Lincoln Ristorante is the latest incarnation of famed restaurateur (and longtime Patina Restaurant Group CEO) Nick Valenti's commitment to bringing the ultimate in culinary experiences to the nation's leading cultural institutions. Lincoln Ristorante combines high-concept design with the impeccable contemporary Italian cuisine of Chef Jonathan Benno. Valenti worked closely with the architectural firm of Diller, Scofidio + Renfro to create the restaurant's unique design featuring glass walls, signature sloping lawn roof and a spectacular view of the reflecting pool and the Henry Moore sculpture. Lincoln Ristorante's environment is both comfortable and refined – with an open kitchen, bar, lounge, two dining rooms and private dining accommodations.
Chef Benno's cuisine emphasizes superior ingredients treated simply and with impeccable technique. Dishes are contemporary and respectful of the regional Italian tradition.
"Had a lovely dinner....Staff very attentive. Only downside was that it was a bit pricey but that goes with the neighborhood I suppose. We really did love it."
Dined on 5/21/2013
Special Features: special occasion
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"Lincoln Ristorante exceeded all of our expectations in every category: great food, service, atmosphere; much more than a pleasant experience; it is outstanding. If you don't like Lincoln you're ubatz and you need to go back the fast food circuit."
Dined on 5/20/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"Very nice albeit expensive Italian restaurant in Lincoln center Rabbit and shrimp appetizers excellent as were the two pastas we had. Great Italian wine list with many reasonably priced options."
Dined on 5/19/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list
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"Lincoln is one of the most amazing restaurants in NYC, but not for it's food. The service is exceptional and the decor & ambiance are unsurpassed. Sipping a cocktail while viewing Lincoln Center & the UWS from any of the three modern dining rooms is truly a wonderful experience. However, the food is not all it's cracked up to be. The soft shell crab appetizer was just okay. It seemed a greasy and unimpressive. The roasted mushroom side was good, but you MUST love garlic. The eggplant parm & gnudi/sausage pasta were both okay, but both red sauces were too acidic. If it's red sauce you crave, it can be had better and cheaper elsewhere. If you want to experience a beautiful restaurant for a special occasion, Lincoln is the place."
Dined on 5/19/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, notable wine list, hot spot, special occasion
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"The food was as disappointing . I had the Rabbit appetizer the only memorable part was the ground Pistachio dollop that was on the plate. We shared the Fra Diavolo pasta with lobster. The latter cooked perfectly but the pasta was too spicy and we were not forewarned. For my main the Duck was nicely prepared and tasty not impressive. Desert was pleasant but overall my experience was disappointing. For a meal for two that although ordered from the price fix menu still managed to cost over 300.00 with two drinks each. The location and layout of the restaurant were very nice. The service was very attentive. As far as a view of the kitchen, the only one I had was as I entered and left the restaurant. My suggestion, try another eatery.."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: scenic view
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"We have never had a disappointing meal at Lincoln, nor even one that was not excellent. On our most recent visit we tried the roasted lamb special and it was among the best lamb dishes we've ever tasted anywhere. My husband loves the mushrooms (small plate) and I started with a delicious soft shell crab. We usually split a pasta as a mid-course and the gigli were marvelous. We were too full for dessert but they offer a selection of sweets with the bill as well as a small biscotti with espresso, so that's plenty. The decor is stunning and there's outdoor dining now that the weather allows it. Just a short stroll to any of the Lincoln Center theaters and they always get you out in time for your curtain."
Dined on 5/17/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, romantic, neighborhood gem
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"We've eaten here several times and have always been very satisfied. However, the tuna entrée was inedible. It was so fatty, which we have never encountered, that it could not be cut and the striped bass was the smallest portion about 2" of the tail end of the fish. We were not charged for the entrees and asked to speak to the manager who never appeared. They did send an extra dessert. Hopefully, it was just a bad night and the management in the kitchen has not changed."
Dined on 5/17/2013
Special Features: romantic, scenic view, special occasion
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"Beautifully set and decorated in Lincoln Center. It was a delectable introduction to cuisine from the Liguria region and a warm yet professional service enhanced the experience. We especially enjoyed the white asparagus, grilled shrimp and the lamb chops, all done to perfection."
Dined on 5/17/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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"Perfectly located at Lincoln Center. Modern , unique venue with creative food. Fresh ingredients prepared in unique way . Portions are perfect to enjoy appetizer , main and dessert.
Save room for dessert!
Really top scale enjoyable evening of dining ."
Dined on 5/13/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, romantic, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"one often feels as if one is being rushed at lincoln center area restaurants, but this is fine dining to match the other fine dining establishments in the rest of the city. AND it has the great advantage of being steps from all of the l.c. events. food is delicious, service is attentive, and the ambiance is lovely. watch out for the pricey wine list, however; you can get a very good bottle of wine elsewhere for what a half-bottle costs here."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic
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"Chose this restaurant as a thank you dinner for a couple well used to NY restaurants. It couldn't have been any better! Beautiful architecture, great service, excellent taste and presentation, including surprise pasta course as gift from chef. Would definitely return to try other dishes. Was most relaxing and pleasurable experience."
Dined on 5/07/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"We have enjoyed Lincoln several times, loved it,, We were saddened to experience such a decline in quality. The setting is terrific. The wait staff, though well selected for looks and earnestness need basic training! the bread server tried to ceremoniously pour the olive oil from an inordinate hight, Of course the olive oil missed, he did wipe the spill. after and during each course the staff would wipe the table and sweep the crumbs into our laps!.our first course: Burrata with faro, cauliflower carrots: totally bland, the Ricotta dumplings on asparagus - bland. The main course: fresh wild Halibut was over cooked and dry, We are sad to report this, however while we may go back, but: never on Sunday!"
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: scenic view
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"Great space, terrific location for Lincoln Center events but uncomfortable combo of fine dinng and pressure of event curtains.
Service is confused; lots of staff bustling around but somehow not coming to your table and no one person who seems to be looking after you. Feeks more llike a new place still getting its act together than one that shoukd be seasoned.
Also, very pricey.
Dont think this would survive without its location"
Dined on 5/02/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list
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"Had a lovely meal at Lincoln prior to a ballet performance. The windows allowed for a beautiful view of the plaza and the inside was full of fresh cut flowers. Food was very good, each of us had fish (branzino, snapper) that was cooked perfectly. Vegetables accompanying the fish were fresh and nicely done - veg portion was small, the fish was the main attraction. The service was excellent - friendly, attentive but not overbearing - also very knowledgeable about the food, which is always helpful. Prices are high and food is too good to be a "grab a bite before a performance" place - more of a "take your time and enjoy a meal" before a performance type place. Will definitely go back."
Dined on 4/30/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion
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"I do not recommend this establishment. The food was simply not up to the high standard I had expected. The staff are excellent, but the menu is overpriced. It's only positive is that it is situated at Lincoln Center."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2008
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"We ate dinner at Lincoln on Friday, April 26 and brunch on Sunday April 28, 2013. Both meals were outstanding. Service was superb and the prices beat anything comparable that we've seen in this location in New York. Absolutely first class!"
Dined on 04/26/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Our observation is that the food lacked some of the innovative elements that one would expect from a high end NYC restaurant these days. We found that the chefs slightly missed the mark on almost everything we were presented. Since the price point is so high, there is really no reason for this. The place is certainly beautiful and lacks for nothing in the kitchen, which is completely on display."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2004
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"We were a group of four and had dinner on 04/27/13 after a matinee at the Met. I had a gamberi and a branzino dish and both were salty. My friend had the passerela which I tasted and it was also salty. However everything was cooked perfectly."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2012
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"Our first time at this gem of a restaurant will certainly not be our last. The food was creatively prepared and delectable and the service was attentive without being intrusive. Perfect location... whether going to a Lincoln Center performance, visiting the city or just live in the neighborhood. Loved it!"
Dined on 04/27/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"Excellent ambience, staff, service, food - all set in a wonderful spot in the middle of Lincoln Center. Open kitchen provides an interesting view when not looking at the glamour outside. Service is excellent by knowledgeable wait staff. Pris fixe is nicely priced, portions are larger than expected, tasty of course. Elegantly honored request to put a birthday candle in my girlfriends dessert (wrote out happy birthday in chocolate too!). Awesome!"
Dined on 04/24/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"The food was tasty, inventive, but way too much salt. The service was attentive. The restaurant itself is stark, modern, somewhat cold. Overall, for the price, you could do better."
Dined on 04/24/2013
2008
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"The ambiance is most inviting and the service truly exceptional. One of my guests does not enjoy drinking alcohol so when others were she said to the waiter 'May l have half a glass of wine?' I was embarrassed but the waiter said of course. I changed it to a 'whole' glass stating I would finish what she left. I have never experienced that accommodation before. Also, after my first course having eaten cocktail food a couple of hours earlier I said to the waiter pack my main course to go. He inquired would I rather cancel it. Now this was 10:30 PM and the kitchen I later learned closes at around that time so I'm sure the dish was already prepared. I declined but was again impressed by that flexibility to please a guest. The food was good."
Dined on 04/22/2013
2010
Special Features: special occasion
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"We are frequent visitors to The Met and enjoy eating at Lincoln before an opera. The food is delicious; the service is super and friendly; the sound is subdued so we can hear each other talk at table. By using Open Table we were able to expand our reservation from two to three to four (as people that we really wanted to dine with returned from travels and we could include them). Far and away our favorite midtown/west side restaurant."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"wehadthebest server named Abigail. she was so knowledgeable on the restaurant and food. I surprised my boyfriend forhisbday and he was so blown away. Can't wait to come back in the summer!"
Dined on 04/20/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"Enjoyed everything about the meal at Lincoln. The space is both sleek and inviting with great views of the Lincoln Center. The service was superb and the waiter was very knowledgeable with the menu and wine pairings. The food was also outstanding, particularly the pasta with peekytoe crab and sea urchin sauce that I tried. It had an incredibly fresh, even citrusy flavor to it. I highly recommend Lincoln, particularly for a special evening out."
Dined on 04/21/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"the service was sooooo slow that night even though it wasn't busy... we were ignored most of the time. I requested a doggie bag for half of my steak for my doggie and they never gave it to me...it was only on the way home that i remembered.... surprising service for such a reputable restaurant... been here many times and this was a first"
Dined on 04/20/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion
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"I brought my elderly relatives to dinner here before the opera, and it was the highlight of the evening. The ligurian cuisine was authentic in flavour but more refined and delicate than the real thing. The service was as warm and friendly as italy, but once again, more attentive and speedy. The setting is modern but comfortable, and a wonderful experience in itself. The food and wine all excellent (i had an exceptional Burrida washed down with a splendid vermentino) and we sailed through our food, petit fours, and coffee, long before we needed to rush to the opera next door. We were even presented with a little doggy bag of chocolates to nibble through the performance, which was the icing on the cake. I will come back."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, scenic view
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"This restaurant has it all: food, decor and service. We love it for dinner and for lunch on the weekend. It is perfect."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Loved our lunch. Food was prepared perfectly and served beautifully and graciously. Though pricey, because of the quality well worth it.
My friend had pasta with mushrooms and veal for an appetizer and I had ricotta dumplings. We shared them and both dishes were delicious. For an entre we both had fish. My friend had the Bronzino and I had the Flounder. Both fish dishes were accompanied with beautiful vegetables that were special. We shared a dessert which was a pistachio and plum tart. We will definitely go back."
Dined on 04/18/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"Gorgeous space and very lovely service but the food was NOT GOOD. Weird flavors, too salty, and expensive. Please fix it: would love to come back and enjoy the wonderful ambiance."
Dined on 04/16/2013
2005
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"Great venue for pre-theater at Lincoln Center but be prepared to pay really high prices for everything -- from appetizers to dessert, wine and coffee! Probably works for people on expense account, but if not for everyday diners! Too bad."
Dined on 04/16/2013
2012
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"We had a great meal at Lincoln before going the opera. It was a great way to start the evening. Our meal was expensive but wonderful- we shared an appetizer, pasta course and desert and had 2 main courses. The standouts were the appetizer, white asparagus, and the pasta - (absolutely wonderful with a veal sauce). We would definitely go back."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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