3 stars- Beautiful space, but the food fell flat
Just had dinner at Miriam on the Upper East Side with a party of four. We were excited to find a Mediterranean spot that could accommodate everyone's preferences, and the restaurant itself is gorgeous- multiple levels, thoughtfully decorated, and a really lovely ambiance.
Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the space. Most dishes lacked flavor, almost as if the kitchen was afraid to take anything to the next level. We were most excited for the chicken schnitzel- and while the portion was huge and the texture was spot on, it was surprisingly bland and really needed seasoning. We ordered it with a side of Majadara Rice.
For appetizers, the hummus with mushrooms was the standout- creamy, flavorful, and genuinely delicious. The fish carpaccio, however, missed the mark; it was cut too thick, more like sashimi, and didn't have much flavor at all. The eggplant was the lowest point of the night- a beautifully roasted eggplant topped with lukewarm melted cheese, but the eggplant itself was unseasoned and this combo just didn't work. Also disappointing: the pita isn't made in-house. We literally saw it being pulled from a bag.
Our table also ordered the salmon, which looked dry to me, and the branzino, which others enjoyed. The drinks were great- flavorful and well-made. Prices were moderate. Service was okay; our server tried and was very nice, but dishes were being cleared before we were done, which was frustrating.
Overall, it was a very average meal in a beautiful setting. Not sure if we'll be returning.
Weekend brunch right as the restaurant open. Was not too busy but service was very slow. Looks like you need a reservation here all the time. The food was good, nothing too impressive. We had a large group and the food did not come out all together, one person order came out when everyone else was already done their meal. Toilets were clean but with long lines.
5
Miriam is a wonderful new addition to the Lenox Hill neighborhood. We’ve eaten here a few times already and both experiences were excellent. For brunch, we came with a group of five. For dinner, we shared the falafel, chicken cutlet, and hummus—all were delightful and generously portioned (we even took home half the chicken!). Both times we sat in the back room, which was cozy and inviting. The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The service was warm, friendly, and attentive. Miriam is just a quick walk from our house, and I can already tell it will be one of our go-to spots.
*Delicious food
*Great service
*Cozy and welcoming atmosphere
*Wonderful addition to the neighborhood
Highly recommend—can’t wait to go back again and again!
5
Crisp, delicious, perfectly mixed dirty martinis, spicy tender beets, elevated falafel. Outdoor seating available. Excellent service. Close to the Frick, Central Park. Wonderful happy hour.
3
Low stakes, thoughtfully executed Mediterranean concept.
We went for brunch, the crowd was a mix of UES families and girl friend dates.
The service and portions both left a little more to be desired.
That said, the flavors are very natural, with simple and clean ingredients.
