A cinematic bistro with standout fries & a tempting martini, but reservations are tough for the solid, albeit sometimes uninspired, French & Italian fare.
Amber Sutherland-Namako reviews Corner Bar, a new downtown bistro, finding it to be a pleasant but ultimately unremarkable experience with a price point that doesn't quite match its offerings.
This downtown bistro offers a pleasant ambiance reminiscent of a cinematic scene, with a cozy and well-designed dining room. While the food presents classic dishes with attractive presentation, some elements like the brioche with foie gras or the sauce on the steak au poivre could use refinement. The fries, however, are a standout, perfectly crisp and golden, ideal for soaking up sauces. The lobster tagliatelle falls short with an overly fishy sauce and overcooked lobster, making the overall experience satisfactory for an everyday meal but perhaps not a special occasion, especially considering the difficulty in securing a reservation and the price point.
The cuisine here is a blend of French and Italian influences, with many customers recommending the burger, martini, and oysters. The fries are consistently praised for their crispiness. While dishes like the Caesar salad and beef tartare have received positive mentions, there are mixed reviews on dishes like the lobster tagliatelle and steak au poivre, with some finding them oversauced or not perfectly executed. A noteworthy dessert is the tiramisu and a unique soft serve.
"Customers frequently recommend the burger and fries, and have also enjoyed the oysters and martinis. The Caesar salad and tiramisu have also received positive mentions."
Customers generally find the ambiance pleasant and appreciate dishes like the burger, fries, and oysters. However, some reviews suggest that while good, the food might not always justify the price point or the difficulty in securing a reservation.
Important Note
Securing a reservation can be difficult, and some diners feel the price point is high for the overall dining experience, which can be unremarkable despite a pleasant ambiance.
"Corner Bar is mentioned as a place in Manhattan with good tiramisu."
Positive"Corner Bar is recommended, with a preference for dining in the blue room, though the bar room is also good."
Positive"This commenter noted that whether the walk to Corner Bar is far depends on the weather, suggesting that heels or cold weather might make a taxi ride more practical after a City Hall appointment."
Neutral"In response to a comment about the walking distance, this user stated that they walked from City Hall to Corner Bar after their appointment and didn't remember the walk being long. However, they agreed that a car might be preferable for ease, especially for parents."
Neutral"This user mentioned that Corner Bar is very nice but about a 20-minute walk from City Hall. They suggested it might be too far if the group is dressed up, but a quick taxi ride would be feasible."
Neutral"The commenter recommended Corner Bar at the Nine Orchard hotel as a nice option within walking distance of City Hall."
Neutral"The commenter clarified that Corner Bar is a good place for catching up with friends for hours, mentioning they've enjoyed nursing fries, oysters, and wine there. The atmosphere is described as relaxed and comfortable, never too crowded, and they offer a nice setup even for tea/coffee orders."
Positive"This restaurant is recommended for a birthday brunch, with the commenter suggesting it offers a nicer atmosphere and generally good food."
Positive"Corner Bar is listed as one of the restaurants serving good beef tartare."
Positive"Corner Bar is listed as one of the restaurants serving good beef tartare."
Positive"Corner Bar is listed as one of the restaurants serving good beef tartare."
Positive"Corner Bar is listed as one of the restaurants serving good beef tartare."
Positive"A user recalls that Corner Bar had an amazing Caesar salad, specifically when Matos was still in charge."
Positive"The user states that their favorite burger/martini combination is found during happy hour at Corner Bar."
Positive"The creator of nycrsvps.com mentioned adding Corner Bar to their reservation tracker and noted its reservation window might be approximately 27 days, longer than the 14 days listed in the original post."
Neutral"States that Corner Bar at 9 Orchard in LES has a pretty good burger."
Positive
