The National Bar & Dining Rooms Reviews

We stayed in The Benjamin Hotel upstairs. So, to make it easier, we just ate our meals there. Of the three times we ate/drank there, the Saturday Brunch was the best. It had the most versatile menu! The accessible entrance is through The Benjamin Hotel lobby (off the elevators). The street entrance is a evolving door, so not really accessible. They do have an emergency exit that is accessible, but needs to be opened from the inside of the restaurant.

I’ve only reviewed one other restaurant on this site and it was amazing. Mind you, I’ve been very fortunate to have traveled all over the world for business and pleasure. Unfortunately, you’ll need to take my word for that....This business trip to NYC was great with the exception of The National, a Jeffery Zakarian restaurant. Wait staff inBar. No real customer service. When ordering a martini with onions, it comes with olives. Gut check. Watch what happens. Refilled it into new glass with onion. Really? No, it needs to be remade. Had to send it back. Food: ordered the chefs namesake burger, med rare. Well that equals raw. Again, really? Another send back. No apologies, no managers, just a brush off as I’m a single business traveler who at this restaurant,doesn’t matter. Chef, if you read this, your place needs help. Very disappointing!

Never disappointed with this restaurant whether it's drinks at bar, casual dinner or Sunday brunch. Prefer sitting in the bar area versus the main dining room. Recommend their meatballs as a starter and their burger is delicious. Great wine list too.

We enjoy dining at the National whenever we are in NYC. This last time friends from Shanghai joined us and we're delighted. Food, service and ambiance are wonderful.

Love the food - sometimes the attitude is a bit much to deal with . Great vibe in the evenings at the bar

My niece suggested we try The National Bar & Dining Rooms as we were having an 'Armenian' weekend - going to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a special exhibit, meeting up with our Armenian cousin, etc. As the restaurant is owned by Geoffrey Zakarian, it fit in with our plans. What a wonderful experience. The waiter was wonderful. I have some food allergies and he checked everything we were looking at to make sure I could have it. Our drinks arrived quickly. The appetizers (we ordered several) were all great. The best thing? The Zakarian Burger. The.Best.Burger.Ever! It's a lamb burger with Halloumi cheese and a yogurt sauce. Oh my. I highly recommend this restaurant. It was one of the best meals I've ever eaten and I would gladly go back again.

Thursday, July 6, 2017 we went out to celebrate our last night in town in NYC and we were sorely disappointed with our experience at The National. The service led by our server was riddled with missteps. From the beginning there were errors. As my wife had went to wash her hands, the waiter comes by and shares the specials to only myself. After that we ordered a number of dishes as we were excited to sample Chef GZ's awesome cuisine. Soup and salads were brought out by another server or runner and were auctioned off at the table, to top it off the server places my salad down first before leaving my wife with soup and no spoon. I would have expected to have had the cutlery placed before the food. I requested a spoon for my wife and one was brought. We ate our first course, and the bus-person comes and clears my wife's soup leaving me to eat alone in front of her. I was also served first with water, food, etc. Please remember it is still polite to serve the females in the party first. After this, the food is cleared and the next course is brought out and once again we have an auction going on. Please, there are table numbers and seat positions for a reason. Not once, throughout the whole night did one member of the staff inquire as to how the food was, if we needed anything, or even if we would like another drink when removing a glass. Missteps in service can be overlooked if the food is exceptional, this was not the case. Out of all the dishes we ordered, the only one that we said we would order again was the brussel sprouts. I rarely add salt to any dishes when dining out, however the dishes were lacking seasoning. The asparagus and fava beans had no flavor, the mac and cheese tasted like Valveeta, and the Branzino was placed on a bed of ice cold artichoke hearts, hearts of palm and other Mediterranean flavors making it soggy on the bottom. On the Petit Filet, the hen of the woods mushrooms were very slimy and bland. Chef, I know you are busy, but please head over to The National and see for yourself if this place truly represents you. My wife and I love experiencing the cuisine of our favorite chefs, and this was a huge disappointment. Even after we finished, and the bill was placed, not once did anyone inquire if we enjoyed the food, if we were pleased or how things were. I hope that Chef GZ or a staff member of his actually reads this as it is not how I believe he would want to be represented. We are leaving NYC and it is with this experience. Once again we love what Geoffrey Zakarian does, but the National Bar and Dining Rooms is not a place I would recommend to anyone. As a footnote and to be transparent, the manager of the restaurant called me after I left the restaurant and apologized, inviting us back. While that is a nice gesture, we were leaving the next day and frankly, unless there are substantial changes to many areas of the restaurant, I don't know.

A nice, but very pricey restaurant. My wife and her friend split a delicious spinach salad. For the entrées my wife had the "Pork Tenderloins" and her friend had "Scottish Salmon". My wife thought her Pork could have been better & the friend said the Salmon was only OK. The restaurant was very clean and the service was very good, although the restrooms were very small & there were only two single coed toilets.

Odd. I always feel that The National is just off the Champs-Elysses - which of course it's not (it's the corner of Lex & 50th), but that's the vibe I get. I'm not a foodie, but it tastes good, they have a great wine list, and a good bar. What more do you need?

Very pretty restaurant & the food was goodb but we had a very long wait even with a reservation. We are thinking of returning in 2 weeks with another couple, but am afraid of the wait time.

We are big food network fans & wanted to go to Goeffrey Zakarians' restaurant in midtown. Based on other TA reviews we were concerned about the service. We ordered dinner & a salad. The Caesar salad was fresh & had a different dressing which was very good. My wife ordered the cast iron chicken which was tender & delicious. I got a lamb burger & fries. A true test of a good lamb burger is whether it is moist & juicy. This lamb burger was both & was very good. For dessert, we had the profiteroles & as expected, it was great. Now for the service. Our server, Barak, was outstanding. He was very prompt in getting our drinks, our orders & checked in with during out meal. No problem at ll. Good food, great service.

We stopped for dinner here tonight, partly to get out of the rain, and because the menu looked interesting. What a find! The food was delicious, definitely the best octopus I have ever tasted. The wine selection was excellent and service perfection. We will definitely be back.

I really like the feel of this place. I had the lamb burger and was really tasty. They could accommodate all my colleague's requests and substitutions on their menu according to her dietary needs. We really enjoy the place and we could easily talk about business for a long period without being interrupted.

My business associated went to have breakfast at the National last Friday. Granted, it was the week where the UN is in session, but a restaurant that expensive and on the East side should be prepared for it. We had to flag down a manager after just sitting there for 20 minutes until we could place an order 5 minutes later. I ordered the Avocado Toast, so did my associate and both of our eggs were cold. And yes, it is overpriced! If you charge $19 for a breakfast sandwich, it better be perfect.

We had a delicious breakfast at The National. The pancakes with lemon mascarpone & shaved walnuts is magnificent. My husband has the breakfast soft tacos, a total hit with him. The service wasn't the best. Not entirely sure who our waiter actually was, about 4 different people at one point or another brought coffee, food over etc. No one ever came to check on us after our food arrived. Food is great, service left a little something to be desired.

I was at the restaurant twice over my weekend given it's proximity to my hotel and that I can usually get a table. I've had the endive salad (very filling and delicious), the carbonara pasta (yummy) and the fish and chips (meh). I'm not sure why restaurants often insist on putting fish and chips in the little metal container. I'd much rather have them on a plate breathing rather than being crushed with the chips. The fish were okay. The prices should be adjusted. I don't think they merit what is being charged for some items. All in all, I'd go back in a pinch, that is I'm starving and for lack of a better place near, this would be the best option, however, at the price point I don't think it merits a visit, despite it being a restaurant by Chef Zakarian. The food is not dissimilar to any decent pub you find at home.

Refined atmosphere, Service was attentive and friendly. I had a great steak, but fish dishes also looked fantastic. Not cheap but worth it.

Once again we visited the National on Sunday to have their extraordinary Eggs Benedict with pork bellies. Delicious, do try them!

This is a busy bar/restaurant, part of the Benjamin hotel. It’s very busy during the week when it’s full of business meetings and entertaining, for lunch and early evening, both in the restaurant and the bar area. Service is friendly and quick, the latter not so great if you are looking to linger. The menu is typical American fare, and the lamb burger was excellent. At weekends, there’ll be times when you have the place to yourself.

My boyfriend and I came here to start a lovely evening. The National has never disappointed and the staff was accommodating. Food was excellent and inventive takes on classic American dishes, and for Midtown East, value for what you receive.

My hotel restaurant run by an Iron Chef. Very tasty steak and dessert. Jazz band playing through dinner. Great atmosphere.

Checked in with the Hostess.....We were seated immediately in a high traffic table....Sat for thirty minutes.....NO SERVICE.....We were so VERY DISAPPOINTED !!!! We'll never go back :(

My daughter and I arrived at the restaurant 30 minutes late (we called ahead) after getting caught in a downpour and we were seated immediately and could not have had a nicer meal despite our slightly bedraggled appearance. Agree that the energy level is high in the dining room. My teenager loved her crab salad and cookie plate and I enjoyed the burrata/speck appetizer and the hedgehog mushroom pasta entrée. A lovely meal reasonably priced for Manhattan - I would definitely return. If like us you are a tourist the dress code is a notch above business casual since it appeared that many locals were there for dinner after work.

This appears to be a popular place to eat. Most nights it was quite full. The food is good, breakfast good, coffee good but very expensive.

This is a good place for a business dinner. I was part of a group of 5 people, we were able to get seated immediately at 5:30 pm. It's a large restaurant, but quiet enough to have a conversation. The short rib is excellent at $34. All sides are a-la-carte and run from $8-$12. Wine is a bit pricey, running $16-$28 per glass. Good experience overall.

My spouse and I have dined twice at The National. We only go to NYC once a year or so; otherwise we'd've eaten there many more times. The National is a lovely place, the staff friendly and prompt, the food scrumptious.

Appalling poor service, disgraceful attitude from staff. Ignorant people only capable in strutting and giving looks of disgust! Unwilling to engage in any dialogue. Think bad and go lower and lower. Worst place I've eaten in since arriving in New York. Street vendors more attentive, more polite and knowledgeable. Small and large pizza places- staff friendly and engaging. Food excellent and tasty. Busy large Italian restaurant- staff attentiveness impressive. They were busy but value their customers. Bars - staff know their products. Manners cost absolutely nothing but is essential if customer is to be feel valued and respected. Do not expect manners, dialogue or service at this place.

We had breakfast at the National while staying at the Benjamin. We all had the Eggs Benedict, which came with pork belly and was disappointing. We were charged $6 for hot water and a slice of lemon (my son had a cold) labelled on the bill as “Lemon Tea”. Even with the $10 and 15% off this was a bit of a ripoff for disappointing food. We like the Benjamin but will not go to the National again.

We were staying at the W Hotel across the road and had The National recommended to us for breakfast. The location is great if you want somewhere within walking distance of the Rockerfeller Centre and other locations near by. There are many modern american dishes on offer, I opted for the French Croque Monsieur, which was really well cooked and a tasty breakfast. I had to ask for coffee twice and the team weren't very friendly (to the point that when I asked for the second time I was told by the team member I asked that they weren't a waiter and that the waited would be over in a minute). It was maybe an off day and the team were busy. With so many options for breakfast in New York, I will give The National a miss the next time I am back.

Great lunch location with a solid menu that provides a bit of something for everyone. The four star was due to a disappointing Caesar salad, which I feel is an easy thing to win with. The Mac and cheese side was amazing, as were the starter mussels. Great location with enough background noise to have a private conversation without being overtaken by the volume.

We stayed at The Benjamin and decided to go to the National for Sunday Brunch. The menu had something for all 4 of us with very different tastes - Not only was the food delicious but the Peach Mimosa and Bloody Mary's were excellent too! The service was wonderful!! It was the perfect end to a wonderful weekend in NYC

Although not a large menu, there something for everyone. We had the mushroom omelette and the avocado toast entrees. Both were simply and elegantly done. It's not a place I would eat at more than 3 times unless the menu changes regularly. I am not one of those who likes to have the same thing every time. Its a nice neighborhood for a walk and people watching or window shopping as well. The National is small, so not great for more than 4-6 in your party but its great for couples or small groups!

We went to brunch as a family. My kids had the pancakes. I had the avocado toast. It was amazing! the pomegranate seeds on it really made it.

We went here for our anniversary dinner on a quiet weeknight. Service was outstanding and we were given a complimentary dessert to celebrate. Small touches like that are important to us and we really appreciated it. We ordered several small plates and all of the food was excellent, but the soup of the day was especially incredible.

I met a major client here for breakfast on a Friday morning. The service was great, and the coffee was excellent, fresh and plentiful. We both ordered the breakfast tacos, which were very good and good-sized portions. Of course, it was rather pricey, but that was expected. I wouldn’t hesitate to return.

This was a recommendation from the concierge at the Marriott down the street and she was on the money. The bonus was learning that this is owned by Geoffrey Zakarian from the Food Channel. We sat at the bar on a busy Friday night and had a bottle of wine and two large appetizers. The mussels were the best I have ever had and the brussels sprouts were awesome. The decor of the restaurant is really nice, the staff were very friendly and the entire experience was beyond terrific. Keep up the great job!!

As a former NYC resident and was excited to visit and planned a week of restaurants from my favorite chefs. I saved The National for the last night. All I can say is MEH. The service was just ok. Our server seemed annoyed from the beginning. We had to ask for bread twice. I asked our server which I should have out of the short ribs or pork chop. He said pork chop. It was tasteless. Both of my friends ordered the branzino. There was a marked difference in the fish portion between each. I’ve had better service and meal at a diner.

My husband and I and a friend tried the National for brunch this August. I had walked past it several times, was attracted to it, and it didn't disappoint. It is a pleasant, open, bright space. The staff is terrific, and the menu sufficiently varied to appeal to the adventurous (me) and the not so (hubby). I had the salmon and bagel plate and my husband and our friend had the bananas and walnut pancakes. Both were superb. We are in New York every summer and will definitely go back.

We were staying nearby over Christmas and happened to walk by late on the evening we arrived and thought The National looked inviting and we decided to dine there. We certainly were not disappointed. We were shown to a comfortable booth table, our waiter Mahatab explained the menu, answered our dietary questions and could not have been more helpful. Our meals and drinks arrived promptly an we all enjoyed our meals, so glad we discovered this restaurant early in our trip as we are able to return for breakfast, which was also excellent, and for drinks one night after the theatre and for another evening meal. Love the ambience of the restaurant, the comprehensive menu and all the staff were pleasant and helpful. Great cocktails too! Best brussel sprouts we have ever had! Mahatab remembered us on our next visit, he even remembered our drink orders! We were blown away by this level of service, what an asset he is to The National. Needless to say we look forward to returning when we next visit New York and highly recommend a visit.

So we did Easter brunch at this restaurant. Nice atmosphere and good vibe. The server was nice but missed a few details. 2 people at our table ordered the pancakes because they thought they were getting walnuts on top but instead received the pancakes with some kind of berry jelly. Both orders were returned and the waitress brought out 2 new servings of pancakes with a side of walnuts. My messy burger was great. The fries were great. The Caesar salad is one of the best I’ve had. Very fresh and a wonderful Caesar dressing. We had mimosas and they were great servings and also very tasty. The server broke a glass at the table and the glass and water spilled all over my pants and bag. No biggie. I was a server for many years so this happens. However, the server got caught up and got a little nervous and we all had to ask for many things. However, she was sweet and had a wonderful disposition. I think there was just something lacking here. We will give this place another try. Oh and the cheesecake was a little weak.

The service was outstanding, and probably a model for its peers. Nick the manager on staff was perfect in being attentive to food allergies, and overall ensuring attentive service. The guy is a pro. My wife has serious food allergies, and The National went out of their way to make an outstanding meal, without having to worry about allergic reactions. I had the Ugly Burger, and it was delicious, and worth the price. I also had the octopus and eggplant. It was amazing. It's hard to do that well, and they nailed it. My wife had a steak, with mushrooms, and it was also fantastic. We ordered a bottle of champagne, and it was priced fairly, especially for the quality. We thought the atmosphere was cool, but classic. I love the place and will definitely go back. The only downside I saw was that the red wine selection was not all that great. It was fine, but I wish it was deeper.

This is a classic hotel dining room, yet it feels comfortably casual. The decor clearly evokes the 1920s and 1930s. The food brings you into the present. We started with very good cocktails, and followed up with oysters and mushrooms, both of which were wonderful. I made the better choice with my entree—an incredibly thick and juicy Porto chop perfectly cooked (medium), whiie my spouse had a good, but not great grilled branzino. The service was very good throughout. It was a pleasure to relax and enjoy both the setting and the very good meal. We will surely return when we’re back in the neighborhood. Great choice.

We just had drinks and food- but the place had some style and we felt the ambience was just right for drinks. Only real problem is the noise level which seems to be an almost omnipresent annoyance these days- we really do like to hear each other. That said, the drinks were good, our service was fine and we liked being there and would go again.

Had a great dinner with friends. Nice circular booth in the corner. Drinks were great. We shared a bunch of things...meatballs, salad, and fettuccine. Everything was delicious and service was good.

The cocktails are good and the bar food is very good. I agree that the wait staff could be nicer. My daughter and I like the restaurant, but the staff need to be friendlier.

So glad we were able to come here for Valentine's Day. It was a great experience and a treat to follow the Prix Fixe menu. Some items fell flat, but there was a saving grace in the wine/champagne pairing or in the next plate. Good: BEST DUCK EVER. Also, the Blanc de Noirs Champagne was wonderful. Had a wonderful Crosstown (cocktail) and my husband had a Ntl. Mule (he reported it was also good). Oddly enough, the Ice cream (paired with the less-than-wow Chocolate Cake) was wonderful. Bad: not much. as mentioned, Chocolate cake left a lot to be desired (was dry). Oysters on the menu weren't for us, but we managed through it. The dessert wine pairing was just hard to stomach. Would have rather had a digestif instead. So-so: Steak was fine. Literally. The Duck won the day. I wish I could have ordered a second portion of that instead of the Steak. It's not on the usual menu, so I feel like it's a treat that we were able to have it. The environment was well done. It was busy and social. Enjoyed the atmosphere, even on a romantic night.

From the outside, this place has quite the appeal: fancy and upscale. Keep moving. We tried this place on a couple of occasions, or at least tried to try it. You're greeted as if you need to prove that you belong there. Snooty staff whisper and make comments about customers, even in front of other diners. Asking for a glass of water seemed like asking for a first child. On an earlier occasion, food was completely mediocre. In NYC's exceptional and hyper-competitive dining market, don't even waste your time stopping here.

Best steak I’ve ever had, cooked perfect how I asked for it, tasty & tender. Generous portion of chips which a lot of time you don’t get in higher end restaurants and a garlic sauce that was delicious. My parter was torn between two dishes, so she asked the waiter on what to have, the waiter recommended the salmon. The salmon was also cooked to perfection and was well presented. On the whole had a lovely experience at The National, would highly recommend.

Convenient restaurant for breakfast, weekend brunch and wine late at night. Nice bar ambiance that tends to quiet down after 8pm.

On a Friday, at 6:00, the National was almost empty. This made for rather attentive service, but the food was average at best. The space is quite lovely, however. The charcuterie platter was uninspired and visually uninteresting and my caesar salad suffered from brown, limp lettuce and croutons you could break a tooth on. All in all, average at best, for the price.

We got the oatmeal and french toast. Both were good, but a bit overpriced. The service was fine, but the bill was $60 for just that!

Very nice and classy place. The personal has a great attitude. Cocktails are great in particular the National Mule and Sidekick Margarita Food is delicious: at breakfast avocado toast was my favourite, fruit salads excellent At dinner taste mussels and burrata: SUPERB. Well done

When you walk in to the restaurant the first thing you see is the bar it’s very light and airy. We did come during a busy time during lunch but by no means was the service under par. One thing I loved about the restaurant is my glass was never empty and there was no ice it was chilled water to were it wouldn’t hurt your teeth. We went ahead and ordered a couple of appetizers I tried the octopus and it was very good we had cream spinach as well fantastic something I would recommend to anyone. I ended up ordering a fish dish with planting plantin we went ahead and ordered a couple of appetizers I tried the octopus and it was very good we had cream spinach as well fantastic something I would recommend to anyone. I ended up ordering a fish dish with plantain It was amazing if you love fish this is a dish you would recommend to try. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to taste any of the desert because I was so full with all of the amazing food. If you’re looking for somewhere with fantastic service and great food this is a place you want to stop by.

This was our 4th time here and it was not as good as previous visits. The eggs in the eggs Benedict were over done, bacon was very fatty. Croque Madame was good, the french toast was ok. One of our party did not get their order until the rest of us were half way through our food.

I'm from California, and the food here reminded me a bit of restaurants here in San Francisco. I liked the decor. The drinks, Moscow Mule and a Cosmo were good. Had a good selection and seemed open to special orders. I had the pork tenderloin, which was a little pricey for the portion, but tasty and done to perfection. Great place for conversation.

As I said in the heading it’s well Worth it, The National surpassed all of our expectations from the cocktails and wine to the spectacular food. I have to recommend the lemon drop martini and the 2016 Ponzi Williamette Pinot Noir wine. As far as food we ordered the braised short rib, chicken breast, and a few more dishes and everything was amazing. The service was what put the meal over the top the manager of the National spends a lot of time working the room making sure everyone is satisfied he also rocks a suit like nobody’s business lol do yourself a favor don’t miss the experience of dining at The National you will not regret it.

Never disappointed. This time I had the Croque Madame with Bistro ham, gruyere, truffled mornay, sunny egg. Perfect. The prices are fair for the quality of food delivered. The ambiance is great - that of a old, established venue that knows how to operate. Serving staff were efficient and attentive. I will be back!

We shared a few cheese platers and charcuteries with some drinks and we felt really judged by the waiter. Not nice at all, pretty cold with no empathy. The food was alright. The place looks and feels great though.

We had dinner here and a few others meals . The food is excellent . The staff was very good . Help us in every way . Service excellent . Very accomadating .but for travelers it’s expensive .

Located at the first floor of the Benjamin hotel the bar is a fun place to be. The meatballs were delicious and the drinks were refreshing. Definitely go back again

The National is a nice bistro setup. Nice atmosphere. I was disappointed by the main course. I had some halibut. That's one of my favorite fish and if there is one fish that you cannot cook dry, that is the one! The halibut was perfectly seared but was dry... (sigh). This is a fish very difficult to cook perfectly. If you like halibut, I recommend the Rivea of Ducasse in Las Vegas (you will get to see what is mastering the halibut cooking). Anyway... that was an expensive disappointing choice. Btw, the bathrooms are dirty. Unacceptable for a place like that!

This place was very mediocre. The food was not good, the service entitled. The eggs were cooked with too much oil. The coffee was burnt and the service reacted as if they were doing you a favor to serve you. By the eat the hostess also not very polite... I would avoid

The menu was a little creatively different, without being totally out-there, so you can relax knowing you will enjoy your food — an example being the gin-cured smoked salmon, with crispy capers, crème fraîche, and a hint of dill and pickled red onion (a great combination). My main course Chatham Cod was prepared well, with the skin seasoned and seared nicely to a gentle crisp, and the center hot, moist, and tender.

Good ok, but very overpriced. Was not served for 1:45. Lost order? Restaurant compensated with complementary dessert for the four of us.

My wife and I stopped in for breakfast. I had the mushroom omelet while my wife had the steel cut oats. Both were excellent. Service was attentive and the space stylish. I will stop for lunch or dinner on my next trip.

Went for an early dinner with a group of colleagues and clients last week. The food, service and overall experience was excellent. We ordered way too many sides but there was a good variety on the menu and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meal. It should be noted that this is by no means a budget experience and for 7 people we got very little change out of $1,000 (including several bottles of wine and service). Worth every penny in my opinion and somewhere I hope to visit again on future trips to NY.

Being owned by Geoffrey Zakarian, The National immediately has a reputation. I would say the few times I've been there, it's lived up to that, even if the menu isn't overly innovative. Good, solid dishes, well prepared. On this occasion, a business breakfast, I had an egg white frittata with artichoke hearts and Parmesan cheese that was just perfect. My guest had the avocado toast, which he said was top notch. Frittatas and avocado toast are not exactly cutting edge menu items from a celebrity chef, but execution and quality remain paramount and here The National delivered. It's a busy place, which says good things about it. The wait staff is efficient if not terribly warm and friendly. But it's midtown Manhattan after all. I'll be back.

Bacon & eggs, crispy toast, and potatoes & coffee... always the bomb. Not much atmosphere but food always good.

Convenient location and good atmosphere for business breakfasts. The choice of breakfast items is conventional but well executed. The only disappointment is that the orange juice is not freshly squeezed. Great steel cut oatmeal.

I have been here many times. The location is really great and the atmosphere warm and humming. But this time the service was really lacking. Waiters were inattentive and no match for the expectations of a Zakarian venue. Bringing a dirty cup and saucer? And not even noticing it ? The menu is nice and The National Benedict is a winner. The breakfast tacos on the other hand were disaappoitning, the chorizo had no flavor, and the sauces not to write home about, time to find another supplier for the chorizo.

Stopped by for drinks one evening and found the place inviting. Good bartender however not as good as it first sounded. Asked for a selection of rums and got 2 bottles on the bar and a "wait I´ll show you the list as well". The list was 3 rums and one of them were plain bacardi?! Shouldn´t need a list to tell me how few choises there are?

Dined here on our first night. It's a cosy brasserie, the food is OK, nothing extra-ordinary. Crowded place, so noisy.

This is a great place to have breakfast or brunch. The pancakes 🥞 are excellent, the bacon 🥓 is crispy and I also recommend the salmon bagel. The hamburger 🍔 is also very good and you have to taste the hand cut French fries.

I expected good quality food cooked to specifications but that’s not what was received Their version of a burger was disappointing that came over cooked and dry. The opposite of the request. Given the pricing and location very disappointed for such a basic dish

Great service. On the expensive side for 5 adults (Mid-town pricing) It had lovely ambience and architectural details. But the loudness was hands down unpleasant. But good news - there’s a quiet space outside the restaurant and inside the building to sit, decompress and talk at a normal tone.

We decided to eat dinner here one night since we were staying at The Benjamin hotel. The atmosphere in the evening is very romantic. The restaurant is dimly lit and has candles at each table. Our waiter was excellent and the service was very good. He was knowledgeable and made sure we had everything we needed. These were the only good things that we experienced at this restaurant. Everything else was not up to par. Our food was mediocre at best – I ordered the salmon and my husband had a steak with fries. I’ve had much better salmon for cheaper and there weren’t many veggies with it so I was still hungry even after eating. I was definitely disappointed with my meal. My husband said his steak was just OK but the fries were good. My husband also ordered a Bloody Mary and a sidekick margarita. The margarita was fantastic but very small. My husband finished it in a few sips. The Bloody Mary was disappointing and tasted like it came from a can. Any decent bar or restaurant will make a bloody mary with a good mix that has seasonings and flavor. Both drinks were over $15 and again the margarita was the only one worth such an outrageous price. For the $200 that we spent here, we were expecting much, much more. I wish I would’ve listened to other reviewers and spent our money elsewhere.

Had lunch here with a colleague. Service was ok. But food was well below average. I ordered a chicken Caesar salad, but salad leaves were soggy / rusty. Chicken pieces were way too big. Wouldn't repeat.

We didn't have a reservation, but walked in before noon - right before all the crowds started to come in. The staff members were pleasant and helpful. They checked back often. We had two salads and a beef tartar. I loved the tartar but not the chicken salad. The chicken was dry and flavorless. The wait staff called the manager, and he apologized for the disappointing experience. The salad was taken off the bill. We enjoyed some coffee and cappuccino. We will return.

Everything from appetizers to dessert was delicious. We were a party of seven and were treated very well. There is a nice variety of everything on the menu. Our party enjoyed a variety of dishes - pork chops, steak, braised short ribs and fish. (This restaurant also also open for breakfast and lunch.). We enjoyed great food in a relaxing atmosphere with good service. Prices aren’t cheap but not overt the top.

We decided to cap off our long Broadway weekend with dinner at the National. Made an early reservation so we could get back for the Tonys. Lovely dining room, attentive staff. Yummy cocktail and a nice WBG selection. We enjoyed the ocean mist salad, cavatelli and the lamb burger. Had to order cheesecake to go because we were too full. Definitely coming back!

I met a former grad school mate here for dinner and the pork loin was very, very good. But the highlight was the carrot puree it sat upon. Absolutely delicious.

We love the atmosphere of The National with the nicest, friendliest bartenders we’ve found in the city. Unfortunately my $25 lamburger and fries were cold. I suspect it was sitting in the kitchen while we ate our appetizers. My husband’s steak was very good. It’s pretty expensive even for New York City.

Very nice American bistro restaurant. It has great interior character and efficient service. Food is good - nothing exceptional or extra-ordinary, but a great place to get a very good meal. It is very loud so conversation is not easy.

9am breakfast with two old friends on a Sunday in October. Service was uninspired at best. Sort of ignored us other than taking the breakfast order and then serving it. Never checked to see if we needed more coffee, etc. No breakfast breads are put on the table. You get what your order. And what I ordered was not very good. "Breakfast taco" sounded delicious on the menu, but dry tortillas on a cold plate with what seemed like powdered scrambled eggs, some avocado, and some bland pico de gallo is not my idea of a dish worth $20+ dollars. I do not recommend -- nor will I return. Too many other places in New York to waste your time and money here. Geoffrey Zakarian should be embarrassed to have his name attached to this restaurant.

We had breakfast on a Saturday morning, around eight and we enjoyed the food. The service was poor and the waiter did not speak very good English. The poches eggs were lovely and the marmelades too Beautiful sense of New York.

Staying at the Benjamin, we visited a few times. Food & drink good but service left a lot to be desired with grumpy bar & waiting staff. One exception was a lovely lady who could not have been more helpful. Don't think she generally worked in the bar but was standing in. Suspect that the staff do not like children but as child was sitting playing on his phone he wasn't causing any problems.

Lovely restaurant with an old world feel. Had brunch and the options were wide enough for every taste. The food was delicious and well presented by attentive, friendly staff. Would love to try other times of day so will go back.

Considering the prices, I would have expected the flavors to blow me away, but they did not. We went here because it was next to our hotel the Benjamin, and also because of the famous chef. But nothing I had was spectacular, except the mixed green salad, I loved the dressing, but the halibut was just okay as was the salmon appetizer. And, quite pricey!

We enjoyed the busy atmosphere and great service. The wine list was our favorite part of the meal, and the food was very good. We had a vegan at the table, and she was very happy with the variety of offerings.

Had a business lunch with a friend from Oregon, during one of NYC's March 2018 Snowstorms. The restaurant was open and very operational during the heaviest snowfall hour. We both had the Lamb burger, which is a Zakarian favorite and it was worth the trip to the National. They were cooked medium (as ordered) and were still juicy and flavorful. With the yoghurt sauce, the burger was the best burger I had in NYC that week (and I love burgers). The fries were crispy and tasty, without being over salted. The only drawback is that they only serve brand soda out of small bottles and they charge you for each one, as opposed to one fee per dining person for the beverage. I have been to the National every time I come to a meeting in the hotels on Lexington Ave in the midtown area and I plan on doing it again next year.

The restaurant is part of the Benjamin hotel. A very clean and welcoming restaurant. My breakfast was very good and served by charming staff.

Popped in here for dinner on a Friday night - no reservation. Talking at the counter with the girl behind the desk, another couple interrupt us, Like we didn't exist, and proceeded to have discussion with the Girl. Unfortunately, the young lady didn't see anything wrong with just cutting us off and serving someone else. No apology, no, excuse me I am serving someone else, will be with you in a moment!!! Not a great start. Place looks impressive, but it was cold, we were stuck in a corner, and the service and the food were pretty ho -humm. The waitress looked like she was on something, a bit of spacey , not really with it. The food was fairly lackluster and forgettable. And how they can walk past you constantly but look in the other direction when you are trying to pay. Astounds me. Not a place I would rush to recommend. Pity.

Small. Menu changes with seasons. For summer lunch an arugula salad with salmon. Absolutely delicious. They are attentive to single diners. Nice bar. Reasonable prices. The staff has improved and was spot on with service. Will be back.

Fresh raw oysters were quite tasty, had a nice cocktail menu, and feasted on the 'Ugly' Burger which was extraordinary - meaty, juicy, and fulfilling! Highly recommend this place

WeWe’re staying at the hotel around the corner. We walked in for a quick meal and they accommodated us quickly. Food was very eclectic look very good as well as the service. We also enjoyed sitting for extra time and enjoying some of their excellent drinks. Great experience all around

Lovely first night in NYC. Had good food and an engaging wait staff. Octopus, Fish, dessert all excellent. Expensive but worth it

In a city where restaurants come and go, The National is a steadfast establishment that just keeps on delivering. Last time wasn’t our first time here. We’ve eaten here on a number of occasions and it’s always good. The menu is excellent and the food delicious. The wines are flavoursome. And the service first class. I love it!

In the course of managing business affairs, I have been staying at least several days a month at The Benjamin Hotel for several years. With a very few exceptions, I have always eaten dinner at adjacent National, now well over 100 meals. I have found the food consistently excellent. I can’t say I have ordered everything on the menu, but all of the entrees and most of the apps and sides at one time or another. The waitstaff seem to remain year over year, and they are all personable and remember customers from previous visits. I have never had a server who showed anything other than a good attitude and helpful service. My business in New York may wind down soon but I wanted to express my appreciation for such a great operation and the service I have received. I will miss it when my business in New York is done.

Great food Good atmosphere Fab menu American portions - you won't starve!! Good service and no pressure to turn tables Good bar for after dinner

I was really looking forward to breakfast at Jeffrey Zakarian’s restaurant - he’s so good on the food network drilling down detail specifics of what make a great meal -sadly his restaurant is mediocre at best. Staff is incredibly inattentive and/or poorly trained and worse, they don’t look up! Getting their attention takes a lot of patience. I ordered the avocado toast with a poached egg. All I could imagine is zakarian’s face as he cut through the almost hard boiled ‘poached egg’. Not a drop of runny yolk. I had to return my latte! I rarely, if ever, return food but my latte was a luke warm bath of milk. I think they added a shot or two of espresso which brought the liquid over the rim of the cup. So sloppy as it was impossible to drink without spilling. What a disappointment. I definitely say skip this restaurant. Not worth a visit.

Delicious from start to finish. We started by sharing the Japanese eggplant salad. It was so fresh with delicious pickled veg and peppers accompanied by fresh cheese. Hubby ordered the burger. It was cooked perfectly and came with a LOT of fries. I ordered Steak Frites. It was expensive but worth every penny. The steak was enough for 3 meals. The rosemary seasoned fries were crazy good served with garlic mayo dipping sauce and (I think) house made ketchup. We finished with the New York Cheesecake with blueberry compote and candied pistachios. Sublime. The service was excellent without being intrusive. I highly recommend this lovely restaurant.

We had to eat a quick meal, and ended up at this place by "luck". The service was good, but menu is boring and not so large. Burger was REALLY good - but we think the prices are somewhat ridiculous high.

The National is located in the Benjamin Hotel and I usually give hotel restaurants a pass. Not this place. Lots of NY atmosphere, decent menu and service and food much better than expected. Okay wine list for lunch and dinner. We went late afternoon (4:30) so not busy. Turned out to be just the spot before we headed to a 7pm performance.

They have croque madame, so I automatically love this place. We got a last minute brunch reservation with no trouble, and had pleasant service. The drinks weren't cheap, but hey, it's New York. The food was excellent, and we could hear ourselves think. The bathroom is downstairs, in the hotel portion of the building.

Welcomed and seated immediately by hostess. Water came quickly thereafter with server taking my coffee order. My cappuccino arrived piping hot. And then I waited. And waited some more till my cappuccino was luke warm. I ordered the NTL Benedict, taking a twist on a classic, replacing the Canadian Bacon with pork belly. When my breakfast finally arrived, the server immediately offered a fresh cappuccino on the house. While it was a nice gesture - it could have been better if the kitchen was prepared; oddly the dining room was nearly empty at 9 AM on an August Saturday morning. Was expecting more from Geoffrey Zakarian.

Unlike The Lamb's Club, another of Geoffrey Zacharian's restaurant in New York City, The National is a place with more ambiance, excellent service, and a very good cuisine.

Small selection but good food. A bit pricey. Great bar ambiance. We went for lunch and dinner during our stay.

The National was just next to the hotel where my partner and I were staying and we decided to have our Christmas dinner there. Great place I must say and the food was delicious. Definitely coming back next time we’re in NYC!

Had brunch here 3 days in a row while staying across the street at another hotel. Every day the service was perfect from start to finish, the atmosphere is fancy but not stuffy, and the food was perfectly cooked and presented. I'll attempt to have dinner here the next time I'm in Manhattan.

Good atmosphere and not too noisy. Staff attentive and friendly. Had the steamed mussels with coconut milk, thai basil and green carry which was just right and nicely spiced. The lamb burger was a disappointment- the bun ordinary, the grilled halloumi chees tasteless (or missing?) and the harrissa with too much tomato and no chilly bite. Wine-list (by the glass selection) not up to date. Few minor attentions to detail would have made it perfect

We wanted to take the family for dinner to a restaurant near our hotel (Fifty NYC)... the Concierge recommended The National NYC, located in The Benjamin. Found out that it’s chef is Geoffrey Zakarian, of Iron Chef fame. As we entered, we noticed an active bar scene. We were promptly seated in a quiet area. Throughout the evening, we received excellent service from the staff. Every dish was impeccably presented and delicious. Hope to return in the not too distant future when we’re back in town.

Staying at a nearby hotel we visited here following a recommendation for breakfast. Met by an indifferent hostess we were seated. With no recommendations offered by our server and minimal conversation we ordered the breakfast basket and a couple of teas. The pastries were stale uninspired tourist fare. Perhaps our opinion was shaped by our recent holiday in Venice where both quality food and service were on the menu. Do yourself a favour and avoid this complacent and overpriced establishment.

We dined at the National to celebrate our Anniversary. We enjoyed an intimate, delectable, unforgettable experience due to the attention to detail and warm, high quality service provided by Nick Saltarelli and his team.We will never forget the meal and evening we enjoyed at the National. We look forward to our next visit.

The service was better. You know? Food was actually really really good. Amazing octopus and tuna tartare. Thing is ... Service doesn’t reflect the prices. I’m very respectful and appreciative of excellent service. To me, waitressing is a profession and not something anyone can deliver willy nilly. Here, like in many places in NYC, they just deliver the bear minimum and expect a big tip. What for? Not a lot

Really enjoyed our few times we at at the National, had a poor experience with assistant manager not allowing us to eat about a half hour before they started serving their brunch, people that came in after us could, not cool! But the other managers, servers and food was still worth it!

I've been a few times for brunch, once for lunch. The food is consistently great quality, the environment is lively without being obnoxious. The service is usually pretty good as well. Great for any occasion and convenient location, near train. Friends that visit love it too.

Went for a light bite early afternoon Thanksgiving Day. Had a lovely meal with great cocktails- the bartender seems to be quite a pro. Try the steak tartare, excellent and the Caesar salad (made with gem lettuce (yum) not romaine. Lovely country feeling in the restaurant and great neighborhood. Have wanted to try this one for a while and finally got the chance to. Would definitely go back.

I have wanted to eat at one of GZ's restaurants for a while. Since we were staying right next door to the restaurant, we decided to go for dinner. The atmosphere is fantastic. The service was prompt and friendly. The menu has fish, chicken, and beef on it, but I do not think it would be a menu that would be great for a family with kids or a big group of people with picky eaters. The dishes are delightfully paired with sides and my husband and I enjoyed our dishes, but we both commented that we knew our extended family would not enjoy them, as they are not into fine dining, but prefer more common menu items. The fries were amazing as was the chicken and mac and cheese that we ordered. Dessert was great and the tea selection was overwhelming, but also amazing.

I had walked by this restaurant several times and always wanted to try it. When I was in NYC, we booked a party of 12 and it was excellent! Both the food and the service exceeded my expectations. I had the avocado toast with pomegranate and it was delicious. I will be visiting again just for this dish. Our party ordered several different dishes and all were enjoyed. We did have a large party and the service was just what we needed and did not rush us or lag at all!

This is one of my go - to places for a business lunch. Quick, easy, decent menu. On occasion, the menu is a little limited, but over all it is consistent and I have returned to The National many times.

I enjoyed a nice breakfast here. The food was of high quality and interesting recipes. The staff were friendly but unobtrusive. This is not a restaurant for those looking to save money but is a nice splurge.

ate breakfast here twice. great avocado toast option. also very good granola and yogurt. gets crowded, mostly business people. service is just ok. but the food is served quickly so overall a good option

This place is a little different than other restaurants that we frequent. We are from the south and have come to expect "southern hospitality" any place that we visit - well, they don't believe in that here. The servers pay very little attention to the patrons and when you ask for something it is almost as if it is a burden for them to do their job. The food, well it could have been better. I had a burger that tasted like what you would expect a high quality cardboard to taste. Needless to say, this will be our only stop here.

Perfect end to a fantastic holiday .... bottle of pinot noir, medium to rare cooked to perfection sirloin steak and a cheese board to share. Waiting staff were attentive, reception staff could smile a little more but hey the food and overall atmosphere was great. Definitely recommend a visit to this place x K80 Scotland

We really enjoyed the food. Service was good. Managed to change one of the meals due to an allergy, which wasn't too much trouble and even modified the mains to suit. Lovely ambience. Would recommend to other visitors!

My wife and I were staying at the Benjamin Hotel while in NYC for a long weekend. We came into the National to have a drink after walking around town. The bartenders were excellent and we ordered a meat & cheese plate to go with our beverages. It was excellent. We also ate breakfast there one morning during our stay. It too was great. The food, service and atmosphere is good.

We always go here for breakfast. The staff is immaculate and attentive. They always make room for us. Enjoyed people watching on Lexington while we ate.

Visited here for Sunday breakfast with a group of 8(5 adults and 3 children). The food was superb . Everything that was ordered was enjoyed . Some of the best French toast said by many at the table. Not one complaint about the food. The waiter we had was ok - not much personality. The only issue that we had is that they have no children’s menu and would not do a half or smaller portion. (I personally felt it was a waste of food considering some of the homeless and hungry we had seen in the city.) The place is busy I would suggest making a reservation . I would defiantly go back here again for breakfast. Well worth a trip , the food and ambience were great.

After reading other reviews, I have to agree - the food and ambience in this restaurant is fantastic but the service was cool and somewhat unfriendly (after the superb service we’ve had everywhere else in NYC). However, we stopped by for a drink and snack at the bar and the barman wad fantastic - helpful, chatty and friendly. Certainly made up for our first meal. It’s not cheap so I think this restaurant needs to do something to improve its service reputation.

Enjoyed Sunday brunch as recent guests at The Benjamin. Pros: The Blood Orange Ginger Mimosa was excellent as was the Bloody Mary. Avocado toast with pomegranate and poached egg was delicious. A second egg would have been perfect. Eggs Benedict with pork belly was excellent. Cons: Service was average. We were catching up with a friend and felt pressured to order. Despite being guests of the hotel, we felt rushed. The food and drinks didn’t disappoint; service could be a notch or two higher. Rating based on food or it would be average.

The National was unknown to me New Years Eve, 2018. It was recommended to me as a last minute dinner spot, and wow, am I glad I visited. Dinner was delicious. Service was impeccable. Atmosphere was elegant yet upbeat. Russell, bartender and server, was perfect. Welcoming and professional. Though my first visit, definitely not my last. I highly recommend The Nationak.

We spent a few nights in NYC and on Sunday we went to The National Bar and Dining Room for brunch. I made a reservation for 12pm but we got there earlier and they were able to seat us. We had a nice table. Our waiter was very friendly and good. I had a mimosa to start and others had a Bloody Mary and Bellini. I had the Croque Madame that was good. Others had the Ugly burger and omelettes. All were very good.

A nice hotel restaurant, especially for brunch, this place is significantly marred by very inattentive and poor service from a staff that appears to have been around for a long time and beyond caring. Even when about half full, it is tough to get their attention or refills or pretty much anything else. Quite unfortunate since the food, while not cheap, is fresh and good.

The National is the restaurant for the very good Benjamin hotel. Unfortunately the brunch we had there was poor quality and over priced. Avocado toast was well presented but flavorless and ‘soggy,’ scrambled eggs and potatoes were all over cooked and room temperature.

Definitely a place to stop. Had an Ugly Burger with Nat Sauce and Fries and it’s pretty Awesome - which a$21 burger better be. Also had Avocado Toast and seriously - it was better then the Ugly Burger. They’re making some incredible food (it was a Brunch Menu when we were there). Real Napkins - great atmosphere - this place is a winner!

We had dinner following a show and it was walkable. I was impressed with the wine by the glass. Our server brought unopened bottles of the wine we requested and opened them at the table. The National has a nice offering of with by the glass and the prices are reasonable. We both had steaks and they were excellent. Decor was pleasant and the service wax exceptional.

The National is located in the Benjamin hotel on Lexington Ave. Classic decor, amazing menu with attentive service makes the National a place to dine. Jolly Chriss.

Bustling, black and white tile floors, some cozy booths, lots of windows, a neat city brunch spot for sure. Service was very good, attentive and friendly. Great coffee, lots of creative menu choices (brunch only Sat/Sun). BLT Benedict very unusual with some odd spices but omelet was good and eggs, pancakes etc looked great. Large bar for eating or drinking. A good choice!

I've only eaten here once but I will be back! Specifically for the THE NTL. BENEDICT (Crispy Berkshire Pork Belly, Pickled Fresno Pepper, Hollandaise, Herb Salad) which was unbelievably good! The service was ok, but all I focused on was my food. Huge recommendation on this dish if you like the sound of it!

We stayed in the Benjamin hotel and received credit each day. We ate a burger A+, had dessert(all great) and lox and bagels. They also have a very nice bar with delicious fresh made cocktails.

THE GOOD: Location. Parking around the corner on 51st street. Food ok (not bad) but overpriced for what you get. Chef Zakarian almost never there so don't count on his hand in the kitchen. THE BAD: Absolutely intolerable noise level. Earplugs a must. Conversation impossible. Choose this restaurant only if you do NOT want to talk to your dinner companions at all. Then it is perfect, but book a visit to your audiologist thereafter, and prepare to be fitted for hearing aids to compensate for hearing loss and eardrum damage.

I was at a business event in a private room at The National this week. The restaurant has a nice atmosphere, and my sea bass with asparagus were delicious. There was also a yummy creme brulee for dessert. I wouldn't call this the most homey or eclectic option in Midtown, but it's a solid business dinner option.

I’ve visited the bar on each of my visits to The Benjamin and found it to be a great place to have a drink before heading out to enjoy the city or after returning from a long day of touring. The bar staff always made us feel special and I assumed the table service in the restaurant would be the same, I was wrong. Despite being guests of the hotel we were treated like any person walking in off the street. Actually worse. We were seated at a small table for two. No offer made to take our coats. Initially told the booths were reserved for larger groups yet parties of two who arrived after us were seated there. We sat for 15-20 minutes before being acknowledged by our server. He answered our questions in an unenthused manner and seemed impatient. He did offer some minor changes to the menu which was appreciated. The food was delivered promptly and served hot. It was nicely presented and tasty. We sat for an after dinner drink while cleaning and setting was taking place all around us. It was early and we would have enjoyed another round but started to feel like we were holding them up so we left. It’s convenient to have a restaurant on site but doesn’t serve its purpose if guests feel unwelcome.

Have wanted to eat at the National for a long time. I can tell you I wasn't disappointed. It is located right down the street from where I stayed in New York on Monday so I had a quick lunch their on Tuesday afternoon of this week. This place is famous for it's chef who was on the Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian and his Ugly Burger. I did try the sirloin though and it was cooked to perfection. The flavor was really good was glad I stopped in to grab a bite

Good food good service good location. Also provides room service for the upstairs hotel, The Benjamin. Very nice to have it in the hotel - one of the best things about The Benjamin.

We love the bar at the National. Our favorite bar tender is Wendy. She’s friendly and knowledgeable about her wines. Please be advised that the bar closes earlier than most hotel bars.

Had the octopus appetizer and the lamb burger. Dined with a few others who panned their meals. The octopus itself was good and cooked perfectly but the chickpeas were very dry and there was too much on the plate. My burger was great. Our waiter was excellent. Perfectly attentive.

We ordered the lamb and beef burgers and they were awesome! Cooked perfectly great bun and the halloumi cheese on the lamb burger was an excellent compliment to the meat. The wait service was indifferent to us and never even thanked us for coming in, wouldn’t go back.

I ate there a couple times. Nice spot for drinks after a long day in the city. Would recommend for breakfast and drink/dinner

This place needs to be reviewed in accordance with the standards of a restaurant that charges basically +\- $30 for all of its lunch entrees. In that company the food is very good but not a standout and the atmosphere is just like anyplace else. The branzino and skate fish luncheons were the highlight at the table but neither was remotely healthy the way prepared.

We stayed at the Benjamin and four of us had dinner one night of our stay. We sat at one of the semi circular booths. It was a bit cold near the window with a noticeable draft for some reason. Service and food were good. 2 of us shared a steak special with creamed spinach and crispy Brussels sprouts, one had tuna and one had meatballs and mashed potato. It was all very tasty and nicely presented.

Nice variety of interesting menu items. Tuna paillard was especially delicious. Had several meals there and daily soup offerings were always good. A bit pricey - but typical for NYC.

This place is a little pricey, as are most of the restaurants in New York, but it was delicious. The service was great, and the food was delicious.

We recently ate dinner at this restaurant The ambience is a little dark, and unfortunately on this evening there were two "ugly" ducklings in the restaurant who thought everyone had to hear their conversation. That aside we found the food excellent, the service was friendly and efficient and the value was very good.

I really love this restaurant, I want to come back as soon as possible. The service was amazing, and the food was so tasty!

Food was good but not memorable. Host was very engaging but other service staff is not attentive. Waiter brought my husbands draft waaay before mine, leaving him to drink alone, and never explained what took mine so long. No apology. The environment is comfortable, relaxing pleasant. But overall, wouldn’t go out of my way to go back.

Restaurant week $42 for 3 courses - appetizer, entree and dessert. Very good deal. Burrata, branzini and cheesecake, all good. Also had the Black Sea bass with zucchini and squash - excellent. Cozy bistro ambiance, good location.

Stumbled upon this gem as were walking down Lexington Ave. Stopped in for Brunch and had a great meal. Waitress was very accommodating and split our Croque Madame into 2 plates so that we could share that and the eggs benedict. Both were very tasty but I was disappointed that the pork belly on the benedict was more like pork tenderloin and I was expecting it to be smoked like bacon. Great service. Worth a revisit, for dinner perhaps?

The Mediterranean sandwich melds all the wonderful flavors! We arrived at 1 in a Friday and the two of us were seated promptly-lots of people here from business luncheon to casual. There is a full bar. Service is prompt and attentive. Great atmosphere and a Chef Zacharian restaurant - you cannot go wrong.

My breakfast selection was healthy and delicious. Service was impersonal; the waiter barely said 3 words to me. The dining room was cramped and noisy. Would I go back? No.

I attended a celebration dinner recently here, and was seated in a private conference/dining room on the upper level with the 40 other members of our party. The decor was basic, although I expected the food at least to be better. Unfortunately, as it was a menu prepared for our group, it was not featured on the menu so I can't recall the descriptions of the items chosen. I ordered the green salad (which sounded nice on the menu) but was so basic with minimal preparation and absolutely drowning in vinegar. Inedible (the same for those around me who had also chosen this as well). I sent it back and withing 2 minutes the waiter came running back with a quinoa salad. QUINOA? Are you kidding me? Honestly, SO basic and unappealing (and tasteless) that I took one bite and shoved the plate away from me. When the waiter saw that I wasn't touching that plate either he took the quinoa away and then brought back a "salad" (basically a handful of lettuce taken by the handful from a sack of lettuce), which he then proceeded to drown in an orange/mustard dressing. Once again, inedible. So totally amateurish was the service and the food. I then received my seared salmon. Basic, slightly overcooked, and served once again with the most dreary (and tired) embellishments. Not at all memorable. Lastly, a forgettable creme brulée . I'm sorry to say, this meal was totally forgettable,

lively place especially in bar section and good food. Not cheapest place and reservation needed at for most popular nights.

We had hoped to have Breakfast at Tiffany's, but could not get reservations, lucky us. The National was great. My sister was hesitant to go, as she had had a poor experience in the past, but this visit changed her opinion. The bottomless Mimosa is a must!!!, and the waiter would not let the glass go empty. I also really enjoyed the National Benedict.

We wanted to try a restaurant owned by Geoffrey Zakarian since we like his recipes on the Food Network show, The Kitchen. Both our orders were superb. They were tasty, full of flavor and had a beautiful presentation. The waiters were attentive and checked to make sure everything was all right quite often.

A good place for lunch or breakfast close to Grand Central. But you do need reservations, it is always busy. Only downside, a bit noisy.