Fleming by Le Bilboquet — Restaurant in New York

We were refused service in the afternoon of Aug 24, 2024, and I believe it is highly likely that it is due to RACISM. Here is what happened to us that afternoon:

At around 5 pm, a friend and I walked past the restaurant and saw that there were a few tables on the pavement. The weather was nice and only two tables were occupied. We decided to have dinner there and went inside the restaurant to ask if there were any available tables for two. We were approached by the hostess. She informed us that the restaurant had a "verv strict dress code" and what we had on would not do. (My friend had on a T-shirt and pant and I had on a T-shirt, a collarless shirt, and pant.)

As we were leaving the restaurant, we noticed that two (white) men that were sitting by one table on the pavement dressed very casually. One man had on a T-shirt and shorts. We went back to the hostess and pointed out our clothes seemed more formal than the T-shirt-shorts combo. The hostess didn't disagree but she started to insist that "we are fully booked until 8:30".

At this point, we thought we should just leave, as there is no way we could wait three hours for a meal. And even if we did get a table, the vibe would be weird. When we settled into our seats at another nearby restaurant around ten minutes later, I decided to check on Resy and found out that there were many slots available for two people in Le Fleming at 6 pm. Apparently, the hostess lied to us.

Ironically, the restaurant we ended up in was a sister restaurant to this one, which is also owned by Le Bilboquet. When I mentioned the incident to its manager, I was told that this was just how this restaurant (Fleming) “as a typical UES restaurant” is, the hostess was told to act like this (no elaboration on by whom), and that there’s nothing we could do about it.

I thus believe we were refused service by the hostess because we were Asian while the T-shirt shorts combo man and his friend were white. And I want to share my story with any many people...

Ever wonder what it was like to sit at "whites only" counter back in the day? Want to experience that humiliation? Try Fleming by Le Bilboquet! Probably easier for this restaurant to just put a "Whites Only" sign, on the door, on the tables, in the bathroom...I literally waited an hour(!!!) for a cocktail and an appetizer today, after visiting Bastille Day celebration on Madison. I watched people come after me, get seated, get served--and leave! And I was still waiting for my order to arrive. I finally asked the hostess what is the delay for the cocktail. She said she will check. She comes backti say, "they are making it now" (40 minutes after the order was placed!)The waiter comes out with my drink--many minutes later he returns with my appetizer. I asked him what happened that I was waiting so long? He said there was an "issue in the kitchen". I told him I've watched people be served, who came after me, so how could there be a kitchen issue? He then offers me the appetizer on the house. I told him I didn't want it anymore, on the house or other wise. Asked for my check for my cocktail--waited a long time, finally a waiter came out and said "it's ok, no charge." Ugh! Truly appalling. In the 21st...

We stumbled upon Fleming by Le Bilboquet while strolling through the Upper East Side on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, following a two-hour walk through Central Park. The weather was perfect—sunny, breezy, and the city felt alive. As we approached the restaurant, Marco, the General Manager, greeted us warmly and made us feel immediately welcome. Without hesitation, he found us a table and ensured the staff tended to our every need.

The ambiance struck a balance between elegant and unpretentious—ideal for a refined yet relaxed dining experience. We shared a bottle of sparkling rosé, which paired beautifully with our selections: two thoughtfully prepared appetizers and two standout entrées. The kitchen’s execution was on point, with flavors that were both classic and inventive.

Service was attentive without being intrusive, and every detail—from the tableware to the timing—felt curated. Fleming by Le Bilboquet doesn’t just serve meals; it delivers moments. Whether you’re winding down a weekend stroll or looking to impress out-of-town guests, this spot hits the mark.

Highly recommended for anyone seeking elevated hospitality and exceptional cuisine in a polished yet...