01/29/09

The Pre Thetare Menu is the best bargin in Times Square

by theatrelover

We had the Pre Theatre dinner @ The Royalton Hotel last night. The food was excellent - especially the sunchoke soup, the service spot on & more importantly they actually were aware & made every effort to get us to our show on time while not feeling rushed through 3 courses. We thought it was a great deal at $44 a person for an appetizer, entree & dessert. We'll be back again before 7:30!

• Pros: Pre Theatre Menu, Service, Sunchoke Soup
• Cons: A little dark

10/16/08

Romantic Dinner

by fultvrn

I've been there 6 times. Loved it every time. I usually get the same dishes. I stick to my favorites. Best crab cocktail I have ever had. I recomend that the lobster penne, which is my fav. And last one is the grand marnier tart . Ahhhh... My favorite dessert EVER! Honestly, it is so simple yet so good, very light and refreshing after stuffing my face with as food that would fit. Service has been excellent about 4 out of 6 times. Great romantic decor. I go back every chance I get!!! Thinking about going? Why not bring me???

• Pros: ambiance,food
• Cons: bathrooms

03/07/08

Not your mom's cooking.

by RestaurantKid

I love finding new restaurant gems. In fact, I think I am becoming somewhat of a food snob. I love to eat, but I'm also probably extraordinarily picky, much to the displeasure of my husband (ha,ha). One thing is for sure, though: I always chose the best places, and I don't recommend places that I don't absolutely love. This is one of those places. I started with the sweet onion tart which was beautifully presented. For my main course, I had the wild striped bass, suggested by the server (who, by the way, was completely charming). I also had a bite from a couple of my friends' plates, and I can vouch for the poularde and black bass as well. Dessert, my favorite part of the meal, surpassed my expectations. We all shared amongst three deserts. Don't tell mom this, but this is the rice pudding I've ever had. The ambiance was cozy, but it felt special. We all just had a really great time. What else can you ask for.

• Pros: Atmosphere, food
• Cons: would have like a round table

01/23/08

New American cuisine from a top chef gives Royalton Hotel guests a reason to dine in.

by Justine Goodman

The Scene
Sprawling murals, cast-iron fireplaces and a bear-skin rug decorate the stylish lobby of the revamped Royalton Hotel, where a small crowd sips cocktails and munches on small plates. Further back, the chic, 100-seat dining room--with its thin wooden arches and dangling globe light fixtures--is sparsely populated, but that hardly upsets the sense of intimacy and decadence that permeates the room.

The Food
A seasonal American menu is overhauled every few months by chef Scott Ekstrom, formerly of Oceana and Daniel. Luscious, beautifully presented appetizers like a sweet onion tart topped with goat cheese and crisp prosciutto make the somewhat less palatable entrees relatively disappointing. The black bass en papillote is at best mild, at worst tasteless. For the meat-and-potatoes eater, the rib eye will satisfy, but the steak itself is less remarkable than the caramelized Brussels sprouts with which it's served. For dessert, a slow-cooked rice pudding is heavenly.

Hits: The better dishes are truly excellent, and most of the portions are well-calculated--a three-course meal will leave you utterly satisfied, but not in a food-coma.

Misses: Despite the hotel having taken great pains to appeal to a younger, hipper crowd, the restaurant (frequented primarily by guests of the Royalton) seems like a destination for those who happen to be nearby rather than a destination unto itself.

01/14/08

Beautiful Space, Great Food

by feedbags

I work in the area and it has been sorely short of good restaurants. So I was happy to hear that the people from Lever House were doing something in the Royalton Hotel - around the corner from where I work. We went with another couple and all ordered something different. Really delicious soup, and a stunning preperation of salmon (usually not a favorite of mine), and also loved the steamed bass. I only had room for a bite of dessert, so we just ordered one to share - a chocolate dome cake.

Service was terrific, our waiter was hilarious and made our experience even better and everyone was very nice.

The entire hotel had been remodeled over the summer, and i like the new look. I was only (very) disappointed with the remodel of the bathroom. They took the coolest bathroom in the city and made it very boring, and so small I could barely get out - had to straddle the commode in order to open the door. Other than that, a great experience from start to finish.

• Pros: great food, close to theater, beautiful dining room
• Cons: lousy bathrooms

Editorial Review

by Contributor

The swanky lobby bar at the revamped Royalton Hotel features incredible decor--including sweeping murals, cast-iron fireplaces, and a bear skin rug--oh yeah, and over 3,000 vino varieties stowed in the on-site wine cellar.

12/28/07

Out of Business

by drink_club1

Just called the hotel. The round bar is no longer there. Something else has taken its place.

--MB

11/14/06

Intimate, Tiny,

by nymetro

This bar makes you feel like your sitting in a genie's bottle. Walk in and you can see everything at a glance. I"ve been there on different nites and it's never been too crowded mostly b/c there is a lobby bar /lounge area that has comfy seating and b/c its so little no one knows about it. That's whats great though, you and ur's can hide and steal a kiss or two. What a wonderful gem.

• Pros: Intimate, small
• Cons: can be too small if there are loud talkers

07/22/05

Just your average hotel lobby bar

by callmezo

I've been here three times because of its location to where my friend works. The "round" part of the bar is actually off to the side and is super small, could be intimate, but if it fills up, then there goes the personal space. Where all the couches/chairs are is the main lobby to the hotel. I've never sat out in this part, but it looks ok, nothing special at all. I usually order a beer, but have tasted the cosmo's, and heard the key-lime pie cosmo is tastey. I guess it's a good place to meet for a drink before heading out to others, for or after work.

• Pros: decent drink menu, easy midtown location