Orsay

Best French bistro on the upper east side. Always friendly service, seats outside in the warm months and delicious food. I've been going here 15 years. A neighborhood gem. more

french, yeah sure, they really do hate us (americans). asked for clarification of the check because it seemed to not make sense...the GM told me i was wasting his time and he offered to call the police. great place. more

I never write reviews but felt compelled to. \r I had a private event at Orsay. I think the ambiance and food are very good. \r The server was soooo rude. It was unreal. My guests had to get their own drinks. \r The private event woman was very nice and I explained my issues to her (also had an issue with some of the pricing). She had to turn me over to the manager - \r I called/emailed the manager and it's been 10 days and I haven't gotten an email or phone call back. I spent a lot of money there and this is unacceptable. I will never go back. more

Sunday, my husband and I made reservations for brunch. Upon arrival, the hostess welcomed us and was leading us to our table, when an older couple came up behind us and the woman started hitting my husband in the back with her menu and began yelling at the hostess ""that is our table, we want that table, you are taking them to our table"". The hostess looked extremely embarassed and went to see if there were 2 tables available. There weren't so the Maitre D began speaking to her in French telling her to put us at a table inside and let the older couple sit outside (hesurmised that we would make less trouble/scene). We sat down and ate and didn't not say a word but were hurt and embarassed. \r At the end of our meal (we tipped our waitress very well, it wasn't her fault), the hostess asked my husband how our meal was and he said; ""you know how it was"" and she acknowleged him apologizing over and over saying that it was not right. She then got the Maitre D and he came over and said; ""I understand there is a problem?"" and we both said you know very well what the problem is because you chose not to honor our reservation (the other couple did NOT have a reservation) and you seated us in a less desirable seat when we were being led to our original seats. He, too, acknowleged that this had happened. I said that good will would have gone a long way, couldn't they have at the very least compted us a drink or an appetizer? He then accused me of screaming, which I was not and started making excuses and not having the decency to say he was sorry.\r This is my 4th try at this restaurant and we have had only one incident free meal. We will not be returning. Pros: good calamari, good wait staff Cons: rude maitre d more

The food wasn't bad, but neither was it noteworthy. We had scallops in a nice broth, but the scallops themselves were not seared enough and tasted a bit fishy. The coq-au-vin wasn't bad, though it was a bit dry. Service was a bit gruff and harried. For the price I would expect a bit more all around. more

I've been going there for a few years now. Been there countless times with my husband, and even a few times with my parents after it opened. Food: You're advised to go with someone who has been there before, so they can advise you on the favorites. The staff is uniformed and sometimes seemingly unwilling to know anyway. Even the managers. And trust me, there are lots of them. One day I overheard one give a lengthy explanation of the ""tuna confit"" and how it was made (which comes on the Nicoise Salad) seemed totally outrageous. When I asked the waiter, he replied; ""Oh that's just canned Tuna"". And I think that must have been the general manager since his was sporting an expensive suite and a gold watch. Moving on... I usually have the Crab Salad which is exquisite, the crab meat is fresh, combined with tomato juice and horseradish, which really works well. My husband usually has the Steak Tartar or a Sirloin, which he says are excellent. Like at La Golue. Can't wait until they open again. Things that are good. - crab salad - Steak tartar - snails - The steaks - Tarte Tatin and no other dessert, they say the Ice creams are homemade, but like the Tuna that is an insult. - Chicken liver mousse. Service: Well, it tends to be better at dinner. At lunch, the staff when they are not busy hurdle up with the managers talking in some foreign language and what appears to me, commenting on diners as they are eating. This, I find very irritating, not to mention RUDE. Will I go back? Yes, But, until La Golue opens again. We live in the neighborhood so it's convenient. Pros: The decor is fabulous. Cons: The intensity of the service more

I made a reservation for 4 of us for me and my friend 's birthday party. I did say it was the birthday party when I made a reservation. But When we had a deserts, no candle, nothing. And my husband said, :"" This is my wife' s birthday party"" and Waiter says "" you have to have said before...but this is ,y treat"" and he brought very small, 2 inch cokkie for 4 of us. That's it? I talked with the maneger It was my and my friend's birthday , and he said : ""oh, we didn't know that"" and he sent the waiter said I am sorry. ANd this restaurant messed up for our bill with another table. I know everyone make a mistake. but the most importat is , how we fix it. I wanted the orsey to show us sinserity to welcome us . They are soper cold, and no sinserity. the food was ok, but, I wil never go there, Pros: NO birthday party, terrible service I have ever had! Cons: me and my friend birthday more

Found the food to be ok, but the service and ambience was terrible. It was very stuffy and although it was pretty empty they didn't want to sit anyone outside that didn't have reservations. Took 20 minutes to get a menu and another 20 to get food. Nobody came by to check if we were ok. For the service alone I would not recommend this place, nor would I return. Pros: Outside seating (If you have a reservation) Cons: Ambience, Older Crowd, Overpriced, Rude Staff more

Friends took me here for my birthday dinner. We had cocktails at the bar then got a table outside. I had the chicken pate with currant jelly appertizer which was wonderful. For dinner I had the tuna tartar and it was the best I've ever had!!! Dessert was a cheese tray which I enjoyed. The service was relaxed - not rushed, not slow. My friend did have trouble getting a latte, which seemed odd. They got the order wrong - twice. Pros: Atmosphere, Food, Service more

Great experience. It felt like a nice trip to Paris. Not even the food is great but the menu is well extended, not talking about the wine list that feature around 300 wines. \r I was seating promptly, the service was nice and the manager kept stop by the table to insure we were having a good time. \r \r \r more

We walked in on a Wed. evening and were seated promptly w/out a reservation. Service was very nice. I felt the wine list was fairly priced, and they have half bottles. The frisee salad and duck pate were very good, I would skip the porcini mushroom soup, and the lamb shank was above average at best. Nice dinner, in a beautiful setting, especially the outdoor seating. Decent French food, fairly priced. There are NOT a lot of choices on the Upper East Side. This is above average French bistro fare, nothing fancy, but I would go on another occassion and try it again. The ambience is lovely. more

Great food, service is so-so, a bit expensive. The interior of the place is gorgeous. There isn't any music and it can get hectic. Pros: food Cons: expensive, service more

I recently went to dinner at Orsay with a few friends. Based on other people's reviews, we thought it would be a nice place to try. We were very disappointed. The food was mediocre at best. My friend ordered the baby chicken something-or-other. She barely ate any of it and said that it had no taste. My entree was not much better. The desserts left a lot to be desired, too. My advice: choose another of the thousands of great restaurants in the city and save yourselves a boring night. Cons: Flavorless food, overpriced, lackluster service more

I can not imagine how anyone leave ORSAY without feeling like a celebrity. We dine out at least five times a week . Orsay has been a constant sucsess with my business associates and friends..\r The food is fantastic , pricey but hell we live on the UES . The staff are some of the best.\r We are usually greated by a beatufull Matre D, Melissa . The have the memory or some sort of system that enables them to remmeber ou rfavorite table , server and exactly how i like my Martini.\r The food is fantastic, a great improvement and change from the borring traditional french (NYC)\r Although James the GM is no longer there .. OLIVIER is great in keeping US- The demanding East siders\r Always satisfied. The decor is amazing. I just cannot stop recomending the place. In any way simply ask for the Melissa and Olivier to make your evening . it always worked.\r Good luck .Team Orsay\r Pros: Melissa and Olivier , Fantastic Food Cons: none that i can think of more

The food at Orsay is of the the solid bistro variety, but it is way overpriced and the waitstaff is rude and unhospitable. This is one of those places that caters to rich people on the Upper East Side who think because they are spending lots of money they are getting top flight cuisine. The food here is certainly edible, but the tabs just don't justify the quality. The space is cliche in the french motif and the service has been awful of late. They want to rush you out of there unless you plan on spending like you are on an expense account. If you plan on eating here, do so when the usual Hamptons type clientele are off getting skin cancer or wasting their money at Swifty's, because I have actually had a good experience when the restaurant was empty. Pros: Solid Bistro Food Cons: Overpriced, Horrendous Service, Corny Decor more

I've never had such a horrible dinner. I went there to have a nice dinner with a friend, and our steaks came out overcooked (mine) and undercooked (my friend's). I politely asked our waiter to take my order back to the kitchen. No biggie, right? WRONG.\r \r The manager, OLIVIER (remember that name), came out and ARGUED with me for over thirty minutes saying that my steak was not overcooked and refused to take it back to the kitchen. He was outright rude and confrontational right from the beginning, and I was MORTIFIED in front of my guest and other patrons. I don't understand why he was being such a bully when all I asked was for my dish to be prepared to my liking.\r \r You will not believe what Olivier does next -- he PICKS MY STEAK UP WITH HIS BARE HANDS and proceeds to tell me that I WILL NOT be getting a replacement dish b/c I had the dish for 30 minutes (I had exactly two bites of the steak) and that he'll take my order off of the check and proceeds to walk away.\r \r THIS WAS THE WORST DINING EXPERIENCE THAT I'VE EVER HAD AT A RESTAURANT. PERIOD. I would have NEVER expected to be treated so poorly at a ""nice"" restaurant. I was so upset b/c I left hungry and angry that a manager (OLIVIER!!) felt that he could treat me that way\r \r EAT HERE IF YOU WANTED TO BE TREATED LIKE A SECOND CLASS CITIZEN. Pros: Absolutely none. Cons: Olivier, the manager. Poor service, being treated like dirt. more

Every time I visit, I am provided with excellent service and amazing food. The waitstaff is very helpful, offering suggestions to enhance our dining experience. We've been for Valentine's Day, for Restaurant Week, and on other special occasions. We made a reservation each time, which helped us get a better spot in the restaurant. This place is amazing. Pros: Helpful waitstaff, amazing food Cons: It's not cheap...can't go every day! more

we eat there several times , the food is yamy , good price , great management , will come back again , thank you for the chef , beribbia more

I went with a friend for Sunday brunch, the place was packed but we were seated soon after my friend arrived. Great menu, (Yummy Cob salad and Roast Beef from a trolley!) friendly service and a pleasant surprise when the bill came. I will be back again. Pros: Packed Cons: Noisy if you are hung over! more

Yes, the restaurant is beautiful and the food is very good. However the rude and regularly unattentive service forces me to choose other good French restaurants in the neighborhood. When the restuarant gets busy the service is slow and the waiters have a unpleasant attitude. I went today for Sunday brunch with my husband and friend. The waiter brought two of the three entrees to the table, My friend and I politely waited for him to bring my husbands entree. After about 5 minutes we flagged him down and asked when it was coming. He replied ""It's coming, it's coming"", as if we were irritating him. Finally after another 5 minutes he came to the table and said he made a mistake and forgot to put that order in. He brought my husband another drink but honestly, another drink was not what he needed. After I finished my meal I got up, walked to the front of the restaurant and asked to speak to the manager. She asked where I was sitting and said she was going to the kitchen. I never saw her after that and she never followed up to see if we got the meal. We did finally, after two of us were done eating. This kind of service and attitude is completely unacceptable and we will not return. Pros: good food and lovely atmosphere Cons: horrible service more