Wollensky's Grill

(212) 753-0444

201 E 49th St (at Third Ave.)
New York, NY 10017 40.7553 -73.971

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Neighborhoods: Midtown East (Turtle Bay), Midtown, Midtown East

SMITHWOLLENSKY.COM

Hours:

Daily, 11:30am-2am

Price:

$$$$

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard, Debit Card

Restaurant Special Features:

Late Night Dining, Group Dining, Bar Scene

Cuisine:

Steakhouse, Traditional American

What People Are Saying About Wollensky's Grill

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – This popular after-work hangout is a more casual alternative to the much larger, full-bore steakhouse in the same building, Smith and Wollensky's. The split-level room is packed to the rafters, and the bartenders shake stiff drinks and pour many wines by the glass. The Grill serves burgers, grilled meat and fish entrees and tossed salads, all of which which regulars order with obligatory hash brown potatoes and creamed spinach.

ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “The burger is among the best in the city, the bartenders are absolutely first rate, the service is fun and friendly, and the restaurant has a great community feel.”
  2. “The service was just adequate; however, I loved the ambiance.”
  3. “Funny, outgoing, attentive staff, awesome cuts of meat, strong cocktails, great atmosphere you can actually have a conversation in.”
  4. “It was jusy a great friendly atmosphere.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “Funny, outgoing, attentive staff, awesome cuts of meat, strong cocktails, great atmosphere you can actually have a conversation in.”
food quality
72.22000122070312% positive
  1. “$30 bought a fantastic steak with a couple of potato wedges.”
  2. “bad steak makes my boyfriend angry, whole chickens make me cry.”
  3. “wrote a piece one time on "Best burgers in NY" for a publication not to be named here.”
  4. “Their "cajun ribeye" is widely considered the best steak in NYC.”
  5. “Add $9 for a side of delicious asparagus.”
  6. “steak was full of gristle and gristle is gross.”
  7. “Funny, outgoing, attentive staff, awesome cuts of meat, strong cocktails, great atmosphere you can actually have a conversation in.”
  8. “treehouse for grown-ups that happens to serve the best steaks in NYC.”
  9. “While the lobster cocktail was delicious, the potatoes and asparagus sides were great.”
  10. “The burger would be nice for lunch.”
  11. “The burger is among the best in the city, the bartenders are absolutely first rate, the service is fun and friendly, and the restaurant has a great community feel.”
  12. “Unfortunately, it was the worst meal we've ever had.”
  13. “Wollensky's reputation, great service by waiter Tommy Richardson, and wonderful cuts of beef make this a fine pick before a show or during lunch.”
  14. “The Grill is a great place for a casual, yet high quality meal.”
  15. “We ordered the ribeye and sirloin and thought the meat wasn't great.”
  16. “No burger is that good.”
  17. “Then the steak was excellent, with a nice side dish of creamed spinach.”
  18. “Our overpriced steaks were burnt and dry (and mind you we asked for medium).”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “i've never written an online review but i've also never been so disgusted with a supposedly nice restaurant.”
  2. “The burger is among the best in the city, the bartenders are absolutely first rate, the service is fun and friendly, and the restaurant has a great community feel.”
  3. “All in all, a great place for lunch or dinner.”
  4. “The Grill is a great place for a casual, yet high quality meal.”
service
85.71000099182129% positive
  1. “The burger is among the best in the city, the bartenders are absolutely first rate, the service is fun and friendly, and the restaurant has a great community feel.”
  2. “It was jusy a great friendly atmosphere.”
  3. “We had friendly conversations with the other patrons.”
  4. “Wollensky's reputation, great service by waiter Tommy Richardson, and wonderful cuts of beef make this a fine pick before a show or during lunch.”
  5. “The service was horrible, after being ignored at the entrance, the staff was rude and inattentive.”
  6. “The service was just adequate; however, I loved the ambiance.”
  7. “Funny, outgoing, attentive staff, awesome cuts of meat, strong cocktails, great atmosphere you can actually have a conversation in.”
value
0.0% positive
  1. “Our overpriced steaks were burnt and dry (and mind you we asked for medium).”
  2. “even this Grill that advertises lower prices is expensive.”
3 Star Rating: Average

01/27/10

Relaxed Dining for a high price

by kcchoi at Citysearch

I was there on Friday for dinner with a colleague and opted to go for the Grill for the relaxed atmosphere. While the lobster cocktail was delicious, the potatoes and asparagus sides were great.

We ordered the ribeye and sirloin and thought the meat wasn't great. Part of that is the waiter switched how we wanted our meat and made mine medium (vs medium rare) while cooking the opposite for my colleague. It made my meat taste a little tough. I didn't bother complaining since the waiter looked rush, even though our section didn't look busy at the time. I should have went with the burger or chicken salad, which is what the people next to me ordered.

  • Pros: Relaxed atmosphere and simpler menu
  • Cons: Service was inconsistent
4 Star Rating: Recommended

10/17/09

felt at home

by vin1019 at Citysearch

My friend, who is a regular customer took me here for some after dinner cocktails for my birthday. I had no special treatment but everyone was so hospitable. It was a little crowded, but then again it was friday night. We had friendly conversations with the other patrons. It was jusy a great friendly atmosphere.

  • Pros: courteous and friendly bartenders
1 Star Rating: Poor

12/29/07

A place to ruin dinner...

by urdoctor at Citysearch

i've never written an online review but i've also never been so disgusted with a supposedly nice restaurant.

My family paid over $500 to be treated rudely and feel sick all night. I will definately never go back

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/28/07

A treehouse for grown-ups that happens to serve the best steaks in NYC...

by eddie__p at Citysearch

I wrote a piece one time on "Best burgers in NY" for a publication not to be named here. Wollensky Grill won every year until someone decided to stuff ground sirloin with foie gras & charge $50 for a hamburger. Their "cajun ribeye" is widely considered the best steak in NYC. I constantly look over the menu & it never fails - I order it every time & have to be shoveled into a cab. The waiters know the city, the steakhouse & the menu - they could care less who you are or what you do. Just order well, eat & drink well & do the right thing with the staff. Guess what? The next time you walk in the door - they remember you, what you ordered to eat & what you're drinking. The place does $25 million plus for a reason - go find out why. If you're a needy, antisocial priss they'll pick it up immediately & you'll be lucky to get seated. Leave your ego on 3rd Ave & have some fun for a change. See Paddy Ford in the grill & Murph at the door...

  • Pros: red meat, red wine & whisky
  • Cons: sometimes idiots get seated, too
1 Star Rating: Poor

09/22/07

Service, steaks stink!

by cali_girl619 at Citysearch

After searching for a late night meal around town my friend and I ran into Wollensky's Grill. Unfortunately, it was the worst meal we've ever had. The service was horrible, after being ignored at the entrance, the staff was rude and inattentive. We had to practically beg for a drink. Our overpriced steaks were burnt and dry (and mind you we asked for medium). The baked potato was hard like a rock, and everything was served cold. Needless to say we will not be returning; a cold hot dog from the floor would probably taste better!

The Details on Wollensky's Grill

Place Categories:

  • best steak
  • fun service
  • nice burger
  • great friendly atmosphere
  • rude staff
  • wonderful cuts
  • not great meat
  • delicious lobster cocktail
  • worst meal
  • friendly conversations
  • great potatoes
  • nice side dish
  • supposedly nice restaurant
  • great community
  • expensive grill
  • delicious asparagus
  • great place
  • loved ambiance