The Sea Grill

(212) 332-7610

19 W 49th St
New York, NY 10020 40.75835 -73.978749

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Neighborhoods: Midtown Center, Midtown

RESTAURANTASSOCIATES.COM

Hours:

Monday To Friday From 11:30 AM To 02:30 PM Monday To Saturday From 05:00 PM To 10:00 PM

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Lunch Spot, Romantic Dining, Outdoor Dining

Cuisine:

Seafood, Traditional American

Other Locations:

What People Are Saying About The Sea Grill

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Everything is lighter at the newly refurbished Sea Grill: the fabrics, colors, food, even the prices. This is one of New York's fabled dining rooms, facing the golden sculpture of Prometheus atop Rockefeller Center's winter ice rink. In summer, choice seats are set outside. For a major tourist destination, the dining room does not feel all that touristy, especially in the evening when the lights soften and the pace eases. – – The Food – Chef Edward Brown is a fervent minimalist when it comes to seafood. He demonstrates serene simplicity with combinations…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
The Sea Grill's wine list is intelligently chosen to complement all kinds of seafood. Ask one of the knowledgeable captains for a reasonably priced recommendation.
Where to Sit:
Nearly all tables afford a view of Rockefeller Plaza, which turns into a rush-hour skating rink in winter. But it's still good to request a window table.
ambiance
94.44000244140625% positive
  1. The staff at Sea Grill was exceedingly polite, the food was excellent, and the ambiance was very romantic.
  2. The atmosphere is a little touristy, but get over it and go there for the delicious seafood.
  3. For the atmosphere, this is a great place to come during the winter months while people are skating.
  4. Good location, but tourist-y and poor quality food.
  5. Great staff, excellent food, nice ambience.
  6. Great views of the rink and a very nice staff.
  7. romantic restaurant on the rink!
  8. The location is wonderful and it was snowing which really added to the experience as we looked out onto the skating rink.
  9. The seafood is exceptional (I always get the crab cakes), the service impeccable, and the decor is beautiful, and not just because of the gorgeous view of the ice skating rink.
  10. The view of the rink is awesome.
  11. Very romantic atmosphere in the central of Rockefeller Center.
  12. This would probably be a fantastic place during Christmas because of the location on the view.
  13. romantic winter destination
  14. Attentive service, good wine, great food, subtle decor.
  15. While the location is not great (at Rock Center), the crowd is sophisticatd, not over touristy.
  16. The Sea Grill is a great sea food restaurant in the middle of rockefellar plaza overlooking the rink with glass windows, a great looking bar and restaurant with excellent and flattering service, decor and ofcourse, the food is the best part!
  17. Great food, wonderful view, terrific service.
  18. While there are better places to get your fill of fish, this place offers a unique combination of scenery (the ice skating rink), ambiance and quality to satisfy many.
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. The seafood is exceptional (I always get the crab cakes), the service impeccable, and the decor is beautiful, and not just because of the gorgeous view of the ice skating rink.
  2. So far, they're the best crab cakes I've had in any restaurant.
  3. After the Miso glazed Casco Bay cod the key lime pie was really great.
drinks
85.71000099182129% positive
  1. The Sea Grill is a great sea food restaurant in the middle of rockefellar plaza overlooking the rink with glass windows, a great looking bar and restaurant with excellent and flattering service, decor and ofcourse, the food is the best part!
  2. Attentive service, good wine, great food, subtle decor.
  3. must say that our waiter was good, he didn't embarrass me because I ordered the cheapest bottle of wine on the menu, and because I handed him a coupon while my date was in the bathroom.
  4. They had excellent pinot grigio and cocktails.
  5. The wine is a little overpriced, but good nontheless, and they give you a fair amount per glass.
  6. Our waiter was so wonderfully helpful, we had chosen a wine that they had run out of and he went to great lengths to find us something as tasty and within our budget.
  7. they also have a full bar, where they make great tasting drinks.
food quality
94.2300033569336% positive
  1. it's a very pretty restaurant and great fish.
  2. The food was great and you should give it a try.
  3. Beautiful restaurant and food that's wonderful.
  4. The Sea Grill is a decent seafood restaurant right in Rockefeller Center.
  5. Good location, but tourist-y and poor quality food.
  6. The Sea Grill is an excellent sea food restaurant.
  7. The food was wonderful - we had the lobster and the New Zealand salmon.
  8. Anyhow, the food was decent but def.
  9. the tables are spacious, the food is exquisite.
  10. Great service, great food.
  11. While there are better places to get your fill of fish, this place offers a unique combination of scenery (the ice skating rink), ambiance and quality to satisfy many.
  12. The choice was great, I had a very fresh subtly flavoured tuna tartare and my fiancee had delicious foie gras.
  13. The food was great.
  14. The seafood is exceptional (I always get the crab cakes), the service impeccable, and the decor is beautiful, and not just because of the gorgeous view of the ice skating rink.
  15. For a 'touristy' place, the food was excellent as was the service.
  16. Great staff, excellent food, nice ambience.
  17. The food was excellent.
  18. Incredible meal
  19. So far, they're the best crab cakes I've had in any restaurant.
  20. It is like a breath of fresh air!
  21. They have a large selection of sea food that you can order al carte that is served over ice.
  22. One of the best sea food I had in Manhattan
  23. Recommended is any of the fresh fish; the risotto that I tried, however, was average at best.
  24. The food was absolutely fantastic.
  25. loved the crunchy salmon as it was perfectly cooked and not overly tasty.
  26. Attentive service, good wine, great food, subtle decor.
  27. The crabcakes were great but the sushi appetizer was fair and the cold seafood app was skimpy.
  28. fresh tomato salad and ginger-carrot soup were delicious.
  29. for great seafood, and great service, this is the perfect place.
  30. Delicious food and great service.
  31. Lots of places can prepare good sea food but this place turned lunch into a culinary experience.
  32. Great food, wonderful view, terrific service.
  33. If you like seafood and have a few extra bucks in your pocket, then you have to try the Sea Grill!
  34. The Sea Grill is a great sea food restaurant in the middle of rockefellar plaza overlooking the rink with glass windows, a great looking bar and restaurant with excellent and flattering service, decor and ofcourse, the food is the best part!
  35. The food is extraordinarily fresh and not over-prepared.
  36. The mediocre salmon tartare wouldn't make up for all that was sub-par.
  37. Great food, great service
  38. Every course was delicious, and when our entrees were slow in coming they brought shrimp to hold us over - compliments of the chef.
  39. wonderful service, exceptional food
  40. If you want good seafood, this is NOT the place to go, you'll have better luck at Aqua Grille or Esca.
  41. Our waiter was so wonderfully helpful, we had chosen a wine that they had run out of and he went to great lengths to find us something as tasty and within our budget.
  42. The atmosphere is a little touristy, but get over it and go there for the delicious seafood.
  43. the food was great.
  44. The single sushi piece was a little (actually very) pricy at $5 per piece but the fish was really fresh and I will definitely go back for more sushi when I'm in the mood to indulge.
  45. The food is "good," but for the prices they charge, the food should be better than this.
  46. The staff at Sea Grill was exceedingly polite, the food was excellent, and the ambiance was very romantic.
  47. Everyone that I dined with was very happy with the entire meal.
  48. This is a high priced seafood restaurant offering great service and some very interesting menu options - this was the first time I ate somet.
  49. Not only was the food absolutely delicious but the service was great.
  50. The food is magnificent, even during restaurant week.
  51. good food and service, too expensive
  52. salmon roll entree was good and shellfish apps were even better.
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. Menu was fairly limited in terms of choices but the selections were good.
  2. This is a high priced seafood restaurant offering great service and some very interesting menu options - this was the first time I ate somet.
  3. had the tasting menu and everything was fantastic.
  4. All the optionson the prix fixe menu sounded amazing.
  5. must say that our waiter was good, he didn't embarrass me because I ordered the cheapest bottle of wine on the menu, and because I handed him a coupon while my date was in the bathroom.
  6. They have a large selection of sea food that you can order al carte that is served over ice.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. am a bit skeptical about going to 'touristy' places, but I have to admit, Sea Grill is a great place to dine.
  2. So far, they're the best crab cakes I've had in any restaurant.
  3. The Sea Grill is a great sea food restaurant in the middle of rockefellar plaza overlooking the rink with glass windows, a great looking bar and restaurant with excellent and flattering service, decor and ofcourse, the food is the best part!
  4. Lots of places can prepare good sea food but this place turned lunch into a culinary experience.
  5. If you have family or friends visiting the city and want to impress them, this is a great place.
  6. If you want good seafood, this is NOT the place to go, you'll have better luck at Aqua Grille or Esca.
  7. For the atmosphere, this is a great place to come during the winter months while people are skating.
  8. for great seafood, and great service, this is the perfect place.
  9. This is a great place to come for a special occassion.
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. Overall, however, I very much enjoyed the experience and can't wait to return.
  2. The single sushi piece was a little (actually very) pricy at $5 per piece but the fish was really fresh and I will definitely go back for more sushi when I'm in the mood to indulge.
service
93.94000053405762% positive
  1. Great food, wonderful view, terrific service.
  2. Great service
  3. Attentive service, good wine, great food, subtle decor.
  4. must say that our waiter was good, he didn't embarrass me because I ordered the cheapest bottle of wine on the menu, and because I handed him a coupon while my date was in the bathroom.
  5. The service was terrific, the Maitre'd Rick was very helpful in making the proposal go smooth.
  6. Great service, great food.
  7. Romantic dining (quiet, upscale) with prompt service.
  8. Our waiter was so wonderfully helpful, we had chosen a wine that they had run out of and he went to great lengths to find us something as tasty and within our budget.
  9. The service was very good, but while there were other tables available, we were seated right at the front where everyone comes in, which isn't the most desirable spot in any restaurant.
  10. wonderful service, exceptional food
  11. Amazing Food, great service!
  12. All the employees were polite and pleasant.
  13. For the atmosphere, this is a great place to come during the winter months while people are skating.
  14. We had to ask two managers for our waitress and were brushed off as if we were stupid chicks.
  15. The wait staff was very attentive but a bit obtrusive at times.
  16. The seafood is exceptional (I always get the crab cakes), the service impeccable, and the decor is beautiful, and not just because of the gorgeous view of the ice skating rink.
  17. The Sea Grill is a great sea food restaurant in the middle of rockefellar plaza overlooking the rink with glass windows, a great looking bar and restaurant with excellent and flattering service, decor and ofcourse, the food is the best part!
  18. Delicious food and great service.
  19. good food and service, too expensive
  20. love the restaurant and I have no complaints about the service for that was also wonderful.
  21. Great staff, excellent food, nice ambience.
  22. The service was, quite simply, perfect.
  23. and both times, every part of my dinner, from walking in the door and being seated promptly, to the extremely knowledgeable wait staff, was perfect.
  24. great service!
  25. Not only was the food absolutely delicious but the service was great.
  26. The staff at Sea Grill was exceedingly polite, the food was excellent, and the ambiance was very romantic.
  27. Great food, great service
  28. have been to this restaurant twice and have had wonderful meals and great service both times.
  29. The service is excellent.
  30. for great seafood, and great service, this is the perfect place.
  31. For a 'touristy' place, the food was excellent as was the service.
  32. This is a high priced seafood restaurant offering great service and some very interesting menu options - this was the first time I ate somet.
  33. Great views of the rink and a very nice staff.
value
42.85999774932861% positive
  1. The food is "good," but for the prices they charge, the food should be better than this.
  2. If you like seafood and have a few extra bucks in your pocket, then you have to try the Sea Grill!
  3. feel that almost every NYC restaurant is too expensive, I have a lousy paying job and I was on a tight budget that night, so don't go by me.
  4. The wine is a little overpriced, but good nontheless, and they give you a fair amount per glass.
  5. I've eaten at many other pricey restaurants in NYC with much less of a reputation and I think I'll stick with them in the future.
  6. The bottled water was expensive at $9 per bottle so I will opt for the tap water.
  7. good food and service, too expensive
wait time
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. wonderful setting for lunch - as long as you can put the bill on a corporate card.
  2. Went here for Valentine's Day&its the best dinner I've had in a long time.
  3. Every course was delicious, and when our entrees were slow in coming they brought shrimp to hold us over - compliments of the chef.
4 Star Rating: Recommended

06/22/11

Knocks spots off the NY competition

by owensgl

I thought this restaurant was excellent. The servers were very professional, eager to please and were very honest about both the size and their own favourites. I even got to speak with the local manager and he was really pleasant and keen to hear feedback on how the evening had gone.

I'm British and do a lot of international travel - I'd recommend the crab cakes which were rich, succulent and outstanding and also my starter the tuna tartare - again, prepared to perfection. This restaurant is fairly expensive but worth every penny (or cent!).

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/27/11

winter restaurant week 2011

by waterlilly78

Winter restaurant week, i had a great experience including my friends from checking in my coat to exiting the room.The waiters were courteous and attentive.The food portions were good and the most important thing was the taste of the food was excellent,I had the smoked salmon with avocado,crab cake,sea bass and valrhona chocolate with mint foam and mini chocolate peals

3 Star Rating: Average

11/30/10

Tasty -n- Tiny

by Food Mission

Very good, very expensive, very small portions. Ever wonder why rich people always seem to be going to fantastic restaurants and ordering delicious food, yet stay the size of a teenager? You will know after eating here. The food (crabcakes and tomato bisque) was absolutely amazing, but I went and had a piece of cake at a coffeeshop when I left. In fairness there was bread on the table (that looked very nice), but the business associate I was with was not eating any and I did not want to be rude even though I was absolutely starving.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/08/10

I love the sea...

by zack1980

The food was very good and the menu inventive. I have managed to taste different types of food that I had never eaten before (including a fish likened to a giant piranha). Among our group, the food mostly hit, although there were a couple of bland misses here and there. The portion sizes seemed a bit small to me for the price (or I just have an oversized appetite) but the food overall is 5 star quality.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/10/09

Great seafood and dessert place.

by KhaliKhai

Went in one of the restaurant week with my friends.

After the Miso glazed Casco Bay cod the key lime pie was really great. One of the best sea food I had in Manhattan

  • Pros: Excellent food. Excellent ambience.

The Details on The Sea Grill

Place Categories:

  • great sea food
  • great service
  • great sea food restaurant
  • extremely knowledgeable wait staff
  • great place
  • like seafood
  • much enjoyed dining experience
  • wonderful location
  • great fish
  • great dinner
  • good wine
  • incredible meal
  • romantic dining
  • delicious gingercarrot soup
  • fantastic everything
  • amazing design
  • delicious fresh tomato salad
  • beautiful subtle decor
  • wonderfully helpful waiter
  • polite employees
  • wonderful view
  • full bar
  • def good food
  • great entertainment
  • very romantic ambiance
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