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Maison Premiere
Categories: Restaurants Seafood Nightlife Bars Wine Bars Restaurants Canadian (Traditional) Seafood, Wine Bars, Canadian (Traditional) [Edit]
298 Bedford Ave(between Grand St & 1st St)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Neighbourhood: Williamsburg - South Side
(347) 335-0446
- Nearest Transit:
-
Bedford Av (L)
Marcy Av (J, M, Z)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 4 pm - 4 am
Sat-Sun 12 pm - 4 am
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sun
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Hipster
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
204 reviews for Maison Premiere
Review Highlights
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"I think we will definetely going back for more oysters." In 96 reviews -
"Still, very impressive absinthe selection." In 44 reviews -
"...of NY, BC and CA oysters; ALL $1 during happy hour." In 13 reviews
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203 reviews in English
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Review from Lindsey T.
Brooklyn, NY
5/7/2012 2 photos
Maison Premiere is without doubt, a new favorite. The moment you step over their threshold, you are transported back into old Paris. Every touch adds to the perfect bivalve ambiance.
Although my tardy dining companion made us too late to enjoy the fabulous happy hour deal ($1/oyster weekdays before 7PM), I was still beyond satisfied with our meal. If you aren't anxious for a table, be sure to loiter around the bar and pounce on the first spot that opens up, as they will serve you molluscs right there.
The boy and I opted for a half dozen Caraquet and another half dozen of the Sewansecott, which were fresh and perfectly prepared. They slid right off the shell and slid down your throat, and the homemade condiments accompanied them wonderfully.
The drink list at Maison is well crafted, and reasonably priced. I started out with a refreshing gin julep (who knew?), and switched over to a crisp glass of Chenin Blanc to wash down my oysters. If you have any questions on which libation is best for you, be sure to ask the knowledgeable and friendly Brian Quinn as he will undoubtedly steer you in the right direction!
Maison Premiere is the first place I've been to in a long time that hasn't used an abundance of citrus to mask the taste of alcohol in their cocktails. Instead they focus on a quality balance of ingredients that make their concoctions dangerously drinkable. I cannot wait to return, as charm of Maison Premiere is intoxicating and addicting. -
Review from Monica M.
WALL STREET, NY
5/24/2012
This is a great place to laze away an entire Saturday.
I happened to be in the neighborhood after sampling goodies at Smorgasburg, and being that it was hot and sunny, I felt the need to have some refreshing cocktails. Though I've not yet made it to New Orleans, Maison Premiere is exactly what I picture old New Orleans to be like. When I say old New Orleans, I want you to imagine a time before air conditioning (because there is none here), where lazy fans oscillate giving little relief to any heat, the bartenders wear vests / suspenders / button-ups and the host / hostesses, wear southern-ish vintage attire, and you are in no hurry to get your food or drinks.
I came in meaning to have just one or two, and five hours later had had a few more than planned. I was drinking off the absinthe menu and didn't come across anything I didn't like. The wonderful thing about it though, was that the bar is beautiful to look at for its charm, the people watching was interesting and the cocktails were quite yummy. I didn't even realize where all the time went. Though as a side note, it does take quite a while to get your order, be it drinks or food.
Judging by the number of couples in the place, I'd say this would make a great date spot . The soft dim lighting, slow laid back attitude, good music, good drinks, and the feeling of being in another place, and perhaps another time, would serve a little romance well. -
Review from Sylvia B.
Manhattan, NY
5/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
short review:
this place needs an AC PRONTO. it's sweltering on a semi-warm day and i can't imagine that being good for the seafood indoors. i didn't like any of the cocktails i tried, even though their bar staff seems very skilled and the bar itself is nicely built and showcased.
the service is also just whatever.
the only reason i give this place 4 stars is because oysters are $1 from 5-7 and they have about 20 different varieites. most places only give you 2-3 options of oysters during happy hour so this was a very welcome change. i can't wait to go back, but i warn everyone that this place fills up QUICK and they also linger forever. i came at 530 on a wednesday and it was PACKED. i guess people don't work anymore?!?! -
Review from Troy K.
Brooklyn, NY
5/15/2012
So having fallen in love with New Orleans (henceforth: Nawlins) this past December, I was excited to try Maison Premiere as the decor and theme of this restaurant is inspired by The Absinthe House in Nawlins. As soon as you walk in, your greeted by a large inclusive bar flanked by a few small tables and likely greeting by a server who will tell you that there is going to be a wait given this restaurant's popularity. The decor and style of the place is very nice and my friend and I were lucky to not have to wait long to pull up a seat at the marble cocktail bar.
The dapper bartender then handed three menus: one for absinthe, cocktails, and, of course, the oyster menu. Personally, I'm not a fan of absinthe but if you are then you should high tail it over here for the selection alone, which I have read is the largest in NYC. The owners even went to great lengths to recreate an infamous absinthe fountain that is found in the original New Orleans establishment and is prominently displayed in the front bar. Over the course of the night, I instead opted for two different cocktails (the Tansy and Chancellor Swizzle), both of which were tasty and well crafted.
Not considering myself an oyster connoisseur by any means, we asked the bartender for his recommendations. He was extremely knowledgeable and descriptive with his choices and he promptly outlined several recommendations based upon what our tastes were. He was also able to help my friend select the proper starters absinthe with relative ease. We ended up trying about 8 different types of oysters with some of the standout choices being the Ram Island, Blue Pool, and Sunset Beach. Most of the oysters range in the $2.50 price range with one or two going above $3 but if you are fortunate to get in during their happy hour (4 - 7pm) you can try a large portion of the menu for $1/oyster.
We didn't have the chance to sample any of the other seafood on the menu but I will definitely be back and hope to get a more full picture of what they have to offer. All and all this place offered a great drinks and amazing food in a classy, yet unpretentious, atmosphere. Eating here only made me want to buy a plane ticket back to Nawlins even more. -
Review from Natalie M.
Brooklyn, NY
5/26/2012
So I totally goofed and missed the happy hour (M-F, 4-7PM) but still couldn't be happier with my experience. Hipster vibe with soft lighting, good jazz music, laid back attitude and an ambiance best described as "romantic'. The outdoor garden seating is gorgeous. We sat at a small table across from the bar and therefore had a perfect venue from which to view the bartenders at work - let me tell you, these folks are meticulous. The mixed drinks are OUT OF THIS WORLD. Oh, and, in case you're in the mood for a brew - make sure to try "Fluffy White Rabbits", it's a new favorite.
-
Review from cassetteject J.
Manhattan, NY
5/24/2012
The service here was abhorrent. Twenty-five-year-olds running the bar apparently means that you'll never get served if you're a 5'2" woman like me. Got a Parliament Julep, which was expensive but very well made (as it should have been considering it took me 15 minutes at the bar to get the bored-looking bartenders' attention).
The atmosphere is pretty terrible, but that's because of the people and not the restaurant itself. Skip this place unless you want to sit for three hours in a hyper self-aware crowd of the painfully hip and rich. -
Review from Brendan A.
Brooklyn, NY
5/22/2012
+ $1 oyster happy hour, huge selection
+ Amazing ambiance, low lighting / speakeasy feel, garden looks amazing
+ Great drink selection and good cocktails
- Super crowded usually, and can be slow
- Cocktails are a bit expensive, not quite top notch -
Review from Vicki L.
Brooklyn, NY
4/16/2012
A place that specializes in oysters brings me a plate of oysters. Four of the oysters have shells in them. Two of the oysters are dead. That leaves me with six sort of fresh oysters. Divide that by the time it took to get a mediocre drink and you get my experience at this place. And a really annoying math problem.
It is a very good looking space but beyond that, no thanks. -
Review from Rebecca M.
Austin, TX
5/17/2012
We arrived on a Monday night and it was packed. We sat off to the side until a couple of spots opened up at the bar. My fiancée ordered one of their specialty beers, I a margarita. The margarita was amazing! The food (a variety of oysters for her, crab legs for me) was outstanding- the server (a British fellow, Milo) was extremely knowledgeable and guided us through the menu and made several outstanding suggestions.
If nothing else, the experience was worth every penny and Milo was simply outstanding. Definitely a huge asset. GO. NOW. Drink, eat, and be merry... Ask for milo. ;) -
Review from Dea B.
WALL STREET, NY
4/18/2012
$1 happy hour Oysters -They were so good and fresh.
We ordered three rounds of 30 oysters with different oyster selection. I couldn't get enough of them. You must check it out, you will not be disappointed. -
Review from John L.
4/1/2012
My go-to oyster joint in the city, even though I live in Manhattan. The $1 oyster options (12+, east & west coast) are legendary, especially when the other $1 happy hour slingers pick a single variety on special. Admittedly, MP no longer gives you access to its full line-up for the $1 special (ends at 7pm), because they must have been hurting giving away Kumamotos at that price.
In addition to the raw bar-gasm scene, the cocktails at MP are amazing and include my current favorite bourbon cocktail, the Frenchmen Roulette (old overholt, wild turkey 101, maraschino, absinthe, creole bitters). Their bourbon list in general is very impressive if you want to rack it up a couple of notches, which lets be clear is exactly what's going to happen once you step inside.
Now MP is so good that it gets bananas crowd-wise of course... so if you're like me and you're blessed enough to own your own business/hours, then go early (5pm is perfect), go often, and get messy. Cocktails, several dozen oysters, possibly a bowl of gumbo, beers, more cocktails, repeat. It should be dark when you finally stumble out in search of a bed or a slice and a few more beers. -
Review from Kiai K.
4/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Wow. $1 oysters? Just saw that in someone else's review. I didn't see that on a Saturday night, but I would definitely go back to take advantage.
The only negative experience at Maison Premiere was the hipster girl who walked out of the WC without washing her hands. At least there was no door knob to handle between the sink and the dining room.
The drinks were very good albeit pricey for this part of town. It's tough to make cocktails like my favorite bartender, Aaron at Jack the Horse Tavern, but the bartender here was very good. He was attentive, acknowledging us even though he was busy with something else.
The oyster selection was fantastic. A-OK plus 1! -
Review from Jason K.
Brooklyn, NY
5/22/2012
Maison Premiere is sort of like the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue restaurant in Disney World, except the waiters are dressed for a 1920s Paris brothel instead of the Old West. If you've been looking to get your water glass filled with a theatrical flourish, this is the place for you. All theme, no restaurant.
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Review from J.W. D.
Manhattan, NY
4/13/2012
As billed, it did not disappoint. Great oysters, huge selection (over 30 that day), great drinks, cool atmosphere.
We had a few varieties...the ones from Maine were my favorite this trip. It's tight and cramped but you should expect that in a place as good as this.
Great drinks, I ordered one of their cocktails from their list which was excellent and I had a chartreuse to finish up. -
Review from Garrett P.
Queens, NY
There are a lot of things that I want to mention about Maison Premiere.
Things like how much fun it is to guess what the person who's washing their hands in the bathroom is going to look like, since you get to look at their shoes/socks while they're in there.
Things like how much the maitre d' wearing the double-breasted suit, or the fans that rotate way too slowly to efficiently circulate air, remind me of New Orleans.
Things like the fact that it takes - appropriately, might I add, since this bar is themed on previously mentioned New Orleans, after all - entirely too long to get your oysters, but that they always show up the moment you're about to start wondering if they forgot about you.
But most of all, I think it's things like a perfectly made Sazerac. Or paying a dollar a piece for a whole bunch of ridiculously fresh and delicious things that look, if I'm being honest, like someone hocked the loogie of the gods into a seashell.
Maison Premiere, I'm in love with you. And I don't care who knows it.Listed in: Watering Holes
-
Review from Lucia F.
Medford, MA
4/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Maison Premiere is a fantastic oyster and drinks venue!
They have a great selection of oysters from all over the United States and Canada. I stuck to oysters from New England (because I knew they would be tasty). My brother ordered the fresh mussel special and declared them the best he had ever tasted.
Aside from the delicious oysters Maison Premiere has an excellent drink menu. The drinks may be a little on the pricey side $11-13, but they pack a punch.
The ambiance at Maison Premiere is very classy, but not in an uptight way (the interior has beautiful tin ceilings). They have a great selection of music playing which I didn't find to be too loud (I hate places where you can't carry on a conversation because of the music)
I can't wait to visit in warmer weather. It looks like there is great garden seating! -
Review from Abhinav L.
Somerset, NJ
5/23/2012
Oysters are amazing here...the variety, freshness and the price.....Imperial Opal cocktail was the best drink ever! After eating about 5 dozen fresh oysters we tried the hot and spicy shrimp gumbo which was really good. The sausage had a great smoky flavor, shrimp just perfectly cooked...the gumbo had a lot of indian spicy curry flavor with cilantro...amazing! This is the best place ever!
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Review from Liz C.
3/7/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Hotel Delmano must be seething.
Williamsburg's once-'premiere' Prohibition-era-styled, raw-bar cocktail parlor room just got re-upped, and one-upped in the similarly noisy form of Maison -ahem- Premiere. This version has got a Bedford Ave address, a helluva lot more oyster options (try twenty!), and a pronounced liquor shtick - absinthe - that's already shown to be a hit with all the insistently quirky neighborhoodlums.
. . .at least you know where to go if you won't tolerate the endless wait at MP. Delmano has absinthe drips too!Listed in: The next stop is Bedford…, Cocksure Cocktails
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Review from Andy H.
New York, NY
3/20/2012
I haven't reviewed on yelp in a long time. I know, a sin.
I went to this place last night by accident. On a monday night, everything closes early and we were looking for late night grub & drinks.
This hit the spot. The seafood platter is incredibly fresh. You know the lobster is great when you don't need sauce to mask or enhance flavors. Really enjoyed the 1 or 2 or 3 whiskeys I had. It was obviously a great night -
Review from Penelope P.
New York, NY
3/12/2012
Heels over head in love with Maison Premiere. Woof.
The whole space is scrumptious, art decorated with SUCH attention to detail, reminded me of Hogsmeade.
I sat at the oyster bar where they shuck the oysters right in front of you. My oyster shucker was really friendly and recommended several different oysters. He also told me and my friend all about oysters... they are such weird creatures! I recommend several Stellar Bays and a delicious absinthe cocktail, The Bachelor.
Yes, there was a huge chunk of a wait, but what do you expect? It was worth it. I'm definitely going back again and again. -
Review from Tara E.
2/15/2012 1 photo
$1 oysters.
Need I say more? $1 OYSTERS. I may or may not have ordered 3 trays.
Throw in some fancy cocktails, absinthe (it's not illegal anymore) and a great old time vibe, and you get a hip and popular bar.
It IS a popular spot, and we did have to wait around for a while before we were seated. Well, wait around was more like hover over people hoping for a spot, as many people were waiting for a few tables, and there didn't seem to be a clear list of who was next. (Some hip hipsters stole the first seats at the bar, despite the fact that we were there first.)
Still. $1. Very worth it.Listed in: New York
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Review from Caroline L.
New York, NY
2/21/2012
Oh, Maison Premiere... don't get sassy.
I met friends for drinks and oysters before we headed to dinner. They arrived before I did because I was stuck at the office. Upon my arrival, the hostess basically snarled at me when I told her that my friends were inside waiting for me. She then had someone actually accompany me to the bar to make sure that my friends were there and added that if there was not a seat for me, I would have to come back outside.
Say what?
The cocktails were okay but unimpressive, given the prices. I am an oyster fanatic and theirs were just fine. But, when it comes down to it, I won't be going back because they need to GET OVER THEMSELVES. Seriously?
Oooh, $1 oyster happy hour. Come on! Lots of bars started offering that deal last summer. Meh. -
Review from Erica J.
2/21/2012
With the same owners as Le Barricou, I figured Maison Premiere would be a pretty solid choice. It's fairly busy at all hours; especially late, but the space is well thought out with tables in the back and an extensive bar that spans nearly the entire length of the room. The cocktails here are done very well, though I find most that exist on the menu are fairly sweet. Maison boasts an extensive absinthe list and plenty of wine as well. The oyster offerings here are vast; there are plenty to choose from hailing from various regions. Seafood is the only offering here, but the Maison Plateau consists of of enough crab, mussels, lobster, oysters, and shrimp to make an ample dinner to share (unless you really need your daily veggie servings).
Take note of the vintage pull-handle toilets in the bathroom; they add to the vintage-French vibe of the whole space. -
Review from Adam C.
2/10/2012
For the space alone, MP is hands-down five stars. It's achingly cool, romantic, and feels like a trip to 1800's New Orleans or Paris. Even if your go-to cocktail is a vodkatonic and you think oysters are disgusting, it's still worth a visit just to hang out in the space. And if you're very into cocktails then you already know that this place is highly regarded, and I can report that their originals, particularly the absinthe-related ones, are mostly fabulous and worth checking out.
So what's the issue? More than anything it's that the standard, in nyc, in 2012, is so incredibly high. Amazingly, it's not enough to have great drinks. It's not enough to have a great atmosphere. Plenty of places now offer killer cocktails meticulously prepared by experts. Similarly there are quite literally scores of places that have a sexy low-lit vibe brimming with character. I think what separates the good from the transcendent is ultimately the staff. It goes without saying that the top places have to offer near-flawless service, but, more than anything, the goal is or should be, presumably, to create an overall sense of welcoming and hospitality.
From the doorperson, if there is one, to the crew of bartenders, the approach simply can't be one that projects a vibe of "we don't really care if you're here or not." And unfortunately over several visits that's the vibe I get at MP.
Yes there have been various order mix-ups and inattentiveness. But even those don't bother me as much as the feeling that the crew just isn't into it. As an example, one time on a quiet night a friend and I wanted to branch out a bit and go off-menu, and rather than any back-and-forth they simply threw together the first thing that came to mind and got it over with. I realize this sounds fussy but if it's an off night and there's literally nobody waiting what would be the harm in getting even the remotest sense of the customer's preferences?
I admit, I've been spoiled by the bars here. But apart from being admittedly spoiled rotten I can't see a reason to go back and spend a ton of money on anything less than a great experience. -
Review from Chantal D.
New York, NY
5/13/2012
So adorable, very well-decorated, nice friendly crowd and bartenders, good drinks. Definitely will return!
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Review from Eunice T.
2/2/2012 2 Check-ins Here
My last night in NYC and BF finally takes me to a good oysters place that doesn't want a mortgage for a dozen. ::sad face:: that I will not be frequenting this place again until I come back!
They have the best oyster pricing around that I've found. I'm from the south (Alabama/Louisiana) and was aghast to find out oysters were priced by the shell. WTF? That's expensive yo. But here @ Maison Premiere it's $1 for all kinds of oysters during happy hour, so you can mish mash your oysters & still come out on top with $12. I recommend the Malpeque oysters, Cuttyhunks, Conway Cup--all cold & salty. The Otter Coves are fresh & fruity--kinda odd & delicious.
All of that said, I wouldn't recommend anything else off the menu. We ordered the gumbo which was salty & definitely not gumbo. It was a soup masquerading as gumbo for the price of $12--of which you could just get 12 more oysters. -
Review from Yippy S.
Manhattan, NY
Two hostess- 1 very nice 1 very snobby and demanding. If you've got to scold your coworker don't do it in front of customers looks very bad, poor guy www getting yelled at for no reason. He can't help when people walk in. If you're such a know it all then why did you forget to put my name down?
Not a very big place so the wait will be long. Luckily we got here at 4:02 and we had to wait 15 minutes.
Winter absinthe tastes like licorice but 100% proof =heaven!!
Their oyster selection is average but they have mostly east coast and like 5 from west coast.
Service is slow but worth the wait and their drinks are sooo delightful so be sure to order while waiting.
Loved our waiter by the oyster bar, and these guys shucking oysters have a pretty hard job. Again, the hostess that yelled at her other hostess comes to the oyster bar to tell the 2 oyster shuckers to hurry up but if anyone has ever shucked an oyster it's not that easy.
Overall great place for cocktails and oysters- I love the old New Orleans feel!
Malpeque for those who like sweet and not much ocean flavor or Penn Cove for those who like the salty and Sister Point my all time fav - clean taste. -
Review from Sheena E.
Manhattan, NY
3/16/2012
Fresh oysters and sexy cocktails. My two loves in life. Maison Premiere, you had me at "hello".
Once happy hour ends there's a lull in the line-up--around 7:30. If you're okay paying 3 bucks an oyster instead of 1, this is the time to go. We got in on a Friday no problem. -
Review from Dee H.
Staten Island, NY
2/16/2012
There are oyster bars, then there is MAISON PREMIERE! Swanky, sexy, sensational, spectacular... oh! U get my drift! This restaurant hits all the way around, make no mistake! After meeting there with a dear childhood friend whom, I hadn't seen in years.. we let the good times roll & roll! All under the grand backdrop of this INSANELY vibe-matic delightful star titled.. Le MAISON PREMIERE!
As we devoured 2 trays of wonderfully selected $1 Oysters & chilled Lobster.. during a super packed Valentine Day HH.. I made a vow to make this my One & Only for Oyster's in NYC!!
My Mojito's were incredibly strong and delicious. My GF, being a regular fan of the place, suggested the Absinthe Martini, next week! lol ... I did notice after some time, service was a tad slow (It was Love Day)! Still EVERYTHING was well worth the wait!! Got to take a tour of the courtyard.. it's a seasonal thing. Till next week!! lol -
Review from Bryan T.
1/24/2012
This place is just exceptional- oysters and high end cocktails require attention to detail above all, and that's where these guys excel. The decor is lovely, like stepping back in time, and the staff dress the part. The music is also period correct. But it's they oysters and the incredible absinthe cocktails that really blew my mind. The Imperial Opal was my favorite....Highly highly highly recommend.
Others have commented that the success has gone to the heads of staff here, and I found the opposite to be true. Our server patiently answered questions about the different cocktails, made thoughtful recommendations, gave us tips for nearby restaurants, and as we were leaving the owner approached us to ask how our experience had been. -
Review from Justin W.
Manhattan, NY
2/23/2012
I have no idea what Maison Premiere means in French but it translates to authentic, cool bar in my language. Everything is done right here from the cool Charlie Parker tunes playing in the background, to the dim lighting, to the marble bar and brands of liquor that I've never heard of on the menu. With such a gracefully effortless air of sophistication, it's even more of a testament to the knowledgeable bartenders and owners of this fine establishment that this spot did not seem the least bit pretentious.
Cheers to you, Maison Premiere. You make me want to raise a glass in your honor, eagerly guzzle down a complex mixture of spirits and bitters and lean back with a happy buzz as I appreciate mellow jazz music. -
Review from Dana S.
New York, NY
4/23/2012
Went here on a monday for $1 oyster happy hour. It was packed and a little confusing. You can have a drink at the bar (but maybe not a seat) but you can't order oysters from the bar....Anyway, we waited for our party to arrive and had some very very delicious cocktails. I had an absinthe/snowball kind of thing called an Opalescent or something. It was sooo goood I had 3. Finally we were seated at a very cosy booth in this well decorated and styled restaurant. We had a huge platter of oysters shucked and presented perfectly on a bed of crushed ice. I was kind of hungry for something more substantial than oysters, but there aren't too many other options besides soup. If you want to go for happy hour, I recommend this place, but only if you're prepared to wait. No reservations. And don't forget, it's in Williamsburg, sooooo...be prepared
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Review from Paul T.
Jersey City, NJ
2/5/2012
We went to MP after hearing great things about the place. It was definitely worth the trip from Jersey City. The room and decor is stylish and welcoming. The oysters and absinthe menu is unusual, making MP one of those "only in NY" places.
Five of us split a mammoth sampler platter. Everything was fresh, tasty and beautifully presented, but the bass ceviche was hands-down amazing. We want to return just for that.
As other reviewers have said, the service is slow -- especially the bartender, who was serving patrons who were eating at the bar and also helping us. But our absinthe cocktails were tasty and lovely to look at, so it was worth the wait. After we were seated, our sassy, fun waiter took great care of us and all was well in the world.
All in all, we had a fantastic evening in Williamsburg and look forward to returning to MP soon. -
Review from Tony Z.
Brooklyn, NY
1/7/2012
I believe Maison Premiere is a classic tale of what can happen to people, bars, institutions who began to read their own press.
A week after MP opened I walked in for an after work cocktail. It was obvious the detail and time that the owners and staff invested in this place was to surpass the Casablanca feel. I felt like a time machine had transported me back to Paris circa 1920. I told the bartender who I think was also the manager that I lived across street and he welcomed me by buying me a cocktail. This place was that good.
I would have a drink there every once in a while. When the guy dressed all in black ostensibly in charge of "crowd control" greeted me and my girlfriend I knew what direction the place was headed.
One night I went in for a drink and thecrowd control guy, didn't recognize me and asked me to wait until the place cleared out. I was not with my girlfriend that night I also wasn't a tourist checking out the new oyster bar. I was a customer. That night I spent my money elsewhere.
Christmas night after several drinks at Spike Hill I thought it would be good idea to take two women that I had met visiting from Australia to Maison. Bad idea. We walked in to a half packed bar to hear from the bartender in his most arrogant voice "we are closed". The one thing that made this place special was not what you did do but how you did it. Attitude and ego the death of many establishment with great potential. -
Review from Tony M.
Forest Hills, NY
1/6/2012
It's a solid place if you're craving for oysters and a stiff drink. Happy Hr is from Monday - Friday from 4-7pm, there's a solid selection of oysters for $1. Service can be slow during this time because it seems like everyone is ordering at least 2 dozen for themselves!
Place is legit... i'm going back! -
Review from Ashleigh G.
1/29/2012
This place is so special. The cocktails were phenomenal, and I found my dream drink. The only thing that I don't like about this place is that it's too far away to go every day, because the Carondalet would keep me coming back nightly if possible.
Beefeater, Lime, Lemon, Blossom Honey, Vanilla, and Sea Salt. Swoon!
The staff was friendly and knowledgable, recommending perfect oysters, cocktails, and nearby restaurants when we were ready to pry ourselves away from the delicious drinks to get a full meal.
I'd highly recommend it, and plan on visiting again the next time I'm in the area. -
Review from Aly P.
Brooklyn, NY
2/28/2012
Been here 2x once on a weekend night and it was jammed packed, good luck getting a spot! Just went on a Monday night for their $1 oyster happy hour special. Got there at 5:45 but could not get a table until 6:45, happy hour ends at 7. The wait was a little tedious and sure the place is pretentious, snobby hostess whose cluless.. it's a $14 dollar cocktail bar on bedford.....BUT would I recommend it?? YES.
The oysters we all SUPER fresh (I'm very snobby about that) and have a very nice collection of both East and West Coast. All of them were just a dollar during happy hour! They also had very good clams on half shell (3 different types) that were only $1.35 each........very cheap compares to the usual prices of raw bar!
They had other raw bar selections (chilled lobster/crab, shrimp cocktail also reasonably priced) along with some hot small plates.
Cocktails were also good but then again I'm a sucker for a good swizzle.
If you're curious about this place during happy hour, oysters are worth it. -
Review from Lizz K.
Say what!? Oysters from their entire offering at a $1 each? Where am I.. oyster heaven?! Oh really, not just your run off the mill Malpeques or Blue Points but oh so sweet and delicious Kumamotos? Cucumbery Fanny Bays and buttery Kusshis too? I die..
I'm glad my Yelpers weren't shittin' me when they said Maison Premiere's oyster happy hour with the addition of absinthe cocktails is seriously ecstasy inducing. No longer will I have to settle for happy hours involving the boring, flavorless varieties usually offered but here I get to indulge in my west coast favorites as well as 30+ other oysters from their list - Monday through Friday from 4pm - 7pm. The oysters were cleanly shucked and their flavor profiles on point due to the freshness. Wowie!
The drinks here are potent but honestly I wasn't paying much attention to them. They just helped killed some time while waiting for the oysters to arrive. It's been said that oysters have aphrodisiacal properties. Well, so do killer happy hour deals. I'm sure my pants soiled a little when our tower arrived - http://www.yelp.com/bi....Listed in: I Creamed Myself
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Review from A. B.
San Bruno, CA
4/2/2012
$1 oysters can't be beat anywhere, this place does it with old school style. Order some oysters & try a Absinthe shot. I promise, they won't disappoint...
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Review from Fern M.
Brooklyn, NY
1/3/2012
I've been here a few times - never for this so-called 'oyster happy hour.' Walked in yesterday at around 5:30p - and yes, mind you, it was the Monday after New Year's...
Immediately upon walking in, before even getting the chance to turn my head to see if my friend had arrived already, some hostess with short, slicked back hair blows my mind away (and not to mention, more importantly my good New Years Day mood), by immediately condescendingly spurting out to me, 'You're the first one in to make the place out of capacity but, I mean, I can make an exception for you this time.'
Way to make one feel welcomed, La Maison.
At the the end, my friend who I was waiting for (who, I might add almost wasn't allowed in even though said hostess was aware that I was waiting for her inside) and I had a blast over oysters at Walter Foods where their customer service has ALWAYS been impeccable. They might not have Maison's variety, but who cares, when you're being treated better and not like a number.
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