Overview of The Consulate Midtown
The Consulate Midtown is a sophisticated restaurant offering French and Modern American cuisine in New York City. Known for its elegant ambiance that blends contemporary and classic elements, the restaurant provides an exceptional dining experience. Located in the heart of Midtown, the restaurant opened its doors on March 21st as the second location of The Consulate, which originally began on the Upper West Side in 2019.
The menu, crafted by renowned Chef Alan Vargas, is inspired by international flavors, ensuring diners enjoy a culinary journey. The restaurant reflects the vibrant diversity of New York City through its food, beverages, and design.
Culinary Offerings
Cuisines: French, Steakhouse, Seafood
Special Diets: Vegetarian-friendly, Vegan options available
Meals Offered: Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, and Drinks
The menu highlights specialty cocktails, curated wines, and dishes that promise to delight guests with exceptional flavors and quality.
Dining Features
Seating Options: Dine-in, outdoor seating, curbside pickup
Additional Amenities:
Private dining
Delivery and takeout services
Live music, including jazz performances
Wheelchair accessibility
Free Wi-Fi
Gift cards available
Full bar with wine and beer
The restaurant accepts major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
Atmosphere and Service
The Consulate Midtown is cherished for its welcoming ambiance and mood lighting. The attentive staff ensures a memorable dining experience, though some have mentioned minor concerns with portion sizes. The restaurant maintains a high standard of hospitality, creating a refined yet comfortable environment for guests.
About the Team
The Consulate is a family-run business founded by Metodija and Kiril Mihajlov. The team includes:
Executive Chef: Alan Vargas, known for his expertise in creating globally inspired dishes.
Beverage Director: Jelena Maksimovic, specializing in crafting unique wine and cocktail experiences.
Interior Designer: Larisa Mihajlova, who has brought elegance and warmth to the restaurant’s design.
Contact Information
Location:
44 West 56th Street, New York City, NY 10019
How to Reach:
The restaurant is easily accessible via public transportation, located in the bustling Midtown area. For precise directions, use the map on the official website.
Phone Numbers:
+1 646-850-1100
Email:
contact@theconsulate.nyc
Website:
The Consulate Midtown Website
Social Media:
Instagram
Facebook
Features and Additional Details
Reservations: Available for both small groups and private dining events.
Live Entertainment: Regular jazz performances to enhance the dining experience.
Special Services: Non-smoking environment, street parking available, and table service.
The Consulate Midtown offers a dining experience that combines culinary excellence, welcoming hospitality, and a beautifully designed space, making it a standout destination in New York City.
Table of Contents
Toggle10 Things That Make This Restaurant Great
Recommended Dishes
Visitors loved the seared tuna, oysters, steak frites, Branzino, braised short ribs, grilled duck, and French onion soup. Desserts like the chocolate lava cake and pineapple upside-down cake were also highly praised.Signature Cocktails
The restaurant offers a variety of creative and delicious cocktails. Drinks like the Cosmopolitan, Ginger Optional, and dirty martini received high praise for their taste and quality.Cozy and Elegant Atmosphere
The place strikes a balance between casual and fine dining. The ambiance is cozy yet luxurious, with a lovely Parisian vibe that makes it perfect for romantic dates, business meetings, or gatherings with friends.Great Location
Conveniently located near Carnegie Hall, it’s an ideal spot for dinner and drinks before a show or for a relaxing happy hour.Friendly and Attentive Staff
The staff are accommodating and professional. Despite being short-staffed on some occasions, they handled service gracefully, ensuring a pleasant dining experience.Perfect for Special Occasions
The restaurant is highly recommended for romantic dates, gatherings with friends, or even just a fancy dinner. Many visitors appreciated how the staff made them feel special.Delicious French Cuisine
The restaurant specializes in authentic French dishes like escargot, coq au vin, and Croque Madame. Guests appreciated the flavorful and high-quality food.Beautiful Decor and Ambiance
The decor is stunning, with options for seating in special areas like the upstairs section or a balcony cutout. The atmosphere is especially magical during Christmas.Happy Hour and Brunch Options
Happy hour is a popular time for drinks and small bites, while brunch offerings like blueberry pancakes and Croque Madame stand out as favorites.Memorable Experiences
Many diners described their visits as unforgettable, with standout moments created by attentive staff, excellent food, and a vibrant atmosphere. The restaurant leaves a lasting impression, making guests eager to return.
10 Bad Things About This Restaurant
Disliked Dishes
Several dishes, like the Halibut, Tartare Trio, and Bronzino, disappointed visitors. Portions were often small, and sauces didn’t match descriptions.Slow and Poor Service
Service was slow, with waiters rushing but accomplishing little. Guests had to repeatedly ask for basic things like wine or appetizers, and orders were forgotten or delayed.Pushed for Reviews
Staff aggressively asked for good reviews, making guests uncomfortable. The “captain” even insisted on reviews in an unprofessional way.Expensive Drinks
Cocktails were overpriced and poorly made. For example, two Martinis cost $52, and their quality didn’t match the price.Billing Errors
A guest found an item on their bill that they didn’t order. Such mistakes can ruin a dining experience, especially when noticed later.Lack of Communication
Staff struggled to understand customer requests or discussions, leading to confusion and mistakes.Rushed Dining Experience
Guests felt rushed, with dishes served back-to-back or the bill presented abruptly to end the meal quickly, especially near closing time.Noise Levels
The downstairs area was noisy, creating an overwhelming environment for some customers.Reservation Issues
Reservations weren’t respected properly. For example, a group’s Christmas Eve booking was changed last minute, and they were rushed through their meal.No Bread or Poor Extras
No bread was offered with meals, which is expected in many fine dining restaurants. Other small extras, like olives with drinks, were also of low quality.
Conclusion:
The Consulate Midtown is a high-end restaurant in New York City, offering a blend of French and Modern American cuisine crafted by Chef Alan Vargas. Known for its elegant ambiance, diverse menu, and live jazz performances, the restaurant provides a memorable dining experience with options like private dining, outdoor seating, and curated drinks. While praised for its exceptional dishes and welcoming atmosphere, some guests have raised concerns about portion sizes, service speed, and pricing. Located in Midtown, it’s ideal for romantic dates, business meetings, or special occasions, reflecting the vibrancy of NYC through its food and design.
Disclaimer: MasterChefTips is only providing information about this restaurant and does not take responsibility for the accuracy or satisfaction of visitors’ experiences.