My family and I enjoyed Easter brunch at the Highlawn.  It was incredible!  My 6 year old was raving about her experience and she is an extremely fussy eater.  Food was delicious and abundant. Atmosphere was perfect.  We can't wait to return.  I heard the Mother's Day brunch is amazing.  Looking forward to booking our next reservation! read more

The view is possibly best in New Jersey!! The restaurant is beautiful inside and out. The ambience is incredibly elegant and takes you to a place in time Ive only seen in movies. With that, please note - I am 56 and likely the youngest person there. It seems to be frequented by older folks, which is fine by me. The bar was packed and lively playing oldies tunes with people getting down on the dance floor. Now for the food and drink. The drinks were a bit weak but very tasty and well balanced. Im a lightweight and had two drinks without feeling a thing, BUT very tasty martinis. For food we stuck to Japanese food with veggie tempura and short rib bao buns followed by California and spicy tuna rolls. Veggies were good but needed the sauce, a little greasy and under seasoned. With the sauce, was fine. Really liked the short rib bao buns! The sushi rolls were good but not better than most upscale sushi restaurants. Tiramisu dessert also prob best on dessert menu. You pay for the vibes not the food. Going once is well worth the experience. At $250 for two, might be my only. visit but absolutely glad we did it. Perfect for our anniversary! read more

PLACE IS GARBAGE. Food is garbage! Service is snooty like they are a 5 star restaurant, when they're not. This pace is 2 stars all day long. Only reason anybody goes here is for the location snd view. Food here sucks. Always did. This shithole should have closed, not The Manor! Skip this place Save your money read more

Food: We ordered different appetizers and drinks, all delicious Service: Excellent Ambiance: Upscale and relaxing with amazing views in the patio read more

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Came here to celebrate a birthday. The inside was nicely decorated and the atmosphere was lovely. The view of the city was a plus as well. Our server was very professional and helpful, waters were never empty and we got everything we needed. For appetizers we ordered the veal and fried calamari. The veal meat itself was dry and flavorless. The toppings were where most of the flavor came from. The fried calamari was nice and crispy. I will say that the fried lemon slices in there caught me off guard and I found it a bit jarring to bite into something so sour in between the other ingredients. I would have preferred if it was a hint of lemon or just a regular lemon slice to squeeze on top. For entrees we got a porterhouse and the lamb chops. We asked for both medium. When the porterhouse arrived it was clear that the meat was overcooked. It looked well done and was completely dry. We told our server who took care of the situation immediately. He apologized and had the kitchen remake it. The second one much more resembled medium. The lambchops were fine, although the orzo it came with lacked flavor. For sides we got fries and spinach. The spinach tasted plain. The fries were fine, I did enjoy the truffle sauce it came with. Finally, since we had a birthday in our group they surprised us with a candle and a dessert which was a fun. Overall, the service and the ambiance were the best parts of our experience here. However, there is improvement needed in regards to the food. If you want a nice place to chat and sip drinks while enjoying a city view then this is the place for you. read more

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Came back after some prior misses from a service and food quality perspective. Was pleasantly surprised how solid the meal was on this return visit. If you haven't been here most come for the amazing views of the NY skyline and surrounding areas. Bar service was well executed as we both enjoyed our cocktails (watermelon margarita and a mezcal negroni). Appetizers were delicious - beet salad and tuna carpaccio. We got a NY strip and a black cod sushi roll that was high quality in taste and presentation. Dessert was a tiramisu that was not my favorite but ended a lovely meal. read more

The Highlawn - New American Near Me - West Orange, New Jersey

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I had the opportunity to enjoy The Highlawn as part of a team dinner. The atmosphere, service, and food are all top-of-the-line. They highlight their cocktails, and rightly so. I enjoyed a Sinatra, up, and it was just right. Our table enjoyed appetizers together, including meatballs and short rib. Really well-seasoned and tender. The wood fired filet is a treat, perfectly seared and cooked to the right temperature. Highly recommend. If you have the opportunity, take advantage of this wonderful place. It is choice. read more

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Finally had a chance to try this place out. Excellent service and very good food. The $$$$ price rating is more in line with the elevated dining ambiance and location rather than fine dining caliber food. That said, I didn't mind because overall it was a great experience. Miso Chilean Sea bass was a nice portion and cooked perfectly. My wife's à la carte chicken breast was stupid expensive.. for literally a chicken breast cooked on a wood fire ($40!). Side of spinach was very plain, whipped mashed potatoes were very good. Server (Joe) was attentive and helpful. We came in pretty early on a Friday and was treated very well. Still I'd give it a 5 star rating because when looked at as a full dining experience it was great. I could easily see if someone was coming only for the food it could be expensive for what you get. read more

One of my favorite bars. A lot of scheduled artist near the bar. You're always welcomed with a smile. The food is well seasoned and great presentation. Old school Upscale Resturant vibe. My go to is the mushroom pizza and a glass of champagne. read more

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Went for an Easter Sunday buffet the selection of food was very good. Sushi, lamb, steak , shrimp. Taste was typical Easter buffet taste. I ordered a Bloody Mary and was told they were out of Bloody Mary mix. I guess it was too much trouble to send someone to buy some mic. Price was high but that is typical and expected for a holiday dinner. read more

Rushed server who ignored the table and served very delayed and cold food that was obviously sitting out for quite some time, my wife sent hers back for reheat but the others dealt with it. No apology or regret at all from the waiter, food quality was very average, I get better hot food at some diners. A waste of $580 bucks for four hungry patrons, no alcohol ordered, I will never go here again, it's a tourist trap now.. read more

So much potential. This was once a phenomenal venue, perfect for that special anniversary, birthday or Christmas party. And while it's still beautiful to behold, with gorgeous views and pleasing décor, the food has sadly plummeted. What hasn't plummeted are the prices and with this I have issues. Stopped in last night for a drink and a couple of appetizers. Bar was empty except for an adjacent Christmas party and a few patrons. Back in the day I loved their pizza. It was irregularly shaped, cooked to perfection and delicious. In a state known for their pizza, I would stop by this non Italian restaurant on occasion just to have theirs. Last night it was tasteless. Moving on the the wildly expensive luke warm spare ribs, things continued to deteriorate. I ordered a Bloody Mary and was informed that they were all out (really) so we ordered a couple of decent cocktails, which for over $20/ea should have been a hell of a lot better and certainly more generous. Again meh at decidedly not meh prices. Service was attentive but I guess with a nearly empty bar, it should have been. So I pose the question, is $120 including tip for appetizers and a pair of drinks too expensive? The answer is a resounding no but the food and experience should have been worth the cost and sadly, it wasn't. I'm certainly not opposed to spending my money, but for THAT money, it should have been a hell of a lot better. Wish they'd never been sold. read more

Had our anniversary dinner here. The service and view was unmatched. They gave us a nice card, free sparkling wine, free dessert, and sat us on a huge booth that sat 6 people. Two of us could sit comfortably facing the windows. Service was attentive and view was spectacular. As we were there for dinner, we could see the dusk and see lights coming on in NYC. As others have mentioned food was okay. Not great but also not too bad. Portions were overly generous. Some items were over salted. The pork belly was cooked dry early in the day and was not re heated properly. Anyway, I'm not sure food is the only reason you'd come here. For special occasions with a significant other I don't think this place can't be beat. read more

The Highlawn - New American Near Me - West Orange, New Jersey

Came for dinner and to inquire about hosting our daughter's first birthday. While the food was excellent (our dinner for two was nearly $800), the interaction with the Event General Manager, Joel, was shocking. She was dismissive and condescending and repeatedly made assumptions about what she "didn't think we could afford," including implying we wouldn't spend serious money on a child's first birthday. We were discouraged from dinner options, offered only a tent with restrictive time slots, and told "absolutely not" when asking about the main dining room -- despite our flexibility. Being judged and spoken down to while dining is unacceptable. We will not be returning and strongly caution anyone considering this venue for private events. read more

We had been coming here for many, many years since it first became known as The Highlawn Pavilion. "The Highlawn", as the new owners have renamed it, describes it on the website as a place that "provides elegant New American dining". Elegant dining, in our view, does not include loud customers, wearing backwards baseball caps, t-shirts, hoodies, and torn jeans. It does not include patrons spilling out of the bar standing and blocking the narrow entrance to the main dining room, seemingly oblivious to the diners that the hostess is attempting to seat there. Though the dessert was tasty, its miniature size stood in contrast to its $18 cost. The main meal was just very good. It was not "exceptional dining", as The Highlawn self-describes. What was exceptional, but not in a good way, was what happened at the end of our meal, when my wife went to use her gift card. This was a gift card that was purchased by our good friends within the last year. We recall their story of how difficult it was for them to actually purchase the card in the first place, with staff confused by the request, walking away for a very long period of time, only to eventually return to finalize the purchase with a nasty attitude and dismissive nature. Perhaps that should have been a warning to us. The bill arrived, my wife handed the gift card to the waiter. He returned shortly afterwards to say that they "could not accept it". We asked to talk to the manager. He arrived bringing with him an arrogant, dismissive tone, and immediately rudely remarking "this is not a gift card". In other words, we were trying to commit fraud. My wife pointed out that it came in the envelope with "TH" logo present, it had been legally purchased, had no expiration date, and she showed him the receipt of payment that our friends had given to us, signed by a representative of the restaurant. He insisted he could not process it, as it wasn't the gift card they would accept. The implication was that we are thieves who somehow hacked into the The Highlawn's system, printed out our own gift card and receipt, and were now here to perpetrate our crime. We seemingly were at an impasse, but perhaps because he saw we weren't backing down, he finally said that he would accept it, but he would have to check with his HR to be sure it was okay. He also said that the card was for $200, and the meal was "only $188", so we would 'lose the $12" remaining on it. We said, apply the $12 to our tip for our waiter (whom we hold not responsible for this debacle) and we would leave the rest in cash (20%) for him, which we did. A very nice evening, though not elegant nor exceptional, was ruined by the unprofessional treatment by this "manager". My wife was very upset, and the next day she decided to call the restaurant to complain about the way this situation was mishandled. Customers should never be treated in a manner that essentially accuses them of practicing fraud, but that is exactly what happened. Still, we thought, let's give "The Highlawn" the chance to take the high road and make amends for their employee's behavior. The person who answered the phone was empathetic, and apologetic, and said she'd have a manager call us back to discuss it. We waited for days for that to happen. It did not. Another call was made. A message left to return the call. No call. Another call made. Another non-response. Final call made. Another apology issued by another staff member, and another promise to have a manager call us back. This still has not happened. In nearly 4 weeks. Four phone calls. Four failures to respond. Five failures to demonstrate the willingness to accommodate a guest in a manner consistent with what one would call an "elegant dining experience". We are very experienced diners, we have been to many excellent restaurants in New Jersey and around the country and the world where the food and ambience proved to be truly exceptional, This WAS how the Highlawn Pavillion so often proved to be. The Highlawn? We don't see how that is possible, when given multiple opportunities to do what is right, and to treat people respectfully and hospitably, the staff at The Highlawn proved to be disastrously ineffective at resolving what was essentially a simple problem. To the owners of TH, you should be able to do much better in the way you treat your customers, especially when you've been quoted as saying that "[t]his is a place with such a rich legacy". That "legacy" is now unraveling and is becoming quite tarnished. read more

Came for Sunday brunch with out of town friends and turned a simple catch up into a memory, parking and check in were smooth, the dining room was sunny and calm, coffee refills were quick, pastries tasted fresh, and the city skyline made every seat feel like the best seat, our server offered to take group photos near the windows which was a thoughtful touch, we lingered after the bill just to enjoy the view and never felt rushed, a flawless experience from arrival to exit. read more

Buckle up. This is going to be a long one. We came here earlier this week with one of our parents for what ended up being a fancier meal than we anticipated. As many people have mentioned, the view of the city from here is spectacular and is the main draw of the place, but the rest of it is just ersatz luxury--it's kind of dumpy in terms of quality. We started at the bar since we arrived early and the two women working both had nasty attitudes. The drinks we all started with--three speciality cocktails--were very good though. The elderflower spritz was refreshing, as was their watermelon margarita. The smoked bourbon drink smelled awful but was wonderful with the orange blossom. (FYI that their peach cocktail--that one of us ordered later--is artificial tasting; it was so bad that she had to send it back.) From there we moved into the dining room, where we had a much nicer and more professional server. We started with the seafood tower and a caesar salad. The salad was overdressed, borderline soggy, and had way too many croutons, so thumbs down on that. The seafood tower, on the other hand, was pretty spectacular. And for $120, it damn well better be. There was a ton of well-cooked lobster and shrimp that tasted great, as well as some oyster and clams and all the sauces--but no butter, which was strange. There was some crab in a ramekin that could have been presented more nicely. Even though we were already bursting at the seams at that point, we plowed on. The cauliflower steak one of us got was SO GOOD. Like, unexpectedly so--perfect crisp, excellent sauces, just wow. 5 stars. The lamb ravioli dish was not as impressive since there was barely any lamb in the pasta and the sauce was unpronounced. We tried a piece of the ($76) filet of the Pops, and it was tasty, but certainly not tasty enough to cost as much as it did. On to dessert. The pistachio eclair was terrible: a boring, too-hard filling with a not-fresh tasting pastry. Amateur hour. We did like the tiramisu and chocolate raspberry tart. Ultimately we would have landed on four stars, but we need to bring up the pricing situation here. We were generously treated to this meal, but we happened to glance down at the payment receipt when we were leaving and noticed how high the tip was, so when we reversed engineered the cost of the meal in our heads, we realized that tip must have ALREADY been included in the final bill. So they STILL have a component to add more tip in their final receipt, thereby tricking the customer. Unfortunately, we think that the Pops double tipped and they certainly did not deserve it there, so it's a really bad business practice. We contemplated giving them two stars because of this deceitfulness, but are ultimately landing on three because we did have a lovely time together as a family and a couple dishes were very, very good. Watch out, though, fellow diners. read more

I absolutely loved this restaurant. The staff was very welcoming and the host was very attentive. The food was also delicious, I had oysters and calamari as my appetizers. For my entree the truffle chicken with garlic mash potatoes. Perfect temperature and seasoned well.This was my first time. My table was near the window so I had the best view of the overlook. read more

The Highlawn - Calamari and Oysters - New American Near Me - West Orange, New Jersey

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We hosted our daughters Bat Mitzvah at The Highlawn and the coordination was exceptional from start to finish, Gianna helped us plan for more than 200 guests and kept the dance floor open as promised, the room felt spacious and bright with those floor to ceiling views, place settings were spotless, service stayed polished, and we received nonstop compliments about the food, the outdoor balcony became a favorite photo spot and staff guided guests back in between courses so timing never slipped, I would book here again without hesitation. read more

overpriced trash, the food isn't even good and the wait staff is not properly trained. management is non existent here and it shows!

Seems like we've been year two years in a row for Mother's Day! The ambience never fails. The customer service and smiles are all over our hearts. It's beautiful, and exceptionally located with views of Manhathan. The food, the food the food! Seriously can't go wrong here, this is one of the best places to mange in NJ. We love it! read more

The Highlawn - New American Near Me - West Orange, New Jersey

My parents celebrated their milestone anniversary here and the evening felt elegantly effortless, valet was quick, we were greeted by name, and seated at a window where the city lights stretched across the horizon, appetizers came promptly, courses were well paced, and every plate was hot and beautifully presented, Joelle checked in just when needed and made sure older relatives were comfortable near the elevators, after dessert we moved to the bar downstairs for a relaxed toast, the perfect finale to a five star night. read more

The highlights, the view cant be replicated of NYC... unfortunately thats about it This used to be the place to go..used to is the key word. Worn linens, more flys buzzing around then planes over Newark airport and lackadasical staff Save your money read more

Today my culinary school took us to this restaurant for a fine dining experience, as this is what we have been learning about in class. Unfortunately, the experience fell far short of expectations. From the beginning, communication with my chef instructor was poor. When we arrived, I can say the restaurant had an amazing view, but that was the only positive aspect of our visit. After being seated, it took nearly 20 minutes for a server to approach our table. A host from the front did come by to tell us "just one more minute." When our server finally arrived, he rushed through everything, resulting in my order being incorrect for every course. My chef instructor even received raw chicken, and surprisingly, no one came to apologize despite this being an upscale establishment. They simply took the plate back without explanation. The food was cold and very average--we are preparing better dishes in our culinary school. Throughout our meal, other staff kept glancing at our table, yet no one ever checked if we needed anything or if we were enjoying our experience. As culinary students, we expected the restaurant to demonstrate what proper service in an upscale establishment should look like. Instead, there was no sense of hospitality; everything felt rushed, and we were made to feel uncomfortable. Another issue arose when the menu clearly stated that two drinks were included, but the manager insisted to my chef that it was only one drink per person. When we finished, we were given to-go boxes without bags--a small detail, perhaps, but considering we spent nearly $1,000, you would expect better service throughout. The most disappointing part came when we were leaving. The manager simply looked at us and walked away without a "thank you" or "please come back"--not even a goodbye. I made a point to say "thanks for having us" out loud, and only one tall staff member bothered to respond. As future chefs and restaurant owners, we visited this establishment hoping for an experience that would match its premium prices. The interior is indeed very nice, which sets an expectation for equally impressive service, but this was not the case at all. The restaurant knew we were coming and that we were students from the Hudson County Culinary program--why not make an effort to demonstrate proper hospitality? My server got my order wrong multiple times yet still received a $120 tip. I will never return to this restaurant, and one day we may be their competition. If nothing else, they certainly taught us what not to do in our future establishments. read more

The Highlawn - Cold calamari - New American Near Me - West Orange, New Jersey

My experience at the Highlawn was wonderful. Took my wife there on a date and we've deemed the steaks at the highlawn the best we've ever had. And we've been to lots of great steakhouses throughout the city! Dessert was also really good. Service was great. You've already heard enough about the view. read more

i went to a party here and it was very nice. the view of new york is beautiful. i had a few things. the penne vodka which was very good. creamy and flavorful. i had bread, cheese, crackers, veggies. i also had the chicken and waffle they were passing around and that was my fav. so good! read more

We chose The Highlawn for a corporate recognition dinner and it was the stress free venue we needed, Gianna helped us map a timeline that balanced speeches with a relaxed meal, Joelle coordinated the room flow so late arrivals slipped in smoothly, AV checks were done before guests entered which kept the program on schedule, the staff anticipated refills and dietary notes without reminders, and during breaks several colleagues stepped onto the balcony to take in the skyline even in December thanks to the heaters, clients left impressed and our team left grateful. read more

Dinner, drinks, and dessert was absolutely amazing !!!! We started with the rosé and grilled octopus. For entree we had the salmon and scallops. For dessert we had the bread pudding and blueberry crumble. EVERYTHING TASTED AMAZING!! The pastry chef, Malica, is really making sure love is put into the desserts! I couldn't stop eating. We didn't have any complaints at all about the service. The ambiance was beautiful. I can't wait to comeback !! read more

The Highlawn - New American Near Me - West Orange, New Jersey

Hosted my sister's baby shower at The Highlawn and it exceeded every expectation, from the first planning email to the final goodbyes, Gianna kept communication clear and kind, she offered helpful layout suggestions so our gift table did not clog the entrance, the large windows framed the New York City skyline so beautifully that our photos look professional, servers were attentive without hovering, water glasses and coffee cups never dipped low, and when hosting kept us busy the team quietly packed a thoughtful takeaway so we could enjoy the same dishes our guests raved about later that night, five stars for food, service, and that unforgettable view. read more

The views are spectacular. The service was very good. The food was fine. But fine doesn't justify the pricing. We celebrated an anniversary and they were kind enough to send out a couple of glasses of champagne. Started off with some cocktails, which were well made, then had the shrimp cocktail and Burrata salad. Shrimp were good and cocktail sauce had a nice amount of horseradish. The Burrata was served over roasted tomatoes and bread cubes, which had a stale taste to them. The duck carbonara was tasty, as was the cauliflower steak. But again, the pricing was out of line with the quality (and quantity). 30 dollars for a small cauliflower steak is a bit unreasonable. All in all, a pleasant evening but likely not a repeat visit. read more

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I was on a super low budget tiny wedding (not held here). However, we had our dinner here and what an experience it was. The food and drinks were simply amazing. The setting was gorgeous for photos. The staff was perfect, and they elevated our otherwise modest day into something really special. THANK YOU! read more

I hadn't been to The Highlawn in years, but this week I had the opportunity to go back for a function. The location of the restaurant is unbelievable. On this night, the sky was clear and the view of Manhattan was spectacular! The food and the service is still first rate. Great cocktails, tasty appetizers, and a delicious filet made for an excellent time. If you're looking for a high quality dinner in a unique atmosphere, make a reservation and check out The Highlawn! (Gentlemen....recommend wearing a sports coat). read more

The Highlawn - Delicious filet, creamed spinach, and mushrooms. Outstanding!! - New American Near Me - West Orange, New Jersey

Visited The Highlawn for my friends birthday dinner and it was outstanding! They have valet parking but if you don't mind walking a couple steps you can self park. I visited in December so the decor was beautiful along with the floor to ceiling Christmas tree. As we were waiting for the birthday girl to arrive, we relaxed in the bar where it was very busy. The bar area gave off upscale after work vibes. After a couple of minutes, we were seated next to the windows. This place is known for their spectacular views and since we visited at night, we now wonder how it looks during the day. That means i'll be back haha! I ordered a margarita (I can't find the exact name of the drink) and it was SO good. As my entree, I ordered the Faroe Island Salmon with a side of mashed potatoes and I was blown away! Everything was delicious. The service was on point. The ambiance was beautiful. I would come back here again and recommend it to everyone I know! read more

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Foods, services and the environment are good. We like the HL Signature Beets and Burrata Salad. It's surprising us the "crystal" things are made of honey. It's good to have it with Burrata. read more

The Highlawn - HL Signature Beets & Burrata Salad - New American Near Me - West Orange, New Jersey

Let me start with the good. I was sat right away, I was placed near a window as I requested. The view was amazing. But that's where the good stops. My wife and I were so disappointed with the food. She had lamb chops and I had short ribs catavalli. We both had about 2-3 bites of our dishes. What a terrible date night! read more

What a massive let down of expectations. We went here for mother's day brunch and it was just average at best. For the amount of money that they charged per person for this brunch and what we got was ridiculous. The food options were limited and quality was just okay. Not even waffles/pancake option for a brunch? I was really surprised at the experience. I'm really not sure how they got away with it. It was extremely underwhelming. I've had more options at casino buffets for HALF THE PRICE! Service was also just average, certainly not worth the automatic tip they included on the bill. Ambiance was fine but not worth all the money they charged. Unless you enjoy wasting money for same quality food you can make yourself at home AND little to no variety skip this place. The view isn't worth it read more

The commanding views of NYC are impressive but the old world modernism of the dining room vaguely reminded me of Easter Sunday with Grandma or any central casting wedding. All by way of saying if you're here to impress a date, you're on the right track. If you're here to impress your inner foodie... well... like I said, enjoy the view. As much as I wanted to rave about the food, all I could summon was a monotone "fine." The pasta was on the bland side and the Veal Parm was sufficient without coming close to spectacular. Enjoy the views of NYC because you're paying Gotham prices without crossing the bridge. Three solid stars anchored by the stellar service. read more

Very nice Thanksgiving Buffet.Great selection of delicious food. Everyone was pleasant and accomodating. accommodating. read more

Amazing restaurant with great views. Came in for dinner with friends. The outside is as gorgeous as the inside. The ambiance is very classy. There's plenty of tables for dining and a bar area to come in for cocktails and appetizers. For dinner I ordered the Sea Bass. It was flavorful, filling and soft. I definitely recommend ordering if you're in the mood for fish. For dessert I ordered the cheese cake and blueberry crumble. Both were delicious but J enjoyed the crumble much better. It was warm and tasty. The service was great. The waiter was polite and attentive to our table. I didn't like the first drink I ordered and he replaced it with a cocktail that was much better. Overall I can't wait to return with friends, family or date night. read more

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Service: 10/10 Food: 5.5/10 This is a very honest review, as I went with my family for my birthday. Our server was absolutely amazing, very attentive and made us feel welcomed. While the food came out swiftly, for the $ you're paying the serving sizes are way too small. I maybe stuck in that "American" culture expecting a larger portion, but if you're paying almost $50 for one entree make it worth it. Our table was in front of a window displaying the view of NYC, which made the experience a little bit better. I feel like considering that this establishment is a "fine dining" experience, maybe clean where people eat a little better. There was cobwebs on the wall and in the corner where my father was sitting. If you want a gorgeous view and delicious food, go to Chart House in Weehawken. Better price and nicer view. Went there a few years ago for my birthday, and they went above and beyond to make my day feel special. read more