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Pershing Square
Categories: Restaurants American (Traditional) Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch American (Traditional), Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
90 E 42nd St(between De Pew Pl & Park Ave)
New York, NY 10017
Neighborhoods: Midtown East, Murray Hill
(212) 286-9600
- Nearest Transit:
-
Grand Central - 42 St (4, 5, 6, 6X)
Grand Central - 42 St (S)
Grand Central - 42 St (7, 7X)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 11 pm
Sat-Sun 8 am - 11 pm
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
146 reviews for Pershing Square
Review Highlights
"...before you show them grand central and the crysler building."
(in 49 reviews)
"Their chicken pot pie is awesome."
(in 6 reviews)
"...wheat pancakes and corned beef hash with fresh-squeezed..."
(in 4 reviews)
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146 reviews in English
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Review from Shawn H.
Germantown, MD
10/24/2011
Blueberries inside and on top of the pancakes.
Real maple syrup.
Actual corned beef with those fried potatoes.
I'm not sure I can say much more without going back to New York. -
Review from Krista J.
1/11/2012
I'd like to be very up front and say that the food at Pershing Square was pretty good...good enough that I would return. However, the two stars I'm awarding the restaurant is mostly due to very poor service.
On a Tuesday evening, the restaurant wasn't too crowded, which is good since they don't take reservations. There are about twelve really awesome red booths on a slightly elevated level along each side of the restaurant by windows, but they were all occupied by the time we arrived. Instead, we were seated at a nice table in the center of the room.
Our waitress was fine in the beginning, but at the end of our meal, she threw a small hissy fit when my one friend and I asked for separate checks as we were paying with cash and a credit card separately. She said she was "too busy" and it would "take her awhile" to split our bill (which is untrue, as my friend and I had virtually the same order...our appetizers were different prices). It wasn't a huge deal for us to write out how much to take in cash and how much to put on the credit card, but her response was so rude, especially since by the time we were paying the restaurant was nearly empty. She wasn't "so busy," and it's not like we were a table of twelve asking for separate checks. She was very huffy after we broke down the check for her. In addition to the waitress being less than amazing, the water pourer spilled water all over our table and didn't even notice/apologize/clean it up, and the bread distributor kind of ignored us.
Overall, I wasn't impressed by the service, though another visit might yield a better experience. I'm just not going back anytime soon. -
Review from John C.
11/4/2011
Late Night (10pm) appetizers review here folks.
My friend and I, who I haven't seen in 2 years, sat down at a booth and ordered some calamari and crab cakes. They food was okay. I've definitely had better calamari and crab cakes before. I was curious as to why they garnished the crab cake plate with plenty of leafy garnish, which I believe obscured the focal point from the crab cakes.
Anyway, this is your typical business luncheon and dinner place for the working crowd. -
Review from Anne Harden W.
Bronxville, NY
1/23/2012
I wish i could give a 2 1/2 stars. There's nothing bad about this place. But its not great either. It's overpriced. But that's expected. It's one of those places that you go to once just to say you've been. I probably won't ever go again. My friend ordered a cup of soup and i ordered a salad. We each had a beer. And we ordered a side of fries. It was 47 dollars. I live in SoHo and thats pretty steep. It's fun because its been in a lot of movies, but its nothing to write home about.
-
Review from Jennifer M.
Pacoima, CA
1/20/2012
DELICIOUS food!!! The pancakes/waffles are to die for. (I wonder what secret ingredient they put in them) I ate here 3 times. 2 times for breakfast and once for lunch. All the times I was satisfied. (and I'm a very picky eater)
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Review from Diane E.
10/7/2011
As I was leaving NYC, I bought my bus ticket to LaGuardia and then stopped here for breakfast with my daughter. Fast service but a very noisy place.
Had the egg breakfast which came with potatoes, bacon and toast. All very good. Pricey...but it is NYC.
Very convenient location. -
Review from Luke D.
Manhattan, NY
12/21/2011
One menu item - two words - "blueberry pancakes". Ask for extra butter and syrup. A real find on 42nd Street directly across from Grand Central Station but really for only one serious reason "blueberry pancakes."
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Review from Justin A.
10/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
No mimosas until 12 noon, for whatever reason. Not 5 minutes before, even.
Besides that, standard breakfast food - eggs, omelettes, etc. The food is just good enough. -
Review from Josh F.
Long Island City, NY
12/21/2011 16 Check-ins Here
This is my go-to place for breakfast. Not only is the vibe very engaging (a steady hum of deal talk that occasionally rises to the level of cacophony) but the food is very decent. They have a great goat cheese omelet, good sausage, great caffeine and tea, and an efficient staff. It's better to get in at 7:30am or so. The later, the harder it is to get a seat.
-
Review from Ann K.
New York, NY
10/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Looking for a close lunch spot, I remembered having lunch at Pershing Square a few years back so we decided to check it out. Luckily we were seated right away in the cafe area in the front. They were busy so at first we didn't mind waiting a bit. The food was just typical diner type food. The chicken and veggie soup was the most bland soup I've ever had (bad choice on my part). Although, the french onion soup looked very cheesy and delicious.I ordered the seared scallop special with glass noodles which was pretty decent.
As the lunch crowd died down, it was still very difficult to get a hold of our waiter (so annoying). -
Review from Y F.
Manhattan, NY
8/27/2011
Great location, but overpriced because of it :(
I wanted to like it! Nice decor and an unnaturally good-looking waitstaff.
Went here for brunch with a friend. I got an omelet with home fries and toast. The food was good enough but not worth $14.00 + tip and tax. My friend got a belgian waffle which he seemed to like enough.
The restaurant is much larger than it looks outside but when we went, it was pretty empty. Maybe only 5 other tables with customers in the entire restaurant.
Pros:
-very hot waitstaff
-location
-attentive and friendly service
-food
Cons:
-overpriced -
Review from Nora V.
ASTORIA, NY
10/19/2011
My friends and I meet here on occasion for after work drinks. On even fewer occasions we get meals there. Enough time passes by between meals that I always forget how the quality is lacking, especially considering the price.
Our visit yesterday will hopefully solidify in my memory to go elsewhere for food from now on as my friend ordered the lobster roll and I ordered the burger and we both walked away feeling like it was a waste of dinner and money.
In summary, if you work in the area it's a good place to stop for drinks - if your priority is location and not price. But go elsewhere for grub. Your tummy and tastebuds will be glad you did. -
Review from Steven R.
9/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'll admit, all I had here was water. A large sparkling water for myself, and a small bottle of still water for my wife. Very attractive blue bottles, but I would have preferred S. Pelligrino.
This is a great place to people watch, but we could only sit outside if we were ordering full brunch. Understandable if it was crowded, but it wasn't. And the waters cost about the same as one brunch. Please..... -
Review from Jim L.
7/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
When I was a kid my mother used to say, "If you ever get lost, meet me under the big clock at the Biltmore hotel." Back then, Grand Central was more of a cess pool than it was a destination point, a pass through for commuters, over-imbibed college students, and vagrants. So, going up a block or two to the Biltmore was safer and had clean restrooms.
Today, I would say to my kid, meet me in the vestibule of Pershing Square. There you will find a good flow of people, heat in winter and air in summer, and a clean restroom.
Of course, you could go there to eat or drink something, which is what I do every time I am in town...not because it's the finest of dining but because it's easy to meet my bro who works down town or his bride who works down the street. Location location location!
Luckily, I tend to meet them off the regular food timing radar - non lunch rush times or just the front end of happy hour. A quick proseco, a casual turkey burger or slider, all of which are good - make this store a mainstay for me when in NY. It's convenient, loyal, yet not wonderful.
The staff has always been pleasant, attentive, and ready to please. No fussy New York brats slinging hash in between semesters here.
I recommend coming in between meals for something easy, cheaper, and if you need it to be - faster, especially when your brother has to make the next train to Bedford Hills. -
Review from Stephanie C.
New York, NY
7/7/2011
Just like Pershing Square is the who's who of after-work, pre-commute home, it's also the who's who of breakfast. If you haven't been living under a rock, you've definitely noticed this place- situated at the money making location right under the bridge that goes over Grand Cen (aka opposite the entrance). I've been here for breakfast twice; both on business as it is a corporate favorite.
Well, for one, it's too damn expensive for breakfast. Despite this, you will get everything you need here, in a nice gourmet, hotel breakfast in bed fashion. B&B/hotel, with a slightly higher quality is a good way to describe it. Coffee's standard- good and not burnt. I will say the freshly squeezed OJ is divine.
The first time I came, my companion and I got eggs. She, the full three egg omelet, and me the whites version. Both have nice toppings, and come with great home fries.
The second time I was treated here, I got the whole wheat belgian waffle with strawberries. It was delicious- love the nutty taste of the whole wheat batter, the fresh strawberries (thought that was light), and the homemade (?) maple syrup. That was also a bit light ( in portion). It was nice and fluffy but expensive.
My breakfast buddies the second time around must have been timid because one just ordered the continental: fresh squeezed orange or grapefruit juice,
a selection of breakfast pastries and
your choice of tea or coffee. Nothing really stood out as eye dropping- not sure if any of it was homemade but wouldn't be my breakfast of choice.
The other guy I was with got a random assortment: ice coffee, a smoothie (berry, strawberry of some sort), and a large bowl of yogurt and granola. Again not my choice but he seemed to like it.
Service was fine and fast. The place is packed for breakfast, so expect it to be loud and bustling. We had to wait in line but only 5+ minutes. I don't believe they take reservations (at least for breakfast).
Fine if you want to indulged in high quality hotel food but I wouldn't come here unless I got treated again :).It's more like a NYC landmark more than anything else.
(I think breakfast for 3 came out to some $40 dollars or so...yikes) -
Review from Jess G.
11/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Mehh. Eating breakfast here was like eating among a stampede. The waiters were so rushed and haphazard about everything that you felt almost anxious while eating. Granted, the place was busy, but not so bad that the waitstaff had to be scrambling around and panicking, leaving tables half wiped down--and then trying to set new things down. This restaurant is extremely overpriced--welcome to Midtown/Grand Central--and not worth it.
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Review from Aisling C.
Manhattan, NY
7/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Food is great , I love coming here for brunch. The ambience is great and even though the view is nothing special I love the big open windows. Try to sit in a booth next to the windows.
My one complaint is the service is not great at all. -
Review from Alice T.
Manhattan, NY
11/3/2011
This place is ok. I think it's a hype because it's near Grand Central and it's also featured in movies. Their food is ok but decor is pretty cool. I definitely had better brunch elsewhere. Their menu don't have anything special.
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Review from Chris R.
Astoria, NY
11/11/2011
I go here about once a month for lunch, I stick to three things on the menu, Short Ribs are great, the Burger is better than average as is the Chicken Pot Pie. I'm Happy with any one of that trio every time I go.
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Review from Angel K.
New York, NY
10/24/2011
Disgusting service. Had a great show watching my waiter count his wad of tip money instead of taking orders.
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Review from Nina S.
9/29/2011
Went here for lunch and had the lobster roll. Place is cute be we had to sit inside because it was raining (I really wanted to sit outside.) The lobster roll was good but honestly, the lobster roll from Luke's Lobster (truck) is better (and less expensive!)
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Review from Tristan P.
Boonton, NJ
7/22/2011
I came here for lunch during the work week, and while the experience was ok I don't have plans to return.
The food is ok, but you won't have a cheap lunch. The place was also crowded so you need to really carve out some time on order to eat here. When I am grabbing lunch during the work week, I want something that is semi-fast and stress free without being squished in tight corners. -
Review from Virginia C.
Washington, DC
10/1/2011
Lots of room and great soup (chicken noodle soup). I ordered the pasta rigatoni--have had better--but the restaurant is in great location. Creme brûlée also was very good.
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Review from Kathleen B.
San Diego, CA
1/25/2011
Pros
1) Warm syrup
2) fresh cut strawberries
3) Delicious choice of bread appetizer (I had the muffin - yum!)
4) Was the only place serving breakfast on a Friday when I was on CA time wanting a waffle at 12 pm NY time
Cons
1) I paid $13 for one waffle here. It was delicious, but it was $13.
Tips
- Burgers are better bang for the buck. Cost as much as the waffle but larger portion and comes with a side of crispy fries. -
Review from Pegah Y.
8/28/2011
I would have given this place 4 stars the last time I came here three years ago but now I must give it 3, and this is generous. We went there for breakfast/lunch on a Friday and we were really excited and I told my friends this place was great because I had had a great experience here a few years ago - it has all the potential of a really great restaurant. It's super cute, it's right across from Grand Central Station, and it has great views. The service was decent, though sort of in our face at times. The bread they brought around was not great - the only one that wasn't completely hard and inedible was the corn bread. They said they had baked it fresh, but it tasted pretty tough. The service was meh... they obviously tried to influence our ordering.
The food was pretty tasty, though a $14 burger is a bit much, even for New York City! The burger was nothing special. I've dished out $20 on a burger before and had no regrets then because that burger was delicious, but this burger is seriously something you could get elsewhere for under $10. The side salad that came with it was also nothing extraordinary, as it was a little soggy.
In general, I wish they would go back to being as good as they were a few years ago. I don't feel the variety on the menu is great. Though the location is great, I am really disappointed with the service and the prices/food here. I will skip this place the next time I am in New York City. -
Review from Jacob Y.
12/22/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Well, let me think of how I can describe this place...hmmmmmm...a bit of a tourist trap? Maybe it's the "busiest breakfast" sign outside that drove me to think that way.
That said...I go to Pershing Square for one reason and one reason only...happy hour with the peeps from work. It's right next to my office building, and they do pour a mean martini.
Now, one day I may suck it up and try their food. I've just been a bit turned off as I don't especially find the service friendly there. -
Review from Jim P.
12/19/2010
Stopped in here after my office holiday party for a few drinks and then sat down for some apps.
Overall, ok. The bartenders seem to have a little bit of an attitude, like they're doing you a favor when waiting on you.
The food was pretty decent. Sliders, chicken quesadilla, fried calamari.
Service was ok. Seems like they seat you based on whether you are having apps or dinner? This seemed a little confusing to me, while standing at the hostess stand.
Overall, ok. I've had burgers here in the past, which is pretty much their staple.
I like the Outdoor seating options in the warmer months.
The immediate area is most famous for 2 Will Smith movie scenes. One from Men in Black, and the other from I am Legend. -
Review from david g.
Manhattan, NY
12/8/2011
I had the best stake sandwich for lunch and it was amazing. The restaurant was noisy and busy but that's OK. It's not the first time I've had food in this place and it's always been a pleasant experience, however, I enjoyed it even more the last time, Dec 7, 2011.
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Review from Steph G.
11/29/2010
This is officially my new 'we need a sit-down venue near GC before catching the train' go-to spot.
I came for a brunch and felt completely removed from the chaos of 42nd street. While I bet this place is a madhouse during the week, it was pretty quiet with low traffic on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The food was seemingly generic brunch/lunch fare (I only experienced the omelet), but, surprisingly, priced fairly (given the opportunity to charge desperate commuters an arm and a leg).
The convenience and charm of this little diner has won me over. I will be back! -
Review from Russell F.
Manhattan, NY
8/29/2011
Waffles were sweet without syrup, coffee was sweet without sugar. Both were pretty good. Service was efficient and polite but not overly warm. A convenient meal in a great location, but 37 bucks for two waffles and two cups of coffee is a little off unless you're ordering room service. We ended up involuntarily overhearing a conversation between two young women working for financial companies complaining about their sexual harassing boss, which while interesting, certainly ruined the ambiance for us. I'd return if I were walking down 42nd street in the rain looking for breakfast, but not otherwise.
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Review from Miss L.
Brooklyn, NY
8/8/2011
The food is definitely on the pricier side, but you're right across the street from Grand Central, and the food is certainly by no means bad, so the prices are to be expected. The food is actually quite good. I've had brunch and dinner here on various occasions. Hint: get the caesar salad if you like chopping your romaine for yourself - I found this to be unnecessary and rather annoying.
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Review from Reesie R.
Sunnyside, NY
4/10/2011
My boyfriend and I wanted a bite prior to studying at the NY Library so we decided to give Pershing Square a try. We were not disappointed! It was conveniently located to Grand Central Station and within walking distance to the library. Best part yet, it's stationed under a bridge!
The inside was well decorated and clean. Not more than a 5 minute wait to be seated in a comfortable booth along a window. The prices are high for a casual breakfast, brunch, or lunch. However, the food was fresh, tasteful, and plated well. My boyfriend and I both decided upon the sirloin burger - very good. $14 each. French fries were perfectly salted and crispy. Careful because a coke will run you $3. However, the service was excellent - attentive but not overwhelming.
We will definitely be coming again! Perfect for mid-scale dining. -
Review from Rick R.
Tarrytown, NY
12/30/2010
First time trying this restaurant I've walked past 100 times. Overall, I was pretty pleased.
Service: Our waiter was attentive and basically did his job. The "table attendants" who bring bread and water were very friendly. Quick service and accurate.
Decor: Pretty cute. Not fantastic. Location is prime- right next to Grand Central.
Food: I had the onion soup-lots of cheese! C had the fish of the day. I tasted it too and thought it was quite good. My glass of wine was quite delicious too.
Overall: A solid place. The pricing is a bit high, but that's due to the location. What I like is that I felt like the place was actually worth the price- they made an effort to present the food nicely and seem gourmet-ish, not just relying on location to justify the high prices. I like that and appreciate it. Give this place a try! -
Review from Jolie B.
11/15/2010
This place was awesome.
Presentation made up for most of the stars. The food was meh! but presentation, location, front door service was superb.
First, they let me check in my bag. I thought that was great and considerate of them.
Second, the hostess didn't give me that look when I asked for a table for one. She just acted like it was business as usual.
Not so great with my server who seemed like she'd rather be people watching at Union Square. When you work in a place that seems to be a tourist trap, the least you can do is be friendly and make suggestions, make conversation, say anything, except "Are you ready to order?" It just totally misses the point. Because she seemed to be in a hurry for her Union Square appointment, I decided to take my time.
The food is not so great. It's pricey and not so great. The omelette was not well done inside but was charred on the outside. What gives?!
However, they give you coffee in these cute little teacups, just so cute and proper. Then, they provide you with a slice of butter and jam. How neat! I was floored by those factors alone. -
Review from Joanie K.
11/11/2010
Have been here a few times for lunch - come before 12:30 otherwise you'll be waiting on line. Otherwise, just breeze on by
Portions generous, pricing decent.
Best part, lunch is straight and to the point. I've been in and out in under 45.min.. which is unheard of, unless you're in Chinatown -
Review from Monique N.
Portland, OR
Updated - 6/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Great breakfast
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Review from David C.
7/25/2011
I love this place. It's my quintessential NYC place to have breakfast or brunch. Booth at the back. Service is quick and the food is hot on the plate. Never had any huge wait times for a table, but once made the mistake of eating at the front. Never again. Tables too small for a start.
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Review from Christina L.
Rochester, MI
5/28/2011
Stopped by here for a late lunch so it wasn't too busy. I had the cobb salad with a drink. The cobb salad was excellent. Service was prompt, atmosphere very New York: busy, classy, diverse. The location underneath the bridge by Grand Central gave it a quaint feeling. One day I would like to try their breakfast menu.
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Review from T S.
San Diego, CA
11/2/2011
The only reason this place is crowded is that it's near grand central and tourism. The food is not great and the service is poor. We went for brunch on Saturday...even thought they don't serve brunch. They have an online brunch menu but when we showed up at 10:15, they only had bfast. I ordered eggs over hard with lentils as I abhor egg yolk. The dish came out over easy. I returned the dish to our server (Andrew) and he stated that I ordered them that way. I would never order rover easy eggs! After a second, he had them redo the order. But then he never brought my hash browns and never came back to our table. I had to flag him down just to get butter. $14 for eggs, lentils, and poor service?? I can't believe this place is in business
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Review from Grace P.
New York, NY
1/18/2011
Their chicken pot pie is awesome!
I went with 7-8 other people for lunch and the service was good, although from the reviews here it seem like we got lucky with a good waiter and happened to be there at non-peak hours. So I'm wavering between 3 and 4 stars.
Other than their chicken pot pie, other dishes seemed average to above average. Standard fare of sandwiches, burgers, etc.
