The Bocuse Restaurant at The Culinary Institute of AmericaUnparalleledThe location, philosophy of service, the food quality are absolutely superb. Seeing the dessert preparations with the liquid nitrogen and the CO2 was just a truly memorable experience. A once in a lifetime experience!5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMCIAWe had a wonderful anniversary lunch at Bocuse. Food wad delicious and staff terrific. Highly recommend!5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMFine Dining in the Hudson ValleyThe Culinary Insitute is a gem, and the students work hard to please. Great prix fixe for top of the line gourmet fench cuisine.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful food. Nice potions;Wonderful food. Nice potions; filling but not stuffed. New decorum is wonderful. You can easily hear your tablemates even in a full restaurant.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Food/Beautiful LocationThe food, service, location and ambience were magnificent. Each dish was more spectacular than the last one. The students waiting on us were polite and informative.The level of food and service set such a high standard, that other restaurants pale in comparison. I only wish we lived closer so that we could go there more often.5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMMenu suggestionThe food was excellent. I did however miss green salads. Can you please add greens and or fresh salads to the menu.5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfection!Loved pretty much everything about Bocuse, from the culinary delights appetizing to both the eyes and the palate, the impeccable service, the decor and... well, pretty much everything. Extensive wine menu. Prices on the higher side but for the quality and expert preparation of the foods involved, completely justified. Will definitely return!5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMgraduation dinnerthis dinner was absolutely amazing. With only a week to go in our CIA BPS my fiancee and I were looking for an intimate and relaxing celebratory dinner and the Bocuse restaurant was a perfect location. Our server was great, the wine was excellent, and the food was out of this world. We enjoyed the ambiance as well as the little cards put on the table full of factoids and conversation starters (we went through every card). We left Bocuse full and very happy. If your thinking about going to Bocuse you should and if you go on a Tuesday- Thursday the 3 course prix fix meal for $39 is a steal.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMThe students are great !!!The students are great !!! it was fun to watch how hard they work to get everything just right.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMBravo, BocuseThe Bocuse continues its triumphant opening season at the Culinary Institute of America. For a special occasion meal, nothing in the Hudson Valley can beat this newcomer for its ambience, service and menu. Classic French cuisine has been brought brilliantly up to date. The food is beyond compare, while service is as solicitous and informed as that in a four-star NYC restaurant. Try anything—the duck, filet mignon, foie gras, ceviche—they're all winners. The new flavor of ice cream, white coffee, is exquisite, and it is made tableside! What fun. The young chefs and servers don't put a foot wrong under the watchful gaze of their expert professors. This was my second visit within two months, and I'll be back.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AManniversaryOur first visit to delightful new and innovative space at CIA. Our food and service were excellant, while still offering a tip of the hat to Escoffier via the entree presentation. Menu offerings made choice pleasently difficult. Especially nice touches: pillows on banquette, printed card identifying cheeses. Our first sight of electronic wine list. Wonderful experience.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMIt has been years since weIt has been years since we dined at the CIA and every meal there is memorable. To say the food is fabulous is an understatement. Everything is cooked to perfection. None of the dishes was too cute - just straight up classic French cuisine served without pretense. You could pay the same amount and get far less at many other restaurants. This is an outstanding place to eat.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat service, unbelieveable foodThe service was outstanding. Frequent coordinated table side service. There were 4 at our table. When our entree's were served the heating lids were simulaneously taken off, amazing.
I had the lobster bisque, the filet mignon with marrow custard, and the liquid nitrogen ice cream - no complaints about the quality of food or its presentation.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMAlmost Perfect!Have been a foodie for almost 50 years. Have been to all CIA Restaurants in the past. I realize that these restaurants are basically a classroom within an institute of higher learning, and I always expect, maybe, some sort of glitch or oversight. On this visit I can't find anything to criticize! Brilliant!5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMA Joy to EatThis is traditional French fare with a modern flair; it is easy to like. The food is gourmet, the service over the top, and the atmosphere is casual and friendly. A real treat!5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMArtistic flare means perfectionLunch at Bocuse was a brilliant combination of flavors and artistry. The black truffle soup came with a pastry puff baked on top, a complete package of steaming taste and visual pleasure. The rack and ragout of lamb were amazing strangers of looks and tastes, occupying the same plate just to remind you of the diversity that great chefs can create with the same starting point. The cheese cake should've been framed, a thin rectangular sculpture, Rothko-inspired, with layers of color and flavor. I ate it and don't regret having destroyed the handiwork. We found ourselves taking pictures of every dish.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMBocuseThis new French restaurant at the Culinary Institute is delightful to look at. It is fresh and bright with a comfortable atmosphere.
The food is all prepared under the supervision of senior staff and is presented and prepared to the highest standards with few
minor errors.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMWedding AnniversaryThe new dining room was comfortable and the remodeling well done. This was our 7th or 8th trip to the CIA for dinner, and we were once again impressed by both the quality of the food and the personality of the student servers involved. We had hoped for the cheese plate to be for the table to enjoy, not an individual serving, but overall, a wonderful experience.
Our only question; why was there no Creme Brulee on the desert menu?5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMThe lamb was delicious. OurThe lamb was delicious. Our server, Casey, was most cordial and informative regarding the entrees.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMBocuse is an excellent restaurant!!Bocuse is an excellent restaurant!! The table service is done by students in training, so they're not perfect. Accept that part of the experience as a learning opportunity for them. The food is exceptional, the location is terrific, the ambiance of the restaurant is wonderful, overall this is one dining location not to be missed.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMBocuse at CIAmy wife and I felt this restaurant exceeded our expectations. Food great, especially main courses: Lamb and lemon sole; service great (enthusiastic students), beautiful spare design and ambience, and the price was right - both food and wine!5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat timeI had a great time dining at Bocuse. I took my son who was graduating with his Associates and his aunt and uncle and had a wonderful evening of dining. Thank you.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMfrench classic food - tablesidefrench classic food - tableside service and theatrical presentation -- worth the drive -- also not expensive as it is a culinary school.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMBeautiful dayHad lunch at Bocuse and walked over the river in Poughkeepsie. The restaurant was great. Had rack of lamb with epigramme a rare treat. Also the dessert was spectacular with ice cream prepared in front of us utilizing liquid nitrogen to freeze it quickly. And the walkway on a beautiful midweek day was spectacular.
Sjk985/2/2013 12:00:00 AMAffordable and Teriffic!The equal of this restaurant in NYC would be quite expensive, but here at the CIA it is all doable. And you can't surpass the view of the Hudson River, the whole campus is a gem.
Our food was perfect in all respects.4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMA Wonderful Dining Experience!Dinner at The Bocuse Restaurant is an overall wonderful experience. The students obviously are giving their best efforts to make it a unique experience for guests. The food is awesome - both in taste and presentation. Each course had a little "Wow" factor! It's a perfect place to go if you want to feel you're being treated like your pleasure is the only thing important to the staff.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMYou’re eating French foodYou’re eating French food cooked by students at the Culinary Institute of America, so the emphasis is on elaborate dishes and they do a lovely job of both the cooking and presentation. We had two salads, both outstanding; lamb two ways (two chops from a rack, and the shoulder minced and braised, then put together, coated with sauce and bread crumbs, and fried; poacked chicken breasts with truffles under the skin. Probably we should also have had the black truffle soup, which other people seemed to love. Our one mistake was the cheese plate — not bad but nothing special — and the desserts are all elegant specialties, and would have been a much better choice. Think about the tableside ice cream (made with frozen nitrogen). Very good wine list4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMNew and Fresh, But Still Classic!Over the past several years, we have eaten at all of the CIA restaurants several times, as we live only 20 minutes away in Poughkeepsie. We also eat several times a year in Manhattan, and have been to almost all of the top Zagat rated and NYT 4 star establishments. When we heard that the Escoffier was being renovated in all aspects, we were a bit skeptical.
We very much enjoyed all aspects of the new Bocuse: the menu selections, the food preparation and presentation, the service, and the decor were all wonderful. We look forward to returning with our friends in the near future.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had wonderful dinner forWe had wonderful dinner for 6 people and we had the best time: food was delicious and with a great presentation. Service was the best we ever had. We were taken care of by group of waitresses and treated as royalty. They were very attentive and professional.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMA pure joy to eat in thisA pure joy to eat in this wonderful restaurant. The staff couldn't be more attentive, and the food was 5 star all the way. A very special treat!4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMThe student staff was wonderfulThe student staff was wonderful and the food presentation fantastic. There were a lot of choices. It was definitely a lot to eat for lunch but worth the calories and price for a special occasion. We had the fixed price menu and with champagne, tax and "tip" (the tip actually goes to the school for scholarships), it ran us about $100 for two.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMOur service was outstanding.Our service was outstanding. The entire culinary experience was perfect. Although portions seemed a bit small at first, after lunchtime appetizer, meal, and dessert, everyone in our party was sated. For a food lover like myself, the 2 hour drive (each way) up the Hudson valley was well it for the meal we enjoyed. We also enjoyed the CIA tour, and plan to visit the San Antonio campus in the near future.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMa brief reviewIf I had more time I would use every positive adjective and use it in this review.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMTruly MemorableEating at the CIA was a truly memorable experience. We had frog legs, snails, duck, sole and it was all excellent. Wines are priced very reasonably. And dessert was incredible. The kids do a great job in the kitchen and in the dinning room. It was worth every penny. We can't wait to go back and try American Bounty!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was outstanding.The food was outstanding. We loved the ice cream dessert done at the table. Great wine selection.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMHave enjoyed many a meal inHave enjoyed many a meal in the CIA's restaurants This was by far the BEST! Food was served hot, fresh and delicious. Be sure to order the dessert that includes the vanilla ice cream made tableside.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat a treat to experienceWhat a treat to experience the talents of our new chefs. The restaurant is well run with all skills needed for a 5 star experience. The duck foie gras was excellant and the lamb was perfectly cooked. The potato encrusted fish was tender. It needed a little more seasoning but perfect in every way.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMThe wait staff are studentsThe wait staff are students in-training. There were little tiny mishaps but nothing that would spoil your experience. Food, menu choices, and venue were excellent and highly recommend. Will go back to try the other CIA restaurants as well as Bocuse.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWe will come againWe had been to the CIA several times before, but this was our first trip to the new Bocuse. The food was wonderful. My daughter ordered the escargots which were fabulous. The Duck was also outstanding. The wait staff were friendly, but not as knowledgeable as we have experience in our past visits. While our waiter was very friendly, he did not seem to know a lot about the menu items. Another young lady, covered for him at one point and managed to make the chocolate dessert sound rather unpleasant. Again, they need to know how to talk about the food.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMWorth another visitMy first time at the CIA and it was well worth it. Although the menu was limited, the food was outstanding as well as its presentation. Portions appeared small but were quite filling. A little too much attention by the staff but they were very professional and engaging. Table-side bartending and ice cream creations were a nice touch and the trivia cards were a big hit. The restaurant itself was clean and well organized with a relaxing atmosphere even with abundant staff buzzing about. Being able to watch the inner workings of the kitchen is a great concept; next time we will sit much closer to get a better look. Can't wait to go back and try a different dish!4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother Hudson Valley GemThe Hudson Valley does it once again turning out another gem. I won't spoil anything, just make reservations today and don't skip the desserts. The restaurant seems to come alive at the 7-8pm dining hour. We'll certainly be back.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food with excellentExcellent food with excellent service even though it's all done by students under a watchful eye of professors. Totally great value for the quality. Would recomment this to anyone from gourmet chef to non expectant passerby s.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMFrom the prosecco cocktailFrom the prosecco cocktail before our meal to the dessert everything was perfect. The servers were friendly and paid attention to details (filling water glasses, helping clean up a spill, wiping away crumbs, offering more bread, etc.). The wine suggestion they provided went very well with my entree. The food was delicious. My husband had the lamb and it was cooked just the way he asked. I had the sole which was excellent. The ice cream made table side was a great ending to a wonderful meal! The coffee served in a French press was also a great touch.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMLots of fun, great energy.Lots of fun, great energy. The students are all working so hard to please.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMA sure bet!This venue earns 5 stars. If it gets 4 stars by me, the reason is the amateur-like service by the students. But the price is reflecting this. So: The Bocuse is well worth the money. Excellent food at affordable price in a superb setting. Thumbs up!4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was delicious andThe food was delicious and the servers attentive. You can get an amazing meal here for a reasonable price (compared to other restaurants of the same quality). I had the duck which was incredible. The table side ice cream service (made in front of you with liquid nitrogen) is a neat experience and such tasty ice cream!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a fabulaous time atWe had a fabulaous time at Bocuse. The food was delicious with beautiful presentation. The service was amazing. We plan on returning soon!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMTypical of CIA dining!If you are dining in any of the CIA restaurants, you probably are already quite the foodie, and Bocuse will satisfy those foodie tendancies. The selections were creative and unique, and the food was beautifully prepared, and served flawlessly. We look forward to returning again anytime we are within a few hours drive of the CIA!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious food & friendlyDelicious food & friendly service & explain each dishes in details.
Pre-fix menu is a real bargain.
Three friends from San Francisco were very impressed with the food.
They will come again to try out other restaurants in CIA.4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMNouveau Haute CuisineThe students were great...a joy to watch. Their service was earnest (and professional). The food, whether prepared by students or their teachers (master chefs), was outstanding. For us, it's a 2.5 hour drive...and worth every minute.4/9/2013 12:00:00 AM