11/12/06

Fantastic Dining Experience!

by abs378

I've been to Guastavino's for weekend brunch, dinner, and for a holiday party and all occassions were sensational! The high ceilings really add to the experience and the prices, particularly for weekend brunch, are very reasonable. The waitstaff was knowledgable and the food came out to order. And everything was tasty!

• Pros: Great atmosphere, great food, great prices
• Cons: Can get crowded after work and on weekends

03/26/06

The coat check is all they did right

by adrianjo

I attended a private party for 700 at Guastavinos, and the venue couldn't handle it. There were almost no hors d'oeuvres. They ran out of sparkling wine within an hour of the party's start at 9PM. They didn't serve dinner until 10.30 when a few hundred people were making like vultures around the serving stations; it then became a mob scene. The food was boring, ordinary Italian. Dessert wasn't until midnight, and even then the caterers fought people off until someone (nobody knew who) gave an order. They had no cognac or port, and the spirits in the "open bar" were bottom-shelf. The arrangement of the serving stations was inefficient for replinishing food and silverware. The two-floor set-up is annoying; a pre-function space on the same floor (like at Capitale) is better. There is no covered entrance from the street; plan to get wet if it's raining!

• Pros: fast coat check
• Cons: lousy drinks, overwhelmed staff, boring food

07/18/05

Pretty space, overpriced and average food

by zeldak

Went to Guastivino's for dinner recently, having heard about it for years. The space is beautiful and romantic, but the food was nothing to write home about - the portions were very small, especially considering the price they charge. My steak was okay, but I've had far better at many other places. Dessert (the three pudding sampler and the tropical fruit foster with tres leches ice cream) was delicious, so I'd recommend it for just dessert or drinks.

• Pros: Ambience, Service, Desserts
• Cons: Overpriced, Bland food

02/15/05

DISGustivino's

by denisejuilop

Don't believe the hype. Went there and was not a good experience. Bartender made a bad drink for me and I sent it back and was charged for it. I checked my coat and umbrella with the "helpful" host. He was so excited to get us to our seats that he lost the ticket and I was given the wrong umbrella and they could not find my umbrella.

Lastly, went I felft rushed by the staff to eat quckly as the had "tables to turn".

There are so many other really nice restaurants in New York that there is no need to rush to this one.

• Pros: Lovely setting
• Cons: Average Service

07/23/04

special event perfect

by dagnyny4

I chose Guastavinos for my wedding reception dinner (for 19 of us) and planned it through their private dining staff. The wedding was 3 months ago, and we are all still talking about how wonderful this restaurant was. They were so patient throughout the planning process (our guest # changed many times over a year, as well as the menu, etc.) and so helpful, as I planned it all long distance. All of the food (including my cake- made by their pastry chef for a very reasonable price) was impressive, but more than anything their staff was just phenomenal. Friendly, helpful, patient, understanding... went out of their way to make our wedding special. We were in the Granite Arch room... definately the most beautiful part of this gorgeous restaurant. I can't wait to return to NYC for an anniversary dinner!

• Pros: beautiful, special events, food

07/08/04

INEDIBLE...

by violetblue

...infuriating...inefficient...I could go on and on. Okay, I will say that the space is gorgeous. And the drinks are tasty. We sat outside, so I can't comment on the bar scene. BUT - dinner was HORRENDOUS. Had the calamari app, which TGIFriday's makes better, and the scallop ceviche - that is NOT ceviche! Bland, sliced scallops in boring tomato coulis and raw green, red, and yellow peppers...ugh. Then had the BBQ Brisket with Goat Cheese and Sage Spoonbread and Spicy Slaw. The beef was typical - typical flavor, typical lconsistency, but the "spoonbread" did not have any of the listed ingredients in it, that's for sure, and the slaw was too spicy to eat. And our server was slow and nasty. Hey honey, if it's too hot to work outside, QUIT! THANK GOD someone else is taking them over. They suck!

• Pros: Unique space
• Cons: , SERVICE, CHEF

01/02/04

New Year's

by viola

Totally cool venue! I wish I had gotten the gig to DJ. I guess its better to work for these promoter gigs then to buy a ticket for them.

They had the most kick ass raw bar built into the place - I am so back there for oysters!

It was crowded, but the good kind of crowded - you could still breathe and actually to get to the bar for drinks!

12/30/03

Awesome Place

by volvojg52

Second visit here with customers and everyone was very impressed. When you can impress NYers in the city it speaks for itself. Excellent presentation of all dishes. The sampler appetizer was a good mix of clams,osysters and great tuna tartare. The main dishes were a variety steaks and fish. The filets were melt in your mouth. The grouper presentation is a mild broth with vegetables was very tasteful. The deserts were very nice and not too large on the portions. Service could have been more attentive. Overall great food and atmosphere.

• Pros: Food
• Cons: Service

12/29/03

Sexy place, sexy staff

by bigboy2000

Dear god, wherever do they get their waitresses!!! Beautiful is easy to find in NYC, but knowledgeable? Never...Here though our lovely server, Kathy was on top of everything, we were 100% taken care of, and guided through an evening of satisfaction. She helped to navigate through the muddy wine list and menu, spot on!!! One of us had a bum oyster, nothing big, but she was so helpful that we actually had no further complaints, (a bad oyster is taboo), and without reducing a penny allowed us to feel like VIP, in front on my wife's boss. Thank GOD!...Thank Guastivino's. Kudos.

• Pros: Service, Ambience, Hostess
• Cons: , Crowded, Loud

12/05/03

Solid Family Experience

by elitetraveler

On our recent visit to NY we were introduced to Guastavinos and had a wonderful meal and evening (with the kids). The place is easy to get to and find, simply say "under the 59th Street Bridge". The space is wonderful, built in the substructure of the bridge. The food and service were both world class. The fresh seafood was outstanding. We had the clams, shrimp and mussels. Vegetarians also have great options here as my wife found out. We brought our kids and they enjoyed the food and the coloring provided. I would recommend Guastavinos.

• Pros: Service, Food, ambiance
• Cons: Large, noisy