Hudson Cafeteria

The Scene – Apart from the photos of flaming heads, this grand, dark room is sedate by the standards of the baroque Hudson Hotel. All but a handful of the tables are long communal ones headed by imposing thrones. In the center of the room is the open kitchen, encircled by counter seating. Its buzz long evaporated, the restaurant's core customers are almost entirely hotel residents: European and middle-American tourists. – – The Food – The menu straddles two worlds: comfort food and inventive fusion cuisine. The former generally succeeds quite well: Rich…

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Editor's Tips

What to Drink:: The wine list is categorized by character ("Enlightened", "Dramatic," and so forth), which can be useful. It's a smallish list of mostly California bottles, with a dozen or so by-the-glass choices averaging $12.
Know Before You Go:: Due to its popularity, reservations are recommended. However, you can make reservations efficiently online through a link on the Hudson Cafeteria website.
Know Before You Go:: The Hudson Bar often holds private parties and occasionally puts a list into play. Call ahead, dress sharp and go early in the week.
The Extras:: A DJ starts spinning at 10pm Wednesday through Saturday.
Lunch Spot:: The three-course lunch menu costs $26.

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User Reviews (88)

ambiance	88.24000358581543% positive	“have been there previously for a birthday occasion and the place has really great atmosphere, but probably some of the staff could drop the pretense just a notch.” “The drinks are expensive, the music is ok, the people were average, service was average, i could have had more fun staying at home and listening to music.” “Awesome decor!” “Nothing extravagant, but a fun, hip place that I imagine would be good for a later dinner.” “The music was great, and the atmosphere was fantastic.” “The space-age lights on the escalator and the dance floor were definitely fun.” “It is definelty not a place for couple looking for a romantic evening, but if you have 4 or more people you will have a great time.” “The atmosphere is amazing, big long tables and an open kitchen - we were mesmerized to watch the chef's prepare our food.” “when its not too crowded, the dancing is fun.” “Really cool decor!” “The atmosphere is gorgeous, service is fine, food is good.” “The atmosphere was great however.” “like the room in the back -- very cozy” “think there are many other places that we would've just as much fun without the annoying service.” “with the nice atmosphere !” “If you like a bright yellow atmosphere, maybe.” “great atmosphere, great singles seen, and an amazing pool table.”
dessert	100.0% positive	“Dessert was also great- small protions on the dessert but just enough.” “The espresso was burned but the dessert was very good, so the evening ended on a pleasant note with our friendship intact despite the below average dinner.” “With no dessert offered, we took ourselves to Morton's Steakhouse for a delicious hot chocolate dessert cake.”
drinks	62.290000915527344% positive	“Decor was very nice and the outdoor garden was a great option when the inside bar got too crowded.” “great place to just sit, drink, and talk.” “However, I found the bar to be quite friendly, plenty of good looking people, and lots of interaction.” “Don't go here unless you want to party with 50 something year olds and overpriced drinks” “Service is slow, and the wine is terrible, but the mixed drinks will get you through the night.” “The drinks were mediocre and the crowd was high on itself for no reason.” “The bar, sans patrons, is really beautiful, but the crowd ruins it completely.” “the bar is too small for people, especially big people, to lounge at - and that is what covers in - with that said, they need to add at least 2 more bartenders - only 2 working for 200 people?” “So many other places to go in the city and not be surrounded by out-of-towners and a horrible hotel/bar staff.” “My husband caught him collecting his half full martini glass twice and I also caught him fuzzing around our table and after realizing that there was nothing to collect, decided to take my unfinished drink.” “And they made some great wine suggestions as well.” “we go to the adjoining/ second half of the bar across the hall, and accidentally sat down for a minute at an empty table, and some nasty waitress, all glossed up and fake-tanned (actually they all were) comes to say 'table reserved', without even looking ” “The cocktails are great, my favorite one is the Ginger Martini with Canton.” “the drinks are really good.” “The drinks are expensive but it is definately worth it.” “That's too bad because it is a nice bar -- trendy.” “The drinks are expensive but well worth it.” “drinks/tip. Service was good during our night.” “The drinks were good, the service was not bad, and the music was really good.” “The drinks are quite expensive but there are many hot guys willing to pay for them, so who cares!” “The bar can be pricey but the food and wine by the bottle is extremely reasonable and worth every cent.” “The garden is gorgeous, and the library bar is nice as well.” “Food and drinks are a bit overpriced, but average for a NYC night out.” “Expensive drinks and shotty service make for a better viewing expirence than drinking one.” “After spending close to 70 on a pitcher of mojitos we decided to order four more drinks and opened a new tab.” “The espresso was burned but the dessert was very good, so the evening ended on a pleasant note with our friendship intact despite the below average dinner.” “The food was excellent (butternut sqaush soup is amazing) and the wine list was fabulous!” “The expereince was excellent with hearty food, prompt service and great cocktails.” “by far the most beautiful bar in NYC.” “Over-priced drinks, nasty people, over-rated, wanna-be-trendy - NO THANKS!” “We sipped our $32 drinks hunched over a table looking at a room full of empty couches.” “Great drinks - make sure you sample them all!” “The drinks are expensive, the music is ok, the people were average, service was average, i could have had more fun staying at home and listening to music.” “nice place for a drink or two, semi-trendy, nothing special.” “While being 4 deep at the bar and waiting almost 25 minutes for a drink, I met some very friendly people.”
food quality	89.20000076293945% positive	“Food is tasty but basic and way overpriced for simple comfort food.” “great space, average food, small portions, expensive” “With no dessert offered, we took ourselves to Morton's Steakhouse for a delicious hot chocolate dessert cake.” “However, for those of us who live here, I recommend going around the corner to Whym for excellent comfort food at literally half the price.” “recommend the lamb shank!” “This is a great space for eating out doors- you are roof top level so no pesky traffic noise interrupts your meal- and the food is fantastic and very reasonable considering this is a hotel restaurant in the Columbus Circle area.” “The expereince was excellent with hearty food, prompt service and great cocktails.” “The atmosphere is amazing, big long tables and an open kitchen - we were mesmerized to watch the chef's prepare our food.” “The food was suprisingly delicious, and I didn't feel it was overpriced for what it was (it is a trendy NYC hotel after all).” “Great food, prompt service, awesome setting!” “Great food, atmospere and service!” “Even if I didn't get sick the food was unacceptable for a fancy restaurant in a fancy hotel.” “Great comfort food at a steep price” “The bar can be pricey but the food and wine by the bottle is extremely reasonable and worth every cent.” “The service was friendly and extremely attentive, though the food took a long time to come (a manager did come over to us to apologize).” “The food was excellent (butternut sqaush soup is amazing) and the wine list was fabulous!” “nice design, good food” “$12 for a truly tasty cocktail would be somewhat justifiable if the service was up to the standard that the hotel brand and the price tag suggest.” “delicious, though pitifully puny, twice-backed potato accompanied the steak.” “The atmosphere is gorgeous, service is fine, food is good.” “tried my wife's mixed greens and tasted a disturbingly warm salad.” “The food is fine, perhaps a little overpriced, but seriously you are there more for the scene.” “Prices are a wee bit high for comfort food, but it did taste good, and the service was excellent.” “you really cant go wrong, the service is always great, the food is good and a really varied selection to cater to all palates.” “The food was very good and the service was above average.”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“you really cant go wrong, the service is always great, the food is good and a really varied selection to cater to all palates.”
overall	77.77999877929688% positive	“Overall, a great restaurant.” “great place to just sit, drink, and talk.” “It's not a good place to meet women unless your rich.” “all in all a great place to take people visiting new york for a feel of the 'in' crowd!” “The point I want to make is that a good place like Hudson Cafeteria can not afford to retain managers with rude manners, because it will scare away customers.” “This is a great space for eating out doors- you are roof top level so no pesky traffic noise interrupts your meal- and the food is fantastic and very reasonable considering this is a hotel restaurant in the Columbus Circle area.” “This is a great place for breakfast.” “nice place for a drink or two, semi-trendy, nothing special.” “This can be a great place, but the people behind the rope are ridiculous!”
return potential	100.0% positive	“Even if I like the place, now I have to think it over before I want to go back again.”
service	70.4099988937378% positive	“The staff was nicer then most places, possibly because my group consisted on 5 very attractive, well dressed women, nonetheless service was not the issues as much as the bad crowd.” “The drinks were good, the service was not bad, and the music was really good.” “Over-priced drinks, nasty people, over-rated, wanna-be-trendy - NO THANKS!” “Amazing design, trashy people, and too expensive” “The hostess took me behind the velvet rope to see what the vibe was like, and we then purchased a table.” “The manageable size combined with reasonable yet rigorous door exclusivity and robust table service lead to an elite crowd that is probably not suited for the haters who have written many of the previous reviews.” “none of them were friendly AT ALL.” “The waitress was super nice.” “we go to the adjoining/ second half of the bar across the hall, and accidentally sat down for a minute at an empty table, and some nasty waitress, all glossed up and fake-tanned (actually they all were) comes to say 'table reserved', without even looking ” “Inside is a beautiful white room with interesting furniture and very nice and cute bartenders.” “think there are many other places that we would've just as much fun without the annoying service.” “$12 for a truly tasty cocktail would be somewhat justifiable if the service was up to the standard that the hotel brand and the price tag suggest.” “the bar is too small for people, especially big people, to lounge at - and that is what covers in - with that said, they need to add at least 2 more bartenders - only 2 working for 200 people?” “So we were told by this waiter that as long as we order a bottle, we can keep the table for the rest of the night.” “Our waitress "Jackie" was the best and I will never forget the evening!” “Not a friendly place, people are stuffy and cold.” “all in all a great place to take people visiting new york for a feel of the 'in' crowd!” “The staff is plesant, and the experience can be inexpensive if you share things, especially since the portions are decent sized.” “An indifferent manager unacceptable for Hudson Cafeteria !” “The second, this past weekend I did not get there until after 130 with two other guys and they played the rude game again.” “restaurant is only as good as its weakest link, and here that is the wait staff.” “The expereince was excellent with hearty food, prompt service and great cocktails.” “Expensive drinks and shotty service make for a better viewing expirence than drinking one.” “This can be a great place, but the people behind the rope are ridiculous!” “It is definelty not a place for couple looking for a romantic evening, but if you have 4 or more people you will have a great time.” “prices are outrageous, bartenders are amateurs and waitresses are rude.” “Food is consistently good and service is nice.” “This place is a cheesy scene with terrible service and a worse vibe.” “While being 4 deep at the bar and waiting almost 25 minutes for a drink, I met some very friendly people.” “Prices are a wee bit high for comfort food, but it did taste good, and the service was excellent.” “Great food, prompt service, awesome setting!” “The four stars are for the impeccable service without the stuffy feel.” “What they don't realize is that New Yorkers are actually nice and friendly people, not these obsessed snobs who make up for their insecurity caused by trying to fit into what they perceive to be the city's social scene.” “Great food, atmospere and service!” “The wait staff is good but the hostess was clueless (perhaps an off night?)” “have been there previously for a birthday occasion and the place has really great atmosphere, but probably some of the staff could drop the pretense just a notch.” “The food was very good and the service was above average.” “This has got to be the worst place in NYC in terms of the service and attitude of the staff.” “When 2 more of our friends arrived they were denied admission (in an unpleasant manner) because we did not get bottle service.” “So many other places to go in the city and not be surrounded by out-of-towners and a horrible hotel/bar staff.” “Great for looking at and dancing with beautiful people.” “The drinks are expensive, the music is ok, the people were average, service was average, i could have had more fun staying at home and listening to music.” “The service was friendly and extremely attentive, though the food took a long time to come (a manager did come over to us to apologize).” “The best part was checking out /having the pleasure of looking at the beautiful staff that watched me struggle putting my luggage into the car while my boyfriend checked out.” “The point I want to make is that a good place like Hudson Cafeteria can not afford to retain managers with rude manners, because it will scare away customers.” “However, I found the bar to be quite friendly, plenty of good looking people, and lots of interaction.” “you really cant go wrong, the service is always great, the food is good and a really varied selection to cater to all palates.” “There was borderline decent music, but no real dancing - just solo people making, sorrily, fools of themselves while somehow seeming to feel trendy.” “The atmosphere is gorgeous, service is fine, food is good.”
value	49.089999198913574% positive	“great space, average food, small portions, expensive” “Getting to the point - the restaurant was a little pricey - which is fine and expected at a hotel like this.” “Food is tasty but basic and way overpriced for simple comfort food.” “Don't go here unless you want to party with 50 something year olds and overpriced drinks” “However, for those of us who live here, I recommend going around the corner to Whym for excellent comfort food at literally half the price.” “The drinks are expensive but well worth it.” “big bad lloyd will never get a dollar from me” “$12 for a truly tasty cocktail would be somewhat justifiable if the service was up to the standard that the hotel brand and the price tag suggest.” “The drinks are expensive but it is definately worth it.” “Food and drinks are a bit overpriced, but average for a NYC night out.” “Great comfort food at a steep price” “The drinks are quite expensive but there are many hot guys willing to pay for them, so who cares!” “The food is fine, perhaps a little overpriced, but seriously you are there more for the scene.” “Pretty pricey (compared to similar deals at similar places) but it was a buddy's birthday so we went for it.” “Food is a lil too pricey for what it is, but that is what we NYCers pay for the scenes, in which we socialize.” “The drinks are expensive, the music is ok, the people were average, service was average, i could have had more fun staying at home and listening to music.” “The staff is plesant, and the experience can be inexpensive if you share things, especially since the portions are decent sized.” “The food was suprisingly delicious, and I didn't feel it was overpriced for what it was (it is a trendy NYC hotel after all).” “prices are outrageous, bartenders are amateurs and waitresses are rude.” “The bar can be pricey but the food and wine by the bottle is extremely reasonable and worth every cent.” “Overall, Hudson Cafeteria may have some appeal for tourists who want the NYC experience of a unique setting and a huge tab.” “Amazing design, trashy people, and too expensive”
wait time	66.66999816894531% positive	“Service is slow, and the wine is terrible, but the mixed drinks will get you through the night.” “we go to the adjoining/ second half of the bar across the hall, and accidentally sat down for a minute at an empty table, and some nasty waitress, all glossed up and fake-tanned (actually they all were) comes to say 'table reserved', without even looking ” “So we were told by this waiter that as long as we order a bottle, we can keep the table for the rest of the night.” “While being 4 deep at the bar and waiting almost 25 minutes for a drink, I met some very friendly people.” “The atmosphere is amazing, big long tables and an open kitchen - we were mesmerized to watch the chef's prepare our food.” “The service was friendly and extremely attentive, though the food took a long time to come (a manager did come over to us to apologize).”

11/23/11

Solid Birthday Party

by MattySoko

I had my 28th birthday at Hudson Bar. I wanted a place that was a good scene, dancefloor, good music, but no door drama. A friend of mine suggested I talk to Josh (at JSN Productions). There's a good amount of dirt bags in the promoting industry, but Josh came highly recommended from a good friend and he was a straight up guy. He told me all the positives and negatives about different possible bday spots. I decided to go with Hudson Bar and everything turned out great. I had a group of about 30 friends that came through and no one had to wait on line or pay a cover. Best part was that I got hooked up with a free bottle of vodka (only had to pay the tax on it) and got a table that fit about 8 friends comfortably. No cover, free bottle and a table at a nice place with good music and dancing = a no drama, good time. I had been to Hudson before and I really liked the place, but I always had to drop a name at the door or know someone because the bouncers can be tough, so I was hesitant in having my bday there because I didn't want to worry about guests not getting in and things going wrong. I gave Josh a chance and he came through. Bottomline, Hudson is a good place for a party, but definitely don't roll up without using a promoter, and if you use one, I would give Josh a try first -- see for yourself.

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01/27/09

WASTE OF TIME, DON'T GO HERE

by nycva123

Ok, so after reading reviews below, totally agree -- NEVER in my life have I been treated like I was from the little scrawny man at the door (and i'm not that tall), and I've been to MANY exclusive clubs in nyc. He was mean, nasty, disrespectful for no reason. I was heading there for a birthday party with my boyfriend. As soon as he saw him and 2 of his friends, he said 'bottle service' only. This is fine that he said this, but he had no reason to be nasty and mean along with it. Don't go here unless you want to party with 50 something year olds and overpriced drinks .... come on, this bar has been around for how many years? Go with something fresher. HUDSON HAS GONE WAY DONE.

Pros: Hudson Hotel itself is nice, decent music
Cons: Mean, little guy at the door, senior citizens, and overpriced drinks (this is not mandarin oriental)

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12/19/08

An indifferent manager unacceptable for Hudson Cafeteria !

by Sidamo

I like Hudson Cafeteria very much and had been there several times before and always enjoyed the food there. But on Tuesday, 16 December 2008 I took two very good friends to have dinner there, I had a very unpleasant experience.

Although the steak and the tuna ordered by my friends turned out to be pretty good and well prepared, the steak I ordered was a disaster. I had told the server clearly I would like it well done, but it came medium rare. I called the server and showed him my steak, but he expressed no apologies. So I told manager on shift about it, and he promised that my steak would be done the way I liked. After 25 minutes? waiting and my friends had almost finished their meals I asked where my steak was, the steak was delivered and the server rushed away ?I took a cut into it and it was still medium rare!! I was hoping to find the manager to make a complaint, but I felt so hungry at the time that I had to eat around the edge of the steak which was well done. When I finally had a chance to point out to the manager what went wrong with the steak, he did not apologize at all, but said ?but you managed to eat most of your steak!? We were all appalled and shocked to hear that. The indifference and rude attitude of the manager prompted me to ask him for his name. When the manger returned reluctantly 10 minutes later, he threw a piece of paper with his name on it onto the table and said ?if that makes you feel any better.?

The point I want to make is that a good place like Hudson Cafeteria can not afford to retain managers with rude manners, because it will scare away customers. Even if I like the place, now I have to think it over before I want to go back again.

Pros: atmosphere, space
Cons: service, attitude

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12/13/08

great space, average food, small portions, expensive

by sriman

The setting and ambiance is 4-5 stars, the food is comfort food, taste is about 3/5, quantity is 2/5, price is about 1/5---$90 for 2 entrees and 1 appetizer and 1 dessert before drinks/tip. Service was good during our night. All in all, if it wasn't for the ambiance and atmosphere, there would be no reason to go here, unless you have an expense account or money is not an object for a $130-150 night with dinner and drinks in a place that is priced like a 4 star restaurant

Pros: space
Cons: price

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11/02/08

Fun place for dancing, but very annoying service

by tastiecake

Went with several friends on a Sat night. We arrived by 10:30 and got a table. So we were told by this waiter that as long as we order a bottle, we can keep the table for the rest of the night. But he didn't tell us that he would sneakily collect half-full glasses that we left on the table while we were dancing! The whole time we felt that he was rushing us to finish our drinks. My husband caught him collecting his half full martini glass twice and I also caught him fuzzing around our table and after realizing that there was nothing to collect, decided to take my unfinished drink.

The DJ played a wide range of music and it was fun to dance. But it was very annoying that I and my friends had to keep an eye out for our drinks from the waiter the whole time and had to take our drinks back from his tray several times during the night.

I had a good time overall, but mainly due to the company I was with. I think there are many other places that we would've just as much fun without the annoying service.

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What People Are Saying About Hudson Cafeteria

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Editor's Tips

11/23/11

Solid Birthday Party

by MattySoko

01/27/09

WASTE OF TIME, DON'T GO HERE

by nycva123

12/19/08

An indifferent manager unacceptable for Hudson Cafeteria !

by Sidamo

12/13/08

great space, average food, small portions, expensive

by sriman

11/02/08

Fun place for dancing, but very annoying service

by tastiecake

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