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    Friedman's

    4.0 (3.4k reviews)
    Closed 8:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    FRIEDMAN'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Happy hour specials
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Friedman's

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    Seanniece B.

    Wonderful. My waiter was so nice and attentive. This restaurant was on a lot of the gluten free lists so I had to check it out. It did NOT disappoint. I got the pan-seared fish sandwich with gluten free bread. So good. I had trouble figuring out the dipping sauces I liked. They don't have barbecue sauce so I tried the honey mustard and the herbed aioli. So-so but not quite right. (The next day I went to the singing Friedmans at Times Square and tried the garlic aioli. Get the garlic aioli for this). The mango pineapple lemonade was divine (although I preferred the tartness of the Elphaba and Galinda I had at the Singing Friedmans).

    Classic B.L.A.T.
    Khadijah H.

    Love this place. Spacious and cute. Modern great Gatsby ambiance and decor. Wonderful. We had a reservation and were treated nicely. It was packed on a Saturday morning for brunch yet all staff were attentive and active. There wasn't a moment we weren't checked on. I ordered a Tokyo 75 and BLAT without the avocado. Food was good. The drink was eh. Only because I am NOT a fan of bubbly/ spritz. I tasted zero alcohol and it felt like I was paying $14 for juice. The sandwich was standard but they did an excellent job with the good cuts of bacon. I rated this four stars because I paid $41 for a sandwich and drink during brunch. I left full (mostly due to the bread and fries) but I wanted more. It wasn't anything to be wowed about.

    Vegetable Potstickers (GF) Three Cheese Mac & Cheese Bites (GF) Buttermilk Fried Chicken Lunch (GF)
    Marissa C.

    This was my second time at Friedman's and definitely will not be my last! Right when we walked in, we were greeted by the wonderful staff. We started off with drinks and then got the Vegetable Potstickers. They were delicious and crispy, but the sauces paired perfectly with them too. I had the chicken fingers for my entree. They were so crispy and delicious and you couldn't even tell they were gluten free! Our favorite thing is going to Friedman's and knowing that they take gluten allergies seriously and have endless possibilities. Can't wait to go back!

    Meatloaf - very bland
    April K.

    Service was great. Food came out quick, like questionably quick for a steak. Nice atmosphere but tables too close. The meatloaf was bland and the mashed potatoes and spinach were good after I seasoned them. I don't usually have to season my food. My husband's steak was okay. We would only probably go back during the singing servers times for entertainment.

    Hangar Steak *GF
    Lee Ann P.

    This is a reasonably priced spot with good food in the city. The inside is a little outdated, nothing bad but nothing chic. Our server was attentive and the place is clean. I ordered the hanger steak with a side of sweet potato fries and both were delicious. We also tried the roasted broccoli and cauliflower with tahini, the sauce was more than just tahini that it came with but it was good too. We had a gluten free eater at our table and they loved the chicken and waffles and were excited to see that gluten free on the menu. Overall, a solid spot!

    Sweet Potato Fries; Korea BBQ Wings (GF); Buffalo Wings (GF); Classic B.L.A.T.
    Veronica L.

    Perfect pre-MSG concert spot! Walked in during their Happy Hour, which is daily from 2-6pm! FYI, their HH bevs are always avail, but their HH small bites are only avail on the weekdays. We shared everything as a party of 3 and it was just right: - Sweet Potato Fries (HH): Plentiful and the perfect finger food to pick on - Buffalo Wings (HH): Standardly coated with the right level of spice - Korean BBQ Wings (HH): Reminds me of a soy garlic flavor, YUM! - Classic BLAT (Reg item): Shared this w my sister and it came with fries too! This was the right amt to share with all the HH items we got Overall, would return for a reliable, decent American bite if I have another concert nearby. Spacious restaurant, clean restrooms, and helpful staff.

    Two Eggs with Style
    Victoria K.

    This is kind of just your regular brunch place, nothing too special, but it's a solid spot. I get the feeling it won't let you down too badly. We had a huge reservation for my whole family, and they were able to accommodate us in the back room on a long long table. Didn't wait long at all, and the waitstaff was very friendly! I ordered the two eggs with style (with bacon), and what you see is what I got. I liked the crunch on the hash browns, and the strawberry butter was a really great surprise! I did see that other people were able to get different types of bread with their meal -- maybe that's slightly on me for not asking, but I just wish they would have put the bread choices somewhere on the menu instead of literally saying in the dish description that it came with whole wheat toast. We also shared lemon ricotta table pancakes, and I really enjoyed the couple bites I had! Bursting with lemon flavor and the best little treat after eating my meal.

    Brussel Sprouts
    Patrisha M.

    Listen... Friedmans had a lot to live up to because let's be real, New York City is FULL of food options. Like... you can't just be okay here. And honestly? Friedmans was... okay. Now let's start with the star of the show because credit where it's duethe brussel sprouts. OMG. So good. Cooked perfectly, no weird "dirty" aftertaste (you know the one ), and that balsamic flavor? Chef's kiss. I would go back just for those alone. But then... the spinach dip happened. And whew Not good. Like... at all. My husband even tried to save it with salt and pepper, no bueno. It was watery, bland, and honestly? That recipe needs a full reset. Scrap it. Start over. Respectfully. The wings? Meh. They existed. Would I order them again? Absolutely not. BUT let's end on a high note, the mango lemonade?? FIRE That drink was doing all the heavy lifting for the table. Overall: a couple highlights, a couple misses. Not terrible, but in NYC... you gotta come stronger than this.

    Ally L.

    Maybe 3.5? I'm not the biggest brunch fan, so if I'm going to brunch it better be gooooood. This was fine. Service was good, the hostesses were great in dealing with seating on a busy Saturday ~ I don't think we really saw our waitress much after we got our food, she was def busy too. The lemon ricotta pancakes had good flavor, felt very dense though ~ I prefer a lighter fluffier texture. The eggs with style were fine ~ the scramble was giving dry hotel eggs, would've loved a good folded egg. One of the bacon strips was super crispy and the other was jerky, the hash brown was good. Felt a little bland overall though. Best part was the strawberry butter for the bread. Coffee was great, they get it from La Colombe ~ Overall felt kinda pricey for diner quality.

    Megan E.

    My husband and I came here because he is gluten free and the restaurant was started by a girl with celiac. Great options for all those gluten free people! I got the sandwich and it was delicious with their yummy herb fries. We sat at the bar as the restaurant was so crowded and had a great server who gave us our food fast on a Saturday morning.

    Pastrami Reuben
    Dave F.

    A must try!!! Friedman's was rated high on Yelp, so naturally I had to try it. Yelp did not disappoint - thank you, Yelpers! We ordered a variety of plates. Reuben, BELT, grilled cheese, and mac and cheese bites. Everything was great and tasty!!! The staff were friendly, attentive, and accommodating! Our waitress was nice enough to tell us what she thought we would like vs not based on sharing likes and feedback. She was also very attentive throughout the entire meal. The place is conversationally loud, but not overwhelming. When we got there, there was no line. After sitting for 10 minutes (appetizer already came out) there was a line building. Guess everyone knows about this place. If you're in the area, this place is worth checking out!

    Suzy B.

    Solid and reliable spot to have an enjoyable meal. I hadn't been to Friedman's since the renovation, but wow, it's nice and it seems like so much bigger and righter since they took the wall down. The day we went was very busy and silly me, I didn't have a reservation. Definitely don't go on a Sunday at lunch time, during holiday season and expect to get a table right away. There are so many great plates of food traveling around that restaurant. I had a simple asian salad which was very good. I'll definitely be back and plan ahead with a reservation.

    Thomas S.

    We stopped here to try their gluten free items. The patty melt was very good- highly recommend this one. So beefy and cheesy. However the BELT sandwich in GF bread was not good. The bread was dry, the bacon was cold and it came with a side of mashed potatoes that was not salted at all. I have high standards for GF things, but this place was not my favorite unfortunately.

    Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich

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    Best Gluten Free menu on the upper west side! Food is great, Everything is Gluten Free. Diner atmosphere but nice to have so many options.

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    Page 1 of 86

    Friedman's Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Friedman's

    Is it loud inside? I'm going to be meeting with someone who has difficulty hearing.

    I was there on a Thursday morning and I did not think it was too loud.

    Do they cater? Can I have a party and take over the entire restaurant?

    They do have catering services. You can call or inquire online . There is a tab for catering on their website. They did mention their famous pastrami sandwiches, turkey and vegetarian sandwiches (GF) option .… Read more

    Do they take reservations?

    No you can just walk in rsvp is not required

    Is brunch available on weekdays?

    No, I remember looking for this option when I was in town. Sorry..

    Is this place kid friendly?

    Yes. On the weekends you can use the Yelp waitlist feature to avoid having to wait outside. During the week, there isn't a ton of intel as to the magnitude of the wait, so you may not have a ton of space for the kid(s) to stand while waiting.

    Do they serve alcohol during weekday lunch? Wine, beer drinks?

    Yes

    Is this reservation only?

    They also have an online (yelp) waitlist last time I went that you can get yourself in so that you can time your arrival

    Is the restaurant wheelchair accessible? It seems like it is from my visit, but it isn't marked as such on Yelp.

    The space is limited but and the tables and space aren't really designed for wheelchairs. I'm sure they can work but I would be a bit too tight

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    4.1(195 reviews)
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    5.0 / 5.0 If you want to eat croque monsieur, this is the…read moreplace to go! It's the best in Manhattan! The croque monsieur, available only on Tuesdays, is a must-try among the daily lunch specials! It's not just cheese on bread, but buttery bread with rich white sauce, resulting in a very juicy flavor. The lunch set includes an appetizer and a main course for $29.95. The spiral staircase you see as you enter the restaurant gives it a very luxurious atmosphere. However, the restrooms are spacious and there are plenty of seats, so you can even bring a stroller. The service is also attentive and excellent.

    We had high hopes! Came for dinner last night for our 8:30 reservation. Grabbed a drink prior at…read morethe bar. The bartender was less than warm and welcoming. Zero personality. As we had our cocktails we discussed going somewhere else as the vibe was flat. But my husband convinced me to stay as it's already 8:30. We head upstairs to our table, only to be greeted by another less enthusiastic server. He never told us his name or offered up any menu highlights. I was excited to have bone marrow and escargot. Both failed epically. The bone marrow was inedible as it was like cold custard. Escargot had zero flavor and a real lack of garlic and good butter. Tasted more like vegetable oil than good butter. We shared the lobster pasta entree. Tasted more like Mexican goulash. No Italian flavors to be found in the sauce. Never once did the nameless waiter stop and inquire about our meal. Just all around a poor experience and a disappointing Friday night. There are far better places that appreciate your patronage. We will not be coming back. Not worth it.

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    Tanner Smiths - Tuna Poke Tacos

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    4.3(2.4k reviews)
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    Prior to going to a Saturday afternoon matinee, a group of us were looking for a good brunch spot…read more I had Tanner Smiths bookmarked, so we stopped in. What a cool place! It definitely has the vibe of a speakeasy, especially with the jazz band playing. We went with the brunch special which is $35 for bottomless drinks with the purchase of an entree. It pays off if you're having more than 2 drinks and we made sure we did! Bloody Mary's were excellent! The food here was outstanding. I had the 3 Eggs Any Style and my wife had the Breakfast Flatbread. Those dishes as well as our friends were well made and delicious. If you're headed to a play or just in the area, I'd recommend stopping here to eat, drink or both!

    We came here based on a friend's recommendation and had high expectations, but the experience was…read morevery disappointing. We're three young women in the service industry and still felt completely unwelcome--the hostess told us to find our own seating even though the sign said see hostess. The bartender was rude and uninterested, standing 5 min+ at the bar without even being acknowledged. Another staff member was dismissive when closing us out and rolled her eyes when asked to take cash. The overall vibe felt like we weren't wanted, even though it was only around 11 PM. The DJ was underwhelming and the bathroom was vile. The most pleasant part was the below average $20 drinks. For an expensive, well-known spot, this was a very poor experience. Couldn't pay me to return.

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    Monkey Bar - Smoked Whitefish Caesar (~$28)

    Monkey Bar

    4.3(475 reviews)
    1.2 miMidtown East

    Getting a reservation here is very hard. One just popped up in my Resy app for lunch though, so I…read morewent for it. It was my first time here although, it has been around for ages. The front part where you first walk in is the bar area with some tables. This restaurant is on the darker side and brings you back in time. Once you walk in further that is where the main dinning room is. This is also on the darker side as you can maybe tell by my photos. The wall paper and art around the restaurant is cool and there are some monkey statues around the restaurant. I was seated in a corner table in a booth area that seemed to be for at least 2-3 people. I thought for sure they would seat me at the bar area. I had a wonderful waitress whose name I think was Taylor but I could be wrong. I ordered the Monkey bread to start off with. It's a very buttery bread with truffle and parm cheese on top. I have alot of allergies and I was searching online if I could even have truffles as I have a nut allergy. So, I asked the waitress and she said she had never heard this. But, she came back to me and told me that White truffle grows near or like over where Almonds grow from but that, they don't use white truffle so I was all good. Well, this was super nice of her to check for me. I had no idea she was going to do this. She said the restaurant has strict protocols when it comes to food allergies. I then got for my main dish the double cheese burger with onions and pickles. To drink I had the cucumber martini. WOW everything was pretty darn good!! I passed on dessert. If you get a chance or a reservation pops up in your resy to go, even if it is for lunch..I highly say go for it.

    From the moment we sat down, the service set the tone for the entire experience. Our server was…read moreincredibly warm, upbeat, and full of energy--one of those people who genuinely elevates a meal. I only wish I could remember her name because she deserves the recognition. We started with drinks, and mine ended up being a surprise standout. I ordered the coconut margarita, slightly hesitant since I'm not usually a margarita fan--but it completely won me over. It struck a perfect balance and leaned just enough into the coconut to make it feel unique without being overpowering. My sister-in-law, who's pregnant, had a non-alcoholic Ritual margarita and loved it, noting how convincingly it mimicked the real thing. Since we were sharing, we got to try a good mix of the menu. The monkey bread came first--definitely a splurge at $34, but it's one of those fun, indulgent starters that's worth ordering at least once. While I wouldn't call it the best bread I've ever had, I also wouldn't change anything about it. The crab rangoon was another highlight. Having it made with real crab made a noticeable difference, and the dipping sauces complemented it really well. It felt like a more elevated take on something familiar. For mains, the French dip was a hit. The meat was incredibly tender, the bread had that ideal crusty exterior, and the au jus was packed with flavor--I was very glad I ordered extra. It pulled the whole dish together. We also tried the smoked whitefish Caesar, which was the only dish that didn't quite land for me. It was a well-made, fresh salad, but the smoked fish flavor was a bit overpowering and took over the balance of the dish. Even though we were too full for dessert, the restaurant surprised us with a scoop of strawberry ice cream with chocolate sauce to celebrate my sister-in-law's babymoon. It ended up being one of the most memorable bites of the meal--we're still talking about how good that ice cream was. We arrived right at 11:45, and by the time we left, the place was absolutely buzzing. It's clearly a popular spot, and for good reason. Between the lively atmosphere, strong service, and well-executed food, I'd highly recommend making a reservation if you can.

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    The Whitby Bar and Restaurant

    The Whitby Bar and Restaurant

    3.9(192 reviews)
    1.3 miMidtown West
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    Wow, such a treat to experience!…read more We were welcomed a bit earlier than anticipated than our arrival time and was a nice gesture. I've never been to a formal tea before so was a super nice treat for me. Started with a glass of champagne and followed by great recommendations for tea (which is not my jam) and was a perfect pairing. We had the Spring Afternoon Tea which was an assortment of finger sandwiches, desserts and clotted cream and preserves. The staff and recommendations were remarkable and if ever in the area would love to come back and share the experience with family and friends!

    Tea? Here? Think again.... After much thought, I booked…read moreafternoon tea at The Whitby Hotel to celebrate my niece's college graduation. It was supposed to be a memorable milestone, but it turned out to be a massive, incredibly disappointing letdown. The issues began the moment we arrived. The host stand claimed I hadn't booked afternoon tea and had only reserved a standard table in the hotel bar. This was completely false, and I had to pull out my phone to show them both my text and email confirmations. Rather than apologizing, they offered absolutely no accommodation for their mistake until I actively asked for it. Their excuse? They claimed this "has happened before" with their reservation platform--an embarrassing admission for a luxury establishment. Next, they told us they were entirely out of tea sandwiches. I had to ask them to double-check. When the host returned, they magically found the sandwiches but claimed the tea room was completely full. We were instead shoved into a cramped bar corner right next to the service door, the cashier stand, and the station where the bar staff collected all the dirty dishes. To add insult to injury, when I walked past the actual tea room an hour later, it was two-thirds empty. The service itself was nonexistent. Our tea was abruptly plopped onto the table by a bar staffer who didn't say a single word and left. Thirty minutes later, the sandwiches were plopped down in the exact same dismissive manner, without any explanation of what was being served. I eventually had to ask the hostess for information, and she retrieved a tea room staff member to explain the menu. After that brief interaction, we received absolutely no other service except for water. To top it all off, management clearly does not care that our experience was so bad. The manager kept using the dismissive, canned phrase: "I'm sorry that your experience wasn't what you expected." I had to correct him more than once--this wasn't a matter of unmet "expectations," it was a matter of not getting what I paid for. I paid $433.00 for a premium afternoon tea experience and received bottom-tier service in a noisy dish-clearing corner. If The Whitby Hotel cannot handle basic hospitality, reservation logistics, or genuine customer service, they shouldn't offer afternoon tea at all. Avoid this place if you are looking to celebrate a special milestone.

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    4.2(602 reviews)
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    Outdoor seating
    Full bar

    This spot is alllll about the shareable items…read more We visited for Mother's Day brunch and the restaurant was packed! However, we were greeted warmly and a server was with us very quickly. They did however seat us at a table that was directly in the way of a lot of movement through the restaurant. Many waiters found themselves squeezing between our table and another to attend to other tables. Some were carrying very heavy looking trays. Beyond that, we had a blast. We ordered the butter service, which was super fun! The waiters make a whole show of it, seasoning the butter at the table, talking it up a bit, and then allowing us to go to town. The added shallots on top bring an extra hit of umami. The chorizo spread was a little grainy for me, but others at the table were going for seconds and thirds. I especially enjoyed the marinated leeks and the eggplant dip it was also served with. Our entrees were a little underwhelming. We ordered the lobster frites and the french onion soup burger. The burger wasn't overtly French oniony. It was just a solidly good burger. The lobster was delicious, but not anything I am continuing to think about. What I am still thinking about though, are the creme brulees! We ordered the corn creme brulee for a side. It was sweet and salty, with a great crack and chew to the top. I also loved the espresso creme brulee for dessert, which also had a nice light saltiness to it. We also got the spicy orange carrots which were totally delicious. In addition to the espresso creme brulee, we also ordered the lemon ice cream cake. It was bright and refreshing. The only downsides were the wait for the desserts. The wait was so long that our waiter insisted that they would be comped for our inconvenience. However, they were still on the bill at the end of the meal. He did remove them immediately when we pointed them out, though. And finally, coat check accidentally gave our Mother's Day bouquet of flowers to the wrong mom! We wound up with a much prettier bunch, but lost our balloon as part of the switch. Oh well! Next time, we'll definitely be ordering the brulees and I'll be damned if I leave without having their french onion soup!

    I am writing to share some constructive feedback regarding a recent dinner at Quality Bistro…read more Having been a loyal patron of Quality Meats and Quality Italian for many years, I was eager to experience your take on the French bistro concept. While there were highlights to the evening, several aspects of the experience did not meet the high standards I have come to associate with the Quality Branded family. First, I must address a significant comfort issue two weeks ago. Our group was seated in one of the large booths, and we found that the cushions were so soft that we sank down uncomfortably low. It was quite awkward to dine when several guests could barely see over the top of the table. For a restaurant of this caliber, guest ergonomics are essential, and I would strongly encourage looking into firmer seating support for those booths. Regarding the menu, we found the oysters to be a bit of a letdown for the $5 price point. The citrus toppings were so heavy-handed that they completely overwhelmed the natural flavor of the oyster. Additionally, as a long-time fan of Quality Meats, I found the steak to be lacking in both presentation and precise execution. I had hoped for a dish that mirrored the excellence of your sister properties, but this fell short of expectations. On a more positive note, your staff was incredibly friendly and attentive throughout the night. We also thoroughly enjoyed the bread and butter cart; the butter was truly lovely and stands up well against international varieties I have tried. Furthermore, your desserts are stunning and were the highlight of our meal. I share this because I truly enjoy your restaurant group and would love to see Quality Bistro refine these details to match the world-class experience of your other locations and competitive locations in the neighborhood. I look forward to returning in the future to see how the space evolves.

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    Friedman's - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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