Orsay. An experience in excellence.

[jacksonvilleconfidential]

Heres our review.

The Duck was delicious.


http://www.jacksonvilleconfidential.com/2008/08/orsay-soft-opening-review.html

[ChriswUfGator]

My South Florida guests kept remarking on the stunning difference in the level of service between the Orsay experience and the finer restaurants of Boca Raton and Miami.  This was nice and reaffirming for Jacksonville.

And Stephen, I will definitely try out Orsay as soon as I'm done with finals. It sounds great, and it's neat that your family history ties into it.

Also, about your friends from South Florida, I used to live down there and can certainly understand their reaction. Restaurant staff down in Miami, and also to an extent Boca, is REALLY something else. I really don't mind that these 30-something year-old perpetual children with barely a high school diploma/GED (if they're lucky) pulling down $18k a year all while sporting Janice Dickinson's attitude are so thoroughly convinced that they're better than me (because after all, everyone IS entitled to their opinion), but ideally they should be a lot better at hiding it.

I've never been talked down to so much in my life as in Miami, and also Boca. I think some of it has to do with the latin culture, but generally society down there is just starting to remind me of crabs in a barrel, all climbing over each other trying to get to the top but never really getting anywhere. Most of the people you interact with aren't very happy, and it comes out in their interactions with you. And ego must be in the water down there.

Good thing I have a sense of humor about it, but I'll tell ya, I doubt I could live in Miami nowadays. I lived in Boca when I was in high school, and it wasn't much better. Customer service is not only dead down there, it's dead, buried, and growing mushrooms. Anyway, Jacksonville has its share of attitude and bad service, but compared to Miami or Boca, JAX really is huge improvement.

[alta]

I am going to put Orsay on the list of places to try.

[Bewler]

Stephendare is right, Orsay is truly the pinnacle of human of achievement. It is not so much a restaurant but rather a majestic force of nature, a phenomenon of Utopian proportions. As you step within the golden glowing aura that is Orsay you will instantly feel all you sins and imperfections disappear and become reborn as a divine being of perfection and flawlessness.

Well that's an exaggeration.

But seriously, Crush and Orsay - Night and Day

Crush's food was beyond overpriced for how unimpressive it was.

And the bartender at Orsay was an absolute wizard. I have yet to find a Manhattan that comes close to rivaling the one I had there.

[Steve]

I will say this - Orsay might be the best cusine in Jacksonville.  I took my mom there for her birthday, and it was trily out of this world.  The prices were a little steep, so it's not an every day place, but I have no problem paying a little more, IF I think the food is worth it.

It definitely is.

[BridgeTroll]

My family dined at Orsay for Christmas Eve dinner.  Wow!

My compliments to the staff.  The hostess was friendly and since we arrived earlier than our reservation was very flexible with seating.  We decided to sit in the back dining room.  Our waiter was outstanding.  Friendly, personable, professional, and most of all... knowledgeable.

My wife ordered a Bellini cocktail and I tried the Ginger Basil Mojito... outstanding!

Appetizers...

I ordered off the raw bar a half dozen west coast oysters. (I prefer cold-water oysters when eating them raw) When I asked what kind they were he produced a list of the fresh west coast oysters.  I selected the ones from British Columbia.  Delicious!

My wife and daughter shared the Calamari sauté.  It was also very good.

Warm sliced baguette was served prior to the appetizers and kept coming throughout the entire meal as needed.

Entrees...

My wife chose the Carolina trout.  I always cringe just a bit when she orders fish… I have seen more than one plate returned to the kitchen!  The entrée stayed… it was perfectly cooked and surrounded by a light but flavorful sauce.  At the end of the meal only the skin remained…

My daughter chose the Steak Frites.  I recommend this dish for the less adventuresome.  The steak was prepared perfectly and the sauce was amazing.  The frites are hand cut and are accompanied with a garlic aioli.

I chose the Duck breast I have heard so much about…  now I understand why.  It was perfectly prepared and very flavorful.

I was quite surprised with portion size.  Often higher end restaurants try to impress with extremely small portions.  We found the portions ample.

Deserts…

We shared deserts of Crème Brulee and the Trio of House made Ice Cream.  The festive flavors last night were… Egg nog, Peppermint, and Gingerbread.

We had a great experience last night and will be heartily recommending Orsay to friends and family.

My compliments to the wait staff, kitchen staff, chef, management, and owners…

[ac]

I took my wife to Orsay last Tuesday (12/30) for our anniversary.  I decided on the restaurant based on the recommendations in this thread, and because my wife had been to Chew on her own and enjoyed it.  I was very impressed and pleased with the experience.

I used the online reservation form.  It was a smooth and easy process.  The option to order flowers for delivery to the restaurant was a nice touch as well, one that I took advantage of.

We started with the pate du jour, a duck liver pate, accompanied by a fig (I think) and mixed greens.  I don't recall what else was in it,  because I'm admittedly not a foodie, and when a list of ingredients gets thrown out there--try as I might to prevent it--my eyes just glaze over.  It's involuntary.  It wouldn't have mattered to know what I was tasting beyond the liver anyway, because I'm pretty sure my palate is made of pine bark. 

*Edit-  I realized in my attempt to be funny, I made it appear I didn't enjoy the pate:  I did.  It was very good.*

I had the duck breast.  We were told it's the most popular item on the menu, and for good reason.  It was amazing.

My wife had the cassoulet with duck leg confit (not on the online menu).  I only had a bite, but it was just as good.

We finished with the vanilla bean creme brulee and the trio of homemade ice creams (still peppermint, eggnog, and gingerbread).  The creme brulee was great, but the ice cream was the big winner.  The peppermint flavor was probably our favorite.

I also can't say enough about the service.  Our server was very attentive, although I didn't think so at first;  keep reading, I'll explain. 

I first thought our service appeared to be just a bit slow.  Not horribly so--we never had to flag her down and ask for anything--but noticeably enough that a handful of times I wondered to myself where she was.  I was aware that wait staff for nicer restaurants are typically less in-your-face, but this was different; not unfriendly or aloof, but just a little off.   

In the end, it became clear she was giving us some additional space because of the occasion, and was trying to be as inobtrusive as possible.

That's the kicker; I had never mentioned the fact that it was our anniversary dinner.  I'm sure the flowers tipped her off just a little, but she must have overheard us at some point because it never came up in conversation with her.  After she presented the check and I forked over my card, she returned with the slip to sign and mentioned that one of our desserts would be comped for our anniversary.  The realization of what she was doing all night finally dawned on me.  I felt like an ass, but thankful I didn't voice any complaint, and made sure to tip well.

Thanks to everyone who recommended the place.  We're now deciding when to go back!

[BridgeTroll]

Bravo!

[stephElf]

Ate there last night. A+

full review here if anyone is interested

http://reviewjax.blogspot.com/2009/01/orsay.html