side more
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One of the best 3/10/2003

The food is so good, so fresh and flavorful. I've eaten there many times and have never been dissappointed. Food is creative and perfectly cooked. Try the souffle, it is not too soupy as the review mentions. Enjoy the experience, it is a favorite hang out for chefs. more
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Great things come in small boxes 1/16/2003

Just like the best presents come in the smallest boxes (especially blue boxes with white ribbions!), Etats is an amazing restaurant in a very small space. The atmosphere is nuetral almost with tones that invoke images of a calm beach painting - definately a destresser. You can also talk to your dinning companion without yelling! The food is always awesome! I'm a really picky eater and I've never been unhappy with my dinner. We rate this as our first choice to celebrate lifes little victories! more
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best date in town 12/3/2002

One of my favorites, though I usually go to the bar (across the street) rather then the restaurant. The chocolate souffle is terrafic, but try the date pudding desert and you will see it is the best date in town. Pros: food, quality more
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Just OK 9/3/2002

I was really fired up to go here after reading all the great reviews on citysearch, but I have to say, I was disappointed. There's no music playing in this TEENY space (we counted 12 tables in all) just the voices around you, and the decor is all but missing. Service is very friendly and there is a good wine selection, but my salmon was undercooked and not very flavorful. My boyfriend's crab served with corn on the cob was good, but nothing to come back for. And at $30 a plate, I expect much more. I find Joanna's on the Upper East Side a much better secret than this place. Pros: friendly service, good wine list Cons: expensive, cramped more
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another great meal 8/9/2002

I've been going to Etats-Unis for 4 years now and never have had other than a great meal. Despite the menu's small size, it has variety and is perfectly balanced for diverse tastes. The date pudding was sublime as always, and the wine list offers some pretty well priced selections. more
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best on the U.E.S 7/23/2002

Etats-Unis is not a flashy restaurant or a people-watching scene. It is cozy peaceful place with the best food on the U.E.S. Pros: great food, great service, peaceful Cons: slightly cramped, no waiting room more
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Bar Etats Unis deserves a great reviews! 7/9/2002

This is the second time I've been to Bar Etats Unis in about a year (across the street from the restaurant). Both times, I have been delighted with the wine selection, quality and deliciousness of their bar menu items. Cozy but sleek interior is so much more grown-up than BEU's East Village counterparts (I live downtown, so I am even a bit biased towards my own area). This place one of only a handful reasons I would consider moving to the Upper East Side. Keep up the good work! Pros: quality wines, nice menu selection Cons: limited space more
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Menu for Bar @ Etats-Unis


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    Inside, it looks more like a minimalist gallery than a dining room, with shiny white plaster walls, sandstone panelling and tendrils of green leaves artfully arranged on a...

  • 10/8/2007 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Payments: Visa, American Express, Diner's Club, Discover, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Midtown, Yorkville
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