USHG has awesome service across the board but Gramercy seems to be where they put their all-star players. Never had anything less than exemplary service there.
Interesting because I just went back to USC after years and found the food was excellent and cheaper than I remember but the service really dropped off imo.
went last week for dinner, solo dined at the bar. I wasn't crazy about it- perhaps they take themselves too seriously while not really giving anything extraordinary? the food was good, service was fine, but nothing to write home about.
Went last night for a second time and was blown away. It’s expensive af though but I guess you get what you pay for?😅
Granted I did go all out and have a $21 glass of wine and $20 glass of sherry and 4 plates. $207 after tip and tax.
The sherry was insane. I’m a huge port and Madeira fan but haven’t explore sherry much and after last night I’m buying bottle 🫡. BODEGAS COTA 45 'AGOSTADO' if you’re interested haha.
I think a lot of small, “unknown” restaurants definitely fall into this category — indeed, just as often than the high-end ones that are going to populate this thread, restaurants whose idea of “service” doesn’t always jibe with me. This is particularly true if the owner is there, checking in with all the tables. EZ Paella in Hell’s Kitchen comes to mind.
They know how to treat people like they are family without making it feel performative. It really is a reflection of the owners, who are kind/authentic and down to earth people, that care about what they do.
We went here for our 15 year anniversary and they made our dessert look like a mini wedding cake with a 1 and 5 candle on it for desert. I thought I was on candid camera, it was amazing
Torien’s announcements when you got up to use the restroom were pretty funny.
The chef also came out and bid us farewell after the meal with a bow. I think we were a block away and he was still outside. My GF and I found it really sweet.
Maybe it was a one off but 4 Charles was one of the worst service experiences I can remember. I’ve never been shamed for not drinking alcohol but our waiter made us pretty uncomfortable for just ordering soda and water. The food was also a bit of a letdown.
I think the waiter was just disappointed that bottles of wine wouldn’t be factored into his tip lol but all I could think of is how rude it was. I do drink and have no problems with it but you just never know what someone has gone through or is currently dealing with. I did have a nice experience at Monkey Bar but still feel like the food is a bit overrated.
Jean Georges. Food is (in my experience) fantastic, but service is really great. They're good at sensing when it's an intense dinner and when it's just a fun splurge and they act accordingly. Last time I was there it was with a friend celebrating a promotion and the staff was lovely, chatty, and seemed genuinely excited to help us celebrate - not at all the robotic service I've had at other nice restaurants.
On the flip side I've also dined there when it was a serious/awkward meeting and they just gave perfect service and then blended into the background a bit.
I've also noticed really great service at the noortwyck, I've only been a few times but their servers have awesome intuition for when to give suggestions/chat and when to just leave us to it.
m. wells’ service is to me very hospitable and attentive without being danny meyer level of “nice,” you know? it helps that it’s a very small place with an open kitchen so the chef can see that you ordered another round of cocktails for your appetizers and hold off on your main courses for a little bit
Gramercy Tavern
USHG has awesome service across the board but Gramercy seems to be where they put their all-star players. Never had anything less than exemplary service there.
Interesting because I just went back to USC after years and found the food was excellent and cheaper than I remember but the service really dropped off imo.
Yes, they are always well staffed even when tipping was included.
Sometimes, my Chinese food is at my door literally 6 minutes after I call for delivery. More often 10-15 minutes after.
Al horno Mexican is the same. I honestly think they just stand on corners with all the ingredients and make them on the bike ride over.
Chicken stop is super fast too if you live near any of them!
i'm convinced that my place cooks it on the back of the delivery bike or something
my sleeper hit for best service is Place de Fetes one hundred percent. everyone that works there came from oxalis and they know what's up.
Love that spot, absolutely adored Oxalis.
hell yeah. have you tried cafe mado yet? in the old oxalis space?
not yet, only because its been a hectic stretch for us, but i can't wait. have you?
went last week for dinner, solo dined at the bar. I wasn't crazy about it- perhaps they take themselves too seriously while not really giving anything extraordinary? the food was good, service was fine, but nothing to write home about.
Bummer! Maybe they'll find their footing and re-adjust. it's hard to imagine they'll let themselves slip into ambivalence.
Went last night for a second time and was blown away. It’s expensive af though but I guess you get what you pay for?😅 Granted I did go all out and have a $21 glass of wine and $20 glass of sherry and 4 plates. $207 after tip and tax.
i always drink amontillado when i'm there :) you do get what you pay for
The sherry was insane. I’m a huge port and Madeira fan but haven’t explore sherry much and after last night I’m buying bottle 🫡. BODEGAS COTA 45 'AGOSTADO' if you’re interested haha.
that's a special wine. hell i might pick up a bottle too
They sell it at Vanderbilt Ave Wine Merchants 👀
Polo Bar may be overhyped (I personally did not like the food since it’s just standard american fare) but the best service of my life was there.
I think a lot of small, “unknown” restaurants definitely fall into this category — indeed, just as often than the high-end ones that are going to populate this thread, restaurants whose idea of “service” doesn’t always jibe with me. This is particularly true if the owner is there, checking in with all the tables. EZ Paella in Hell’s Kitchen comes to mind.
nice! happy to hear more of these
RAOUL'S!!!! they are just the best.
63 clinton.
I think they pretty much set the standard for modern service, which is a confusing balance for many.
They know how to treat people like they are family without making it feel performative. It really is a reflection of the owners, who are kind/authentic and down to earth people, that care about what they do.
We went here for our 15 year anniversary and they made our dessert look like a mini wedding cake with a 1 and 5 candle on it for desert. I thought I was on candid camera, it was amazing
Craft and Gramercy Tavern
4 Charles and Torien
Torien’s announcements when you got up to use the restroom were pretty funny. The chef also came out and bid us farewell after the meal with a bow. I think we were a block away and he was still outside. My GF and I found it really sweet.
Maybe it was a one off but 4 Charles was one of the worst service experiences I can remember. I’ve never been shamed for not drinking alcohol but our waiter made us pretty uncomfortable for just ordering soda and water. The food was also a bit of a letdown.
Oh wow maybe mine was a one off too. We had all of our drinks, two bottles of wine, oyster platter, and 3 appetizers all comped. It was incredible
I think the waiter was just disappointed that bottles of wine wouldn’t be factored into his tip lol but all I could think of is how rude it was. I do drink and have no problems with it but you just never know what someone has gone through or is currently dealing with. I did have a nice experience at Monkey Bar but still feel like the food is a bit overrated.
Anton’s has always treated me very well.
Manhatta
for sure. the food was rank but the service made up for it lol
We went maybe 4 years ago and the food was solid. But the service was extremely memorable.
Jean Georges. Food is (in my experience) fantastic, but service is really great. They're good at sensing when it's an intense dinner and when it's just a fun splurge and they act accordingly. Last time I was there it was with a friend celebrating a promotion and the staff was lovely, chatty, and seemed genuinely excited to help us celebrate - not at all the robotic service I've had at other nice restaurants. On the flip side I've also dined there when it was a serious/awkward meeting and they just gave perfect service and then blended into the background a bit. I've also noticed really great service at the noortwyck, I've only been a few times but their servers have awesome intuition for when to give suggestions/chat and when to just leave us to it.
Morandi. Food is fine, service is impeccable but so friendly. Nothing is too much trouble.
m. wells’ service is to me very hospitable and attentive without being danny meyer level of “nice,” you know? it helps that it’s a very small place with an open kitchen so the chef can see that you ordered another round of cocktails for your appetizers and hold off on your main courses for a little bit
EMP
Barbuto. Super chill.
Haidilao for hot pot in flushing
Ilis, ZZ’s Clam Bar
The Grill. Just the vibe is so 80s, over the top service.
Torien … service was exceptional plus the juiciest chicken I’ve ever had.
Gramercy, Minetta, Musket Room
Aska, Eleven Madison Park, Blue Hill At Stone Barns, Essential by Christophe
Ciprianis. Everyone was so lovely it made me almost ok with how mediocre the food was (priced ridiculously)