Indochine

My boyfriend and I went during restaurant week. Made reservations for 5:30 (mostly because we wanted to dine early, but also because this was the only time availible during the busy Rest. Week. Understandible). Arrived at 5:10 and had to wait until the place ""Opened"". No big deal really. It is nice and quite romantic inside. The wait staff is a little model-wannabe and a bit snooty, but professional still the same. Appetizers were good. He had the Beef Carpaccio (good) and I had the crab cakes which I felt were better. The Indochine Martini is tasty. For main courses we had the Striped Bass (VERY GOOD) and the Lamb. Dessert was Pear Tart and a plate of sorbets in 3 flavors. All in all it was a good meal. I can see how people would get impatient with this place. We were not in a hurry so it didn't bother us. By the time we left at 7:30 the place was packed and bustling. I would never eat at this place if it were not during restuarant week. There are many other better places for this kind of food as much better prices and less-prententious attitudes. I do have to add that at one point after main course plates were removed there were places on the white table cloth that had a few spots of food on it, just from sharing and spilling, etc. Not anything super-messy. The waitress actually put a napkin over it which I felt was just silly. Sorry, but that's just too much for me. Pros: Romantic, Nice Presentation Cons: Too pretentious, costs, somewhat slow service more

So we (bf and I) made reservations for restaurant week, which may have been our first mistake. Still, it looked like a decent RW menu, so we decided to give it a try. \r We showed up 15 minutes in advance of our 8:00 reservation, and had a drink at the bar while we waited for a table to open up. 8:00 rolled around, then 8:15, 8:30... Finally my bf asked the hostess if we would be able to eat soon. She acted like she'd never seen us before. He indicated where we'd been sitting for the last 45 minutes, and she told him- completely unapologetically- that she'd let him know when something was available. So we ordered another drink, and watched as several other two-tops that had come in AFTER us were seated right away. 15 minutes later, he asked again, and again she acted like she didn't even recognize him. I mean honestly, we're young and well-dressed and reasonably stylish, not exactly the kind of couple a restaurant with so-so reviews should act snobby towards! I really think it was just idiocy, not malicious, but regardless it left a bad taste in my mouth. She finally seated us, but she never once apologized for the fact that we'd been waiting an hour- a full 45 MINUTES past our reservation time. \r The server was not good, and the service would have irked me normally but it probably wouldn't have ruined the meal if I hadn't already been predisposed to hate it... But already in a bad mood, I especially resented waiting a full hour for our entree, and then we sat there for 20 minutes after our plates were cleared, impatiently looking for her. Finally we managed to flag her down, and got our desserts to go because I couldn't stand to spend another second staring at the tacky faux-jungle decor. Oh and the ribs were overcooked, and the rice = gross!\r There are WAY too many good restaurants in this city to drop $100 on a mediocore meal that will leave you feeling more insulted than satisfied. Don't make the mistake we did, spend your money elsewhere!! \r Pros: None! Honestly! Bad food and terrible service, plus it's overpriced. Cons: Um... Everything? more

Food is ok, although you better avoid the Viet Bouillabaisse that's slightly revolting. I must say, rethinking, that the best thing they have is the house rice, so that's not a great compliment.\r Anyway, someone stole a bag from beneath my seat, it was only us left in the restraurant, and waiters and management were not very helpful at all. Will not see me back. Pros: Ambience ok. Cons: Careful, someone may steal your stuff more

We had a large group of folks (~10 people) hosting a birthday celebration. The service was pretty attentive (note that the waitresses are all ""model-wanna-be's""). The food was delicious... everything was cooked to almost perfection. Very pan asian... I have to say though, nothing was particularly original, but the place had a good vibe, good service and yummy food... and could accomodate a large group. We were pleased.... Pros: food, service, ambience more

i went to indochine with my bf last night and had an amazing time. reading previous reviews, i expected the atmosphere to be snotty and full of model wannabe types but that was not the case at all. while it is true that the waitresses at indochine are beautiful and statuesque, they were chill and very pleasant. as our friends adivsed, we took advantage of the restaurant week menu and it was excellent. i had the asian crab cakes followed by the striped bass and finished it off with passionfruit sorbet. my bf had the filet mignon carpacchio (not as good as the kobe beef carpacchio at Megu but still good), the spicy chicken breast and the chocolate truffle cake. the environment was very relaxed and not rushed at all. the servers never got in the way and asked ""are you finished with this?"" they would merely stand and wait and smile til i caught their eye and signaled. it was great. i think the decor is cute too, its trendy although it hasnt been changed since the 80s but it isnt over the top either. i would def recommend this restaurant to anyone, and its a cute date place too ! :) Pros: food, service, atmosphere more

Delicious food-- especially the duck breast with bok choy. They are extending their prefix menu til Labor Day, so definitely try to take advantage. The service was amazing-- even though the place was crowded, we were not rushed at all. Pros: Food, drinks, service Cons: springrolls were a little too well-done more

Its an amazing place with some of the most friendly staff... what more can i say, Ycenia became a great friend of mine and we still stay in touch although I left NYC 3 years ago... its got a great bar, awesome food, beautiful people looking after you, great ambience... the list is endless for me... Go there on a date (and you can walk in with a different one every time if you want and the staff might smile but never give your secret out)... Enjoy the spring rolls and even talk to people on tables next to you... Miss the duck!!! But most of all i miss the place where i could go any evening of the week and have a great great time!!!! If you are on a date and you are not getting lucky after Indochine... dump her! Pros: Ambience, Food, Sexy Staff Cons: A bit expensive more

I don't believe I've ever experience such a lack of service at a nice restaurant. We ate at 5:30, and I specified when making the reservation that we were attending the theater at 7:00. Our model-wannabe waitresses (7 servers and only 3 tables of diners) seamed more concered with gossiping and checking their makeup than with helping us. They messed up one of the drink orders, two of my party's appetizer orders, and had no idea who was to get what. Our water was only filled at the beginning of the meal. We ordered a small bottle of pellegrino (we were charged for two) and a beer which we had to ask for 3 times, and which took 15 minutes to arrive. No one asked us how anything was and, truth be told, while the meal tasted okay, I will _never_ go back again. Cons: Bad Service, Noisy more

After seeing a show at Joe's Pub we were pleasantly surprised that Indochine was still open. A friend had recommended it to me, but I had never been there. The room was very busy yet not so busy as to dissuade us from staying. The hostess was very attentive. There was a fifteen minute wait, we ended up having some of their signature drinks at the bar. The hostess came back to seat us, but the bar and lounge area was very comfortable so we decided to dine at the bar. The bouillabaise was excellent as was the vegetarian dish that my friend had. I highly recommend Indochine for drinks (Indochine Martini) and dinner, one of the friendliest staffs that we have come across; the dining room was warm and inviting and the lounge was very cozy. Pros: atmosphere, friendly staff, great food Cons: busy more

Bridge and tunnel need not apply. The food and service here are absolutely divine. I've been coming here for nearly a decade, and have never had a complaint. If you want delicious food and beautiful staff to serve you, look no further. One of the reasons why New York is still what it is. more

To start with , the snobbiest service (if u can call that Service) i ever encountered in such ""upscale"" restarant. I figured the service is bad ,the food must be good........., Wrong!. The duck (and I specilize in duck ) was completly like rubber and dry nothing close to the duck I'm used to. Pros: location Cons: service, food more

In Feb I confirmed what the reviews said: excellent food, great ambiance, but that service... especially the hostess. The place is a little loud, but the overall environment is great for any type of occassion, even for the annoying loud people celebrating a b-day on the table next to us. Overall, definitely worth a try. Pros: Food, Setting, Vietnamese beer Cons: Hostess, Loud more

I know places can be a little crazy during restaurant week. I went there with a few friends during restaurant week, and found the service to be extremely slow. The menu was very interesting, but I felt as if my dish was drenched in a sauce that was a little too overpowering. The ambiance is nice though... I think I will give this place another go. I think I was there at the wrong time (AVOID RESTAURANT WEEK!). more

I was shocked about the amount of choices for Restaurant Week. Indochine has something for everyone (even vegetarians). The food was phenomenal (probably one of the best meals I've had in NYC). The service was slow, but is understandable considering how crowded the restaurant was. I will definitely return! Pros: Food, Ambience Cons: Slow service more

This place has a great vibe: romantic, trendy & chic. Went here with a group of 7 - including one veggie-tarian. We shared numerous appitizers (crab cakes and ribs were tasty!), two bottles of wine (Malbec), we each ordered mains and shared a few desserts. Everything was full of flavor yet not overpowering. Its priced average for a NYC restaurant & reasonably for a NYC trend spot. Would def recommend and visit again. more

Went for my 2 year anniversary and was pleasantly surprised by the experience. Although this resturant has been around since the 80's it still has it's grooving, sexy, vibe. Tasteful dishes were enjoyed with a delicous bottel of wine and topped with a romantic desert. Will defintely go back to enjoy more occasions! more

maybe this place used to be cool back in the studio 54 days but it completely sucks now. the food is so awful and overpriced, the decor totally dated, and the staff are wannabe models that you feel bad for since they're obviously never going to make it. Not to mention the drinks are things you'd order in LA circa 1992 like lychee martinis. sure, they're tasty, but no need to act like they're some sort of super innovative retro drink that is the ""new"" thing. i can't even believe i'm wasting so much time on this place Pros: not crowded Cons: food is bad, decor is bad, overpriced more

This place has been around forever and its still as good as its always been. Good food (small portions however), good service (cute waitresses all around) and a nice ambience with good looking people matching the background. Great place for a date and to take friends for a nice dinner! Pros: Ambiance, Service, Food quality more

Have been coming here for many years & has yet to disappoint. Lychee Martini is addictive and the food is amazing. A little pricey but worth it. Mixed crowd but never tacky. Seating on the banquette is preferable. Pros: good food, great location, cool environment more

This place has the most amazing food. The staff is beautiful and courteous. Feels like I've entered some classy restaurant nestled cozily in the middle of a jungle. The ravioli is my favorite dish, try it!!! Pros: people watching, amazing food, delicious food more