New Leaf Cafe

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

A divine miss: Despite its scenic setting, uptown eatery fails to thrill.. The Scene
Bette Midler is the big name behind this novel venture: a chi-chi yet rustic restaurant housed in a renovated 1933 Fort Tryon Park facility. The clientele is an attractive mix of locals, curious downtowners and tourists visiting the nearby Cloisters, but the main attraction is the spectacular view: the park on one side, the Bronx on the other--the latter best experienced from the outdoor patio.

The Food
Considering that the money goes to a good cause--the upkeep of the park--it would be nice if the food were more adventurous, or, at the very least, better. Although the menu constantly changes, staple dishes include mundane grilled filet of salmon, roasted chicken, filet mignon and burgers, decently delivered at midtown prices. If you pop by for brunch, order the mixed basket of fresh muffins, easily the most impressive part of the meal.

Doesn't Recommend

d_caro713

Joined 7 years ago

Beg To Differ. Unfortunately for being such a good looking restaurant in a beautiful location it fails to deliver. Nothing about the menue struck me. The service was terrible. We waited about 15 min. at the door for a hostess to show up than 45 minutes for a table. Our waiter didn't greet us until about 20 minutes and by that time we had enough...we walked out. will never go back again.

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pastaman57

Joined 7 years ago

Success sometimes is bad. Here is a restaurant that having reached a nice level of success is now becoming more and more complacent and the service is becoming so casual to the point of being rude.

Last night we (a group of 6) went for dinner and were seated at 8:25 pm.At 9:00 pm we were asked what we'd like to drink, at 9:25 we received the drinks, and at 9:30 the menus. by 9:45 we received a bun and a bit of butter, and by 10:25 we were served dinner. And the food was cold . All of this for $198.00 per couple!

Good thing we were enjoying each other's company.

I don't know how soon I will go back to the New Leaf Cafe'.

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musicman75

Joined 7 years ago

Worth the while... if you can get in. Having dined at New Leaf on several ocassions for different meals, I can firmly state both the food and service are above par. The brunch, as many have mentioned, is particularly good. Be careful, however, to make reservations and confirm they will be honored the day of your visit. To be frank, the management seems inept when it comes to keeping records of their future guests. On more than one ocassion I've opted for another restaurant in the area because they didn't honor my reservation (or couldn't seat me for another half hour past my reservation time. What would be the point of having a reservation?). I've also had the experience of calling for a reservation and never hearing back. So, make the trip, wet your appetite for some lovely food in a romantic locale, but beware... you might end up eating somewhere else.

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epiphyte5

Joined 10 years ago

A Gem. The food is delicious and the setting is incredibly romantic. It's worth the trip up. Weekend brunch is always good, if you can get in, and the bloody mary's and mimosas are exceptional. Reservations are recommended.

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sab235

Joined 9 years ago

A find in Hudson Heights. New Leaf Cafe is a great hidden find. The chef who came from Gramercy Tavern and 21 really knows how to put together great tasting, unique dishes with a twist. The homemade parpadelle with duck is excellent as are the diver scallops with seaweed salad. The wine list is nice as well. There is live Jazz on Thursday evenings.

The building where the restaurant is located feels like a lodge in the mountains and is very airy and open and the setting in the Park makes it very cosy in the winter and refreshing in the summer.

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danielakristina

Joined 10 years ago

uptown oasis. New Leaf Cafe is a delightful uptown retreat. Beware of hour-plus waits without a reservation, but also consider sitting at the bar, where you can take casual refuge after a long week downtown (or anywhere below 190th street!) As a Washington Heights resident, this is one of my favorite spots to unwind with a friend. Best dish: wild mushroom risotto. Stay away from: appetizer ceviche - typical trendy attempt at Peruvian favorite - but the smallest portion I have ever seen - just 3 tiny slices!

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lex142

Joined 11 years ago

Suddenly, out of the fog.... What a cool place! Nice people, good wine, easy menu with great food, and what a neat little stone building in the middle of a green park...you would never know you were in the big city.

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gmeyer

Joined 10 years ago

A NYC Find!!!!. A real gem. For all those NYers who are on the eternal search for a cool new place to impress someone...its well worth the trip uptown on the A Train. It still remains virtually unknown. Combined with an afternoon in Fort Tryon Park and/or The Cloisters, dinner at the New Leaf is the cap to a truly unique NYC experience. Anyone can do downtown or the upper west side...boring. While the service is not excellent the staff is extremely friendly and charming (I'll take that over efficient service but snobby and arrogant staff).

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xtrakrispy

Joined 11 years ago

Get away without leaving Manhattan.. The New Leaf is a pleasant change from the normal Manhattan dining experience. The place is very cute, stone, dark wood and paper sconces all set in a very beautiful park setting. The bar is very inviting and I understand they have live jazz every Thursday night. The indoor dining room is almost as nice, but I would steer clear of the outdoor dining "patio". Essentially just a tent over a shale/stone floor. The food is good (not great) but considering that the most expensive dish is $20 (NY Strip with Garlic Mashed Potatoes) - it makes it a little more pleasant. Salads are good and I would recommend the Lobster Cannelloni. Wine by the glass is reasonably priced and there's a good selection. Bottles are at the low to midrange and reasonable. All in all a great little getaway without really leaving Manhattan.