Michael’s
“They also have a sommelier who helped us choose an amazing (shockingly) american Riesling!”
“I ordered the Branzino and it was delicious and the sides were very flavorful and really complimented the fish.”
“With that said, it seemed that the scene was what made Michael's special compared to the actual food.”
Michael’s
Takes Reservations: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$$ Price range $31-60
8 reviews
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Good place for power breakfast meetings or lunches. Good traditional card. A little bit old and dated but always an enjoyable food and service experience.
I work right by Michael's and have passed by quite a few times. I took notice to the elegant lunch crowd and without even looking it up on Yelp… yet… I felt that Michael's was a go-to hot spot for New York's classic elite society. With that said, it seemed that the scene was what made Michael's special compared to the actual food. I had no doubt that the food would be of great quality, but I wouldn't expect to find jaws dropping either.
My parents made dinner reservations at Michael's last Friday because apparently, my mother had felt the same way as I did- except that she cares more about the atmosphere and the scene than the food. We arrived at our 8:30pm dinner reservations and the restaurant was empty- but in all honesty, we weren't shocked (because the location itself attracts the mid-day working crowd). We also weren't bothered by the emptiness- Michael's had given off a real charm and cozy feeling.
I must say that our waitress was so sweet and really knew how to describe the dishes on the menu. It's always nice to see a passionate staff at a restaurant. The three of us all started off with the Tuscan Kale Caesar Salad. We were all very very pleased with it- it had all the flavor and crunchiness of a Caesar Salad without the globs of fatty dressing. It was delicious and I would go back to Michael's for lunch just to get the salad again. For my entree, I ordered the Roasted chicken. Everything on my plate was yummy and of great quality. The food was really comforting, and my parents felt the same way. For dessert, we had tea and the selection of mini cookies. The mini cookies weren't anything special (although I did enjoy the coconut macaroon), but it was a nice "light" treat to end our night with.
Michael's is definitely a little pricey, but I was overall very satisfied with my experience!
I wish I could give this place 10 stars!! They don't have many reviews on here and as one yelper pointed out "the people that go here don't yelp", well I was there and I'm a yelper extraordinaire!! So I did go last night for restaurant week and had the best experience from the time I walked in until the time I left. I arrived early so I sat in the bar area and had a drink. There really wasn't a waitress at that time as it was only 5:30 but the nicest woman came over and helped me pick out one of their specialty cocktails. It was AMAZING! It had Campari, Agave nectar, prosecco and a few other ingredients and it was delish. I found out later that the woman was the sommelier. The 10 stars would go to the service as well. EVERYONE was so attentive, accommodating and just plain sweet! We sat down and we immediately were served with a warm mini baguette. I ordered a glass of prosecco to start and my friend wanted a glass of white. Our waiter recommended the Sancerre and it was perfect. The wines by the glass are a bit pricey but I think worth every penny. Oh and my starting cocktail was $12… a pittance in that area for an artisinal cocktail. I started with the soup which turned out to be a fennel and apple soup with just a touch of cream…delish! I then had the Hake with the most amazing little vegetables…the fish was cooked perfectly and the brussel sprouts?! ta die for! The Sommelier who is ABSOLUTELY amazing paired my dinner with 2 different wines. The first was a Sauvignon Blanc and with the fish I had a Tempranillo from Santa Ynez valley…my FAV wine region..in my opinion blows Napa/Sonoma away. For dessert I had the Pear Tart with cinnamon ice creme and again, another home run. I'm not a dessert person normally but this was perfect. I LOVED everything about this place!! Will DEFINITELY be back!
Took a client here for lunch on a recent trip to NYC. It is much bigger than it appears. I picked it based on the Yelp reviews and was not disappointed at all. I love the back room and was lucky enough to get a table right against the floor to ceiling window overlooking a small garden area . . . of course being winter it was snow covered.
I had the Nicoise salad and it was really good. The tuna was perfect. My client had the crab-cake and said it was all crab, there were 4 small piles of crab.
It has a convenient location as well.
I will go back. For what it is and the reviews I thought it would be pricier especially in NYC. The price was not bad at all. The menu has a lot of options and you definitely get the Cali feel. Enjoy!!
P.S. While I am labeling this dressy it truly is not that dressy, but it is not casual either. You don't have to have a coat at lunch and could get away with smart casual / biz casual and probably a nice pair of jeans.
Want to close a multi million dollar deal? Get your suit out and head over for breakfast or lunch. Your table number relays your cache.
Ate: NY Power breakfast $21 egg whites, spinach, toast potatoes or grilled tomato citrus salad
Decaf latte $8
Decaf cappuccino $8
Food wise, the food is California classic. Nothing innovative or farm to table. My egg whites were fluffy and tasty. The grilled beefsteak tomato
was a plum. Brioche toast was good. Spinach & citrus salad was also nice. Preserves were the good ones in a jar. Both the latte and cappuccino were weak.
Service:
Snotty coat check girl should check herself. Otherwise, service was fine. The space is spacious and comphy, but unlike Jams where the California cuisine pops, Michael's is a staid, arrogant mainstay that serves those who may not know the difference between a beefsteak or plum tomato.
Came here for a "power business lunch" and the food was great! Ordered lots of seafood, champagne. Great combination! The crowd was much older and not much of a decor but the service was great and it wasn't too noisy so you were able to hold an actual productive conversation.
Even though this is a "place to be seen," the food is very good. Shocking right?
I've passed this place dozens of times and looked in the windows spotting actors and the nude art and wondered about this place. So when my bosses wanted to take me for an early birthday lunch – I chose Michaels.
So non-Finance (my) world. I think this might be a Media/ PR kind of place. Definitely lots of power lunches and several characters who flitted around from table to table air-kissing "friends."
The room was decorated beautifully for the holidays and we were seated towards the back with the courtyard / garden. Our table was very bright which was nice. I really enjoyed my himachi to begin and the nantucket scallops special as my main. Lots of flavor.
Michael came over and introduced himself to us. My birthday dessert had a candle and written on the plate in chocolate was Happy Birthday Allison.
This place isn't cheap – best for an expense account or special occasion – but it was worth it. And, if you are into service, 20 attendants await you as you enter.
Hook line sinker.
Apparently this is a midtown lunch media industry power scene.
It's not a bad place to grab drinks in the summer on a weekday in the evening as it was almost completely empty. The service was good but for the abrupt hostess.
The drinks were good as were the apps. Nothing was insanely expensive as one sometimes finds in midtown. I would return.