Battery Gardens

 

1

25

Kelly H.

Atlanta, GA

My aunt and her fiance met here, so they are thinking about getting married here (how romantic!) So some of the fam went to check it out after brunch on Saturday afternoon, and it was lovely!

While I can't comment on the food because we didn't actually eat there, we enjoyed a lovely bottle of champagne out on the deck area overlooking the water.  I couldn't get over how peaceful it was right by the water, although I can see it getting pretty crowded in the evening!

We all agreed, it is definitely an amazing place to get married in NYC, just not in the middle of the summer!  I would definitely go back to check out the food and the night scene, and I would definitely choose to sit outside on the spacious patio!

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21

114

Nik N.

New York, NY

one bottle of wine under the beautifully lanterned tree on a warm spring evening observing the waterview sunset.

happiness.

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Elite '08

13

96

Ki G.

Flushing, NY

I didn't know I was going to have so much fun here! One of our workplace vendors decided to take me, my co-worker and our mail house/print house ladies out to dinner.

There was a wedding reception going on, so when we arrived we all thought we were crashing the wedding. But no, we were promptly seated at a table with a view of the harbor and that set the mood for a very enjoyable evening.

The decor was really gorgeous - large marble tables, interesting paper/crystal mix chandeliers and it was open without being stark. The food was really, really good. I had the smoked duck fettuccine with tri-color cauliflower and the duck was cooked to perfection. The wine selection was quite decent and the desserts were to die for. I had the S'mores (I shouldn't have had desert, but who could resist smores!) and a more grown-up version of the campfire classic I have yet to come across. So good.

In the end, I had a thoroughly good dining experience here. I am looking forward to the summer when they open up their "beer garden" so I can con co-workers to come here for a drink or two.

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Elite '08

8

192

Jilly j.

New York, NY

A very close friend had her wedding reception here. I was a little skeptical, thinking because it is directly next door the the Staten Island Ferry Terminal that we would be in view of that enormous eye sore of a building... Not the case at all.

Since the venue is w/in Battery Park, you do have to walk past park garbage and random park riff-raff, but once you walk into the space you'll forget what you just saw. The space is beautifully designed!
Cocktail hour was downstairs. Two and at times three bartenders on hand at all times. Pre reception food was excellent.

The reception dinner was amazing. Staff was on top of there toes. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island felt like a stone throw away.

I'm looking forward to visiting here in the summer as they have a huge outdoor space.

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Elite '08

195

257

kristine r.

New York, NY

Battery Gardens has been one of the regular participants in the Downtown for Dinner restaurant week, which I believe was started after 9/11 in an effort to lure New Yorkers back to Lower Manhattan.  I rarely venture into Battery Park unless I'm entertaining out-of-towners and taking them on the South Ferry, so I often forget that Battery Gardens even exists.  Thank goodness Downtown for Dinner is around to remind me!

My mom and I hadn't eaten at Battery Gardens in a couple of years and decided to partake in their $35 prix-fixe menu.  We were pleasantly surprised with both the quantity and quality of food.  Usually when restaurants (begrudgingly) participate in these restaurant week events, they sacrifice the former for the latter, but not in this case.

To start, we both had the spicy salmon tartare (the other option was a butternut squash soup, I believe), which sat atop a small thicket of frisee and was accompanied by thin slices of pear.  The frisee had a citrus dressing on it, which I thought was too overpowering and didn't really complement the salmon.  Overall, I thought the dish lacked focus and didn't really mesh well, but I still enjoyed my generous portion of salmon.

My main course was the baby lamb chops, which came with baby carrots and shallots (I guess babies were the theme of this dish).  My lamb chops were perfectly cooked - so juicy and tender - and plentiful!  The plating was a bit odd, though, since it was a rectangular dish with two concave sections - one for the meat, one for the veggies - so it would get off balanced when I'd cut into my meat.  Considering I'm a messy eater to begin with, I had to be extra careful with this dish.  My mom had the cornflake crusted monkfish with pancetta and potatoes, which was also very flavorful and a good portion.  The pancetta was thick and crisp, like the best bacon you've had in a long, long time - dangerous stuff!

Our desserts were the cheesecake with cherries (hers) and chocolate beignets with espresso mousse (mine).  Not too often that you see "beignets" on a menu in NYC, but a cream puff by any other name is fine with me (although it wasn't nearly as good as Beard Papa's).  The espresso mousse was very light and not overly sweet and was actually the standout of the dish.  The cheesecake was a real NYC portion of cheesecake, and I was already too stuffed to help her finish it all the way (something that rarely happens with prix-fixe menus).

The decor here is predominantly white, but to a calming effect as opposed to a bland one.  The chairs were very comfy and also covered in white cloth, to match the pretty white curtains that decorated sections of the walls.  It seems like a nice place to have a wedding reception, especially since you get such a lovely view of the waterfront and Statue of Liberty.  I've been to the upstairs dining area too, which is very spacious and could accommodate a very large party.

I'll definitely be back for Downtown for Dinner next year, although I may not wait that long for a return visit to Battery Gardens.  You shouldn't either.  (Bonus: They have a little parking lot in the back!)

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Elite '08

267

210

Maritess Z.

NY

my friend had his reception here, and it was a gorgeous night to sit outdoors and eat. It was an informal reception with finger food, but I liked the place because it makes a classy reception indoors or out. the topless male joggers running along the water are a cool bonus. It's kinda close to the ferry and trains, so it's a little annoying walking there as there are so many schlubs walking around, and here you are, all gussied up for a fancy reception. oh well.

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Elite '08

22

92

Tina E.

Alameda, CA

I would give it more stars were I really reviewing the food and not the nice location. Sometimes, when I sit in a park I realize I could sit for hours staring off into space feeling time silently wash over me. I had to refrain from that sort of stillness, because this was a work party and the point is to be social.

The service was a bit slow here and I saw at least one person return a drink, declaring it tasted of muddy salt water. My mojito was fine but I can honestly say, not being a big drinker, I am not sure I would know the difference. The food was good but a bit pricey but his crowd ate it swiftly. I enjoyed the margarita pizza and the water melon salad.

The proximity to the water and the well manicured garden are reasons to come here. If we all tended it to our surroundings with a little more green, I think we would lead more blissful lives. And it is helpful to recognize that with in the concrete, flowers do grow. A recommended stop to regain a sense of calm after a hectic day.

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20

120

Adrian B.

New York, NY

A pleasant place to have lunch on a hot Sunday. Battery Gardens  has an outdoor patio with views directly across to the Statue of Liberty .

If you are looking for a certain size of meal you need to do your homework , some of the entrees are appetizers size and some of the appetizers are entree size. I struck lucky with a smoked salmon and frisee salad, my friend was less lucky with his crab cakes.

Nothing spectacular here but good quality food served in a pleasant location .

A little bit of anti tourist rhetoric coming here  -- so cover your eyes if it scares you  -- despite being surrounded by tourists on their way to the Statue it's really out of most of their budgets so the resto doesn't get overrun by them.

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43

248

food j.

Los Angeles, CA

My cousin had her wedding reception here, and it was absolutely gorgeous.  Two floors, and an incredible kitchen staff.  Beautiful views, and just an overall great place.  We had some trouble getting there because our cab driver seemed to be confused, but otherwise, wonderful.

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1

13

jacqueline c.

New York, NY

Brilliant orange umbrellas on the waterfront beckon from a distance. You can hear the wind as it whips through the flaps of the umbrella aprons as you approach.   Close your eyes a moment and you will think you are at a Caribbean Island beachfront caf.
On a hot summer day, a brisk breeze drifts off the East River; Battery Gardens is the ideal spot to enjoy an after the Ferry brunch, or anytime, for lunch, dinner or drinks when you wish to leave the traffic, congestion, and smog of midtown a million miles away.

Ease into a comfortable garden chair; Look out over the speckled shimmer of sunlight reflected off the water and see the familiar  Statue of Liberty brandishing her torch in the distance. Take a deep breath, exhale and feel the cool breeze brush your cheeks.

Don't talk for a couple of minutes...just allow the quiet peace and beauty of the scene to embrace you. Order a tall ice-filled drink as well as a pitcher of water with lemon and limes. My choice, equal parts orange juice, grapefruit juice, seltzer and grenadine. For lunch, I chose the watermelon salad. So light and scrumptious, it was as refreshing as it looked on the plate.

I guarantee you will not feel the need to hurry off; This setting lends itself to whiling away an entire afternoon.

Before you leave, peek into the main restaurant area. Cool white walls and billowing curtains frame a panoramic view of the Bay. The minimal interior design accented with dramatic floral arrangements created an ideal venue for the intimate wedding party I observed on my last visit.

Bon Appetit!

Jacqueline Cable
www.postcardsfromnewyo...

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