City Hall
(646) 736-1239
131 Duane St
(at Between West Broadway and Church Street)
New York,
NY
10013
40.7162
-74.0073
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Tribeca
Hours:
Mon 12pm-10pm
Tue-Thu 7:30am-10pm
Fri 7:30am-11pm
Sat 10am-11pm
Last updated 6.24.09
What People Are Saying About City Hall
The Owner
City Hall
Owner
In the Heart of Tribeca lies an 1863 landmark cast iron building surrounded by century old warehouses. This elegant, carefully restored building is City Hall Restaurant. Once home to the Lester Pinkus Shoe Corporation, this restaurant now exudes a timeless feel harkening to past generations. The Menu reflects our commitment to working with local organic farmers and artisans. It changes with the seasons as we continue to bring the freshest ingredients to our table. City Hall's wine list has been recognized by Wine Spectator with the Award of Excellence for 2001, 2002, and 2003 as well as the recent and notable. "Best of - Award of Excellence" for 2004, 2005, and 2006. With and inventory of over 10,000 bottles to offer our guests, we have created a showcase for American Winemakers.
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
From the white pillars that line the exterior to the large black-and-white period photos that circle the walls, it's clear that much effort has gone into creating a facsimile of timelessness. The dining room presents a vista of rich leather chairs and banquettes, with great chunks of meat displayed proudly next to the open kitchen and a raw bar tucked in a corner. The adjacent lounge features a long, shiny bar, exposed-brick walls and a charming elevated nook.
The Food
There are few surprises on the traditional American menu, but enough refinements to compensate. Starters include a hot, sweet chowder light enough to eat in the summertime, and scalloped potato gratin--a delicious standout. As for the entrees, the sizeable steaks are good; monkfish comes on the bone; and the superb seafood towers (named "Chrysler" and "Empire State") go beyond shrimp and lobster to scallops and snow crab.
User Reviews
bdorfman
January 24, 2009
I ate at City Hall last night with five others. The food is awful. The waiter was fine, but the spineless manager would not come over to hear our complaints (crab cakes that smelled and tasted like spoiled cat food, tasteless brisket that was billed as short ribs). I am not one to focus only on a restaurants bad points, but you should not be drawn in by the elogant interior - it is only lipstick on a flabby, snotty, inedible pig. This is New York - a restaurant needs to be a lot more. Go somewhere else. Other reviewers had the same opinion - this is not a single incident.
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trebor125
October 29, 2008
I happen to love the steaks and seafood offered at the quintessential New York eatery! I had to write because I was reading the latest review and am a bit dumbfounded. This person makes some serious accusations and claims and I eat here regularly and these food items are not on the menu. If you are going to lash out at a restaurant publically (which you are well within your rights to do) you should know what you are speaking about. I have never had a "bad" experience there, have there been bumps, of course as is with the case with all restaurants. The constant is that the service, ambience and food are always on - and if they are off, they more than make amends for it. Again, if you want to criticize a restaurant, you are well within your rights, but at least get your facts straight - it just makes it seem that you are just putting up a negative comment to be negative or vindictive.
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CormacMacAirt
August 18, 2008
I will admit,I got into the game rather late,only dining at City Hall in the past 18 months,but every meal I had there was ,more or less,inedible. Incidentally,i am not one of the types who love tearing apart restaurants,etc. in online reviews.We had nothing but good expectations given the length of time the restaurant has survived in Tribeca,which tends to be rather unforgiving,as in your place gets shut inside a year if you don't have what it takes. City Hall,a gorgeous space with decent waiter service (the "barmaid" is a disgrace to the trade),is on it's last legs as far as I can see. My wife and I found it hard to believe,ergo giving it a second shot,only to be repulsed again by raw chicken,wasabi mash potato "special" that were made from "instant' mash mix,cold and hard as a brick. My wife ate pork loin ,another special,which was burnt to grizzle and cold again !! I met a colleague there weeks later for a drink,who was determined to have some appetizers at the bar,once again,horrible. It appears to me CH is existing on the vapors of former greatness,it appears no one is minding the shop anymore. I don't take any enjoyment in writing this,as I am a lifelong downtown resident,and I have nothing but love for businesses who showed continued commitment post 9/11,but this place is exceptionally horrible and people should be warned in order to save their money.
read full reviewThe Details on City Hall
What to Drink:
The wine list goes on for pages, but the maitre d' can provide amazingly detailed background and advice.
The Extras:
City Hall boasts two luxurious private dining areas, the intimate Rose Room and the larger Granite Room downstairs.
Know Before You Go:
The dining room closes at 2:15pm, but you can still grab a low-key lunch (hamburgers and steak sandwiches are on the menu, too) until 4pm in the lounge.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Diners Club, Discover, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Breakfast, Romantic Dining, Lunch Spot
Cuisine:
Message from City Hall
- Henry Archer Meer
- Over 10,000 bottles of wine
- Private Dining
In the Heart of Tribeca lies an 1863 landmark cast iron building surrounded by century old warehouses. This elegant, carefully restored building is City Hall Restaurant. Once home to the Lester Pinkus Shoe Corporation, this restaurant now exudes a timeless feel harkening to past generations. The Menu reflects our commitment to working with local organic farmers and artisans. It changes with the seasons as we continue to bring the freshest ingredients to our table. City Hall's wine list has been recognized by Wine Spectator with the Award of Excellence for 2001, 2002, and 2003 as well as the recent and notable. "Best of - Award of Excellence" for 2004, 2005, and 2006. With and inventory of over 10,000 bottles to offer our guests, we have created a showcase for American Winemakers.
