Resident — Restaurant in New York

BEWARE BEFORE BOOKING!

I paid $471 for two tickets to a Resident dinner last night. You have to pay ahead of time, so when they don't deliver a good experience, you have no recourse. They already have your money. And that's exactly what happened to me.

We arrived promptly at 7pm because the instructions told us to do that, saying come for a drink at 7 and dinner will start "promptly at 7:15". But when we arrived, we were told dinner would begin at 7:30. Okay, not a big deal, but not what they told us in the instructions.

The welcome drink was a sparkling wine served AT ROOM TEMPERATURE. When I asked if they had a cold one, the two ladies serving drinks acted like I was crazy. (Two tickets were $471)

The lady serving the wine said their refrigerator didn't get colder than that.

The wine had no chill to it whatsoever. None.

When food service began, the food was also served at room temperature, and not the quality and presentation you'd expect at this price point. The food was paired with more room temperature wine.

The woman who was in charge of the wine program was very passive aggressive with me when I inquired about getting a white wine that was cold instead of room temperature. She told me to "try to enjoy myself anyway" and that I could taste the wine better at room temperature.

$471 for two tickets.

I was stunned by this lady's whole scheme. Serving white wine at room temperature and acting like I was a problem.

After two unremarkable courses, my husband and I left. Manager guy caught us at the elevator and acted surprised we were unhappy. He did apologize. But he has not contacted me to offer a refund, and that is what would be appropriate here.

BEWARE,...

What a fun and unique experience! We really enjoyed the Resident concept. We attended Chef Yeongsoo Lee's event in the Brooklyn location. The food, staff, and venue were all exceptional.

My dining partner and I arrived early and were disappointed that we were seated at a high-top away from the "open kitchen." We were unable to change seats, but that was the only negative. Apparently they try to accommodate seating preferences if you contact them in advance, so the seats by the kitchen were already strictly assigned. Good to know for next time!

The rest of the night went without a hitch. The staff was attentive and the coursing was well-timed. Each course came with a wine pairing (generous pours too!), so dinner was actually a good value despite the seemingly high price tag.for a five-course prix fixe menu. Plus, no additional gratuity is expected; everything is included with the upfront ticket price.

As to the most important part--the food, Chef Yeongsoo Lee's menu was stellar. I'll admit there's a certain joy in experiencing a rising chef's menu before he/she opens his/her own restaurant; I feel like I'm discovering NY's next great talent, lol. That was part of the appeal for me even though all the chefs listed have impressive resumes, so I'm really not making any grand discoveries :-p

Bottom line: just go. It's truly a...

Culinary Symphony: An Exquisite Dinner Tasting in New York. Resident’s dinner tastings are not merely meal but a carefully curated experience that engaged all the senses. The chef's creativity and skill were evident in every course, making it a memorable evening that celebrated the artistry of fine dining. For those seeking an unparalleled culinary adventure in the city that never sleeps, a resident tasting menu is an absolute must-try. It is a testament to what makes New York’s dining scene world-renowned, offering a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation that will linger in your memory long after the final bite. The sommelier's selections were impeccable, enhancing each course's flavors and elevating the entire dining experience. Each wine was chosen with meticulous care, perfectly complementing the intricate dishes. I’ve enjoyed four of these Resident meals in the last 4 years, mostly in mid-town or FIDI, and I can’t wait to go back. You can go as a couple, as a group, or solo. All are...