Really wanted to like and enjoy this place especially given it's wonderful decor and bustling atmosphere. But the charm is quickly lost after you walk in. Once you walk in you are greeted by nobody. Nobody except a drove of people either waiting for a table or just hanging out by the bar with their full coats on. We'll never find out and probably neither will you. There is no hostess by the entrance and you can bet the bartender won't provide you with any information. After you deduce that you need to walk 15-20 feet further into the restaurant pass the bar, you will finally reach the receptionist where you are greeted by 2, maybe even 3, hostesses standing there staring at the computer screen. Bad choice of words - they actually will not greet you. At least not right away. All 3 of them will talk to each other, point to the screen, and talk some more before finally acknowledging the customers who are standing there waiting for their attention and guidance. Not a great way to start an evening out. When we finally were brought to our table, I was not allowed to sit down. My wife was able to squeeze into the inside seating but I was not allowed to sit in my chair. A waitress stood by my seat, even after having seen us come to the table, and did not budge. She was speaking with the customer seated next to our table. I stood there awkwardly holding my coat and patiently waited for my chance to sit down. I just stood there. For a good 3 minutes probably. Wife seated already. Me standing there with my coat in my arms. Waiting and listening to the waitress talking to the other customer. Did she see me? Absolutely. Did she have room to step aside and continue her conversation with the customer? Absolutely. Did she have to stand right by my chair and refuse to allow me to sit? Absolutely not. All of this just really took away from what could have been a great first experience at the restaurant. The food was decent. Very big portions and just good enough for you to not be disappointed but nowhere near good enough for you to tell others to come try. Perhaps brunch is better or perhaps the brunch shift workers are better. But dinner that evening certainly was not it. On top of all this, there was an automatic 18% gratuity for our party of 2. Even in NY I have never seen such a thing. I have nothing more to say about that. It was a good attempt at an upscale French restaurant but it is nothing more than that. A mere attempt. Train your staff better. Or hire more experienced staff. Either way, improvements are much needed to the personnel.