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    Grand Banks

    4.0 (1k reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

    Grand Banks Photos

    Business Info

    GRAND BANKS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Grand Banks

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    Reviews With Photos

    Frank A.

    Summer in NY is not complete until you have had oysters and lobster rolls on the water at Grand Banks. The food and setting is great. Service is good too. Lots of fun all around.

    Madie D.

    Okay food was pretty good but the VIBES WERE SO HIGH. It literally felt like I stepped onto a yacht to sail the Mediterranean upon arrival. I love that the boat actually bobs around a bit, it really added to the European vacation summer night feeling. We ordered oysters and tater tots to start, which were good but I really did not need caviar on top of my tater tots that was a little rough flavor wise. I ordered the scallops as my main and enjoyed them, but they weren't groundbreaking. Just regular scallops. I think I'd like to go back for a glass of wine and sunset viewing, but wouldn't necessarily crave any of their food again. Also love the little outfits the staff wears, so cute!!

    Sasha M.

    Grand Banks has such a fun summer-in-NYC vibe. It honestly felt like being transported somewhere in Europe for a couple hours. The setting is beautiful, especially around sunset, and the colors/views make the whole experience feel really special. Drinks were great and the atmosphere is definitely what makes this place stand out. It can get busy, but that's expected. Such a good spot to bring friends or just enjoy being by the water.

    Chad P.

    Overhyped in our opinion...Service was poor and Food was average! For a high end restaurant the alcohol selection was mediocre to poor and no high end vodka or bourbons! Crab Dip was best thing on the menu!! We tried ordering a shrimp cocktail and they were out of shrimp and then my wife wanted scallops for dinner and they informed us they were out of those as well! Dinner doesn't go well when your wife can't get the two things she desired on the menu! To top it off my daughter ordered the lobster roll and after 45 minutes we asked about it and they informed us that they will get the kitchen to make it asap...they forgot!! Fries came out cold as well! Manager did come out and say that he would take it off the bill which was nice but over all a bad experience! We will dine elsewhere!

    Oysters
    Kayla N.

    I had seen Grand Banks on both TikTok and Instagram so it had made my list of places to visit, but didn't seem to fit into the plan when we laid it all out in the day. To my surprise, we were walking along, saw it and thought it would be great for a quick cocktail and maybe some oysters! We walked up without a reservation and they told us it would be a wait for a table or they could seat us at the oyster bar immediately (that was a win for us as we wanted to sit there anyways). We were seated right away but then ended up waiting forever to have a server bring water / take our drink order. We actually had to go ask if a server would be coming to which they said they'd send our server over shortly (it was a long time until she came). We ordered two cocktails from the menu along with a dozen oysters when the server did come but again, we had to wait forever (we watched people come in after us, order after us and get their drinks/ food before us). When everything came out, it all looked great! The drinks themselves were not very good (especially for the price) but the oysters and their presentation were phenomenal. We'd come back to enjoy more oysters and the fantastic views but otherwise wouldn't likely go back.

    Permanent vacation drink
    Monique M.

    Ambiance is the star here. The rocking on the boat is a nice addition to the vibe over a drink and convo. I only had a lobster roll and between my guest and I, we had 5 drinks. Our bill? $240. Worth the tab? For me, no, but I would enjoy a drink here again. They do have bathrooms downstairs.

    Food, drinks and a beautiful view
    mayra F.

    Beautiful spot for a date! Food is delicious! Service is on point and amazing view You might feel a bit dizzy after some drinks, but it's all worth it.

    Champagne oysters
    Michelle Q.

    If you're looking for a beginning of the summer or end of the summer vibes or a nice cute dinner with a sunset and view, check this place out. The food was okay. We ordered fries, picked veggies, scallops, champagne oysters and a lobster roll. The service was also very quick.

    Dessert
    Kat C.

    One of the most perfect outdoor dining locations with stunning NYC backdrop. If you catch great weather, this place offers a limited yet delicious menu and cocktails for a late afternoon or early evening meal. The staff is super friendly. Perfect Al fresco dining spots

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    Awful service. Our waiter was nowhere to be seen for half an hour. Ordered fries and bread and waited 40 minutes for the food to be served.

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    2 months ago

    Amazing experience and the scenery was even better. This is a must go to place if you are with your friends or significant other.

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    Page 1 of 26

    Grand Banks Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Grand Banks

    What's the difference between indoor seating and dining when making a reservation? I'm a little confused.

    Hi Lilian, Indoor seating refers to our pilot house. It is a small room on the boat where the Captain would stand to steer the boat. It is a quaint room with banquette seating and porthole windows. It's important to understand that while we prop the… 

    Does the boat move? Spouse is seasick but we love oysters and would love the view.

    The boat does not move.

    Is there a Bathroom?

    There sure is. It's downstairs on the boat. Watch your step.

    Does this include a cruise or stay docked?

    Stays docked. No cruise.

    Are they requiring proof of vaccination? From what I'm seeing on the website, only for the captain's table.

    I went mid September and we brought our vaccine cards but they did not ask to see them. The captain's table is in an enclosed space whereas the other tables are all outside, so I imagine that's why. I hope you go, it's such a great place!

    Can I get food if I am at Cocktail bar? Or food other than oysters if at Oyster bar?

    At the cocktail bar you can get absolutely anything which is what I did. It was the perfect place to sit in my opinion because it's located more near the center of the boat whereas the oyster bar is closer to one end. I'm not sure if the oyster bar… 

    Do u have any dress code? We made our reservation for 2, does the deposit apply to our bill at the end?

    We do not have a dress code. Wear what makes you happy! As for the deposit, yes, it is applied to… 

    Do they have walk in right now? Or is it reservation only?

    Even if you can't get a reservation... you can walk up up.. if you are smartly dressed, and polite etc you may get in. That's what we did...

    Are (small well-behaved) dogs allowed?

    Yes they are pet friendly. See link below.… 

    Best seating area for two people and best time to go?

    How is parking?

    There is limited street parking on the northbound lane of West St. and an Icon parking garage on Greenwich St. just south of N. Moore St.

    Is there a dress code?

    There is no dress code.

    Any oyster happy hour?

    No that I know of

    Will my reservation be cancelled if it rains/potential thunder?

    They have the complete info on their site (copied the link below). But yes, since it's completely outdoors/on a boat they do have to close sometimes. They usually make that call day of or even a few hours before since the weather can be so… 

    Okay to bring my kids?

    We're very happy to have kids aboard. We bring ours and many of our guests bring theirs. That said, we are on a boat, and children should be supervised.

    What are your brunch hours?

    10am to 2pm on Saturday and Sunday

    Any proper dress code? Jeans ok?

    Jeans are ok. Very casual

    Is Grand Banks pet friendly?

    Yes!

    Is this open to under 21? Even for food?

    Hi Alana! As there's no ID check at the entrance, everybody can board this stationary boat but the person can order soft drinks only, which is logical...

    Is there indoor seating? Will it get cold at night at this time of year?

    There is both indoor and outdoor seating.

    View All 24 Questions

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    Monkey Bar - Smoked Whitefish Caesar (~$28)

    Monkey Bar

    4.3(531 reviews)
    3.5 miMidtown East

    The absolute best dining part of our time in the city. No joke! Reservations become open at 9 am…read moreon Resy 21 days prior to your desired date. The dinner times WILL FLASH before your eyes. I am not kidding. We chose lunch. Easier to snag a table. It isn't cheap. You get what you pay for so it is WORTH IT!!! Cocktails are divine. Truffle bread as an app is a must. Wedge salad chopped with steak medium. Smash burger with truffle fries. Jill, our server, treated us to a in-home made carrot cake which was life changing. I'd go back to NYC just for the Monkey Bar. So much fun and what an absolutely incredible experience! We will be back.

    As reservations go, this was hard but not as hard as Polo Bar or Carbone! One of my friends opened…read moreher TikTok and was trying to try their Monkey Bread so as a good friend, I booked it! Reservations open 2 weeks in advance around 10am and they go super fest so I recommend you try for the day you need as for me I could only have gotten brunch on a Sunday. Those people spam the crap out of their buttons for the dinner spots and when I went I can see why. The place is brimming with old school New York charm and it's completely overwhelmingly beautiful and has an old jazzy vibe to it. It's large and spacious and they sat us in the middle of the entire restaurant. (I had a group of 6) The vibe was so good you don't really want to leave and they also don't really kick you out. I think we were the last ones to exit for brunch but they were so nice they didn't kick us out. Their espresso martinis are ok. It wasn't as amazing as a regular cocktail bar but it is just ok. We started off with a shrimp cocktail, smoked whitefish Caesar salad and the two plates of truffle monkey bread which was soooo good. I really enjoyed this as it's the main reason we came here. It's almost like a honey dinner roll with truffle. We got everything next which some people got their own and some shared. Some people got their own American breakfast platter which was some overdone eggs and a meat with gigantic toast and if you only order scrambled eggs it comes in a bowl but I would much rather order their classics like steak sandwich and the spicy shrimp was pretty good! Fries are top tier! I can see why people just come here for dinner. I would give it mostly 5 stars for the overall ambiance and environment and a few classics. I think their old fashioned is better than their espresso martinis though even though it looks so good in this type of setting! It's hard to get a reservation though so next time I'll need to try some new things if I score another!

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    Spicy Shrimp scampi

    Monkey Bar - Truffle Monkey Bread (~$35)

    Truffle Monkey Bread (~$35)

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    Lola's - SOUTHERN CHOPPED HERITAGE PORK sweet potato, black garlic honey butter, collard greens

    Lola's

    4.6(95 reviews)
    2.2 miFlatiron

    Really enjoyed my meal at Lola's. We shared 2 apps and 3 mains for 3 people and found it to be the…read moreright amount for us. The food was all very flavorful and each dish was unique. Here's the rundown: - naan: recommend this, though maybe overhyped myself based on previous reviews. The yogurt sauce was delish, but the bread itself was very good but not mind blowing. - BLT salad: dark horse fav! Tons of flavor and I kept going back for more. Recommend as an app - Union Square bento: honestly, wish this came in a real bento box. Seems like a miss, but I suppose separate plates give you more volume. Good to add as a side to whatever else you get. Cabbage was the best of the trio. - rice bowl: squash and rice were solid, but the shrimp was the standout here! Very flavorful shrimp. Not sure how they packed so much flavor into the little bites of them - fried chicken thighs: I mean, yes. They're juicy. They're fried excellently. The side sauces are creative and great for vinegar-lovers like me I also got the carrot cocktail which was ultra smooth and had the right amount of dill flavor. We got two cookies to go which were divine. I'd get them to stay to try it with the oolong milk next time, but we had to run. The service was friendly, courteous. Ambiance was trendy but not uptight. Would recommend for a nicer night out

    Food was divine, I had no complaints, and I felt deeply satisfied. I really enjoyed the watermelon…read morewith the tuna sashimi. I ordered their fried chicken thighs because it's what they're known for, and I get it. You can tell the chicken was brined, and it had an excellent crunch. This is a restaurant I would also go to on a date or if I wanted to dress up and look nice with friends, but I'm still glad I went by myself.

    Photos
    Lola's - Interior

    Interior

    Lola's - SOUTHERN CHOPPED HERITAGE PORK sweet potato, black garlic honey butter, collard greens

    SOUTHERN CHOPPED HERITAGE PORK sweet potato, black garlic honey butter, collard greens

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    Don Angie

    Don Angie

    4.5(1.2k reviews)
    1.4 miWest Village
    $$$
    Full bar
    Gluten-free friendly

    I lined up around 3:45 on a Monday (Labor Day), when they normally open at 4:30, and was seated…read moreright away in the first wave. I tried the gnocchi and tiramisu. The gnocchi was nice - just the right amount of chew with a cheesy interior, and a nice sauce that was creamy, crunchy from bread crumbs and little bits of toasted garlic, and a nice herb oil over top. The tiramisu was next level - definitely more chocolate forward than coffee, but still did a nice job of bringing those two flavors together with the salted mascarpone. There's a layer of crunchy wafer bits halfway down that made the experience particularly unique. Total worked out to just under $57 after tax and tip. It's expensive, and getting in is such a hassle. I'd still come back at least for the dessert (and the pasta is decent too).

    I can't believe I've never ranked Don Angie, I guess I've just been so excited every time I've gone…read morethat I can't imagine logging on and writing about it, but we went again this weekend and I again am just so happy. Every dish is great, not a single thing is bad. If you want a must have, well the Chrysanthemum salad is a requisite starter, i think the veal tartare is out of this world, and the lasagna should be a required dish. Now again nothing is bad, and if you can try the caramelles you should, and if you aren't getting the amberjack crudo because you're going to be too full then i don't know what you're doing. Whatever you do don't forget the stuffed cheesy bread, it's such a winner. Every cocktail is great, every morsel of food is fantastic, and the tiramisu isn't like any tiramisu you've ever had before. We will as always continue to come!

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    Don Angie
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    Au Cheval - Double cheeseburger

    Au Cheval

    4.3(1.4k reviews)
    0.7 miChinatown
    $$$

    Got a same day reservation for 9:15pm for a birthday celebration. Huge fan of the ambiance,…read moreespecially for late night. Service is great, food takes a bit to come out can tell it was made to order. - Burger: Blown away by the famous burger, the bacon and egg add ons are absolutely necessary. I'm not usually a fan of bacon but theirs is thick and sweet. - Chopped wedge salad: Loved the chopped wedge salad, you can order a half portion if desired. Half was still plenty to share among 2. - Steak tartare: this was good but wasn't a huge standout. Buttered toast is a nice touch. - Chicken liver: unfortunately too mayo-heavy for our taste. Better with the bread though. - Mille feuille: humongous portion! Liked this better than some mille feuille I tried in Paris lol. Flaky and buttery with a thick cream that wasn't overly sweet.

    How do you even approach a place that you've seen crowned as best burger in America (granted the…read moreChicago location)? Is it a set up for disappointment from the start? I don't know. What I will say - "Mmm. That is a tasty burger!" Is it the best I've ever had? How do I know but it's certainly in the conversation, and most likely better than a Big Kahuna burger. What I loved - two patties that weren't gigantic. Burgers have become either massive monstrosities that the human jaw isn't equipped to handle, or smash burgers, without an in between. Well, maybe not for you new yorkers - in Austin, we have P.Terry's! All in all it was fantastic! and I'd love to come again and try it with bacon and eggs on it in order to ensure I hit my weekly saturated fat allowances in 45 minutes. Also, absolutely loved the chicken tender sliders and would absolutely recoomend them. What has me ding them a bit - the whole ala carte cheeseburger thing - cmon, for the price of a 3 course meal at olive garden you can throw in some papas fritas. Second, the salad (not my idea to order it) was depressing and not good. Third - the $5 fee to a get a rez...although it's probably better than auto grat or those kitchen service charges... Fourth, the service was kinda mixed..one guy was nice while some others were ehhhh. I def like the vibe of the place and would def go back. So I dunno, maybe it should be 5 stars...but i dont think a bunny would eat that salad.

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    Au Cheval - We here!

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    Tanner Smiths - Tuna Poke Tacos

    Tanner Smiths

    4.3(2.4k reviews)
    3.5 miMidtown West
    $$

    We had scored an awesome street parking spot and there was no way we were giving that up, so hubs…read moremade sure wherever we ate was within this area. We reserved for a quick bite at Redeye Grill before catching Dog Day Afternoon on Broadway, but as soon as we walked up, some bouncer told us they were closed for a private wedding reception. We were dazed and confused because how was I able to reserve online? But the real plot twist was that it ended up being the best thing that happened. We actually stumbled into Tanner Smith's thinking it'd be the typical, boring bar-food spot. Nope. They first sat us at a hi-top by the door, but that wasn't our vibe, so we grabbed seats at the bar instead. Best decision. Our bartender, Josiah, was absolutely killing it. My cocktail had passion fruit, so of course I asked my usual question: "But is it real passion fruit?" He just nodded in agreement and that told me everything I needed to know. That drink was legit and had nice strength. The food was great too. My fish tacos were packed with fresh fish, the guacamole and salsa were chunky and full of flavor and hubs enjoyed his pastrami sandwich. I have no clue when we'll be back in Midtown, but one thing's for sure- we're sitting with Josiah again.

    Drink of Choice: NA Hugo Spritz - this drink was great and refreshing for all the non-drinkers!…read moreThey also had a short list of NA drinks to try while here! For those who like a little drink with their food, during brunch they offered a number of brunch cocktails (bottomless) for $35 Food of Choice: I had the Truffle Mac and Cheese and a side of the za'tar cauliflower. Both dishes were great and filling. The cauliflower had a lot of bold flavors! The onion ring on top of the Mac and cheese was a nice touch. I couldn't really taste the truffle but I would still order the dish again.

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    Tanner Smiths - The setting from the entrance

    The setting from the entrance

    Tanner Smiths - Gluten free bun

    Gluten free bun

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    Friedman's - Shakshuka

    Friedman's

    4.0(3.4k reviews)
    2.3 miMidtown West
    $$

    After a long day of travel, we had a hankering for a delicious meal. Thanks to Yelp, I found…read moreFriedmans, which was not far from our hotel. A quick walk over and we were seated immediately on a Saturday morning. Highlights: decor is lovely and welcoming. Staff is quick and uber friendly, answering menu questions with no fuss. If you're a celiac like me - Friedmans has you covered with plentiful GF options. Mimosas are $10 all day. Coffee is dark and strong. BUT THE FOOD. I was craving something healthy, and the Sesame salmon salad did not disappoint. Bright, flavorful, gluten free, fresh and filling. I happily devoured my plate and made mental notes to recreate this salad back home in CA. My husband enjoyed his Shakshuka and said it was very similar to his Greek mother's creation when he was a child. The lemon ricotta pancakes come out of the back at a quick clip - a very popular menu item. Maybe we can head back to share a plate! Lovely meal. The folks here are delightful.

    Friedman is an absolute must-visit if you are looking for an incredible burger in NYC. I honestly…read moredid not expect to be this impressed, but this ended up being one of the best burgers I have ever had -- and quite possibly the best burger of my life. I ordered the burger with cheese, and everything about it was perfect. The burger itself was THICK, incredibly juicy, and cooked beautifully. You could immediately tell that the meat was high quality, and knowing that they use Creekstone beef made it even better. The flavor was rich and beefy without being overwhelming, and every bite was incredibly satisfying. The patty had that perfect combination of a beautifully cooked exterior while still being extremely juicy and tender inside. And the bread deserves its own paragraph! The brioche-style bun was excellent. It was soft, slightly buttery, and substantial enough to hold the thick patty without falling apart or becoming soggy. It complemented the burger perfectly rather than taking away from the meat. The combination of the juicy Creekstone beef, melted cheese, and that excellent brioche-style bread was honestly phenomenal. What really stood out to me was how substantial the burger was. This wasn't one of those thin burgers where you finish it and immediately feel like you could eat another one. It was thick, hearty, juicy, and incredibly flavorful. Every bite felt like you were getting exactly what you want from a great burger. The fries were also excellent. I really appreciated that they weren't overly fried or greasy. They had a great texture and were crispy without feeling heavy or excessively oily. Sometimes fries can completely overwhelm a meal because they're so fried, but these were much more balanced and paired perfectly with the burger. Overall, Friedman absolutely exceeded my expectations. The burger, especially with the cheese, was outstanding, the Creekstone beef was incredibly flavorful, the brioche-style bun was excellent, and the fries were the perfect accompaniment. If you're in NYC and love burgers, this is a must-go-to. I would absolutely order this burger again and would highly recommend Friedman to anyone looking for a thick, juicy, high-quality burger. Easily one of the best burgers I've ever

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    Friedman's - Interior

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    The Smith - Veggie Burger with fries

    The Smith

    3.9(2.4k reviews)
    3.9 miUpper West Side
    $$$

    I've visited the original The Smith location several times over the years and have always enjoyed…read moremyself. This was my first time dining at the Lincoln Square location on 63rd Street, which opened in 2012, and it was outstanding. A friend was celebrating her promotion and invited a group of friends to join her. We were a table of 11 and were seated in the back dining room. Considering the size of our group, the service was remarkable--attentive, efficient, and never intrusive. I started with a gin martini, which was perfectly made. We ordered an assortment of appetizers to share, making it easy for everyone to sample several things from the menu. For my main course, I went with the ribeye, which was cooked to perfection. Dessert was the highlight of the meal for me. The "Death by Chocolate" was outstanding--a rich chocolate mousse, a caramelized layer of crispy sugar over it, and topped with a dollop of whipped cream. It was the perfect way to finish the evening. Walking into the restaurant, the first thing that caught my attention was the impressive 50-foot zinc bar. The spacious dining room, designed by the Rockwell Group, has an industrial-chic feel, with white subway-tiled walls, reclaimed wood, and large windows. There's also a classic black-and-white photo booth in the basement, which adds a fun touch. The menu is broad enough to appeal to almost everyone, ranging from a raw seafood bar and prime steaks to burgers, mac 'n cheese, and popular brunch dishes. I also appreciate the complimentary house-filtered still and sparkling water--a small detail, but a nice touch. The location is particularly convenient for Lincoln Center, with easy access from the 1 train at 66th Street-Lincoln Center and the A, B, C, and D trains at Columbus Circle. A Little History The Smith traces its roots to 2007, when Jeffrey Lefcourt and Michael Jacobs opened the original location in the East Village. The 63rd Street restaurant opened in November 2012 as the brand's third New York City location, designed to serve Upper West Side residents as well as the large number of people attending performances at Lincoln Center. After years of enjoying the East Village location, I'm glad I finally made it to the 63rd Street restaurant. With excellent service, a lively atmosphere, a broad menu, and a great location, it delivered a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I'll definitely be back.

    Had weekday lunch here with coworkers. Nice ambience, a little bit loud. I came during the Knicks…read morevs Spurs playoffs and they had a Knicks themed menu which was very cool. The food was great! Everything I had tasted good and I didn't have any huge complaints about. I recommend the truffle parmesan fries, burrata with bread, and the shrimp scampi (which wasn't spicy as advertised but was very fresh and lemony)

    Photos
    The Smith - Inside dining

    Inside dining

    The Smith - Salmon tartar

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    The bar

    Zou Zou’s

    Zou Zou’s

    4.2(602 reviews)
    2.4 miChelsea, Midtown West, Hell's Kitchen
    $$$
    Full bar
    Gluten-free friendly

    How have I not reviewed Zou Zou's? It's one of my favorite places. High points:…read more Decor- it's beautiful Service- every time I've been there it's been outstanding. I brought a friend with a specific allergy and everyone involved in service was aware and assured us that dishes didn't contain the offending nuts. Food- I live for their branzino. The duck borek is amazing. My friend who rarely eats meat proclaimed the filet on the skewer as the best steak she's ever had. The cheesecake is phenomenal. I really recommend the chef's menu. You get a sample of everything served family style and at $79 a person, it's a deal considering that if you ordered appetizers, an entree and dessert you'd pay much more than that in any restaurant in Manhattan. I've done that twice and still ended up taking food home. Drink prices are in line with mid-town Manhattan but $12 for a bottle of San Pellegrino is a little excessive. I'd be okay with $8 or $9 but I guess a few bucks in the grand scheme of things is not the end of the world. I've been there a few times and I'll note that I had reservations on a busy Thursday and was seated outside (which was lovely) but then it started raining hard and they were so helpful and gracious in finding us a place to squeeze in on the inside. Really top notch service. I'll also note that I brought a friend from Seattle and her husband is an architect for restaurants and she was wowed by the entire experience, which made me feel great!

    We all know that New York is home to so many great restaurants, yet I can confidently say that Zou…read moreZou's is one of the best. They have a lovely rooftop bar while you wait for a table. Then, when it was finally time to be seated in the dining room, I was so pleased with the upscale, romantic interior. Our server for that night was Ferdian, who was so attentive and had real class service. We made the reservation with OpenTable for 12 and ended up with 13 people. I love that the staff was so accommodating with the last-minute request We did the pre-fixed menu to make things easier. Everything was delicious from the beginning to the end. They were also able to accommodate gluten-free and dairy-free restrictions among those wonderful meals. My favorites were the dips, branzino, and hamachi. duck borek, and the desserts! The grilled pineapple was out of this world. Simple dish with complex flavors. The crunchy cheese cake was delicious too. I had the Road to Jericho cocktail, and it was yummy.

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    Zou Zou’s
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    Grand Banks - bars - Updated September 2026

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