I've looked on the website and can't seem to figure out what is included in the fixed price lunch. Any help?

As far as I'm aware the prix fixe meals include just an appetizer and main course. Dessert, wine and coffee would be additional.

Desserts, I believe, come only with the tasting menus or a la carte.

Le Bernardin's fixed price lunch menu (I think it's currently about $65?) includes three full courses plus a couple of extras. A great choice of desserts is included. In addition to a first course and main course, there will be petit fours or other sweets after dessert and there will perhaps be a sorbet or palate cleanser between courses and an "amuse bouche" before you start. If I'm not mistaken coffee may even be included as well -- but I won't bet on that.

I think it is one of the greatest bargains in New York. In fact I found very little difference between the lunch and their dinner which is a LOT more expensive.

NeoPatrick,

I've read on other threads what a deal the lunch is. I live in Atlanta and never made it to Brasserie Le Coze which was opened by the same siblings, but is now closed. The skate wing was supposed to be fabulous.

Are reservations a must? I'm visiting NYC with my mother and daughter and I'm already being told that I'm getting things too planned.

Yes, I'd say reservations are a must even (or maybe especially) for lunch.

It is quite dressy by the way, but despite its elegance and top class service, I have never felt it to be the least bit stuffy. I think that's one of the things I like best about it. Each time we sort of joke with our waiter about something at the first meeting and as a result we are never made to feel like we are eating in a mausoleum, as so often we are in more formal places.

Oh, and by the way, there used to be a Brasserie Coze in Coconut Grove (Miami) also. But we thought it was simply awful -- apparently most others did too as it also closed.

NP,

How funny...I'm very familiar with Coconut Grove since I grew up in Miami. I remember when tour groups would come to Bayfront Park to see the 'Hippies'. Then of course there was the infamous lewd behavior charge against Jim Morrison at Dinner Key Auditorium. Too bad!

Must we be dressed up for lunch at Le Bernardin, or are cordorouy or wool pants and a nice top sufficient?

Ask the ladies.

Years ago we went there for lunch wearing sport coats (jackets I'm pretty sure are required). Mine was a light peach silk one, Lee's was a rather bright blue. We were the ONLY people there NOT in all black -- I kid you not. We remarked at the time that we must not have gotten the invitation to the funeral.

But while men are bound by definite rules like "jackets required", I'm always amazed that women can seemingly get away with just about anything.

Along with the Four Seasons, its the top Power Broker scene in the city.
I can't believe you showed up at Le Bernardin wearing that attire.
LOLLLLLLLLLLLLL !
I go there twice a week for lunch. For your information, those suits were most likely charcoal, grey or navy.
I wish I would seen you and your friend arrive for lucheon. Your giving the Chelsea Army a bad name with those fruit suits LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I said, "years ago. . ." but I failed to mention that that appearance was nearly 20 years ago, when the restaurant was pretty new -- not nearly so bad as it would be today. Please give me a LITTLE credit. . .LOL. Remember when pastel colored silk sport coats were in style -- mid 1980's? Well, maybe not so much for businessmen's NYC, but throughout the rest of the country. And no, most of those suits really were BLACK at that time.

While today I don't take a suit to NYC, I DO wear a dark blazer or dark sport coat. Please don't think I still have a peach silk sport coat hanging in my closet! GASP.

I understand Patrick. I am glad you have a good sense of humor.
Merry Christmas to you

Thanks. Oh, and by the way, the Chelsea Army LOVED our sport coats in the mid 1980's.

I read where the prix fixe has gone to four smaller courses.

We have eaten there twice and personally, I do not get it. Of course the meal was fine, but one of the best I have ever eaten, not even close.

As far as dress is concerned, they do require the pretense of wearing Mom and Dad clothing.

NP,

It's OK if you still have a peach silk sport coat hanging in your closet. It will come in handy for a Halloween Party. I have personally had a very hard time parting with my floor length blue jean skirt made by cutting the legs out and adding funky fabric. The gauze shirts with puffy long sleeves were a favorite too!!!

Auduchamp, I suspect that like you, I normally much prefer a more modern, even "trendy" dining experience. But I guess an occasional "classic fine dining" experience is not appreciated by everyone. While I normally rant about jackets and ties are not and should not be required in the finest of modern dining establishments, I must admit that it's a nice refreshing change to go to a place with spaciously placed tables, classic fine service and food, and EVERYONE wearing a jacket. I guess that's why I enjoy going there once every year or two. A regular thing? I think not.

True, I live downtown which is the antithesis of Le Bernandin but I hope I can still appreciate an exceptionally preapred and served meal. I did luxuriate, however, in the commodious surroundings.

There are certain restaurants, books, shows, movies, etc. that seem receive critical acclaim that many are afraid to challenge and Le Bernandin seems to be one of them.

For me the other is Mario Batali. I have a friend who is the food book business and thinks of Batali as a culinary genius. We have eaten at Lupa and Casa Mono numerous times and think they are fine but they do not send us in gastonomical ecstacy.

Funny you mention Mario Butali. We had one of the worst meals in NYC ever at Esca, not too long after it opened. The kitchen literally lost our order, and when we questioned the server after something like 45 minutes we got a very rude "our food is individually prepared". Finally after more than an hour, he sheepishly came to ask us what we ordered again as they kitchen had indeed lost the order. But to add insult to injury, our fish was simply not that good, nor that well prepared. Sad evening all around.

But I'd walk a mile to eat the bucatini at Lupa any day.

I recently retried the lunch at Le Bernardin and thought it was fabulous (well my first and last course were fabulous, the entree was just very good) AND I'm not a great fish lover. It's 3 courses for $64 and the menu is right here.
http://www.le-bernardin.com/menu_lunch.html

For the appetizer I had the kanpachi at the server's suggestion and it was out of this world (with some wasabi flavored caviar that was a flavor fest). My entree was the spiced Crispy Black Bass and it was very nice but neither crispy or particularly spicy (but maybe that was in comparison to the appetizer).

For dessert I had the Passion Fruit and it was divine.

PS--The prix fixe lunch for $64 does include dessert. There's a harvest menu for $40 that doesn't include dessert and the tasting menus both with and without wines are also offered for much more and more courses.

The wines are quite pricey. I ordered a half bottle of Sancerre and then I had a glass of beaune de venise with dessert and my friend had another glass of white wine. Those drinks doubled the price of the meal(typical of NYC) to about $120/person I think including tax and tip.