Le Cirque – NYC – Midtown

I am impressed.  This is the first time in a long time that I can say a restaurant really exceeded my expectations.

The building itself with its roundish atrium / entrance is a visual delight.  The restaurant’s decor is comfortable, a little quirky and inviting (if only they didn’t have stargazer lilies, but they were happy to seat me far away) and thankfully relatively quiet. As it filled up, the noise level reached a murmur, but never a din or roar.  

As for the service, I had actually shied away from the restaurant because I was under the impression that service was diffident except for the favored few.  That was so totally not the case. Service was welcoming and attentive and accommodating.  

Last but not least was the food.  We had the Restaurant Week dinners.  At some places, the menu is really limited.  Here there were many appealing choices.  My fluke appetizer was wonderful; my chicken fricassee was very nice; and my creme brulee was sublime.  They were even happy to bring Louis berries for dessert when he said he couldn’t have sugar.  

I look forward to going back (how often have I said that before), even at regular prices….

~ by crschepp on August 16, 2008.