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42
Categories: Nightlife Bars Lounges Restaurants American (New) Lounges, American (New) [Edit]
1 Renaissance Square42nd Fl
White Plains, NY 10601
(914) 761-4242
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 12 pm - 10 pm
Thu 12 pm - 10:30 pm
Fri 12 pm - 11 pm
Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
31 reviews for 42
Review Highlights
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"We both enjoyed the chocolate tart." In 3 reviews -
"High atop the Ritz Carlton in White Plains, 42 is a swanky..." In 5 reviews -
"Really nice place." In 6 reviews
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31 reviews in English
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Review from Joel S.
Scarsdale, NY
4/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
We ate at 42 as part of restaurant week. The space and the view are awesome. My wife said that it made her feel as if we were on vacation. The service was attentive, but not quite as good as at other top tier restaurants. Upon being seated, we were served an excellent basket of warm bread.
The cocktails were excellent and generous There was a selection of $35 bottles of wine offered for restaurant week. I thought that this was an especially nice touch because many restaurants try to make up some money on restaurant week on alcohol.
The appetizers were excellent. My wife and I had shrimp in piri-piri sauce. The salad was good. My skirt steak was excellent, served on a bed of decadently creamy polenta. My wife really enjoyed her salmon. One of our friends ordered vegan pallela and liked it. Desserts were OK. The cheesecake was a bit deconstructed for me. The fresh fruit and coffee were excellent.
Just out of curiosity, I took a look at the regular menu. If the altitude doesn't give you a nosebleed, the prices will. Things are very expensive, elevating this to an expense account or special occasion venue. They apparently have recognized this and had an insert to the menu listing specials at lower prices for weeknights.
Overall, a very nice restaurant with an excellent view. I would consider checking out the tapas bar and the weeknight specials menu. For full retail, there are other restaurants that I might prefer for the same price. -
Review from Paul A.
New City, NY
2/4/2012
Life is good. Twice in one week I had the pleasure of dining at 42. Earlier in the week, we enjoyed a fantastic working lunch that make our business meeting extraordinarily successful. From Snapper to Risotto, our group enjoyed the meal and service thoroughly.
Tonight my wife and I went back to 42 with dear friends for a special evening of atmosphere and fine dinning. We got both. From the reception desk to the wait staff to our gracious host, Anthony, we could not have had a better night. The drinks, appetizers and meals were beyond expectation. Mary and I had the citrus salad, bachalau ravioli and salmon. All Superb! Billy and Kristina raved about their veal and shrimps dishes respectively. Topping the night off was a very special dessert.
The combination of the view, professional staff and Anthony's food make 42 a 100!!!! -
Review from Cian S.
Westchester, NY
5/13/2012
We came in for Mothers Day lunch, and the service and the view were pretty good. The hour long wait between the appetizer and the entree was less than impressive. How about the food? It was ok. Frankly, there are better places to spend the kind of money that you will at 42 if the quality of the meal is what you are looking for. And don't get me wrong, it wasn't *bad* at all, it just wasn't great. And when the food isn't great, and they still charge $25 for a kids serving of chicken fingers, along with the insult of including a mandatory 20% gratuity, it makes the OK food leave a bad taste in your mouth.
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Review from Keera F.
Stamford, CT
2/13/2012
I went here on a Saturday night on November 18th, 2011 for a friends birthday. There were three couples, six of us and we had a really nice time. The ambiance and view are amazing. The food is expensive and ok. It wasn't great especially for the price tag but our waiters were very attentive. I really liked the lounge which we stated at after dinner until closing at 2am. The DJ was great and the outdoor patio was nice, it was just a little chilly being that it was November. I would definitely go back to the lounge and hang out for drinks. Don't think I will go back for dinner.
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Review from Amy C.
Flushing, NY
1/21/2012
Everything was perfect--from the excellent waiter who made sure everything was taken care of, to our delicious food (we got a wonderful meal for two option and it tasted phenmenal), to the beautiful view of the skyline. Make sure you make reservations FAR in advance, maybe avoid on Valentine's Day (I can only imagine how crowded it will get!), and dress up to add to the classy feel. I'm a New Yorker, so venturing into White Plains for some fine dining made me uneasy at first, but I still insist 42 made the best steak I've ever had.
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Review from Robert F.
New York, NY
7/24/2011
A concern has been raised about waitstaff. There is just something "polished" about the waitstaff at high end Manhattan restaurants... that certain level of refinement and discretion that lets you know that you are at Daniel or Jean Georges was not present. Still, service was very good and I agree with other reviewers that we were also not rushed even though we were getting through our meal somewhat slowly.
We started off with a champagne toast. Appetizers were excellent. Duck breast and lobster main dishes were well executed. Portions were generous and we were too full to order dessert.
No matter how great the view, how good the food, how shiny the utensils, that je ne sais quoi present in Manhattan and Beverly Hills was not present here. -
Review from Holly S.
1/21/2011
Celebrated Valentine's Day early with dinner at 42. Despite our 5 p.m. reservation, we waited at the bar for over half hour for our table.
We were very pleased with the romantic side by side seating, the chic, minimalist decor, and the skyline view. The crowd varied between the well-heeled to 20 somethings dressed in jeans and Nike uptowns, which I felt detracted from the sleek image 42 strives for.
This place attempts to duplicate the upscale Manhattan chi chi experience, but fails miserably on food quality and inexperienced waitstaff.
The cocktail menu was sparce and the dinner menu wasn't very innovative, and had only one vegetarian option. We both ordered the $42 market menu, which includes choice of soup du jour or ceasar salad, gnocchi, entre, and chocolate tart topped with caramel ice cream. The portions were laughably small. We appreciate the small portion / high price dining concept, but quality and innovation is key. 42 just doesn't get it. The three gnocchi were mushy and the tomato sauce was acidic, and tasted like it was from a jar. The halibut was average, but my husband's hanger steak was good. The chocolate tart wtih caramel ice cream lacked any punch.
The best part of the meal was the passionfruit mojitos, and attempted good service. Luckily we had a gift card which covered most of the cost, so it wasn't a total loss. Definitely not worth the price. Would go back for drinks, but skip the meal. -
Review from Christine W.
White Plains, NY
1/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went to this restaurant on a Tuesday evening. It wasn't busy at all. I hear it gets pretty packed on the weekends so be sure to make reservations far in advance. Overall the experience was very nice! I enjoyed the lounges and dining areas that overlooked Westchester and showed the city skyline in the horizon. The food was pretty good. Probably not the best in fine dining I've ever had, but still up to par. They got the richness and use of high quality ingredients down, but I thought it was a little on the salty side.
The Quahog Raw Oysters were great! Sweet and a little salty... perfect!
French Onion soup (I believe is a new addition/special) had great flavor despite being a little on the saltier side.
The Wild Bass was fresh and melted in the mouth like butter and had a great array of shellfish like clams and mussels. I would recommend this dish. The fish was seasoned well and wasn't overly salty.
Crescent Farm Pekin Duck Duck Duck was duck served in 3 ways hence duck listed 3 times... the first bite was delicious however became a bit heavy. But that would be a given with any duck dish as it is a pretty fatty meat. The skin was nice and crispy, and the meat was cooked to medium rare. Overall, I thought the dish was decent.
The portions at this place are far larger than I would expect from a fine dining restaurant, so if you eat a lot this is your place to go! Price was okay also, the final bill for everything listed was around $100. The chef threw in a couple complimentary things like a small taste of lobster salad and little desserts at the end, so that was a great addition.
It was a good experience! I would recommend anyone to try this place at least once. -
Review from Craig H.
Arlington, VA
Creative and delicious cuisine. Sat at a table looking out over White Plains, Long Island Sound, and Long Island as the sun slowly faded. Professional and pleasant service by all we encountered. I haven't visited other places in White Plains and if returning I'm not sure I need to. 42 was a great dining experience. I can't say if it measures up to the Manhattan experience, but we had a very nice evening without leaving the hotel.
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Review from Stephanie V.
Yonkers, NY
5/29/2008
Aesthetically speaking, 42 is impressive and yet makes me feel as if I walked into the bar scenes in "Lost in Translation." 42 is, you guessed it, on the 42nd floor in the Ritz Carlton in White Plains. Doormen will greet you and servers will bow to your every whim. It's rehearsed, pricey, and typical. Though, there is a rather nice smoker's patio if I do say so myself - who wouldn't want to smoke on the top of a building? (Partially enclosed, of course).
It's a swanky joint, with lots of dim lighting, forgetful music and expensive alcohol. Much like the film, I was dressed for the part (dress code rules apply in here) and a bit bored. Much to my chagrin, there was no Bob to my Charlotte.
The crowd is here is much older than myself, by a good 20 to 30 years. If you want to see aging people try to strike a chord and love and impress each other by ordering cocktails, then this is your stop. Visually, the place matches up impressively with its swankiness. Perhaps, if it was more centered around my age range as opposed to aging financial analysts, I might've enjoyed myself more. Though, this place can certainly appeal to another crowd - just not me.
Next time, I'll make it a Suntory time. -
Review from Daniel G.
White Plains, NY
12/21/2009
In the continuing effort to find a quality brunch with unlimited booze, 42 was the chosen spot this week.
High atop the Ritz Carlton in White Plains, 42 is a swanky little spot. Despite this swankiness, all the busboys were wearing Red Chuck Taylor's. Didn't bother me, just an observation.
The price fix 3 course Brunch special clocks in a $45 without tax or tip, and includes unlimited Mimosa's and Bloody Mary's. The first thing I tasted was the Mimosa and it was quite fine.
To start we were given an extremely fluffy croissant, and a bit of butter. The croissant was butter, light and delicious.
First round came out. I ordered the salmon tartar, in a habanero vinaigrette oil. It was VERY good. The salmon was smooth and fresh, the habanero gave just enough heat to cut the vinaigratte and the portion was surprisingly big.
Most of my companions ordered the yogurt, and were disappointed. I tasted some, and though a bit bland didn't taste all that horrible to me, but almost universally it was panned. Also someone ordered the oysters (I tried my first one ever, not terribly impressed), and they were met with approval.
Second round came out. I went with the "Unlimited Mussels in a spicy tomato broth". These were REALLY good. Despite my thinking I'd eat my sick with the unlimited mussels, I only got through two plates. But wow, these were really tasty. The sauce was fantastic. I'm a fan of heat, so I thought this was kind of mild, but it was full of flavor and after each plate I made sure to put the crunchy bread they gave me to good use soaking up the juice.
Other plates around the table...steak and eggs, nutella pancakes and french toast. The steak and eggs was well received, though not overwhelmingly. French toast was also met with some lukewarm feelings. The pancakes though nearly EVERYONE loved. I don't like Nutella so didn't indulge, but everyone commented they were some of the fluffiest pancakes they'd ever had.
Finally, desert and this may have been my favorite. The vanilla panna cotta was a knockout. Creamy vanilla beany- pannacotta, topped by peaches and then whip cream with a dusting of cinnamon. Man oh man. The peaches were sweet and mixed with the pannacotta perfectly. The whip cream was so dense it was almost like ice cream, and rich as hell.
Overall, I was pleased with my food, though I can't say the same for the rest of my party.
For the most part the service was good. We weren't rush and nobody hovered. Towards the end of the meal though our waiters and bus boys seemed to forget about us and they more or less forgot 3 out of the 4 coffees we ordered.
Also, valet parking cost $10. Some people thought this was a bit exorbitant considering what we just paid for brunch.
Overall, the experience was good. The view is truly amazing on a clear day, and the food is good. I would be willing to go back and try some of their dinner fare, but to be honest I would not do brunch here again. For a truly stellar brunch experience I'd recommend X20 in Yonkers. The food is far superior. -
Review from Heather V.
Seattle, WA
9/26/2009
Update 11/24/09: Ok, so I'm a little late on the review about our dinner (see below). Three words. OH MY GOD. It was fantastic. (Definitely worthy of 5 stars now!!) Anthony personally prepared us a 7 course meal that knocked our socks off and made us believers. We're vegetarian and our food was incredibly creative and was truly to die for. The beet salad was a stunner (I didn't even know you could do that with beets) and his selection of cheeses are fantastic. Our main dish was a vegetable showcase, things you didn't know could happen with veggies. WOW. The Orange Creamsicle dessert is made at your table with liquid nitrogen, so be prepared to be the center of attention. Super tasty and fun at the same time.
We've been back many times since our original posts (below) and just love it. It's really tasteful and not cheesy like many places in White Plains-- it has a more grown up, upscale city vibe (which is a treat in the 'burbs!). Great thing is, even if you go for small plates and drinks, they prices are so reasonable that you'll pay the same as Elements or one of those cheesy pubs. Drinks in the lounge there are great -- with great scotch, vodka, grappa, wine selections . ENJOY!!
Original entry on Fri 9/25: Our rating is a mix of 2 and 4 stars. We went to the lounge for drinks and tapas, and really enjoyed the atmosphere and architecture - and of course, the beautiful view (especially for Westchester). We were having a nice time and talking about how we'd have to bring all of our NYC friends here, since it had such great ambiance (even thoughtful lighting and swank furniture). The staff picked up on us wanting to have the music a bit more relaxed and put on a nice lounge mix, even though we didn't say anything. Very considerate.
The negative came with the check, they changed a 7$ dish into a 14$ one without asking and they also added $2 per drink for "neat" scotch, even though the price listed on the menu for scotch was listed as $14 (for this particular brand). This was really disappointing, as this charge wasn't listed on the menu or mentioned by the waitress. Had we not checked, we would have been double charged for an error that the waitress made (with the food). Apparently the extra neat charge is applicable, even though it's not mentioned anywhere.
The next day we called the general manager to give them our feedback (after all, we thought this would be our fave new haunt). They said they'd "take care of us" next time, but said that it was their policy to charge $2 extra per neat drink, but they'll discuss it further with upper management to resolve the issue. We'll update once they call us back, or IF they call us back.
Overall, really nice place, just keep an eye on the check.
UPDATE Sun, 9/27: We just received a call from Anthony, the owner and head chef of 42 (and Peniche). Not only was the $2 neat charge policy done away with, the day after our visit, but the staff was informed to be extra careful with entering food items in the system (to be sure the right portion is entered in). He personally invited us to have dinner on the house, and he would cook for us.
Honestly, he didn't have to offer us anything -- the fact that our feedback was taken seriously (this went from a beverage manager, to the GM, to the owner at a staff meeting) really impressed us both. My husband and I are the types that find a place we love, visit it frequently and spread the word about the establishment (and take our friends along with us).
We're really looking forward to going for dinner and returning to Yelp to give our favorite new digs 5 stars. With Anthony's thoughtful phone call, we just bumped it up to 4. -
Review from john B.
Ardsley, NY
9/26/2011
Place is nice, little pricey I will say but you are paying for the good drinks, great food and good service. All of the above come together in this place. Will go back!!!
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Review from Glenn G.
San Francisco, CA
8/15/2009
A client took me here on my last night and it was great. I'm sure part of it is that she's a regular so she knows the chef and a lot of the staff.
Needless to say, it's pricey...no surprise since atop the Ritz Carlton. The views are awesome on a clear day.
As far as the food goes, it's good quality. It's been a few months now so sorry, no specifics. The drinks are pricey but they were pretty good. I doubt I'd go back on my own but I'm glad I was able to try it as a guest. :D -
Review from Art A.
San Carlos, CA
5/25/2009
Very weird place. On the one hand, it is a very gracious restaurant with fantastic views and great service. The layout is weird and it's a little tricky to access. The views of the city are awesome.
42 is well known as an upscale bar and I visited that portion of it. MY REVIEW IS OF THE BAR AREA. The bar area is DARK. It is hard to see who you are talking to. The lighter "lounge" area of the bar was rented out to a party so the rest of us were stuck in the dark. But if the lounge is a "smokers area" as the other reviewer suggests, then what good is it? The main bar area really does seem like something out of a bad movie.
By the way, the Ritz hotel that houses 42 on it's 42nd floor also has a LOBBY bar with weekday evening specials and I had a lovely meal there with great ale.
I suspect there are people for whom 42 is a 5 star experience. Seriously. But some of us like to see the people that we are talking to. If you end up in that vicinity, I'd recommend that lobby bar in the same building. Or walk half a block to the corner of Main St. and check out that lovely corner restaurant/bar. -
Review from Wilson A.
Ossining, NY
12/22/2010 1 Check-in Here
This is a fancy and maybe over the top restaurant. The food is good, rich and expensive. The best part is the service and the view obviously.
Try the truffle risotto, if you can afford it. -
Review from Perfect Palette S.
Tarrytown, NY
12/4/2011
great view from top of ritz. food was only decent tho. nice to go for a drink and dessert but perhaps not a full meal
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Review from Jack C.
Mamaroneck, NY
7/19/2011
Ate dinner at 42 on July 19, 2011 with four business associates. No reservations and had no problem getting a table. The service and food were simply outstanding! None of us have had such wonderful and interesting dishes in a very long time. It was molecular gastronomy brought to Westchester County. As a bonus, bottled wine is 1/2 off on Monday and Tuesdays. I highly recommend "42" to anyone seeking a very tasty twist on standard fancy dishes. Go and enjoy!!!
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Review from Tanya O.
New York, NY
6/21/2011
We went to 42 for drinks a few weeks ago and it was surprisingly not packed for a Saturday night, which was actually really nice. Not at all your typically white plains crowd! Will defiantly go back, I am dying to try the food!
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Review from Laurel Z.
Hartsdale, NY
2/28/2012
It seems like Westchester has a lot of old Italian restaurants that are good and simple, and then some boring "modern" places like BLT Steak which is downstairs from 42, so I was pleasantly surprised that 42 was different. It was a mix of old and modern worlds. The dishes have a portuguese slant and they were all at least interesting if not delicious - and some were both! I am usually leery of hotel restaurants - but I would say overall this place works despite the quirks (like there was a thin curtain that would somehow drown out the Whitney Houston & Michael Jackson songs the deejay was playing in the nearby lounge area). The service was prompt (but not overbearing), friendly and knowledgeable. The cocktails were delicious and the eggnog dessert made at the table with liquid nitrogen was a treat. What I liked best about 42 was that although the space is sleek and modern, the overall feel is warm and inviting.
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Review from Enzo D.
New York, NY
2/10/2010
Really nice place. I enjoyed the skyline view of White Plains.
The food was very good, as well as the Sommelier who presented us with a nice bottle of very good wine.
I plan on returning there soon.. -
Review from Jason B.
New York, NY
8/18/2010
Having eaten here last night I now comprehend where the name
42 derives from - On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest possible rating the service here gets a 4 and the
food gets a paltry 2. Hence 4-2. (OK maybe the service gets a 6 (4+2) but I am not going any higher on the food).
Quite disappointing given the stellar view from the dining area and the expectations surrounding a restaurant on a Ritz-Carlton property.
Even more of a let down since the friend I dined here with will be going out of country for a while where his upcoming culinary experiences will include freeze-dried Meatloaf and powdered soy milk.
Just mediocre food all around and neither of us finished any plate that was placed in front of us. This included the Halibut which we both ordered (by coincidence not by design), the palate teasers of
fried goat cheese balls (they were room temperature and bland), the spicy grilled shrimp (better at AppleBees) and even the bread is better at Cheesecake Factory (just around the corner and 1/3 the price).
The waitstaff is reasonably attentive but our waiter was absurdly formal. Actually he was ridiculously stiff to the point of him being a caricature of a fine dining waiter in a grade B-movie. He made me slightly uncomfortable.
Here is what I recommend: find the most inexpensive thing on the menu and take in the view then head over to Cheesecake Factory for a reasonably priced, fresh, fun meal. -
Review from Janet G.
Needham Heights, MA
8/8/2010
This is my third time here for drinks. View is nice. This time I went on a Thursday night and it was empty. I'm not sure what the busy nights are. But its nice if you want to sit back and lounge and catch up with friends. Lots of cougars though!
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Review from Evelyn M.
New York, NY
7/12/2009
My visit to 42 started with thoughts that included, (me:) "Ugh, why is it taking so long for us to be seated?" and (my BF:) "What's up with the Real Housewives in here?" We did not have a reservation, and while we were told we'd be seated right away, we definitely waited 20+ minutes AND the crowd was odd an mix: older folks (senior citizen status), kids no older than 17, and Westchester crowd of folks that want to be, but don't make the city's meat packing cut.
HOWEVER, once we were seated and the food became to come out, I was highly pleased. Both my boyfriend and I ordered the pre fix, four course manager's special. So, with that said...
The food: awesome! They started us out with a bite size tuna roll from the chef that I wish was on the menu: order me two rolls of THAT now! The corn chowder is served with chopped popcorn on the side; I can appreciate creative plating! I highly recommend the cod over the steak, and leave room for dessert: the chocolate tart with ice cream was delish!
The service: besides waiting too long for a table (that had been empty the whole time we had waited), our waiter and busmen were helpful, insightful, and warm.
The drinks: womp womp! This is why 42 gets a star knocked off. The drinks sucked! I ordered the 'Batida' - a blend of cachaca and strawberry puree - and it was a bit tart. Stay away from the passion fruit mojito: simply not good!
The view: I don't even know how many counties you can see from 42, but it's a lot! Def. a great spot for a romantic dinner.
I'd definitely return pending I get a table faster and 42 gets a new bartender. -
Review from Benson B.
New York, NY
7/8/2010
I went to 42 for Restaurant Week and I am very happy with my experience. The sun was still out when we sat on our table, it was really nice to see the view of the "skyline" of White Plains from way up top. The service was impecable and food was delicious. Bellini Martini is a definite must, food portion is in the small side, but aren't they always in all fancy places?
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Review from Charles R.
Conshohocken, PA
5/8/2011
Seems most of the 3 star reviews came from 09. Have to say after eating there last night that it was better than what I expected after reading some very marginal reviews.
Yes the view is great, but the food and service were very good.
The pea soup was very good, but the grilled Caeser was just so-so. Not a fan of a big dollop of creamy dressing piled on top. Dressing was heavy and I would have preferred a lighter version.
The 2lb angry lobster was very sweet and just the right amount of spices to give it a nice kick without being overpowering. The Duck Duck Duck was also very good although the chef could have used a little less sea salt on the breast. The confit was good and the cracklings were the best part. I could make a meal on duck cracklings and not many restaurants serve them.
Service was attentitive without being pushy. Wine steward was very nice to answer any questions regardless of wanting a glass or a bottle.
I thought the price of $150 including wine and tax was very reasonable.
Like most places, half the people were dressed upscale and half looked like they just came from 6 Flags.
Would go back ,especially since the last time I was in White Plains I tried Mulino's and was disappointed. -
Review from CE C.
New York, NY
8/23/2011
I came here for dinner and the view is really amazing and really liked the decor of all of the different areas of the restaurant. The bread is worth mentioning as it came with different breadsticks and one was stopped with cumin seeds, what an unexpected surprise! Bread was delicious and there was a little tray with different salts to try with the olive oil! I started off with salmon tartare which was good, nothing extraordinary. Dinner was strip steak with a chimichurri sauce, fries with a red pepper coulis. The strip steak was cooked perfectly and I really liked the chimichurri sauce that was a good complement. Dessert was molten chocolate cake with, yes standard dessert but they executed well! One thing I must give kudos to the maitre'd about is that I had asked for my meal to be wrapped up and during dessert I knew that they forgot to wrap it. No biggy I wasnt going to make a scene about it. However as I am preparing to leave, the maitre'd chases me and gives me my leftovers. When I got home I saw that it was a brand new strip steak, I knew they had tossed mine by accident. Definitely impressive customer service that did not go unnoticed! Meal was good nothing extraordinary and at these prices there are many other places for us to try before a return visit.
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Review from Paul D.
New Rochelle, NY
4/16/2010 2 photos
if you have tons of money to blow on a Pretty resturant with really nice views. but is if you want to spend a lot of money on a great meal spend it somewhere else food is good but for the money not great.
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Review from Ray C.
Brooklyn, NY
11/23/2009
Wife and I had our 5th wedding anniversary dinner here. To sum up our experience... the ambiance was nice, the food was meh and the service is hit or miss.
We had a 6pm reservation, showed up 5 min early and were seated promptly. There were only 2 other occupied tables at that time but it was still early. Once we sat down, the waiter came by with the menu, specials, wine, etc.. and left us alone. A minute or so later, a busboy came with bread sticks and butter. Then a few seconds later, another came with a tray of bread and asked if we wanted any. Then another came by with water. Then another came with some special salts. Then the waiter came back to check on us and see if we had any questions about the menu. We haven't decided yet so he came back a few minutes later and we ordered. Then a busboy comes by with the amuse and right behind him was the waiter explaining to use what it was which i didn't get except for the tuna part. The fish was overcook and dry but the taste was good.
For the food, I wanted to try the seven course tasting because I wanted foie gras but the Mrs didn't so we did the four course Market Special for $42. She had the caesar salad and hanger steak, I had the butternut squash soup, an order of foie and the lamb shank. It also comes with gnocchi and chocolate tart for dessert. My thoughts on the food were that the soup was too sweet, the sauce on the gnocchi tasted like Ragu (the brand), the lamb was a little dry. The foie wasn't seared very well but still tasted very good, especially when eaten together with the gingerbread and apple chutney. There was a slice of bacon on top which didn't add anything to the foie but was great alone. My wife enjoyed her salad which was a romaine heart drizzled with caesar dressing and cheese with some croutons on the side. She thought the gnocchi was too soft (like mash potato), and her steak was tough, though cooked perfectly medium rare and tasty. We both enjoyed the chocolate tart.
During the meal, the waiter came by twice, before and after, every course to make sure everything was ok. A busboy clears the table almost immediately after we're done and another would come by and replace the silver ware. Water was constantly refilled and the butter kept being replaced once the mold was broken, not at the same time or person of course. My wife thought the service was great, I thought it was comical almost annoyed at how many trips they made to not only our table, but everyone else too. I'm all for service but I thought it was a bit excessive.
All in all, we had an enjoyable dinner. The ambiance is really nice. It helps being on the top floor of the tallest building for miles on out. As for the food, it's good but nothing special. The Market Special is a very good deal but if there's a next time, I would definitely go with the 7 course tasting instead. The service is really good if you're into that kind of attention.Listed in: Date Night
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Review from Cal C.
New York, NY
8/1/2009
We went and the only reason any one would go here is the "panache" of being the tallest bldg in White Plains and the "views" along with being in a Ritz-Carlton brand hotel/residence. The food was average and in a first in my life, braised short rib that was tough and not soft. If you cannot get braised short rib right (even with a different style of making it) then you should just close shop. Hard to hail wait staff. too many elevators.
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Review from Dave M.
Valhalla, NY
4/3/2010
Definitely a great restaurant with a great view, I felt the menu was a little limited though. The service is great.
