The Pool Reviews

The ambiance, service, and food were spot on. The wine list is extensive and expensive. Very few bottles under $200. The food melted in your mouth. Get the octopus appetizer! Very good service. Bar was packed with beautiful people

We chose this restaurant based on reviews and found the favorable ones to be spot on. You enter along E 52nd street into a marble reception area with attentive hosts and a friendly and welcoming coat check experience. You are then personally guided to either the Grill or the Pool restaurants by a host up a large and easily ascended staircase. The wow factor begins at the top of stairs as you enter a space of high lighted ceilings and spectacular flower arrangements. The restaurants are separated by a long corridor that is well lighted and features a view of the wine cellar. Our table faced the "pool" in the center of the room and was of generous side with side by side seating. Every aspect of the linens, cutlery, glassware was modern and clean to a fault. We were greeted at the table and offered a menu explanation and access to the incredible wine list. We found a fine Chablis Villages at a good price and enjoyed the 2015 Chateau Moreau Chablis to the last drop. Our order was simple but delicious. We began with the goat cheese and ricotta Gnudi followed by the beet salad in a towering presentation with tomato and watercress accompanying, very delicious for both of these items. I must also mention the three warm baguettes accompanied by fresh butter topped with salmon roe. The bread was warm and the butter over the top delicious. Our fish choices were the Monkfish in brown butter sauce and the poached halibut in fennel and sea essence sauce. The halibut was the better of the two and a lovely presentation. We found the Monkfish a bit chewy. Our side dish was the sesame seed encrusted wilted spinach and it too was perfect. Finally we chose the Meyer Lemon meringue for dessert and were quite pleased. Chocolates followed the meal and were welcome.

Dishes were exquisite!! We had gnudi, lobster soup, tuna tartare, ny strip, and rainbow trout and all were delicious! Love the ambiance and atmosphere. Perfect place for couples looking for a romantic evening.

My husband and I just had dinner at The Pool. The food was excellent! I had the beets salad for appetizer and the grilled branzino for entree. My husband had the Long Island posters for appetizer and the fettuccine with dungeon crab as an entree. For desert, we shared the Meyer lemon meringue cake. The food was extraordinary and the service even better. The general manager of the place Jameson pays full attention to details and the captain Chris was wonderful. The music and ambiance were superb! Highly recommend this place. Very New York!

The Pool, in the beautiful space formerly occupied by The Four Seasons restaurant executes exceedingly well in every aspect of service and food preparation. The arrival to check in to seating was flawless. The table, along side the pool was beautifully set. The wine stemware was particularly fine. We ordered lobster salad, raw oysters, a bone in aged strip steak and the duck breast. All of the food, without exception was perfect. Not a compliment easy to give. The room ambiance was inviting, the staff engaging and unpretentious. This was the best dining experience we’ve had for some time.

This restaurant is fantastic! Great ambiance. Great food and FANTASTIC service. We went with 5 teenagers and 3 adults and had a wonderful experience! Will go back the next time in NYC.

We dined at The Pool on a Saturday at 7pm and were promptly seated in the dining room at a table by the pool. Service is excellent but not overbearing. The waiters are knowledgeable on the dishes and the wine and it’s worth letting them guide you. We enjoyed the tuna roast and a couple of appetisers before mains of lobster and branzino. Both were excellent as were the spinach and potato’s side dish We just had glasses of wine but the list is impressive Expensive but worth it

This venue could be a set on Mad Men. As you walk in the room expands to multiple stories high. The pool is in the center of the grand space and showcases an original Alexander Calder mobile floating over the pool. The staff is impeccably dressed and very knowledgeable. Our table ordered different fish dishes and various sides that we have never had before. While waiting for our meal our eyes were drawn to the metal drapes that hung in the floor to ceiling windows. The metal fluttered slightly as the air in the room moved upward. All our meals were top notch and the wine selections were excellent. Definitely a wonderful experience when you are in New York City.

POOL is the reincarnated restaurant formerly operated as the Four Seasons in the historically landmarked interior designed by Philip Johnson at the Seagram’s Building in Midtown Manhattan. The space has been renovated but retains the classic pool as the centerpiece of the main restaurant. The menu features a range of seafood as well as other fare. It’s pricey and deluxe and thus perfect for special occasions, high end business lunches and dinners, and seatings for visiting VIP guests and dignitaries. It’s a great way to show off NYC and is truly a classic.

Very good setting. Good menu and wide wine list satisfying all sorts of budgets. Excellent place for a discrete business diner. Staff is committed and pleasant. Very good food.

The menu is from the '50's. There is nothing exciting about it. The prices are outrageous for the quality of the food. We thought it was a seafood restaurant but there were very few seafood dishes. The dover sole was MP - turned out to be $104. At that price, it should be unbelievable. It was ordinary at best. Many items were salty, some were too salty to eat. We tried the crab cake but couldn't eat it because it was so salty. Our server was great and offered to bring us something else. The other staff seemed untrained and not ready to work in a fine dining restaurant. We were excited to see what had been done to update the old Four Seasons space. The answer is that nothing was done except to change the carpet. The walls, the ceiling, the window treatment, etc. are all exactly as they were - very, very dated. The walls and ceiling are especially unappealing. We were so disappointed. We were hoping for a more modern space and a more modern menu. We had much better meals during our recent trip to NY. We don't mind paying for high quality food in an attractive setting. The Pool does not meet either criteria. It is just expensive.

This was by far the most overpriced restaurant anywhere. It’s disgusting. One scallop $25. One Tiny ravioli $34. When we complained they offered us another (which we thought was a sign of generosity) and charged us another $34. Seriously. $68 for pasta ? I would never return here even if you paid me. Plan on dinner for 2 to pay $300 plus wine and tip. Everything is over priced. Even the spinach.

Spent an exceptional leisurely lunch beside the pool. Recommendations: Mushroom omelette, Avocado Crab Louis salad, and Today’s Chilled Crudite with a variety of house dips. There were two of us. We shared the salad and the Chilled Crudite and could have easily shared one omelette. The staff are not intrusive, but always there at the right moment. This is a definite place to put on your list for special occasions. Enjoy!

The atmosphere at The Grill (which you walk through to access The Pool) and The Pool are what I imagine to be old-school, rat-pack New York. I agree with the other poster who said they felt like they were in Mad Men! :-) We had a drink at the Grill because we arrived early, and the atmosphere there was very lounge-y. Service at The Pool was perfect--very knowledgeable about the menu items, responsive without hovering, friendly and chatty without being over the top, and they didn't rush us at all. We tried a sampling of the menu, and some favorites we're still talking about were the foie grass ribbons served with orange chips (AMAZING), the anchovy toast, and the truffle gnudi--one of the best plates of food I've ever eaten! The potatoes cooked in duck fat were delicious as well. It is expensive, but it is worth it--inventive yet approachable food, attentive service, and an upscale yet not stuffy environment are worth paying for in my book!

What could be better than the Four Seasons restaurant? The 2 restaurants which took its place, The Pool and The Grill. The Pool is the seafood side which extraordinary ambiance, amid unusual, unique baskets of floral/tree design to engulf the diner in understated elegance. The food, beyond, beyond expectations to just combinations of flavors that titillate, while satisfying in a nuanced way. Pleasure unabated.Each course special in its own right and to be recommended. It is my new absolutely favorite restaurant in NYC.Superior serice without being hovering or obsequious. Everything just perfect.

Oh what a fine dining experience. It was a special treat for our granddaughter who finished her intensive theatre experience with the York summer program. The food was outstanding. The duck was exceptional. Be ready to splurge. For example, the $45 small plate of crab rice was very good. You really get your money's worth in this restaurant. Our wait staff was Jameson, who provided excellent service. The attentive and gracious service started at the lobby manned by very pleasant ladies. A special place for a special event.

We went with friends the other night, with high anticipations for this restaurant. But we were severely disappointed. Whereas the service was top notch over the hill, and the presentations were very nice, the portions were baby sized, and uber expensive. What was most disappointing was that we were expecting top of the line fresh seafood, but instead their seafood was so spicy and garnished with so much garlic, my wife had to send back her entree. The wine list is expansive, and there are some real good value wines form burgundy, but the markup for the better known and collectible wines ranged from two (usually the standard ) to over four times ( price it outrageously high and see if it sells???) The wine I brought in (corkage fee is $95) was 4 and 1/2 times retail on their list ! The music was very club world cool and of cause the Philips Johnson space is one of a kind.I think they are trying, like many new restaurants, to attract a hip crowd that may overlook the sub-par food as long as the vibe is there. However, I don't think they will be successful. The place was only 1/2 to 3/4 full on a Saturday night. As we walked out pass their sister restaurant, The Grille, we noticed that was full, with music from a better sound system to boot.

We didn't know what to expect at our first visit to the Four Seasons replacement. Music was a little strange but quieted down a bit as the tables filled up. Pool area is pretty without the former trees. Tables spaced out nicely. Easy to converse. First class service, friendly and knowledgable about the menu and preparations. Started with Tuna with eggplant (skin and smiled purée), grilled octopus (grilled to perfection) and Dungeness crab rice (killer dish, almost ordered it agin for dessert). Main course - shared a large branzino, filleted and grilled perfectly. Sides were terrific- potatoes in duck fat and sesame spinach. Finished with chocolate custard and late harvest tokaj. Sommelier was very helpful and well versed in the extensive wine list. Picked out a great (& reasonable) white Rhone (terrebrune bandol). She was a great asset. Only hiccup- waiter disappeared after dessert and we had to ask for the check from his assistant/bus boy after waiting 20' for him to return.

So we were long time patrons of the Four Seasons, and I've read all the articles in Wine Spectator etc with all the hype about the desire to update and create a new vibe, with a new desk downstairs, and how the prior restaurant had gotten stale. Big deal. Same rooms, more noise, more casual, and two different menus in the two rooms. So you get walked upstairs with your seating assignment instead of doing at the old desk. The Grill Room Bar and décor is essentially identical. The Pool Room is the same without the larger seasonal trees,and the seating is more scattered in feeling with the pool somehow seeming less centric to the eye. The large space seems strangely emptier in feel. The new operations have an obviously younger staff who are all very efficient, pleasant and knowledgeable. Of course, we liked the professionalism and amiability of the former restaurant's staff as well. The new bar in the upper reaches of the Pool Room is a very nice addition. As to the Pool Room menu, it is almost completely seafood from a selection of raw fish....the Bluefin tuna presentation was simple and perfectly prepared...to other seafood options like.the halibut, which said it was with razor clams, very good in its simplicity....a square of completely trimmed fish immersed in a greenish sauce....I guess the razor clams must have been emulsified into it since there were no obvious clams to be found (I love razor clams). The Dover Sole at $68 a pound was served meuniere; the fish was good, but heavy on the salt. The non-fish lovers in our group weren't excited about the limited non-seafood options. So a nice place to go if you love seafood at what you know will be a pricey meal. The staff was perfectly nice and accommodating. It wasn't intended to be what it used to be from everything I have read, Well, that's true. It's not. Not as classy and the seafood was very good, but in the whole scheme of things, in my view, much ado about nothing....the place essentially is the same, but more pedestrian. Perceptions always change with time, and I'm not a millennial, so there will surely be different views. From my view of someone who has seen both, it doesn't match up to my preferences to what they replaced, a view shared by the other veterans from my group at the table. To each their own.

Renovated a year ago, have not been in 15 years. Wow, wow, wow. Like 3 story high ceilings - bar is killer impressive. Two sides to restaurant: Brassiere side and Pool side. Pool side is mainly seafood, but also steak. All I can say is one of the best meals I have had in NY. But it’s pricey - add wine and its crazy. Need big expense account or super special occasion - but worth it!

Dinner on May 25 was a very mixed experience. Wine and wine service were excellent. Appetizers were also excellent. Three of the four main courses were as well. The turbo was too oily and too salty. Food service was mostly good. The women’s rest room had no toilet paper and the hostess was dismissive when so informed. The price of dinner is high and the overall delivery is not worth it.

My wife and I have been coming here for the past several years on our trips to New York. The bartenders are true craft mixologists. John, one of the bartenders, makes a call drink for me that is perfection every time. The experience is impressive the moment you walk in through the very unpretentious entry door. However, the moment you pass the threshold it's first class from then on. You are greeted by numerous staff who make sure you make it to one of the dining rooms or bars. Reservations are imperative. They deal in quality not quantity. I frequent many very good restaurants in NY but this is the one you bring someone to impress them. It's also the one where you can carry on a conversation as you aren't packed in. Back to the space. Very chic and sophisticated: lighting, furniture, floral arrangements and presentation. However, this comes at a cost as all nice things do. I'd rather have two cocktails there than 5 somewhere else. Worth every penny.

My first visit since the handover leaves me puzzled. Food was good, but not outstanding - crab cake slightly oily, branzino rather salty and borderline overcooked. My biggest regret concerns the gigantic flower decoration in the pool (Hawaiian Xmas anybody?!?). To me it totally destroys the openness and serenity of the original room/pool design and thus substantially impacts the whole restaurant experience. Not in a good way... On the plus side: staff was outstanding and made the lunch a very nice experience after all - special thanks to Jameson, our elegant, knowledgeable and friendly Maitre D'

This is what a NYC fine dining experience should be. From the welcome to the (long) walk to the Pool room at the opposite end of the building, to the spacious yet intimate bar to our table poolside, everything was superlative. While the vegetable-based cocktails were at first off-putting, one taste cleared up any hesitation. Who would have thought a tomato cocktail could be so delicious? Dinner alongside the glowing pool was memorable, and everything we ate was excellent. The crab appetizer and fish entrées were especially good. It wasn't easy to find a reasonably priced wine on their list, but eventually we did with the help of the gracious sommelier. This was one of those meals you think back on with a smile. Worth every penny -- and there were many!

Simply Amazing, To visit this redesigned space after visiting the former Four Seasons pool room is wonderful. We arrived and were greeted promptly. You enter through the Grill into a large open space with the iconic pool right in the middle. For starters we chose the Oysters and Lobster tail. Both excellent but I would favor the lobster tail over the oysters. Our main course my longtime love chose the Striped Bass and I opted for the dover sole. Which is prepared table side with a delicate orange sauce. Absolutely one of the best preparations of dover sole I've ever had. Dessert was simple and light lemon meringue just enough to clean the palate and offer a bit of something sweet. I would however recommend the restaurant offer a cheese plate. Otherwise an amazing venue offering and array of piscatorial delights.

Great food, everything was cooked to perfection, friendly staff, nice environment . Complimentary bread an butter. not cheap $$$$ but worth it !!

A beautiful space that exudes New York elegance at its best. A must do in NY - don’t miss the chopped salad - me a salad hater am in love with it. Hard to go wrong - sophisticated European food at its best. Extremely expensive but that is the price of perfection and history ...

The design and the decoration of the restaurants (Pool, Grill and the bar) is stunning. Service is friendly and very professional with minute knowledge if their products. I only had two courses but they were sublime. I am a huge fan of scallops and managed to order the most delicious hand dived Maine scallops off the menu. The recommended wine suited my food perfectly. Ambience is nice with dimmed lights and people dressed up, even for a mid week dinner. Will most definitely return.

The food is UNREAL! The service is IMPECCABLE! The venue is BEAUTIFUL! My family and I had a WONDERFUL experience.

Had a great dinner last night. Everything was beautifully composed, complex and elegant-- and delicious. Recommend the cold assortment plate but tuna was my favorite, but also loved the fluke and oysters. Octopus, beet and nudi were great, but tortellini is fabulous too. Monkfish and duck were terrific. This is an ambitious kitchen, and deserves attention for their use of interesting ingredients in unusual combinations. We even liked the music and how the dining room was animated but the surrounding sound didn't impinge on our conversation. And yes, the signature absinthe drink with cucumbers was fabulous-- I had been leery of ordering it but found the flavor wasn't too intense, but refreshing. Desserts were surprisingly delicious too. Myer Lemon meringue was terrific, but so was chocolate... can't go wrong.

I had read the reviews of this restaurant - particularly the NY Times that was less than stellar in its review (two stars, if I recall correctly) - so arrived for dinner with trepidation. Boy, was I surprised! Service was exceptional. Food, whilst somewhat high priced, was sublimed - my favourite was the beet mille feuille was EXCEPTIONAL. No, really!!!

Part of a pair of new restaurants in the Seagram building the pool is a beautiful high ceilinged space with good service and great food. We had a 99 Vina Tondonia paired with Shrimp appetizers and grilled fish. Both perfect. Very expensive. Probably not worth the extra money if its only about the food. There is plenty of good food in Manhattan. But ... If you want good food in a hip atmosphere surrounded by beautiful happy people and have deep pockets this place will not disappoint. Recommended

We began our evening with cocktails at the Pool bar. Beautiful ambiance, tables and chairs perfect for conversation. Drink specials looked like art work! The view with the most incredible window treatments that again.. look like art! We then moved to the Grill, the dining restaurant connected to the Pool.. read my reviews about that fabulous meal.

I was expecting amazing imaginative food & wonderful presentation. The food was not special and the presentation was on boring tableware. They might as well have left all the old furniture. It is not innovative or inspiring. Too bad. Not worth the hype.

If you fancy a great evening out with exceptional service, great atmosphere and fantastic cuisine, then this is the place. Starters picked were lobster salad and tuna carpaccio. Mains were whole dover sole and whole sea bream (market fish of the day). Dessert was called 'Chocolate Custard', which was a very delicious chocolate bomb. Unbelievable! You could not fault anything. Pretty expensive though, so expect to thin your wallet.

Bottom line for me it is very hard for the food and services to ever live up to the legacy of this space as I have been going there since the late 70s. However, it was our anniversary and we decided to try the reopening/reinvention. The space looks fantastic and service was very young but very affable. A disappointment off the bat were the very fruity drinks they serve - not interesting artisanal cocktails - but drinks that tasted like something from a Crab restaurant in Florida. The sashimi was amazing and served at a good value. The duck exceptional. The crab at "market price" was a very big rip off although the server had made a commitment that it would be a sizable portion The FroYou dessert was gimmicky but could work as a straight comfort food Sundae if they were more creative. The crowd seemed to be mostly tourists. Overall a lot of potential but work to be done to live up to the prices and high expectations.

So, yes, it's very pricey. But the food was fantastic - one of the best fish experiences we've had, and the service was impeccable. They've clearly done a lot to upgrade the experience from the Four Seasons, and while the "look" is similar, the feel is not. There was much more life in the restaurant without losing anything. Just an overall fantastic dinner.

fantastic ambience. great food. excellent service. the foie gras was sublime as was the lobster. oysters, divine. the room is abuzz and the classic charm is still there. a great nigh tout in the big apple .

The old four seasons. Space is still amazing. Me and my niece although we were slightly underdressed we’re still treated with amazing respect and attention. Staff was amazing and friendly. Our server Mark was awesome. Attentive and helpful in making decisions. I will prob go back with a date next time. Meal was amazing

We went as a family of 5 to celebrate my wife’s birthday. She loves fish and seafood and is a very demanding foodie. Amidst gorgeous decor we had the most underwhelming scandalously overpriced meal imaginable. And the wine was also overpriced and to top it all off they charged us for two $200 bottles of rose champagne when we only had one. Ouch! We could have had a far better meal at dozens of area restaurants at a fraction of the cost.

The Pool - former Four Seasons - so worth going. Food is amazing - we had the scampi appetizer and branzino - one of the best fish preparation ever. House potatoes are amazing and so is the spinach. Service - just simply fantastic. Tables are spaced out so you feel like there is a lot of privacy and intimacy. The only negatives for us was he decor that feels a little dated- but then again what do you do with a pool in the middle of the restaurant? it is not an easy problem to solve. Also music is too loud and the choice of music is poor - that is something that management should work on for sure. Otherwise 5 stars all way around. We will be back!

We had a lovely dinner in this famous, trendy restaurant. The list includes so many delicious dishes, all of them excellent. My favourite dish was a lobster on a quarter of pineapple, and the drinks are good too. This is a nice place for a group of friends or a business dinner.

Fantastic dining room. . .right out of a movie set. Excellent service, great to have a conversation with dinner mates or romantic meal!

The Pool, the Torrisi’s next generation of the Four Season’s Pool Room, successfully sustains the sophisticated fine dining we all associated with the original and adds a bit of a modern touch. The Pool lounge is a great addition for pre dining drinks with fabulous craft cocktails and the dining room menu offers delicious classics. We had the Dover sole -absolutely great. The room is missing some of the original artwork but the elegance remains.Very expensive -perfect for a special occasion.

Hands down the most overrated venue in NYC. Absolutely the worst food and completely disorganized venue. Went to private function at the pool. The sound system continously crashed during the event. The appetizers were terrible. The main entrees even worse. Shame on the Pool charging exorbitant prices are delivering horrible food.

An interesting tale of events creates two unique restaurants and a dining experience and culture. I won’t spoil the story and leave the review to our time with it. Exquisite service and attention to detail. You won’t be let down.

So prior to coming here, I was worried as I've been hearing mixed reviews. Those worries are gone, this place is legit in my book. Let's start from the beginning. It's a credit card reservation restaurant. That said, I had a reservation for 9:15 as it was the only slot available. I noticed a few days later that an earlier time had opened up. But too late, I could no longer change through Opentable due to the credit card restrictions. I called the reservationists and they told me that they could only manage day of reservations and that I had to email them instead to make any changes. I did. Twenty four hours later, after 3 emails and numerous calls to a prerecorded voicemail, I finally received a response because I copied their sister restaurant, The Grill. They blamed it on technology issues but I suspect no one bothered to check since they were off for their NYTimes review party. One star off for that frustrating experience. That was the only hiccup for the night. You walk through The Grill to get to The Pool. The place is beautiful. High ceilings, open space, and a very relaxing pool right in the center. The cocktails here are very yummy. Get the watermelon. The bread and spread (salmon butter) was delicious. The uni caviar service and ribbon foie gras were a perfect way to start. We also got the anchovy toasts because we love anchovies so why not. The yuzu lobster (appetizer one) and the gnudi were divine. For our mains, we went turbot and bass. Neither disappointed and the turbot was a full size dish. You are not going home hungry from this place. The food was amazing. The service was on point. (Read: no one spilled drinks on me. Ahem, Eleven Madison Park.) I'm no Pete Wells but this place is definitely worth a visit and even a revisit. The Grill - Yes The Pool - Yes The Lobster Club - TBD

I was there for a business dinner. The room is beautiful. They did a very nice job on the renovation. We were seated side by side, which was a bit difficult. I would suggest they ask for a preference as they assign the seats. The food was excellent but there was too much of it. Our server took us through the menu and made suggestions but he suggested too much; he had promised that the dishes were small bites but that was not the case. We had the tuna crudo and the seabass to start. The tuna was amazing but the seabass was just ok. We had the sheeps milk gnudo with truffle and that was good but extremely rich. I had the lobster and my colleague had the duck. Both were excellent as well. The side of crab rice was just ok. The chocolate creme desert was strange....but we were full and so a taste was just fine. Rethinking I would have just had the tuna (and shared that) and then an entree. The service was very attentive.

My husband and I wanted a nice romantic dinner while in New York on business. We travel extensively both for work and personally, and have eaten at fine restaurants all over the world. The wait staff was professional and courteous, but maybe a little too attentive when you are a couple and they are pouring your wine and water every few minutes. Also the seating was not to our liking, as we were seated side by side looking out at the room. The food was fine, but not spectacular, which we were expecting for the price we paid. The octopus appetizer was good and the beet salad just okay. We should have been told the dover sole would have been enough to be shared, but were not, so both my husband and I ordered it, and it was way too much food and just average. Presentation was very nice though. However, what ruined the evening was when we were asked to take our wine to the bar. (I guess so they could turn our table) We had just finished dinner and were digesting with a nice glass of margaux (wanted to enjoy a cheese plate with it, but there wasn't one on the menu) when we were asked to move. Needless to say, we will not return, but will dine at one of the many fine restaurants New York has to offer.

Located in the former Four Seasons, at the Seagram Building, the Pool is one half of the facility. The other half is called the Grill. This landmark space remains pretty much the same as before it's change of ownership. The classic modern furniture, window treatment and stark but stunning atmosphere is timeless. The addition of some tacky hanging planters with a mis-match of plants was a bad choice. The menu in the Pool section of the restaurant was pretty much all fish, with the exception of one beef and one duck choice. I had the duck since I was unaware that the Pool was predominately fish. A fair choice of appetizers and I would recommend the Foie gras it, was delicious, but rather small in size, My guest had the Salmon which was fresh, but no show stopper. Sides were all extra $$ and we choose the grilled artichokes which were crisp with a bit too much vinegar. The service was slow, but lovely waiters and staff. We had drinks in the mezzanine which overlooked the pool. Good size pour. The worse part of the evening was the loud and inappropriate music. It was recorded Caribbean and then some other less than easy listening. All in all, it was a decent but expensive place with the original charm of The Four Seasons. A one time visit is recommended.

The place is amazing, very welcome, spacious, refined. Large menu with several sea food (fish) options few red meat. Foie gras amazing !!! My fish was also delicious. Highly recommended !

No idea how this place can think the food they are serving is worth the prices they are charging. Atmosphere just doesn’t work and is neither cozy or grandiose - just out of date. They hide prices on their web site but here are some general ideas from lunch menu: Shrimp cocktail: $24 Soups: many over $20 Basic pasta: $27 Anything seafood: over $40 Sides: $15 and up A good steak: $74 A cheap beer: $15 Burgers and clubs: around $30 NOTHING AT OUR TABLE OF 6 WAS EXCELLENT. Nothing bad either, but WAAAY overpriced. Never again.

Recently went to The Pool with good friends for the first time since the renovation. Wonderfully large spacious room with soaring ceilings. At last you can eat and be heard! Service was excellent, Josh helped us where needed and all staff were first class. Food was excellent, well prepared, nice sized proportions. We ate Dover sole..... coming from the UK i know my fish..... this was the best example of sole i have had in N York. Deserts were also very good although not the largest choice. I had a chestnut dish that was excellent, my wife had frozen yogurt that was superb. We thoroughly enjoyed the food but alas the music ruined a perfect evening. Unfortunately the music in the room was not only too loud but sounded like a diner! Very upsetting choice of songs for a sophisticated 3 star establishment. I would have preferred no music. Staff agreed with me ........music in a top space is completely uncalled for..... big error by management. When we left i mentioned it to front desk and they were not sympathetic...... pity.

Beautiful, serene space - excellent service - wonderful food; all in a great NYC location. My husband and I dined at The Pool in early May. The atmosphere is peaceful, and conducive to conversation. Servers were very helpful, attentive and professional. Our cocktails were delightful. We shared a delicious grilled scallop - one of the best we've ever had - and a must try beet 'salad' that was an amazingly delicious - and unique - preparation. My husband loved his tortellini and my lobster dish was delicious. Portions were not large, but we were full. A wonderful experience - I definitely recommend for business, couples, or a nice dinner with friends when you want to have a delicious meal in a beautiful setting and be able to converse!

I lived in the New York area for longer than I care to admit. This place is a good place to go when a person needs a solid NYC fix because the experience I had just isn’t replicated anywhere else in the U.S.A. The setting and interior is extremely well done. Luxurious without feeling pretentious or stuffy. Very open and relaxing. The plants are amazing. Great comfortable chairs - how many restaurants can you say that about? Few. The music was incredible. I want their playlist, perfect for the environment - jazz, standards, but lots of new artists performing those genres. Our waiter was fantastic. Funny, attentive, honest recommendations. Reminded me of one of my good friends from Jersey even though our waiter only lived there but didn’t grow up there. The bread with the salmon butter was heavenly. I had a couple of cooked oysters - delicious - a little smokey and the accompanying sauces were very well prepared. I had the monk fish. Cooked perfectly. Came out very hot, which is important to me. Tasted super fresh. My only reservations were that the portion was a tad on the small size and the sauce was a bit too salty. Great flavor that complimented, rather than overpowered, the fish but a little less sodium please, this coming from someone who uses and cooks with too much salt. We split a side of spinach. Perfectly prepared, they could have been a bit more generous with the portion. My gooseberry cocktail was out of this world. One of the best cocktails I have ever had. Not too sweet, super cold, if I didn’t have to go back and work I would have had another. As good as the experience was I could not help but feel that maybe a touch of passion around the food was missing. Just felt like there was a touch of this is how a high end NYC restaurant should prepare food and that’s how we do it versus delivering an individual’s vision about food. Somehow the hand or signature of a chef was missing just a bit. Something subtle was absent. But if you need a great NYC fix and have the coin, check it out.

My first experience here while having dinner with a colleague. Set in a historic space, the dining room is large and doesn’t feel cramped like so many New York spots. I had the Dover Sole and we shared the Foie Gras Terrine and Sea Bass Tartare. Loved every bite. Also enjoyed the table side finish and presentation of the sole. I would highly recommend.

What a fabulous night! We met at the bar, a great space with expert and efficient staff. Excellent cocktails. Dinner for a party of six, we shared the entrees and each had our own main. Seafood for everyone, the range and quality was extraordinarily good. Service was professional and expert. Great wine list and excellent guidance. Definitely recommended.

I just visited The Pool in NYC for a business lunch. We had the tuna appetizer which was amazing. I ordered the Cold Poach Salmon which was hands down the best I have ever had. It was cooked perfectly prior to being chilled and topped with thinly sliced cucumbers and accompanied by a delicious mustard sauce. Very refreshing and satisfying, a perfect lunch. But my business partner got the duck and let me try a piece. And I am forever ruined for ordering duck anywhere else. I am a huge duck fan and this is beyond the best duck dish I have ever tasted. I am dreaming of the next time I get to try it again. Our waiter agreed and said that it is only compared to the duck served at Danielle’s also in NYC. But he says that Danielle’s is way more expensive which is incredible because the Pool is one of the most expensive restaurants I have eaten at for lunch. Their cheeseburger is $31. However after having the salmon and the duck I am guessing that is the best damn $31 dollar cheeseburger on the planet. Everything at this place is top notch. Amazing wait staff and just an all around incredible dining experience.

Ended up here on a fluke and was blown away — I’d rank it as one of New York’s best. The service is formal but not stuff, the food creative, the wine list top tier and they make a nice cocktail. The decor has changed little since the old Four Seasons. One kind of serious negative is that the bathrooms are a haul to get to and you often have to wait - can’t see how a top tier joint doesn’t have a top tier bathroom.

The food is unbelievable! The fish is really fresh, the plates were all really good. However, the saloons are really old style, it is probably great for huge events and parties. But for dinner with friends, family it seems a little old. Anyway, would come back for the amazing food and staff super friendly and helpful! If you go, don’t forget to try the foie gras, amazing!

An somewhat disappointing experience as we were told about the heritage building and the rest restaurant that is located within. Yes, the bar seemed very busy and humming but when we were escorted to our table in the restaurant, we were disappointed - a large room with a strange table set-up and our table for two looked onto another table which felt awkward - we were sitting next to each other staring at a table of other diners. Service was not up to par; we had to ask for bread, had to ask for refills of wine and so forth - and that despite the fact that there were plenty of waiters and Managers around - none of who seemed particularly observant. The highlight of the evening was the food which was well prepared and looked appetising - we had oysters, salmon tartare, poached halibut and bronzino - yes, the restaurant specialises in seafood and that they do well. But overall, I doubt I will return to the pool again when visiting NY - there are better choices!