So let me just say that I’ve eaten at a number of upscale Manhattan restaurants and they can be very stodgy and particularly wishy washy to black people, especially if you’re not a regular, so I initially went to Daniel with pre-conceived notions. I went with my cousin back in 2018 who is a NYC area executive and had dined there before and had nothing but glowing reviews, but I wasn’t exactly convinced.
But when we got there, from the time we walked in to the time we left, the service was quite frankly impeccable. Actually, the best service I’ve experienced at a restaurant which is why it’s rated the best.
I ordered the four course menu which actually turned into seven courses.
1) I ordered the Ceviche of Maine Sea Scallops served with Finger Lime-Wasabi Vinaigrette. My cousin ordered the Winter Black Truffle with Wild Pecans.
2) I ordered the Cilantro Avocado Mousseline & White Sturgeon Caviar and my cousin ordered White Root Vegetable Veloute with Scottish Langoustine.
3) I ordered the Grilled New Zealand Ora King Salmon with Castelfranco Salad & my cousin ordered the Sauce Foyot and American Bison with Winter Root Vegetables & Beurre Marchand de Vin.
4) For desert we had Chocolates and Petit Fours.
What took it up to seven courses was the Foie Gras that they served before the second course and the Cheese Service before the third. The Cheese Service was the best that I’ve ever had and I’m lactose intolerant-lol.
They also gave us Madelines and the wine menu is extensive and exceptional but can be very pricey. They have a sommelier to guide you through pairings but make sure you highlight your price points because the wine could get more expensive than the actual food.
The food was excellent. Artful, exquisite, and no detail left untouched. I’ve dined at a few exceptional restaurants in Paris, and Daniel, for the most part, outshined them.
Our servers were very attentive. They walked us through each course highlighting every detail. The wines that we finally chose with the help of the sommelier, at first seemed like odd pairings, but paired exceptionally well with our courses. And they even gave us a box of chocolates as we were leaving.
On top of all of that, as we were leaving, they asked us if we wanted them to hail a cab for us, and they went out and hailed a cab for us in the Upper East Side. Now you know black folks have problems hailing cabs in Manhattan. That took it over the top for me.
I have nothing but exceptional things to say about Daniel and the fact that they’ve been around for more than 20 years and their food, service, atmosphere, is still top notch speaks to the quality of the restaurant.
Run, do not walk, to Daniel!
Edit: Also, because it’s very upscale and the decor is very luxurious, I would advise business professional dress only.
Nobody goes there anymore
