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63 Clinton
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
63 Clinton
8.8
63 Clinton is an intimate tasting menu restaurant where chef Samuel Clonts channels fine-dining technique into a tightly choreographed progression of seasonal plates. The space feels low-key and neighborhood-facing, but the cooking and wine service land firmly in special-occasion territory.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast taco with optional uni, Caviar hand roll, Arroz de mariscos with langoustine
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 9.1
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A Michelin-starred, chef-led tasting menu that feels refined yet unpretentious.
Who should go: Dinosaurs of fine dining who love intimate tasting rooms.
When to visit: Prime dinner seatings or later midweek reservations.
What to order: Trust the set menu; add caviar hand roll and uni taco.
Insider tip: Ask for a counter or bar seat if you enjoy watching the kitchen at work.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited on Clinton Street; expect metered spots to be scarce after 6pm. No valet or dedicated lot—rideshare is strongly recommended.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning upscale. Dark denim is fine, but most diners opt for elevated pieces given the tasting-menu format.
Noise level: Low to moderate. The small room and controlled pacing make it easy to hold intimate conversations.
Weekend wait: Reservations are essential; walk-ins are rarely seated. Without one, expect to be turned away.
Weekday lunch: No lunch service is offered.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Vegetarian accommodations are available with advance notice; the team can adjust the tasting progression.
Vegan options: Very limited—vegan requests may not be accommodated due to the menu’s reliance on dairy, seafood, and refined sauces.
Gluten-free options: Gluten-free adjustments are possible with notice, though certain dishes may be replaced to preserve menu flow.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—its intimate size, thoughtful pacing, and polished service create an ideal environment for meaningful conversation without formality overpowering the mood.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Unlikely. As a Michelin-starred tasting room with limited seating, reservations book out early, and walk-ins are rarely taken. Check for last-minute cancellations on weeknights.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal. The multi-course tasting menu, slow pacing, and quiet room are better suited for adults or teens experienced with fine dining.
Best For
Better for: Refined tasting menus in an intimate, neighborhood-scale setting—perfect for diners who want Michelin-level cooking without the theatrics or stiffness of larger fine-dining rooms.
Skip if: You prefer à la carte flexibility, have strict vegan requirements, or want a lively, high-energy dining room.
63 Clinton
8.8
63 Clinton is a one-star Michelin tasting menu on the Lower East Side where chef Sam Clonts serves a tightly choreographed seven-course progression at both tables and a chef-facing bar counter. The experience leans intimate and quietly theatrical, with precise plates and a front-of-house team that keeps the room relaxed instead of stiff.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast taco with ajitama egg, salsa verde and trout roe, Smoked hamachi with fresh wasabi and herbs, Berkshire pork short rib with seasonal vegetables
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: A one-star Michelin chef’s counter tasting menu in a compact, quietly polished room.
Who should go: Tasting-menu fans who like intimate, chef-focused experiences.
When to visit: Prime evening seatings for the full tasting and wine pairings.
What to order: Seven-course menu, breakfast taco, optional caviar hand roll.
Insider tip: Request seats at the bar counter if you want the most immersive chef’s table feel.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Clinton and surrounding LES blocks is limited after 6pm; no valet. Best to use nearby garages on Delancey or Essex (5–7 minute walk).
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy. Most guests wear elevated pieces—dark denim or trousers with a button-down or sleek top. No formalwear required.
Noise level: Low to moderate. The room is intimate and controlled, making it easy to hold a relaxed conversation even at peak hours.
Weekend wait: No walk-in availability. Reservations required; any cancellations get claimed immediately.
Weekday lunch: No lunch service offered.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—advance notice required. The kitchen can adapt several courses into a cohesive vegetarian tasting.
Vegan options: Very limited. Vegan adaptations may not be possible for every course; email ahead to confirm feasibility.
Gluten-free options: Yes—gluten-free adjustments are usually available with advance notice, though a few courses may require substitutions.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—if your first date is meant to feel elevated and intimate. The chef’s table pacing and soft lighting create a focused, conversational environment, though the multi-course format is better suited for a planned, sit-down evening rather than a casual get-to-know-you.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Unlikely. The space is tiny and tasting-menu only, so walk-ins are extremely rare. Set up Resy alerts and monitor day-of cancellations, especially after 2pm.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children. The long, quiet tasting format suits adults and older teens who enjoy multi-course dining. No children’s menu or space for strollers.
Best For
Better for: Chef interaction, intimate pacing, and a precise yet relaxed Michelin-level tasting without the stiffness of larger fine-dining rooms.
Skip if: You prefer à la carte flexibility, have strict vegan requirements, or want a louder, high-energy night out—other LES spots may better match those needs.
63 Clinton
8.8
63 Clinton is a Michelin-starred, seasonal American tasting-menu restaurant from chef Sam Clonts, pairing market-driven ingredients with globally inflected plates. The compact dining room and bar counter keep the experience intimate while the seven-course menu changes frequently to track what’s best from farms and fisheries.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast Taco with ajitama egg and trout roe, Spring Congee, Miyazaki Wagyu Ribeye
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8.9
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: A one-star Michelin tasting menu built around seasonal, market-driven plates.
Who should go: Tasting-menu fans who want refined but relaxed Lower East Side dining.
When to visit: Evening reservations for the full seven-course menu and wine pairings.
What to order: Set tasting menu, breakfast taco, seasonal congee or pasta course.
Insider tip: Ask for a counter seat if you like watching the kitchen plate each course.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited on Clinton Street; arrive early or use nearby paid garages on Delancey or Essex.
Dress code: Smart casual with a polished edge; dark denim is fine, but most diners lean elevated.
Noise level: Moderate; intimate enough for conversation but with the ambient hum of a small LES dining room.
Weekend wait: Reservations are essential; walk-ins may wait 45–75 minutes for counter seats, if accepted at all.
Weekday lunch: Lunch service is not standard; dinner-only format means no daytime wait times.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Possible with notice; the kitchen can modify several courses for a cohesive vegetarian tasting.
Vegan options: Very limited; vegan adaptations are challenging due to dairy- and egg-based components.
Gluten-free options: Accommodated with advance notice; the kitchen can adjust portions of the tasting menu to avoid gluten.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—its intimate room, slow pacing, and thoughtful plating make it ideal for a refined first date where conversation matters.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possibly at the counter on quieter weeknights, but most nights require reservations due to the small dining room and set tasting format.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly; the tasting-menu format and compact room are better suited for adults or older teens comfortable with longer meals.
Best For
Better for: A tightly curated, chef-driven tasting experience that feels high-end without the stiffness of traditional fine dining.
Skip if: You want à la carte flexibility, large-group seating, or a quick, casual meal.
63 Clinton
8.8
63 Clinton is a 24-seat Michelin-starred tasting menu restaurant where chef Sam Clonts builds a seven-course progression of seasonal, globally inflected dishes in an intimate Lower East Side room. The experience feels polished but relaxed, with a bar counter that brings you close to the kitchen and a menu that changes often enough to reward repeat visits.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast taco with ajitama egg, salsa verde, and trout roe, Seasonal fish course with market vegetables, Optional caviar hand roll add-on
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: A tightly choreographed, chef-driven seven-course tasting menu in a compact Michelin-starred dining room.
Who should go: Tasting-menu fans who like intimate, chef-focused dining.
When to visit: Prime dinner seatings Tuesday–Saturday for full experience.
What to order: Let the seasonal tasting run; add breakfast taco and caviar hand roll.
Insider tip: Ask for a counter seat if you enjoy watching the kitchen plate each course.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Clinton, Rivington, and Stanton is limited at night; plan for nearby garages on Delancey or Essex.
Dress code: Smart casual with a polished edge; sweaters, button-downs, and elevated denim all fit the room’s refined feel.
Noise level: Moderate; the small room keeps conversation easy, especially at the counter.
Weekend wait: Reservations are essential; walk-ins are rarely taken and waitlist times can stretch 60–90 minutes when available.
Weekday lunch: No lunch service offered.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Possible with advance notice; the kitchen can adjust several courses but does not offer a separate vegetarian tasting nightly.
Vegan options: Very limited; the format leans heavily on dairy, eggs, and seafood—vegans should call ahead and expect constraints.
Gluten-free options: Generally accommodating with prior notice; many courses can be adapted, and the staff handles modifications carefully.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—if you want something intimate and memorable. The seven-course pacing encourages conversation without feeling overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Unlikely. The 24-seat room books out early, and walk-in spots appear only when there are last-minute cancellations.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children; the tasting-menu format and quiet room suit adults or older teens who enjoy extended dining.
Best For
Better for: Precision-driven tasting menus in a small, Michelin-caliber setting where you can watch the kitchen work up close.
Skip if: You prefer à la carte flexibility, need a vegan-focused menu, or want a louder, more casual downtown dinner.