- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
The Water Club
Categories: Restaurants Seafood Restaurants American (Traditional) Seafood, American (Traditional) [Edit]
The E River at 30th St(between between 29th St & 32nd St)
New York, NY 10016
Neighborhoods: Kips Bay, Stuyvesant Town
(212) 683-3333
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 12 pm - 11 pm
Sun 11 am - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot, Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
123 reviews for The Water Club
Review Highlights
"But, if they are, I recommend the key lime pie."
(in 11 reviews)
"Luscious Chocolate Layer Cake."
(in 6 reviews)
"Lobster Bisque: Mmmm, it shall always warm my heart."
(in 17 reviews)
Loading...
123 reviews in English
-
Review from Maly A.
Came here for dinner during restaurant week recently. Great food, and superb service. Old school upscale feel, great view as it is right on the east river, intimate ambiance.
My friend & I tried the Maple Glazed Shrimp & Pan Seared Cod Cakes, both were delicious. For the main course we had Caramelized Sea scallops & the Long Island Duck Duo. Both were superb & I think this must be the most tender and perfectly cooked duck I've ever had. For dessert we had the Chocolate & Hazelnut Swiss Roll. Over all it was a lovely evening. -
Review from janie i.
Flushing, NY
2/4/2012
I never went.
I'd heard such wonderful things and immediately booked a reservation for my best friend's birthday. Then I got a very strange voice mail from the restaurant the day before (presumably to confirm my reservation), which went something like this:
"Hi, I'm calling from the Water Club for Ms. ___ (mispronounces my name)..."
(long pause)
(snickering and suppressed giggling from what sounds like another lady in the background)
(another long pause)
Click.
I was extremely put off. It wasn't the mispronunciation of my name - it happens all the time. But the entire message reeked of high school immaturity and it completely colored my view of a restaurant that previously seemed so elegant.
Granted, the 1-star rating is unfair because I've never dined there. But I know that even if I'd gone tonight, the bitter remembrance of that voice mail would have colored the best of meals. -
Review from Alina G.
1/27/2012 1 photo
Restaurant week adventures continue with the Water Club. After I made the reservations, a confirmation note arrives with the following, "Though it can certainly be reached by foot, we recommend our guests to come by either taxi or car." That pretty much set the tone for the restaurant. It was all fufu and snobbish. But...I'm getting ahead of myself here.
I wouldn't even know about this place if not for driving past it twice a day on the FDR. It always struck me as glamorous, beautiful, and the kind of restaurant where you are sure to have a unique dining experience. The Water Club is all of these things, yes, but ultimately the entire experience was an uncomfortable one. Oh, and getting there by foot was a pain, so I also recommend arriving by car.
What struck me immediately, even before the gorgeous views, was the multitude of staff. One to open the door, one for greeting and coat checking, two for the bread, three for the menus, another to take the orders, and two more to check if everything was satisfactory. Every time I looked up, I saw a new face. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but everyone and everything was so tense..lets just say this is far from a comforting mom and pop kind of place.
The dining room is breathtaking. You feel like you're right on the water in a boat (was it just me or was the whole room tilted a bit?). Very rich and quiet ambiance. Beautiful views of the East River; beautiful and romantic lighting. From the fixed price menu choices ($35 for 3 courses), I ordered a shrimp with ravioli appetizer, duck duo for the entree, and creme caramel with a ginger cookie (heavenly) for dessert.
While the food was good, it was obviously not the main show. -
Review from Mark A.
Las Vegas, NV
1/5/2012
I almost always seem to be lucky when it comes to dining while traveling. My Wife, Daughter and I were blessed with being able to spend Christmas in New York. We of course wanted something special for Christmas dinner. My Daughter did a little research and found where the locals like to eat. She found that something special we were looking for at the Water Club.
The three of us each ordered a different appetizer. My Daughter had a Pork Belly, I'm sorry that I do not remember what my wife had. I ordered a Parsnip Bisque. We all loved each of the appetizers, but all agreed that the Parsnip Bisque was the best.
We all got the same entree. We had the filet. I don't think that was a mistake for any of us. The meat was so tender. It cut like butter, and almost tasted like it.
We got the chocolate layer cake for desert along with coffee. The cake was nothing special. It was good, but no more. It was very dense and heavy. The frosting between the layers was as thick as the bread which made it far to rich. The coffee on the other hand was wonderful. I could have sat there for the rest of the evening just sipping on the tasty brew.
The nighttime view overlooking the river was very beautiful in the darkness. Watching boats sail down the river was very calming.
The waitstaff was very excellent. Someone came by every few minutes to make sure we had everything we needed. The next time I am in New York I will definitely be making a trip back to the Water Club. -
Review from soy l.
Jersey City, NJ
2/7/2012
The Water Club is a destination restaurant. The food is superb, the service is attentive, and the the ambience is classy . The view is amazing too. This is the standard by which all NYC restaurants should be judged.
-
Review from Veronica R.
Manhattan, NY
1/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
Loved the water club. So elegant and romantic! What a great view! We were err for restaurant week and the portions were great we were full and enjoyed every moment of our visit. I'll be coming back for sure!
-
Review from Nick V.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 12/30/2011
Fabulous views, good service and above average food await you at the Water Club. Went there to again celebrate my wonderful girlfriend's birthday this time with her mother in late November. Last minute reservation on a Saturday night seemed unlikely, but we luckily scored a table. We had the lobster, the rib eye steak, stuffed pork plus creamed spinach, garlic mash sides and salads. All very good. Dessert was a strawberry shortcake which disappointed, but still good.
In the end, the good, views and service made the three of us satisfied and we will again return again for another special occasion.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
12/2/2010
I was looking for a special place to take my girlfriend Sarah for her birthday. People have… Read more »
-
-
Review from Jeff W.
Manhattan, NY
1/6/2012
The lobster roll was SO. GOOD. And the calamari. I'm a big fan of the food here. The oysters were fresh and the waiters were attentive. Maybe a little too attentive if you ask me. I had my water refilled every time I took a sip. But then again, there weren't that many people there.
The downside is that it is a little far. Nothing really in the area. It has great views of New Jersey if that counts for anything...
Overall, great place for a date. -
Review from Cheng-i W.
New York, NY
1/8/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Food, service, view are all satisfying.
-
Review from Caroline R.
Manhattan, NY
10/31/2011 4 Check-ins Here
The Water Club is a comfortable relaxing dinner out. The staff are friendly, warm people. If you're a repeat customer they remember details and your likes/dislikes. Wonderful ambiance and incredible view and before dinner you can enjoy cocktails on the rooftop bar.
The brunch is always fantastic, as well; an added plus is the very efficient valet service. -
Review from Annette M.
New York, NY
12/15/2011
My company holiday party was held at The Water Club this year. I have no complaints about the place - it was very nice, the employees were all friendly and attentive - but nothing really knocked my socks off either. The passed hors d'oeuvres were good, but nothing I haven't had a million times before. Same goes for the buffet dinner. I'm glad I had a chance to experience this place, but it's definitely not anywhere I'll be rushing back to.
-
Review from Christa K.
New York, NY
9/7/2011
It's a nice quiet restaurant. I didn't feel like I was in NYC because the place is so spacious, we weren't packed in between a bunch of people. It has a great view and sparkly christmas lights hanging from the ceiling.
My pet peeve is not knowing my server's name, and I didn't know his name, and every five minutes someone different was coming around. Another issue, is that the bread man came by once, offering a choice of four rolls, you get one so choose wisely. He never came back to offer us more. Why couldn't they just leave a bread basket on the table? We ended up asking one of the waiters to send the bread man back again, because we were hungry!
The crab cakes are so great! The grilled tuna was also yummy. I liked the atmosphere and the food but I'm not convinced I'd go back any time soon. There are limited vegetarian options. The staff is generally nice, but not exceptional.
You will have to take a taxi as it is very difficult to get here by public transportation. -
Review from Young K.
Manhattan, NY
10/24/2011
First time here with my wife and we came here with two other couples so we had a nice large table in the corner window of the restaurant. The views of long island city are fantastic and you really do feel like you are dining on a yacht. The food was good but I wished it could've been excellent since I just simply loved the location on the water. There were alot of older people there that evening. The live piano bar music which you could hear in the main dining room made it really feel like you were on a cruise somewhere. I had the trout which was quite good and my wife's lobster was also good. Overall, a very nice evening with good food to match.
Here's a tip: If you want to get here using mass transit, you can take the M16 and go to the last stop which literally drops you off just a few blocks from the restaurant. -
Review from Erin D.
7/26/2011
The Water Club is all ambiance. Really spectacular views that truly make you feel like you are far, far from New York City (which can be nice once in awhile!). Unfortunately, the food featured on the Restaurant Week menu didn't leave as memorable of an impression as the beautiful, classic wooden-and-white-cloth interior and panoramic views of the river.
My table of six all opted for the goat cheese soufflé starter, and it was praised highly by everyone. Expect to have a significant portion of delicious grilled onions and tomato slices (meaning bring mints for later!). Most of us ordered the filet of veal, and it was tender and mild, but oh, oh so TINY! I'd guess 3 oz. The spinach, potato, onion, and sweet peaches on the side complemented the meat perfectly, but I probably could've scooped them all up with one big spoon and finished it off right there. Bottom line: don't come here starved or looking for massive portions.
WARNING: The vegan risotto entrée was horrible. Inedible by all that ordered it. Resembled a sticky, overcooked rice paste with no seasoning. Avoid, avoid, AVOID. This dish alone will make vegans and vegetarians walk out of here raging carnivores. I am yelping this warning on behalf of my friends who ordered this dish and will never return here again.
Desserts were enjoyed all around. I enjoyed my light, refreshing piña colada panna cotta, but the most popular choice seemed to be the apple pie - definitely the biggest portion of the evening, as well. (ADVISORY: The key lime pie is actually a torte - it' mostly all crust, so if you're looking for an apple pie-sized slice of mainly filling, you will be devastated.)
I'd return mainly for the ambiance and only if someone else was paying, but I did have an enjoyable dining experience here. I still think my best RW experiences have been Capital Grille and Club A........ or maybe I just have a thing for ginormous, juicy, tender pieces of meat. -
Review from Steffanie C.
New York, NY
WOW
So I made reservations here last night for our anniversary. The view was absolutely beautiful ( I posted a panoramic pic).
We started off with cocktails and I had the Six leaf salad and my fiancee had the mussels. Salad was good and my Fiancee LOVED the mussels.
For dinner I had the Trout and he had the Lamb. The trout actually comes out looking like they just scooped him out of the water and they due "surgery" right next to the table. This may freak out some.
They were both AMAZING!
We also had the sweet potato risotto, this was a huge disappointment. The rice was over cooked and there weren't any sweet potatoes but carrots? Well we sent it back and they took it off our bill.
For dessert I had a special that was ice cream with homemade caramel sauce and chocolate, I want some now actually it was so good.
My fiancee had the apple tart, he really like it!
They also wrote happy anniversary on my plate :)
To end dinner we had a glass of 20 year tawny by the fireplace, I recommend doing this!!!!!
The staff gets 10 stars for being SO attentive and fantastic.
Since I have Celiacs they made sure everything I ate was made Gluten Free and I appreciate that so much.
I want to come during the spring/summer to go to the crows nest! We will be back! -
Review from Jimmy S.
Staten Island, NY
11/23/2011
Used to be a 4 star restaurant to me but the last 2 times the food wasn't as good! Still a good restaurant to go to for that special occasion and definitely in the warmer weather so you can go outside to have a few drinks and overlook the water! The steak is ok, I would stick with the chicken or fish dishes and great mashed potatoes!!!
-
Review from Monica D.
7/19/2011
Went with a friend for lunch during restaurant week otherwise I could not afford to go. We each ordered different items that we shared so we could have a taste of everything. Before our apps came, we were offered bread from a basket and I chose one that resembled a small scone and boy am I glad I did. It was sweet and crumbly....a perfect start. I started off with the goat cheese souffle, small and fluffly with a creamy goat cheese center served with grilled white onions and a slice of grilled tomato. Friend had the tuna tartare, a slightly gelationous version, in the center of a shallow pool of gazpacho with an avocado mousse. Both were very good.
As soon as we finished those, our entrees were right there. Mine was the open faced leg of lamb sandwich that came on rosemary focaccia w/ a delicious horseradish sauce, caramelized red peppers & onions and crispy eggplant fritters. I would've prefered for my lamb rarer (it was about medium to med well) but still very good and the portion was excellent to share. Friend had the King Crab Stuffed Montauk Fluke with fennel purée, yellow & green bean salad; also very tasty.
I ended the meal with the apple pie, it was just good and friend had the key lime that he loved and savored (I don't like so I didn't taste)
Overall, the 3 course $24 menu was a fantastic deal for the place, portion and definitely the very attentive service. Will prob go back for the next restaurant week if the menu is different. -
Review from Steven E.
Manhattan, NY
9/15/2011
This place is all about the ambiance. Had a reunion with college friends here and it couldn't have been a better choice for the occasion. The place off the beaten path situated on the other side of the FDR and on the East River but that's what makes it. Only thing is it's hard to walk to so you will prob need to take a cab. If you own a car they offer free valet parking!
The dining room has a romantic flare to it and is overall kinda quiet. The view is incredible. If you go you need to have a table by the window, order a good bottle of wine, and just watch the boats go by. Food is very good... I had salmon and it has to have been one of the best salmon dishes I've had.
Personally I think it's not that expensive. My salmon entree was $24 and for NY standards at a 5 star restaurant I think that's cheap. -
Review from John A.
Carmel, CA
10/16/2011
Spotty service, overpriced...disappointing.
-
Review from Diana C.
7/5/2011 3 photos
Took my parents here for dinner when I got promoted.
Restaurant is very classic in their decor and ambiance. Food was delicious and well cooked. Great views of Long Island City.
I would recommend this place if you are trying to impress someone on a serious date or taking your parents out for a special occasion. -
Review from Rachel C.
New York, NY
7/20/2011
I'm so disappointed to have to give this place only 3 stars. It would have deserved just 2 if it weren't for the lovely ambiance. I think that may be what keeps them in business.
I went with a few friends for dinner during Restaurant Week because I've been dying to try this place since I started running by it a few years ago on the East River. The first thing I said to my friends when I sat down was "If I go to grad school and graduate, this is where I'd like to have my celebratory dinner. And when I get engaged (keeping my fingers crossed), this is where I'm having my engagement brunch." I think I jinxed the experience with my high expectations.
The bread basket options were nice, I'll give it that, and my tuna tartar atop gazpacho was decent. The mushroom risotto (main course) was the most disappointing 20 dollar dish I've ever had. No exaggeration. There was no flavor. It seemed like it was prepared in a water based broth (aka no flavor) and no amount of salt and pepper could salvage it. It failed.
I'm happy the meal ended with key lime pie, because that at least was good, but I don't think I'll be going back unless it's just for a drink at their lovely looking bar. I don't trust them to fill my stomach, and especially not at the prices they charge. -
Review from Will Z.
Carmel, IN
8/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Not all restaurant week venues are created equal. After a great meal at MarkJoseph, I was expecting an equally great one at The Water Club. Visually, this place was stunning, and our party of 4 was seated right next to a huge window with a great view of the East River.
Our server was very slow to take our order, and I'm pretty sure he ignored us a few times as he went to check on other tables who weren't going to order from the pre-fixe menu. We also didn't get bread for at least 15 minutes. The bread was excellent though; they even had scones and corn muffins, which I really enjoyed.
I started with the tuna tartare, which I thought was a really cool play on chips with dip. It was served with long strands of tortilla chips sticking out, a golden gazpacho on the bottom, and a dollop of avocado mousse on the side. The gazpacho was like salsa, and the mousse was like guacamole. Definitely a really fun and delicious dish.
The entree, crab-stuffed fluke, was not nearly as impressive. The crab inside was sweet and tasty, but the fish was overcooked and poorly cleaned (there were some small bones hidden in the middle). The fennel puree that it was served with was amazing though. Dessert was a huge slice of apple pie, which had a great blend of spices and a generous scoop of smooth vanilla ice cream on top.
Overall, a meal full of ups and downs. Watching the sunset on the river was very nice though, so I was pretty happy with the experience. Wouldn't come here again though, there are much better options out there for RW. -
Review from Tony T.
10/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here for a baby naming ceremony brunch and the view from the restaurant is over the East River, which was amazing. We had a buffet style brunch with an omelet station and a meat carving station. The food was pretty god for a buffet but if you come, come for the ambiance and view. The one trouble you might have is finding a cab to take you back into the city if you don't drive.
-
Review from Jaclyn L.
1/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
The Water Club.
Is it by the water?................Yup
Does it smell like fish?..... Not particularly, no.
Did I risk my life trying to cross the street to get here?...... Definitely.
It is totally an inconvenience to get here on foot. Driving would be a bit stressful I would imagine, but at least they have parking available for you.
The floor to ceiling windows illuminated the restaurant beautifully with the winter afternoon sun, and the Christmas decor of natural pines and evergreens made it feel rustic. Rustic to me is like Pennsylvania.
We were a party of five (no pun intended) and were graciously seated and explained the specials and the menu. The mirrors lined along the walls gave the illusion that the place was much larger than what it was, and I actually discovered that there was additional private booths behind the mirrors. Very nice feel.
Starting with the lobster bisque was the greatest decision I made. It was wonderfully flavored with no overpowering salt taste after. If it wasn't such a professional lunch, I would have grabbed the baby biscuits on the table and cleaned the bowl Italian style. I hate having such composure. *sigh*
I decided on the fish and chips dish as the main. It was filling and had very little grease on it. The tartar sauce was very necessary, or the plate would have been something I could typically get at any other restaurant. To clean our mouths, I decided to have the strawberry short cake.
Boss: How does it taste?
Me: Like summer.
It really did and I had no problem finishing it; then again, I never have a problem finishing dessert.
It was a wonderful lunch and I'm not too sure when and if I'd return, but it's worth a try if you're in the area.Listed in: Money Ain't a Thing!
-
Review from Y d.
Corona, CA
10/17/2011
Okay I guess. The lobster and scallop was decent. Great location though as it is right on the water.
-
Review from Sheila M.
Brooklyn, NY
3/6/2011
This was one of my bucket list restaurants. I can die now and have no regrets that I have not been there more than once.
We arrived a little early for our reservation and were taken strait to our table. We were seated next to a couple who we thought were on a first date but upon further eaves dropping, we discovered they were celebrating their wedding anniversary. They were reminiscing about their visit to The Water Club on their previous wedding anniversary. It was like watching a cheesy soap opera where they recap with each other via conversation what had previously happened, in case the viewer had missed an episode. They were linking their arms to drink their champagne and everything. It was great!
You have a view of industrial Long Island City, not impressive at all. They had us seated next to each other, at a table large enough for four, so we could enjoy the view. Within the time we were seated to when we received our appetizers, two large parties arrived and were sitting between us and the window. The new arrivals were a bit loud and dressed pretty casual. If there was a dress code, the The Water Club wasn't enforcing it this night. I definitely felt overdressed for this place, as was the couple, apparently from Connecticut, seated next to us.
Onto the food. I had the surf and turf and I believe my fiance had some sort of red meat on a bone. The food was what I expected, it was good, not fabulous.
I only gave it two stars because the ambiance was not what I thought it would/should be for the reputation that it has. You can find great food anywhere. But, great food and a great experience is what I had anticipated and I was disappointed. -
Review from Maria W.
Elmhurst, Queens, NY
2/2/2011 5 photos
I came here for a birthday dinner last Saturday. We sat by the window, so we got to see the city lights from across the river -- very romantic. The place has a bar when you first walk in, then the restaurant inside. They even have a party room upstairs.
Anyway, on to the food. I loved their little bread basket that was brought over by a waiter in a big basket tray thing. The appetizers were very tasty, as were the entrees. We got three appetizers and a complimentary appetizer from the chef. I got a tuna entree and my date got the mahi mahi. Both were very good, but the tuna was cooked to perfection. We also got two desserts, the strawberry banana flambe and the chocolate hazelnut cake. The flambe was ok, even though the waiter cooked it table side, it wasn't that tasty. I thought the liquor overpowered the ice cream and fruit. The chocolate cake was very good, especially with the hazelnuts and orange rinds. We also got two glasses of the Cabernet Sauvignon, which were delicious.
The maitre d' and waiters were very attentive to our needs and immediately cleared our table when we were done with a dish. But they also gave us space if it clearly looked like we were talking or enjoying each other's company.
When I went out to go to the bathroom, which was upstairs near the party room, I saw a man playing on the piano in the bar. He even sang when I came back!
Overall, this is a very romantic and intimate place for a date or small gathering. If you know someone that loves seafood, this is a great place to take them. I know I would love to come back. :) -
Review from Jaimie C.
Chicago, IL
10/25/2010
Amazing view of the river; great for a "fancy" occasion but there are so many better restaurants in New York that'd I go to before going back to the Water Club. The wait staff and hosts are very attentive but the food was just OK. I had hoped for a bit better but it may have just been what I choose. I got the seared Tuna, lightly fried eggplant and broccoli rabe with the sauce on the side. The bread and biscuits were really yummy but I think if I went back, I'd try something else. They kept my water glass filled all the time, quite a feat since I drink a lot of water.
I think it would be nice to sit in the bar on a cold day with the fire roaring....again the view was amazing. It's def not a fast paced place, and good choice for a long lunch with cocktails. -
Review from jocy c.
8/16/2010 7 photos
Rating: 3.5
I've been wanting to try this place for a while now and have finally made it here on a Friday for lunch.
Atmosphere in the dining room - pretty sweet. There are floor to ceiling windows overlooking the East River. Although looking at Long Island City isn't as impressive during the day, bf and I happened to go on a day where there was a race on Stand Up Paddles. That was pretty neat to watch as we were enjoying our meal.
Anyway, to the food, we ordered the following:
- Half dozen Malpeque Raw Oysters - which were good.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
As for 1 of the meals, we ordered one of their "Famous" Lobster lunch, which is a "MUST GET" if you come here:
1) Classic French Style Lobster Bisque - good, creamy, and not as salty as most places would make the lobster bisque to be.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
2) 1.25 Whole Lobster - ordered the lobster steamed. We saw our server take the lobster out from the shells (pre-cracked in the kitchen) prior to serving it to us on the plate. Lobster was super fresh as expected.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
3) Butter Pecan Ice Cream (House Made from Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory) - ice cream was good, but wasn't a fan of the crisp that comes with it. The crisp tasted almost burnt.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
For the 2nd meal, we ordered from the Restaurant Week menu:
1) Vichyssoise - Melted Leeks & Chives - good, creamy, and full of leek flavor.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
2) Pan Seared Cod Fish (Warm Pea Shoots, Cold Pressed Tomato & Olive Emulsion) - both bf and i weren't not fans of this dish. All ingredients on the dish were good alone, but the dish just didn't come together for us. The veggies on the plate didn't match the fish texture. Also, the tomato and the olives weren't "blended" enough. The olives completely overpowered the tomatoes.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
3) Key Lime Pie (Graham Cracker Crumb Crust & Whipped Cream) - ordered this as a result of Yelp review comments, and this doesn't disappoint!
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Service-wise, the person who took our order was nice but not the most helpful. When I asked where the oysters came from, all he responded with was East & West. I didn't know which oyster came from which coast (bf and I both like West Coast oysters). We ended up getting the Malpeque oysters, which we've had before, but didn't try get adventurous. When I asked which of the Restaurant Week dish was good, he responded with "all of them are good". Again, not the most helpful. He also mixed up my Avocado & Mixed Greens and gave me the Vichyssoise instead (which was still good), but I didn't get my Avocado as I had expected. The other servers who gave us the wine & food were super friendly. A smile goes a long way and definitely noticeable. BUT the FRESH LOBSTER TRUMPED all of the kinks.
All in all, if you're going to eat here... get their FAMOUS LOBSTER LUNCH. The lobster is fresh & definitely worth your money. Michelin Guide worthy.
Bathroom tip:
If you're a guy... don't plan to do a #2. Bf mentioned how there were only 2 stalls, and there's a bathroom attendant in the men's room. I guess you could do a #2 if you don't mind someone else hearing your business. Oddly enough, there wasn't a bathroom attendant in the women's room.
Drivers: FREE VALET PARKING.Listed in: Michelin Guide NY, Raw Oysters
-
Review from Andrew M.
Brooklyn, NY
9/4/2010
Everything at The Water Club is perfect: The panoramic view of the river; live piano music at just the right volume; large tables spaced well enough to allow for private conversation ...
Most of all, they have what so many NYC restaurants lack: a relaxed pace. At no point did we feel rushed to order or obligated to eat quickly and leave so they could cram in more guests. Instead, there was enough time for the wine to absorb and conversation to flow by the time our food arrived.
Oh and then there's the food. The lobster starter was delicious, and my steak in borderlaise sauce was so tender and full of flavor that I dreamed about it later that night... The wine selection is good and surprisingly affordable. I'll definitely be back soon. -
Review from Dana F.
8/10/2010
If the Water Club was in Westchester or Long Island, this is where all families would be having their Communion or Bar Mitzvah parties. The food served is glorified catering hall cuisine with a 250% markup. Nothing is risky or adventurous - it is the world Anthony Bourdain describes as a CIA student in "Kitchen Confidential." The prime reason an establishment like this is still in business is due to the gorgeous view across the East River.
Firstly, the Water Club is only accessible by car/taxi. That should scream "tourist trap" or "bridge and tunnel." Or both?
For the prices charged, the food is not quality. To start, I had the lobster cocktail. The claw meat in the cocktail definitely had an off taste and texture - sandy, rough, and fishy tasting. For anyone who has had seafood that tastes funny and then thinks of how they will be locked in the bathroom stall all weekend, hunched over a toilet, waiting for their large intestine to come up through their esophogus, welcome to my Friday night.
For a main course, the broiled lobster did not have the off-consistency and taste, but the lobster was not sweet. It was very starchy, if lobster can taste such a way. The mashed potatoes that accompanied the meal were very thin and not whipped up.
For dessert, the logical summertime option seemed to be strawberry shortcake. The strawberries were not fresh - they were the type that come from a jar or can and adorn your Friendly's ice cream sundae (a la suburbia). The whipped cream was more like Cool Whip than fresh whipped cream.
We went upstairs to check out the Crows Nest, and although the view was beautiful on such a clear day, the drinks were very expensive. -
Review from Valerie V.
Brooklyn, NY
8/16/2010
When my cousin Jason was little, my aunt and uncle left him with a babysitter to go to The Water Club for their anniversary dinner. Angry that he couldn't come with, at the ripe old age of 7 my cousin made them promise to take him. They said, "when you graduate high school". Hoping that he'd forget this promise, they left for their romantic dinner on the water. 10 years later, about 4 months before my cousin's high school graduation he reminded them. Our family laughed hysterically and my uncle called to make a reservation.
Off to The Water Club we went one early summer evening for my cousin's congratulatory dinner. This was my FIRST ever experience with fill bodied shrimp. I'm talkin', heads, eyes, feet, tails the whole shaboodle. Bleh. I couldn't take it and my family thought it was hilarious. I don't remember much about the food but I do remember this experience.
The space is, as expected, on the water. The smell of the river does waft into the space and made me a tad sick. The establishment has pretty ornate decorations but the service is top class. I wouldn't however choose this as my first fancy restaurant pick. -
Review from Jin Y.
9/10/2010 6 photos
I was hoping this place will really impress me but it didn't. It was a little difficult to get to if you are taking the public transportation since it's all the way at the end and beyond 1st ave. It's next to the helicopters and you can see quite frequently helicopters flying in and out. There's not much of a view of Brooklyn. I think The River Cafe would have a more outstanding view of Manhattan. Though I did go during lunch and I do think at night the restaurant will have a different atmosphere with the dark sky and city lights.
The restaurant itself is pretty cool. I'm a sucker for swans and as you enter the restaurant there's that big swan logo right in the middle of the restaurant. The place is somewhat divided into different areas. You can eat outside, or inside the main dining room, and they have a bar lounge area that's really cozy with a fireplace and brick walls. During the day the place looks nice but didn't wow me.
The food was just okay. The chicken dish, I didn't really like the taste all that much and it was dry and my fish was kind of soft and didn't taste fresh and felt like I was eating leftovers. I was happy with my dessert we had chocolate cake and ice cream which always taste great together. Service was a little slow, maybe they were understaff. It could be that their dinner are better than their lunch. -
Review from Daniel F.
Brooklyn, NY
7/24/2010
Dining during restaurant week in NYC gives everyday restaurant goers the ability to indulge in locales such as The Water Club whereas they normally would not have the means. However The Water Club has impressed me enough to where I plan on going back even long after restaurant week has passed.
Where to begin? First impressions are superb. The restaurant itself is located on the East River. Valet parking offers door to door service which sure beats taking the subway and walking. Upon entering you are greeted by a lovely hostess while warm piano music fills the air. You must pass the bar and lounge area before entering the main dining room.
When I finally arrived at the table, I was immediately captivated by the extraordinary view this restaurant offers. If you plan on taking a date here, request a window seat if possible. Not to say that the other locations within are lackluster, as they all offer exceptional views of the river and distant skyline.
Seeing as this was restaurant week, I ordered the prix-fixe menu which offered lobster bisque, a 1.25 pound lobster, and key lime pie as a dessert. There are other options which include salmon and short ribs as well if you are not a shellfish fan. However if you do enjoy lobster, you will not be disappointed.
The lobster bisque was nothing incredible, but it was still very nicely seasoned. The broth itself was not too thick, and there were large pieces of lobster throughout.
The star of the experience was the lobster which can come either steamed or broiled, diner's choice. I ordered the steamed version, which is usually more moist. The lobster itself was delicious. It was accompanied by warm lemon butter, and mashed potatoes. Those who despise cracking shells and getting messy need not fear, as the staff will open the lobster for you to ensure you get every last bit of your delicious crustacean.
The dessert which followed was also excellent. The key lime pie had a nice tart flavor to it, yet was also sweet enough to be enjoyable.
The service was pristine throughout, and each detail was catered to. Everything inside was clean and taken care of nicely. The wait staff was friendly and gave restaurant week goers the same treatment as anyone else.
This is an excellent place to take a date. After dinner, The Water Club offers a cozy bar and lounge that can be used to wind down, relax, and converse after a delicious meal.
Overall The Water Club is and probably always will be one of my top restaurants in all of New York. Whether it's a night out with friends, or a date, The Water Club truly delivers something for all and fires on all cylinders. I cannot think of a better seafood place where I would rather eat and highly recommend it to anyone. -
Review from John B.
5/24/2010
You've been to some iteration of this place before. Maybe a few times around the age of 13. Maybe you made your First Communion at some point. Maybe you were once assigned to show a pack of Japanese clients around town. Maybe, depressingly, you belong to a clutch of girls who talk about pearls, and who think nothing of a glass of Veuve and a king crab leg for happy hour.
What can I say? I feel weird giving my 100th 4-star review to a place like this. I mean, bathroom attendants and reliably some guy at the bar wearing red pants and swilling a Bud Light?
But hey. It's lobster, it's good and it's fresh. And they allow you the option of steaming. Here's a hint: that's the way to go. You barbecue tough meat, you marinade cheap meat, and you let expensive, high quality meat stand on its own. If you order anything else here, you're on shaky ground. I can't believe how many reviewers read the menu and then decided on the beef short ribs. The menu is practically fucking screaming at you: ALL WE GUARANTEE IS LOBSTER.
I also like the Water Club for reminding me of a time when I thought wearing a blazer was fun and having three profiteroles at a time was the way to live. Back then, someone else gave me the one dollar bills to slip in the attendant's hand. Cut me off before I submit this to Modern Love or the Metropolitan Diary. -
Review from L W.
New York, NY
1/17/2011
Brunch grossly overrated. Both price and service.
It's a buffet, or I guess they will be happy to serve us, but no one ever came around to give us that option, so buffet it was.
Buffet selection was quite small compared to what i had envisioned in my mind. there were oysters, but not like you could take more than 2 at a time. Smoked salmon, yes. Selection of 3 cheese, port salut, brie, and monterey jack, asparagus with green beans, breakfast food, and tons of desserts.
So, yes, the stuff is there, but looks pretty pitiful compared to what they purport to have on the website.
Service was absolutely horrid. Coffee when we arrived, and no refills of any sort till we asked an hour later. We couldn't get them to do anything. Really, i understand its a buffet (and supposedly, you would charge us the same without a buffet, so shouldn't you be just as attentive). And no service. it hurt putting down the tip, cause i really didn't feel they deserved it!
View was fine, nothing special, and terrible to get to location wise. -
Review from Caitlin M.
Brooklyn, NY
7/23/2010 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
Ah, Restaurant Week, how I love thee.
We came here on a drizzly Friday early morn and had the place mostly to ourselves. The view here is very tranquil and if you're not a vampire and are a fan of natural light and beauty, this would be your place.
My friend and I ordered the lobster lunch prix fixe special for $32. The first dish was the lobster bisque which was very rich and creamy. Yums! The broiled lobster soon came out and was cracked and unstuffed like woah. The butter was kept warm over a small candle burner and was delish. All in all, it was the nicest and least messy lobster I've ever had. They also served a ridiculously huge side portion of potatoes which were seasoned to perfection. For dessert, I ordered the chocolate ice cream that came with a piece of caramelized chocolate. Three scoops of heaven.
The service was attentive and the wait staff were jovial and fun to talk to. I'd love to come here again. -
Review from Jen F.
8/14/2010 1 Check-in Here
For the past 5 years, I've dreamed of going to the Water Club. Driving along the FDR, I would catch a glimpse of this beautiful establishment on the water and just imagine a delectable lobster melting in my mouth.
When I finally came here with my sister, the hostess led us to a table looking right over the East River. It was gorgeous. The service was amazing. I felt like royalty, and was paying like it too.
The food was not what I expected it to be. It wasn't bad, but as a Marylander, I've had better seafood in places half as nice and half the price. Luckily we did the restaurant week menu which was more affordable, but I just expected better from the food. The mixed green salad was yummy although it was basically leaves and balsamic with a few cut up vegetables. The lobster was alright. The mashed potatoes were too liquidy- they had an okay flavor but could have been thicker. The desserts were disappointing. The strawberry shortcake was a piece of shortcake topped with the fake strawberry goo concoction often put on ice cream sundaes and such. The key lime pie was very limey, but not in a good way (I've had uber-limey in a good way before, and this was not it). Bummer.
All in all, the place is a ruse. It is a five star restaurant by appearance but a two star restaurant in terms of food. -
Review from Karyna K.
New York, NY
10/6/2010
Does lobster really have any flavor if you don't smother it in butter??
If it was still classified as the poor mans food and washing up on shore forming piles of two feet high, would people still be excited about eating this critter?
It makes me mad, coz I feel obliged to like the taste and to really believe it correlates with the price, but after countless lobsters throughout the years I still don't understand the lobster hype.
So instead of going with the recommendation of this supposedly luscious lobster, I opted for the salmon instead, and enjoyed every single bite.
The huge tables which are well spaced out, makes you feel as though you're having your own private party even with a party of 10.
It was a very relaxed atmosphere which made you want to sit and chat and order wine for hours on end.
Great place for a work dinner - especially if you like lobster and the boss is paying. -
Review from Caroline B.
Manhattan, NY
6/18/2011
The food here is good and the view of the East River is lovely but the walk to The Water Club across the FDR Drive will deter me from returning--terrifying!
