One if by Land, Two if by Sea

Claim
marker

17 Barrow Street
New York, NY 10014

marker
1 (212) 255-8649
Incorrect info? Correct your listing
Managed by Uberall
Main categories:

Diners

Related categories:

Food & Dining

,

Restaurants

Reviews
( 114 )
( 66 )
( 26 )
( 33 )
( 20 )

Best

Love the food and the romatic atmosphere. Excellent place !!

Worst

The food is rich but not outstanding. The menu is somewhat dated. The winelist is outrageously expensive. And if you aren't getting engaged here you are out of place. OIBLTIBS...

Go if you must.... 9/17/2004

Being a newyorker, I've been hearing about this hyper-romantic institution since forever. I'll bet this place was something in it's hey day, and it's still a nice place, with rich wood & carpeted ambiance. Charmingly good, but un-inspired dishes combined w/good service and luxuriously decorated albeit aging infrastructure places it about a notch lower than the $$$$ it charges. This would be a top-notch experience anywhere else but NYC. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Extremely disappointed 9/6/2004

I took my fiancee to celebrate our one year anniversary last Saturday. It's started badly with the bar running out of martini glasses - $15 for a cocktail and they served a martini in a white wine glass. Then we were seated in a dark corner upstairs and it took 15 minutes for us to get the waiter's attention. Neither of us liked the starter, although the main course was good. I ordered the soufle for dessert and thought it tasted too eggy (compared with a incredible souffle I had at March). Total check: $313 including tip - for this amount of money, I thought the overall experience was extremely disappointing. Try Danube or March instead for romantic occasions. Pros: Atmosphere, Reputation Cons: , Very expensive, Average food more
Reply | Report abuse |

overrated & horrid service 8/30/2004

GF and I went (non-occasion) after hearing good reviews, but had to wait 30 minutes past reservation with not even an apology. Decor is rather gothic, granniesque. Ordered tasting menu with wine pairing, for which the waiter/somelier paired the wrong first wine. For the entree pairing, there's an ""optional upgrade"" wine for $40 extra, which we declined. The dishes themselves were nothing spectacular (Aquavit, Bayards, Grammercy are much better). I asked the waiter why we were CHARGED EXTRA for the declined upgrade on the bill, he adamantly claimed that he had specifically asked me and I had accepted! When I demanded to talk to the manager, he returns without the manager, saying, ""We'll do you a favor and charge you only half price for the wine upgrade."" I was so pissed that I just payed the whole price and walked out. $26 bar + $286 mediocre meal for horrid service. Cons: , wait times more
Reply | Report abuse |

Excellent Venue 7/14/2004

Outstanding food,wine and ambience.Service was excellent,(our waiter sat us next to the ornate fireplace.) This was a romantic experience which made our vacation. Pros: romantic more
Reply | Report abuse |

Amazing, truly amazing 6/28/2004

I have no idea where the people complaining about the waitstaff were eating, but it couldn't have been the same restaurant I ate at last night. Everything was absolutely perfect. Even after we ordered off the restaurant week menu, the staff treated us with kindness, let us eat leisurely well past closing time, and even made suggestions as to what drinks would best complement our desserts. I love One if by Land and will be going there again! Pros: Food, Service, Ambiance more
Reply | Report abuse |

Nice Place 6/15/2004

This is a nice romantic restaurant. I know what other revier means when she says its not really for young lovers because its not a trendy scene. Its more of a traditional romance type place. The food is good--especially the pork chops (I should have ordered that!). The service is pleasent, but they did forget to bring my mother in law's appetizer. The price is great. You just can't beat the pre fixe price for a meal like that in such a nice place, but it would have been nice if they didn't forget one of our appetizers. Pros: good food, great price, people getting engage more
Reply | Report abuse |

strange romance... 5/19/2004

I went here to celebrate an anniversary. While the food was good enough (if old-fashioned - my meal tasted like it was out of a fancy 1950s cookbook, all creamy and rich) the environment was sort of bizarre - rich tapestries, yucky corner-grocer roses on the tables, and a strange '80s mirrored wall, which we sat against at the back of the restaurant. The waiter was nice enough but seemed sort of bored and insincere. This would all be bearable if the meal didn't cost $250. A lot of older people there seemed to be in the zone, enjoying their pork chops. Maybe this is not quite the place for young lovers... Pros: decent food Cons: , expensive more
Reply | Report abuse |

Worth every penny! 4/3/2004

With all the hype and recognition this place has received, I was bit intimidated at first. That quickly changed as soon as we entered into this historic old restaurant. From the ambiance to the service to the cuisine, it lived up to all of its expectations. Highly recommended. more
Reply | Report abuse |

The Disney of Romantic Restaurants 3/31/2004

Had great expectations and we were both very disappointed. Classic ""decent restaurant but not on Saturdays"" syndrome perhaps. The decor is nice enough and the atmosphere is old-school romantic but all a but tatty. We were sat upstairs up with all the other ""special occassion"" diners. The service was slow to respond, patronizing - a $90 prix fixe menu and we were offered a mushroom tart as a substitute to a meat course?? It was fine but for $130 pp+ it should have been great. We left feeling distinctly untouched and unispired. It lacked that special something and instead left us feeling like one of the hundreds of other couples celebrating an anniversary that night. Never again. Pros: Desserts Cons: , Service, Cost more
Reply | Report abuse |

Romantic, but too traditional 3/23/2004

This restaurant is romantic as described, but it is a little too dark and too crowded. We were practically shoulder to shoulder with the couple next to us. We were seated upstairs, would recomend being seated in the main dining room. We went there for our 5th anniversary trip to NYC from CA. The service is impeccable, and they did provide us with plenty of extras, knowing that it was our anniversary. The tasting menu was good, but nothing surprising like Commanders Palace in Las Vegas or New Orleans' tasting menu. Auquavit's food is much better and more surprising and would recomend them over OIBL, TIBS. Dessert was excellent. Pros: service, food ok, dessert Cons: , old, nothing surprising more
Reply | Report abuse |

A really Romantic Place 2/14/2004

This place deserves all the praise it get the service is great the ambiance is great the food is great! This menu and wine list have a goods to choose from. And most importantly you get no non-sense service! You'll what you ask for. You won't be told oh we don't have this today after asking the waiter for it. This place is a great hide away while your inside you forget your in New York. I highly recommed this place. Pros: Romantic, Private, great service more
Reply | Report abuse |

Romantic? 2/5/2004

This restaurant is supposed to be romantic? The tables were practically on top of one another - I could listen to other peoples' conversations and I'm sure they could hear mine. Not exactly what I'd call intimate. The food was fine, but was a little overpriced for what was served. I'd recommend sticking with a NYC staple and go to Aureole instead. Pros: nice space Cons: , tables too close more
Reply | Report abuse |

I loved it!!! 1/21/2004

It was my first trip to NYC. My husband and I spent five wonderful days exploring the city and the culminating event was our dinner at One if by Land, Two if by Sea. Our server was John and he was the absolute best, I felt like a princess, roses and wine included. Totally recommend this place!! Pros: Service!!!, Food, Lovely piano bar more
Reply | Report abuse |

Awful 1/18/2004

My fiancée and me were celebrating our anniversary. It was a very special occasion for us, however the evening was almost ruined after we had dinner there. We foolishly believed the descriptions and ratings that it is one of the most romantic restaurants in NYC. We made reservation 3 days in advance and particularly asked to be seated by a window or a fireplace. However, when we arrived we were seated in the darkest coldest corner upstairs, right next to the kitchen. The waiter, who was serving our table, was very stuck-up and unfriendly. Nobody would come and suggest pouring water in our glasses. We waited for our dessert for 45 minutes! The place was crowded and loud. I had to lean to hear what my fiancée was saying. We went there, expecting to have one of the most romantic dinners, and came out very upset and disappointed. Cons: Crowded, Bad service, Overpriced more
Reply | Report abuse |

MAGICAL EVENING 12/13/2003

This place really does a great job to make you feel special. the candle is lit when u sit down, the roses are fresh on the table. The waiter and the people at the front cater to your every need. The food is amazing. Everything was perfect. I love when you go somewhere and you take a sip of water and they refill ur glass. Very attentitive service. I will definately be revisting this place very soon. Dinner for 2 people with one drink(boyfriend doesn't drink) was 210 with tip...not including the 35 bucks for parking garage. Very reasonable considering the high quality. Perfect evening Pros: extremely attentive, great food, great atmosphere more
Reply | Report abuse |

SO NOT ROMANTIC 12/3/2003

Just a warning to all who are looking for a quiet romantic restaurant - KEEP LOOKING. There was an actual sing-a-long complete with some slobbering drunk unrulypeiple. They were singing and cursing and belching all night. Management was encouraging it and completely ignored our complaints. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Very Romantic 11/18/2003

I have made reservations two weeks prior to my one year anniversary, requesting a table by the window in the main dining room. When me and my sweetheart have arrived we where promptly seated at the requested table. The ambiance was unbelievable; so romantic so authentic and charming, everything was just ideal. The place had a stunning effect on me and my darling. The service was fine. The food was exquisite and scrumptious. That night I have tasted the finest apple martinis, and I know martini. The price is great value for special occasions. I and my sweetie loved it and I was very pleased with my choice. Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Service more
Reply | Report abuse |

Lovely! 11/16/2003

My boyfriend and I went on Sunday night for our anniversary and I found it to be the perfect place to go for a beautiful night out. We are twenty somethings so I expected to be treated with less respect, as usually happens in nice restaurants, but the hostess seated us in a prime table right by a window, the waiter was friendly and knowledgeable, and even the bus boys were funny. We had a fabulous time - the food was excellent, though not the best I've ever had...wine list was large and not as pricey as expected. We sat down at 9 and did not leave until after midnight and were not rushed at ALL. It was worth the money in the end, because of the good mix of food and ambiance. I would go there again, and reccommend it to anyone who wants a very special night out. Pros: beautiful, Good service Cons: $$ more
Reply | Report abuse |

Great place & perfect for special event 10/24/2003

After reading some negative reviews, I was skeptical about going to this place. But my mood has changed the minute the four of us stepped into this romantic historic-looking restaurant with candles, flowers, and multiple fireplaces. We were greeted at the entrance and seated right away in on the main floor. The waiter was great and very helpful with multiple reccomendations. The pre-fix menu price was $63 which I think is reasonable considering the portions were large and delicious. The wine list starts from $60 & up. The bill came to $450 with tip for four people. This was a wonderful experience and the place is absolutely romantic. The piano man is awesome and plays everyone's favorite tunes. I would go there again in a heartbeat and would reccomend it to everyone who wants to have a great & wonderful evening. Pros: romantic atmosphere , great food selection, good location Cons: expensive parking more
Reply | Report abuse |

Average 10/16/2003

After making reservations 1 month ahead, they sent us to the bar when we arrived, you know to get you out some extra bucks because they had available tables at the moment. The food was good, but certainly over-hyped as a romantic place. Very dark, loud and crowded. I dont mind spending heavily in restaurants, but this was not cheap yet did not impressed us. We are not to hard to please, but would not go again. There are far better choices in the city. more
Reply | Report abuse |
< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next >
Menu for One if by Land, Two if by Sea


Summer SALE!!!:
15% OFF all yearly plans
Use year15 at checkout. Expires 1/1/2021
Owner Message

  • One if by Land, Two if by Sea has been recognized for its classic menu, long history, and beautiful decor. It is often cited as the most romantic restaurant in New York City.

Editorial

  • Since 1972, this unmarked West Village carriage house has been the setting for some of the city's most romantic meals. The sprawling wood bar, with its blazing fireplaces and a baby grand piano,...

  • 9/19/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: tuesday: 05:00PM-09:30PM, wednesday: 05:00PM-09:30PM, thursday: 05:00PM-09:30PM, friday: 05:00PM-10:30PM, saturday: 05:00PM-10:30PM, sunday: 05:00PM-09:30PM
badge