I came here for dinner last New Year's Eve before seeing A Christmas Carol and loved the place, so I was eager to revisit after I got ticket to see Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo at the PAC. But boy was it a huge mistake. From now on I will eat anywhere else when I come see another show in the future. First of all, I wasn't able to book a reservation even far in advance. It turned out that they do not allow it because I am a single person. Which would have been nice to know if they indicated it on their website so I didn't have to keep trying. The PAC staff didn't even know if they take walk-ins, but I figured I'd arrive early and tried. I got there before 6:00 and the place was empty. The receptionists said they were fully booked and I should grab a seat at the lounge area and leave my stuff to occupy the seat before they fill up. Then I were to go to the bar area and place my order and bring my own food and drinks to the table, including any water and its refills. I ordered a Calvados Negroni, which was nice and strong but a bit too sweet. The spring mixed salad was just some big red leaf lettuces with a paltry few slices of very thin dried rhubarb and some sunflower and pomegranate seeds. No protein or cheese, and they charged $20 for it. It was overdressed but also under seasoned at the same time, and was very difficult to eat. It came in a bowl and I had to scoop the content out onto a plate as the huge leafs were impossible to cut otherwise. But as I cut them the tiny sunflower seats kept flying everywhere and made a mess. Not a well thought out dish at all. The Buffalo Milk Ricotta Gnudi was very rich, both the filling and the sauce, so it should have been in an appetizer instead, as it's hard to eat the whole thing without feeling a bit sick. At $49 it's pricier than any high-end Italian restaurants I've ever been. Worth the price? Not really. The smoked duck was flavorful but way too tough that it's difficult to cut, let alone chew or swallow. So I guess that's why it came in a tiny sliver, even though it's a main course and they charged $45 for it. The labneh sauce was good but a bit too salty, as the duck itself was already aggressively seasoned. The accompanying tabbouleh was even more. It's as if someone had overturned the salt jar on it. Even with the complimentary Na'an bread to counterbalance, it was still difficult to eat. I could feel my blood pressure rising with every bite. I was planning on ordering dessert, but at that point I decided I'd had enough. I then had to go up to the bar and pay. To add insult to injury, at that point it was around 7:15, and the restaurant was still 1/3 empty. They could have sat me at a table in the dining area but instead they lied to me and made me sit at the self-service section where the table was too high and I had to raise my shoulders and elbows to an unnatural angle to cut my food, which made the whole dining experience even more uncomfortable. The bar tenders and passing waitstaff were all unsmiling the entire time. They made you feel unwelcome or even looked down upon. And for no service at all, why should I have to pay any gratuities? I selected the minimum amount on the machine, but I should have chosen none! What a terrible experience. They really are a typical snobby upscale New York spot whose chef thinks so highly of himself (even the web address bears his name) that he made you pay through the nose for the privilege to dine at his glittering empty restaurant for overpriced, tiny portions of subpar food. I should have just grabbed something from the dozens of gourmet street food vendors across the street instead on such a breezy summer day!

Al H.

After enjoying a small gatgering for a jazz group, we elected to stay in the adjacent space, Metropolis for dinner. Backed by celebrity chef, Marcus Samuelson, we decided to give it a try. It was still early, around 6pm, so we were seated right away. The dining area is beautifully decorated, and it looked like more of an evening place than a lunch spot. There was a dj playing hip hop, which I found to be more of a night club vibe, as opposed to the light live jazz we were listening to earlier, but gratefully the volume was turned down as the evening ran on and our dishes served at our table. As the server had described to us, the protein serving sizes were on the modest side. I then realized that Metropolis is more of a bar vibe than a fine dining dinner destination. To that end, the steak I had was good, but I wished there was more of it. Worse, there were relatively large pieces of gristle, where the meat pieces were on the very small side. The dishes were nicely presented, and we enjoyed our food, well prepared, we only wished tgere was more of it.

Tameeka B.

I stopped by Metropolis during NY Restaurant Week (I wanted to start this review off with that caveat because we ate off of the set menu). We kicked things off with the fried olives (amazing!) and the crisp Swedish Green Salad, both setting the tone for a flavorful night. For entrées, I had the extra-crispy fried chicken while my guest went for the tender Grilled Brisket with olive chimichurri both were excellent in their own way. Dessert was the star of the show: their table-side banana pudding, which was as fun to watch being made as it was to eat. I sipped on the sesame seed oil Manhattan. It was smooth, unique, and a must try for cocktail lovers. They also serve Sir Davis Whiskey at the bar and have table-side oysters if you want to take things up a notch. Huge shoutout to my server Dorant for the great suggestions. Metropolis is definitely worth checking out especially during the warm weather while the patio is open! We were lucky to be there one of the nights the dj was there.

Cee E.

If Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson isn't on your radar yet, it should be. Located in FiDi inside the Perelman Performing Arts Center, this vibrant and spacious restaurant offers a contemporary American menu with global influences--and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere to match. Chef Marcus Samuelsson (of Red Rooster Harlem fame) was actually on-site during our visit and even came by our table to chat. He was warm, down-to-earth, and clearly passionate about his guests' experiences. The dining room is airy and elegant, with an open layout that still feels intimate. There's also an outdoor terrace with its own menu, which is currently hosting a really cool event called the Summer Subway Series. It's a rotating showcase of BIPOC chefs who don't yet have brick-and-mortar restaurants, and it gives guests a chance to try dishes you won't find anywhere else. While I was there, Chef Persech Shallows from Chicago was featured--his Indian-inspired chaat-style hot dogs were so fun and flavorful. They're also participating in Restaurant Week right now: 3 courses for $60. The special menu diverges a bit from their regular offerings, which I actually appreciated for the added variety. That said, their usual menu is fantastic--truly contemporary without leaning too heavily in any one direction. We also had their famous cornbread, which they're known for--it had red miso and jalapeño in it and came with house-made fermented butter. Truly a standout. My mom went with the Restaurant Week selections. Her spring salad was beautifully balanced--ripe yellow and red tomatoes, watermelon for a touch of sweetness, and a standout dressing that brought it all together. Her main was a tender brisket (Restaurant Week exclusive), which she really enjoyed. I opted for the red snapper--crispy on the outside and bathed in a rich curry sauce with shiitake mushrooms and cherry tomatoes. The sauce was rich, but the fish itself could've used more seasoning--the one item that wasn't a 10/10. But the real star? The coconut rice on the side. Topped with crispy coconut and shallots, it was a total standout--crunchy, aromatic, and addictively good. We ended the night with a banana pudding cart (!!) that rolled right up to our table. It was such a fun and unexpected touch. They even gifted us these guava-based Swedish fish candies that were incredibly realistic and tasty--a sweet little sendoff. Service throughout was attentive and friendly without being overbearing. All in all, definitely worth a visit--whether you're coming for the terrace vibes, the special events, or just a memorable night out in the city. Rating: 4.5/5

Brianna B.

Metropolis is definitely a hidden gem - you wouldn't know this place existed unless you looked online because it's tucked away in the performing arts center. Nonetheless it's worth a visit. To start with the cons - I was not a huge fan of their drinks. We started with cornbread and the fried olives. Both were solid but nothing out of the ordinary. For my entree I had the Teff Gnocchi, which I recalled loved. It was a combo of sweet and savory, as the dish featured some dried dates on top? I also loved the smaller portion, which gave us plenty of room for dessert. We tried the banana pudding and sticky toffee pudding - both were excellent but I think the toffee pudding may have been my favorite. Our waitress was wonderful and accommodating, especially when we had questions or even wanted to swap our drink for a different drink. It was not busy at all on a Saturday night, and the ambiance was upscale yet casual.

Ty H.

The service of our waiter was wonderful. I really liked him. He was from South Africa and very helpful. He suggested I have the duck which was phenomenal. loved the presentation, but I was a little surprised with how small the portion of the duck was . It definitely appears more like an appetizer than a main course, even though the price point was very much that of a main course. My wife had the steak which was very chewy and hard to eat. it was the first time I had seen her not enjoy a steak. We also tried the cheesy fries which sounded very good. Just be forewarned, they are very salty, but I did like the crispy texture. I had the Cabernet, which was excellent, and Lori had the Prosecco which she really liked. it is a limited menu, which I kind of like. The portions are definitely on the small side. It was really nice to eat there before going to the Christmas Carol. very convenient. beautiful space and excellent service. The food came out super quickly, almost shockingly quickly.

Sam G.

The food was absolutely amazing! The service was top-notch, and the ambiance created the perfect dining experience. I went with my girls but I would love to go with my lover it seems like it would be really romantic here. They have good music playing and an oyster cart. We thought the menu was extremely limited compared to what we saw on Yelp. Thank God it was tasty! he knows what we need My friends ordered the Crispy Snapper (Tomatoes, Shiitake, Coconut rice, Curry) HEAVENLY ! I had the Tri Color Long Beach lasagna (Sea Urchin, Scallops, Beach Mushrooms, Artichoke, Pecorino. Our server made sure to tell me to squeeze the charred lemon over the lasagna *Chefs Kiss* We had the "Yes Sir" To drink. It was made with Sir Davis whisky. It was good and strong! At the end of the night we asked for Marcus but he wasn't there everything was perf !! I would love to try other dishes and drinks from here. Take me back!!!

Sally X.

A friend, who lives in the area, took me to Metropolis for a drink during happy hour (5-7pm). We sat at the outdoor bar. Lovely vibe and not too crowded. The drinks menu was good - several cocktails on offer, a few glasses of wine and beer. Service was great! I would return.

Cynthia L.

To say the least, I truly had an incredible dining experience at the Metropolis! The restaurant was pretty full-- it was a Friday night. We made reservations ahead of time and were sat almost immediately. We ordered a few plates for the table such as the Gravlax (soft pretzels with a Trout Roe Caviar dip) and the Cornbread paired with a goat's milk butter. For drinks, we had the Razzle Dazzle: tequila prickly pear lime & cotton candy garnish, and the Frozen Chocolate Espresso which were both so delicious. We also ordered the Lobster Mac & Cheese and what was the crispiest Fried Chicken I've ever had! It was an excellent choice of flavors, comforting and familiar yet so different from anything I've had before. Presentation is always something I look forward to and they truly hit the mark every time!! Everything from the food, to the placement of the decor was so intentional and spectacular. I can't wait to go back next time I'm in the city! THIS is luxury dining at its finest.

Ed B.

Valentines Day pre set dinner: This is our second visit to this beautiful restaurant. Our first was two years ago, party if 6. The initial experience was incredible, 5 star across the board. Food was inpirational, service on point. This Valentine Dinner was a bit disapointing ! The food was good but not the experience we expected. My Daughter had a very bad piece of sushi! We did not tell the waiter because after the food was delivered for each course he never checked back! Found myself waiving my hand in the air to get a second glass of wine! My lamb was very good, the salmon entray was closer to an app portion.... But again the service was non attentive! At the end the waiter brought the check but did not tell me he had included the tip, ive nit heard of writing in a tip for a 4 top. After adding an additional tip i checked the bill and had him remove the extra tip. His write in tip was $139.00 , so generous based on the service. Anyway we were all left a bit disappointed ...

Yvonne D.

I recently visited and while the ambiance and service initially left a great impression, my experience was marred by a serious oversight regarding my peanut allergy. Upon arrival, I informed the staff of my allergy and felt confident in their understanding. Plus my allergy is noted on my open table account which was used to make the reservation. However, the coconut shrimp I was served caused an allergic reaction. Fortunately, they had allergy medication on hand, and the staff's response to the situation was immediate and professional. Despite their swift action, the incident was preventable and highlighted a critical gap in their handling of dietary restrictions. It's unfortunate that my evening had to end prematurely, as I was looking forward to the full dining experience. Based on the level of care shown after the reaction, I'd recommend this restaurant to those without severe food allergies. However, for anyone with a nut allergy, I'd suggest caution or choosing another establishment. I only really got to enjoy the oysters and the cornbread. Oysters were good and I loved the table side service of them. Corn bread was also good and had a great texture. The coconut shrimp was good but since it caused the reaction with peanuts in the sauce, I can't count it.

Annalise W.

This review is specifically for lunch. Came during the weekday for a work lunch. The meal was pretty standard, but the ambiance is amazing and it's a solid option if you're around the area and need a business / work spot. Restaurant is really pretty and open. I can imagine this would be a great nighttime spot for dinner and/ or drinks. I ordered the Metropolis Burger. It was good, very standard. Comes with a small salad. The "cheesy fries" have cheese powder on them (almost like mac n cheese powder), not cheese sauce, but they were good.

Andrew L.

Returned twice to Metropolis recently, once for a birthday dinner with a group and once for a smaller family dinner and had great experiences both times. For appetizers, have had the Cornbread, Swedish Green Salad, Grilled Caesar Salad and Coconut Shrimp - all good with perhaps the two salads especially standing, nicely prepared and creative For entrees, it is the Sugar Hill Nights fried chicken that has us coming back. Crispy yet tender chicken in a great preparation with sweet potato dumplings and kale. An absolutely wonderful fried chicken dish! Great service from the staff starting with a nice welcome from the hostess and friendly, helpful service from the servers - Ira at one visit and Nelly at the other. Ira recognized us during the other visit and greeted us which was a nice touch. Expecting to continue to return!