wd~50
New York, NY 10002-2401
Phone: (212) 477-2900
- Price:
- $$$$
- Cross Street:
- Between Stanton Street and Rivington Street
- Directions:
- F; J, M, Z at Delancey St-Essex St
- Hours:
- Mon-Sat 6pm-11:30pm, Sun 6pm-10pm
Editorial Review for wd~50 – by Allison Austin
The Scene
There's simply no pretension here. The dining room, with its terra cotta-colored walls and exposed beams, feels nicely worn-in. And the personable, easygoing servers know their stuff.
The Food
In contrast to the deluge of restaurants serving safe, familiar food, chef Wylie Dufresne's dishes make you think. When Dufresne serves foie gras topped with anchovy and dotted with tiny bits of crunchy chocolate, it's an education in breaking food down to its essential flavors to see how the building blocks--fat, salt, savory, clean citrus, edgy vinegar, etc.--work together. Much of the cooking challenges diners to break with their food-pairing constructs: Yes, daurade paired with a barbecue-like sauce can work. Fine ingredients elevate all dishes, but particularly the lamb loin, which is among the city's best. Desserts are stellar, especially the parsnip cake with dreamy coconut-cream cheese sorbet.
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Insider Tips
What to DrinkThe wine list features offbeat bottles from Austria to Greece, along with smart French varietals, most ranging from $30 to $475. Around six signature cocktails are offered, including the Royal Blush with fresh cherry puree, champagne, vodka and lime juice.
User Reviews for wd~50
07/23/2008 Posted by tdv
It's exactly what people described it as - very unique. The experimental cuisine isn't really my cup of tea so I wouldn't take my review too seriously. I thought the restaurant was very nice and the unusual combinations were always surprising. I didn't like the food too much, but it was worth the trip. I'm glad I went.
Pros: Definitely a new dining experience
Cons: Not my type of food
07/07/2008 Posted by choulli
After having read about Wylie Dufresne & "wd~50" for years, my husband & I decided to give it a try for our anniversary dinner. Prepared for the unique & unusual, we were not disappointed. Our server, Chris, helped to make the entire experience even more special, by being helpful, friendly, informative & efficient. He even replaced a cocktail that I disliked with something more pleasing to me - a courtesy that I would expect at an establishment of this caliber. Their bartender's version of a Cosmo is out of this world by the way - not the usual bright red, (many of which border on cough syrup) but rather, a cool, smooth tonic infused with fresh fruit juice & vodka & topped off by a generous slice of fresh lemon zest. Amazing! Don't eat too fast or you'll miss the marvelous mix of flavors & textures that chef Dufresne has concocted, from the banana with quail to the lychee candy with grilled octopus, it was like taking our palates to an amusement park! The menu is small, but interesting & the wine & spirits list is quite extensive, featuring some excellent choices, especially when it comes to aperitifs & dessert wines. Our server kindly brought us several tastes of different wines, before we committed to our dinner accompaniments. I would love to return to wd~50, but with a group next time, so that we can all share the experience & freak out together! Loved the ambience too, with its colorful lighting, soothing bamboo walls & wooden tables. And the ladies room is terrific. The juxtaposition of this serene little gem in its gritty, artsy, lower east side neighborhood is something so typical of Manhattan that it only adds to its allure. In closing, I don't know why anyone would come to "wd~50" without some advanced knowledge of what to expect. If you want a cheeseburger, go to the appropriate venue for that, rather than whine & complain that you didn't get a meal on par with McDonalds.
Pros: unique, interesting food & spirits, terrific service
Cons: a little pricey & the location difficult to get to (but it was worth it)
