One if by Land, Two if by Sea

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17 Barrow Street
New York, NY 10014

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1 (212) 255-8649
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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...

One if By Land 10/7/2003

We had an amazing special occasion dinner there on 10/07/03. I had read a number of very negative reviews on line, which I can only conclude were from people who are not accustomed to eating in restaurants of this caliber. The food was more creative than we expected. There was a special green pea soup with truffles and lobsters which was ethereal. Our main courses were perfect. Although we were first time visitors, we were given our pick of wonderful tables. The ambiance is unparalleled, and the service was polite and friendly. The wine list has serious bottles but also good values. With a splurge bottle of wine, our bill was $268, very reasonable in comparison to other fine restaurants in NY. Pros: ambiance, food, value more
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...if I've Got Time 9/19/2003

Went for our anniversary. Service was awful. Brought the wrong bottle of wine and never apologized. No refills on water. Waiter dropped check on table while I was in the middle of handing my wife her anniversary present. Very, very disappointing. Pros: Good food Cons: Lousy service more
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Host Needs to Be REplace 9/9/2003

Dinner was ok. Not the best meal I've ever had but the food was good, better than average. the piano music was lovely. My biggest complaints are about the staff. We had a waiter that had breath so bad it could kill a cat. The other problem we had was with the Host/Maitre'D. When we checked in he couldn't find our reservation and then mumbled something under his breath about the bar. We asked him to repeat himself and he got very nasty. We waited at the bar for 15 minutes to be seated when the restaurant was only half full. This ruined our evening. more
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Good, but could use a bit of work 8/30/2003

I was seated promptly, even after getting there 30 minutes late due to traffic. Placed at a nice table, the decor was very nice, although there was loud conversations. the prix fixe menus were given pretty prompty and a mini-app was brought out along with some bread. service was professional, although scarce. the appetizer (sea scallops and shrimp thai salad) were both very good, although the entrees were too salty. midway through the dinner, another couple was seated right next to us, although it didn't bother us. deserts were slow to order as waiters passed us twice, even with the menus closed. deserts were also slow to come. Overall, it was an enjoyable dinner, even with the many glasses of water drank. Pros: Atmosphere, candle-light Cons: salty, pretty packed/loud more
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Needs a new hostess 8/29/2003

My dining experience there definitely started off on the wrong foot. My husband & I had made reservations and we arrived on time. A hostess asked us to wait for an available table, which I had no problem with. However, 2 parties of 2 arrived about 10 minutes after we did and they were both seated immediately. When I confronted the hostess and asked her why we were not seated first, she tried to deny that she had seated anyone before us. When I persisted, she eventually mumbled an apology and we were then immediately seated in an area where there were several available tables. Otherwise, I thought the service was very good...the waiters and busboys were very attentive and gracious. The food was okay, but not worth the money. It's a romantic setting for a private dinner but unfortunately the mood can be spoiled by questionable service. more
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Treated Like a Second Class Diner 8/27/2003

My wife and I were at least expecting a romantic dining experience, but even this one saving grace was lost between an unfriendly greeter, a haughty waiter, and an overly anxious busboy who kept circling every five minutes asking if we were done yet. On the other hand, the piano music was nice, and this helped me choke down an undercooked and overpriced piece of salmon. The icing on the cake and why we will never recommend this place to anyone was the blatantly obvious service gap between first class regular customers and everyone else. Unless you're a regular, do yourself a favor and try any number of other vasatly better restaurants on the NYC dining scene. La Grenouille if you want to spend a little more, Raoul's or Cafe des Artistes are comparable price and much more romantic sans attitude. Pros: Poor Service, Overpriced, Cramped Surroundings Cons: Bad Waiter, Unfriendly Greeter, Below Average more
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Fabulous restaurant!! 8/10/2003

It's too bad so many of the reviewers on this site expect to go to one of the top NY restaurants, pay $30 during restaurant week and get the meal of their life. It's also not McDonald's - the point IS to spend 2 or 3 hours over a leisurely meal!! Every day of the week, this restaurant has a $59 prix fix dinner - which I had last night for my boyfriend's birthday. The food was excellent (the pork loin and mushroom tart were of particular note) and the service was fabulous. The waiter recommended delicious, reasonable wines and we asked him for advice on the menu. I can't wait to go back!! Treat the waitstaff as your host, not your adversary and you just might see what a great experience you can have!! Pros: Romantic, Attentive Service, Great food Cons: None!! more
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Don't pay full price 7/17/2003

We went during restaurant week which is key - i would not pay full price for this place. we had a good pre-fixe meal, but the service was sooo slow. we had a 6:30pm reservation and was finished by 9pm. it was as if they forgot their customers as most of our section was looking around for the wait staff. the atmosphere is romantic, but nothing to go out of your way for. more
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Don't waste your time. 7/16/2003

I found One by Land Two By Sea to be very impolite to Food Week customers. Both the barman and the hostess were snappy and offensive. I was told that I had to pay at the bar before I could be seated. The food was insipid at best and we had to wait 45 minutes between the starter and the main course. Embarrassingly enough, I was trying to impress my guest by taking them to this so called, romantic restaurant. I will never go there again nor recommend it to anyone. more
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Way Past Its Prime 7/6/2003

I am really sorry we waisted our time during resaurant week to visit this restaurant again. Since the last time we were there the place has gone down, downhill. The rooms are old, the food was nothing special, the staff was nice, but lacked skill. Thank heavens we didn't spend much money on the awful pork meal (tasted more like a Thanksgiving ham) and the boring chiken. Do not waste your time and money. Go to Montrachet, Chanterelle, Park Avenue Cafe, Union Square Cafe, etc. more
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WOW!! 6/4/2003

Every aspect of this restaurant is amazing. The food is incredible (especially the Beef Wellington), the service is spot-on and the decor is beautiful. The cost of $59 for the pre-fixe 3-course dinner is well worth it and I would eat here every weekend if I could. more
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incredible! 5/5/2003

This restaurant is absolutely amazing. Romantic atmosphere with dainty old-fashioned decor - beautiful. ""Hidden"" location on Barrow street makes it even more inviting. The Beef Wellington was out of this world! And the wine list and desserts - great! Definitely splurge at this restaurant because it is well worth it! Pros: location, parking more
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Simply Amazing !!!!! 4/28/2003

This is truly one of the most amazing restaurants in New York City. As a veteran restaurant goer in NYC, I can honestly say that I had one of the most memorable meals in my life at One IF by Land. The rack of pork is to die for. My wife's monkfish was also very incredible. Great food and attentive service in a candlelit atmosphere with live piano music. Who can ask for anything more. Pros: Great food, Great atmosphere, Great service more
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Most romantic restaurant in NYC 4/25/2003

I went here with my boyfriend for his birthday. This was the most romantic restaurant I've ever been to. The food was good, but not for the price we paid for it. However, the service was the best I've ever had at a restaurant (although that's the way it should have been since we paid a lot for the food). Also, we were the youngest people at the restaurant. The average age of the restaurant patrons was approximately 35/40 years old. However, the servers did not treat us badly(which I find happens often to younger people in classy restaurants). I definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a romantic night out! Pros: atmosphere, service, location Cons: price more
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Very fine but flawed 3/27/2003

Visited mid-week. Busy but not overly crowded. Had a table for 2 on the main floor with view of the entire room. Beautiful setting with well prepared and attractively plated conservative ""continental"" fare. Tuna tartare is a standout. Overall effect is unfortunatley flawed (at least in our case) by earnest but unpolished service. The wine list is on the expensive side. I had them fax me the wine list and found a solid 1999 Graves for $45 (checked it against Robert Parker vintage chart) Suggest you do the same. Pros: Ambience, cuisine, solid cocktail piano Cons: unpolished service more
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overpricedvaletinedinner 2/24/2003

valentines dinner package was way over priced. Service was no where to be found. Not even sure who was my waiter. The bread guy came over more than the waiter. Check came before we could finish the dessert. One time experience. Pros: food, location Cons: expensive, service more
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Atmosphere Abounds 2/11/2003

This is one of the most romantic restaurants in the world. The atmosphere is positively wonderful - especially when the gifted pianist is playing (very nice touch on the keys). The warm glow of the fireplace makes it a really nice winter restaurant. The service was very friendly, but unfortunately inefficient. Some of the white wines we sampled were not properly chilled. It was also terribly smokey by the bar when we first walked in. Fortunately the smoke didn't carry into the restaurant area. Despite our minor complaints, the overall dining experience was still very positive. Pros: Very Romantic, Lovely Piano Music, Friendly Service Cons: Inefficient Service, Overcooked Entree, Badly Chilled Wine more
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Romantic, yes. 1/31/2003

But they've got to do something about the bad, live piano act. Abba, for goodness sakes! Inappropriate for such a romantic setting. The service was spotty with repeated requests to refill out water glasses necessary. The appetizers fine, but nothing outstanding. The entrees were better than the first course, but still nothing to write about. Desserts were blah and definitely not up to par for such a place. Wine list was extensive, but we got mixed drinks instead. The one thing we did enjoy quite a bit was their dirty vodka martini. Pricey, but mixed very well. We'll probably not be back; too touristy a destination. more
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Lovely 1/30/2003

Had a lovely evening there lat night with my boyfriend and another couple. Even though we are 20 somethings who were there for restaurant week the staff was very courteous and didn't treat us differently than any other patrons. The restaurant is very romantic in an overdone sort of way. We sat upstairs in a quiet red room which was lovely. The food was excellent and they accomodated our vegetarian requests with a delicious leek and truffle ravioli that melted in the mouth. Portions are a bit smaller compared to most restaurants but the food is very rich. My only 2 criticisms were the very expensive wine list and the ordinary dessert. The chocolate chip cake tasted like a store bought muffin. Over all it was great though. Pros: romantic, special, great food Cons: pricey wine list more
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Beautiful! Gorgeous! 1/30/2003

Restaurant week got us here - we'll definitely come back. Great place for a special occasion. Very romantic - lots of fresh roses, silver, candles. Feel sorry for those who did not have a pleasant experience during restaurant week - our's was superb from begining to end. Had visited Chateau La Nerthe on a recent trip to France, so were especially pleased to see their wine on the list! Pros: romantic, historic, wine list Cons: service could improve more
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Menu for One if by Land, Two if by Sea


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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
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