(212) 262-4600
15 West 54th St
New York,
NY
10019
40.7613
-73.9758
Neighborhoods: Midtown Center, Midtown
What People Are Saying About Grayz
The Editor
Lucy Blatter
Citysearch
In Short – Thanks to a brownstone setting, earthy tones and soft lighting, Gray Kunz has successfully created a bar and restaurant that is intimate, sexy and classy. Unlike Kunz's other high-end culinary endeavor, Cafe Gray, the focus here is on fancy finger foods. Guests can enjoy signature small plates, seasonal cocktails and wines while seated at romantic tables on the main floor or perched at a long, comfortable bar area. Forget stale peanuts and pretzels--complimentary bar snacks here include deliciously seasoned chips made from the South American cassava vegetable. –…
08/02/08
Probably not going to last..
by grouchomarx
The entrance is poorly marked with a tiny sign, we walked past it and didn't even see it. Friday night 8:30, lots of empty tables. We show up on time and are seated on time but they put us in the downstairs (i.e. basement) while the upstairs didn't look crowded when arriving or leaving. Maybe it is because we are a mixed race couple? There were other minorities downstairs as well. It is dark down there, but with nice upholstery, light fixtures, and good music mix. Menus are the size of a pamphlet and tricky to open. Started with the SSC margarita which was good. The flavored butter they put out with the bread is tasty and original. The restaurant week menu had 2 choices in each category and we tried them all. Highlights were the Thai boulliabaise and the walleye pike. All the food was tasty and very good but I would not call it exceptional. The server tried to be caring and attentive. However something is lacking from this place and I can't put my finger on it. They gave us some free truffles at the end of the meal which were yummy. I would prefer an amuse but whatever. Overall the basement is too dark and has little atmosphere. On our way out we emerged to the upper level which was lit by crystal chandeliers and had a warm amber glow, and we could hear the soft rhythm of cocktail shakers shaking away. We felt cheated having been seated downstairs away from this nice glow and atmosphere. Oh well. Don't know if I would return in the future, the regular menu is a little pricey and limited. I wonder how long can a place last if they have so many empty tables on a Friday night during restaurant week. And can someone tell my why anyone would print their menus with a 5 point font and present them in very dim lighting, it is enough to make you crazy.
- Pros: Food, upstairs atmosphere
- Cons: Basement dull, menu print way too small
08/01/08
Unbelievable! One of the best meals I had during Restaurant Week
by firestar515
The seating/service were prompt, attentive and very warm, so I'll take the space in this review to talk about the food. Grayz is normally exceptionally expensive (judging by previous reviews) so I would HIGHLY recommend taking advantage of their RW menu. For lunch, started with the Spicy Tuna Kampachi Tartare, delicious, served with perfectly sized crunchy tortilla chips and creme fraiche under the tartare, this was an excellent start. The bread, freshly baked and served with a plain yogurt, olive oil and either rosemary/thyme spread was refreshingly tasteful for something that is often overlooked. My date had the seared cod with artichoke hearts and fennel saffron emulsion, incredibly tasty and perfectly cooked, and kind of reminded me a bit of indian korma. I ordered the short rib croque, which was a bit burnt, which made it awkward to cut through the crust and even weirder when I bit into it and crumbs flew everywhere. Still, inside it was very flavorful tasting like greek stifado, totally worthy the mess and just eating with the hands. The grit fries with the tamarind chutney was very unusual during the first bite but after that I couldn't get enough, I'm craving it today! The deserts, being that I'm not a huge desert person, were the perfect ending to the meal. My date had the watermelon champagne granita with berries, very refreshing, perfectly sweetened and the watermelon flavor really popped. I had the dark chocolate mousse, which they served with passion fruit sorbet (mind-numbingly good) with sliced strawberries and these braised bing cherries in the center. I can't stand cherries, under normal circumstances, these cherries were beyond belief, so good that I saved them for my last bit. The drinks we had were very tasteful, my date had the SSC, similar to a margarita with cayenne pepper. I had the Gypsied Mint, almost like a mojito, but with cucumber, VERY REFRESHING! I would go back to Grayz, even to pay the normal prices, the food is totally worth it!
- Pros: expertly prepped food and drinks, great service, beautiful venue that impresses the date
- Cons: a little tough to find when coming from 6th ave, look for the black gate to go downstairs
04/20/08
small bites, big experience (and big price tag...)
by tapsilog
My man & I are "drinks & appetizers" kind of people; we prefer it to sitting down to one big app-entree-dessert--though we still apprecate a great gourmet experience. If that sounds like you, too, GRAYZ is a must-try. With the help of our amazing server Christopher, we tore thru 5 small plates, a shared entree, a great bottle of cabernet, and dessert... OK, OK, we hadn't eaten all day and were saving our appetites for a big night out. Still- it was worth every decadent calorie. Seared Foie Gras served on a tiny bowl of cheesy spaetzle? Yeah, we ordered 2. Oysters beautifully presented on individual serving spoons? Perfectly grilled lamb? Sauces, reductions & spice rubs with a million different ingredients involving techniques you'll never duplicate at home? Check. We spent 2 & a half hours tasting, discussing, sipping and reclining side by side on a red corner loveseat, deciding which little dish to devour next. Intimate, & oh so romantic. But beware: bring your sack of cash or plastic if you want the full experience... and the wine list, tho interesting and well chosen, leaves no room for bargains (our wine choice, a great california cab sauv, was one of the cheapest reds at $100). But if you're ready to impress a date with your gourmet knowledge, this is your place! Ask for the red loveseat...
- Pros: terrific food, romantic, elegant
- Cons: pricey- but worth it...
The Details on Grayz
Know Before You Go:
Guests can enjoy small plates at sit-down tables, but if you're planning to go during the pre-theater rush, call ahead and make reservations.
Look Good:
Grayz is just hidden enough to make you seem truly in-the-know--bring someone you want to impress.
What To Drink:
Try a specialty cocktail like the Irish Day, made with Jameson's, pomegranate molasses, apple and lemon juice and cracked pepper, or the Passion for Ginger, a mix of ginger-infused vodka, lime juice, Cointreau, ginger syrup and passion fruit puree. Even at a pricey $14 they're worth every penny.
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