Walking here from the American Museum of Natural History was an adventure, but the restaurant is beautiful with a great view of a pond. Service is excellent. Very welcoming, as we had grown to expect in NYC by the third day but did not take for granted. I had the boathouse spritz, which tasted as good as it looked. My husband's old-fashioned was on the strong side. He enjoyed his burger cooked medium rare to order. I finally tried mussels for the first and probably last time. Don't get me wrong. It was well-made. Fresh and not rubbery, but too much work. I avoid crab legs and lobster tails for the same reason. They do not try to coast on their scenic location. read more

Central Park Boathouse - Boathouse spritz - New American Near Me - New York, New York

I came here for a special date and I'm honestly disappointed that I had to leave feeling disappointed. I had tried to grab a last-minute Saturday reservation at Tavern on the Green, somewhere we've enjoyed in the past but couldn't, so we decided to give the Boathouse a shot. Don't get me wrong, the food was great. If the food were the only consideration, this would easily be 5 stars. Unfortunately, the hospitality really brought the experience down. We sat down and there was a stain on the tablecloth that went completely unnoticed by the staff who seated us. I ordered a Bombay martini that was quite possibly the worst martini I've ever had: warm, over diluted and stale. Finishing up and ask for the bill: There's a mandatory 20% auto-gratuity added, regardless of party size, and then the check still comes with an option to leave an additional tip. That felt pretty excessive given the level of service. They also forgot to bring back the food I had asked to take with me, so we eventually just left. And to top it off, on the way out, stop to use the bathroom... filthy. Any one of these things might be easy to overlook at a fast-casual restaurant. But this is a staple upscale New York dining destination, where a cocktail is $25 and even the admittedly excellent mashed potatoes cost well into the double digits. At that level, the little things really matter. The food is genuinely good, and the setting is obviously beautiful, which makes the disappointing hospitality even more frustrating. I really wanted this to be a special experience, and unfortunately it just wasn't. read more

Central Park Boathouse - Filthy Vanity - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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The Ambiance was amazing. The turtles swimming-amazing. The food - amazing The staff - amazing Do yourself a favor and book here. read more

Quite unexpectedly I decided to stop by the Central Park Boathouse and sit outdoor in their cafe! Although I wanted coffee ended up getting the Blueberry Cake, Banana Bread Cake, Chocolate Chip cookie, lemonade and the fruit bowl! First off - service is amazing. Coffee is good and servers do a good job in providing cream sugar and whatnot for outdoor customers! Lemonade is real and great. Blueberry cake is moist and terribly sweet which is exactly what I wanted!!! Banana cake is not moist and falls apart. Cannot say I liked it. Chocolate chip cookie was all right slightly overdone, but since I had coffee it was good. All in all - really happy about this place although I cannot say everything was to my liking.... read more

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The appetizers and meals were all delicious. Deserts and drinks were high on presentation and average flavor. The ambiance on a beautiful day was outstanding, sitting right by the rowboat lake under the open sided and roofed seating area. It was the place to be while the park was buzzing with thousands upon thousands of park goers for the FIFA soccer watch party. However it was a little challenging to get into the park at 72nd St. due to the heavy security and closed off areas at the soccer event. Our little birthday party of 4 started with 2 shared appetizers: jumbo shrimp cocktail and meatballs with Parker rolls and butter. Don't skip the warm Parker rolls! Meals included scallops over a corn compote, crab cakes and a house salad with salmon. I think the scallops were the biggest hit but everyone enjoyed their mains. Drinks were also OK, pretty looking but not spectacular in terms of flavor. For deserts we had cheesecake, chocolate flourless cake, key lime pie and a blueberry crumble. I think it was the key lime pie for the win. I would definitely recommend trying out the boathouse. Things seem much improved from when they first re-opened, given the not so great reviews. Our server was great and comped our deserts given some delays. But we enjoyed ourselves and were just catching up. read more

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We had a great dining experience at this place. Our waiter was so accommodating , friendly and bubbly. His service and attention to details made the visit pleasant. Incredible cocktails and mocktails we had. Fruity, flavorful and refreshing. Our appetizers , steamed mussels and crab cake were delicious...best we ever tasted. Our shared entree, roasted chicken, herby halibut with fries on the side were cooked in perfection that we all are satisfied with the expectations. Compliments to the chef . Elevated Dining experience on this place is on top tier. Of course, to end our wonderful experience, we tried their apple walnut strudel with ice cream as the icing of the cake. You would t go wrong spending time at this charming restaurant, great food, drinks and beautiful view. Definitely coming back. read more

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Made a reservation in advance and we were seated right away, we could tell it was getting busier though so recommendation for reservations for sure. We requested a seat by the window and were there early enough to get that. We were originally sat with an obstructed view, but they were nice enough to move us. Our waiter was fantastic, very nice and accommodating. I told them on the reservation that it was my cousin's 16th birthday and he brought out a dessert at the end, which was a nice surprise. The dessert was not very good, but it's the thought that counts. It was similar to an angel food cake of sorts. We ordered the burger and a crabcake. Both were very good. The crabcake was filled with crab! The slaw that it came with could use some help though. The burger was thick, juicy in the middle, had a nice flavor and cook on it. It also came with a tomato, lettuce, and a sauce similar to big Mac. Overall, the burger was really good for being very basic. The french fries however, we're not worth the calories if you ask me. I am really happy that We did not pay $12 to have them as a side, as they came with the burger. The lemonade was also really good. I got mine with mint and she got hers with fresh blackberry muddled. I totally thought this would be an overrated, tourist trap, but genuinely enjoyed our meal also so I would come back here given the opportunity and if the price point isn't too much for you. I thought for lunch specials, it really wasn't that bad. Plus you get the nice view. read more

Great respite front the heat! The cocktail I had was the classic the bees knees! Had a chance to look at the Central Park lake and take a break from wondering around the park. The restrooms inside were nice and clean! read more

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We enjoy eating in their main dining room but more often stop at their snack bar to take out a marvelous fried fish sandwich. The fish is fresh, flavorful and a substantial portion for a modest price. I like their Manhattan clam chowder as well; tasty; a spicy kick, and loaded with clam pieces. Their apple cake slice is delicious with plenty of apples and a hint of brandy. It is a steal for the price. Their staff is friendly and always a smile . read more

Yup this place is delicious, the food was curated very well but thing stuck out to me that blew my mind, and that's the key lime pie. THE KEY LIME PIE: Alright, holy crap, this was so good. There is a perfect balance of sour and sweet in this pie. The texture isnt too thick and its not too light, perfectly balanced, as all things should be. I don't think I've had a better key lime pie that quenched my palate after a meal. This achieves the certified baller status read more

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This place has been either a hit or a miss for me...and unfortunately this time was a miss. Make reservation a month before for my kid's bday lunch celebration after we visited the MET. We came and were told that they don't have it, even I shown them my reservation. It was fully booked and they asked us to wait, but they said it would be around 30-45mins so we declined to wait. It's a lovely place with good foods (used to be great) with the view of the lake with paddle boats and overlook the city skyline. There is a snack fast food type right behind it but it was a long line so we declined to go else where. Oh well. 2 stars for the location and the view. read more

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The Central Park Boathouse is an iconic New York landmark that I had been wanting to visit for quite some time. During a recent visit to New York, my family and I happened to be walking through Central Park on a beautiful day and decided to stop for lunch. It turned out to be a wonderful choice. We sat outside on the dock, which was the perfect way to enjoy the beautiful weather and peaceful surroundings. The atmosphere was pleasant and relaxing, with a lovely view of the park. The service was a little slow, as the restaurant seemed to be understaffed, but our server, Lisa, was absolutely delightful and more than made up for it with her warm and attentive personality. She was amazing! For lunch, we had oysters on the half shell and I had the braised meatballs, while my husband and daughter both ordered the turkey sandwich. The turkey sandwich was generously sized and came with delicious house-made chips. Everything we ordered was delicious and well prepared. Overall, we really enjoyed our experience at the Central Park Boathouse. The beautiful setting, delicious food, and especially the wonderful service from Lisa made for a memorable lunch. It was a great way to experience this iconic Central Park landmark, and I'm glad we finally made it there! read more

To eat inside Central Park seems so fun! Feels like being in a movie or show. I know this is where Carrie and Big fell inside the water as well as a couple other shows and movies. The place is phenomenal. Great service. I got a drink and the salmon. The drink was ok. I was expecting something sweeter but if you like alcohol it might be better for you. The salmon was delicious! The top was crispy and the fish was the perfect texture. It was not fishy and full of flavor. On a bed on thin slices of asparagus. I like the view of the lake from where we were sitting. We sat on the harbor side but the inside also looked amazing and has the same menu. Great spot especially if you're a tourist visiting! read more

Central Park Boathouse - Drink - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Dining at the Central Park Boathouse is truly about the full experience--and it's one that feels straight out of a movie. We started with a Caesar salad, which came with full leaves and wasn't our favorite, and oysters on the half shell that were fresh and enjoyable. The tableside bread was a standout right away--warm, fresh, and a great start to the meal. For entrées, we ordered the shrimp linguini and are scallop dish. The shrimp linguini was flavorful and satisfying, while the scallops felt a bit more elevated and nicely prepared on their own. Paired with a crisp Hugo spritz, everything came together really well. The atmosphere is where this place truly shines--the interior is stunning, and being right in Central Park makes it feel like such a unique escape from the city. The highlight of the night was heading out on the boats after dinner, which made the whole evening feel like an experience rather than just a meal. Overall, while a couple of dishes didn't fully wow us, the setting, drinks, and overall vibe make the Central Park Boathouse absolutely worth a visit. read more

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The ambiance and location is unmatched. This is smack near all the wonderful iconic spots you want to see in Central Park and the upper east side. If you are on a time crunch just get some cocktails on the deck by the boat rentals and enjoy apps . The wait is long at times even when you have a resy. The brunch menu inside in the restaurant is a great deal for the view. We had omelets with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach (mine was slightly gritty), pecorino and a nice side salad. I had a Sancerre but with the hot weather and no fans or ac in the restaurant that warms up fast. Totally worth the gorgeous view. Just avoid heat..not comfortable, better at sunset or happy hour for couples. read more

Central Park Boathouse - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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We have wanted to come to this place for a while and finally got our chance. It was hyped up a little too much in my head for the experience. Although the food was very tasty and the service was good, the whole experience was tarnished by the weather. It was freezing outside and apparently the boathouse does not have any heat. The entire dining room room kept their coats on. Our fingers were freezing the whole time. However, the bathrooms do have heat, so we spent a few minutes in there warming up. Very awkward experience for a high class establishment. I would not recommend coming here if it is cold out, but I also have zero idea if they have air conditioning in the summer, so we do not plan on returning to find out. read more

Central Park Boathouse - New American Near Me - New York, New York

That ambiance was amazing at this restaurant. We got a table right by the water and it was absolutely beautiful. However I feel like we were rushed by our server. It was hard to relax and enjoy it. Also I feel like the food was just okay. Definitely could find better/cheaper somewhere else read more

Central Park Boathouse - Food - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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It's good to mark beginnings in a special manner, in this case Summer and for that we went to the unique Central Park Boathouse. Always enchanting. For us it was a rain date due to last weekend's weather. We were seated at the time of the reservation. The server was gracious and nice. The food was delicious, we partook of shrimp cocktail, stuffed mushrooms, beef steak and the scallops, for dessert we had Apple strudel. Loved it. read more

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Food was good, but the service we received was absolutely awful. The hostess sat us down with no menu. We had to flag down the servers three different times to order. Once the food was ordered and it arrived, it was fine, but then we had to flag down another 2 servers to finally pay. The 20% gratuity was also added as a party of 3. There's definitely better places around the area that would treat you better. read more

The main selling point here is the setting. We were fortunate to get a table outside on the patio with no wait, on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Just had wine, appetizers (watermelon salad), and dessert (cheesecake and gelato). Service was a little slow but that was ok because we just wanted to hang out there a while. A special spot. read more

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3.0 / 5.0 A restaurant in Central Park The atmosphere was very stylish, but I visited. They told me to go to an outside restaurant with a stroller, and when I went, they refused to let me in.I asked again and they let me in, but they didn't offer any help despite the steps. I was really looking forward to it, so it was disappointing. The food was generous, so it might be worth sharing. I understand that it's a busy tourist spot, but I wish they'd be more considerate and considerate to customers, especially since they only visit once. read more

Central Park Boathouse - New American Near Me - New York, New York

This place used to be amazing. Now it's a mediocre experience in a pretty location. My dining companion's fish was over-cooked. No one ever came by after our meal was served to ask how we were enjoying our meals. Surprisingly, our bill has an automatic 20% gratuity applied. I don't think I have ever seen that at a nicer restaurant in New York City, especially not on a check for only 2 guests. I live only a 20 minute walk from The Central Park Boathouse, but I cannot imagine returning. read more

Buyer beware: "Nitro Cold Brew" that is quite literally not nitro cold brew. I went to the Boathouse Café in Central Park and ordered the $7 "Nitro Cold Brew." What I received was a cup of regular cold brew filled roughly 60% with ice, akin to the image attached on the lefthand side versus the right hand side of the picture which is true nitro cold brew. My drink had no nitrogen infusion, no cascading effect, no characteristic nitro texture or head. It was plainly regular iced cold brew. I initially thought this would be an easy clarification. I explained that nitro cold brew has an actual meaning: cold brew coffee infused with nitrogen gas, typically dispensed from a tap, which gives it the distinctive cascading appearance and creamy texture. Instead, multiple employees and members of management repeatedly insisted that what they served me was nitro cold brew because "this is the only cold brew we have." That explanation makes absolutely no sense. I even pulled up photos of nitro cold brew, including Starbucks' version, to show what I was talking about. Their response was essentially that the foam in those pictures was something Starbucks "adds" to the coffee, apparently without understanding that the nitrogen is what creates that effect in the first place. One barista actually scoffed when I pointed out that there were no photos or other information on their menu indicating that their so-called "Nitro Cold Brew" was simply regular cold brew over ice. At one point I had around six staff/management people arguing with me and trying to gaslight me on what "nitro cold brew is," over something that is objectively definitional. If you sell regular cold brew, call it cold brew. If you advertise and charge customers for nitro cold brew, then serve nitrogen-infused cold brew. They offered me a refund, which I declined. The $7 was never the point. I told them directly that I would rather they correct the item on the menu so that future customers know what they are actually purchasing. They seemed far more interested in convincing me that regular cold brew magically becomes "nitro" because the menu says so than in acknowledging a very obvious labeling problem. The whole interaction was bizarre. A simple "You're right, we'll look into how this is listed" would have ended the conversation immediately. Instead, management doubled down and attempted to gaslight me over and over again on something demonstrably incorrect. Central Park is full of tourists and visitors who are unlikely to challenge a $7 coffee charge, which makes accurate menu descriptions even more important. Buyer beware: if you order the "Nitro Cold Brew" here, based on what I was served, you may be paying $7 for ordinary cold brew over a mountain of ice. Apparently the nitrogen is conceptual. read more

Central Park Boathouse - regular cold brew (left) that I received. Actual nitro cold brew (right) that staff are unaware of. - New American Near Me - New York, New York

The Central Park Boathouse is a guaranteed tourist trap, but it's still a quintessential NY experience. I came by with my parents to have lunch on a Wednesday, and there were plenty of tables for outdoor seating. We opted for the lunch menu, and ordered 2 french dip sandwiches, a burger, the boathouse salad, and boathouse mussels. Entrees were about $20-$30, which isn't outrageous for the area. Overall, the food was mediocre but I did enjoy the boathouse mussels & salad. There were a few things that bugged me. We were never provided a free water option - a bottle of still water was $10! Also, they automatically include 20% gratuity without mention, but there's still a line for tip when signing. Ambiance though is excellent, especially on a cooler summer day. Service was okay; not the most attentive, especially considering the auto 20% tip. read more

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Okay, let me just say that everyone comes here for the location of course. It is beautifully situated and for a late afternoon/early dinner on a perfect summer day, it cannot be beat. PROS: There were so many pros. We had a wonderful time and even though we waited just a few minutes at the bar because we were early for our reservation, the bartender and hostess were polite and friendly and everything ran smoothly. We were seated at a nice table and our server was a lovely woman who I believe was of Eastern European descent. She was extremely polite and attentive enough considering how busy it was. The service ran smoothly and I really appreciated how fresh the salad was. It seems that very few places bother to remove the leaves that have turned before serving a client a salad and this one was perfect. My partner had oysters that he loved. Everything was fresh and we were also asked by servers that were not ever ours if we needed anything. The restrooms were clean and well tended. CONS: Maybe it would be helpful to have more restrooms available? They were quite crowded. I happen to be vegan even though my partner is not, and although I appreciated that they had a vegan cauliflower "steak", I would have really enjoyed another dish better even if it was just a Beyond Burger or a type of vegan dish that had some more plant based protein in it, such as a hummus appetizer and a pasta with a vegan pesto that did not have cheese. The cauliflower "steak" had a wonderful sauce but that much cauliflower is rather underwhelming. I understand that this is not the theme of the restaurant, but I would have really appreciated it. Anyway, we had a wonderful experience overall. Thank you to the staff. read more

While walking around the park with family during the ridiculous high heat summer of July we stumbled upon this restaurant we excitedly went inside hoping to order snacks and cool down even have some drinks, inside was very nice but I can't say the same about the staff. The hostess looked at us up and down not a smile or how are you today just told us we'd have to wait 30mins to be seated, as you can see it wasn't busy but that's fine but then a family dressed up nicely came in no reservation just wanting a snack too and were seated not only that but the hostess actually smiled and greeted them asking about their day? Of course we were just dressed casually we were simply visiting and found this place randomly. We decided to sit at the bar (nobody there) to just cool down for a second before we'd be seated but then the bartender told us to leave and wait for our table but told us to just stand outside basically saying just get out of here. Just awful experience NYC is full of beautiful restaurants especially around Central Park don't bother with this place if you want a pleasant dining experience. read more

Central Park Boathouse - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Came here again in December and had another amazing array of food! I love ordering a ton of appetizers and nothing disappoints here! read more

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Took my daughter to the Central Park Boathouse for lunch on a perfect spring afternoon, and it was a lovely experience. We walked in without a reservation on a weekday in April and were seated without issue. The food was delicious--standouts included the warm parker rolls, rich Ricotta Ravioli, and perfectly balanced Rigatoni Pomodoro. We sipped on a refreshing lemonade, a floral Cucumber Rose Spritz mocktail, and ended with a smooth cappuccino. Service was good and attentive, and the real showstopper is the setting--stunning views of the lake and park all around. It's classic New York charm. Just note that the breathtaking view is reflected in the prices, but for the experience, it's well worth it. read more

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Beautiful view and lovely place to have a nice lunch with a Central Park view. Food was good and tasty. Pleased at the quality for a tourist venue. Staff was polite and professional. Enjoyable experience. Expensive but a nice treat for yourself and very memorable. read more

You're paying for the Iconic view and not so much for the service and food. This cafe has so much potential but I suppose my expectations were too high. read more

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I love the boathouse. There's nothing else like it. The atmosphere, service, and location are one of a kind. But it rests on those laurels entirely with its food. The food has all the charm of overpriced hotel room service in Toledo. The burger alone plays it so safe that I can't imagine it pleasing anyone. This would be fine if you ate here once and really just wanted the view but if you live here how can you ever bring a visiting friend in good conscience, let alone come on your own. I want to crave boathouse but the food is holding me back. Fix the food and I'm there for life. read more

Central Park Boathouse - A kids butter pasta. - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Any five star reviews of this place are surely from tourists and not New Yorkers. They cater to RACISTS before anyone else, let me be clear. The two of us ordered food from the cafe outside and then went inside and around to the outdoor bar. We sat down on one of the metal benches and were sitting there quietly (not even talking to one another!) enjoying the view when a waiter came up to us and snidely asked if he could help us and we said no we're okay- he then proceeded to say the area was "private" for "patrons only" and then gave a smug smile and said cheers and walked away. The person I was with is Black, for context that I am certain contributed to how he was treated. Then- he goes up to the bar to order drinks (even though neither of us really drink alcohol) to satisfy the waiter. While he's up there- the bartender was pleasant (only reason for one star), however an old white man sitting near him was not. He was actively looking at a drink menu in front of him when the guy sitting next to him snatched it away without even asking. We are certain he was the one who complained about our presence as well. When my companion politely asked for the menu back, the man blatantly ignored him. This behavior is disgusting and this place caters to rich tourists over native New Yorkers. read more

My first visit to Central Park and this was a wonderful place to get lunch and start our day before walking around the park. We ate on the outside patio very pretty relaxing view on the water with koi and turtles hoping for a kid to drop a French fry in the water. The restaurant had a regal atmosphere to it, so upscale but diners were dressed from casual to dressy. We ordered a salad, calamari and fries with a glass of bubbles. I enjoyed what we ordered, everything was prepared well and was fresh. The Cheesecake was absolutely delicious.Our server Clayton was knowledgeable about the menu and very friendly so that added to our great experience. A nice spot to visit while at Central Park. read more

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The waiter did not allow us to dine in after hearing our order. It was an extremely rude experience and ruined my wife's day. This was the worst treatment I have ever received in a restaurant. Our family of four came in at midday on a Monday. We wanted drinks and snacks after walking in Central Park. However, once the waiter heard our order, he snapped up our menus and asked us to go to the cafe outside instead. He acted as though our order of only drinks and snacks was beneath him. This was midday. More than half the tables were empty and there was no line waiting so it wasn't like we were taking a table from another group. There was no spending minimum listed on the menu. And even if there was some unspoken rule, the waiter did not give us an opportunity to meet that minimum. He literally snapped up the menus and directed us outside. My kids were already coloring on the complimentary activity sheet and so they had to collect their crayons and stand up. My wife tried to protest quietly but the waiter kept saying "you can ask over there" (meaning, at the cafe). It was incredibly rude. The waiter treated us like we didn't deserve to be there. It felt so classist. I do not recommend this restaurant to anyone. No lake view is worth this humiliating treatment. read more

We really enjoyed our experience here. I made a reservation a few weeks in advance for lunch. Our table was perfect, overlooking the lake and the restaurant was so light and open! Our server was super awesome and attentive, constantly checking in and making sure we were good to go! The food is alright and definitely on the pricier end. However, it is what I expected but we came here for the ambience. This is a place I'd come specifically for the vibes - especially if you want a nice break from all the walking you do in New York. read more

Had the best lunch here on a Thursday. Made reservations, but it wasn't needed. Immaculate vibes - try to get seated by the water! They serve the only Manhattan Chowder I've ever liked. Solid rigatoni pasta. Good, friendly service. Automatic gratuity is included in your bill. read more

Walking through Central Park my bf and I saw this cute boathouse restaurant and decided to grab a drink before our long walk back to soho. It wasn't busy for a Wednesday afternoon and sat at the bar. We ordered a dirty martini and a spicy margarita, both were perfect and nicely balanced couldn't even taste how strong they really were! The bartenders were nice and attentive, overall had a great experience and will be back! read more

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I stopped at the Dockside Bar for a beer and an iced tea and was surprised to find that a 20% gratuity had already been added to my bill. I was not informed of this by the staff. Had I not asked for a printed check, I could easily have added another 20% tip, resulting in a 40% gratuity without realizing it. When I requested a printed receipt, the staff seemed uncomfortable providing it, which only added to my concern. I have no problem tipping for good service, but automatic gratuities should be clearly disclosed and brought to the customer's attention before payment. Transparency is essential, and this experience left a negative impression. read more

Such a beautiful place to have a summer lunch. The pasta is made in house so it was delicious. I love looking out to the pond to see the Koi and turtles swimming. Such an enjoyable experience. Clayton our server was very friendly and knowledgeable about the food. read more

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This was our first time back since they reopened. The space was as lovely as I remembered. We reserved a table by the pond. You could see the fish, turtles and rowboats. Unfortunately, the view is now marred by the Extell tower on W66 St. Our server was very good. I had the roast chicken. It came with a salad that was good. The chicken was deboned (which i liked) and a little dry. The Boathouse Salad was a decent size and had plenty of citrus fruit. The Manhattan clam chowder wasn't big, but was loaded with vegetables and clams. read more

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