Michelin-starred seafood haven w/ precise, globally-inspired tasting menus. A celebrated return for Chef Ramirez, promising an unforgettable culinary journey.
Helmed by Chef César Ramirez, this two-Michelin-starred establishment offers a refined dining experience. Celebrated for its meticulous tasting menus that heavily feature globally sourced seafood, it's a culinary journey praised for exceptional ingredient quality and masterful sauce work. Diners can expect an interactive experience with views of the open kitchen, making it a standout in NYC's fine dining scene.
This restaurant specializes in a tasting menu with a strong emphasis on exquisite, globally sourced seafood, complemented by influences from Japanese, French, Mexican, and Spanish cuisines. Dishes like the 'monaka course with uni' and 'Caviar' are highlighted as standouts. While most reviews praise the food's quality and flavor, a few find it unmemorable or note that add-ons can significantly increase the bill. A past lawsuit has also been a point of discussion.
"Standout dishes mentioned include the 'monaka course with uni,' 'Caviar,' and the 'Uni Toast,' which is described as iconic. The tasting menu itself is generally highly praised."
Customer sentiment is largely positive, with many praising the exceptional quality of the food, particularly the seafood, and the chef's masterful technique. Some note it's pricey, and a few have found the experience less memorable than expected or have had service issues.
Important Note
The restaurant has faced discussion and controversy regarding a past lawsuit, which has influenced some potential diners' decisions. Add-ons and supplements can significantly increase the final bill.
"An Asian individual reports being treated well at Cesar on two occasions, with the chef personally thanking patrons. They also mention a positive recommendation from a renowned Japanese chef in Hong Kong."
Positive"A Black individual shares that they have dined at Cesar five times without a bad experience, noting that most patrons were Asian during their visits."
Positive"In response to a question about their ethnicity, this user confirmed they are Asian and that their friend, who accompanied their mother, is also Asian, clarifying their earlier comment was in the context of the original post addressing Asian people."
Neutral"Responding to a user who shared a positive experience, this person asked if they were Asian, as the original post specifically addressed Asian individuals."
Neutral"This user strongly advises against dining at Cesar due to even a slight suggestion of anti-Asian sentiment, citing the abundance of excellent restaurants in NYC and abroad."
Negative"This user, who is Asian, had positive experiences at Cesar and Brooklyn Fare, describing the chef as nice and talkative during their visits. They also mentioned the food was amazing."
Positive"This user has not been to Saga but confirmed Cesar is wonderful with delicious courses, noting that the grumbles might be due to optional supplements, but the menu is satisfying without them."
Positive"This user advised looking into a lawsuit involving Cesar from 2014 and to ignore it if the alleged racism does not bother the potential diner."
Negative"The commenter suggests that allegations should not be treated as facts."
Neutral"This user found Cesar disappointing, noting it was great through the raw seafood courses but declined in quality afterward."
Negative"This user, who is not a POC, observed that POC may receive better treatment than others, suggesting VIPs get preferential service. They also noted that the chef seemed inattentive and some dishes were poorly executed, with stressed staff."
Negative"This user states they would not dine at Cesar after hearing about the lawsuit, as they do not want to support such actions and risk a negative experience."
Negative"The commenter notes that negative incidents often occur behind closed doors in luxury establishments. They also suggest checking Yelp reviews, as some patrons were unimpressed with the food quality for the price, even disregarding the chef's conduct."
Neutral"The commenter, identifying as Asian, advises the original poster against dining at Cesar. They also suggest trying to resell the reservation and mention Joo Ok as a fine dining alternative with upcoming table releases."
Negative"Identifying as Asian, this commenter states they were treated well at Cesar and that other Asian and non-white individuals were present, with the chef being friendly."
Positive"This user believes Cesar has better food compared to Saga, which is more of an experience."
Positive"This user celebrated two birthdays at both Cesar and Saga, finding both great. They noted Saga has incredible views and feels more special, suggesting it as a choice if you are a seafood lover, but would choose Cesar for that preference."
Positive"This user found Cesar delicious and recommended checking out a specific video on the restaurant. They also mentioned that while there are supplements for an upcharge, the base menu is sufficient."
Positive"This user recommended Cesar if you like seafood, having only heard good things about it."
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