DovetailNever disappointsDovetail continues to offer some of the most inventive, well-executed dishes in the city. The chef's use of seasonal ingredients is often playful and always delicious. If you haven't done a tasting menu here, you should.6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMFood awesome, but service poorTerrific menu and presentation, but our waitress was slow and inattentive.6/10/2013 12:00:00 AMEven better!As much as I enjoy this restaurant and have been impressed with the food and service in the past, it was even better on this visit. My food friend was impressed, too.
Great job!6/10/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfection!One of the best meals I've had in years! The combination of flavors is highly inventive and always successful. The wine pairings were inspired. The whole experience was a delight. It's expensive--but worth every penny!6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat experience for the 2nd timeI had a great experience at Dovetail three years ago. After reading some reviews before I booked for my friends from Tokyo, I had some concern if the the quality would as good as we experienced in 3 years ago. It did not belie my expectations. I read some reviews criticizing the portion. Probably they are from a big stake/hamburger eater with creamy mashed potato and greasy potato chips. The portion was perfect for us.6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMIt all... Dovetailed (Sorry!)The evening was hot, and the traffic was terrible, but once we walked into this gem, it was total pleasure. The hostess greeted us like regulars (first visit), the menus, first drinks and wine list all came at appropriate times. This is a very attractive, low-key space, with lots of elbow room for privacy. Interesting drink menu, but the wine list is exceptional; someone here knows the grape. Fortunately, the wine pairings were far more interesting than usual - sometimes the sommelier tries a bit too hard - and the pours were generous and well matched to the food. And the food is what it's all about! Seasonal inspiration, very fresh ingredients, inspired combinations of flavors and textures, and perfect preparations; we'll be back!6/4/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of the best meals we'veOne of the best meals we've had in New York. Very creative food, presentations. Everything was delicious, wait staff was polite and efficient. Can't wait to go back.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good but not GreatExcellent food, service OK and very noisy, hard to have a conversation with more than one person. Slow on refilling your white wine since is sitting somewhere in a bucket. Very expensive. For that price you have better places with great ambience.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMDreamy dinning experienceDining at Dovetail is like reading a poem.
Everything is connected and dovetailed together.The tasting menu is a surprising symphony for your taste buds.
Interesting combinations of tastes and pairing.
From the minute you enter, you are taken care of. You are simply taken on a journey.
Sit comfortably and enjoy it, you are in for a treat. Dovetail is special place for memorable dining experience.5/27/2013 12:00:00 AMBest meal I have had in a long timeThe vegetarian and vegetarian focused pre-fixe was excellent. The service was also amazing. I would eat here again and again.5/27/2013 12:00:00 AMStill worth itThe food, service, and ambiance are still of the highest quality even after all these years.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Veggie FindWe had an absolutely divine experience at Dovetail. The vegetable tasting menu was artfully prepared - each course unique and delicious. We will enthusiastically recommend Dovetail to friends.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMOn its way ta second Michlien starWe have visited Dovetail for special occasions ever since it opened and the progression has been notable at all levels.
We had the tasting menu with, I am pretty sure, several unexpected enhancements along with excellent well chosen wines.
Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Atmosphere an interesting blend between a low key neighborhood feel and big time dining.
I hope success continues to grow for Dovetail but I also selfishly hope it remains a little bit of a hidden secret gem if possible.5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother stunning experience!Dinner for 4 last night was excellent again. The Monday night vegetarian and vegetable focused menu is always a treat. The service friendly and professional. A great restaurant that only gets better!5/20/2013 12:00:00 AMTo dovetail is fits pieces togetherTo be honest, Dovetail was reserved as a backup since we were on a wait list elsewhere. How fortunate we didn't get the call and came here, it was magnificent from the amuse bouche, do not miss the arancini if there to the rests of the dinner, sweetbreads, squid, lamb, were all fantastic. The server was superb, his advise well taken, there-but not intrusive.
The cuisine was superb, creative, yet not the foo foo of molecular. For example, the squid came with a farro ramp puree, Fantastic, the lame with a green vegetable pie, another do not miss.
And as a bonus, it was quite reasonable. The food was a good as some of the temples of gastronomy at 2-4x the price.
Don't equivicate, make the reservation.5/20/2013 12:00:00 AMVegetarian Tasting MenuThis was excellent- every course was carefully plated and served, and the freshness of the food definitely came through strongly. A very enjoyable experience.5/20/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food as always, butGreat food as always, but the service was average and they forgot to serve us the 'amuse bouche'....5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMEvery interaction with theEvery interaction with the staff was lovely. Appropriately attentive. Cheerful and knowledgable.Food was very special. Wine pairings were great and generous. So accommodating of our lactose intolerant guest. Nothing we asked was a problem for them.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing!Been to Daniel, Per Se, Eleven Madison Park and Jean Georges and we LOVED Dovetail, a little more than all those others. The tasting menu had less courses but the portions were larger, and it just so happens that we loved everything on the tasting menu, although we did substitute the souffle for the caramel mousse. I probably could've done with a larger serving of bread, but that's about it. My husband had the wine pairing and we were impressed with the serving portions of wine given, it was definitely more than enough and he had a good buzz by the time we got to the 4th course. We will definitely be back!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMA gem in The upper west end
EverythA gem in The upper west end
Everything working as ir should
A ubique and rewarding experience5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious and great atmosphereWe had a wonderful date night here, it was delicious, service was excellent and the ambiance was very nice. We did the 4 course tasting menu and all of the food was wonderful. Would recommend for a romantic dinner or special occasion for small groups.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMRun, don't walk, to Dovetail.This restaurant is simply outstanding. My partner and I are vegetarians. We have been to Dovetail 3 times in 5 months, because they serve some of the best and most creative vegetarian food we have ever tried. The food at this restaurant doesn't pander; it challenges the person eating to think about food and taste in new ways. We've tried many of the most notable restaurants in the city, and this is among the best. Considering the quality and creativity of the food (plus spectacular service and lovely ambiance), Dovetail is an amazing value.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMgreat vegetarian tastinglovely and quiet (until it gets crowded) ... but the feeling is still quite relaxed and gracious, even as it gets louder.
the vegetarian tasting menu was delicious. creative and with lovely ingredients.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMSimply Great!Everything was beautiful and delicious. Will most certainly return :)5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMrespectful to the naturalChef respects the natural flavors of the ingredients. All dishes are not abusive to them, which is often seen recently in top-rated expensive restaurants in the world. They taste how they should taste. Try Beets Salad and grilled Guinea Hen. Dovetail can be highly recommended to foodies in the real meanings.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMBirthday to rememberI recently celebrated my birthday here with a party of five. I had read reviews online and decided to try dinner. The layout of the restaurant is beautiful and sophisticated. The server was attentive and personable, he addressed any questions we had about the menu and explained the components of each dish as it was brought out. The sommelier recommended an excellent bottle of wine to compliment our entree choices (there is an extensive wine list). The cocktails were also creative and tasty- we each enjoyed one before our wine. The food itself was perfectly plated and delicious. There was a very high level of service. Everyone in our group was extremely happy with our experience and we will be back soon!5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMfine star restaurantAppreciate that Dove Tail also cares for vegetarians and serves outstanding veggie dinners on Mondays. Please continue.
Good wines too.
As European visitors my wife liked the style.5/6/2013 12:00:00 AMA vegetarian find dining gemA vegetarian find dining gem in the city on Mondays. Thanks a lot to the chef for some vibrance and character and expression in vegetarian cooking. It's much appreciate and I believe going forward extremely important.
Overall, the experience is awesome - it really is a must visit.5/6/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat, interesting foodThe food was amazing and very unique. The menu changes often, so you can come back and will not get bored. Get dessert! The desserts are amazing.
Service was a bit slow (and i was there on a Monday night!) but food makes it worth going back. Servers were also very friendly and knowledgeable.5/6/2013 12:00:00 AM40th Birthday celebrationHad booked for my wife's 40th Birthday. I had to change the party size 3 times in a week and the restaurant were very understanding each time. We had the tasting menu for the table (incl one Vegetarian). All the courses were great and were well explained each time. Three of us had the wine pairing which was very good.
Great atmosphere for a Saturday night and made the evening memorable for the birthday girl and all the guests!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMValue VictualsHave eaten thrice at this restaurant with three different menus which changes with the season and have been very satisfied with the food, the service, and the creative menus. The prix fixe meal is a very good value.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMBest restaurant on UWSWorth every penny. Service and food are excellent. Eat everything they put in front of you.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMExquisite foodThis place reminds me of the truly great Paris 2 star restaurants of the early 90s; chef is brilliant, atmosphere subdued, and the service is impeccable. It won't be for everyone--portions are small, people watching is beside the point and the wine list is an idiosyncratic disaster. But, and it's a big "but," there are very few restaurants that deliver the kind of culinary transport that this one does. I had the salt baked carrot salad with lentils and Harissa: inspired and superbly delicious. Husband had arctic char, green tomatoes, horseradish, lettuce--he's most often unimpressed with my foodie enthusiasms--but he raved about it. Halibut entree for me & scallops for him were out of this world.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMOn our recent quick trip toOn our recent quick trip to New York, my daughter and I had picked three restaurants to try for dinner and Dovetail was by far the most pleasurable dining experience. We were graciously welcomed and shown to our table. The service was very attentive and the staff were knowledgeable about the food and wine. We were delighted with the three course vegetarian prix fixe menu. The food was exceptional from the complimentary tasting salad at the beginning, to the complimentary sweet at the finish of the meal. Even the chai tea was enjoyable which rarely happens whether you dine at an Indian restaurant or not. Both my daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and will definitely return on our next visit to New York.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMwe went for Sunday brunch.......whiwe went for Sunday brunch.......while the food was excellent, the service was off--have had much better at dinner time at the restaurant. And for $32 per person, no beverages of any kind are included, which makes Sunday Suppa at Dovetail a much better value.4/28/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat a great meal! The foodWhat a great meal! The food was uniformily spectacular -- esp the white asparagus appetizer. The service was stellar -- we had a 9 year old child with us and the staff went out of the way to take care of her needs. The wine list is well thought out and well priced. Dovetail is definitely one of our go-to spots. It is amazing that it is possible to get a reservation on relatively short notice.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a 8:15 reservation,We had a 8:15 reservation, but ended up arriving a bit early and we were seated immediately. We both chose from the 4 course tasting menu. The standouts for us were the crayfish appetizer and the fried green strawberry dessert. This is the type of place where you take your time and want to savor each bite.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMHad a very good Sunday brunchHad a very good Sunday brunch here. The starters come for the table and were all delicious. I had a lobster omelet that was good but nothing out of this world. The side of bacon was great. The dessert selection was great. Service was a bit slow, and special requests took a bit of time to arrive, but overall a good experience that I would recommend.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways Perfect!When I come to NYC I have to fight myself as not to make another reservation at Dovetail, its one of my favorite places to go to. I have been 3 times and will continue to go back, from the service to the food they never disappoint. I was given a tour of the kitchen which was a delightful surprise, only disappoinment was that Chef John Fraser wasn't working that day But his Sous Chef Nick P more then made up for his absence. I can't remember how many courses I ended up having, as they always throw in extra Amuse-bouches. Yes it's expensive but will I be back ABSOLUTELY.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesomely delicious.My husband and I went to Dovetail knowing the meal would be expensive, and boy was it, but with such and exceptional meal, it was hard to complain about the cost. The experience was priceless.
The food was wonderful husband started with the we had six dished, my husband had: The Fluke Crudo, The Gulf Snapper and kaffir lime semifreddo all dishes perfect for his palate, ok for mine but I preferred my choices. The roasted beets, Halibut and soft chocolate ganache. Everything was scrumptious. I enjoyed our server- Aaron, incredibly knowledgable and the minimalist yet warm design of the restaurant.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMA Great DiscoveryWhat a treat! My husband and I ate here for the first time -- and can't wait for another occasion to return. The food was very imaginative, beautifully presented and most of all, delicious. The service was impeccable, wine list was very good and the atmosphere of the restaurant is romantic, but you could have a business dinner here, as well.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMOnly problems were overcookedOnly problems were overcooked salmon and ice-cream-based desserts that sounded better than they were. overcooke4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMWho needs expensive French ?One of the best "American" restaurants in New York. With the overload of French and Italian, it was so nice to enjoy an American experience. Just ate a Le Bernardin a week earler, the service at Dovetail is far more refined, but relaxed and the check was half the amount for the same food quality.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMWhew on wine pricingThe food was excellent, as I have come to expect at Dovetail. We had a tasting menu, and the restaurant cooperated by switching two dishes for us. Very good.
The only distressing element is the pricing on the wine list. The list itself offers good diversity and a large number of choices, but the pricing has escalated dramatically. Perhaps Dovetail might consider reducing its pricing, at least on week nights. People might order more wine.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMI had one of each from "vegetables"I had one of each from "vegetables", "entrees" and "dessert" section. The portion was a rather small side but it was carefully prepared and the combination of each material including the sauce was wonderful. The staff was very attentive but not pushy. This place is great for both business and private occasion.4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMThe vegetarian-focused menuThe vegetarian-focused menu on monday is are favorite and we make a special trip to it out. It is a true inspiration, and despite being small portions, the 3 courses plus dessert is far more than we could eat. Wonderful special occasion and a must stop for vegetarian foodies.4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMEaster BrunchTwo of us went for an Easter Brunch and were not disappointed. The prix fix menu was delicious and the choices were varied and excellent.
First came a basket of small warm breads each with its own distinctive flavor. We had to ask for butter. Then a plate of little portions of four delectable appetizers.
After the lovely main course where we both had Crab Benedict with swiss chard, a plate of three little desserts arrived. We each had a mimosa as well as tea. The price was high ($150) but service was very good. The large room was filled but not impossible. I noticed a big table downstairs that seats a party of 10 which faces the glassed in kitchen. That would be fun to try sometime!3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful dining experience.Wonderful dining experience. The service was just a little rushed in the beginning, we were still enjoying the amuse bouche when the first course arrived making us set these aside too quickly.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMPerhaps the best restaurant in townDovetail may well be the best restaurant in New York. This was the first time that we had been there for Sunday Suppa, bringing along a favorite nephew and his g/f. While we have become accustomed to Dovetail's excellence, they were new to the restaurant and were totally blown away. The food, service, and ambience were all that one could have wanted. In addition, The staff is warm and welcoming as well as knowledgeable and efficient.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was greatWent on a Saturday night and food and service was great. Ordered the 4 course prix fixe where you can choose 4 of what you want from the menu. Each dish was in the right proportion and was delicious; in total it was the perfect amount of food. Service was attentive, food came quickly and I left with a good impression.
nice place to take a date, it's intimate, but not over the top.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AM