...negative reviews, that is. I lunched at Le Cirque during restaurant week recently. The new location is bright, airy with high ceilings and an open dining/bar area, separated by entry and reception. The staff couldn't have been nicer an more convivial. The manager shook my hand with some pleasantries that threw me off. "How nice it is too see you again, Mrs. Silverman." I was at the other location with Cuban husband. How many years ago? Oy.
Anyway, I can see why it's a "ladies who lunch" spot. There were a table of six old biddies off a farm with one with a poor face job leading the conversation a little too loudly. I had to overhear, "Arlene Dahl" a few times. For those of you who don't know, she's an ancient TV actress from the beginning days of TV in NY. Then were were a few ancient couples; one poor fellow in a motorized wheelchair. Two younger, poorly dressed suburban secretaries with their foreign bosses. Ok. I knew I was in the wrong place but I was really there for the food.
The waiter suggested a fruit cocktail which was a mixture of fruit juices. Very nice for this sweltering day.
I ordered asparagus vinaigrette. Five large, I mean really large asparagus appeared with a shabby dullish-green complexion. Not steamed or grilled. Boiled? How sixties. Not appealing to the eye at all. Then, a lovely vinaigrette was spooned over them. They tasted good enough but just looked ghastly. But they weren't terrific. I love asparagus. Not this way.
The main dishes were not to my liking for the most part because I don't eat fish or fowl. So I choose the only option which were sliders with fries. There was no description. I asked for medium RARE. They came out well done and with stewed onions. And so hot in the middle I wondered if they were nuked. At least the bun was nice and firm and lightly toasted. The fries were good. Presentation: lovely.
For dessert I ordered a ricotta mousse which I took home. No flavour at all.
In summation, I'd you would like to dine in a NYC landmark in a gorgeous space, with average food, visit le Cirque. Or better still, stop in for a drink instead!
Anyway, I can see why it's a "ladies who lunch" spot. There were a table of six old biddies off a farm with one with a poor face job leading the conversation a little too loudly. I had to overhear, "Arlene Dahl" a few times. For those of you who don't know, she's an ancient TV actress from the beginning days of TV in NY. Then were were a few ancient couples; one poor fellow in a motorized wheelchair. Two younger, poorly dressed suburban secretaries with their foreign bosses. Ok. I knew I was in the wrong place but I was really there for the food.
The waiter suggested a fruit cocktail which was a mixture of fruit juices. Very nice for this sweltering day.
I ordered asparagus vinaigrette. Five large, I mean really large asparagus appeared with a shabby dullish-green complexion. Not steamed or grilled. Boiled? How sixties. Not appealing to the eye at all. Then, a lovely vinaigrette was spooned over them. They tasted good enough but just looked ghastly. But they weren't terrific. I love asparagus. Not this way.
The main dishes were not to my liking for the most part because I don't eat fish or fowl. So I choose the only option which were sliders with fries. There was no description. I asked for medium RARE. They came out well done and with stewed onions. And so hot in the middle I wondered if they were nuked. At least the bun was nice and firm and lightly toasted. The fries were good. Presentation: lovely.
For dessert I ordered a ricotta mousse which I took home. No flavour at all.
