Michael's Reviews

This was one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at. Period. Great food, fantastic service. We will be back again.

We've had dinner at Michael's, had intimate family dinners here and recently attended a fabulous wedding at the restaurant. Food has always been seasonal, carefully prepared and always excellent. At the wedding we were treated to fabulous, creative hors d'ouevres, dinner, paced beautifully with everyone dining at the same time, was elegant and delicious. A most notable moment during the celebration as we danced, had dessert and cordials was asking about a bar stool for a friend who needed to sit. The waitstaff advised that they had been removed for the wedding in the interests of space. A dining chair would have put the guest at waist level. Within minutes, the bar stool arrived, discreetly placed near the dance floor and a hi-top and the party continued. The attentiveness exceeded expectation for a staff that never stopped moving to insure guest comfort. And all of us were, able to enjoy our evening and toast the happy couple.

We stopped in because we're staying nearby and Michael's had good reviews. We'd been working and traveling all day and wanted a good, quiet dinner for two. LOVED this spot. We had a light dinner -- just wedge salads and small plates. (Salmon tartare for her and Korean bulgogi beef tacos for me -- both really good.) Food went well beyond expectations and was creatively prepared and presented. Sommelier suggested great single-glass pairings (extensive wine list). Attentive-but-not-pushy, white-linen service. Thoroughly enjoyed.

The place is great in terms of atmosphere and space. A real classic. The breakfast was not that great. Not interesting (tried the full breakfast) and not that flavoursome. Coffee was ordinary. Overall was overpriced.

On a recent trip to New York I was invited to breakfast at Michael's, which was new to me. Lovely restaurant, very clubby with lots of regulars, mostly people doing business. Even so the service was attentive and the food very delicious. A limited menu and a couple of service breakdowns reduced my rating, but I would be happy to go back for the fun of being there.

We chose Michael's as it was close to our hotel and had good reviews. I found the atmosphere a little old-fashioned but the staff were friendly & helpful and the food was good. It was quiet which worked for us as we were just off a transatlantic flight and a tad jaded. We found the bill rather expensive; some of this is the current exchange rate but we were charged 10 bucks for a bottle of water & the wine list was eye-watering. Having said that we enjoyed the food (burger and chicken with shared sides).

Bright, airy, clean and modern. Tables are well spaced for private discussions if you're here for business. The food was excellent and the service was good.

Stayed nearby and was looking for a nice place to eat nearby. Michael's fit the bill. Great service and good choice of small and large plates. We shared the Mushroom Bisque, Korean tacos and the duck breast. Finished off with cheese plate and pumpkin cheesecake. The food was very good. Good compromise betweensome of the really expensive restaurants in the area and the local bars in the area.

I had a great dinner here in October 2023. I used to eat here frequently when I lived in New York but have not had the opportunity since moving several years ago. Everyone in the restaurant was warm and welcoming and the food and wine were terrific.

first time at michaels and most likely the last. although the service and food were very good, the portions are extremely small. after having a salad and winter squash ravioli, I was not the least bit full. there were only three raviolis for the main meal. a little pricey for what you get.

When visiting a city I want to see, to go where the locals or uber frequent visitors go. Michael's is one of those places - and if you want to stumble on to a theater industry exec, the odds are pretty good you could get lucky at Michael's. I had a light meal - an individual pizza and salad - a sinkge malt before and a very fine Tuscan red alongside the pizza. This being NYC a galss was $20. They were excellent - and my wife's hobby is cooking. Struck up a conversation with a regular who enjoyed his salad, pork chop, mushrooms and that Tuscan red, he eats there several times a week. Joe the bartender is a total oro, as is the wait staff, speak when necessary and disappear when they should. Expensive - well, maybe not by NYC standards - and worth it.

Well worth a trip if you are in NYC. You’d want to make reservations and come early to take a good look around this unusual restaurant. A terrific collection of modern art is a wonderful conversation piece for dinner and beyond. Outstanding service!

This was a wonderful restaurant. It was quiet which is very nice and hard to find in the city. The server was terrific and met all our specific needs. The food was delicious. Would definitely return.

This is a power breakfast scene with good food, excellent service and high prices. The omelets and eggs are good but not unusually. The $10 fresh squeezed orange juice is fresh and Michael himself will greet you which is a nice old fashioned touch. Not quite worth the tab but based on all the business deals going down obviously is a good expense account meal!

This was the place for power lunches in the days the publishing houses were still located in this part of town. I don't mind to overpay for a specific ambiance or crowd when I go on a business breakfast, lunch or dinner, it can be part of the 'game'. In my profession I often frequent Sant Ambroeus on Madison Avenue for that reason but there I am welcomed by a professional amicable staff that serves decent food and I just close my eyes when I see the check. During my business breakfast at Michael's the service was terrible when we were lucky enough to get anyones attention. The two eggs 'over easy' were indeed just that, served on 'super market quality' brown bread. The few slices of $12 bacon looked tired, maybe cooked by a very early morning shift. Adding two carrot juices and a $20 bowl of tasteless mixed berries and the tip, the total came to $170. That is $50 more than what you pay for a night in a mediocre motel where exactly these kinds of lousy breakfast are included, but served with a smile.

Had dinner here with another couple. Michael's is in a great location, right off 5th Avenue in mid-town, but it's a quiet and relaxed environment without the hustle and bustle that's so characteristic of many NYC places. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, and since we were looking for a nice, quiet place to spend time with friends we don't see very often, this was the perfect choice. Not to mention the fact of the food being quite good. I'm told Michael's is a busy place at lunchtime, but for dinner it's a perfect place when you seek a moderately priced restaurant near 5th Avenue, without noise and craziness.

very nice, quiet atmosphere. Great food, great staff. Nice place for quiet meeting or romantic night or special occassion.

This is the first negative review I've ever written, however I feel it is necessary and deserved. We were extremely disappointed after being recommended this restaurant. The restaurant itself was cold, consequently the food became cold very quickly and less pleasant to eat. The staff did not expertly advise as to portions and ordering. They were inattentive and never checked on our comfort or satisfaction during the meal. When we highlighted problems to the manager, we felt him to ridicule our complaint. We will not return.

We were there for dinner on a Friday night during restaurant week. Food was great. Portion was a bit small but I was full by the time we left. Staff was very friendly. They forgot to take our wine order until we were halfway into our entrees. But once they realized they were very apologetic and took our wine order and it was free!

Interesting and delicious food, which was refreshing and un-cloying. There is a Californian vibe to the dishes, which have an Asian fusion hint. Service was knowledgable, welcoming and very polished. The simple dining room allows the food to shine, but is complemented by the original works of art on the walls. It’s not cheap, but you get what you pay for!

Michael's has all the attributes that one seeks at the finest of restaurants. Beautiful setting, service is outstanding and the food is wonderful and the entire ambiance is exceptional!

I had a business lunch here with a colleague. The staff were very attentive and looked impressive in their uniforms. The food was well prepared and tasty, but a bill of $160 for two lunches without wine, dessert or coffee is ridiculous.

So I did see the editor of a big fashion mag eating there and the hamburger was good, but the prices are ridiculous and there are much much better places to eat in the city. Its an old standard so people still go....but its not really worth the high prices or the way they cram you in.

The food was fantastic and the waitress very friendly. We happened to be the only one in the restaurant for quite awhile on a Saturday evening which was a little disconcerting at first but when we inquired about it the waitress told us that in the summer they are not open on Saturday evenings and just started back. After eating dinner it was definitely not the food that had kept the people away which we were relieved about.

Somewhat stuffy famous publishing and entertainment business lunch place, but I had a good Martini power lunch and enjoyed the watermelon soup dessert.

This hangout for media crowds (at lunch and breakfast) has not changed since the first time I visited. The food is plain and unimaginative. Service is professional but inattentive and unenthusiastic (except for very engaging reception desk and cost check staff) and execution is uneven (a medium rare burger was delivered well done, for instance). On the positive side, the tables are well spaced and comfortable, the noise level is conducive to conversation and there is something for even the plainest eaters there (conversely, nothing innovative for those of us who sit on the other side of this divide). Unless you want a power lunch with media types, you have a choice of hundreds of restaurants that will hold your interest better than Michael's.

Very pleasantly surprised with the excellent food The raw tuna was fantastic and the fish of the day perfectly grilled on a bed of capers peppercorns cornochons white wine and evo Service good and extensive winelist

This place is taking its media breakfast Mecca status for granted. Two out of three orders were wrong, and the manner of being corrected was alienating. The attitude of management and waiting staff was off-hand, haughty and generally seriously irritating to us. Shame as in times gone by I had enjoyed breakfast here when in New York on business.

Had dinner here before a show at Radio City Music Hall. We started with the burrata appetizer. Excellent wine by the glass. Then we all had seafood, prepared to perfection. Attentive service. Definitely go back again.

Great Food, Great Service and can't say enough about the hospitality. Wonderful Ambiance and the Best Restaurant in NYC!

Booked Michael’s after seeing it on Billions..... Welcome was reasonably friendly, decor a bit tired. Service was reasonably efficient. Menu offered reasonable choice. Could not really fault the food, but equally not that inspiring either. All at quite an expensive price even by N.Y. standards.

So good to see a restaurant with beautiful art, huge windows, a warm welcome, great food and wine. Loved the grilled cauliflower.

If there's a place left in NY after the demise of the Four Seasons that keeps the spirit of mad men alive, this has to be it. It's a beautiful room that could easily be bolted onto the MOMA, and the menu is full of classics, all wonderfully prepared.

We heard that Michael's isTHE PLACE for breakfast,. Well.. its not. Coffee is of low quality, Fresh orange juice as a yesterday taste and for their Benedict I suggest they go and take lessons from Belthazar. Overall, average quality and below with very attentive service that compensates for the dissapointing food

Although we three tired and hungry schleppers came from different parts if the City and fought independently for cabs to get to the restaurant, everything was high and dry and mighty good when we got to table. The food was so good we drooled and drizzled our food choices (although I am trying to be silly not serious about anything) but the food was deliciosa and the service as great. Michael came to table when I told him I read the about him and his restaurant in the New York Social Diary. Then he drooled and slapped us on the back and said, "Hurry back, ya hear?' That last line I added because Mr. Michael reminded me of a character out of Guys and Dolls. Pay close attention to the tiny bites--we had them all. Tell them that the man from U.N.C.L.E sent you.

This spot is obviously great for business breakfasts and lunches, and a see-and-be-seen atmosphere. We had a lovely breakfast - an omelette and a bagel with cream cheese, nothing out of the ordinary. The presentation is very basic and can be done better in my opinion, and paying 80$ without any cocktails is way high for two people - but overall it was nice.

Personally I did not like the food so much. It was a very decent meal however it was not delicious. My mIn course was Grilled Branzino. We also had Crispy Brussels Sprouts. Both were too heavy. They are supposed to become super gentle dishes, truly do not understand what happened. Perhaps they used too much olive oil. Service was very professional, at times even exaggerated. Nice thing is that there is a coat checker at the enterance.

Stopped on the way to Met because we were looking for a quiet place without a mob scene and food the guys would recognize. The service was attentive and the food was delicious. It was nice to have the vegetarian options identified. Cocktails were exceptional. All sides are ala carte which racks up quickly. Portions are appropriate but not generous. $10 for a side of Brussel spouts is a bit extreme but none the less we'd go back.

You will see some movers and shakers at this restaurant. I actually ran into one of the editors of the magazine. However only the movers and shakers get the good tables and everybody else is pretty much crowded in elbow to elbow. The food is fine but not exceptionally exciting. If you need to take a business associate to lunch in a staple restaurant where the food will most likely be good and you will be with the business crowd this is a good choice if this is located near where you need to be. I wouldn't go out of my way just to eat here.

One of my favorite places to go for a business lunch. Every member of the staff makes you feel like you are part of the family. Every item on the menu that I have tried has exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend

The Michael's experience begins with a gracious welcome and doesn't stop until a fond farewell. In between is wonderful food, great wine by the glass and knowledgeable, professional service. If you need anything special, Steve and Danny are always there to help. That's why it's my home away from home.

We very much enjoyed our lunch here. Interesting carrot soup, good bulgagi burgers, accommodating service. Two small downsides : the restaurant smelled slightly of mildew, and, although we had a 12:00 reservation, they did not seat us until 12:10 because they were having a staff meeting, which we thought was very odd.

Delicious lunch, with exceptional service, and a visit by the owner (he spoke with all the tables). Excellent wine selection, and many gluten free options on the menu. Definitely would go back.

We went to Michael's for a private party, and enjoyed the wonderful food and excellent service. They served 100 people flawlessly.

Midtown Manhattan. World-class locale. World-class dining. Michael's at this stage of its existence presents a conundrum. Decor (in the form of sprawling dining room (for midtown) adorned with exquisite original paintings and prints) perhaps the most exquisite in NYC. Harkens back to the glory days of 55th Street while speaking to a globalized and anonymized future. BTW, who curates the collection? It evolves in subtle ways with the seasons and years, or am I just imagining? Food is superb. Let's skip over the aesthetics, the presentation, the lineage of the vegetables, and so on. All first-rate, to be clear. Here is the bottom line. When I travel to NYC and dine out I worry about my health. Plain and simple. Economic pressures being what they are who knows who will throw in what to stimulate the neurochemistry into ecstasy while simultaneously taking years off the longevity? You feel me? NOT MICHAEL'S. So go. Go especially after your most intense and crazy day. A gorgeous vibe. Generous portions. Glittering clientele. Gorgeous surroundings. You'll exit with brain chemistry intact and warm feelings towards humanity.

Had a nice meal this past Thursday night. However, a few hours later one of the parties felt ill and the next morning wound up in the ER with food poisoning from an order of oysters she ordered as an appetizer. I just called the restaurant to inform them and their only reaction was "Thanks, I'll pass it on to the kitchen." Not even a token inquiry as to how the injured party was etc etc. It was as though I was being thanked for giving them information. I had no preconceived idea of what I was looking for, but it certainly involved a follow up question as to the injured parties health. I wouldn't go back even if they had free salmonella night!

We went to dinner after visiting MOMA. Traditional Italian style restaurant with meats and fish Careful service. Dishes with beautiful presentation. Delicious food. I recommend

Watch out! The specials sound yummy and they are. Unfortunately no one tells you their cost. We had a delicious meal but were left a bit queasy when the bill came. Dover sole is over 60 bucks?! Asparagus appetizer is over 25 dollars. Had we known we would have chosen differently. The room is lovely. The service attentive. It’s a great midtown venue , just be attentive. It can be much more expensive than it needs to be !

Always a pleasure to visit Michael's ..... and always a treat to look around. Yes, the place is peppered with New York celebrities and those in the know.....and in the NOW. You have to look closely as most have relaxed their ties and taken off their heavy makeup for a relaxing and terrific meal. If you need a shot of positivity....make a ressie!

This restaurant is a great place to meet with friends or business associates.A large bar offers seating if you come alone. A busy place for breakfast and lunch. Food is freshly prepared and service is expedient. Have a look around the room, you may see many famous faces there.

I looked forward to our brunch at Michael's before an afternoon visit to the MOMA. It was ok, but I wouldn't go back. High points: the outstanding art collection (Hockney, Stella, Johns, etc.); bright, sunny atmosphere; courteous staff; visit to our table by "Michael" himself; outstanding, hot croisants to start; strong wine list). weaker points: tired interior design (low ceilings of acoustic tiles, dull walls behind the great art, old fashioned lighting from early 80's, standard chairs from California in the 70's); predictable food -- solid burger (no db bistro moderne!); ok salmon; average pancakes. In sum, the restaurant is pleasant and acceptable. But, it has lost its edge, inventiveness and freshness. It seems to be hanging on to the early 80's while other restaurants have moved ahead with innovative menus and more adventuresome decor. I hope Michael will invest and reinvent and refresh his once "new" restaurant. He made a splash when he opened his Santa Monica namesake in the Big Apple. Time for a new splash.

We joined a friend at Michael's for lunch. The clientele were well-heeled. The menu was standard lunch fare - I had the Cobb Salad and our friend had the salade nicoise - both were good. My sister had the scallops which were plentiful and tasty.

I'm in the breakfast business, ok? So--I love breakfasts when I go to NYC! This place was recommended as the PLACE to go! It was a lovely place---cloth tablecloths----[and I saw them changed after every party left] cloth napkins too---was so nice I ordered the eggs Benedict which I have had at many other restaurants---I like to compare the places with the same dishes, ok. The Eggs Benedict was wonderful--the eggs were prepared just to the ideal place! The ham was ordinary--nothing special--but it was just fine. Again, the service was excellent. I had a nice cup of coffee---in a small cup--not an espresso cup--but a very small coffee cup. The server gave me a pot of coffee for my breakfast. So--when I needed more coffee---this cup---got cold so fast---I got like two sips---and the coffee was cold already The coffee in the thermos was nice and hot, but it very soon got cool as well;. Why can't they give me hot coffee? Then, when I got the bill? The eggs dish was a usual NYC price--I think 20 bucks or so--no complaint. The cup of coffee was $6.99! I've never ever paid $7 for a cup of coffee!!

A fine risotto with plenty of flavour. A business type of restaurant where everybody was in deep conversation about something. A fun atmosphere for such a work place restaurant but that is probably due to the fun type of people going there. Menu typical of a place where the food is only the sideline to the main activity, but good none the less

start with great bar and first rate cocktails - they even had my husband's favorite bulleit rye manhattan and the best mojito i ever had(not sure what's the secret - not too sweet - very minty - they strain it) - outstanding wines avail by the glass; we had delicious watermelon and stone fruit salad - perfectly dressed, delectable hamachi again perfect and lightly topped, fantastic broiled crab cakes and duck breast was great and perfectly prepared - loved the sauce - even the side of mashed pototos were so smooth and delicious and fresh tasting. It was quiet - we went at five-thirty after theater - very zen and lovely calming atmosphere - beautiful decor with great music and paintings; service could not be more friendly and accomodating yet not intrusive. Will be back! this place is a bit expensive - but it is manhattan - tablecloth restaurant - expected quality and great presentation and precision and they delivered. I understand this is more typically a favorite of media types and celebrities and that they are packed for "power" lunch. We'd probably choose to avoid that and dine as we did after theater to escape the frenetic pace around the theater district. Btw, they also offer pizza and a burger on the menu so even though not a large menu there is definitely something for everyone. Food was really excellent - i was not stuffed when I left but not hungry either.. ppl complain about charing for bread. Frankly, with so many of us watching carbs - I'd prefer that restaurants not even serve it anyway.

Stayed in hotel close by and this place looked interesting for breakfast. Super overpriced! The food was good, nothing spectacular. The service was poor and the waiters seemed bothered. If service had been above par the price tag would have been less of an issue. Didn’t offer things such as butter, jelly, or even ask if you’d like something else. I would never go here again and do not recommend unless you have cash to burn and just want an average breakfast. Not sure about the lunch or dinner. Only had breakfast. The nostalgia of the place was the only perk. The hostess was also friendly. Oh! Yes, the art was also interesting!

This restaurant near MOMA so we went for dinner afterwards, just 8 minutes walk. This is a decent restaurant with good deco and ambient. Very nice services. Waiters are attentive. The chief chef is a Korean. Very good food. We have a wonderful dinner!

Michael's is a smallish, quiet and good restaurant in midtown Manhattan. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it's an excellent alternative to the overpriced restaurants of the Peninsula and St.Regis hotels. Service is attentive and the menu, although limited, has enough options in meats, fish and vegetarian dishes to satisfy any palate.

Good breakfast!

Michael's has been around for several decades, but it is still one of the classiest places to dine. The food is extremely good, the service is great, the selections are exceptional. The clientele usually includes political, business and media stars, and the owner is fun to chat with

From start to finish the meal was wonderful. The maitre'd was very solicitous, the staff friendly and helpful, and the food was amazing, particularly the soft-shelled crabs as the appetiser, and the grilled lettuce (sounds weird, but it was delicious). Couldn't fault it.

I had been to Michael's for lunch several times... always a great experience. So my wife and I decided to try it out for dinner on a recent stay in New York and Michael's did not disappoint. They were very busy, yet our service was attentive and well paced. The wine list is extensive and includes some big names... at some big prices... but there were plenty of opportunities to get good, quality bottles at a variety of price points. The food was outstanding! Pumpkin Soup and Crab cake for starters followed by Filet and 5 Spice Breast of Duck... both medium rare. Sides were trumpet mushrooms and the quinoa / spinach dish. Everything was prepared perfectly and was absolutely delicious. The evening was topped off with an order of Michael's cookies and cappuccino. Excellent. Our server, Jimmy, and the entire staff were friendly, courteous and responsive. We not only had great food... we had a great time. When you include a bottle of wine, dinner is not inexpensive, but you get what you pay for... and we felt that we got good value for our money. Will definitely go back to Michael's int he future.

We just went to Michael's for dinner. We have been there for breakfast and lunch many times. In the morning and daytime it is THE place to eat and see everyone and been seen. And the food for breakfast and lunch is delicious and plentiful. However dinner is a different story. The restaurant was very dark and very empty. When they served the food I understood why since the portions were so small. They served 2 scallops for a main dish of seared bay scallops and when I complained the waiter told me that it wasn't a mistake. The others at my table had chicken. The portions were small too but not tiny. Michael's is great for breakfast and lunch but never dinner.

They were very nice to seat us on short notice. The service was top notch and the venue is spectacular.

Nice restaurant, comfortable and beautiful. The service was really nice all the time even with our baby! The food was really good. We tried the snapper, also the chicken and the asparragus.

Lunch was divine. The restaurant itself is spectacular with museum quality art throughout...including the bathrooms. Lunch was tasty...fabulous salad and taco appetizers. Definitely plan to make it a regular.

To be served a glass of flat champagne is an insult to the guest's intelligence, a complete lack of service and a pre cursor as to what the overall experience will be like. After having to request some bread before our meal, despite the bread and butter plate provided, our meal was quickly served. I chose the half chicken dish which arrived covered liberally in chives - as did the side of whipped potato, perhaps in an attempt to disguise the overtly salty/garlicky sauce. I then knocked my knife to the floor and despite three attempts to gain the waiter's attention, eventually it was retrieved and replaced. We declined dessert. It is disappointing that our hotel's magazine widely recommended it and stated it is an apparent favourite of many celebrities? This was our first experience of NYC food scene - thankfully it was not repeated at other restaurants we chose.

This was a big highlight of my recent NY visit. The food is incredible and the portions not too large. Recommended!

The best kept secret for dinner in NYC. Always wonderful for lunch. Now their transition to dinner service, is a 5 star experience. Ask for Celino Martinez (Manager), to make sure your experience is perfect.

We celebrated a special anniversary with 50 guests at Michael's, and it exceeded our high expectations. We live elsewhere and only had had dinner there once, so It was a leap of faith to commit to a party for people who were coming from all over the country. The director of special events won my confidence on first meeting. Unlike at some other venues I checked out, she seemed genuinely interested in the success of our party. It all went smoothly and beautifully. The art-filled restaurant is overall quite lovely, and the garden room, where private events are held, sparkled with twinkling lights outside, quite romantic. The service was friendly, courteous and efficient. And the food was absolutely wonderful. Our guests are still telling us how great it was and vowing to return to Michael's on their next visit to New York. Our heartfelt thanks to the folks at Michael's for making our party such a success.

Michael's is one of those rare gems in New York City that does everything right. The first time I dined ar Michael's was in 2013. I was there because a friend of mine had just become one of their bartenders. I was impressed by professional the people were and how lovely the atmosphere was. It was everything a New York City restaurant should be and what's more, the restaurant boasts one of the best art collections a restaurant could have a New York City. The first thing you notice is how well curated the space is. It is no wonder that this midtown restaurant has been deemed the best power lunch in New York City for almost 2 decades. The staff is so well-trained and professional you would think you were in one of the finest five star restaurants in NYC. The chef too has curated an exemplary menu that is approachable yet delectable. I have hosted cocktail parties, countless business dinners and drinks, lunches with friends, evening cocktails at the bar, and private dinners in the back room since my first visit to Michael's almost 3 years ago. I count on them to get everything right and I am never disappointed. When one doesn't have to worry about service or quality or selection or atmosphere, it is very easy to focus on the things that matter when you are dining with your guests. Michael McCarty and his general manager Steve Millington run a very tight ship in the front of the house and their chef produces some of the finest food restaurant can boast in the city that never sleeps. My menu favorites include the salmon tartare, Korean steak tacos, Michaels Burger, gravlax, any of their salads, their truffle risotto (which though a seasonal item never disappoints), and their sea scallops which are out of this world. The bartenders always make the best cocktails and the wine list and pairings by the sommelier are spot on. There is no best part of going to Michael's, it is all fantastic. If you have the opportunity to go only once, or to make this a regular haunt, please take my suggestion and walk through the front door; you'll be treated so well that you won't want to leave, ever. This will be my highest conviction review on trip advisor or anywhere else... 500 stars, if you please!

The food was fine, but charging $3 for bread, received almost an hour into the meal, was bizarre. One roll - none for my companion - and not replenished when done. No basket to choose from - order in advance, and the waiter wasn't sure what kind he had. We paid $200 for the meal (one salad, two entrees, no dessert, two drinks, two glasses of wine) and this left me feeling cold.

I had the pleasure of having dinner at Michael's restaurant on Tuesday, January 17th. It was the first day of Restaurant Week and my first (but not last) visit to Michael's. What a fantastic experience. It's a lovely restaurant with outstanding staff and delicious food. You're made to feel welcome and appreciated from the minute you walk in the door. Genuine staff and totally unpretentious. From the coat check girl to the hostess to the maitre d and our waitress, they were all truly lovely people. I had somewhat given up on Restaurant Week the last few years because it seemed like the participating restaurants were just going through the motions and putting out subpar menus. Michael's restaurant has restored my faith in Restaurant Week and I've discovered a really special place. I've already made reservations to go back in a few days. You guys are doing yourselves proud by doing it right. I applaud the staff of Michael's restaurant for a job well done! To everyone reading this review make reservations at Michael's now! Please note: For most restaurants, Restaurant Week is really January 17th- February 12th.

This is clearly a NYC institution. We had a fun lunch there with friends and enjoyed the atmosphere and the food. My friend had the cheeseburger which he said was the best ever. I had the Cobb Salad. Everyone enjoyed the event and it was a very busy and happy holiday atmosphere. I will definitely go back.

Our company hosted a dinner to introduce a new author and it was lovely! The room was perfect as it was set aside just for our large group. The outdoor patio lights shone in from the large glass windows giving the room a soft warm glow. The wine was delicious and I devoured most of my amazing main course vegetarian option.

We explored the menu and selected everything from risotto, Cobb salad to roast chicken and the sea food special. We appreciated each dish. The seafood and even the roast chicken were way better than we expected. The risotto was made with care and bested others that we tried elsewhere. The wine selection is extensive. We had a dry French Chardonnay the went well with our meal choices. Desserts did not fall short of that standard. We liked the ambiance, a bright we’ll decorated room with artwork to intrigue even the most experienced museum goer. We enjoyed our evening.

We enjoyed a leisurely dinner here during restaurant week. The staff could not have been more attentive and the sommelier (female) was particularly helpful. I was surprised that the restaurant was not crowded but I understand that it is a particularly popular place for lunch and maybe we caught them on a slow night. The restaurant is quiet and their flower arrangements were particularly striking. Our food was beautifully presented and was absolutely delicious. We'll be back.

I found this restaurant a very pleasant place for lunch. The service is good, the servers pleasant and attentive. The food is worth the price and is prepared and and presented with care! Don't miss this one when in NYC.

We had lunch at Michael's and took advantage of the Restaurant Week offerings. We had a 1:30 reservation which we were late for as it seemed like it took forever to get into the city on Friday. We called to let them know we would be late and were treated graciously and thanked for the call. The decor is bright and fresh. We were seated at a nice table that afforded us to view the entire restaurant, including the celeb guests that are reported to often visit. Unfortunately, we didn't see anyone but such is the case on a Friday afternoon mid-summer. Our waiter was very helpful in selecting our wine. He recommended a marvelous Torrebruna Brunello which I loved. My dining companion selected the Whispering Angel Rose. We both decided upon the Summer Chopped Salad with Pistachio and Thai Vinaigrette. There was an abundance of flavors in this salad that we both described as "fresh". Roasted corn, plums, watercress, mint, cilantro all contribute to this incredible salad. At the recommendation of our waiter we both ordered the grilled barramundi sea bass. The salsa verde was delicious. We both enjoyed our meal tremendously and thought that we were satisfied without feeling too full. We opted to try the dessert as we spied a neighboring table order a yummy looking strawberry and meringue parfait. They also offered homemade gelato which was spectacular (we tried the pistachio). We hadn't realized that the restaurant closed between lunch and dinner until we left. One reason we didn't know was the friendly staff did not rush us at all. Wonderful experience!

I only went to Michael's recently for a breakfast meeting. Of course it is a "media and advertising industry favorite"! Upon entering I thought the place smelled musty - like damp carpets. Must admit the room has lovely artwork and great lighting - but the furniture - chairs are 70's Macy's furniture dept stuff! So sat down. The first think that caught my eye before my guest arrived was the tarnished silver plated table condiments - sugar bowl etc. That's so sloppy - great sign of nobody really cares - right? So to the food. I ordered green tea (another piece of tarnished silver plate - in the teapot). And then the dish named after BBDO's Andrew Robertson. The spinach should have been pressed more to lose some of the water and the poached eggs -- what did they do to these?? These were not poached the classic way - swirling water, touch of vinegar - so the whites gently envelop the yolk. These - the white was rubbery, yolk over cooked. Service was grumpy. I would not return.

This is the kind of restaurant people in the publishing industry go to in order to see and be seen. The food is OK -- my salade nicoise was perfectly good but in no way worth $32. If you are paying for your own food there are literally hundreds of better places to go to in midtown Manhattan. On top of everything, the service was awful, presumably because we weren't important enough. A must to avoid.

We did a group dinner in the Private Room. Really extraordinary rapid service and excellent food. Reasonable cost for use of such a room in NY. Have had many lunches and dinners there and the food and staff never fail but first large group dinner and I was impressed how well it was handled.

I went there for a business lunch, the restaurant has a nice atmosphere, bright and clean. I personally like a lot the round shape table, classic is the set up with a flower arrangement and a white table cloth, the use a good quality and brand for glassware set and Christofle silverware. the menu has a weird layout, not easy to ready, print out on a paper without folder. the wine list come only on an ipad, overall the food was average and the service not bad, fast and precise. highly recommended for a business lunch.

We liked the excellent food, the good service, and Michael the owner. It was very convenient, located almost across from our hotel.

Loved Michael's. Just there for a breakfast. Went there for a power breakfast with a bunch of fellow TV news workers. They all loved their Egg Benedicts. My food was just OK, but the atmosphere is tops! This place is famous in media and fashion circles.. One of the homes of the power lunch. Among regulars are Barbara Walters, Star Jones, and Arianna Huffington. Pretty A- list crowd. It's not cheap, but it's a worth a trip.. you never know who you might run into!

Ala carte - $20 for famous sage chicken except it was way overdone. However the roasted beet salad was 4 star with pecans (or walnuts) and feta. The Tempranillo by the glass was smooth with the right amount of fruit. I sat at the bar hoping for quicker service. It wasn't busy. Bartender was attentive but kitchen seemed slow ... So I think they fell asleep and my chicken was the casualty. Not impressed at all.

Very nice experience. Small menu..as to be expected in a better restaurant. Expensive prices but food was very good. However, nothing comes with the meals. I had the Bibb lettuce salad which was literally lettuce with dressing..no tomatoes etc. The chicken is literally a piece of chicken, no potatoes or anything, everything is al a carte. Again, that is to be expected in an upscale restaurant. Had the risotto, half portion which was very filling and delicious. The owner michael was there so it was cool to meet him, he came to our table to check on us which was very nice. It was a nice experience, food was good, staff was very nice. Would I return ? I'm not sure, it didn't blow me away but I would tell someone looking for a quiet, comfortable, but fine dining to try it.

Food was quite good (fresh summer salad, fish, and salmon appetizer were enjoyed); prix-fixe portions were not big, but sufficient. Room was large and rather loud; crowd seemed to be primarily business lunches. Considering this was given $$-$$$ on TripAdvisor, I thought it was quite expensive for lunch. Four of us ordered off the prix fixe restaurant week menu ($26 plus optional $8 dessert); the other 2 ordered a pizza and a burger off the main menu. Three glasses of wine, one cocktail, four sodas/teas, and four desserts came out to $65/ person with tip. And for that price, it just wasn’t a WOW experience. Regarding the slow service, it took a full half hour before anyone took our order. In all, lunch took just over two hours and we had to ask for the bill to get out in that time.

Very popular and great for breakfast. Full of people having meetings. Had a lovely omelette and fruit. Good place.

Service not bad, but far from good. Food not bad, but far from good, too . If you don’t have a second option in the area and want to be comfortably seated and air conditioned that’s the place to go.

Very eclectic menu. California fusion. Food was good. Service was great. Prices on food inexpensive for NYC. Liquor is very high. 8 drinks was more than the food. I would not rush to go back. If you like this type of menu it's fine.

Its sistership is in Santa Monica and both are great. MIchaels in NYC is unusual in the amount of space you get surrounding your table. Great for a business meal or romantic dinner. The food is great and wine selection is very nice, even by the glass. Unusual art work surrounds you. Makes for an enjoyable lunch or great dinner.

Always consistent and amazing cuisine. Flawless execution of a menu made of great classics. Warm welcome from the front door to the table and throughout the meal. It is also always a great pleasure to hear Michael's voice when he comes to greet you as he goes around the place.

The service is pleasant but the menu is limited. The place is good for sales and light lunches. I had the crab cake which was good but choices are definitely limited.

Wonderful meal, wonderful wine and wonderful service. we had the tasting menu enjoyed it so much. I have to say this is one of the best meal I had for a long time.

When looking for a somewhat more formal place to lunch where you can talk with some peace around you, this is the right place. Nice seating, good food and very attentive staff. Guest are mostly wearing business attire. Excellent quality food, presented nicely in moderate servings. We were surprised by the large windows at the back of the restaurant facing a small green garden between the buildings -- gives sort of a calm and relaxing view.

The setting puts the dining room just below street level, so walking by I had identified this as a clean, classy, though understated space. The printed entree menu options are very traditional—a salmon, a steak, a chicken, a burger, etc. We went for two off menu entree specials and had the Korean beef tacos to start—-a don’t miss choice. All of the food items we would order again. The dining room was sparsely populated, so there was plenty of attention from the staff. I’d never eaten a banana topped creme brûlée but would order again. Being in Manhattan, and at this midtown locale, this restaurant is not cheap, but you can see the prices before you commit.

Michael's is another new York restaurant that is a step above most. Wonderful food and great service. A little pricey. We found that Wednesday's lunches are usually very crowded, however, if you can get a reservation, it is great for people watching , since a lot of the media people and social groups lunch there.

Although I have had breakfast here many times, this was the first time I had dinner at Michael's. I didn't have very high expectations, so what a nice surprise. I had one of the day's special appetizers - Spanish ham on flatbread. Very simple, but good, fresh ingredients made it memorable. I had the lamb saddle for my entree and an apple clafoutis for dessert. The lamb was outstanding, cooked just right. The dessert was dull and uninteresting. Service was friendly and efficient. Prices are on the high side, but not excessively so. Our party of five had five appetizers, five entrees, three desserts, three coffees and two bottles of wine and the check came to $422 plus service. Allow for $70-80 per person.

My husband and I ate here on our recent holiday to New York. The food was very good, but the service wasn't great. Dessert menus were foisted on us the very second we finished our main course. Then when they realised we weren't going to have dessert all the staff disappeared (well actually 3 of them were sitting at the bar chatting) and we had to wait ages to pay our bill. The wine list was also vastly overpriced for the standard restaurant. The restaurant was virtually empty so presumably everyone else knows it's not great.

On a recent trip to NY I wanted eggs for breakfast. A quick Zagat survey of my area suggested Michael's. It is a lovely restaurant with cloth tablecloths, excellent service and good food. I enjoyed the egg white scramble with chicken sausage. It was very good, coffee was great. A little costly for what it was, but still a very enjoyable start to the day!

This restaurant is a very pleasant lunch spot in Midtown. The service is attentive (they passed the litmus test of refilling water glasses) and the food was very good. I started with the hamachi sashimi - delicious, with good contrasting tastes, though I would probably have put less of the yuzu vinaigrette. I then opted for the Korean steak tacos - again, nicely done, delicate, with interesting flavours. I also had a taste of my friend's asparagus pizza, which I though was delicious but could have used a little spice. Prices were okay, though maybe a little higher than I might have expected. The restaurant itself is bright and the noise level reasonable. Tables could be less close. It was a little difficult to navigate. I would certainly go back to this place.

A vegetable frittata is a very specific thing. The definition may vary, but it definitely isn't a flat disk of astonishingly dry eggs with a heap of barely-cooked under-flavored vegetables scattered over it. And such a dry, undercooked thing definitely shouldn't cost nineteen dollars. This is a place that seems to take no joy in what it does -- the customers are going to come, let's put some food in front of them and then give them the bill. Also, trumpeting on the menu that the sausage you serve is Aidell's -- a very nice brand but available at any good supermarket -- tone deaf much? Still, that art, including paintings by the owner's wife, is very nice. Maybe they could charge $2.50 to come in and take a look at it. Whiff of grilling Aidell's sausages included.

We want to post a big thanks to Michael for accommodating us during a recent pleasure trip to NYC. My spouse and I toured MOMA and wandered into Michael's in shorts etc and were greeted and encouraged to stay although obviously not dressed for the venue. The food and service were wonderful and Michael visited our table to make sure we were enjoying our lunch, which we certainly did. Thanks again. The food was equal to the beautiful artifacts we had viewed that morning. If presentation means anything to you please visit the artists studio.

We wanted a nice quiet place for a light relaxing dinner. Michael’s filled the bill. The atmosphere is quiet, the service excellent, and the food delicious. We ordered haricot frites (which have a very light tempura batter), Korean tacos, clams and a farmer’s pizza. Each dish was excellent. We met Celina Martinez who told spent time telling us all about the history of the neighborhood and the building. We will return for another dinner soon.

Michael's is a wonderful place for lunch as well as for dinner. The atmosphere is vibrant, the artwork on the wall spectacular and, most importantly, the food is varied and excellent!

Nothing special but the price. It was all good, just not anything worth mentioning or remembering. Clearly this is a place that survives on people who come here out of habit. There is a lot of great, world class food in NYC and it isn't that hard to find, so google 'best restaurants nyc' and try another option.

Steve the GM is old school, in the best NYC way! A welcoming , fun and completely un pretentious host.Michael’s is and has been a NY institution for the media/publishing world and art crowd and still “has it”. The art on the walls- among them Jasper Johns, Hockney’s (originals) are amazing. The food was delicious. The service very good. AND Michael’s Pinot Noir from his vinyard is really really good!

We wanted to go to a nice steak restaurant while in NYC for a few days off. This didn't disappoint. Very clean and nice setting, very attentive wait staff, nice wine list (very large had to be on an ipad but, we didn't mind that). Meat was cooked exactly how we asked for it. Great down to the banana creme brulee which was delicious. My daughter has a gluten intolerance and was able to eat many of the options on the menu.

Although it looks unassuming with its 1980’s furniture, eclectic art displayed throughout, the view is more about who may be sitting next to you. Known for some of the most famous customers, perhaps it’s the good food and service. Don’t be surprised at the bill, as star gazing comes at a price. Breakfast is pricey but no more than in a local hotel.

Thanks to the gracious staff for a wonderful and memorable birthday breakfast celebration. Everything was outstanding - the upbeat welcome from the host, the attentive waitstaff, and most of all, the surprise, inscribed fruit plate and the melodious “happy birthday” serenade. Bravo!

My husband and myself went here on our last night of our trip to New York and were tired after days of walking around so wanted a quiet meal. The meal was ok but did not warrant the price they charged for it, we had eaten in a better restaurant the night before for less and the food was a lot better. When we had paid the bill however the manager I assume that is who he was came after us asking if everything was ok with our meal we said it was ok, he then told us we had not given enough tip as 10% was not enough apparently. We both thought this very rude indeed we had spent $250.00 and the food to us was just average and would not have tipped them any more. He then told us we are not like England we don't put the service charge on the bill but we do expect at least $30.00 of the bill total as a tip. Firstly you do not tell people what they should tip let alone expect it and he needs to get his facts straight about the English restaurants not all add a service charge onto the bill, hence to say we would not return to this restaurant and would tell all our friends not to go there either. We had eaten in many restaurants on our visit to New York and they were all lovely and didn't tell us what tip was expected from us in fact they were all grateful for the tip we gave them and I have to say they were quality meals.

I chose Michael's in part because the description started by claiming that the restaurant was "A unique, spacious dining and garden room." Actually, it's a relatively standard restaurant with modern ambiance that might have a bit of French flair to it. I counted about 4 plants in it, other than the little ones on the table, which does not come anywhere close to a "garden room" to me. That being said, the dishes were delicious, well thought out, and presented immaculately. In particular, the beef tacos were a real treat, as was the s'mores desert. The wine selection by the bottle was admirable, though any selection by the glass (including beer) was disappointing. What they had was good, but there simply weren't a lot of options if they didn't have what you wanted by the glass. The service was among the best I've experienced recently! At least 4-5 people were checking in on us, taking plates, refilling drinks, etc. They were extremely attentive, pleasant, and helpful. Between the excellent cuisine and service, I could almost recommend it. Ultimately, despite these notable positives, I could not recommend it due to its misrepresentation as a "garden room" and the value. While it's location on the upper west side doesn't lend itself to particularly economic eating, the portion size and price charged were excessive enough that I'll probably look elsewhere next time I'm in town. However if paying $20 for a side salad isn't an issue, this could probably be something I could recommend.

You never know who you will see at this see and be seen place to lunch. The noise level is reasonable that is a big plus. The service is reasonable and they were offering Restaurant Week menus. There was no bread served and the fish was a bit dry and salty. other wise it was a good lunch choice.

I came here for dinner on a Thursday evening, and the restaurant was virtually empty. My understanding is that the restaurant is very busy at lunch. The food was overall good, but the menu - New American with Asian influences - was a bit tough to reconcile with the distinctly 80's decor. The prices were also quite high, appropriate for people with expense accounts. Not sure that I would come here again.

I went to Michael's with my Cousins, uncle and aunt, grandfather and parents. I really loved it because the mash potatoes. The owner was really nice. Same with the waiters. (BTW, if you get the risotto and you don't like egg yoke tell them) there was egg yoke in the risotto but it was still great. 5 stars

Six of us came last week for NY Restaurant Week. The restaurant is in an historic building on 55th Street in Manhattan. The room is lovely and well designed with lots of space between tables enabling dinner conversations. The staff is friendly, professional and efficient. The Maitre 'd / Manager is especially so. Their restaurant week menu is exceedingly nice. For starters, one of us ordered the chopped salad, with Tomato es, olives, cucumbers, summer peppers and Feta cheese, which arrived in a large bowl and could have been enough for an entree. One got the heirloom tomato GAZPACHO and declared it wonderful. the rest of us ordered the Salmon Tartare accompanied with guacamole, salmon roe, herbs and corn chips. We all agree it was scrumptious. Two of ordered the Chatham cod with succotash. Two of us ordered the Free Range Chicken with fingerling potatoes and greens. Two of us, my self included, ordered the Prime Hanger Steak with asparagus, mushrooms, carrots and a bourdelaise sauce. My was delivered just as requested, medium rare. It was tender and juicy. Desserts were stone fruit soup with sorbet and brownie cake with pistachio ice cream. All of us were extremely pleased with the restaurant's atmosphere the excellent service and the exquisite food, so beautifully platted and presented. Everyone agreed that t was a wonderful choice for restaurant week and that it was well worth coming back to anytime, restaurant week or not.

on our last night in new york my family and i had not booked a restaurant so decided to walk and wing it from our hotel on 6th avenue. came across this one, nice and quiet for sat 27th which made me weary as i had rung several restaurants in the area and they could not seat us until 10 or 11 pm. so we were greeted warmly at the door. first they made a plain pasta for my hungry number 6 daughter. my husband ordered the scallops and i the chicken wings. the wine i was drinking was priced at 9/18 . i assumed this was for a glass / carafe. my husband's scallops arrived , for $27 he got 3 scallops, $9. each, and he ate them in one mouthful. my chicken wings arrived which were battered , deep fried chicken drummettes dipped in what tasted like a shop bought asian sauce. i could have cooked these blindfold in my own kitchen and thats wings not drumsticks? but wait , the bill arrived and it was $200.00. mortified. turns out my wine was $18 per glass? how can they justify this , we politely paid up and left $230 out of pocket not wanting to spoil our last night in NY, but i was saddened by this experience as we had dined in some exceptional restaurants throughout our stay, which we had either booked prior or just stumbled across.

In the absence of many outdoor spaces in Midtown, the glass-enclosed garden room makes for a bright and refreshing spot to dine. Despite the ambiance, the acoustics are not great and it became quite loud by peak lunch hour. Food was solid, but expensive. At the end of the day, a standard, slightly overpriced business lunch spot, but will likely add it to the rotation given the limited choices in the area.

If only things were as they are reported to be in the New York Social Diary. Then, Michael's would be a stylish room packed full at lunch with a who's who of New York's finest. But last Friday, the oligarchs and celebrities and almost celebrities were nowhere to be seen. In their place, we found average food and uninspired service. And as other reviewers have pointed out, even the Hockneys (geez, the Hockneys are great) don't keep the main dining room from evoking the feeling that you are eating in the conference room of a middle tier law firm that was decorated in the 90s and hasn't been remodeled since. Let me be clear: I have no real complaint about lunch at Michael's--nothing was bad, or even close to it. The reason for my middling review is this: Much of what makes Michael's go seems to be a long list of notable regulars (and an even longer list of folks hoping to rub elbows with those regulars). When the regulars are gone (to the Hamptons for the summer, for example), there's just less (much less) reason to visit.

Have dined a Michael's restaurants in Santa Monica and NYC since 1982, it is a statement of the quality and dependability that MIchael's NYC remains a great regional/local dining place. Great menu, exceptional wine list and good service.

Michael’s is well designed for a business lunch. Service was incredibly efficient - we had a 45 minute window and we still managed a starter and a main! Food in general was good although on the expensive side. The salad and salmon that I had were well cooked.

Based on Reviews we booked Michael’s for dinner. First impression a decor similar to a banquet with round big tables and very very noisy. We had a waiter who was running around like a chicken without a head, promising to be there shortly to get our drink order. It took 30 minutes to get our water served to table by a runner. The order came late and my dish was placed incorrect. There was a Christmas party next door extremely loud that it was difficult to communicate with each other. We were over dressed with shirt & tie. We had to beg for refills and bread. I don’t know where those 5 star reviews come from because my dish and my family members was not that great. We were over charged by two glasses of wine after doing inspection of bill, the waiter responded to take it of his tip laughing... either management needs to get more waiters or train them to do a better job. I was looking forward to enjoy my dinner in Nee York but was very disappointed Bottom line when you read reviews don’t expect to much going in

So here is the question. How could dinner for two with ok food leave the patrons with a determination not to return? Really bad, inattentive service that’s how. Extended waits between courses, no follow up on wine service (it was do it yourself time), professionally blind wait staff who ignored us and similar offenses. And it was not as if the restaurant was crowded. 40% of the tables seemed booked. We think we know why this experience was so bad too. The owner was in town holding Court at his table and sopping up attention from the chef and all the wait staff — or so it seemed. In our experience, switched on management at a restaurant observe how customers are treated and would not tolerate slipups. Not so here. This was a return visit for us as we remembered how we enjoyed our prior meal; this time our experience forecloses any possibility of a return.

A place for movers and shakers particularly in the media world (Time Inc, NY Post etc), this classic midtown restaurant is best when you go with people who are known to the owners (who make multiple rounds) and is clearly a place that has many, many regulars. The food is good and the service is old-world friendly.

Lovely place with lots of style! On any given day u may see a tv personality, or actor! Lots of people in show biz especially lunch time! An old favorite for celebs! Food is good, nothing out of ordinary though!

The tuna tostadas and Korean steak tacos are a must try. While you are there go ahead and make the caloric sacrifice and have the pizza. You can’t go wrong with the black truffle pizza. On top of all of this, they present a nice wine list and great service.

I will book myself in for lunch in the Garden Room, don a pretty frock and some sensible heels, feast on those fabulous grilled Trumpet Mushrooms, followed by the Open-Face Omelet (egg whites only and delicious) with more mushrooms, and be sure to make my way, at least twice, to the Ladies Room at the very front of the restaurant I had the pleasure of a business lunch here yesterday. I arrived early and was escorted to our table in the Garden Room, a lovely room with a towering flower arrangement and terrific art, including a magnificent Diebenkorn. An older gentleman, looking very much like a captain of industry, was seated at the next table. He looked up at me and smiled. As I awaited my lunch companion, the room filled with more captains of industry. Who knew there were so many? My lunch companion arrived and we ordered, he the Pumpkin Soup and I the grilled Trumpet Mushrooms. They are like steak but much easier on the digestion. The man at the next table was joined by his lunch companion. They ordered delicious-looking salads. “How sensible,” I thought, until I saw the huge plate of French Fries arrive and watched as they each piled French Fries on top of their salads. Yikes! Lunch Companion had a travel snafu and needed a moment to speak with his assistant, so I absented myself and made my way through the Garden Room, the main dining room, up the stairs and into the Ladies Room. Several COI looked up as I passed; one even smiled. Now, I am a woman of a certain age, long past the days when this was a daily occurrence. I got back to our table with a big smile on my face and a fabulous omelet awaiting me. Before coffee, I did it again. Why not? The COI at the next table called for the bill. When it arrived, he pulled out a roll of bills, all hundreds. I stopped counting at nine. He peeled off two and put it on top of the bill. Who carries that much cash? Michael’s is a place to see and be seen. And the food happens to be great. Go, enjoy, stroll!

Not knowing that Michael's was a "place to see and be seen", friends and I dined here before attending an opera at The City Center. I'm glad we didn't know because then we probably wouldn't have dined at there. (We were all 60 plus suburbanites with not a power broker among us.) Everyone from the bar tender to the owner were friendly and welcoming. Kudos to all of you! But, the best part was the array of delectable small plates. Every dish we ordered from the Tuscan kale salad to the lobster with barrata was full of interesting flavors and beautifully plated. The mashed potatoes with Gruyere cheese is our new comfort food! Don't miss the chocolate roulade with chocolate martini ice cream. It's beautiful dessert. And, don't let the hype keep you away. This is a gem of a restaurant.

Just returned from 4 days in NYC. My wife made reservations at Michael's more than three weeks ago. On Thursday, Michaels called during the day to reconfirm our reservation. Promptly at 8:00 PM my party of four showed up. There were only three other diners in the restaurant when we arrived! That seemed odd. The waitress approached us after we were seated. She handed us the menus and told us the kitchen would close shortly. We asked how shortly, she indicated that they were waiting for us. Of course we asked what the deal was, she told us since it was pretty quiet they had decided to do renovations in the kitchen that night. Now since they had over three weeks to inform us, it seemed like pretty poor customer service. The food was decent, nothing special, but who wants to eat in an empty restaurant in 45 minutes! Terrible. If they were not going to take any reservations for that night (obviuosly decided after we called) then at least give us a chance to go somewhere else. Clearly this place could not care less about its customers! We told the hotel concierge (almost next door) and the hotel took it off it's list right then and there. We would never ever go back!

We went here for a reception after a performance at Carnegie Hall. The food was delicious. My favorites were the chicken tacos with a peanut sauce and the sliders. The food just kept coming until 2 am. The bar was set up in the middle room with the food in the back, but waiters passed everything all night. It is a fabulous location for an even like this, with enough seating for those who wanted to sit down. Micheal was on hand and is absolutey delightful and charming.

I've had brekfast and lunch at Michael's before and always enjoyed it. Dinner was less crowded, but great food, nice atmosphere, and some celebrities too.

The place is ok, the food is ok but honestly not amazing. The service though is great, but the price a bit high for the quality

To say that Michael's was the worst dining experience I have ever had is an understatement. The waitress who served us was very very rude and bordered on aggressive. The food was simply dreadful, when I asked for an allergy substitute I was told that they were too busy for that. I would stay away from this place at all costs. It is a place to see and be seen in the world of publishing, but nothing else.

This is one of the popular restaurants for power breakfasts. They also have a private room in the back that can accommodate large groups. We held a dinner party there with 40 people. The room was spacious, the wait staff helpful and the room was quiet.

We liked Michael's very much for three reasons - venue, service and food. In contrast to most NY restaurants I have been to, Michael's actually looks as a restaurant. Well lit, roomy, elegant. We had a large round table by the window at respectable distance from other tables. The seats were actually comfortable. The clients looked very important and distinguished, and you could tell that big deals and the fate of the world were discussed around you. The service was great - courteous, efficient, there when you wanted it and out of your sight when you didn't. I had two small plates for lunch, Grilled Baby Artichoke and Korean Steak Tacos - both were excellent - accompanied by a glass of excellent chablis.

I liked it... My dad used to take me there all the time!

So I have had this deal with one of my business partner’s daughters who lives in the city for a few years. She agrees to find amazing places to go to lunch or dinner for us to catch up when I’m in NYC and I agree to treat. This was the spot she chose for lunch on this last trip and as usual her selection hit it out of the park. The food was amazing! And the service was some of the best Ive had in the city. You could tell that several of the tables were locals and that this was a place they frequented. A true local gem!

Excellent experience - food, service bar. A quintessential insider’s restaurant with personally engaged owners. It is an “in” spot for lunch!

We visited Michael’s based on the trip advisor reviews being good - so it felt right to add our experience. The restaurant itself was very dated and dark - it seemed pretty posh and we felt slightly underdressed - however that made me think...the food will be great!! I couldn’t have been more wrong. I had the chimmichurri pork chop which was extremely over priced as it was served solo - I ordered mash potato as a side because of this which resembled potato soup. My husband ordered the lobster risotto- which looked like sick! He tried to eat some but gave up in fear it would make him unwell. We were offered “water” and then charged $15 for bottled water - which arrived with the lid off; could have been tap in a sanpelligrino bottle. To top things off - there was a lady on the table beside us who had a dog on her lap - I’m not opposed to dog friendly restaurants. However in a carpeted restaurant with table and seat covers it seemed very unhygienic. Very disappointed in the service and overall experience.

This is native New Yorker never found such a trifecta just off Fifth Avenue near Rock Center. The menu was creative, incorporating summer-fresh food, the maitre'd and all of the staff (not just the servers) were warm and helpful without being overwhelming, and the decor pleasing. A definite new favorite - I look forward to returning!

In a town with some of the best restaurants in the world, why have a good meal when there are so many places to have great ones. I was taken by a business associate to Michael's for lunch. You don't see a lot from the street, but once inside, Michael's is spacious and looks onto a green space, which is nice for midtown Manhattan. I ordered some iced tea, and it was served in a wine glass with no ice. There were about 3 sips in that glass. For my lunch, I ordered salmon over bacon-braised red cabbage. The server made a point of telling me they cook their salmon medium rare, and did I mind that. I told her that I preferred my salmon done on the rare side, so that was my expectation. When the dish came, the salmon was actually overcooked. Hardly medium rare. And the braised cabbage tasted only of vinegar, not a hint of bacon. My dining companions had some kind of salads, but I honestly can't remember what was in them. We skipped dessert. I have had some of the best meals in my life in Manhattan, and I keep discovering new places that are truly impressive. So if you are going to splash out on a fancy lunch in the City, I would say there are probably better places than Michael's.

Had a surprisingly good lunch here, based on no prior expectations, and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the meal. Professional service, a bit of buzz in the room but still could carry on a conversation. Convenient to mid-town attractions between Central Park south and MOMA

It's been several years since I have visited Michael's and i was very pleasantly surprised. The dining room remains a delight with the superb art collection (Diebenkorn, Hockney, Jasper Johns, among others), the bay windows and the garden room in the back. I went with two guests for a business dinner. You can actually have a discussion and be heard, which can be challenging in many restaurants. We ordered a selection of starters (try the Korean tacos - outstanding) and continued right through to desert. Service was extremely welcoming and pleasant. I had not thought of Michael's as a pre-theater location, but it would be ideal and something i will take advantage of the next time i am going to the theater. Also a good location for a business meal, or a romantic dinner.

We went to Michael's after moving out from the city for a New York fine dining experience (which we miss) pre-theater. The waiter recommended the Nantucket Bay mini scallops which he said were rarely available but exceptional. He was right!! They were unlike any scallops we had ever eaten - tender and delicious. We also have the Branzino which was beautifully cooked in a smokey, roasted caper sauce. The Buratta with crunchy endive and the cauliflower chowder were our starters. The great food and very attentive service reminded us why the dining in New York, and at Michael's in particular, is so special. Well worth the New York prices.

The food was excellent - nothing elaborate, just simple, excellent quality and flavors. The portions were on the smaller side, but with a side dish (all a la carte), there was certainly enough.

When I moved to New York City 17 years ago, I would go occasionally to the bar at Michael's where a somewhat older woman friend would meet up with her boyfriend who was an attorney who worked in Midtown. My recollection is that it drew a more mature, sophisticated Midtown crowd. Went back recently and would say it still has the same ambience. It seems to be frequented by known patrons, so much so that they did not present us with the restaurant week menu without asking. The food was descent but nothing out of the ordinary for a mid-range Midtown establishment. Michael, the owner, still introduces himself to everyone. I found particularly charming the many pictures in the woman's room, which I suspect are the owner in his earlier days.