Category:
Burgers
Neighborhoods: Midtown West, Theater District
Category:
Hotels
Neighborhoods: Hell's Kitchen, Midtown West
Category:
American (Traditional)
Neighborhood: Jefferson Park
Category:
Performing Arts
Neighborhoods: Midtown West, Theater District
Category:
Burgers
Neighborhoods: Hell's Kitchen, Midtown West, Theater District
I was craving a good hearty... ok... not that hearty, more like cholesterol clogging burger but I was in the mood for one. I decided to try this place as I passed it once and was quite intrigued by it and did see that a lot of my favorite "yelpers" gave it a 4 to 5 star reviews.
As I was alone, I decided to sit at the bar. Ambiance is good with an upscale diner style. Décor was nice and very open. Many families and large groups of people sat at the tables while I decided to take a corner spot at the bar to do some people watching.
As soon as I sat down, I had a menu in front of me from a bartender who did not even say "hello" even though I did say it. Was she in a rush? Nope... she did it to every other patron at the bar. Everyone will say "hello" and she will just put down the menu and walk away. However, once you got her talking, she will be polite but forgetful.
I did order the "5 Napkin Nut Brown Ale" ($6.50) which is a little pricey for a 'pint' of beer but it was quite tasty and refreshing with a glass of water... I never got the water.
I ordered the "inside out" burger ($13.95), which is the same as a regular burger but without bread. Instead of bread, two large pieces of lettuce cover the burger. All of the burgers come with fries but I am an "onion ring" fanatic; so I decided to take the option to change the fries for the cornbread covered onion rings for an additional $2.50. By now my "friendly" bartender (thanks to the fact that I am a "chatty-kathy" and got her engage in some conversation) forgot, twice, that I wanted the burger medium well as well as a glass of water with the beer... argh! Ok... I am letting it go...
Then the kicker... the food arrived and it is pathetic! Here is the breakdown...
... and I also found out why is called "5 Napkin Burger"...
The burger was rather small... fast food burgers are bigger... yeap! five bites and I ate that whole burger... The burger is advertised as a 10 oz of pure ground chuck burger. I think it is made with 5 oz of real meat and 5 oz of fat which disappears while is being cooked. Don't get me wrong; the burger flavor was good. But if I am going to be paying $20 for a burger and onion rings, I want to be satisfied and my belly full when I leave the place. Nope... not at this place.
Even though I paid an extra $2.50 to replace the fries for the onion rings and all I got was 5 pieces of onion rings. Even the fries portions where small and pathetic looking.
A burger that can be eaten in 5 bites + 5 pieces of onion rings = 5 Napkin Burger! You can eat everything in the restaurant in 5 bites! One napkin for each bite... Mystery solved!
As I was doing my people watching, I do like to pay close attention to the interaction between the waiters, bartenders, busboy and clientele... I mean, when you are in the service industry as I am and get to know the "ins and out" of it, we can tell a lot of things by just watching the people that work at the place. (If you are a "fan" of mine - or become one today - you do know I make a lot of comments on that department).
I did notice that the servers at this place have some kind of attitude... hello... you work at an "upscale" burger joint! And there is one quite handsome waiter who looks more like a "muscle man" wearing a very tight shirt and pant. All he liked to do was to 'parade' himself around the restaurant with a walk and attitude like saying: "watch me.. I am too good for you... You can look but you can't touch" Ok.. whatever cuteness you have is all gone now with that stupid and silly attitude...
After I paid my total check of $25.00 plus tip, why did I have to do? I walked a block away and ordered a slice of pepperoni pizza at a corner pizzeria. That bad... and what a waste of money at the "5 Napkins".
Lavatories are unisex, with 3 of them individually enclosed and with a shared sink. Lighting is quite low in this area. For women who want to check their makeup or for anyone who want to do a double-check in appearance, it is hard to see yourself in the mirror.
I read all of the other reviews and I don't know if I was there in an off night or what... Everyone seems to love this place, but seriously, I won't be coming back.
The Final Verdict:
Restaurant Ambiance/Decor: 3.0 out of 5.0
Staff Service/friendliness : 2.5 out of 5.0
Seating Arrangement/Layout: 3.0 out of 5.0
Seating Comfort: 3.0 out of 5.0
Food Quality/Flavor: 3.0 out of 5.0
food Price/Value: 0.0 out of 5.0
Wine/Alcohol Selection: 4.5 out of 5.0
Wine/Alcohol Taste/Flavor: 4.5 out of 5.0
Wine/Alcohol Price Value: 0.0 out of 5.0
Bathrooms Cleanliness: 3.0 out of 5.0
Price Value: 0.0 out of 5.0
Final Score: 26.5 out of 55 (48 out of 100% or F grade)
Final Comment: All I have to say is: spend your money elsewhere. There are many other great restaurants in the area where it will be cheaper and more satisfying. Don't bother coming here.
I've been here three times and my experience, food-wise, has been fantastic. But service...
The location of this place is fantastic. The sunset views are amazing and the fact that there is plenty of outside tables (come early) to watch the sunset is a plus. The views of the Long Island sound are great as well as of the people and boats going by at the beach. Both times we were here they had weddings and the set-ups were fantastic.
The first time we came, we sat outside. When you got a bunch of teenagers working as servers for the summer, standing at the bar station chatting away instead of serving, you know you are in for a ride. We sat down and every 5 seconds the teen-server kept coming by to ask for drink orders and food order... let me read the freaking menu first! But I let it go... Then we order our Martinis. I asked for a glass of water as well. Server brought the martinis, did not place a napkin down and forgot the water. I asked for water again. Every time I lift my glass, water fell all over my clothing. Water has not arrived yet.
After reviewing the menu, we had to wait for an eternity for our server. We kept looking around and around to see if we caught anyone's eye but they just kept walking right by us. Finally, after 15 minutes of waiting, the server appeared with no apologies. We ordered the food and he, again, was gone! By the way, I asked for water again.
The food arrived and it was fantastic. I am still waiting for my glass of water. We ordered bar menus such as the sushi and sliders. Great, very tasty food. Service is VERY lacking! But I rather watch the sunset and forget the teenagers chatting and laughing coming from the bar stand....
We came back again with a group of 16 people. It was my 40th and my partner's 50th birthday. We had celebrated the night before at The Glen Cove Mansion. Now we are here for one last get-together and dinner before everyone flies home. We rented two vans to bring all the guests from The Mansion. They had a nice set-up for us in the restaurant downstairs were we could enjoy the view and sunset out the window. Again, lets go down with the service...
The server, while nice and somehow professional, was very rushed. Mind you that the restaurant was 2/3rd empty and we had people that flew in from China and others we have not seen in 5 years or more. Of course we want to chat and enjoy the company. By no means, if the restaurant was full, we would have slowed down the service but let us take a moment to read the menu while we enjoy our drinks, deal?
When wanting to take orders, she will interrupt conversations and just start out shouting the specials of the day. Has she heard the words: "Good evening"? No need for her to stand and start shouting specials and make all of us quiet down by force... nice touch! Meanwhile, she spent a lot of time chatting with what it seems like a regular guest by herself on a table nearby.
By the way, I was a server in a 4 start restaurant and have learned proper service, how to set down glasses, plates, etc.. This place need this training. And will I explain why...
Remember that I mention earlier that the restaurant was 2/3rd empty? The tables all around us were empty. But the server, when she brought out the food with the assistance of a few other ones, started passing the food over people's head and from one side to the other. In fact, my friend who was sitting next to me, got hit in the head with a plate she was passing over her instead of coming around and serving it to me. There is no need for that kind of service. And I was ready to make a scene but not in front of my friends and ruin the good times we were having.
The food, once again, was fantastic! I was having the swordfish which was super delicious and tender. The side dishes were good as well. My friend was having the full lobster and she ate every part she could. I tried the filet mignon and it was tender and cooked to perfection. The lamb was great. Everything was super delicious!
I just wish the service was as good as the food...
Only one set of restrooms that is shared with the wedding parties is quite annoying. One bathroom attendant who looked like he is 15 yrs old sat in a tux in a chair inside the bathroom that had no space for him who rather text and play in his mobile phone than clean it, pass out tissues or even acknowledge you are there... no tip from me, young boy!
The Final Verdict:
Restaurant Ambiance/Decor: 5.0 out of 5.0
Staff Service/Friendliness : 1.0 out of 5.0
Seating Arrangement/Layout: 4.0 out of 5.0
Seating Comfort: 4.0 out of 5.0
Food Quality/Flavor: 4.5 out of 5.0
Food Price Value: 4.0 out of 5.0
Wine/Alcohol Selection: 5.0 out of 5.0
Wine/Alcohol Quality/Taste: 5.0 out of 5.0
Wine/Alcohol Price Value: 4.0 out of 5.0
Bathrooms Cleanliness: 2.0 out of 5.0
Overall Price Value: 4.0 out of 5.0
Final Score: 42.5 out of 55 (77 out of 100% or C+ grade).
"Life is too short... Live It Up!"
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Review votes:
701 Useful, 308 Funny, and 505 Cool
Huntington, NY
Yelping SinceMarch 2008
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I walked in and spoke to Mary. I explained to her our plans. She was very helpful! She assisted me in putting the menu for my event together. She explained to me all details of the food menu for the party and even did variations of what was in the catering menu to accommodate our needs. Besides the food, they provide juices for the mixers, ice, bartender and the servers.
The staff arrived 30 minutes before the arrival of our guests. (They usually ask for 1 hour but we requested for 30 mins). They went to work immediately. The staff was very nice and professional. When guests arrived, appetizers were immediately passed and the bartender offered drinks. They were constantly ensuring that all guests had enough food and drinks. At the end of the party and when guests departed, they stayed for a while longer helping clean up the dishes and area. Plenty of leftover food was nicely packed for us and place in the refrigerator.
This is a place I highly recommend for all of your catering needs. As Franco C. said, a little pricey but it is worth every penny. Service is fantastic and food is delicious. A place I will use again!