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Raoul's Riyadh Reviews
Lots of good and bad.
Excellent crab beingets. Seafood risotto was bland and the shrimp overcooked. Service was very good but also very noisy and cramped. General thought is overpriced and trading on past glory.
We came here on a Sunday without reservation.
Took us ~30 minutes to be seated (we sat at the bar), but it was absolutely worth it. We tried the burger which I heard is one of the best and the steak, both really good. Staff were friendly and the ambience and the vibe was amazing. Will I come back? This is one of those "hell yea" cases!
Fabulous.
Eddie with his big smile and gracious dress greeting you at the door. the never ending turn over at the bar when you're flying solo, making for interesting social intercourse. And Angus serving up strong cocktails to keep things moving. Oh and the food is delicious, as is the artwork on the walls. R
Like a mediocre steak covered in cream sauce, Raouls is an
Like a mediocre steak covered in cream sauce, Raouls is an ok restaurant covered up with a heavy amount of style and sex appeal. With a burger you can only get if you have plan your day around attaining one, to a tarot card reader that appears on your way to the bathroom~ it's no surprise that our own mystery unfolded as our reservation pulled the grim reaper card, or might as well have. Yet the manager attempted to appease us, delicately sizzling steadily half an hour after our booking, with $25 worth of one appetizer, a move I would expect from a Cheesecake Factory. With hopes that I would at least get a hand-cut fry, I was treated to one of the most overrated plates in Manhattan: their famous steak au poivre served with a generic restaurant supply shoestring cooked in what tasted like duck fat mixed with vegetable oil~ a trick restaurants like this might use to increase their profit margin in an increasingly less forgiving neighborhood. The highlight that brings this review to a fine three star was their rack of lamb~ rib chops cooked elegantly, and a nice rustic char that spoke truth and not doused in another dressing. If only Raoul's emphasized their own simplicity and integrity, we might see a horse that places higher among the echelon of downtown manhattan institutions that attracts the banking crowd on their way to give their high end dry cleaners a riddling stain to get out of their gilet. While I understand the sentimentality in those that defend the historic Raoul's, it is no more to me than a classic case of New York buzz, and while maybe consistent and good enough, only inspires my own confusion as to why am I being seduced again to try a place that 20-somethings recommend as they spend their days hyping mediocre moments on a short-form video app.
Ate here for brunch (although it felt more like lunch than
Ate here for brunch (although it felt more like lunch than brunch, for what it's worth). I had the burger, which I absolutely loved. I'd say one of my favorites I've had in the city, for sure. That "au poivre" touch to it was great (but if you aren't a fan of peppercorns, it's really not going to be your bag). The St. Andre cheese was really lovely too -- such a nice change from a typical cheeseburger. I'm not always a big fan of fries, but they were delicious too -- or maybe they were just the vehicle for that amazing sauce served on the side. Husband went for the steak au poivre, which he thoroughly enjoyed as well. (And I wondered, dollar for dollar, if he didn't get the better deal.) He also had dessert -- the crème brûlée -- which he pronounced the best he's ever had. The service was very good, and the whole experience reminded us a lot of various bistros in France -- well, except for the part that, as I said, the service here was good and attentive. (Side note: I was surprised that the restaurant wasn't full, as it can be sort of tricky to get a reservation via Resy. I have to wonder if the bots aren't snapping up all the reservations everywhere.)
Burger was totally worth the hype.
It is on the more pepper side. I booked a brunch reservation (since the Raoul's Burger Au Poivre is unlimited). The French fries are great. Would go back in a heartbeat
The restaurant was wondeful, but be careful of the tarot
The restaurant was wondeful, but be careful of the tarot card readers, they'll shake you down for $50
This place is FABULOUS.
We were visiting and it was recommended by a friend. Martinis are perfection. And the steak and pom frites were amazing. It was a super crowded and popular spot. Clearly a well-loved institution in NYC and I can see why! We would absolutely recommend!
Yes, that burger is excellent.
The sauce is delicious, the fries are crispy and fresh. This is a top 3 burger for me. Kind of weird going upstairs to the bathroom. If you're older, I can see people having issues.
This is what a bistro in New York City should be.
The place was packed but somehow cozy. Noisy yet somehow intimate. We had a world-class experience. The salad frisee was lovely, the steak au poivre was perfection, as were the fries, and the wine we chose from their wonderful wine list (I recommend their Bordeaux selections) was served at the right temperature, which is a huge deal if you are a wine aficionado. The service was great-- Naomi was quick, funny, and delightful. Is it expensive? Sure, but my goodness what a treat and well worth it. This will have been the first of many visits going forward.
I cut into it before snapping the pic, but it was
I cut into it before snapping the pic, but it was absolutely fantastic. A little heavy on the peppercorn, but it gave it a nice kick. The service and vibe were amazing as well. A small space but it hit all the right marks!
Snagged a last minute resy for Sunday brunch.
Burger hack: usually their legendary burger is limited at the bar only. On weekends there is no limits and folks comfortably walked in with no reservations table and bar at 11. Speaking of the burger, this was a tasty creation with au poivre sauce served on the side. You're told to dip the burger in the sauce. Definitely worth it. This was a juicy bite. I wasn't thrilled with the fries, compared to belthazar or minetta tavern but nothing I'd send back. Worth coming back for more
Fine dining experience matched by excellent service and quality
Stepping into Raoul's restaurant was a magnificent experience welcomed by server Mr Yousef Ragaban who set the ambience for an exquisite dining encounter. It's marvellous when a server knows the menu thoroughly, answers questions on cuisine preparation, and can describe with accuracy how a dish is served. Mr Yousef was prompt and professional in service, and kept a high standard of quality throughout his engagement at the table. When he was unsure, he went to ask the chef, and returned with insightful information. Compliments to the chef on all dishes served as it was a harmony of French tastes and mouth-watering experiences enhanced by clever use of cuisine textures that were beyond satisfying. Of particular note were the balance of flavors, herbs, and spices that was a euphony of tastes. The escargot was perfection, and lamb shank brilliant as a portrayal of the chef's mastery. Excellent indeed! Most certainly will be returning soon to continue this journey of cuisine discovery as there were many interesting items on the menu worth trying.
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If there is no user posting that fits your schedule, you can bid on your preferred time.
Let's say Peter has a great morning and decides to take his three friends to Raoul's Riyadh at 6 PM the same day.
He checks the restaurant's website and sees that no reservations are available. He then looks at the Raoul's Riyadh page on AppointmentTrader, but finds that there are no user postings either.
That's where the community-driven bid process comes in.
Peter can place a bid on AppointmentTrader, which serves as a reward for any community member who chooses to work on securing the reservation. AT then notifies experienced users who may be able to help.
Step-by-Step Process
1.) Setting a Reward (Bid)
* AppointmentTrader uses historical data to recommend a reasonable reward amount for securing a reservation - let's say $100.
* Peter really wants to go, so he increases the bid (or reward) to $200.
* At this stage, the reservation does not exist yet.
2.) A Community User Picks Up the Bid
* MaternalRecord73, an experienced AT user, has a strong track record of successfully securing reservations and low refund requests, they receive a notification about Peter's bid.
* MaternalRecord73 picks up the bid, meaning they will now work on securing the reservation.
* Peter can now talk to MaternalRecord73 for any questions Peter may have as MaternalRecord73 user fills the bid.
3.) Finding the Reservation
* MaternalRecord73 now uses their connections at Raoul's Riyadh to secure the table.
* If they successfully get the 6 PM table for four, Peter receives a confirmation that the reservation has been secured.
* If MaternalRecord73 fails to secure the reservation, the bid is returned to the pool so another user can try.
4.) Payment & Protection
* Once the reservation is secured, MaternalRecord73 receives the $200 reward which is credited to MaternalRecord73's AT balance, where users manage their own funds and can withdraw via available payout options such as bank transfer, PayPal, or Zelle.
* Peter can now enjoy the dinner with his friends at Raoul's Riyadh!
* As with all transactions on AT, disputes and no-show fees are handled through the platform's community-driven resolution system. Users with a strong track record are incentivized to fulfill bids successfully, and community members can report issues to maintain trust in the marketplace.
