I've never had such a terrible experience at a restaurant in NYC, let alone one that calls itself a "fine dining" establishment. I made a reservation and arrived on time, only to be told by the front desk that I didn’t comply with their dress code and couldn’t be admitted. Fine—I left without making a fuss. The staff promised me a refund, but to my shock, they still charged my credit card.
I tried calling the restaurant a week later, only to be told that the only option was to reschedule and that they can not offer a refund. When I asked about the promise made at the door, they claimed the staff member who had assured me of the refund no longer worked there.
When I disputed the charge with my credit card company, the restaurant blatantly lied, claiming they had seated me and served me food—an outright fabrication! This goes beyond bad service—it’s outright fraud.
Save yourself the frustration and avoid this place at all costs. They’re unprofessional, dishonest, and nothing short of a scam.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Gary Zhao
True fine dining setting and ambiance.
Unobstructed view of the kitchen from most of the dining tables due to lowered height of chef’s counter
Uni was arguably the best offered at a non sushi restaurant
Eric Mittelmann
Amazing dinner last night at the counter. I was familiar with his style from his former restaurant in Manhattan, and Brooklyn prior to that. César does not disappoint. As always, there are unique dishes you won't find anywhere else. The squab and wagyu were outstanding. I am sure he will earn 3 Michelin stars.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Caviar
Anja Gleicher
When you arrive, the door is locked, and you cannot enter without a reservation. Seating is offered in two ways: at the bar, on a set schedule, or at a table, which requires a reservation. The dining room itself is stunning—spaciously arranged so that every seat provides a clear view of the impressive open kitchen. Thoughtful details, like the inclusion of purse stands, add to the ambiance.
The menu features some truly delicious dishes, but there are others that feel like an amalgamation of luxurious ingredients chosen for the sake of extravagance rather than harmony. For context, I haven’t shared an updated review of Le B., but if you’re familiar with that restaurant, César carries a similar vibe. The assumption is that because the clientele can afford it, details about pricing are less significant. And while this may be true, such transparency feels increasingly necessary in 2024.
For example, our table chose to add both caviar and truffles to our meal. While we were informed of the price per person for the caviar, the cost for the truffles was not disclosed. Similarly, when asked if we wanted to try the chef’s A5 wagyu steak, we said yes—only to have sourdough bread dropped at the table shortly after. The timing felt strategic, as if the bread might make us feel fuller and less inclined to continue adding courses. To complicate things further, you don’t receive the menu until the end of the meal, leaving you blindsided about what’s to come and how many courses you’re working through.
That said, the single malt and liquor list, while short, is well-curated with quality selections. Overall, the meal was good—an intriguing, novel experience. However, it didn’t leave me feeling like César is the kind of place I’d want to add to our special occasions rotation.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Abdelrahman Abdelaziz
Dining at César was a truly remarkable experience, perfect for celebrating a special occasion like my birthday. When we first heard about Chef César Ramirez’s departure from Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare, we were saddened, as his culinary artistry there had left an indelible mark. However, the opening of his new restaurant filled us with excitement at the prospect of enjoying his incredible food once again—and César did not disappoint.
From the moment we entered, we were captivated by the elegance of the space. Its minimalist yet warm design created a serene ambiance that set the tone for an unforgettable evening. The attention to detail in the restaurant’s layout and décor reflected the same precision and thoughtfulness that defines the cuisine.
The service was impeccable, with the staff striking the perfect balance between attentiveness and discretion. They took the time to explain each dish with enthusiasm and expertise, ensuring every moment felt thoughtful and personal.
The menu was a testament to Chef César’s signature style—thoughtful, intricate, and deeply flavorful. Each course was a carefully crafted symphony of flavors and textures, showcasing seasonal ingredients and international influences. Highlights included the Live Norwegian Langoustine Monaka, which was both delicate and bold, and the Sea Urchin with Black Truffle and Brioche—a luxurious bite that left a lasting impression. The Pennsylvania Duck paired with South African porcini mushrooms and Upstate New York quince was another standout, offering a perfect harmony of richness and earthiness.
Desserts were equally exquisite, particularly the Gooseberry Jam with Yogurt Gelato and the Frozen Chocolate Soufflé with Hazelnut Crunch, which provided a delightful finale to the meal. The petit fours added a charming touch to an already extraordinary dining experience.
César isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience. The combination of stunning surroundings, flawless service, and imaginative cuisine made my birthday celebration unforgettable. Chef César has truly brought his magic to this new venture, and it’s a joy to see his brilliance shine in a new setting. We can’t wait to return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A Abdi
Food was amazing.
Our server (we were sitting at the counter by the door) was awful though. The rest of the staff was amazing and so professional though.
Unfortunately, our server ruined our experience. We could barely hear him speak, he explained the dishes incorrectly (e.g. he served pear juice at the beginning and said it tasted like apple juice. I’m gluten free and he never mentioned if the dish was in fact gluten free when it was set down. I mentioned that trace amounts of gluten and soy sauce was fine since I’m just intolerant / I get hives when eating gluten but not celiacs. He misunderstood and served me a puff pastry and he put down a brioche and didn’t tell me it was gluten free so I found myself double checking a number of times).
He was also extremely rude. He asked my group of 3 if we wanted to add-on white truffles on any of the recommended dishes - chawanmushi or sole. We told him that I wanted to add additional white truffle on 1 dish (foie gras chawanmushi only) and my mother wanted it on her Dover sole. This server even had a note pad and wrote down our order, however he misunderstood. When the chawanmushi dish arrived, all 3 had white truffles shaved on it. Do note that we wouldn’t have complained but white truffle add-on costed $150-175 per dish / portion. Which meant a minimum addition of $450 added to our bill. When we mentioned that only 1 person wanted white truffles on the chawanmushi and the other wanted it on the sole, he began saying that we were mistaken. All 3 of us understood correctly on our original order (1 truffle on chawanmushi, 1 truffle on the sole), but somehow he was convinced that we were all wrong.
He then said “well you definitely said all 3, but in any case do you want me to take it off your bill or what?!” in a snarky manner. We said yes that would be greatly appreciated if possible. He then goes to his manager (clearly blaming us since he was glaring at us and giving us looks) and comes back to tell us taking it off the bill was impossible. We said no worries and thanked him for trying.
He also struggled clearing the dishes and even his coworkers glared at him when he would only pick up 1 dish (instead of 2) of our 3.
We also were prompted on whether we wanted to add wagyu beef. We were keen so asked if they could split 1 steak into 3 as we were 3 petite women and knew we’d be full but wanted to try anyway. The server said absolutely not as the steak was tiny so we decided to order 2 steaks split 3 ways. The steaks came and 1 steak was definitely large enough to be split into 4 pieces. We ended up taking 1.5 steaks home to enjoy the next day.
We absolutely LOVED the food and most of the experience but our server ruined it for us. I will be requesting NOT to be seated at the counter next to the front entrance as I’m sure we would have had an amazing experience if it weren’t for him. Unfortunately I didn’t get the name of our server (he was the only non-Asian or Caucasian staff on the team apart from the amazing somm).
I highly recommend that the Chef Cesar reevaluate that server as all other service staff were amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Valerie Edelman
Had a truly incredible meal here. The food was out of this world and so was the service.
Special thank you to Jackie (!!) who wrote down a list of recommendations for me to try and was so personable and kind. The chef also came over during the meal to personally serve us and ask how we were liking the food so far. I really appreciated this meal and the thoughtfulness of everyone involved in preparing it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Laura Stasi
Dining at Chef Michel’s start restaurant for the full courses tasting menu, paired with wines, was an unforgettable experience. Each dish was meticulously executed, showcasing a range of textures and seasonal flavors. The service was exceptional, and the sommelier’s wine selections perfectly complemented each course. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an extraordinary culinary journey. Thank you Chef Cesar!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joshua Hutchinson
The best service I ever had.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Metty Fisseha
I have no idea why this place isn’t rated much higher. One of the best fine dining experiences I’ve had in the city. The langoustine and uni dishes were my favorite bites, though all were spectacular. Highly recommend getting the truffle added to the uni and dover sole. Others in my party loved the wagyu. Chef Cesar was in the kitchen making every dish, we were at the Chef’s counter and it was a special moment when he came over to shave truffle onto my plate. You can see the work ethic and passion he puts into this experience. I can’t recommend this place enough
Loved this experience and so happy that chef is back in action! The sommelier was fantastic and engaging! The entire staff were so personable and fun to talk with. The food was fabulous. Not a single dish I would not want a second time. This menu is well thought out and explosive with flavors and Textures! Highly recommend, we will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Isabella Duran Shedd
César is a wonderful experience. One of the, if not the best, meals of my life. It is evident that there has been a lot of thought and care put into this menu. Every dish is a delight to look and taste. I think you can see that in the photos…… but maybe my camera isn’t so good haha. Would love to come back!
Jiang Li
Cesar always exceeds expectations! His mastery of different flavors and textures is unrivaled. Amazing experience. Some people complain about the services; while the team is indeed young and not the most experienced, we didn’t have any problems with it and can already see improvements. Will come back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Caviar
Luca Pelliccioni
Incredible tasting menu and killer wine pairing (thanks John). Thank you for a beautiful experience chef!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Irma Zandl
The 12-course tasting menu created by Chef Cesar Ramirez and his team is in my top 10 dining experiences. Three things that I especially loved: 1. the counter seating. Getting front-row seats at this well-choreographed culinary performance is fantastic. 2. I was also blown-away by how they had developed the menu from the first course to the last - an absolute crescendo of flavors and visual pleasures, totally inventive but never at the expense of deliciousness. And 3. the staff. Everyone working here clearly loves what they do. I also really appreciated their friendliness and how welcome they made me feel as a solo diner. THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND: This restaurant is (deservedly) very expensive. I did not order any of the extra dishes nor did I do the wine pairing. I did order wine by the glass and the 12 courses more than satisfied my hunger. The focus at Cesar is the beauty and the creativity of the food preparation - it is NOT where I would come with a group of friends who I just wanted to socialize with and enjoy catch-up conversations etc. This is, in my opinion, an evening dedicated to culinary exceptionalism. I gave 4 stars for Atmosphere because the room, in its ultra minimalism, felt a little cold to me - but that's really just nitpicking!!
Beware of Scammers at Cesar NYC!
I've never had such a terrible experience at a restaurant in NYC, let alone one that calls itself a "fine dining" establishment. I made a reservation and arrived on time, only to be told by the front desk that I didn’t comply with their dress code and couldn’t be admitted. Fine—I left without making a fuss. The staff promised me a refund, but to my shock, they still charged my credit card.
I tried calling the restaurant a week later, only to be told that the only option was to reschedule and that they can not offer a refund. When I asked about the promise made at the door, they claimed the staff member who had assured me of the refund no longer worked there.
When I disputed the charge with my credit card company, the restaurant blatantly lied, claiming they had seated me and served me food—an outright fabrication! This goes beyond bad service—it’s outright fraud.
Save yourself the frustration and avoid this place at all costs. They’re unprofessional, dishonest, and nothing short of a scam.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
True fine dining setting and ambiance.
Unobstructed view of the kitchen from most of the dining tables due to lowered height of chef’s counter
Uni was arguably the best offered at a non sushi restaurant
Amazing dinner last night at the counter. I was familiar with his style from his former restaurant in Manhattan, and Brooklyn prior to that. César does not disappoint. As always, there are unique dishes you won't find anywhere else. The squab and wagyu were outstanding. I am sure he will earn 3 Michelin stars.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Caviar
When you arrive, the door is locked, and you cannot enter without a reservation. Seating is offered in two ways: at the bar, on a set schedule, or at a table, which requires a reservation. The dining room itself is stunning—spaciously arranged so that every seat provides a clear view of the impressive open kitchen. Thoughtful details, like the inclusion of purse stands, add to the ambiance.
The menu features some truly delicious dishes, but there are others that feel like an amalgamation of luxurious ingredients chosen for the sake of extravagance rather than harmony. For context, I haven’t shared an updated review of Le B., but if you’re familiar with that restaurant, César carries a similar vibe. The assumption is that because the clientele can afford it, details about pricing are less significant. And while this may be true, such transparency feels increasingly necessary in 2024.
For example, our table chose to add both caviar and truffles to our meal. While we were informed of the price per person for the caviar, the cost for the truffles was not disclosed. Similarly, when asked if we wanted to try the chef’s A5 wagyu steak, we said yes—only to have sourdough bread dropped at the table shortly after. The timing felt strategic, as if the bread might make us feel fuller and less inclined to continue adding courses. To complicate things further, you don’t receive the menu until the end of the meal, leaving you blindsided about what’s to come and how many courses you’re working through.
That said, the single malt and liquor list, while short, is well-curated with quality selections. Overall, the meal was good—an intriguing, novel experience. However, it didn’t leave me feeling like César is the kind of place I’d want to add to our special occasions rotation.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Dining at César was a truly remarkable experience, perfect for celebrating a special occasion like my birthday. When we first heard about Chef César Ramirez’s departure from Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare, we were saddened, as his culinary artistry there had left an indelible mark. However, the opening of his new restaurant filled us with excitement at the prospect of enjoying his incredible food once again—and César did not disappoint.
From the moment we entered, we were captivated by the elegance of the space. Its minimalist yet warm design created a serene ambiance that set the tone for an unforgettable evening. The attention to detail in the restaurant’s layout and décor reflected the same precision and thoughtfulness that defines the cuisine.
The service was impeccable, with the staff striking the perfect balance between attentiveness and discretion. They took the time to explain each dish with enthusiasm and expertise, ensuring every moment felt thoughtful and personal.
The menu was a testament to Chef César’s signature style—thoughtful, intricate, and deeply flavorful. Each course was a carefully crafted symphony of flavors and textures, showcasing seasonal ingredients and international influences. Highlights included the Live Norwegian Langoustine Monaka, which was both delicate and bold, and the Sea Urchin with Black Truffle and Brioche—a luxurious bite that left a lasting impression. The Pennsylvania Duck paired with South African porcini mushrooms and Upstate New York quince was another standout, offering a perfect harmony of richness and earthiness.
Desserts were equally exquisite, particularly the Gooseberry Jam with Yogurt Gelato and the Frozen Chocolate Soufflé with Hazelnut Crunch, which provided a delightful finale to the meal. The petit fours added a charming touch to an already extraordinary dining experience.
César isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience. The combination of stunning surroundings, flawless service, and imaginative cuisine made my birthday celebration unforgettable. Chef César has truly brought his magic to this new venture, and it’s a joy to see his brilliance shine in a new setting. We can’t wait to return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was amazing.
Our server (we were sitting at the counter by the door) was awful though. The rest of the staff was amazing and so professional though.
Unfortunately, our server ruined our experience. We could barely hear him speak, he explained the dishes incorrectly (e.g. he served pear juice at the beginning and said it tasted like apple juice. I’m gluten free and he never mentioned if the dish was in fact gluten free when it was set down. I mentioned that trace amounts of gluten and soy sauce was fine since I’m just intolerant / I get hives when eating gluten but not celiacs. He misunderstood and served me a puff pastry and he put down a brioche and didn’t tell me it was gluten free so I found myself double checking a number of times).
He was also extremely rude. He asked my group of 3 if we wanted to add-on white truffles on any of the recommended dishes - chawanmushi or sole. We told him that I wanted to add additional white truffle on 1 dish (foie gras chawanmushi only) and my mother wanted it on her Dover sole. This server even had a note pad and wrote down our order, however he misunderstood. When the chawanmushi dish arrived, all 3 had white truffles shaved on it. Do note that we wouldn’t have complained but white truffle add-on costed $150-175 per dish / portion. Which meant a minimum addition of $450 added to our bill. When we mentioned that only 1 person wanted white truffles on the chawanmushi and the other wanted it on the sole, he began saying that we were mistaken. All 3 of us understood correctly on our original order (1 truffle on chawanmushi, 1 truffle on the sole), but somehow he was convinced that we were all wrong.
He then said “well you definitely said all 3, but in any case do you want me to take it off your bill or what?!” in a snarky manner. We said yes that would be greatly appreciated if possible. He then goes to his manager (clearly blaming us since he was glaring at us and giving us looks) and comes back to tell us taking it off the bill was impossible. We said no worries and thanked him for trying.
He also struggled clearing the dishes and even his coworkers glared at him when he would only pick up 1 dish (instead of 2) of our 3.
We also were prompted on whether we wanted to add wagyu beef. We were keen so asked if they could split 1 steak into 3 as we were 3 petite women and knew we’d be full but wanted to try anyway. The server said absolutely not as the steak was tiny so we decided to order 2 steaks split 3 ways. The steaks came and 1 steak was definitely large enough to be split into 4 pieces. We ended up taking 1.5 steaks home to enjoy the next day.
We absolutely LOVED the food and most of the experience but our server ruined it for us. I will be requesting NOT to be seated at the counter next to the front entrance as I’m sure we would have had an amazing experience if it weren’t for him. Unfortunately I didn’t get the name of our server (he was the only non-Asian or Caucasian staff on the team apart from the amazing somm).
I highly recommend that the Chef Cesar reevaluate that server as all other service staff were amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Had a truly incredible meal here. The food was out of this world and so was the service.
Special thank you to Jackie (!!) who wrote down a list of recommendations for me to try and was so personable and kind. The chef also came over during the meal to personally serve us and ask how we were liking the food so far. I really appreciated this meal and the thoughtfulness of everyone involved in preparing it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dining at Chef Michel’s start restaurant for the full courses tasting menu, paired with wines, was an unforgettable experience. Each dish was meticulously executed, showcasing a range of textures and seasonal flavors. The service was exceptional, and the sommelier’s wine selections perfectly complemented each course. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an extraordinary culinary journey. Thank you Chef Cesar!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The best service I ever had.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I have no idea why this place isn’t rated much higher. One of the best fine dining experiences I’ve had in the city. The langoustine and uni dishes were my favorite bites, though all were spectacular. Highly recommend getting the truffle added to the uni and dover sole. Others in my party loved the wagyu. Chef Cesar was in the kitchen making every dish, we were at the Chef’s counter and it was a special moment when he came over to shave truffle onto my plate. You can see the work ethic and passion he puts into this experience. I can’t recommend this place enough
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Loved this experience and so happy that chef is back in action! The sommelier was fantastic and engaging! The entire staff were so personable and fun to talk with. The food was fabulous. Not a single dish I would not want a second time. This menu is well thought out and explosive with flavors and Textures! Highly recommend, we will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
César is a wonderful experience. One of the, if not the best, meals of my life. It is evident that there has been a lot of thought and care put into this menu. Every dish is a delight to look and taste. I think you can see that in the photos…… but maybe my camera isn’t so good haha. Would love to come back!
Cesar always exceeds expectations! His mastery of different flavors and textures is unrivaled. Amazing experience. Some people complain about the services; while the team is indeed young and not the most experienced, we didn’t have any problems with it and can already see improvements. Will come back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Caviar
Incredible tasting menu and killer wine pairing (thanks John). Thank you for a beautiful experience chef!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The 12-course tasting menu created by Chef Cesar Ramirez and his team is in my top 10 dining experiences. Three things that I especially loved: 1. the counter seating. Getting front-row seats at this well-choreographed culinary performance is fantastic. 2. I was also blown-away by how they had developed the menu from the first course to the last - an absolute crescendo of flavors and visual pleasures, totally inventive but never at the expense of deliciousness. And 3. the staff. Everyone working here clearly loves what they do. I also really appreciated their friendliness and how welcome they made me feel as a solo diner. THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND: This restaurant is (deservedly) very expensive. I did not order any of the extra dishes nor did I do the wine pairing. I did order wine by the glass and the 12 courses more than satisfied my hunger. The focus at Cesar is the beauty and the creativity of the food preparation - it is NOT where I would come with a group of friends who I just wanted to socialize with and enjoy catch-up conversations etc. This is, in my opinion, an evening dedicated to culinary exceptionalism. I gave 4 stars for Atmosphere because the room, in its ultra minimalism, felt a little cold to me - but that's really just nitpicking!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
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