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Categories: American (Traditional), Lounges [Edit]
Neighborhood: Midtown EastReceive a complimentary cocktail for you and your guests when you dine at '21' thru Nov 30 Visit http://21club.com/yelp for reservations.
5th Ave-53rd St (E, V)
47-50th Sts-Rockefeller Center (B, D, F, V)
Lexington-3rd Aves-51st St (6, E, V)
Mon-Fri. 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Mon-Fri. 5:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sat. 5:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
"Pretty darn good Indian food. I had the chicken tikka masala, samosas, chicken vindaloo, vegetable korma, palak paneer, and garlic naan.…" read more »
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Ummm...uhhhh...errrrr. I am not sure where to start, besides this place categorically is awesomeness personified. This is an NYC dining landmark. Don't let your hipster friends tell you that 21 is for old people and that you should never go to a restaurant north of 14th street. Your friends are idiots. Yes, you need to be dressed up (jacket, no tie), and yes, the clientele average age is that of your parents, but who cares?
The service is phenomenal. They treat you like you are very important, even if you are not. It reminds me more of a private club than a restaurant opened to the public.
Make sure you arrive early for your reservation, so you can go sit in a comfy club chair or on a sofa in the lounge and have a relaxing pre-dinner cocktail, before being seated at your table.
I recommend sitting in the famous Bar Room for dinner. It is on the first floor, has low ceilings, with toys hanging from the ceiling, and is always quite busy. The place just oozes charm and ambiance.
When at the table, they have a great sommelier who can help with the mammoth wine list. I always get the sirloin, which is delicious and my wife gets the steak tartare. Their tartare is considered to be the best in the city. They make it to order (spicy, mild, etc.) table-side. It is cool to watch them make the dish for you in the dining room. As I said earlier, the service is great, especially in the dining room. We went there for my wife's birthday once and they brought us two comped glassed of champagne and said "every girl should have champagne on her birthday". That is service!
If you are a wall streeter or an NYC movie buff, ask for table 3. Table 3 is where Gordon Gekko sat with Charlie Sheen for the lunch scene in the movie "Wall Street".
Go to 21 for the history. Or, if you are visiting NYC on vaca. Or, just out of curiosity to see the place where Presidents, Masters of the Universe, and movie stars (mostly of yore) dined.
And oh yeah, I hear Carrie Bradshaw once ate there with Mr. Big!
Aside from the caviar and the burger, everything is rather bland and uninspired. The service can be described as polite disinterest (perfect wait staff in my humble opinion), and they have a very knowledgable sommelier and an extensive wine list. However, if you have ever had fine dining experience, you would walk out feeling a litle disappointed.
Please be kind and tip the washroom and coat check attendants.
PS: best way to deal with snooty hostesses, maitre d' and waiters is to speak politely and slowly. Smile slightly with your eyes only or not at all. Do not be rude, but do NOT be overly familiar, grin like a happy asshole, or look intimidated else they will treat you like garbage. If you can affect a English accent, they will worship you!
21 Club where to begin. Set up reservations in the upstairs dining room, in search of an intimate dining experience for the girlfriend's birthday. After a cab ride and a short walk we had finally arrived. The exterior of the restaurant is rather auspicious, the front door flanked by lanterns and polo playing jockeys (Horse not water).
We were immediately whisked into the upper dining room, after a brief stop at the coat check. This place was immaculate to say the least, with each staff member more accommodating than the last. We were seated in the dining room, which has room for only approx 20 patrons, and is as intimate as you can find outside of your own living room.
Our menus were promptly handed to us, along with one of the most extensive wine lists I have ever received (read over 100 pages). We were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of wines, but luckily our handy sommelier was able to provide assistance. I can not say enough about this individuals knowledge, customer service, and overall willingness to help (He made the night magical). We started with a bottle of red, which post cork smelling and minimal tasting, was served to us in a way I can not describe, by the sommelier (you have to go to see it).
On to the food. The upstairs dining room is pre-fixe only 3 course (70$ a head). I started with the lobster bisque, and she started with the crab cake. Lets just say that they do not skimp on the serving sizes. The bisque was creamy and rich balanced wonderfully by a hint of sherry without being over powering. The large chunks of lobster were succulent and abundant throughout the large bowl. The crab cakes were more like lump crab patties, as the filling was extremely minimal, but the flavor was powerful. Served as an appetizer but could potentially be a meal at any other restaurant given the size.
Entrees: I had the NY strip she had the Salmon. I must say this steak is in my top 3 of all time. Dry aged, perfectly marbled, grilled to medium rare perfection. Seasoned only with S&P, no other condiments were required (read melt in your mouth good). Came with a side of broccoli, and fingerling potatoes. Sides were delicious as well, but the steak is the main attraction here. The salmon was also masterfully grilled, accompanied by a light butter sauce. Again portions are much larger than your classic small plate French restaurants, which was a pleasant surprise given the cost of the meal.
Dessert: I had the "smores" and she had the apple crumb? Can hardly remember dessert as we were a bottle deep and I was half way into my food coma by then. Needless to say dessert was delicious, be it slightly unnecessary after such a rich meal.
All in all this was one of the most fantastic dining experiences of my life. The staff was AMAZING and so was my company that evening. I consider our $280 bill to be a bargain for the memory that will last a lifetime.
The burgers are really good here. Special sauce, YUM!
The alcohol is also good. They don't skimp out. =)
I ate a lot, so depending on what it was, taste-wise, dishes ranged between a 3 or a 4. The burgers are scrumptious. The shrimps on a stick were also worthy. Mashed potatoes a delight. Ordered the salmon as the main course and it was fresh and good, but lacked that extra zing/spark/love-at-first-bite. Desert was good, a scoop of ice cream on top of a cake-like square. Caesar salad was good, but had too much cheese for my taste. But it was by far one of my faves, after the burger. mmm.
Decor of the place is very traditional, nice, old-school. Quiet, intimate setting, great lighting, very cozy. Good for large groups or small dinner dates. Atmosphere is amazing. Million dollar deals were definitely done here in the pre-inflation days. Have not been to the infamous wine cellar, but heard good stories. Waitstaff were extremely friendly, but could tact could have been better. As in, you actually notice them putting things in front of you and when things get taken away. But, they are really cute and adorable so you don't really mind too much.
21 is what it is supposed to be, always solid, always "old school." Yes there are better, yes there are more innovative restaurants. However, you always get a proper NY meal at 21.
The glamor has definitely faded, the first impression walking into the renowned 21 Club where Barbara Walters was taken for her earlier dates, was that the service was less than stellar.
Perhaps it's because we looked like a group of young kids (albeit all professionals) the maitre d' kept repeating my name as if I made it up. For any service industry to allow such condescending attitude is beyond me.
I had the Restaurant Week menu, the calamari appetizer, the pork entree and crème brulée. Not only was the food bland, the pork was tasteless and dry.
To top it off, 2 different waiters bumped into MY HEAD. Could it be because the restaurant was too dimly lit? Or because the waiters were so old they can't see? In any case, I was less than impressed after having had my brain shook unnecessarily.
21 Club has no reason to impress me or my guests, other than the fact I have at another 30 or 40 years to savor good food at other more welcoming restaurants with better food.
Delmonico in the financial district has a similar rep, yet they managed to make me feel weclomed AND had soft juicy tasty filet mignon for their restaurant week menu. Now, guess which one I'll go back for more?
So, we fell in love on a numerically interesting date, and hence all anniversaries and special occasion dinners must be at a resto with numbers in the name. Hokey? yes.
I have been to 21 for lunch and drinks, but dinner there was especially wonderful. The food was great. I had fois gras and game, N had a perfect filet mignon.
Service was incredible. The front of the room seemed to take pleasure in our happiness together and went out of their way to make our experience even better.
The walls speak history, and while the decor may not be for everyone, it was perfectly suited for a place where big deals are hammered out and alliances are forged everyday.
The sound in the room is amazing: there is none. Even with diners(little kids!) sitting nearby all around, you could not overhear a single conversation. Loved it!
the place was soooooo cute. You should definitely try 21 Club. Since it's so expensive, you should go for restaurant week. I ordered the risotto for my entree, and it wasn't really that great. But the other stuff like pork chop and the market fish was/seemed REALLY good. And their desserts were omg yummy. My friend ordered the creme brulee and i got the chocolate caramel cake. They were both sweet enough to be desserts but not too sweet that you'd get a stomach ache. it was absolutely deliciously perfect! And for our appetizers (haha sorry im working backwards..) my friend got the tartare and i got the soup. Both were so delicious. It was simple but sooo delicious.
and the atmosphere was really good. Even during lunch people seemed alive. And my friend and I eat really slowly so we stayed for about two hours and they didnt kick us out or anything. The waiters were super attentive and nice.
They bathroom was really cute and comfortable. And the lounge was sophisticated. it was great. you should try it! seriously.
p.s. they have really cute matches!
This was my fourth dining during the restaurants week.
Food was good but the service was terrible. Contain was okay but the busboy was very rude. Two ladies set next to us. They came before us. She got the bill when she asked for it. When we just finished desserts, the busboy put the bill on our table. It sounded he couldn't wait to kick us out. I guess they didn't welcome Asian. I don't think we will come back again.
I came to celebrate my birthday with my family and I have to say it was one of the best birthday dinners to date. The waiters were very nice and helpful and the food was perfection. I love trying new foods and I am very much a carnivore and their game sampler hit the nail on the head. Also, props to the creme brulee... even the wine was exceptional! Everyone left satisfied and with a smile on their face - I definitely recommend this place!
When I was younger, my father told me that when I turned 21, he would take me to one of his old haunts in the city - the 21 Club. Well, that particular father-daughter date never panned out, and now, at the ripe old age of 24, I figured it was about time to take matters into my own hands and go see what this place was all about.
Three friends and I donned heels and black dresses for our evening dinner (who doesn't love having to get dressed up?!) and, arriving a little early, were greeted warmly by two gentlemen. After checking our coats, we were ushered into a waiting lounge, where we perused an extensive list of signature and classic cocktails ($15 a shot) and read about the 21 Club's legendary history, starting as a glamorous speakeasy in the times of prohibition. Our reservation was for 8:15, and we were prompted seated by 8:25 - not too bad.
We ate in the Bar Room, at a table which, according to a plaque behind us, was Bogart's old table of choice. Considering the old world, white gloved charm of 21, this particular room seems a bit incongruous to the rest of the restaurant. But it worked. Antique toys and charms and sporting gear hung from the ceiling. I was thankful for this more casual feel to balance out everything else to prevent a feeling of stuffiness.
First order of business - WINE. To say the wine list is extensive would be an understatement. There are 82 pages to choose from, ranging from $30 to $3,000+, including (thankfully) a few pages dedicated to the money conscious crowd - bottles at $60 and under. The wine sommelier (he was hilarious) suggested a phenomenal Hungarian white (Oremus Dry Tokaji "Mandolas" , which is the basis of the dessert wine Tokaji). Delicious.
For dinner, I ordered the salmon gravlax to start, the red wine braised beef as the main, and the chocolate mousse cake for dessert. My goodness - everything was exquisitely prepared. I was in culinary heaven. I also was able to sample the chicken tortilla soup from one of my friends, as well as the salmon (main course) and creme brulee. Divine, divine, divine.
The exceptional food was only heightened by the phenomenal waitstaff. Attentive to every detail, prompt, courteous - everything you would hope for in a fine dining experience.
I know understand why 21 Club has such a revered reputation. Get here if and when you can!
The statues surrounding the entrance to the restaurant are adorable, and once you step inside it's as if you are in another era. My colleagues and I also had fun going to their website beforehand to check out who has eaten there (they have a restaurant map detailing the famous people that have sat at their tables).
This place does have a dress code so be prepared. Jackets and ties for the gentlemen. The waiters are very friendly and knowledgeable, and they have a good wine list. This place isn't as stuffy as you'd think though, which is great. We sat on the first level (street level), and I had a lamb dish, which was very tasty.
Three courses later and I knew that no work was going to get done at the office for the rest of the day.
21 Club is a New York institution. Since FDR, every single president has dined at this fine restaurant with the exception of now former President Bush. The Bar room at this restaurant is the place to be. The staff is extremely attentive and friendly. As you walk in and state your reservation, they immediately know the size of your party and walk you to a sitting room to wait that has lush red couches and people enjoying their cocktails with items from the bar menu.
You walk into the bar room that boasts of toys with company logos hanging from the ceiling. The toys, they explain, are gifts from regular customers. Their secret wine cellar has been around since the prohibition and has a two ton door that looks like a brick wall. They were never caught serving any kind of alcohol during that era. They had an interesting system of pulleys and levers at the bar that they put in place every time they were raided. The alcohol would then be automatically thrown down a chute and into the NY sewer system.
After we were seated we were informed we were entitled to a complimentary drink from the bar; wine, champagne, drinks. The Restaurant Week menu had several different options that looked enticing. My choices were the following:
1. Country Style Game Terrine, rye croutons, frisée, lingonberry and spearmint jelly, grain mustard dressing.
2. Red Wine Braised Beef, baby potatoes, carrots, parsnips, caramelized pearl onions, puff pastry
3. Milk Mousse Chocolate Cake with candied orange
The terrine dish was a good size, it did not come with any kind of bread as an accompaniment. The mustard on the side was delicious though it was such a small dollop, I would have liked more. It wasn't the most delicious terrine I have ever tasted, I honestly think Bar Boulud's was better, but it was a good start. My brother's gravlax appetizer was very good, though I still think my mom makes it better.
The braised beef dish was hearty and filling. The puff pastry was buttery and flaky. The beef itself was soft and came apart easily. It was a very tasty dish, though I would have preferred steak. Everything on the dish went well together and was good but not my favorite.
The desert was my favorite dish. It wasn't simply chocolate mousse, it was in a cake form. It was a great consistency, rich in flavor, and had a delicious dollop of cream on top. I absolutely enjoyed it.
I would love to come back and give it another go with the regular menu. My food was ok, the experience of being there is what I enjoyed most. We were treated really well and respectfully and did not feel belittled for ordering from the RW menu.
"21" is an institution that has held on to its standards for decades. While it is is almost like eating in a museum, don't take it too seriously and you'll love "21."
The food is well-prepared, the service is excellent and the atmosphere is a fantastic throw-back to a bygone era.
Prices are insane but how else can they keep a place like this going?
Every person should be able to eat at least one meal at "21" in their life time.
This is a report on fairly quick business lunch at the "21" Club. We did a single course -- a grilled char special for me, done just right I must say, over a lobster risotto, about which any complaint would be entirely churlish. Fairly stern lunchroom crowd -- suits and ties even on a Friday. The classic cheeseburger, ordered by a fellow-diner, looked delicious.
Dinner at 21 is the highlight of any visit to NYC, period... and while the atmosphere is equal parts wealth and whimsy, don't be surprised if their simple hamburger (well, not exactly SIMPLE) becomes a favorite.
I miss almost nothing about New York, but oh, that burger.
How can you not love 21 club? It's a NY fixture. Food is terrific and ambiance is great. I enjoy places that require jackets but still don't take themselves too seriously. Our server was fun and playful.
My only complaint? The table next to us, who arrived talking on their cell phone and continued to take calls, place calls and pass the phone around to other members of their party. For a restaurant that will turn someone away for not wearing a jacket, staff should have walked over and informed them cell phones are not appropriate and they should take their call outside.
My cousin and brother conned me into having dinner here. Despite my best attempts to persuade them to patronize another restaurant offering a restaurant week menu, we descended on this stuffy ancient establishment. Enter a world engulfed by dark wood paneling, oil paintings of horses, and a low-hung ceiling obscured by toy planes and cars - a so-called NY institution, 21 Club looks and feels old.
Upon walking into the 21 Club, we were greated by a nice host who gestured to us to check our coats. He took our name, confirmed our reservation time, and had us wait in the parlor for the remainder of our party. When the rest of our group arrived, we were seated promptly, but at THE worst table in the restaurant. In fact, it was very apparent to our group that the table we were seated at was half of a normal table. Our suspicions were confirmed moments later when the host seated another party on the "other half" of our table (we were essentially on top of each other).
My cousin and brother ordered off the restaurant week menu - grav lax to start and scallops for a main course. They said they were satisfied, but by no means a culinary delight. I decided to move away from the pack and order off the menu. Prior to dining here, I read up on 21 Club and found my fellow yelpers most commonly recommending the 21 Club Burger. Since other yelpers are usually right, I followed suit. I would rate the burger a "B-" - definitely not worth its $30 price tag or the snotty atmosphere that comes with it instead of fries (only kidding, fries are included). The service we received was terrible. The waiter was hard to flag down and was not as attentive as I would expect for a restaurant that is as well-established as 21 Club.
My brother and cousin both received dessert with their restaurant week pairings. My brother had creme brulee (not brulee-d enough!) and my cousin had a milk chocolate cake that was uninspiring.
Bottomline, 21 Club was not all that it was cracked up to be. The restaurant staff was just as pretentious as the patrons and nothing that anyone in my party ate even came close to justifying its high price tag. I have lived in NYC my entire life and am happy to say that I came, saw, and conquered 21 Club and will not be coming back for more.
Twice a year, numerous restaurants in the city take part in what is known as "Restaurant Week," offering reduced pre-fixes for lunch and/or dinner. When I saw 21 Club on the list, I booked a reservation immediately.
When my reservation came around, I arrived on time and was greeted by a doorman in a fancy suit and white gloves. Seated near the entrance of the restaurant in what is called the Bar Room, I was unhappy with the proximity of the table to the door; so the host arranged for us to sit deeper into the restaurant at a booth.
The server started us off with a bread basket and allowed me to sample a couple flavors of white wine; I chose the Chardonnay. For my meal, I ordered the only thing on the Restaurant Week Menu for vegetarians: Red and Green Oak Lettuces salad as my appetizer, Mushroom and Butternut Squash Risotto for my entrée, and the Key Lime Pie for dessert.
The only thing worth noting was the lime pie. It was delicious and round in shape. Everything else was average and boring; I could have easily cooked the meal myself from scratch. Call me foolish, but when I drop $35 on a meal, I expect something more than what I can make in my kitchen.
I understand it was Restaurant Week, but I could not help feeling cheated and pissed at the limited menu I was presented with. If you are going to offer vegetarians one entrée to choose from, at least make it something worthwhile and unusual. Maybe this is too much to ask?
That said, the service was impeccable; from the wait staff, to the bathroom attendant, everyone was very friendly and attentive. The dining room itself was neat with toys airplanes and trucks covering the ceiling, gifts from former patrons. The horse jockeys lining the entrance are also gifts from former regulars.
21 Club has been around since the days of the Prohibition Era and from the looks of the crowd, will be around for many years to come. Younger people want to visit because it is a famous New York establishment; older people want to visit because it is a famous New York establishment. The website lists its entire history, something worth checking out.
Despite my pathetic meal, I would give 21 Club another shot for the right occasion. Steer clear during restaurant week, or at least order off the main menu. You will spend about the same anyway. Beware the fanciness of the place; guys must wear a jacket and preferably a tie; no sneakers or jeans allowed.
Kudos to the service, the décor, the atmosphere; criticism to the prices, the limited menu, and the poor selection of entrees on the menu.
Having put off a visit to this old pillar of New York culinary culture for nearly four years, I made certain that my very last dinner in the city would be here.
While the likes of Le Bernardin and Daniel still beckoned wantonly, the Club was a good choice because some in our party wouldn't have been able to suffer their more avant-garde and progressive menus. Furthermore, it served as a stark contrast to the wildly uninspired and wholly unsatisfactory experience I had at Tavern on the Green--an equally venerated supper club--the night before.
I sat in the Bar Room. The bar is in the Bar Room, no doubt, but it's not the same as sitting at the bar.
The Bar Room is the heart of the 21 Club, and its rich, dark paneled walls are enlivened by an assortment--no, a melange--of vintage toys suspended from the ceiling. It *is* a bit, well, incongruous, considering that you're greeted at the door by a gentleman in a 3/4 morning-coat and a top hat and escorted down a carpeted hallway lined with sconces. But in this room is an odd confluence of class and charm that's stately yet lighthearted.
Service was white-glove; not at all stuffy, contrary to other reviews, but still very old world. The waiters weren't at all brash or invasive, but they did make soft-spoken conversation.
I don't remember the soup that was offered that night, but I remember the appetizer well. It was a classic preparation of seared foie gras (yes, if you've read my other reviews, you know my insatiable appetite for this barbaric delicacy!) atop a toasted brioche with a redcurrant reduction. Sublime. Unfortunately, it is no longer available in this iteration, although I'm sure the chef has devised a worthy successor!
For the main dish, I stuck with one of the classics. Steak Diane. See, one of the most wonderful things about the 21 Club is that it will appeal to the most die-hard traditionalist while charging forward with a progressive streak to satisfy the more adventurous, cutting-edge diner. I tend more toward the former, but if a restaurant could be all things to all people, this might just fit the bill.
In any event, the steak was positively superb, prepared tableside with every bit of ceremony and flourish that one would have though died out long ago. The balance of flavor was unparalleled: that mingling of butter, shallot, dijon, and cognac--perhaps woefully outmoded to some--was nothing short of transcendent. Comfort food gone high-class.
For dessert, it was the obligatory souffle, a chocolate one, with a raspberry coulis and vanilla ice cream. It was good--about as good as a chocolate souffle could be.
Likewise, the 21 Club is a good restaurant--about as good as a restaurant could possibly be.
This is a hard call - a NYC standard, an institution, which is why it gets two stars - however, my food was so sad - my steak diane, which I ordered super rare, was brought to the table cooked to sneaker-sole perfection. the cocktails were really good, but the service was perfunctory.
My girlfriend ordered the venison/wild boar entree which was pretty good, akin to what is served at the Tractor Room in San Diego. she also had the foie gras, which was good, so maybe I ordered incorrectly, but how can you mess up foie gras?
I felt like service was snobby towards my downtown girlfriend and I, which is too bad, because gracious service at a three-star food place can elevate it to four or even five stars. all the tables around us got a complimentary plate of desserts at the end of the meal, we kind of got shown the door.
I'd visit for novelty-sake, (like an upscale TGI Fridays) but when I go back to New York I'll go where the good food is.
Start with a Manhattan in the Bar Room, and stay for dinner. No doubt Bob enjoys the sports memorabilia and old toys more than you do but you can take in the faces. Your server can tell you whose table you have claimed for the night.
Grilled Foie Gras, (our server suggested a Sauterne by the glass that was the perfect accompaniment.) Loved their Sautèed Sea Scallops with crispy pancetta. Bob always goes for the Ribeye, medium this time, which was extraordinary. Server was on the mark with the wine recommendations too. No matter what you eat, finish with cappuccinos and a Valrhona Chocolate Soufflé.
They offer a wonderful Prix Fixe Menu for pre-theatre seating for us Dallasites that roll home early so you can do both without being bleary-eyed the next day.
If you hate NY cabs like I do, wink at the doorman and he'll find you a deal on a one-way limo that's sitting empty for the moment.
Right now they are doing their 80th anniversary celebration. Check out their website for the special offers. http://www.21club.com/...
I had a restaurant week prix-fixe lunch at this posh historic restaurant just a few days ago and really enjoyed our dining experience. We sat at the bar room which someone had previously mentioned that it looks like an upscale version of TGI Friday... I can see the point, maybe it's the red & white table cloth and the use of antique furnitures, but the atmosphere superseded my expectations! It was way better than I had imagined, it feels very nostalgic, rich, classic, and exclusive. The ceiling was whimsically decorated with antique toys and helmets, which kept me entertained while waiting for my food. I ordered:
appetizer: House-Cured Salmon Gravlox (It's a salad with lox. pretty good. better than game terrine which reminds me of dog food)
entree:Red Wine Braised Beef (Absolutely scrumptuous! The meat was so tender and flavorful!)
dessert: Creme brulee - excellent!
Food:A-
Service:A-
Atmosphere:A-
I recommend this place for the restaurant week lunch, very good value!
Update: 21 Club offers Prix-Fixe luncheon for $24 and prix-fixe dinner for $35 during non-restaurant week season as well.
This is just one of the those places I dream of coming back to when I've paid up all my loans and pretend I'm all high-class, baby. Until then, I'll make do with my pre-fixe menu.
There was a doorman when we walked by and if it wasn't for him, we might have totally passed by this place. It's located in this cute alcove and if you see the jockeys (that were given as gifts from patrons), you've got the right place!
We walked in and were greeted by many people. I checked my coat with no hassles and then we were seated in the Bar Room which is all decked out in wood. Sadly, I didn't scope out the website before otherwise I would have requested a famous celebrity's table when I made my reservation (NB: If you make a reservation online, you will be required to enter your credit card information and if you cancel, you will be billed $25). The space is very cozy but definitely not overbearing onto other parties' space. If you look above you'll see toy trucks, planes, and football helmets which are all gifts from patrons; as odd as they seemed at first to me, they did lift the stuffiness air out and made the space more friendly. The lounge in the front is also decked out in wood with plush seating and tables. The bathroom is clean, efficient in use of space, and a bathroom attendant is there with your towel.
The service was very attentive and not intrusive at all. To start, I got the eggplant, artichoke, and goat cheese terrine and my friend had the salad of local greens. The dressings they used on both were addicting. For the main course I had the red wine braised spring lamb and my friend got the sauteed market fish. My dish was delicious and the lamb was so soft, tender, and juicy! Oh I want it again now. To top it off, I got the creme brulee and tasted the chocolate caramel cake which was decadent!
Presentation was very nice, attention to detail was paid well. Also, their drinks looked delicious. I got the ....dammit, I've been searching long and wide for the name but I couldn't find it. But it was top notch. Everything was top notch. Thanks for making me feel hoity-toity, 21 Club :)
I went to 21 Club for dinner during OpenTable "Appetite Stimulus" week a couple months ago and was sorely disappointed. The food is so-so and the service is pretentious. The whole thing felt like a big performance of dining out.
My friend came straight from the bus from Boston, and she had a backpack and small duffel bag. Instead of allowing her to leave her bags in the coat check room, they made her leave them outside the room right next to the front door. We actually ended up taking one of the bags with us into the restaurant so that we wouldn't worry about her laptop being stolen. (I'm sure there's not a ton of theft at this restaurant, but still.) It was a bad first impression.
The food was mediocre at best. We ordered from the $35 prix fixe menu that was set up for that week. We both got the salad with walnuts and cheese. My friend is allergic to nuts, and they were attentive to her allergy. Unfortunately, the salad was a measly size, even for such a nice restaurant, and wasn't particularly good. I had the roasted organic chicken for my entree, which was fine and the best part of the meal. For dessert I got some kind of chocolate tart, which was somewhat bland. I also ordered a cappuccino that was just okay.
The place really seems set up for tourists. I can't totally explain why, but it's just the feeling I got. One reason is the note on the check - "20% Gratuity is Recommended for Servers." What kind of classy NYC restaurant has that on the check? It's probably because most of the diners are not from NYC and aren't aware that 20% is pretty standard here for good service at a nice restaurant.
We couldn't wait to pay our check and leave. If you're looking to go out for a "true NYC experience" or to take someone for a special meal, I would definitely skip 21 Club.
yeah, as the yelp gage describes it "Meh. I've experienced better" is just about right.
Don't get me wrong, the food and wine was good. Though I was disappointed with their app and dessert and service. The sommelier was great and engaging.
Eleven friends of ours went there for restaurant week. last Thursday. We ordered about 7 bottles of wine, which were very good. I had the home cured smoked salmon, a bit too salty, and couldn't taste the salmon, scallops which were delicious, but couple grains of sand or shell, and the Creme Brulee was a bit runny and not fully cooked. Several of my friends salads didn't have the finishing on them.
And the service.
When i think, "fine dining" i think exceptional service. And when I think exceptional service, I think Japan.
I grew up in Japan and I've found that service in Japan is the most consistent and attentive. So I was hoping that being at a known establishment they would be good at the small things. But...They weren't
Just to give you example as to what I found to be a big foul.
When placing a wine glass in front of you, I'm used to be asked, "excuse me". But at 21 club, they just put it in front of you.
Or if they're looking to take away the menu, they would ask "may I take your menu?" But at 21 club? Nothing. They literally snatched it out of one of my friend's hands.
Maybe because they noticed we were bunch of mid 20's college grads enjoying a fun night and took us for granted?
Or they just don't know what they're doing.
Either way, disappointed.
Thank god we went for restaurant week and not for an a la carte dinner. I would have been pissed.
Do not recommend.
Oh 21 Club, how fancy you look from the outside.
I went with a friend for lunch during Restaurant Week. I loved the decor and how it was like a Ivy League boy's club, but I have to nitpick about the waiter we got. Firstly, the menu had a lot of great choices - you had your fish, beef, chicken, pasta as a main. Appetizers included game terrine, salmon, gazpacho. Dessert included pie, cake, cheesecake, creme brulee. I picked out the game terrine, fish (which was salmon), and the blueberry pie. My friend picked out the gazpacho, beef, and some sort of cake.
The waiter was very brash when taking our orders and made it feel like we didn't fit in (but I don't think we were that bad, we were dressed in business casual).
Furthermore, even tho we sat and ordered long before the people next to us sat down, they received their food first! Now, this meal was already supposed to begin at 1:30, so it was probably around 2 when we got our appetizers. The waiter must've looked at us like we were crazy when we asked him why the people next to us were served earlier.
From then out they were very quick with the food - but it also felt like they were rushing us out.
The food itself was great though. The game terrine tasted fantastic with the bed of greens. The salmon was perfectly cooked, perfectly flaky and just the right about of rare. The blueberry crumble pie was AMAZING! It was a small tart and had the perfect flavorings. I would definitely go back just for the blueberry crumble pie.
Despite the brashness of the waiter, I still had a great experience and would definitely go back.
I went here for a 21st birthday party (I know, how original) and though I wasn't paying, I did expect the food to be amazing considering the expensive prices. Unfortunately, though pretty good, the food didn't exactly meet my expectations. The crab cake was bland, and the same could be said of the Pan-Roasted King Salmon.
While most other reviewers describe the nostalgic twinge to the place, I wasn't as charmed by the 21 Club. Perhaps it's because my Jamaican cab driver told me that the restaurant was racist because of its jockey statues out front, or because I tend not to buy into old money pretensions, but I didn't feel entirely comfortable with the seemingly stilted formalities of the establishment.
Nevertheless, our waiters were extremely nice and professional; as at most upscale restaurants, they knew when to keep their distance and when to offer their assistance. The service, if nothing else, is probably what I would go back for.
EDIT: I forgot to add that the cocktails were also superb. Having just recently returned from a four-month-stay in London when I dined at the 21 Club, I was shocked and excited to see that they served Pimm's cocktails. I promptly ordered one up, and it did not disappoint.
Bathroom Grade: 7/10. Somehow, even the bathroom made me feel bad about my proletarian roots. Very clean, though.
One of those places in New York everyone should hit at least once (like Tavern on the Green). Its the most formal eclectic decorating job I think I have ever seen. Lots of stuff on the walls and hanging from the ceiling, but it all has an eerie orderly symmetry about it. Like Tavern on the Green, its filled with people celebrating special occasions, so I suppose its a great place to go for a special occasion. It's probably also a great place to pair with some overpriced "premium" theater tickets from Ticketmaster (there should be a law). I just went there for lunch and had their world famous $30 burger - and it was actually really good. If you are ever looking for a spot to have someone take you to a business lunch on their dollar, put this in your top 10.
I went to 21 Club today for a business lunch and both the atmosphere and food were very much in line with my expectations.
I started with their Boston bibb lettuce salad with shredded carrots, and a thick slice of goat cheese in aged vinaigrette. The salad was a bit soggy, or tasted as if it had been tossed earlier in the day as the there was no bite or crunch to the lettuce at all. It was soggy. The vinaigrette was on the very-oily side. However, I appreciated the chopped dill spinkled over the salad and piece of goat cheese; thought it added a nice detail to the overall taste of a rather simple salad.
For the entree I had the flambeed tableside steak with pearl onions, roasted fingerling potatoes, cherry tomatoes and haricots vert. I asked for the meat to be cooked medium (wasn't in the mood for rare meat). I also had their salmon. The steak was good. I would say that the food is elegant and simple. It's prepared well but nothing to rave about. The salmon, I thought, was prepared wonderfully though with just the right amount of rareness in the center. The pieces just flaked off. However, they must have poured a handful of salt over the crust (minor offense) because my first bite was very salty. Overall, the portions are on the small side. The salmon was larger relative to the beef. The side of veggies was also small.
They had this delicious cake for dessert. It was 3 layers of cake, similar to castella, and in between each layer of cake was a thin layer of bright orange gelee or some sort of tangy orange meringue. The slice of cake came with a side of fruit relish consisting of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. This dessert was EXCELLENT. I love castella cake if it's done well, and this cake was definitely done well--moist and fluffy.
The interior is very old school. It reminds me of the interior of Ralph Lauren's RUGBY store (if it was a continuation of the store). I think this place favors an older male crowd (60s-70s). Dining here feels like you are visiting someone's 17th century estate, and you are having lunch/dinner in their dark/dimly lit and carpeted living room or dining room.
The food is definitely decent. It's not spectacular, but it's not disappointing either. I woudn't recommened the restuarant to friends, but if you're looking for a casual power lunch spot, then this is a good choice.
Excellent service; it reminds me of a barbershop with old Italian barbers. The place is well-kept. There are Rembrandt paintings upstairs. You might be sitting next to a magnate for all you know. There are company logos above your head, which accounts for the low ceiling. I went here with a dear friend and it was a great time. I had the salmon gravlax while he had the tortilla soup. I also had the butternut squash risotto with pumpkin oil, while he had the braised beef entree. Amazing. The old tie rule is more lax now, but you still have to wear the jacket, which I agree with. The whole staff is professional and friendly. We must preserve these places!
My boyfriend brought me here one random night for a surprise dinner after work. The only thing he told me was to put on something nice...ie. don't wear jeans. That left me guessing since I thought that almost every restaurant I go to or want to go to allows jeans these days.
When he told me where we were going I wasn't surprised because he had told me it's his favorite restaurant. Now my boyfriend loves what this restaurant embodies...which is the charm. It is about old, classic NY.
We had to wait at the bar for 15 minutes or so until our table opened up. When we were brought to our table I was thrown off. They had us both sit next to each other on the seat, not across from one another. I had never been seated like that while on a date but it was very romantic. I thought it would be weird not to look at my boyfriend across the table but it wasn't...it was nice. I like to cuddle so it was up my alley.
The food was great. I had the swordfish...which was actually the first time I've ever had it. It was delicious. It came with polenta which I thought I hated...but the 21 Club made me a polenta fan. Maybe it's just my mom's polenta I dislike. Anyway, my entree was just delicious. My boyfriend had the filet and he loved it.
The service was impeccable. The waiter was kind and accomodating. The sommelier was knowledgeable. The wine we had was wonderful.
This is definitely a great place to take someone that you really like.
I felt like Don Vito Corleone here. All the waiters were about 90 years old, but with slicked back hair and heavy old country accents, and I felt obliged to play my role by doing the, "so... howz yooz guyz doin, eh? Badabingbada boom, wut duz a guy gots to do to gets me a frickin bottle of wawter? and where's da bat-troom? i gots to bleed my lizard.."
From what I understand, this place has been here since the prohibition, and had some hidden room for booze that now serves as a private dining room...... so of course I called one of the rich investment banker guys to book us this room as a client and treat us. At $500 a pop for the wine dinner, I'm so glad that i-banks are desperate enough for business that they'll take us up on something like this, because I sure as hell can't expense something like this in this recession.
Verdict? I'm unfortunately not a wine expert.... hell, I'm not even a wine cooler expert, so I can't comment on whether the things they picked were any good. Coulda been 2-buck-chuck for all I know.... Chateau Oprah... who knows?
Salad appetizer was standard Caesar. I'm off red meat this month, so I did the chicken, which was good, but nothing stellar. The cheesecake dessert was ok.
I think this place is more of an experience, say-you've-done-it kind of place rather than a fine-dining establishment. Don't get me wrong, it was cool, just not something I'd bring mom or a hot cheerleader date to.
Will I come back again? Hell, I've still got 3 i-bank contacts I can use up, so why not?
I was overly excited to dine here for restaurant week. Although, I wasn't completely disappointed, I definitely felt a little slighted. The decor was exactly like the website photos, so I knew what to except. The powder room is tiny and the actual bathroom stalls are as well, especially with the attendant present. We sat in the main dining room, which was very dark aside from the one spotlight above our table which was really tilted toward the middle of the room instead. The ceiling of the room was filled with dangling paraphernalia, which was really interesting to look at while dining. The staff was extremely professional and friendly. We sat on the edge of the room on the same side of the booth, it was quite romantic and cozy especially with the dim lighting. We opted for the restaurant week menu and two bottle of wine. My grilled calamari appetizer was very tasty and unique due to the watermelon garnish (red and yellow juicy chunks). My boyfriend had the white asparagus puree soup, it was to die for. It was creamy, but not too rich and full of flavor. My salmon entree was beyond delicious. It was perfectly cooked and rested on top of a large portion of couscous. He got the tea-rubbed pork chop with mashed potatoes and corn with shitake mushroom salad. The pork chop was good, could have been a little less cooked. The gravy had a thick layer of skin grown on top, thus having been under the heat lamp way too long. The mashed potatoes were creamy and definitely complimented the pork chop. The corn and mushroom salad was tasty, but a weird sauce that tasted and smelled very odd, but not gross. The sommelier was great (a helpful and friendly gentleman) and helped us to chose two beautiful red wines. For dessert were shared the lemon chiffon pie and the chocolate caramel cake. The chiffon was light and fluffy with a buttery graham crust. The caramel cake was amazing. The caramel was a gelatin like layer on top of the chocolate cake - soooo yummy! I was glad to have experienced this restaurant with its long history, it was definitely worth it.
My husband and I came here years ago (back when we were just bf and gf :-) to celebrate Valentine's Day. Back then, we weren't even old enough to drink -- I distinctly remember the cute little bottles of Coca Cola that we received.
It seems all the previous reviewers have it down. 21 Club is classic, cool NY on its best day and could be stuffy, pretentious NY on its worst. Fortunately, we experienced the former. The waiter, sensing our nerves (since this place was not the kind of establishment we frequented in our college days), immediately put us at ease, and we enjoyed tasty prix-fixe chicken dishes, which at the time, were under $30 a person.
We were admittedly baffled by the bill, which had separate gratuity lines for about 30 servers (ok, maybe five -- host, waiter, sommelier who stopped by, coat check person, crumb picker-upper -- who the heck knows)?! In our inexperience, I think we honestly tipped each person 20%!!! We were 19 years old and had no clue what we were doing :-) Ahh well, I have fond memories of this place, as it was one of my first true "fancy" NYC dining experiences.
I think everybody ought to try 21 Club at least once. Heck, I should go again now that I'm a big girl and can actually drink something other than soda (if I ever figure out their confusing tipping etiquette :-)
You can't help but stare at all the toys hanging from the ceiling and not feel like throwing a temper tantrum if the white glove waiters don't bring out exactly what you like. Definitely not a place to act like a little kid, but the history is remarkable, and the tour of the wine cellar downstairs was interesting.
Funny that the Mayor was in the basement when the restaurant was raided during the prohibition. According to our tour guide the wine cellar was not on the original plan because there was a 12" thick door into the neighboring building. It wasn't on the plan because the wine cellar was really in the building next door! Brilliant. The cops ticketed and towed the agents cars to get them out of the place so that they could sneak the mayor out. Well, history, and genius come together with excellent food and wine.
Beet salad was small, but flavorful and definitely a favorite
Braised Short Ribs were mouthwatering good.
Wasn't a huge fan of their bread pudding. The pudding was floating in a VERY strong sauce and unfortunately once it soaked into the pudding it was far too overpowering. Would have been better if the sauce was on the side.
Wonderful meal, great company, all around pleasant experience. Not sure why they seem to get 2 and 3 stars I thought that the quality of both the staff, and the food were excellent.
Date Rating: 8
Pick up Scale: 2
Strong Suggestions: Remember this is old skool NYC. Think proper and prohibition and about hanging with the good ol' boys and if you're up for it and don't mind spending a little bit more than some of the other neighboring places then you will enjoy your meal here. All of the toys hanging from the ceiling were given to the restaurant by those companies. Just ask your waiter they'd be happy to tell you.
You don't go to the 21 Club to eat, but you do go to be seen. What's more, men go to be seen with you - that's why they'll pay those outrageous prices.
It is a beautiful restaurant, though, and I would not have missed it for the world. Classic New York City history, and an impenetrable, indescribable mystique. Even the waiters exude class.
You girls, make sure the guy picks up the tab! Sorry, I'm old-fashioned, and this smacks of a little reverse sexism, but for me it's a real test.
It may not make you feel dainty ordering it, but the Peg Leg is well worth the price tag. As, come to think of it, is the whole bar experience at the 21 Club. I can't speak to the food, nor the dining room, but the bar is exactly what you'd want from a legendary spot known for its "private club" atmosphere. Thankfully, mere mortals like myself need not have a membership to mix with the stars and expense account crowd, as it's not actually private. It just likes to think it is.
Yes, you can and will spot movie stars and celebutantes there from time to time. (Heather Graham showed up in a gown during my visit.) It's not as hip as other newer spots around town, but it does have that certain cachet that causes limos to line up all along the block. I even spotted a fashion shoot out front, going for the luxury look with a classic 1960s Mercedes convertible, and those iconic jockeys as a backdrop. (Their official site explains the jockeys.)
Yes, it does have a dress code and they do enforce it. If you don't have a tie to go with that sportcoat, they'll provide one.
I had the most enjoyable experience at 21!
Though I could never afford the normal prices, I opted to hit the 21 Club for lunch during Restaurant Week with two co-workers. We arrived a little early for our reservation and were seated right away. While the decor was a little unexpected at first (there are toy trucks and things suspended from the ceiling, license plates hanging on the wall, and Fredrick Remington statues all over the place), I grew to enjoy looking at this "collection." And it made the room feel cozy and comfortable...and a little old school.
The service was incredible...attentive, but not too attentive. The skilled waiters were informed about the menu, and they were willing to get you anything to make your meal more enjoyable.
The Restaurant Week menu was extensive here, with four choices for each of the three courses. Though even before the meal started, we couldn't get enough of the warm bread that was brought to the table. I opted to begin my meal with the "21" Caesar Salad which was very fresh and tasty. The dressing was just right, and evenly dispersed throughout the salad. My companions ordered the Barbecue Shrimp, which looked delicious, and they agreed that it actually was as good as it looked. My main entre was Roasted Chicken with asparagus...the chicken was so moist and well-seasoned, that I couldn't get enough. I do wish I had ordered the Sea Bass that my friend chose, as it was served on a bed of rice and just looked so wonderful. My other friend ate the Duck Confit, which she also said was well-cooked and tasty.
Dessert was almost too much after so much food, but we are never ones to say "no" to the sweets! I got the Semi-Sweet Brownie with ice cream, which was very rich and though I couldn't finish it all, I ate as much as my tummy could handle! I tasted my friend's Pistachio Mousse and Chocolate Mousse, which was light and delicious. And my other friend had a lovely Creme Brulee with fresh berries..yum!
Before leaving the restaurant, we took a little walk around to see the other rooms on the main floor. It's a fun classy restaurant, with a lot of New York history (it used to be a speak-easy, and there is still a hidden wine cellar room that can be used for private parties). I highly recommend going during the next Restaurant Week!
I dig it.
A little pricey, but come on. The place is historic. The waiters are top notch and will make you feel like a king. You are dressed to the nines and it's a big night out. You are probably staying at a table where some Princess or King or A-list actor once sat, if you care about that kind of thing. Plus, it's cool to check out all the tacky trains and helmets and airplanes hanging from the ceiling. It's kitschy but it's all just part of the charm.
I enjoyed all of the food but it was the place itself that grabbed me. I'll be back.
$3 glass of sangria
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
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