Blue Ribbon Brasserie

Went back to Blue Ribbon for my 2nd time on Friday night... my group (5 people... they don't take reservations unless you're 5 or more) had a 1am reservation so we could make a night out of it. We brought 5 bottles of good wine with us and paid the corking fee ($25/each... a BIT high for me but, still cheaper than buying 5 bottles)... the wait staff could not have been any better. We tasted the wines throughout the night with out waiter(s) and we even decanted one bottle. Started with a massive 3-tier raw bar platter loaded with pretty much everything, including some of the special oysters (DELICIOUS) and crawfish (also a special). Afterwards, we just had to order more oysters (12 more) and crawfish (another pound). The raw bar here is simply delicious. I ate a hangar steak for my entree... as before it was phenomenal and happened to go very well with the bottle of wine we were drinking at the time. We had a banana split for dessert and I had a glass of port to finish up the night. We were taken VERY good care of throughout the night and constantly looked after by the great, knowledgeable staff. Ended up leaving at 5am and could not have had a better night. I will be back without a doubt. Pros: Amazing Service, Awesome Late Night Spot, Fantastic Raw Bar, Great Food All Around Cons: Pricey, $25 Corkage Fee more

This was our first time to this restaurant. We arrived around 5:30 on a friday night and had a few glasses of champagne at the bar. The bartender gave us both nice size pours of champagne and we were feeling pretty happy by the time we were ready for dinner. We were lucky to get the cozy both in the corner closest to the entrance. We started with the fondue appetizer which was really good. My boyfriend doesn't like fondue but he loved theirs! I had the fried chicken with mashed potato's, gravy and collard greens. I was surprised they gave me so much fried chicken (3-4 pieces) and the smashed potato's were really good. My boyfriend ordered the steak and it was cooked perfectly. One of the owners stopped by our table to make sure his steak was cooked to his liking. They have a great wine list and we opted for a nice bottle of Pingus (spanish wine) to go with our meal. The dinner/bar tab was pretty high because we had $20 glasses of champange and a $130 bottle of wine but here were plenty other selections of less expensive wine's available. Pros: Good food, Great service and awesome wine list! Cons: They don't take reservations for party's under 5. more

I have frequent daydreams about Blue Ribbon in Brooklyn, so I was quite excited to try out the Blue Ribbon in SoHo, seeing as how it was the original and all. The service was wonderful, the selection of beers impressive (woohoo Chimay!), and the fried oysters were nothing short of to-die-for. However, the sweet n' spicy catfish, a dish that blew my mind in Brooklyn, was over-charred this time. To be honest, I am more than a little disappointed about that. Such a classy, unique dish! Take care with each one you serve! more

Open til 4 AM, most crowded around 1 or 2 AM, this is the restaurant in New York where chefs go to unwind... more

Open til 4 AM, most crowded around 1 or 2 AM, this is the restaurant in New York where chefs go to unwind for food after they finish their shifts a... more

Ok, I'm not the first one who had their first oysters here!!!\r extremly pleasant service, nice atmosphere, cozy decor - loved everything about it!!!\r It's a DO and a MUST :) more

Agreed, the oxtail bone marrow is exquisite! I had my first oyster 3 years ago here, so many fond memories, will always return for more! Pros: fabulous food Cons: no reservations :( more

This cozy restaurant has perhaps the best lamb chops in the city, and a beef marrow and oxtail marmelade appetizer which is probably one of the richest things I've ever had but truly amazing. Too bad they don't take reservations for less than 5 but it's worth the wait. more

I went with a party of 6, so I got to try a little bit of everything. Appetizers and entrees were all excellent; I truly cannot say I disliked anything. Service was amazing, they were considerate, attentive, friendly, prompt, and accurate. I thoroughly enjoyed my dining experience here. Pros: food, service, food Cons: none really more

This restaurant has quickly become our late night favorite, even though we live way uptown from it. The bone marrow and oxtail marmalade is wonderful, and I have yet to try a dish I didn't like. The kitchen is open late, and though you'll probably have to wait a while for a table, cocktails and the raw bar are available to help you pass the time. The staff is very friendly and always gives us impeccable service. I highy recommend it! more

The food is truly unique and delicious. The highlights include the bone marrow marmalade on crostini, the fresh oysters and their succulent hanger steak. However, the cheese fondue had too much wine and not enough cheese, the escargot was too stewy and the salmon was very average. Service was attentive and prompt, however the wait is incredibly long. I've never waited for a table for so long! Reservations for parties under 5 people isn't allowed but their yummy cocktails and handsome waiters help soothe the pain. This is quite a chic and trendy chef hangout; I met the Iron Chef Morimoto when I was there. Overall, it's pretty average and I don't think it's worth the wait without reservations. Go earlier for easier seating if you can. Pros: Fresh seafood, Unique menu, Trendy Cons: Pricey, Historic wait more

after all the rave reviews, we were really excited to try this place. unfortunately, the setting made us turn around and go down the block. the music (generic thumping house) was too loud to have a conversation without yelling, and the tables are practically on top of each other -- making for cramped quarters. maybe we'll come back earlier in the evening when the place isn't packed to the rafters b/c it sounds like the food is incredible. Cons: loud music, cramped quarters more

HAD AN INTERESTING LATE DINNER LAST NIGHT ,THE FOOD WAS OUTSTANDING, STARTED W/ROAST DUCK SOUP, AND HAD TO TRY THE FRIED CHICKEN, (IT WAS ALL THAT WAS PROMISED, MY DATE HAD THE ESCARGOT, AND A LOBSTER DISH , AND WE FINISHED WITH A BANANA SPLIT, WOW! HIGHLY RECOMMEND EARLY OR LATE TO MY FELLOW FOODIES. Pros: WAY OUT MENU, LATE NIGHT AVAIL. Cons: WAITED 40 MIN., TIGHT TABLE, NO RESV. FOR COUPLES more

We live in the neighborhood and in the 4+ years we've lived here - Blue Ribbon is always a win-win option. Yes - if it's busy - do expect to wait... but the bar is good in fact we love just hanging out with the bartenders there so it's really not a 'wait' in the typical sense. Food is always reliable and good, in our years of going there we've only had one bad dish. And - most importantly - our host and waiter immediately took care of us. Best bet is either go early [ pre 7pm ] or go late late am. more

The menu at Blue Ribbon is very different from any restaurant I've ever been to. With the menu ranging from items such as foie gras to hamburgers, there's something for everyone here. Since I Blue Ribbon does not take reservations for my small parties, we did have to wait a little bit, but it was well worth it. Pros: Food, Service Cons: wait more

This place is pretty damn good. You'll have to wait a bit any given nite (40 mins for a Tuesday nite dinner at 8:45) but it's worth it. The onion soup and faus gior (i can't spell it) were very tastey. The rack of lamb cooked exactly the way you wanted it. The amtosphere is that of a first date type place with girls on the one side of the tables and guys facing the wall....as it should be. But the place was a little clever knowing that guys would face the wall and strategically placed mirrors so all you guys on bad dates can look around. Everyone was friendly and nice. They don't rush you out of the restruant and won't bring the check until asked for. Nothing bad about this place, while you wait try the raw bar or some tastey foreign beers they have on tap. more

This was an excellent restaurant choice for a relaxed couple who doesn't mind sitting at the bar for a bit and who enjoys delicious food. The fried chicken dish is expensive but fabulous, and a chance of pace from the usual American fare. The striped bass was fantastically prepared, and the wine was reasonable and excellent. The service was attentive and relaxed, and although a very small restaurant, it felt cozy and intimate. A good date place and definitely great for a small group of 4 or 5. more

After being told by a close friend that this was hands-down her favorite restaurant, I invited two collegues to dinner. The restaurant is tiny and doesn't take reservations. When they say the wait is an hour, expect to wait an hour and a half! However, a few glasses of wine at the bar took the edge off and once we were sat, we were abe to dive into a variety of treats: raw oysters and goat cheese salad. Our waiter brought the wrong dinner for me (shrimp provencal instead of the salmon) but then comped my meal with no question. The skate was delicious as well. Although I wasn't blown away by my first visit to Blue Ribbon, their hospitality and the lovely atmosphere will definitely bring me back... more

great big cheeseburger on nice bun with fresh lettuce and tomato and crisp french fries. Flame broiled taste. Eat it at the bar and wash it down with a sierra nevada on tap. Ask the bartender Will to have a drink with you and tell you about his band. Great place to go when it's not packed. Pros: Great burger, good beer, fresh seafood Cons: expensive more

I took my parents here expecting the food to be so great. The meal took forever, and the service was so bad. Not only did we have to flag the waiter down every time for every course or request, but they spilled our drinks twice all over the table - and once was hot tea. They also were dropping plates and banging things in the kitchen all night, it was so loud and there was never an apology. I had the chicken breast and it was terrible and the much-touted matzoh ball soup was mediocre at best. Don't need to go back! Cons: SERVICE, FOOD more