Saul

Recommends

brigitteaa

Joined 7 years ago

Fantastic. I really don't know why there isn't more hype about Saul. I've been there a couple of times, and it is consistently fantastic. On our recent visit, we had an heirloom salad, tuna tartare, scallops, and bass with artichokes - it was all amazing. The staff was super friendly, totally unpretentious, and attentive. I'll keep returning - it is a true neighborhood gem.

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pcsii

Joined 7 years ago

One of Smith Street's best. Some of the best food in NY. The portions may not be enormous, but the flavor is. A lot of work goes into every dish and it shows: it's creative and meticulous. If it's quantity you're looking for, there are plenty of places to get heaping portions of decent food on Smith Street, but, if you're looking to treat yourself to some really delicious food, Saul is a guarantee. As with any other high-end restaurant, avoid the fixed price menu.

Doesn't Recommend

knockamixn

Joined 6 years ago

Recommended for those on a starvation diet.. Jeffib, you are right on target! We were starving when we walked out-we only received 4 slices of steak, although they were the same size as you described. The shortrib was flavorless. There was not enough squash to coat the fork, and yes, we did go out to get something more to eat when we left.

The waiter was civil, nothing more-and the prices for those portions are absurd.

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jeffib

Joined 7 years ago

Don't go if your hungry. My wife and I went to Saul on a Tuesday night to celebrate her birthday. We made 7 PM reservations and had no problem being seated, although the table we were given was near the entranceway, which was blocked off by fabric panels that did little to keep out the draft each time the door was opened. The decor was sparse and nondescript, certainly not a romantic environment by any stretch of the imagination.

We were served a complimentary wild mushroom soup in what seemed like a demitasse cup accompanied by a teaspoon with which to eat it. It was delicious. I ordered a sushi grade mackarel appetizer, while my wife ordered the jerusalem artichoke soup. We both ordered the rib steak entree, which, according to the menu would be accompanied by a short rib.

The portions were absurdly small, made to look even smaller by the huge plates they were served in. I finished the mackarel in three forkfulls. The steak came with approximately six slices measuring perhaps two inches long an inch wide and an eighth-of-an-inch thick. The single short rib was cut in the shape of a rectangular solid, perhaps an inch or two on a side. This was served on a small bed of butternut squash puree, with a sauce drizzled over the steak. Within twenty minutes we were finished with the meal. As we were finishing,I said to my wife that on the way back to the car, I wanted to stop at the Thai restaurant we had passed walking to Saul and have a bowl of Pad Thai, as I was starving. And, believe it or not, that is exactly what we did!

I see others have complained about the high prices. I did not find that to be a problem. In fact, I would prefer that they charge more if need be, but serve decent-sized portions, so that one does not leave hungry. Needless to say, we will never return.

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vzaraya

Joined 7 years ago

Extraordinary. A perfect meal from start to finish.

Clearly one of the best restuarants in all of NYC but relaxed and not stuffy in any way.

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isinger

Joined 7 years ago

Great Food, No Bargain. The food is great, if not absolutely extraordinary. But it really is somewhat overpriced and the portions are small, even by NY standards, in my book.

If price is no object, then by all means . . . otherwise, you might be a bit unpleasantly surprised.

Recommends

jaorse

Joined 7 years ago

Rip off. I was very surprised by the very un-Brooklyn prices and portions. The food was delicious, but the portions were shockingly small and expensive. For example, my husband and I split a winter salad as an appetizer. A $15 salad sounds more like a Manhattan price, but who cares if it's good, right? Well, when our server brought the salad out, we thought they had only brought 1/2 of the salad. It was incredibly tiny. The server could have told us that this measly portion was not really suitable for sharing.

On to entrees. My scallops were delicious, but for $26 I got three. That seems really greedy for Brooklyn. My husband didn't even like his cod at all. Thought the sauce it was in was terribly unappetizing.

I did think the food was good, but I would never got back. Looks like the Michelin star rating got to their heads!

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stacy2311

Joined 8 years ago

Great neighborhood, great food. Not sure where the previous reviewer, lonk, dined, but Saul is in a great neighborhood and has great food! I've been there three times and have always had wonderful experiences. I'd highly recommend it for a special occasion -- it provides and intimate setting and nice service.

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magichat

Joined 10 years ago

Order Off the Regular Menu. The regular entrees and desserts here are excellent, with truly unusual sides and garnishes that make for brilliant flavor combinations with the central meat or fish. However, do not order the prix fixe menu, as you won't get all those fantastic extras, so you end up with a tiny portion of boring food.

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jenjohnjackjoe

Joined 9 years ago

Excellent New American. Every time in New York I make it a point to visit Restaurant Saul on Smith Street. Everything is always cooked to perfection, the service is excellent, the decor cool and understated. I had the duck breast special on my last visit and it was incredible. Can't wait wait for my next visit.