15 EAST @ Tocqueville Reviews

Enjoyed a nice meal here with work friends. Small restaurant and nice service. Very good sushi / high quality seafood. But prices to match!! I ordered the lobster risotto and was disappointed, was not the taste or consistency expecting. Specialists in sea urchin, which is a little exotic for me. Very good desserts too, though out of my first choice. Tip -- seats by the counter would be fun! Watching the very skills chefs at work. If you go, be prepared to be eating frugally til the next pay cheque! :)

If you have money to splash on experimental dishes, try this. They have the French favourites, but also Japanese ones, with some creative ones. Overall, it's high quality dishes that really please the taste buds. The hosts shows you the menu with the - very high - prices before you sit, so as to avoid unpleasant surprises.

I had a solo dinner in the restaurant, so I sat on the bar for a Omakase menu. I wasn't prepared for the format, and I felt quite uneasy having it. The way it goes, is that every 5 minutes, the sushi chef comes to you, rolling a nigiri in his hands, and put the piece of sushi on the table - just like that, with no plate, napkin, nothing. This made me quite uncomfortable. Of course, I know that they make these with their hands, but I don't really need to see this before I put it in my mouth. I didn't enjoy it because of this setting, the sushi itself was good I guess. When I tried to ask for soy sauce or ginger, they said that everything is inside. Ok, I understand the point, but you could give me some if I ask... Finally, the prices are quite ridiculous. I paid $65 for the Omakasa, and this felt like an appetizer - I was really hungry after it (even with an additional roll that I ordered). Overall, I paid about $100, spent there more than an hour on the bar, and left the place hungry. I would therefore not recommend it - you can have great sushi for half or third the price in NY.

Made a last min reservation . Wanted to go to a high end sushi place. 15 East was nice dont get me wrong, but I cant really say that anything stood out in particular. Ordered the omakase.If you are going to pay 150 dollars plus would consider another place. Maybe nicer to sit at the counter.For some reason there is only a single restroom in this restaurant.

Went to Tocqueville on September 7, 2016 for my birthday. Did the 5 course tasting menu for 4 of us. I was concerned maybe we would still be hungry (there is a 7 course too)- but there were multiple little extras in addition to the 5 courses- so in the end, we were so full- didn't think we were going to be able to finish the food. Somehow, we managed! They easily adjusted for some of our dietary restrictions (no beef, pork,etc)- even though the restrictions were different for each person. I shouldn't tell you what to eat, as I am sure everything is excellent, but the grits and the mint ice cream were definitely standouts. Service was impeccable. Staff was professional, but fun. They were so skilled, however, I'm sure if you prefer the robotic-type service, they could do that too. They gave a lot of attention to my birthday and to all details of our evening. For this level of dining, I found the pricing to be appropriate. We are still talking about our meal days later, and will continue to do so, I'm sure. If you enjoy superb french food, excellent service, a lovely ambience and a peaceful retreat from the chaos that waits outside- make a reservation now.

Did not enjoy our dinner at all. Service was good and very efficient but the food was bland. I had the diver scallops and there were only TWO served. But just as well because the dish was tasteless . My husband had the chicken breast and didn’t even want to finish it because of the lack of flavor. Won’t go back and don’t recommend this restaurant.

We came here to take advantage of the $35 sushi omakase plate. The presentation is immaculate and the food is some of the best sushi I have had outside of Japan. The omakase changes depending on the day, but if you are lucky enough to get the citrus scallops then it's a good day! You can order individual sushi, but we had to ask. I recommend the arctic char - a gorgeous rich salmon. One slight issue. This is the only time in New York where I felt the friendliness was insincere and a bit forced.

The food here was incredibly disappointing. I was served “waygu beef” that was less than average sirloin. Not tender not flavorful! My wife’s lobster was poor, it was off. The second drink I was served was not what I ordered and when I called them out they fixed it. I felt like they were just seeing if I could tell the difference!

What a cultured place this is, with an excellent wine list, and superb dishes that combine taste and elegance. Just the right combination for a special meal. The staff are attentive and friendly but not intrusive.

We had a fabulous meal with several outstanding offerings that included foie gras. My husband had the appetizer of seared foie gras and duck sausage. Stupendous! And I adored my entrée of foie gras with diver scallops. The setting was intimate, the service was great, and the price was less than we expected. We would be happy to return to Toqueville.

I didn't have much in the way of expectations - my friends and I were going to a nearby theater and this sounded ok and close to our destination. Boy, was I surprised. Start with a very very helpful - and low-pressure - sommelier who made perfect recommendations for us. Add an attentive wait staff (with one exception which I'll get to) who were always nearby but never hovering. Add in outstanding food, beautifully presented, expertly prepared and there you have my great find of the newish year. I may not go to the theater near here for a while, but I will definitely be back when theater times are not pressing. (That brings me to the exception - I informed the staff three times that we were going to the theater ... that does not speed up the impeccable service; toward the end we had one bite each of our desserts - having ordered the three-course meals - and were racing out the door with minutes left to curtain time -- I asked repeatedly in the last 15 minutes that things be done more quickly - that's on top of the three times I had earlier mentioned very distinctly our curtain times) We made the theater - the play was 5 minutes late starting - it was excellent. Wonderful meal, did I mention that the room is lovely as well ... go and enjoy, but book when you have time to savor the experience, not when you might be rushed for time. If it is a bit out of your way to be here, don't let that stop you. I will say that M, who started the evening 'griping' about everything, room, menu, service, etc, changed her tune with the first arrival of the amuse-bouche and was all smiles afterwards - and she is a tough critic!

Appetizer Grilled Octopus was great Sea Urchin is an acquired taste (if you never had it before skip it) Entree Both the Lobster and Shellfish Risotto were perfect Dessert Souffle (need i say more) lol

My wife and I recently dined at Tocqueville. From start to finish, it was outstanding. We began by having a drink at the small bar. Walter the bar tender helped us start the evening perfectly. The bar has an outstanding selection of whiskeys, especially single malt scotches, with reasonable prices. Walter provided us with some delicious cheese puffs and other nibbles at the bar. The dining room is beautiful and comfortable. The entire staff is terrific and succeeds in making you feel special. My wife had the lamb special and I had the smoked duck breast. The lamb was very good. The duck was out of this world. Probably the best preparation I have ever had. I discussed two wine selections with the very knowledgable somellier. She explained both in wonderful detail, helping us select the perfect wine for us. By the way, the one she recommended the lesser priced. Another plus. Our deserts were also excellent.

We were here a year ago and were just as pleased. Very sophisticated, but unstressed ambience. Much like a michelin starred place...still not sure what keeps it from getting one. Waitstaff all very attentive. Prices correct for this quality standard. Wine list has good.mix of top notch appelations as well as less expensive choices We had sea urchins with angelhair pasta, lobster, squash soup, lobster ravioli and chocolate soufflee for dessert. Everything was well paced and served correctly and attentively . Really a super place for a consistently great restaurant experience.

Better to have a table on the ground floor, good classical food (especially the risotto with mushrooms), good wine list and the sommelier has good recommandation, the service is nice but a bit strict.

Yes, Tocqueville is pricey...but the atmosphere (gorgeous decor), attentive service, and of course AMAZING food and drink will make you feel you walked out with a bargain! Each time I’ve dined at Tocqueville, it has been sublime. The sommelier will guide you to perfect pairings, and there’s always something special on the menu that you won’t forget. I’ve even dined here solo just for the sheer delight! A+

We have been coming to Tocqueville for many years, including before it moved to its (better) location at the corner of 5th ave &15th St. The ambience is now much better, quieter, and more pleasant. Tocqueville is one of the better, and now more gracious, French restaurants in the City. We tend to choose it for special occasions like Thanksgiving or Valentine's Day, when they have a special menu - though the food is excellent anytime you go there. The food (sole, veal, beef, lobster, cod) is about as good as anywhere in town - though a bit less fancy than Kreuther's or Daniel. So it's better than a 4-star place; a tiny bit less than a 5-star place - but there's no way to call it a 4.75 star place because there aren't that many circles they give you. The wine list concentrates mainly in excellent Burgundies and Bordeaux and the prices of the food and wines are reasonable and not exorbitant: it's fine dining that's a little kinder to your wallet. The tables are not close together, so it's a quiet restaurant and the service is quite prompt and good.

Ah, a quiet restaurant! (At least, it was when we were there.) The high-ceilinged room, with tables well spaced, is restful and dignified. The service is expert and unobtrusive. The food is delicious, attractively presented. I had the lobster dish, and although i expected to have to wrestle with shells, the meat had been removed and was presented most attractively. The whole experience was one that we would be glad to have again----and will have again.

My wife and I have done a number of prix fixe lunches at the higher-rated NYC restaurants, and our lunch at Tocqueville was as good as, if not better, than any of the others. It's not a restaurant that generates a lot of buzz (no celebrity chef, etc.), but it consistently ranks in the Zagat Top 10 and after eating there I can see why. The food atmosphere, and service are refined and elegant without being fussy or pretentious. The five-course tasting lunch menu with wine pairings, while not cheap, is an absolute bargain compared to other restaurants at this level.

Four of us dined there for wife birthday; everything went well. All appetizers great, all entrees excellent, service was great, sommelier very helpfull. The best part: elegant room with tables not on top of each others, noise level very low were we did not have to scream for conversation. A rarity these days. Definitely a place, for special occasion. Reasonably priced compare to the other best french. Will suggest some flowers in the room. $$$

The soups and salads here are delicious. The cod melted in my mouth. I attended a business meeting here twice and both times the service was friendly and accurate. The food is also very fresh, flavorful and delicious.

Went for dinner with the family and it was an amazing meal. Some of the best sushi and sashimi we've had, with fresh wasabi (which is pretty hard to get!). Husband and I had the tasting menu, whilst kids chose various items and shared. Super attentive service, and overall a beautiful dinner!!

Had Christmas dinner there it was amazing. The decor is lovely and the location smart. They had a Christmas menu with awesome winter drinks including a delicious toddy. We devoured the appetizers of tuna tartare and lobster ravioli . The main course the trout stood out, but the winner was the scallops. It was a nice place to share a Christmas dinner.

Toqueville is a beautiful restaurant with high ceilings provides a warm, comfortable, yet seamlessly elegant atmosphere. From the time I made my reservations, the staff delivered everything I had hoped for. This restaurant is for people who like fine dining coupled with other clients who speak in a hushed, respectful tone and are well dressed. The tasting menu is an unbelievable value for the dishes included on the menu. From the amuse bouches to the desserts, the presentation and quality are exceptional. Dishes included salmon tartare with roe and yuzu, lobster, filet mignon, sea bass with cilantro, passionfruit and rum granita, and chocolate souffle. Every dish on the tasting menu was refined and classic but with an innovative twist. Will definitely visit again!

I'm a big fan of 15 East. Even with the changing of the guard to Chef Takahashi, the sushi is still amazing. Definitely recommend sitting at the sushi bar. It won't be a complete experience without it and reservations are a must. At the bar, the sushi omakase options are 15 or 20 pieces, and more if you want to. Conversing with the chef was fun, watching each piece of nigiri being meticulously constructed was entertaining, and getting explanations for them was cool. The dessert that comes with the omakase was also amazing. Service is unbelievable top notch. Water and green tea cups were never empty. Plates got switched out regularly. Staff always helped with adjusting your seat and inquiring on your needs.

Christmas Dinner was superb. The food was fabulous, staff was outstanding, and beautiful decor. From the moment we walked in we felt very welcomed. We had drinks at the bar and the two bartenders recommended wine that was exceptional. Beautiful presentation of all courses. We were a family of six and they made the holiday very special for us. Thank you!

I prefer a seat at the counter If I order chefs special tasting course at a sushi place. So I directly receive one by one sushi from a counter with chefs explanations. My first visited, Our seats ware in front of the master chef. The master Japanese chef was wonderfully explaining very well each sushi with seasonal fishes information etc....We had a great dinner. But our 2nd visited, we sat at the counter but our seats were not in front of a master Japanese chef. But our 2nd visited, we sat at the counter but our seats were not in front of a master Japanese chef. So the night was the 2nd chef who was not Japanese served our sushi. I didn't mind that 2nd chef was not Japanese. New York is a melting pot place, it's not big a deal. The problem was his working style. He working style was like a machine. He explains each sushi but just names only. It means the way he served sushi nothing heartful. It was a very cold service that I felt. My point is.......it was a totally different experience of the 1st time and 2nd time. Just too BAD.....it was very disappointed in the 2nd time.

Fresh and fantastic sashimi! Tuna landed that morning in Boston was our dinner the same day! Excellent service and recommendations - went with a sashimi appetizer followed by 10 different types of sashimi (beautifully presented) and a couple of tuna maki - it all tasted delicious. Try the tiramisu for desert instead of taking a coffee!

I reserved a table at ‘Tocqueville’ because of the excellent reviews I’d read online. I then emailed the restaurant to tell them that I would be dining there for lunch with my partner after we had got married earlier that day at City Hall. I received a very nice email in return, saying they were thrilled to have been chosen for our celebratory lunch and they were looking forward to celebrating with us. It was therefore something of a disappointment that we entered the restaurant at 2pm to find the dining room was completely empty except for one table. The room therefore was entirely lacking in atmosphere and we felt like we had to talk in low voices for the whole meal because the place felt like an empty church instead of a lively and buzzing temple to food. Service was attentive throughout the meal but absolutely no attempt was made by the staff to congratulate us. I had thought that a complimentary glass of champagne might have been offered as an aperitif. Anyway, we drank a vodka Martini and spicy bloody Mary while we waited for the food. We started with a truly delicious sea urchin carbonara and the soup of the day. We followed with a lightly smoked duck breast and cod with brandade. I finished with a slice of apricot tart. We washed this down with sparkling water; a nice bottle of Gruner Veltliner and a glass of Passito. The bill came to $278 incl service. And, right at the end of our meal, our server Miguel brought out a slice of cake from the kitchen for us with the word “congratulations” drawn in chocolate on the plate. It was a nice gesture but to be truthful we would have preferred a congratulations from the stuff when we sat down rather than a slice of cake at very end of the meal. I can only comment on the time we dined there and therefore have no idea what the restaurant is like when it is full and busy, but for us it was just too empty and quiet for us to have really had a truly memorable meal.

This is a great place for adults who would like a chance to have a conversation. The high-ceilinged room, widely-spaced tables, carpets and drapes keep sound to a quiet hum. The food was excellent, especially for fans of foie gras, which turned up in several dishes. We appreciated the emphasis seasonal ingredients, like a nettle soup with mint-pea ravioli. Service was attentive and followed our cues when we wanted to take our time and linger.

What a treat!! My husband and I recently enjoyed an absolutely delightful tasting menu at this gracious establishment. This talented chef clearly understands the combination of flavors and textures and works with them like an artist creating a masterpiece! We plan to make it one of our favorite restaurants.

My entree of Grits and Egg, was simply stunning. Layered and absolutely delicious. My wife had frois gras which she also enjoyed. Main meal. Mine was steak which was barely warm when served. The cut was very good but the steak was all but cold. The accompanying salsa type sauce didn't compliment the dish at all and seemed to be a total mismatch. The vegetables, carrots, peas and potatoes were nothing special and could have been served at a diner. My wife enjoyed her Cod, but this,too was barely warm. The setting is lovely, the staff generally very attentive, although we were not asked what we thought of our main meal. Maybe they already knew the answer.

I went there solo and enjoyed one of the best sushi dinners I have ever had, including in Tokyo. I tried one of the many sakes they have on the menu and then another, each was delicious and a great accompaniment to my dinner. The star of the show was the live uni, served in the shell and amazingly sweet, almost foie gras in texture and just as delicious. The place is a bit expensive but worth it.

Delicious food! Contemporary settings. Good wine list. We were surprised to Find such fine dining near Union Square!

We arrived late Sunday evening. The staff could not be more accomdating! The sushi chef beind the counter was very friendly, enjoyed sharing his knowlege of where the fish came from and even showed us a picture of the fish we were eating. We had the Chef's tasting menu and loved fish and experience. The only downside was we were still hungrey when we left.

One of the best meal I ever had, got the Valentine's day menu, everything was tasty, extremely fresh with mind blowing flavors, top 5 best restaurants in NYC. Fantastic

Recently had a family gathering of 22 people in the private room. The group consisted of grandchildren, children and grandparents,all with differing expectations. The food was exquisite, the service helpful and friendly and the room very comfortable. Such a good time was had that all talked about the meal for days, What a pleasant treat!!

The staff didn't offer welcome to us first when we enter and we had difficulty in getting waiters' attention. We went there for lunch and ordered Sashimi and Nigiri Omakase which was $60++/person. Food was good but those are all so tiny. I'd give 4 star if it was $20. It seems we had expected too much and were disappointed overall...

Very nive and cosi place. Excelent relation of price and quality! Good service, not a big place so make timely arrangements. Short rib was great

We selects this place after looking at the reviews. The room is elegant, the service is professional and attentive. The sommeliers suggestions were perfect and the food was delicious. Every table was filled yet I was still able to carry on a conversation with my wife. I had the seafood risotto entree special and foie gras appetizer. Both were amazing. My wife had the mushroom risotto appetizer and diver scallops

A welcoming and warm environment for a snowy evening. The staff was very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu items, so we were happy with their recommendations. We chose a variety of courses, each a perfect blend of flavors. The uni was magical. Even the dessert and tea was splendid.

Great atmosphere. Food is fantastic. My wife is not a fan of Uni at all but loved the Uni angel hair pasta. I want to make a special note of the service which was also fantastic. While our server was taking our order she accidentally kicked the table and spilled her drink on him. Not only was he very gracious about the whole thing, he replaced her drink. For free. When it was her fault. Great value for the price - I would definitely go back again.

Superb 7-course tasting menu plus wine pairings. The chef was able to accommodate one of us disliking seafood by providing different dishes, and we even got different wines at times - complete with refills. Portions were generous - perhaps a little over-generous. The only disappointment was the slightly slow service to start with, but once that was over, we were looked after very well. Oh yes - avoid the corner banquette tables, which are rather squashed, and too close to the adjacent table. (We were glad we asked to be moved.)

We enjoyed a superb lunch in this charming restaurant. The prix fixe menu is good value for money, and I can recommend the wild sea trout starter and the scallops with foie gras. But as ever, the star of the show for me is the wine on offer and the maitre sommelier, Roger who is always keen to talk wine. An excellent Chardonnay from Oregon, a St Julien Ducru and a Gevrey-Chambertin, all served impeccably. Very very helpful staff too.

15 East has a wonderful history, 9 years ago when the owners of Toqueville moved next door one of the owners, decided an upscale sushi restaurant was missing from the neighborood and 15 East was born. he recruited one of the top sushi chefs, who sourced the freshest and best tasting fish from around the world and daily they have the best selection in town. I had the live Sea Urchin (Uni) which to me was as good as the best foie gras in its delicious buttery and rich flavor, followed by the chef's sashimi omakase and ended with the nori soba. Of all my selections the only slight, very slight, disappointment was the nori soba which was a bit under-pulled and as a result a bit too rubbery. The service was impeccable, the sake menu was broad and had a good price range. I would recommend this to anyone who lives in the area as well as out of towners.

Went as a couple for dinner, sat in the dining area. Liked the seaweed salad and yellowtail tasting appetizers. Sushi and sashimi were great, fresh and varied. Great sake list. Service was great, kudos to our Indonesian waitress who took the time to explain the dishes and made great suggestions. Overall very good with a price tag to match.

Great restaurant. Excellent bar overlooking the exquisite dishes' preparation area. Alternatively, all tables are "elegant". Food is sublime, well prepared and elegantly served. Careful with the sake choice as it could cost you "an arm and a leg". Visit it.

Cousins recommended Tocqueville, they are foodies, saying this is their favorite NYC restaurant. We were not disappointed! The restaurant is elegant, the service is beyond attentive. The menu looked fabulous, it was so hard to choose. The wine list extensive, we shared Prosecco. My husband enjoyed his salad, my soup was fabulous. His fillet mignon & potatoes was wonderful. I loved my lobster. We shared the soufflé's for dessert. I didn't want the evening to end, we have to come back!

15 East is indeed a fashionable place, but far from the top sushi spots in NYC, especially when sitting at a table (counter was full) Tasting menus, sushi or sashimi, are disappointing and costly. Nothing remarkable here else than the tiny size of the portions served. Many better sushi options in the Big Apple. Cannot find a single reason to visit this restaurant.

Went here for New Years Eve. Excellent meal staff was very hospitable and even waited as we were a bit late from our new years eve party.

What a wonderful experience! Lovely, cozy, and warm ambience and service. The food was outstanding. Starting with the wonderful focaccia, through the starters (risotto was the winner) but foie gras and cheddar salad were also good, through to the filet mignon. We finished with the chocolate soufflé which was perfect. I can’t believe we hadn’t been here before.

Just finished having an extraordinary dinner. Lovely dining room, well appointed and quiet. Attentive service. Phenomenal gourmet meal. Charming sommelier. Yes, it is pricey but very worth the cost. For a special occasion for adults this is the place to be.

Start to finish an excellent meal. When we first looked at the menu there were so many items that we wanted to try that we decided there was no way we'd settle for just one main course each. Tasting menu it was. It seemed as though we had about 4 amuse bouche before we even got to the appetizer and then the mains. We were starting to wonder if would even have enough room to enjoy the latter courses of the meal, but the portions and spacing of the courses was so perfectly orchestrated that the evening was perfectly paced and the amount of food spot on. No point highlighting all of the food items; you can pull that off the website. I would simply say they were all excellent. Tasty, well prepared, varied and presentation was fantastic. Only one complaint from the entire meal. The 60 second seared prime sirloin was disappointing. Sounds cool on the menu, but in reality searing a sirloin on one side only results in one side of the meat being overly cooked and the opposite side being somewhat cool and more rare than you'd prefer. They'd be much better served if they just cooked a nice sirloin in a more traditional manner...there's a reason steak is cooked the way it is! Overall though very pleased...until it comes time to pay my visa bill!

Wow! Went for lunch. Prix-fixe is a bargain. Compared with Nougatine where I went the day before also for lunch, Tocqueville is miles ahead. Every dish was made to perfection with surprising tasteful combinations. Do not hesitate to go!

There were earlier reviews about spotty service, and obviously management listened. We were served promptly but not intrusively. The wine list is very reasonable, with well chosen vintages, The food was extraordinary, especially foie gras from the Hudson Valley, and the angel hair pasta carbonara with sea urchin. I thought I would need a fainting couch to express my pleasure with that dish. It's not inexpensive but not that pricey either. Totally romantic cadre. Sublime

I thought the food was great. The service was excellent. We had a flight of Tuna and a flight of Uni which came from Japan and California. All the food was great. The bucket wheat ice cream can be skipped.

Tocqueville was an unforgettable experience. We enjoyed white truffles and an amazing duck with pineapple. I recommend it!. Is an intimate space in the middle of NYC.

Last evening I dined at Tocqueville and it was fantastic. I work in the neighborhood but rarely venture down 15th street. I ate at Tocqueville about 10 yrs ago when it was in its former location. This is a first class restaurant. The atmosphere is very classic and beautiful - white table cloths and fresh flowers and mood lighting. Tocqueville is small, so you never feel crowded. There is a small upstairs, where we sat. It's like being in a private dining room. The food is top quality and deliciously prepared. We shared some starter and everyone loved their main courses- duck, scallops - they were all great. Wonderful wine list with some reasonably priced bottles. Really great service as well. I highly recommend Tocqueville. I will dine there again in the future.

Such a place, just off Union Square. We sat at the sushi bar and had my first omakase, which was an unforgettable experience. I loved every minute at 15 East, fish and rice were perfect, good service and a great sommelier.

My husband was working on a project next door and we met for dinner there. The food was amazing as was the staff. As a native New Yorker I know Great food And superb customer service. This establishment delivers!!!!!Go there NOW!!!!!

My wife, Paule, and I are avid restaurant goers and reviewers, in part because she was owner/chef of restaurant in Annecy France that was in the Michelin. Last night we enjoyed the exceptional service and menu of Tocqueville for the first time. We were attracted to the lovely setting. This restaurant is beautiful, quiet, romantic. Patina, the receptionist, greeted and seated us in the very nice table for two. We were then greeted and served by Miguel Vega, captain. I started with pasta with white truffle. It was the first day of the season for this dish -- three generous sized truffles were served on top of risotto. My wife started with fresh, tasteful salad with cheese, followed by salmon -- which was perfectly cooked to her tastes. I had foie gras and scallops. Exceptional. Miguel then politely if we would like to meet the chef, Julian Wagnies. We were honored to meet him and he and my wife described the wonders of America and his route to this exceptional place. It was simply a great experience. Service, dishes, atmosphere -- all 5 out of 5. From our experience this could easily compete with 2 star Michelin restaurants. Don't miss this gem.

The beautiful, jewel box restaurant has it all; great food, attentive and knowledgeable service, and relaxing atmosphere. It's expensive, but this restaurant delivers on expectations!

This place is a real quiet jewel on 15th Street away from the hustle and bustle of Union Square. If you do not know about it you could just walk by and ignore it since it does not have a flashy entrance. Once inside it is a very elegant space with a small bar that you walk through to go to the main and only dinning room with double high ceilings. The tables are well spaced so you are not next to someone else even if there are only two of you. We were four and we all had cocktails that were served promptly. With the cocktails they brought us a bowl of warm "cheese puffs" although they call them something fancier which escapes my mind now, still were delicious. We were given the menus which were concise but had a wide variety of selections all using fresh markets and local products. The restaurant has an American menu with French flavors. The amuse bouche was very interesting, foes gras creme broulet with green apple slice, absolutely delicious. For appetizers two of us had the grilled octopus, one had the duck sausage and sear Hudson Valley foie gras and the fourth had the house-curred terrine of Hudson Valley foie gras. For main course two of use ordered the main-course pumpkin risotto (also offered as an appetizer), another had the beef cheeks with fingerling potatoes, brussels sprouts and root vegetables and the last one had the day boat cod with billi bi broth. All the main courses were superb. As an aside when it came to ordering the wine, we took a look at the wine list and it was very pricy. We all had had cocktails before we arrived at the restaurant, and had a cocktail there so we wanted good wines but not paying a couple of hundred dollars a bottle. We asked the sommelier to pick a red and a white wine that would not exceed $100 each, since there were just a few of this price point in the wine list that we knew about it and did not like. He was not offended at all as some sommeliers might be, on the other hand he over performed selecting a sauvignon blanc and a bordeaux, both not on the list and both way under our price limit and they were both excellent. Dessert menu was small but diverse. We had a green market apple tart with Calvados ice cream, a pineapple upside down-type cake and a plate of 5 scoops of ice cream. The overall experience was terrific and the service impeccable, what really impressed us was that all the four appetizers, main courses and desserts were served at once and never a server asked us who is having what, which was wonderful. When the check arrived they also brought two little trays with assortments of sweets including macaroon cookies and other delicious morsels. A wonderful experience.

My 2 girlfriends and I visited this restaurant on April 1. It was our first time and as its supposed to be one of the top quality sushi restaurants we decided to try it. I'm visiting from london but grew up in NYC. We come every April with my family for the Easter holidays. We were quite disappointed by the food quality. It wasn't as great as we thought it would be despite ordering the suggested Omakase menu and many other things on the menu. Food was very average and we paid about $650 for the 3 of us. Nonetheless it was a pleasant evening with nice service until we arrived home. All 3 of us started vomiting at different times of the evening . We spoke to each other in the morning and realized it had to have been the food. There was no other explanation. I called the restaurant and the gentleman said he would look into it and call me back. No one did. I then emailed the restaurant and I still have not heard back. For a restaurant that received a Michelin star in 2014 , I am utterly aghast at their customer service and lack of attention to this very serious matter. At the very least I would like a refund on our meal. Absolutely unacceptable to dine at a restaurant of this caliber and be sick all night. For all 3 of us to be sick! I won't give up on this though as I would like my money back.

My husband and I flew in from NZ and had booked ahead for some highly recommended restaurants in NYC. I cannot fault the service; it was exceptional. However the seasonal chef tasting menu was terrible. The boiled abalone was served in a cold broth so the texture was ruined. The sea urchin was vomit worthy and the sashimi was warm. However the sake list was amazing - only redeeming thing. On top of this our meal for 2 was USD$850.

We were at Tocqueville for a Valentine's Day dinner. The foie gras appetizer was exceptional. Both the lobster and scallops with foie gras entrees were delicious. We shared the chocolate souffle for dessert and thoroughly enjoyed it. It had just the right amount of molten center. They have an extensive wine list. Service was good, but could be more attentive for this caliber of restaurant.

The wait staff, at least the one that served our table, set an uncomfortable tone for our visit. I'm not sure what the problem was, but our family group of seven all had the same reaction. He gave us the impression that we were perhaps a bit below the class of customers he was used to. Had the cuisine been overwhelming, we might have overlooked it. But the reaction of our group to the food was variable. Some liked it, others found it so, so. For example, I had a very interesting chicken dish complete with a "chicken foie gras." The presentation was outstanding, and the foie gras delicious. But, I could hardly cut the boneless chicken breast with the knife provided. It need a steak knife! Very disappointing on the whole, but the chef's complimentary appetizers and dessert sweets were excellent.

I want to say from the outset our family dinner for six was one of the most pleasurable dining experiences we have had. Initially we were able to get a reservation at an acceptable day and time. From the reception at the door till the final dessert course and beverages I could not have asked for more. The breads, the amuses, the appetizers, the main courses and desserts were all wonderful. Especially delicious we're the sea urchin pasta, the duck sausage and the vegetarian cauliflower soup as starters and the chicken with foie gras and poached lobster as main courses. The service including the sommelier and all of the waitstaff was efficient, cordial and informative. The time passed so comfortably after three hours we all commented how enjoyable dinner had been.

Loved it here. Lovely restaurant quiet enough to have a conversation. My friend had the duck and said it was the best ever. Food was A+, service A+ can't recommend highly enough

Went here to celebrate my birthday. The service and food were excellent. Very attentive but not too in your face. The food is lovely and French/American fusion progressive. They did a special candle and an ice-cream sampler for my birthday dessert, complete with a candle to make a wish. This restaurant would be great for a special occasion date. It's about a $300 meal for two if you do alcohol.

The welcome and service were very good. The fresh fish selections were good. That's the only positive at this restaurant. The portions are very small and very pricey. After spending $450 for 4 people with beer only and no dessert, we were still hungry.

Given its price, the sushi was underwhelming. The servers knowledge was lacking customer the sushi chefs weren’t all Japanese, and the wine choices were bad, particularly by the glass. At $370 for a light dinner for two, I expected much more given the great sushi in NYC. Won’t return.

Probably overbooked for a holiday dinner this unassuming restaurant had some surprises. The service was the worst part as we often sat with dirty dishes and no wine service. We dined over 3 hours for a fixed three course meal. On the positive, we had time to digest. On the negative we often sat with "no wine and dirty dishes". The food was more than acceptable and often delicious. We may try this again.

Nice ambience and decor. Food is fresh and varied. Service is professional. Expect to pay $$$ as Zagat has rated it 27 with the top Japanese restaurants in nyc. Well located near Union square.

Wonderful meal. Great room, great acoustics, fun bartender, great som and wine list. Food was very good

This is an elegant restaurant with soft lighting, a high ceiling, well-spaced tables, and good service. It would be good for the evening that you want to propose marriage, or for an anniversary, or a dinner with friends who want conversation rather than a boisterous occasion. The menu was slightly odd, with rather too much reference to foie gras and tartare, but the chef creates some unusual dishes and the main courses we had were attractive and delicious. The wine steward suggested something unusual and offered a taste of it, although my husband settled on something more familiar. The first courses on the menu this evening didn't appeal to us, although my husband's squash soup, a special off the menu, was good, and the waiter gave its price before we ordered it----a big plus for any restaurant. My salad had sand in it. To the restaurant's great credit, it did not charge me for the salad although we had not requested a refund. The breads are made in house and are very good. Little tubs hold home-made butter (not that I'd notice the difference from store-bought butter).. We were glad of that because the dinner dishes took quite a while to arrive. Another point in Tocqueville's favor is that the reservation person asks if there is a special occasion being celebrated. In our case,unbidden, petite scoops of five ice creams appeared, with an anniversary greeting written in chocolate. The receptionist was charming and efficient, and the wait staff was polite, did not hover, and seemed very professional. I wish the menu had been more appealing and the prices somewhat lower because the products didn't seem entirely worth the cost. One can think of Tocqueville as very good to excellent.

OMG we received a tasting gift from family so we were not sure what exactly we were in for...SURPRISE it was fantastic. We were greeted with a glass of champagne some specialty appetizers and a very attentive caring server who was forever filling glasses and removing plates, replacing silverware...he was great even with all the explanations we needed in order to know what exactly we were eating. The food was exquisite very different ingredients and flavors, loved it. 5 separate courses ending with 3 different desserts, summed up in one one...WOW THANK-YOU a hidden gem that we never would have found if it wasn't for TRULY CONCIERGE. definitely make reservations here!

Cosy restaurant near Union Square perhaps best Sushi ever experienced. Prompt courteous service and excellent wine/Saki list made whole experience flow seamlessly. Especially memorable were flights of Uni, Tuna and Yellow Tail tasting. Matched perfectly with an unique Sancerre white wine picked out by sommelier. Be careful over ordering since can run up big bill. Pricey but worth every Shekel!

We had dinner for three recently at 15 East. I'm still dreaming about that meal. The great Yasuda-san used to say that good nigiri is all about the rice. 15 East is just as devoted to getting the rice "right" as Yasuda-san was, in the days when he was still manning the bar at Sushi Yasuda. And the fish. Oh my. Wonderful variety and excellent artisanship in the prep. I'm especially partial to uni, and they had a flight of 4 sea urchins from different locations. All were wonderful! The tempura fried fugu was supple and delicious. And our long list of pieces that we got were consistently of the very top quality. The ambiance here is nothing too fancy -- simple and elegant, perfect for quiet conversation. The sake list is extensive. We enjoyed an Asahi Shuzou Dassai -- a Junmai Daiginjo, which the sommelier assisted us with. The service is excellent and what one would expect from a Michelin starred restaurant. My friend who joined us for the meal is a frequent traveler to Japan and somewhat of a sushi expert. His ruling? "Better than Japan." Now that's saying something.

Everything was creatively conceived and prepared flawlessly - from truffled grits to lobster to game Service was gracious and helpful.

I have been to this restaurant many times over its many years. Over those years the standard has been maintained. Service is excellent, as are many of the dishes. The seafood dishes are a standout -- Tuna tartare, lobster, black sea bass. The chicken was slightly overcooked, which was saved by the sauce. The chocolate soufflé and tart tatin were excellent. There is a very good wine list and the sommelier is quite helpful. This is a beautiful restaurant, perfect for a special occasion or romantic dinner or an intimate dinner with friends.

I invited a personal friend to venture along with me and indulge in coffee and dessert at Tocqueville. Upon entering we were graciously greeted by our host. Our seating was divine. It allowed us to absorb Tocqueville's posh and elegant charm. I wasted less than a moment ordering Tocqueville's signature dessert, the super sexy (chocolate) souffle. Oooh...La La, this tantalizing dessert qualifies as the holy grail of chocolate souffles. It will leave your taste buds begging for more. I was so impressed, that I placed an immediate request to meet the chef who was responsible for such confectionery delights!! Needless to say my honorable request was granted. I was presented with the opportunity to personally thank Chef Julian Wargnies for his masterful creation. If you are ever in the Union Square area make every effort to dine at Tocqueville.

I was a huge fan of 15 East when I first sat at the sushi bar several years back. I have eaten at most of the top rated sushi restaurants in New York and LA and recall a meal that ranked amongst the very best in terms of the quality and presentation of the sushi. Each piece was individually served on a marble counter. Soy sauce and washabi condiments were discouraged and rightly so as the sushi was simply delicious as served. Recommendations on less common options we're readily available by the sushi chefs. My next visit I ate in the dining room and it was a huge disappointment. While the quality of the sushi didn't seem to match my first experience, it was our server that soured the experience. Simply put, he had an attitude that wasnt just rude and inattentive but he was unwilling to offer any insight or suggestions as to what fish he recommended. My wife who accompanied me on this visit was quite disappointed, especially in light of all my hype from my previous visit. Several months later I decided to give the sushi bar another try and my meal was almost as good as my first visit. My 4th (and last) visit was back to the dining room. The service started out fine. I asked for a sake recommendation and I was offered tastes of two good options by a friendly sommelier. Immediately afterwards a waiter came over to take our order. Aside from the fact that it seemed a bit rushed, the waiter was downright rude. (Quite similar to my previous dining room experience but even worse this time. I don't remember for sure but I think it was the same server as from our previous visit). I had not fully made up my mind what to order and when I asked for an explanation/recommendation on some variations of Yellow Tail, he referred me to the list on the menu. When I asked him to explain the differences he refused other than to reply they are "different". I was amazed by this response but nonetheless kept my cool and asked if he could explain the differences. His response in an annoyed tone was: "no, I can't". I then (still calmly) asked for him to send someone over who could. He walked away in a huff and took his time finding another server (or manager?) to come over and who waited on us the balance of the evening. His replacement was pleasant and professional and did offer me the simple explanation and recommendations I was requesting. As far as the sushi it was good, but nothing extraordinary. Certainly not what I experienced on my two prior visits to the sushi bar. But the show stopper for me was the extraordinarily rude server. If the Michelin reviewers ever crossed paths with him, there would be no chance that 15 East would be awarded any Michelin stars. Bottom line: with so many other outstanding sushi options in the city, I will not be returning to a restaurant that I had once held in the highest of regard.

Tocqueville is absolutely amazing from start to finish. Service, decor, food, ambiance -- everything is top notch. Perfect restaurant for a special occasion.

Excellent food, very attentive and a nice setting. - Little mis-hap over the bill but that was rectified promptly. Only comment would be that the staff could be a little more friendly.

Was able to get an early seating because of a late minute cancelation. Everything was wonderful seafood, pasta ,duck. Service was attentive. The dining room sets the appropriate ambiance. Perfect dining experience. We were going back home to have birthday cake. The staff delivered a great dessert anyway with a candle. It was great better than our birthday cake.

Great staff and food. Wine recommendations were excellent. We would return again for sure. The fixed menu with wine pairing was delicious.

REVIEW 15 EAST We literally stumbled upon this fantastic Japanese restaurant that created such a beautiful outdoor dining experience. I noticed the pretty display of colors and beautiful décor from a distance and decided to make this establishment the home of our 35th anniversary celebration. 15 EAST did not disappoint. We started with the sashimi appetizer very delicate and refined, although a bit pricey. ($70) and then went on to have another appetizer a delicious pasta with uni. This was the perfect ending to a lovely dinner…so we thought. The servers graciously surprised us with a delicious anniversary dessert. The servers, I believe one of them was named Miguel were on point, pleasant and were clearly eager to please!!! The hostess was very welcoming as well. We will definitely be returning to this beautiful outdoor oasis!

The food and the service were impeccable. The atmosphere is sophisticated and comfortable. The staff were very attentive and the sommelier was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Well located near Union Square, this is a restaurant you will surely remember.

Came here looking for an elegant unhurried meal. The appetizer of pasta carbonara with uni was delicious and the star of the evening. Very rich so glad we split it as an appetizer. Scallops with foie gras was ok but the combination just didn't work for us. Chicken with a sausage on top of puree was slightly overcooked and dry. Duck breast was enjoyed. The desserts were underwhelming- so-called chocolate souffle was more like a flourless cake very dense. For the price of the meal the food was only above average except for the uni pasta which was exceptional. Service was excellent. Our first time here but not sure I'd come back with so many other high end restaurants from which to choose.

What an incredible meal. We had the chefs tasting menu at the bar and it was out of this world. Lovely charming service and the chef clearly passionate about his food, explained each fish to us and answered our questions patiently. Nothing too much trouble. The sushi was exceptional - every piece beautifully made and tasting amazing. If you like sushi, you will love it here.

I love sushi & sashimi & go regularly to what is considered a very good restaurant. I ventured into NYC with my son to experience this highly touted restaurant, specifically to have the chef's choice omekase at the sushi bar. The fish was all from Japan with nothing frozen . Everything tasted completely different- so fresh, delicate, sublime. What surprised me was two things: Ikura or salmon eggs were a pale orange with a very mild taste totally unlike what I ever ate before. So different! So mild . Amazing what you get accustomed to. You know this joint's fish is high caliber, so what the *%&() was I eating and enjoying before this all these years? You can not go wrong so ante up the big bucks and have a great experience.

This is fine dining at its best! The food, service, and ambience all excellent! This is leisurely dining in a beautiful setting where you can actually have a conversation with the people at your table and be heard. We ordered from the prix fixe al la carte menu and loved the wild bluefin tuna sashimi, the poached white asparagus, poached maine lobster and, best of all, the smoked duck breast. The sake and wine also excellent.

Our first time here. We went for our wedding anniversary. The place is classy, quiet and subdued. The service was impeccable. We had the tasting menu and each and every course was well prepared and excellent. Several complimentary small bits were included. Pricey but highly recommended, especially for special occasions.

Always a perfect meal. Food, service, wine list all top class. Everything we ate was excellent. Would return again and again.

The Good: Very delicious food, perfectly cooked, and excellent wines. Elegant ambience, comfortable seating, with music at a good level. Flowers are lovely in the bar and waiting area. The sommelier was engaging, personable, and knowledgeable. The Bad: The Service (with the exception of the fine sommelier) was the worst of a fine restaurant I've experienced. The waiter greeted us with: "Do you want to order"? Two women seated next to us were asked loudly by the hostess to leave after enjoying their meal too slowly: "We can offer you one of our lovely bar tables; after all you've been here for 3 hours and 40 minutes!" This kind of tone can ruin a meal. The Portions are also small: I should have eaten well before I got there. This was a Thanksgiving meal, but the restaurant didn't seem to know it. Filet mignon with rutabaga and "pont neuf" potatoes = 2x3 inch steak, 3 discs of vegetable the size of quarters, and 3 or 4 sticks of wide French fries. A cheese plate was 4 small squares of cheese. The risotto was small, and a pork chop came with 3 squirts of sweet potato puree. The Price: Dinner for two, each having 2 glasses of wine and aperitif, was $525 including tip. I left hungry, and I asked for more bread during the meal. Fine dining should amount to a special experience, at a price that seems worthwhile. On this occasion I don't think Tocqueville represented good value.

We enjoyed our Christmas day lunch at Tocqueville, and despite a couple of pretty average starters, the rest of the food was tasty and well presented. The service was attentive without being overbearing and the restaurant felt nice and intimate. With cocktails, our bill came to just under $300, which is far too steep when comparing to other great restaurants in the area, like the Grammercy tavern, where a 5 course tasting menu will only set you back $65 per person. I think they still have a bit of work to do to make this a good recommendation, but in no way was it a bad meal.

Run, do not walk, to this amazing gem of a restaurant! We had a tasting menu for lunch and every dish was a delicious surprise with many layers of flavor that kept surprising you: grits with egg and parmesan first hit the mouth feel of parmesan and then smokiness of bacon, and then the richness of egg yolk. Smoked duck breast was smoked just right and grilled pineapple added just the right sweetness. Dessert of chocolate soufflé was crusty on the top with heavenly melted hot chocolate below; minty ice cream was a perfect palate cleanser between the bites. All this deliciousness was a bargain at $70 for 5 course tasting lunch! Service was attentive, wine choice good. Restaurant is pretty. Go!

This restaurant simply blew my mind with food quality and service. I've been there two times, once for a dinner with friend and second time for romantic anniversary. The restaurant is perfect for both occasions. Very sophisticated place with food on point. Great selection of sakes. Yellowtail and risotto with uni are to die for.

Everything about our evening at Tocqueville was perfect. We went to celebrate our mom’s special birthday and we could not have made a better choice. At many restaurants the appetizers and desserts outweigh the entrees. Not here. Each course was devine. The asparagus soup, Atlantic char tartare and mushroom risotto appetizers were amazing. And those appetizers just set the stage for the red snapper, smoked duck and wagyu steak. And then the desserts. The chocolate soufflé and citrus cheesecake ended a really perfect meal. The service was impeccable and friendly and went out of their way to accommodate the one gluten free allergy. We cannot wait to return. Tocqueville made our New York weekend so special.

We were recommended 15 East by the concierge at the Mandarine Oriental what a great suggestion. Nice small but very clean restaurant. Very helpful and polite staff, great greeting. Black Cod, tuna tartare, Wagyu beef gyoza followed by Salmon, Sashimi (10) Tempura soda noodles then baked apple and ice cream - delightful!! The food was exceptional a real discovery.

Outstanding gourmet meal. Presentation and food quality excellent. Attentive staff - without hovering. Looks exactly like the photo above. They will uncork and serve your own wines - call ahead to make arrangements with the Sommelier.

Beautiful, peaceful and calm space off Union Square. Sushi bar up front, sit down off to the side. Relaxed but attentive friendly service. I had a delicious mushroom soba with a piece of shrimp tempura and three makis. All were a grade and a level above the average sushi joint. The soba broth was amazing! One word of warning, this place is extremely expensive, be prepared to drop a wad to eat here - although it is worth a premium price.

The menu is exciting and clever. It was good to see Sea Trout on the menu, with a sea trout wasabi tartare as starter. The smoked duck breast was fabulous as was the chocolate sorbet. And what a wine list. It was an honour to share wine with the master sommelier. I will be back as soon as I am able.

Just stepped in for a lunch -- my friend who lives in NYC took me there. It is a Michelin starred place. And yes, the star is deserved. I took an asparagus soup, a squid risotto and a home made sorbet for a lunch. Everything was great. A perfect mix of mild tastes and flavors. We paid something around $40 per person - very good value for money.

Located in the Union Square neighborhood, this lovely place is a gem. The interior is sleek with the sushi bar on one side of the restaurant which is separated, by a wall, from the main dining area. I was a solo diner who made a reservation for lunch. I sat in the main dining room. I started with the "Degustation of Sea Lettuces" which consisted of four, separate Japanese seaweeds and accompanying sauces. Three of the varieties were extremely tasty and interesting; I found one variety, the white, translucent seaweed, a bit bland even with the accompanying sauce. Following the seaweed, I ate several scrumptious pieces sashimi from the "Sashimi Omakase" main course which included chef's choice of seven different fish. The toro was amazing and I found the smoked fish (char?) meaty and different. The favorite part of my meal were two pieces of uni....one from California and the other from Hokkaido. The second piece was pure bliss; it literally melted into my mouth and coated every tastebud with sheer happiness. I could have eaten several more pieces of the Hokkaido uni. Lastly, I had the "Duck with Green Onions Hot Soba." It was the perfect mixture of a light broth, slices of duck and handcut soba noodles. I asked for assistance for an appropriate sake to accompany all of my courses. The recommended sake was perfect and did not disappoint. The atmosphere is quiet and the décor is minimal, sleek and very comfortable. The service is wonderful. I highly recommend this restaurant.

It was one of the best dinner we had. We went for a business dinner and it was perfect. The service was very good. I strongly recommend. Very pricy but happy to pay it.

from the moment we walked into the hushed and well appointed dining room until we left many hours later, we were treated with courtesy and an incredibly knowledgeable staff. the food was beautifully presented and excellent; the offerings were locally sourced and the pacing was delightful. the room was quiet and we could have an enjoyable conversation. the wine list is extensive. what's not to like?

Is this the finest Japanese food in New York? We had a superb meal - the seven course tasting menu $140 a person. Hassun, Seasonal soup with truffle and foie gras, shasimi, fish or meat - we had one of each, the fish was better than the duck but both were very good. Nigiri, soba (the least interesting dish) and a sweet desert a sort of Japanese panna cotta. Attentive service, not overbearing. Sophisticated dark ambiance. A real treat.

This restaurant near Union Square is a well kept secret, in my opinion. As the sister of Michelin rated Japanese restaurant "15 East" (next door) without the corresponding prices, Tocqueville features French fare prepared using local ingredients. Service was well paced and the atmosphere was professional without being pretentious.The wild mushroom risotto appetizer deserves a mention and the scallop and foie gras were outstanding. The biggest surprise however was the chicken breast and fois gras. We normally make it a point to order dishes that we normally wouldn't prepare at home, but decided to take a chance on this dish at our server's recommendation. Prepared in a sous vide style, and then seared/grilled, it was the juiciest, most tender and tasty chicken we have ever had! Between appetizers, mains, and dessert, this was a fantastic meal. Wine selection is very good, albeit a bit pricey, but good offerings by the glass.

Simply awesome from the food, atmosphere to the service. I had the cheddar salad and beef grilled filet mignon. Andrea had the lobster and soup. Their souffle dessert was to die for as well. Just a terrific dining experience. Yes it is pricey, but this should be a 5 star restaurant. It will never be confused with Taco Bell.

The food is among the top 10 in NYC The service is impeccable and the ambience is wonderful Plenty of space between tables and able to have a conversation

Their ingredients are incredibly fresh and support local organic farms. The dishes are flavorful, inventive, exotic, and one of a kind. Great for celebrating major life accomplishments, date nights or business meetings. Nice private upstairs room.

One of the best value lunches (on a Saturday) can be had at Tocqueville. My wife and I ate here for our wedding anniversary and we were not disappointed. The soup was outstanding. The service and remaining courses were quintessentially French, with the fish course big and flakey in a superb sauce. If you like Bouley or Jean Georges give this restaurant a shot.

There were six of us and we ordered the tasting menu. It was all very good, but not great. The staff was good, but also, not great. And it was very quiet in the main dining room, even though many tables were full. Not sure I'd go back.

Superb place with outstanding food, excellent service and very nice ambience. It is rare in NYC to get such a good restaurant without Muzak, tables well spaced and yet not too noisy. Since the closing of the Union square cafe we have been looking for a replacement and now Tocqueville is it!

Based on good reviews online, we decided to give 15 East a try. It was all perfect from check-in to ordering to receiving fantastic looking omakase sushi & sashimi on vanity plates, until I pull out my chopsticks. While the seafood ingredients were fresh and premium, the marksmanship fell short. One piece of nigiri broke down when I pick it up with my chopsticks. That should not happen, not even with $30 dollar sushi meal set in Tokyo Tsukiji fish market (now Toyosu Market). I have been eating sushi all my life. I do know how to operate my 2-stick cutlery. And then three pieces had rice grains sticked to the plate when I picked up the nigiri, another warning sign. Flip over my nigiris to see how the shapes of rice balls were crafted, not that consistent from piece to piece. Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad restaurant. For over $120 per person, I would expect my food to be nearly perfect, not just good. I was disappointed.

While usually, if I am struggling to give a restaurant a full 5, I’ll default to a 4 since there’s no 4.5. With 15 East, my inclination is to give it the 5, since I feel it is closer to that than a 4. We had the 6-course tasting menu, and were thrilled with every single dish, whether sushi, sashimi or otherwise. We paired the menu with a very knowledgeably recommended sake - the list being quite extensive and a challenge to navigate without some help from the sommelier (sake samurai?). The service was professional, courteous, unhurried and completely non-intrusive. The atmosphere/decor is spare and comfortable without being spartan, though I felt a few splashes of color - some cherry blossoms, some simple Ikebana arrangements - would add some appeal and sophistication. The room is also quiet, tables are well spaced and intimate conversation is possible and enjoyable. The price points make this, for us, a special-occasion restaurant. It was my wife’s birthday. We both felt the wallet-pinch, but could also not fault the pricing given the quality and the realities of what dinner “experiences” in major cities around the world will cost you. Highly recommend.

My boyfriend and i visited here for dinner during our stay in NYC. We opted for the tasting menu at the sushi bar which did not disappoint. There was only us and another couple on the sushi bar and we basically had the head chef preparing and making sushi for us in front of us all night. It felt like it never stopped coming. He was innovative with his sushi and it tasted amazing. That being said, the bill was heavy, hence the four star review. Fanasic food however!

There are a lot of fine restaurants in New York City, and I would put this one right up there with some of the best. It was recommended by a friend, and a bit out of the way for where I was staying, but wow was it worth it! The restaurant itself is beautiful, the staff is equally as beautiful, and the food was amazing! I do not often repeat restaurant when I go to NYC, but this will be the exception. Highly recommend this!

There is a lot of people who offer sushi in their restaurants. But "sushi" is such a wide word today, sushis are so varied and sometimes so fusion-ed, that it's almost impossible to keep track of what sushi is, of what an experience of japanese food should feel like, taste like, be like. We eat so many things that aren't actually sushi, that have so little (if any) relationship with the ancient japanese culture, that ultimately we say that we know a lot about japanese food and sushi. But do we? Eating at 15 East Restaurant is a re-calibration of the palate and the mind. In the way the menu is designed, in the amazing amount of different kinds of fish (with descriptions of their countries or procedence), in the amazing variety of choices, in the way the rice is cooked, in the way the plates are presented, and in the way the waiter or manager explains what is in the plate and how we should eat it, we understand that this is a real japanese experience. I mean, outside of Japan, far from Japan, but from its heart. I have ordered a tasting menu, and soup, and rice tea, and a couple of other pieces of niguiris, mostly made with japanese fish. And I could have stayed there for the whole afternoon, until I tasted each fish in the menu and repeated some of them. The rice is absolutely perfect, the slices of fish are cut in the most beautiful shape, the ambiance in the restaurant is quiet, peaceful, elegant. A couple of groups entered the restaurant, seen the menu, and left without eating. I guess they were afraid for the prices. For me, it was a $ 85.- investment that was worth every penny. I would recommend 15 East without hesitation, and I will definitely go back there as many times as I can.

Everything about our recent dinner at Tocqueville was exceptional. After checking coats we passed through a small bar area with a couple tables and maybe seating for around eight at a beautiful marble bar. Our table was in the spacious and elegant main dining room; there is a smaller dining area with half a dozen or so tables upstairs. Seating was comfortable and the table was nicely set. The background music seemed a bit too loud at times. There was a small complimentary tasting bite to start. The two types of breads served were fresh and very tasty. At our table we enjoyed a few different appetizers, main courses, and deserts; all were well prepared, delicious, with excellent presentation. Extensive wine list, and the sommelier gladly offered suggestions and comments. Service by the wait staff and servers was excellent, attentive and professional. At the end we were served small a complimentary selection of sweets that was a nice finishing touch. All in all a truly exceptional dining experience.

Very nice atmosphere for a business meeting and lovely food and wine list. Excellent striped bass, duck, and trout tartar. The chocolate soufflé was also delicious. Recommend.

We dined here for a great Saturday night date. We ordered a dozen Beau Soleil oysters and split this between the two of us. They were fresh and tasty, tasty, tasty. I ordered the smoked duck and it just melted in your mouth. It was seasoned to perfection. My date had the potato crusted scales trout and he loved it. The hostess was lovely!! The ambiance is upscale and relaxed. Can't wait to go back!!!!

Head to Tocqueville and the staff there will make you feel very good. You will have their full attention. The food is very good and good attention to details. I personally didn't need help with the wine, but if you do ... no worries there is someone there whose only job is to guide you with the best wine for your food.

Dined last night at 15 East. This restaurant knows how to deliver amazing sushi and a other delicious dishes. We started with the Japanese oysters that were served with a special house sauce. My wife and I were delightfully surprised to find two oyster in each shell. They were great. Next we tried the tuna tartare paired with additional slices of Tuna, Then on to the soba noddles with shrimp teriyaki. Every dish had great quaintly ingredients and was well presented. We finished with three types of sashimi and were very content. The service attentive and very pleasant. This might be my new favorite Japanese restaurant in NYC. Both my wife and I can't wait to return!

My husband and I visited Tocqueville on a recent Saturday evening for dinner to celebrate my 40th birthday and were incredibly disappointed by the service, which tainted our entire experience. Because my husband had scoured reviews and put a lot of care into the choice of restaurant, one that has very positive reviews, it was all the more surprising. First, we were provided the wine list (but not the menu of food) upon being seated. When the server appeared and asked for our drink order, we indicated that we'd like to see the menu before deciding (my husband is a somm and pairing is particularly important to him). The server noticeably rolled his eyes at us before going off to retrieve the other menu. Um, what?! Then, when he returned and announced the specials (which included a truffle risotto), he took care to put extra emphasis and enunciation on the cost of the truffle dishes (NINETY dollars for the appetizer portion and ONE HUNDRED FORTY FIVE for the entree portion) in a way meant to suggest we certainly wouldn't be ordering them. We ignored his behavior and ordered. The first courses (corn soup for me, portobello risotto for him) arrived quickly and were, admittedly, delicious. But then we sat. And waited. And waited. We noticed the table immediately next to us, which had ordered one of the tasting menus, was also waiting a long time between courses. Ultimately, after almost 30 minutes for us, just when we were about to ask the server if there was an issue, our entrees arrived. There was no explanation or even acknowledgment of the obvious delay. The table next to us then inquired about their delay, as they had been waiting twenty minutes, and were told brusquely that the kitchen had suddenly received a slew of orders and was backed up. At a restaurant of this caliber, I expect the kitchen to be able to manage table turnover and I certainly wouldn't expect the servers to pretend there is no delay, much less provide a borderline hostile response when addressing a diner's questions about it. Our entrees were also good, but not particularly noteworthy and the rim of my plate (I had the filet of beef) was visibly greasy, which was quite a turnoff. At this point in the evening, we decided to go elsewhere for dessert and a nightcap. When I asked for the check, the server seemed inexplicably shocked that we weren't staying for coffee or a digestif. He then brought out a complimentary dessert (my husband must have informed them that it was my birthday, which makes his earlier behavior all the more disappointing if they knew it was a special occasion). The slice of cake was stale and pretty inedible, so it was hardly a treat. I'm not sure what happened, but the server here turned an otherwise unremarkable experience into a bad one. Kitchen delays occasionally happen and it should be within the capabilities of the front of the house to deal with it. Apparently, our server was more interested in displaying his superiority than doing his job. Skip Tocqueville.

Tocqueville is quiet, elegant with terrific food. Excellent attentive service. We had duck and steak, as well as oysters and Foie Gras to start. All lovely. Very good Sancerre and Chianti to drink. A lovely experience.

The lunch offered at Tocqueville is generous and features expertly prepared dishes. The accompanying wine flights are well chosen and well priced. The staff is delightful: attentive and kind. The sommelier took great care explaining the wines and we felt immensely well taken care of. We are eager to return.

I sat solo at the sushi bar where one can watch the master craftsmen in action. The bar is great if you are two to three but I suspect a table would be better for a larger group. I took the Chefs selection. The food is of the highest quality and tastes fantastic. Great, not often seen Japanese beer was an extra bonus.

Heard mixed reviews about 15 East Restaurant but was overall happy with the quality of food and service when I dined there with friends last month. Their raw food was better than their cooked dishes and their cod was the weakest. In fact, it tasted so fishy that we had to complain. The restaurant immediately took that off our bill which was really the proper thing to do. Otherwise, their tasting menu and their lobster and uni risotto were excellent! The ambiance was quiet and elegant and service was attentive. Prices were very high but I will still go back if I want Japanese fine dining in Lower Manhattan!

From the time we opened a door to we left it was one of the most favorable dining experience we have experienced in many years of exploring restaurants of all levels from neighborhood to Michelin Star. The décor was warm and inviting. The staff was professional, accommodating and personable. The Food, yes the food.... Creative, beautiful and interesting presentation. But the taste and flavors are from heaven. Foie Gras to Butter Poached Lobster to Lightly Smoked Duck Breast to Sriracha Marinated Grilled Filet Mignon. PLEASE leave room for the Bittersweet Chocolate Soufflé. A very welcoming wine list to accompany your dining experience. SPECIAL NOTE - try their 5 course tasting menu, Very Reasonable.

We were 8 people for a birthday celebration. We were upstairs in a semi private room. The food and service were outstanding. Interesting drinks. Try the Victoria's Secret. I will be back when I am in New York.

Our lunch yesterday was on point in all respects. While fairly full when we arrived without a reservation, we were greeted warmly, which was the start to yet another great experience at 15 East. Thinking we'd have a glass of wine and sushi, we ended up giving into temptation and the tasting menu and a bottle of Sancerre - both were excellent. While one of us is a sushi sashimi fan and the other generally not, we both had a fabulous meal and enjoyed all the courses equally. We hadn't been to 15 East maybe in the last year so we were delighted to find it up to the high standards we remembered.

Booked for a special Valentines meal some time in advance and was told would be a 5 course prix fixe, upon arrival in NYC checked and found was instead a 3 course prix fixe at €145 per head, ok fairly expensive but with the great reviews and high rating in the NY press decided would still go and see just how it compared to some of the other high end restaurants around the world we have visited Upon arrival approx 30 mins early (did not want to chance NY traffic) we asked to have a drink at the bar and were told sorry it is very busy so we will have to seat you straight at your table, upon walking past the bar, guess what it was empty, not a person there but the restaurant fully occupied bar a few tables, one of which we were seated at, not a good start! We were given our menus and then waited approx 20 mins before a waiter came to take our drinks order along with our food and then I received my cocktail whilst my wife waited another 5 minutes for her wine which came with the starters for us both. The food was ok, not fantastic but overall ok but I will say my filet mignon was one of the best I have ever eaten so credit to the chef for that at least. After desserts we noticed some guests being provided petit fours, however we along with maybe 2-3 other tables were not given any, there appeared to be no reason for one and not another receiving this so again very disappointing we missed out Finally when we asked for the check I looked and saw that in addition to the prix fixe cost we had been charged another near $40 for our desserts, yes the 3rd course of the prix fixe so called the waiter who apologised for the error and promptly removed the extra charges but I wonder how many other unsuspecting guests had extra added without noticing Overall a near $400 cost for two with just one cocktail and a half bottle of average quality wine was never worth the cost, combined with average service, nothing compared to other top quality restaurants and also the lies about the bar and overcharging I would say do not visit Tocqueville even with NYC inflated costs it is never worth the price and beware the check if you do decide to visit.

$500 later, we were kind of sick of sushi, couldn't really eat anymore considering there's only two of us. We had two sashimi omakase one sushi omakase, one yellow tail four way appetizer, one soba and a tuna flight. Including a carafe of sake and tip came to $500+. Everything was fresh and good but I think I would've preferred sushi zen than here.

Visited this restaurant for a prix fixe Christmas dinner. When you walk up to the restaurant it gives you the illusion that it is small but when inside the space opens up and has two floors. Very elegant venue. We sat upstairs and overlooked the first floor. The food was very good and the service was impeccable. I would dine here again in a heartbeat!

This restaurant has some of the best sushi in New York. Sit at the sushi bar but you always need a reservation.Ambience in dining room is very nice as well.

We just ate at 15 East and loved every minute of it. Not only was the food great but the service was superb. We can't wait to go back.

This beautiful, airy and light dining room offers a truly elegant space to dine. And then there is the food! We each ordered the tasting menu and it was wonderful, (though too much food for me), my husband enjoyed it immensely. The wine pairings were expertly done, the service was highly professional. This is a wonderful place for a quiet, romantic dinner.

Sit by the Sushi bar and either go with the menu (the rolls are amazing) or go with the chef recommendations (starter menu at about $65 per person)

Great Japanese restaurant serves high end Japanese food. The black cod was excellent same the beef tartar. The 10 sea weeds dish is interesting

The service was fantastic, and the food was excellent! Also, I must say, I loved the size of the venue. It's just right; not too big so as to feel overwhelming, and not so small you feel like you are on top of another table. . . This will be next year's anniversary spot!

Lovely dining experience from the coat check to the bill. Professional attention at every level. The food, the timing, the service - all of the highest quality and at a very good value (price). Daniel the waiter did not hover but was there when needed. Fatimah the wine steward was extremely helpful in selecting wine from a very well crafted list. The wines have a range of pricing from modest to over-the-top: no need to be intimidated. I especially appreciate that Daniel shared the price of the specials when he told us about them - (some restaurants surprise you with "surge-pricing" on specials without telling you). This was a great dining experience and we will go back. BTW, the room is very pretty and there is no roar which requires shouting to be heard.

We had a fabulous experience here. The chef's five-course menu with wine pairings at lunch is an amazing value and a wonderful way to have a special meal at half the price of the same thing at dinner time. Each dish was well constructed to elevate each ingredient, and the wine pairings were interesting and delicious. The service was attentive, unobtrusive, and personable. Can't wait to return! Worth every penny!!

We had a 3 course lunch here and our had an exceptional meal. Everything was delicious and the chef send us an extra complimentary dessert. The service was impeccable and friendly in a beautiful dining room with good art. Highly recommended.

My boyfriend prefers traditional sushi (blue ribbon, nakazawa, etc.), and I prefer "creative" sushi (sushi of gari, sushi seki, etc.). 15 East was the best mix of the two that we have ever seen in both Asia and New York. I went to 15 East on Friday, 7/1 with my boyfriend. We had a reservation for 7pm, but we arrived early at 6:30. The hostess was very welcoming and seated us immediately. She even checked my boyfriend's bag. Once we were seated, we received menus. We each ordered the $140 7 course tasting menu. Originally, my boyfriend wanted the omakase, but I wanted hot foods and it's difficult to serve a tasting menu and omakase at the same time, so we both chose the tasting menu. We wanted to get a bottle of sake, and the sake sommelier was very helpful. I wanted something light without a strong after taste, and he chose a great bottle for us. (Writing this almost 2 weeks after - sorry for forgetting some details!) FOOD: - Course 1: Hassun. Three small dishes. Our favorite was the octopus. Each one was creative and tasted delicious. - Course 2: The seasonal soup was also delicious. - Course 3: Sashimi. The variety of fish was perfect. We even got the seasonal shrimp! This shrimp was one of the best shrimps I have ever had in New York. It is only available in the summer, and I will definitely be back to have it before summer ends. The sashimi was very fresh. - Course 4: Choice of Meat or Fish. I chose the cod and my boyfriend chose the duck. The cod was delicious. I love miso cod, and I had ordered the cod thinking it would be similar to miso cod. It was not similar, but it was still delicious. My boyfriend loved the duck. He was surprised how delicious cooked food could be at a restaurant known for its sushi. - Course 5: Nigiri: Every piece was delicious. They even replaced one of the pieces with eel after I requested it! Perfect balance of rice and fish. - Course 6: Soba: This was a surprise. I've never gone to a Japanese restaurant that is famous for its sushi and had soba. The soba portion was small but perfect. It is a more creative take on the typical soba (think: cocoran). It was delicious and a perfect course 6. - Course 7: Dessert: There was no option for the dessert. Not sure if there typically is. My boyfriend and I both got the white egg like pudding. As someone who loves not-too-sweet Asian desserts, it was perfect. It was just the right amount of sweet. My boyfriend (someone who loves chocolate cake) did not like it as much. There was also a piece of red bean mochi at the end, and that was the only disappointing part of the meal. I have definitely had better mochi in my life. SERVICE: The sake sommelier was very helpful and answered all my questions. I really appreciated how he took the time to teach us how to smell and taste it. Our waiter was very attentive and answered all my questions about the dishes. The people who delivered the dishes were always smiling. Ambience of restaurant was great. My only recommendation is for the people who deliver the sushi to speak slower because it is hard to hear the unique types of fish that I have never tried before. OVERALL: I am so happy I finally tried 15 East. Its location right by Union Square is easy to get to, and the tasting menu has both hot foods and sushi. The mix of sushi is both traditional and creative which fits the preferences of me and my boyfriend. Phenomenal service. I will definitely return at least once a month. A new favorite restaurant of mine.

This is one of the most beautiful dining rooms n NYC - Quiet and elegant. Lunch is a bargain. Its fault is that in three years and 10 plus visits the menu has not changed. This is always a bad sign for a restaurant. There needs to be daily specials so that you know that someone is alive in the kitchen and to give regulars a reason to go back.

One of our favorite Japanese restaurant in NY. My favorites are lobster tempura and tuna flight. My child loves their white fish tempura (not on the menu, but they always accommodate). The service is top notch too. I am taking one star away because I decided to order cappuccino at the end of the diner to compliment their chocolate desert. I ended up getting a slightly warm cup of milky liquid that tasted nothing like cappuccino. When asked to re do, it was exact same cup with more milk added so it would overflow all over the cup. The server got annoyed when I sent it back too. If a michlein star restaurant offers coffee, it should be done properly. Either take coffee items off menu, or invest into a decent coffee machine please!

A beautiful three course menu that was absolutely wonderful. The little extras, compliments of the chef were fabulous. My favourite was the squash risotto starter. The apple tarte dessert was stunning too. The best meal we had in NYC!

We dined at Tocqueville on Christmas. Holiday prix fixes are always a bit of a crap shoot, but this one, after a stumble, turned out to be very good. After an amuse bouche and wonderfully crafted cocktails, we settled into our meal. I had a generous number of oysters. She had the beet salad with a warm, crispy goat cheese croquet that was delicious. For mains I had the scallops with foie gras. It seemed a bit skimpy at first, with only three scallops, but because the dish was so rich it turned out to be ample. My wife ordered the filet, which constituted the stumble. Ordered medium rare, it was impossible to cut with a steak knife and the single bite I tried was difficult to chew. How it ever made it onto a plate and out of the kitchen was mystifying. However, the server whisked it away quickly and substituted a delicious braised lamb shank, tendered with profuse apologies for the steak. Desserts were also excellent -- including a not-too-sweet sticky date pudding, and a delicate apple tart. The restaurant itself is understated and quite beautiful. They take themselves and customer satisfaction very seriously, which is a relative rarity these days.

The blonde female host came over at the end of the meal and said the service charge we had paid wasn’t enough. We paid 12% service. I am not making this up. This is the rudest thing I have ever experienced in a restaurant. Disgusting behaviour

Wow! We had the tasting menu. Very generous portions for a tasting menu. Food was tasty and luxurious. Staff helpful and friendly.

By far my favorite; Purist sushi at its best with excellent service, the freshest fish, wonderful ambiance. One of my favorite restaurants.

Out of this world. After a very expensive and disappointing experience at another Japanese place, this put order back into the universe. Every single piece of the omakamase was sublime, with standouts being the toro and sea urchin. The warm pieces were to die for and the rice was probably the best I've had ever. The sushiman was, according to my friend, THE proper guy. Fastastic.

The food and service is good, but you pay for amazing. For what they charge you should expect to have the some of the best sushi of your life time, which unfortunately is not the case.

Excellent sushi fresh delicious amazing.This is a top notch place with the price to match.It is a calm oasis in NY a quiet understated restaurant.The sushi is succulent.

Had dinner here last Saturday night while visiting New York. It was simply splendid. We were worried that it may be too formal, too silent, too "table-clothy" but in reality there was quite a buzz. Other guests ranged from the hoi-polloi to groups wearing jeans...which was fine for us.The staff were formal but efficient and knowledgeable. The signature starter Parmesan Grits was an absolute winner. Found the wine list great but on the expensive side,

We went here to celebrate a friend's engagement and there are no words to describe how ridiculously good the food was. We didn't have a reservation but we were going on a weekday so figured it wouldn't be too bad. We sat down within a reasonable time but waited quite some time between ordering and food arrival. The long wait did give us a chance to chat away and once the food arrived it was forgiven based on how amazingly delicious our meals were. We ordered a lot of different items and then just shared as a table. This would have easily be 5 out of 5 review but had to take off a point for the erroneously long wait times. Our waiter was super helpful and knowledgeable and able to give plenty of recommendations.

The place is really nice and cozy, very quiet. We sat at the sushi bar and had sashimi&sushi omakase. Watching the sushiman work was amazing, we tried all sorts of fish including uni and sea eel, we even had shrimp that was still moving when it was served. Overall, great experiencie and superb food. Very VERY expensive. We spent $280 before tip, and we only had the omakase and water.

Great food, nice stuff. The seaweed variety is very interesting. Nice cocktails and sakes as well. Thanks for the experience!

Enjoyed our fixe price thanksgiving feast. Food was creatively prepared using fall ingredients, beautifully presented and perfect size portions to fill our thanksgiving fullness expectations. The extra surprises of wonderful breads, cheese popovers, cookies and great service made it a perfect meal for our first family thanksgiving away from home.

Uber expensive and Uber Good. Business account place with a delicious menu. Appetizers were lovely and sushi was fine crafted and delicious. Fresh and lovely.

Lovely restaurant with good food and service and a nice crowd. We had a 7:30pm reservation and had been told that there would be a second seating at 9:30pm and that we'd have to be done by then. It wasn't a problem as service seemed timed to make a 2 hour meal for 4 happen. We didn't order "lavishly" and shared, there were 5 of us and had plenty to eat. Our bill, including tip was about $100/person

I have been to my fair share of high end restaurants in NYC but I had never heard of this place. The place itself is beautiful, but very small. Upon arrival, they took out coats, walked us past a small bar area and into the main dining room. There's about 10-12 tables in the dining room, very intimate settings. Cream colored walls, comfortable plush seats, and beautiful paintings align the walls. They sat us down and brought over a cocktail menu and wine menu. I started off with a cocktail, then we moved onto the most spectacular French wine I have ever had. You can order a la carte, or from the chefs tasting ($135) or the seasonal tasting menu ($155). We went with the seasonal tasting menu (7 courses). Words don't do much justice, but we were given some cheese puffs to start accompanied by butternut squash soup and a mousse crostini, followed by a fabulous grilled calamari dish, then risotto with poached egg, potato encrusted cod, poached lobster, scallops, a cheese plate, chocolate cake with mint ice cream and some cookies and candies to complete the meal. Great food, beautiful restaurant. Overall the service could have been a bit better, and the sommelier (or the woman handling the wine) had no idea how to handle wine. She also had a limited breadth of knowledge on wine, my date knew 100 more than she did. A little disheartening to me. I have no idea how but we seemed to intimidate the staff. Strange. I'll still give them a perfect rating but I do feel they need to work on service, I've had much better service at high end restaurants in NYC.