Elegant French fine dining with classic tasting menus and a sophisticated ambiance, though recent reviews suggest mixed experiences with food quality and presentation.
Daniel, an iconic Upper East Side fine dining establishment, offers a classic French culinary experience with its multi-course tasting menus. Known for its elegant ambiance featuring art by James Rosenquist and Bernardaud porcelain chandeliers, it has long been a destination for special occasions. While Executive Chef Eddy Leroux crafts high-quality dishes, recent customer feedback presents a mixed picture, with some diners experiencing a decline in quality and issues with certain aspects of the meal.
The restaurant offers classic French cuisine with a focus on high-quality ingredients, as seen in dishes like kataifi-crusted Alaskan wild salmon. However, customer feedback is divided, with some praising the food and desserts, while others have noted issues such as hard bread and unappealing plating. The duck is mentioned as being good but in small portions, and a fabulous canele is available only with a full dinner.
"The kataifi-crusted Alaskan wild salmon and the duck are mentioned positively, although the duck is noted to be in small portions. A fabulous canele is available, but only with a full dinner."
While some diners recall a wonderful experience with gracious service and exquisite food from years past, more recent feedback suggests a decline in quality. Mixed opinions exist regarding the plating and certain dishes, with some finding the experience stuffy or overpriced.
Important Note
Some reviews indicate that the bread can be unusually hard, and the plating of certain dishes, such as the cheese plate, has been criticized. There's also a sentiment that the restaurant may be resting on its laurels or is overpriced.
"Daniel offers a vegetarian menu that is worth the trip."
Positive"Daniel was suggested as a high-end dining possibility."
Neutral"Daniel is mentioned as a dining option."
Neutral"Daniel is highlighted as a great option for a celebratory meal, especially since it offers a private room for smaller dinners and is considered not too stuffy."
Positive"Daniel is an upscale restaurant that may have a vegan or vegetarian menu, but it is advised to call ahead to confirm."
Neutral"Daniel is recommended as a high-end dining option that should be able to accommodate various dietary restrictions, especially if the budget is comparable to Per Se."
Positive"Daniel is mentioned as another worthwhile option for a celebratory dinner."
Positive"The commenter states that Daniel, a sentimental favorite, has seen a decline in quality and is now rated poorly."
Negative"Daniel is mentioned as a place that anyone can go to, implying it might be less exclusive or special compared to other recommendations."
Neutral"Daniel is recommended as a dining option."
Positive"Daniel is a restaurant with a gorgeous space and terrific plating, offering superb food and service."
Positive"Francie is recommended for its duck, noting it's not just visually appealing but also delicious. The user also mentions Daniel has a good but small portioned port marinated duck."
Positive"This user recommends Daniel as an upscale dining option."
Positive"The user had previously loved Daniel for their annual anniversary trips in past years."
Positive"Daniel was suggested as a dinner recommendation for the elopement celebration."
Neutral"This user speculated that Daniel's inclusion on the list might simply be to ensure a restaurant is present in the Upper East Side, implying it's not solely based on merit."
Neutral"This user found it strange that Daniel was included on the NY Times list while other fine dining restaurants like Per Se, Atera, and Gabriel Kreuther were omitted."
Neutral"This user's experience at Daniel was negatively impacted by the bread, which they described as almost breaking their teeth, leading them to question its star rating."
Negative"This user found Daniel to be average at best."
Negative"Daniel, similar to Le Bernardin, has transitioned to a business casual dress code after Covid, meaning jackets are no longer required. The commenter felt appropriately dressed for lunch in casual work clothes."
Neutral
