The Eighty Six

Reviews

• LC

  Luo Chloe

  4 days ago
  2.0
  The hype around this place felt strangely manufactured. We were seated about 10 minutes late, yet the two booths behind us remained empty for the rest of the night. For a restaurant that supposedly has such a long cancellation list, that was surprising. The service was equally disappointing. Our water was refilled only once, and the pacing was way off—we waited roughly 30 minutes between courses before the main arrived. There also seemed to be inconsistent treatment of guests. The restaurant says no flash photography, yet people behind us were filming with flash and no one said anything. It gave the impression that certain guests, particularly influencers, were allowed to ignore rules that presumably apply to everyone else. We spent hundreds of dollars on dinner. I don't expect special treatment, but I do expect to be treated with the same level of respect and hospitality as every other guest. The server also seemed poorly trained when it came to explaining the menu. I asked whether he recommended the croquette or the hamachi, and his reasoning for the croquette was essentially that it was "fewer bites." Seemed a bit bizarre when I was clearly not at business dinner trying to optimize how many bites I take. Honestly should read the menu a bit more before sucking up to other customers or chatting with your coworkers loudly I’m not here to listen to you. You should not be heard by diners. For a restaurant that presents itself as recreating the atmosphere and sophistication of the Hemingway era, the actual experience felt far less thoughtful than the branding suggests. Wild Cherry is another very popular spot, and in my experience the food and service there were significantly better. Popularity is one thing; making every guest feel genuinely welcomed and cared for is another.
• GM

  Ghortias Matteus

  6 days ago
  5.0
  Finally got a chance to try 86 before it gets 86'd, 😉. Beautiful place, honest service, well executed food, 10/10. Might be 11/10 if the cipollini onion on the plate had more personality.
• MS

  Mark Scattene

  Aug 9, 2026
  5.0
  My favorite meal in NYC from top to bottom. Every dish is executed to perfection. The hits- creamed corn pot pie, cheesesteak, filet, sole, lobster spaghetti scampi 🫡 be sure to leave room for dessert because the banana trifle is life changing. Not only is the food industry leading but so is the staff- you’re greeted warmly at the door and that standard remains for your entire meal. You’re treated as a friend, a neighbor not just a customer!
• GS

  G S

  Jul 29, 2026
  5.0
  I think we’ve just found our new favourite restaurant in New York. The creativity and execution behind every dish were nothing short of exceptional. We started with the potato croquettes topped with caviar. The briny pop of the caviar elevated the crispy, golden croquettes beautifully, but the true standout was the hamachi pastrami. It was such an unexpected combination, with the smoky, peppery notes of pastrami complementing the delicate, buttery flesh of the hamachi perfectly. A truly inspired pairing that worked incredibly well. For the mains, we indulged in the Citrus-Fed A8 Wagyu Strip, and it absolutely lived up to expectations. The beef was decadently rich and beautifully marbled, with a subtle citrus finish that added freshness without overpowering the meat. We also had the dry-aged rib cap and the cheesesteak, both of which were outstanding. Trust me when I say the cheesesteak is an absolute must-order—it’s the gold standard of cheesesteaks and nothing short of perfection. We couldn’t resist finishing with not one, but two desserts: the ice cream sandwich and the banana pudding. Both were delicious, hitting the perfect balance of indulgence and comfort, and were a fitting end to an unforgettable meal. The service was warm, attentive and polished throughout, while the moody, intimate atmosphere made the entire experience even more memorable. Without a doubt, one of the best meals we’ve had in New York, and I can’t wait to return.
• AA

  Anthony

  Jul 25, 2026
  2.0
  Finally was able to score a reservation on Door dash and I truly don’t understand the hype here. The Air conditioner on a hot summer night was non existent, and we struggled with how hot it was throughout our meal. To start we had the crudo, which for some reason came out warm. The Cesar salad had an overwhelmingly anchovy taste. The croquettes were too creamy and rich to even work with the caviar For our mains we had the Wagyu strip and filet mignon, the rub on these steaks was so overbearing with pepper and salt that it was tough to even finish them. For dessert we ordered the popular banana pudding and it came out room temp Luke warm! You would think this would be refrigerated and come out ice cold. Although the photos look better than the food actually tasted, Overall the 86 falls short of expectations and is not worth the time and effort it takes to get a reservation nor the price tag. I don’t think I would return.

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