Oscar Wilde — Restaurant in New York

Oscar Wilde, situated in the NoMad neighborhood, offers a unique dining experience that transports you back to the opulent Victorian era. With its lavish decor, inventive cocktails, and delectable menu, this bar and restaurant nearly earns a perfect score, though its steep prices might give some pause.

Ambiance and Decor: Stepping into Oscar Wilde is like stepping into a Victorian wonderland. The lavish decor features antique furnishings, ornate woodwork, and an eclectic mix of vintage memorabilia. The marble bar, one of the longest in New York City, is a stunning centerpiece. The overall ambiance is vibrant and whimsical, making it an excellent spot for a special night out or an impressive date venue.

Service Experience: The service at Oscar Wilde is excellent. The staff is attentive, knowledgeable, and courteous, ensuring that each guest feels welcomed and well-cared for. Their enthusiasm for the unique concept of the bar and their detailed knowledge of the extensive menu and drink list enhance the overall experience.

Food and Drinks: Oscar Wilde’s menu offers a mix of elevated pub fare and inventive dishes, paired with an impressive selection of cocktails and drinks. Here’s what to try:

Appetizers: Oscar Wilde’s Deviled Eggs: Classic deviled eggs with a twist, topped with bacon and chives. Creamy and flavorful, they are a delightful start to the meal. Truffle Mac & Cheese: Rich and indulgent, with a creamy truffle-infused cheese sauce and a crispy breadcrumb topping. Comfort food at its finest. Crab Cakes: Light and crispy on the outside, packed with fresh crab meat and served with a tangy remoulade. A well-executed classic.

Main Courses: Oscar Wilde Burger: A juicy, perfectly cooked burger topped with Irish cheddar, bacon, and caramelized onions, served with a side of crispy fries. A satisfying and hearty choice. Fish and Chips: Traditional beer-battered fish served with thick-cut fries and a side of tartar sauce. The fish is flaky and the batter is perfectly crisp. Wild Mushroom Risotto: Creamy risotto with a mix of wild mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, and a hint of truffle oil. Rich, savory, and comforting.

Desserts: Sticky Toffee Pudding: Warm, moist cake soaked in a rich toffee sauce, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. An indulgent and satisfying end to the meal. Irish Coffee Cheesecake: Creamy cheesecake with a hint of Irish coffee flavor, served with a drizzle of whiskey caramel sauce. Decadent and delicious.

Drinks: Signature Cocktails: The Wilde Side, a refreshing blend of gin, elderflower, and cucumber, and the Oscar’s Punch, a fruity and boozy concoction, are both standout options. The extensive cocktail list features creative and well-crafted drinks inspired by the Victorian era. Whiskey Selection: An impressive array of Irish whiskeys and other premium spirits, perfect for aficionados and those looking to try something new.

Overall Impression: Oscar Wilde excels in creating a unique and enchanting atmosphere that sets it apart from other bars and restaurants in New York City. The attention to detail in both decor and service is commendable, and the food and drinks are consistently delicious and well-prepared. However, the prices are on the higher side, which might deter some diners from making it a regular haunt.

Rating: ★★★★☆

For a special occasion or a memorable night out, Oscar Wilde offers a delightful experience that is sure to impress. While the cost may be a bit steep, the overall ambiance, quality, and service make it worth a visit. Highly recommended for those looking to indulge in a bit of Victorian elegance and...

Chaos.

Such a shame to have to leave a bad review but again, I can only review based on my experience. We had a booking at 3:30pm on Christmas Day. When we arrived at 3:20 we were told by the doorman to "show proof" of the booking before he would even let us in. Then when we got in, it was absolutely packed with people queuing. I went to the front to say I had a reservation and the lady told me to go to the back of the queue and wait. Once that queue went down, we were spoken to by another lady who told us to wait to the side of the bar until we were called.

Finally, after around 25 minutes we were called and shown to our table, our waitress came over and took our drinks order. 20 minutes later, the drinks arrived and we ordered food. As we say around waiting for food, you could see just how overbooked this place was. Several groups of people were being guided to a single chair at the bar and upon realising it was one chair, they left. Only when a group of three arrived at it, did it eventually resolve itself. They were huddled behind my wife - basically on her shoulder - for around 20 minutes and then another couple of the seats next to the one they were waiting for, left, releasing two more chairs and allowing them all to sit so we weren't looked over while eating our food...which still hadn't arrived.

Our drinks had arrived though. A $60 bottle of Pinot Grigio and a mocktail for out daughter. I always like to have a Google to see how much the wine should be. It cost $8.50 wholesale, fair enough, it's a nice establishment but wow, what a mark up. $8.50 to $60! The mocktail was basically pineapple juice with something else in which made it unpleasant. We sent it back and got a coke ($12 for a small glass!).

Finally, the food arrived at 5:55, nearly 2 1/2 hours after our table was booked. Fish and chips, shepherds pie and chicken and leek pot pie. The two pies were tasty but the fish was raw, ruining the whole experience as our daughter was understandably upset by this. The waitress agreed to remove the mocktail and fish and chips from the bill and we left after having one course and slamming a bottle of wine down at record time because it took so long to arrive, $170 lighter even after the deductions.

The place is trimmed up to the point of ridiculousness, but it's still nice to see. The staff are abysmal. Uncaring, surly, absolutely no interest in what they do or any expertise in handling situations.

Yet another Instagram...

Last night I ordered a drink at the bar and then went to the bathroom... I come back to someone in my seat with my drink still sitting in front of him. I informed the bartender about it and he did nothing. Not a single thing to resolve the situation. He got aggressive with me for being upset that he let someone take a seat that was clearly occupied.

I tried to ask the person in my seat to kindly move so I could finish my beverage and order dinner, but they ignored me. The whole thing was ridiculous. I will not be returning even though the whiskey selection is hard to beat. Good service and some accountability would go a long way. I say you can, and should, do better.

The rules at a bar are universal. If someone has a tab open and their drink is at their seat... you don't take it. The bartender is there to serve the guest and provide hospitality... that includes following those universal bar rules and minding the patrons drink while they use the bathroom. If an incident occurs they need to handle it appropriately instead of gaslighting the customer.

Update: I just called the restaurant to discuss what happened and they could not have been more rude and completely condescending. They basically accused me of making things up and said they would need to get the bartenders version of events to verify what happened.

So now the customer is always wrong and the lazy bartender is always right? It was the most unprofessional way they could possibly have handled it. The manager tried again to gaslight me and then hung up on me when I called him out for being rude. When I called back the receptionist cursed at me and said I was being disrespectful. She also hung up on me.

Some NYC cocktail bars play into that detached, pseudo-apathetic service style. It's meant to look like confidence or exclusivity ("we don't fuss over guests"), but when it crosses the line into not protecting the guest experience, it becomes laziness and arrogance. That Gen Z "whatever, not my problem" vibe is exactly what I'm talking about.

I will be contacting the corporate office and making a formal complaint. This is unacceptable on...