Category: | American Restaurant |
Address: | 225 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022, USA |
Phone: | +1 212-838-3531 |
Site: | serendipity3.com |
Rating: | 3.7 |
Working: | 11:30AM–12AM 11:30AM–12AM 11:30AM–12AM 11:30AM–12AM 11:30AM–1AM 11:30AM–1AM 11:30AM–12AM |
AL
Alex Seo
Its a rip off place. And I mean that literally! Rundown of what happened 1. Service - If you are reading this, you might already know this place requires you to wait in long line to get sited. We were also told we will be waiting in line so we were expecting it when we arrived. But what we didnt realize is we should have put our name down and just walked around the area and come back. If you were to put your name down( If you are lucky enough to put your name down between Managers gawking eyes on young ladies) and wait around the area, you will be told to stand in straight line with your back to the wall. How they will tell you is another story. We just didnt appreciate how he was yelling at friend of mine who had her back turned to sideways to talk to us while we are waiting. But because we wanted to try this place, she and I did not make scene out of it. Just because we didnt make a scene out of it doesnt mean it is ok. 2. Service - After finally getting our name down after couple of groups of girls were allowed to cut in front of us,we waited in line and we were able to get a small table. I have to say desserts were good. But it really isnt like its out of this world. We saw something about minimum order of $8.50 somewhere so we made sure we did that. About 10 mins into the dessert, our waiter comes and asked if we are done. This is the waiter who just looked at me with blank eyes when I asked what he would recommend other than frozen hot Chocolate. His comment to us was .....everyone are different with their own taste. Okie Dokie~ 3 Service - Into our 30 mins of being able to sit down, we were asked if we are done about 5 times, asked if check is ready about twice, waiter coming by our table to look at us about 5 times. And also of course, hitting our table while serving tables beside us, about three times. With knowing we will be never EVER gonna go back to that place EVER again, we just knew we are not leaving any tips. Tips are for receiving service. Getting our dessert is what we paid for. I made sure no one pays from my table and I paid bill with my credit card and made sure everyone see that I have written down $1 tip. RIP OFF PART And guess what my bank tells me...... in my credit card monthly statement, it says I paid total of $5 tip!!!!! What a rip off place that is! I have worked as waitress and bartender to know how to appreciate good tip. To receive good tip, there are certain things you really should do. Yelling or harassing isnt just one of those. Not giving good service is one thing. But taking money is a totally different issue. I really cant be the first person to give $1 tip or no tip at all with attitude like theirs. And to think thats what they do when they dont receive enough tip.... WOW I dont know if thats even legal. I did call my bank to get $4 back but still.....
GL
Glen Katz
Sweet Desert turned into a Sour Experience We came here as they feature a signature desert dish. We also heard there are long lines to get in. So we came there and were told at outside the door it would be about an 1 - 1/2 hrs to get in. We put down our name and walked around the area to make good use of the waiting time. Upon our return, we were almost next to get in as we timed it right. Upon entry, (it was a very narrow entrance way to get in) we were escorted upstairs to our table which was right on top of the stair case. I was a bit taken back by the location of my table; however dealt with it since the restaurant was so busy and I already waited an 1 1/2 hours to get in. It took almost 10 minutes to be waited on and another 10 minutes for the desert to arrive. After finally receiving the desert, we were given our bill 8 minutes later. The waiter returns 5 minutes later to pick up the bill. I honestly did not look at the bill since I was only eating for 5 minutes. I told him I was not ready yet. The waiter returns 5 minutes later; at this point I told him, you can take the check, however there is no money inside of it as I am not ready. He told me he was only trying to be nice as there is a minimum of $9.00 per person and we did not meet that. He added they are told to get the checks faster at tables which do not meet the policy. I told him that we were not aware of such a policy as it is not posted anywhere outside the restaurant or within. He points it out to me on the very bottom on one of the pages of the menu. My wife and I looked at each other and could not help converse of such a policy actually being in place anywhere. As I write this review for others to read about the Serendipity Restaurant, what you read about the wait is true and if you wish to wait; thats up to up to you. However be forewarned about their policy which is not posted in writing on the door about the fact that each person has to order a minimum of $9.00 or they will be asked to leave quicker and they will be harassed about it. Upon exiting, my wife was semi-interested in the souvenirs despite the fact we could not enjoy what we came into the city for as we were mistreated by the Serendipity staff. Since the area was so crowded and the souvenirs were not clearly marked, she decided we should spend our money elsewhere as Serendipity got enough of our money.
TA
Tara Mansfield
I have been to Serendipity three times now over the course of a few years and each time I have enjoyed it there. Wait times: I went there today and there were two families in front of me and yet my party was sat in 10 mins. This was surprising as I had expected to wait a lot longer. I think people are just a bit unfair with their judging of it. Yes, there are lines but if you read reviews saying there are usually 45min - 2hr waiting times" you cant go there and then whine that there are lines. Its a small place that is very popular and so logic tells you that you will have to wait. Dont like it? Go somewhere else. There are a million other places to try in NYC. Staff: our waiter was great. He was friendly and informative and checked on us all the time. Our water glasses were never empty. Even the host was pretty nice. Food: we only had desserts but we were happy with them. They are on the expensive side, youre looking at $8 for a slice of cake, $10 for a drug store sundae and around $16 for one of their real sundaes. The menu is online with prices included so again, manage your expectations. Dont want to pay $16 for ice cream? Dont go there. The insanity ice cream sundae with pecan pie is delicious but very heavy. The desserts are very whipped cream heavy but the cheesecake is delicious. Cleanliness: I really dont think it is fair for people to bring up them getting shut down in like 2007 for bad hygiene. That was five years ago. They now have an A hygiene rating and so should be judged as such. When we went there we didnt notice any dirt anywhere and all the glasses and cutlery were clean. Im never usually so defensive over a restaurant. This isnt even my favorite place and I probably wont go there again but you cant be mad at a fish for being a fish just like you cant be mad at Serendipity for being an over priced tacky tourist trap because thats what it is. It doesnt claim to be anything different. The interior is very kitchy and shabby chic, everything on the menu is way over priced and it is an extremely popular tourist destination. Dont like that? Dont go there. But if you want to visit a movie location and enjoy some good dessert while there? Go there! As a one off its a nice treat. My Mum is a big fan of the film so she really enjoyed it and we left happy with our sugar highs. There is a $8.50 per person charge however so bare that in mind.