Ordered the Dinner Abstractions Menu ($275, not including tax or tip).
For a 2 star, I expected a bit more service-wise.
I came a little earlier than my reservation time and was finally seated 11-12 minutes after the time. The dining room was not full yet, so it really shouldn't have taken that long to be seated as a solo diner, especially.
Then it took maybe 6-8 minutes longer before someone greeted me and handed me the drinks menu. After, another moment before I was given the actual dining menu to walk me through it, etc. The pauses did not seem necessary at all.
Food-wise, nothing I could fault really. Good flavors and fair portions for the price. The only course I did not enjoy was the first dessert of green almond slivers over grapefruit granita but I don't like bitter foods anyway.
At the end of the meal, they offered a kitchen tour which was a nice touch. Downside of restaurant's environment I'd say is their bathrooms. Not as high-end or as well-maintained as I would expect from a 2 star restaurant, felt like they copied and pasted the MoMA public bathrooms.
For me, this is not a return spot considering the myriad of other food options at or around this price range in NYC. But I am still glad I tried it – more as an "ok, checked off the culinary bucket list".
by AuPhoenix
10 Comments
It’s been a little while since I’ve been to the modern. I have gone a couple times to try different menus over the seasons. Their eggs on eggs on eggs is one of their signature dishes and I have enjoyed it every time, but I will agree that the service was fine whenever I went. The real awful thing for it being a fine dining restaurant is the interior design. They tried to make it like very big and open and minimalist, but they packed in a lot of tables, so when it is a decently busy night it’s so unbelievably loud there just from all of the sounds of regular conversation echoing off the empty modern walls. I struggled to even hear who I was speaking with at my own table.
But the menu hasn’t really had any faults for me. I’ve tried some surprising combinations (like lobster and blueberries) and still enjoyed what they made.
I had an impeccable experience at The Modern. As service goes there will be off days and even times. I did go a couple years back though so maybe things have changed.
I found their tasting menu was really diverse and exceptionally presented, and had a really great seat and waiter. The only thing keeping me from visiting is the price point, not to fault the restaurant but just to say fine dining establishments warrant a special occasion designation for most.
Eggs on eggs on eggs is a really fun presentation and overall dish, glad to see they still have it on the menu.
Surprised to learn they have two stars. I went for a family dinner a few years back, and we all agreed the food was fine and the service was pretty mid. We sat in the garden, and I remember being surprised they didn’t do the inter-course table cleanup that many places do. IIRC there wasn’t a tablecloth on the table, so by the end of the dinner the table was just covered in condensation and crumbs from various courses. Nothing terrible from a local spot, but surprising given the reputation.
We didn’t do the tasting menu, maybe that was a mistake. I tend to remember great meals and dishes, and I don’t remember anything from that one.
The bathrooms are the worst! It’s shared with the bar room and the lines can get really long.
They really aren’t going for legibility with that menu, huh?
Solo diner, complaining about the bathrooms but no mention of one of the most beautiful rooms anywhere and didn’t order the dish that they earned their second star for.
Swing an a miss.
The Modern is one of my favorite spots and unfortunately the hit or miss service *is* an issue I’ve experienced. It feels as though there is more turnover at the spot than even the normal fine dining spot (with the massive staff headcounts) – I can hardly remember seeing the same server or sommelier more than a couple of times.
When the Modern is on, it’s *on*. The food is pretty much on point, and it changes seasonally and often. The eggs on eggs on eggs is still my favorite caviar and egg dish in the world. I’ve had wonderful bottles from their cellar, and enjoyed celebrations, dates, anniversaries there.
That said, it’s like a 75% that the experience is perfect, and a 25% that something is off. Inattentive, long wait times between courses (this is one I’ve experienced a couple of times – like long even though we were taking our time), little things like that. It’s not what you expect at a 2*. I can’t tell why, but there does seem to be something a bit off with the dining room. Funny enough, I’ve only ever had amazing experiences in the bar room, haha. Maybe cause the tips are better, so the experienced folks stay out there? Have seen the same servers a few times there and love them and their vibe.
Had a buddy who was a line cook at The Modern. Got a comped fully tasting for me and the wife.
Had a great time, but if I’m being honestly, if I had paid, I’d have been a bit upset. Was just not the next level.
Been half a dozen times and had no cause for complaint with the service though I agree with one of the commenters that we never seem to see the same staff — they do keep notes though and that has helped. Excellent list of champagnes. The food has always met our expectation for 2 stars.
I had a similar experience at the kitchen table. For something like $400++ per person I expected way more service wise from the FOH team. My picture is on all my reservation profiles and there’s only 1 dinner seating for the kitchen table each night and it was just odd I wasn’t created by name. At EMP, Blue Hill, and TFL (with a reservation I got 5 hrs before the seating) my wife and I were created by name as soon as we entered so I know it’s very doable at that price point.
The best service we got was from the kitchen staff by a mile. They seemed to have been better briefed on who we were and that it was a special occasion. I’d go back to the bar there but I don’t think I’d go for a meal again.