Chinatown's quietly complex & elegant cuisine. Standout uni custard, comté tart, & roasted duck in a cool, minimalist setting.
Willa Moore reviews Bridges, a Chinatown restaurant offering elegantly complex food that outshines the scene, with standout dishes like uni custard and comté tart.
This Chinatown spot is a true gem, offering elegantly complex dishes that command attention. Its cool, minimalist setting enhances the dramatic dining experience, with standouts like the comté tart, uni custard, and perfectly roasted duck. While the atmosphere can feel like a scene, the food, from unexpected twists like XO sauce under duck to rich starters and memorable desserts, is the undeniable star.
Bridges offers a menu of sophisticated and complex American cuisine with some Chinese influences. Standout dishes include the uni custard with shrimp, comté tart, and roasted duck, which has been described as 'amazing' and previously 'insane'. Some diners also enjoyed the sardine toast with rhubarb and the stone fruit salad. However, one reviewer found the sardines to be difficult to eat and the asparagus to taste like dish soap, deeming the meal overhyped and expensive.
"Highly recommended dishes include the uni custard with shrimp, comté tart, and roasted duck. The sardine toast with rhubarb and the chocolate hazelnut tart are also noted as exceptional."
Overall positive, with many praising the sophisticated and complex dishes, refined atmosphere, and standout items like uni custard and duck. However, a few diners have had negative experiences, citing issues with preparation and value.
Important Note
The restaurant can be expensive, with some dishes like bread and butter or asparagus noted for their high prices. While many praise the food, a few reviewers have had very negative experiences, suggesting inconsistency or that the restaurant may not live up to the hype for everyone.
"A user forgot to cancel a reservation for two at Bridges made on their wife's account for her birthday. The reservation is for today (April 27th) at 7 PM and is being offered for free."
Neutral"Bridges is listed as a recommendation, although the commenter notes that it, along with others listed, might not have "modest" prices but offers good food and cocktails."
Neutral"The user noted that Brat from London is doing a dinner at Bridges next week and has heard decent things about other chefs hosted there."
Neutral"Bridges is suggested as an additional place to consider visiting."
Neutral"Bridges used to have insane duck, but it's no longer on the menu."
Neutral"Francie is recommended for its whole duck, and Bridges or Chez Fifi are suggested for duck breast."
Positive"Bridges was suggested as a place with a good vibe."
Positive"The commenter expresses intent to check out Bridges based on the recommendation."
Neutral"The commenter recommends Bridges, describing it as a restaurant that is "like Estela but for 2025," implying it's a modern or superior dining experience."
Positive"The commenter recently had a great solo dining experience at Bridges, sitting at the bar."
Positive"User haribobosses cites the costs at Bridges, specifically $7 for bread and butter and $28 for asparagus, to illustrate the expensive nature of the restaurants typically reviewed by the New York Times."
Negative"This user noted that Bridges, along with Penny and Borgo, are all new restaurants."
Neutral"bridges is included in a list of recommended restaurants for the user's bucket list before leaving NYC."
Positive"Bridges is recommended as a place to try."
Positive"Bridges is recommended as a place to try."
Positive"Bridges is recommended as a place to try before leaving NYC, suggesting a positive general experience."
Positive
