Having a Sunday brunch (buffet style) at the Rainbow Room is a once in a life time experience. It will likely be one of the most fanciest brunch buffet one will ever go to. I treated my sister & my dad here (yesterday) as an early birthday present/celebration. They both loved the place. Service was exceptional, atmosphere was very relaxing, live jazz band was wonderful, and the decor was beautiful. Food was good but not the best (some food items were a hit or miss, and some of the seafood items were not that fresh). We all thought that we enjoyed the atmosphere/music/decor, more than the food itself. Nonetheless, I do recommend taking a loved one here for a special occasion. It cost $95 per person excluding taxes. Any beverages other than tea, coffee, or water will be an additional fee. Our waitress was very sweet, she offered us complimentary ginger champagne free of charge, and brought my sister a cupcake on a platter that had "happy birthday" written in chocolate on it. My sister was surprised but very happy with the gesture. Tips: Try to make reservations 2 months in advance on their website. I recommend going to the 1st time slot (the 11:30 am) one - better dibs on tables and foods. read more

This actually should be for 65, the newly renovated bar, but I couldn't find it to check in. Disappointing - expensive drinks, average taste and serving size. Kinda slow, not much peoplewatching. Setting was a bit odd...the overall ambience just left me a bit cold and disappointed. To be fair, it was late (930p) when we arrived, the room may have been set up for a party earlier, who knows? The elevator was amazingly fast and smooth...65 floors?!? Wow. I won't be back, but I wouldn't necessarily discourage others from checking it out, my experience may have been anomalous. It was just very average for the reputation and price. Of course, the views are stunning. .. read more

Rainbow Room - Empire State building in the distance - where's King Kong? - New American Near Me - New York, New York

I can not give you five stars... I want to, but I can not in good conscious do so. The only downfall to this place is the cost$$$ for cocktails/vino. (the minus one star factor) So, great view - can see so much of the Manhattan skyline if you sit at a table around the perimeter to have a drink. It's phenomenal! I read reviews that said to bypass the empire state and go to Top of the Rock, as it's cheaper, no long wait and just as good of a view. I agree, but I also wanna take it step further and say this: Forget Empire State Building, forget Top of the Rock and just come here for a cocktail and the view... Here is my rationale behind the idea - If you have to pay, say $20 for the trip to either ESB or TOTR, then why not save that $20 bucks, put on a cute dress and head up to the Rainbow grill for a cocktail with a friend? You still get the view, but instead of paying $20 for the view a few floors above you (at the Top of The Rock), you get to use that $20 for the overpriced cocktails! All in all, I think it's a good deal... um, did I mention you get mixed nuts at your table? =) read more

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The views are great, but when we went the outdoor area was closed down. The food was mediocre and the service was poor but the drinks were tasty. I would recommend coming for a drink and the view and getting food elsewhere. read more

Went for the Summer pop up Rose Bar, if it comes back you have to go! It's super cute!! Venue: 5 Stars...beautiful and it really never gets old being in Rock Center. It's just a part of NY that you have to love. Service: 5 Stars...not pushy not too intense...it was perfect. We were allowed to do our tastings and savor it all without having to be pushed around to order another drink or get up from the table. Food/Drink: Fabulous 5 Stars. Great selection of wine and great presentation. I would return again and again, it was a fun Girl's Night. read more

Wow! Ambience was beautiful. Service was attentive. Food was fantastic. And you can't beat the views. We went for Sunday brunch and they really know how to make you feel special. Make sure you come HUNGRY because there are so many delicious things to try. Highlight of the meal was the chicken and mushroom pot pie. This place is truly special and will make you feel important. read more

Rainbow Room - Chicken and mushroom pot pie. - New American Near Me - New York, New York

I reserved 3 weeks ahead waiting for a full variety of international gourmet, but it turned out to be just a dandy traditional American brunch. We got seated, and given a menu, where there is very few main courses of choice. Benedict w duck/lobster/salmon/chicken, omlet w duck/lobster/salmon/chicken, burger/Sandwich w duck/lobster/salmon/chicken... And there is only a bacon bar, a yogurt bar and a juice bar. Bacon is OK, coz I'm not a meat eater. yogurt bar turns out to be my favorite. But come on, 125 dollars should be more than this!! Dessert bar is not bad, at least 5/6 types of cakes including cheesecake and vanilla/chocolate icecream. But I only had two slices of the cheesecake coz they gave me this very dense cinnamon roll like buns/biscuits. We were given two types of biscuit at the very beginning. I just feel like they want us stuffed with dense carbon even before the meal. All in all, $300 including tax for two doesn't pay off. Even taking into consideration the view. I can just grab a burger and go to the observation deck!!! That will cost much less but with better view. read more

Rainbow Room - lobster omlet. lobster is eaten already. - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Ordered the lobster risotto and some sort of peekytoe crab lobster dish. It was great! read more

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MJ's Star : 3.5 Price : Buffalo Mozzarella with Tomato $27, Fried Calamari with Cocktail and Tartar Sauces $26, Prime Rib-Eye Steak $53 (except Tip & Tax) read more

Rainbow Room - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Just hosted a wedding. If there is a more elegant, professional, and perfect space, I am not aware of it. Everything was perfect! read more

My partner and I attended an event for two of our friends here on Friday evening and the whole experience was absolutely amazing!! It all started out at cocktail hour in the gallery where we met up with friends and got seat assignments. Glasses of champagne were being passed around but you could go to the bar and get a specific cocktail if you would like. The views at the top of the rock are always amazing and this space was no exception. A few cocktails and after some wonderful hors d'oeuvres later we all made our way into the Rainbow Room. The room is spectacular and is almost out of a dream where everything seemed to shine magically. After a ton of pictures, everyone made there way to their seats and the band started to play. Entree and wine orders were taken, I had the Brazilian fish and my partner had the vegetarian option which was a cauliflower dish. All of the food was great, from the mushroom risotto appetizer to the plate of small deserts. The end of the night dancing on the rotating dance floor filled with friends, laughter, and great memories. Overall I don't think you could go wrong with the venue weather its for brunch, dinner, a wedding, or a special event. 5+ Stars for sure! read more

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Amazing Views of the Skyline! Whether you stand at the bar or get a table feel free to walk around the Windows (inside or outside) and go check out those amazing views! The Drinks here are plenty strong. Had to order a Manhattan just out of the history of the drink but I also had a Sazerac and that was plenty good also! Came twice on my stay in NYC. Had horrible service our 1st time, (our waiter seemed to disappear after we ordered an appetizer) the food was finally served to us over 30 minutes later and it wasn't hot at all. Molly the Manager came over and made it right! She was very friendly and helped me book another reservation a few days later. This is a must visit when in Manhattan. read more

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Ambiance - 5/5 Service - 1/5 Food- 4/5 Drinks- 5/5 Came here without reservations and after a few drinks, lucked out and ended up with a table. The view is spectacular. Ambiance is wonderful. Come prepared-- you need reservations, the drinks and food are pricey, and you need to be dressed appropriately. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND MAKE A RESERVATION IF YOU WANT TO EAT HERE OR SPEND ANY LENGTH OF TIME HERE. There is standing room at the bar and out on the outdoor deck looking over the city so it's an easy place to grab a drink. There are a few standing cocktail tables you can order appetizers at. WHAT TO GET AT THE BAR - Manhattan (20) - we had quiet a few drinks while we were here and this was hands down our favorite. I absolutely love whiskey and order Manhattans all the time and this was delicious. Came with Ragtime Rye Whiskey, Carpano Antica, Angostura Bitters Also good: - Brooklyn (20) - Ironweed Straight Malt Whiskey, Carpano Bianco, Luxardo Maraschino, Amaro Lucano. - Bronx (20) - Greekhook Gin, Carpano Antica, Carpano Bianco, Orange Juice, Lavender Bitters - Astoria (20)- Queens Courage Gin, Carpano Bianco, Orange Bitters - 1915 Gin & Tonic (20) - Dorothy Parker Gin, Lemon, Angostura Bitters, Johnnie Ryan Tonic - Spatini (20) - The Botanist Gin, St. Germain, Lime, Mint, Cucumber - Mama Rose (19) - Brooklyn Gin, Combier rose liquer, lemon juice, grenadine, orange bitters FOOD WISE Small Bites for while you're at the bar: - Kobe pigs in a blanket with everything topping and onion relish (16) -- this was our absolute favorite small bite. - Triple-cooked fries with Bernaise sauce (14) - Braised beef short rib sliders with pickled green tomatoes, horseradish sauce & cheddar (22) - Crosini with sheep's milk ricotta, fava beans, prosciutto, preserved Meyer lemons, and orange mint (14) Platters & Larger Plates: - Salumi Platter with cured meats, marinated olives, feta, sweet baby peppers, and grilled country bread (28) - Four joint burger with comes with short rib.skirt steak/ chuck/ aged ny strip patty, cabot cheddar, caramelized onions, smoked tomato jam, and triple cooked fries (25) - Steak Au Poivre with Kentucky bourbon three peppercorn sauce and triple cooked fries (48) Dessert: Lemon pavlova with pistachios, rhubarb-strawberry cream, and fresh strawberries (15) THERE IS A DRESS CODE. Don't just show up in your tennis shoes you've had on all day while walking around in the city, they will not let you in. This restaurant is upscale and they expect you to dress appropriately. If you question your attire- call. People come here for anniversaries, date night, special occasions... this is not a place to wear tshirts and running shoes. Service is poor for what this place is... for the size of the restaurant & price of the items on the menu here, it shouldn't take 20 minutes to have your water refilled or figure out how to order another drink without having to get up and go to the bar. The commentary on service applies to the host/hostess and servers both in the restaurant portion and at the cocktail tables. The bartenders are AMAZING- super attentive, nice, and quick on their feet. Everything else made up for what they lacked in service. read more

The ambience was a classy and upscale one in the heart of the city. We celebrated 1 year wedding anniversary and wanted it to be special, which it was! The prime aged sirloin was delicious. It was a wonderful experience with priceless views of the city and a very accommodating and friendly staff! In my opinion it was well worth the money read more

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I went by the rainbow room earlier today with an older friend of mine visiting from South America. We were rejected for not being in correct attire. My friend had on Columbia winter pants Nike's she had just bought earlier that day and a north face jacket. They say their dress code is 'cocktail chic' but women were dressed in workout pants, older white men from the Midwest (this is a tourist-only spot) were dressed in worn out dockers and company t shirts (the kind you get at the yearly offsite). Honestly, it seemed they just targeted my friend for looking non-American. I had on worn out white Stan smiths and the manager said that I was borderline but don't worry because I looked more put together. What??! I'll follow up with nbc and the restaurant as I took pictures and video of everything - what an intro to New York for a tourist visiting, I guess trump tower is just down the street so makes sense to follow suit. read more

We went here unbenounce to me on our second year anniversary. I was pleasantly surprised and was impressed by the amazing views of the city. We had a wonderful array of delicious entrees. The service was fast and our server was friendly. It's a great place to create beautiful memories with someone special in your life. read more

Ressrvationsist named Ryan really dropped the ball here. We had made a 9:15pm reservation via email, however the hostess in not, not a condescending tone told us that the reservation didn't exist. Ryan, why did you do this to us? It was a special night. You ruined our night. Sad. So, so sad. I hope that you had a good reason for not doing your job. read more

I came here after mass for Sunday brunch. The views and the service here is SPECTACULAR. I came here for a pre- birthday celebration for myself! The options here are unlimited. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect in terms of options as I am a vegetarian! The staff was super friendly, attentive and courteous. The food options are vast especially if you're a meat eater. I am a picky eater and o was pleased with all that I tried. While it is quite pricey, I say it's at best a once in a lifetime experience. I will never forget my day here!!! read more

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If you want a beautiful view of Manhattan you want to dine at the Rainbow Room the view is breathtaking and the food is wonderful. It is extremely clean and the atmosphere is wonderful. read more

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Imagine calling and emailing the Rainbow Room on November 5th and trying to get a reservation for 10 and having 0 response. Then imagine emailing again on December 9th and being told that they are reserved fully and to make the request earlier. That is the Rainbow Room! When someone is planning on spending over $1600 for a celebration and no one has the time to answer your call or respond to your email. read more

I came to the Rainbow Room for a work event, and had an amazing time drinking champagne, munching on appetizers, and snapping pictures of the spectacular views. The servers were all extremely attentive, and I think our group was very pleased with the event. We had some really great passed apps, including sliders, ahi tuna tacos, and pigs in a blanket. Even an appetizer as simple as pigs in a blanket was so well prepared. The hot dog wrapped in a flaky pastry with a dollop of mustard was served on a toothpick with a small faux pearl. To me these little additions made this party favorite so much more sophisticated. Overall, I was so impressed with everything about this event. I think the staff at the Rainbow Room did a great job with the execution. This is definitely an excellent choice for a very special occasion. read more

Rainbow Room - Couldn't resist taking a touristy picture of the amazing view :) - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Wow! What a view.. worth visiting, and worth the ambiance. But I left hungry.. nothing here for a vegetarian or vegans. read more

What a view One of the best thing about the Rainbow Room Sunday Brunch is the magnificent views of New York City. Sunday brunch at the Rainbow Room was a part of my bucket list. The food and service was spectacular. Every time I put my fork or knife down a new one appeared. I really enjoyed the raw bar and the dim sum station. The best way to approach a large brunch is a little bit of food from each station. The food is displayed like a beautiful piece of jewelry at Bergdorf Goodman. read more

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Tourist trap with woeful service and absurd prices. Ultimately you will still come here if you are traveling from out of town, for the Gram, but don't expect good service, class or smiles from anyone but the bust boys read more

The Rainbow Room was phenomenal. All of the staff was extremely personable and professional. The food and entertainment was amazing. The views were unreal. This is something that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. I highly recommend the Rainbow Room! read more

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So my wife took me to the Rainbow Room as an birthday surprise dinner and I wasn't disappointed to say the least. Let's start with the views.... spectacular. We got there just as the sun was setting and it just made the experience that more memorable. My only complaint was that people kept coming over to stand between our table and the window to take pictures without even saying excuse me, there was one member of the staff who noticed and had to ask the people to move. Our waiter Brett was very polite and patient with us. The food was simply amazing, and so was my whiskey sour, thanks Brett. This was a memorable birthday dinner and I look forward to coming back. read more

I'm honestly between giving 3 and 4 stars. We visited here around Christmas time, and had made a reservation. The restaurant was not at all what we had expected- it was essentially a bunch of seating and then some high top tables and a bar, so many times people just visiting for drinks were mingling all throughout the tables and it was pretty loud. Sort of a turn-off if you are anticipating a more intimate dinner. The views were amazing and really the best part of the entire experience, lighting was nice too as the lights were dim but still bright enough to see your food. Drinks and food were overpriced and left much to be desired. read more

Rainbow Room - New American Near Me - New York, New York

This is on the 65th FL of Rockefeller Plaza. They require you to check in your stuff if you have anything other than your purse (so that includes book bags and/or any shopping bags). The funny thing is they have elevators JUST to go up and down to the Rainbow Room so it doesn't have any buttons inside the elevators except open and close. There's a fancy restaurant inside where you need to make reservation (well at least they recommend it because space is limited). You can also go up to the bar and then take your drink outside and enjoy the weather and views. Yesterday's weather could not be anymore perfect, seriously. Not too hot, not too cold, not too windy. Just, perfect. Fair warning, drinks are pricey here and it's probably because you're literally paying for the view. It's about $20 for a drink so be sure to get food and/or cheaper drinks elsewhere before heading over here. When you go to the outside area, I must say that the area is pretty narrow. I had to maneuver myself around the people that stood there to take pictures and/or videos. Eventually when you make your way around the building some more, there will be slightly bigger area with a row of outdoor tables reserved for dining patrons. But I will admit that it had pretty nice views of the Empire State and Times Square. But there's other rooftop bars with similar views that are more spacious that I would have rather preferred. read more

Was so excited for the world famous Rainbow Room Sunday Brunch. The brunch that had boasted having over 9,000+ items "inspired by cuisines all over the world" as currently quoted on the website is NO LONGER. After waiting almost a month for our reservation, to take my husband, we get to our table - and only then we learn that the concept has changed. As of this week. The price is exactly the same - except you only have an a la carte menu of your pretty generic brunch items to choose from. As of today you are welcome to try as many of the items as you want from a page of brunch items. American style generic brunch items. Therein lies the rob. I mean rub. You can't help but feel like you're being robbed having to choose between diner style quality pancakes, various benedicts and brunch items for $125. I very much tried to make this work, but two dishes had to be sent back. The hash was burned to a crisp, that it was literally charred ashen, acrid tasting carbon pieces. Ordered a berry pancake and instead got chocolate. For the $125 price tag - if there isn't a buffet or endless variety, then the service has to be SPOT ON PERFECT. Our server was very forgiving, and tried to make the most of our experience. She also explained to us that the front and back of the house were not used to this style of dining for brunch. The management was also accommodating but reminded us that we were now paying "for the view." Except we had no view. We were in the middle of the restaurant facing the Bacon bar. Oh, about that bacon bar - from a person who does not eat bacon. If you are vegetarian or a healthy eater - don't come to this brunch. If you like average bacon varieties, come to this brunch. There is a bacon bar. Don't expect duck pancetta or foie gras, or even canadian bacon or ham. It is literally just regular bacon, lamb bacon, greasy pork belly or salmon pastrami. The bacon server served me a piece of the decorative squash pieces to try and accommodate me - except it was totally made for decoration and not even cooked through. Hmm.. They give you a bread basket - which is like a huge juice cup of smaller items, and monkey bread which is just warmed up cinnamon rolls. They have a "yogurt bar" which is pretty much, grab a cup of yogurt and toppings. Hmm... They have a crepe bar which is pretty much get a crepe. Hmm... The desserts are ok. you have a choice of a half dozen deserts which include 2 types of cookies. Hmm.. I wasn't going to write a review, but I did want to tell the management that we were disappointed that the concept had changed so suddenly without warning to us. He was acting just a touch defensive saying that they were going back to their original "Rainbow Room" concept. He did right by us, but I was really put off by the "pay for the view" comment. For people who come to the Rainbow Room and pay over $125 dollars pp for the brunch ($300 including tip for 2 persons NOT including cocktails), they are paying for more than the view. For all they know, the people they are serving, might have a better "view" at home than they are selling. They should realize this. Also I feel the manager was not aware that the style of brunch is an international genre of buffet that people actually seek out - offered mostly around the world. For someone who wants a great brunch with a view, here's my suggestion. Go to Jane for Brunch. You'll get way better lobster benedict, bread basket, complimentary cocktail after Noon, actually get as much food as you can eat there - then go to the World Trade Observatory. You will spend LESS and have a better experience than the Rainbow Room for Sunday Brunch. I'm really sorry Rainbow Room, I'm trying to save others from the disappointment. I feel it is my duty to forewarn future patrons while it might not be clear this buffet no longer exists. read more

For my 400th review, I can say Rainbow Room is sufficiently worth reviewing. After a five year renovation closing, Rainbow Room reopens offering a Sunday brunch buffet ($95) and Monday night a la carte dining with live entertainment. In regards to brunch, it was certainly one of the most fanciful, yet fun white tablecloth brunch buffets I have experienced. Although I can't take credit for setting one, a reservation will prove a bit of a challenge (taken 60 days in advance, with few openings in between). Foremost, the space is simply captivating. Located on the 65th floor of 30 Rock, you are surrounded by breathtaking views of the city. An adjoining room provides the views alone. Take this opportunity for many photos. Vintage chandeliers, mirrored walls, crystal curtains, a circular dance floor, plus a live band, adorn and surround a large, impressive space that resonates a slight touch of contemporary with predominantly classic. Soft, grey colored walls provide a neutral palette for the decorative elements of tastefully done glitz and glamour. On to the dining, there is simply too much that can be covered in words when it comes to their buffet. A 360 degree buffet, labeled and separated into sections, provides an immense variety. You should be here for a good few hours, trying a little bit of every thing they offer. The buffet consists of, but is not limited to, a raw bar, sushi bar, a meat carving station, charcuterie of cheese and salumi, breads, pasta dishes, Asian-inspired dishes, pate varieties, and truffle and grits. There is also a crepes and desserts station to the other side. They nearly cover all types of food. Some dishes were admittedly better than others. My favorites -- the crepes, risotto, meat carving station, truffle and grits, and pate section. We managed to try a lot, yet not all, within a span of 3 hours. Seated around 2PM, we were officially stuffed by 5:30PM. Note: Take your time. No one will rush you. Soak in as much of the experience, and try as much of their food. You might not get this chance too often. Rainbow Room is a truly landmark, classy establishment with much to offer when it comes to dining and atmosphere. Do not neglect to dress to impress. Hardly pretentious at all, as some may think. All in all, superb time at the Rainbow Room. I would undoubtedly return and recommend others to try. read more

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Ever since I saw this video back in 98 http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=6riCIPRhiuc I romanticized the idea of coming to the ballroom at the Rainbow Room in a tux, dine, watch a performance (by Luismi even) and... dance! When I moved to New York I thought I'd finally get the opportunity and thus I waited for the proper occasion. I came. I didn't see. I wasn't conquered. I came: On two occasions; one in the man's ticket and another with skyline-seeking outtatowners. As soon as you enter the building, the charm is obliterated by the goddamned staff who are versed in touristnesse, that odious tongue(in-cheek) of melodic high pitch, inane, detestably coco (condescending & corny) of Disneylandish dullness and aliteration... Up you go, floor 40-something, wow. The view is great, but the ceiling is low, the place dampened and dark; it's nice that you smell of old moist wood, it gives you character and historicity, but c'mon; the place smells like the dinning hall on the Queen Elizabeth liner would, err, ok stop complaining, unless you... I didn't see: ...come when there is fog over Manhattan. Yup, I was unlucky on one of my outings, the first one to be exact. A fog covered the whole skyline, and I was shocked that not even the Empire State was in sight. "Is that the Chrysler right there" -my visiting friend asked. "NO! That's a fucking bird" - I responded, It might as well had been. But hey, the food, let's concentrate on the experience and let Cipriani take you by storm. They didn't hence... I wasn't conquered: I ordered Bloody Mary's on both occasions and even though they were good, they weren't great... I had a risotto with sausage on my first time which was just OK, but not a shade over delectable or memorable; I could've made better risotto with a cookbook in hand. Second time around I ordered the tagliardi with veal ragu and again, I wasn't impressed. The carpaccio we had for entry on both occasions was good though, but if it wasn't for the champagne to help us through the meal, I would have sunk in a deep and bitter interjection: "Blah" So no, I was not charmed, in fact, I was soiled and was made to feel like a cheesy tourist. It is not a good sign to remember Red Lobster when you are in the Rainbow Room, so I only found 3 gold stars at the end of the Rainbow Room Grill. Now until the ballroom has something to say about this, vini, non vidi, bitchy! read more

I will start with a little backgound. I have lived in NY for over 30yrs. and enjoyed places like the Rainbow Room, the Supper Club and other similar places. Unfortunately most of those type of places are gone now. I remember the first time I came here was with my wife and we had a blast. The views were spectacular, and being dancers ourselfs we had a blast on the dancefloor. At that time they would have two bands, one latin and one let's call it american. Back to the present...when I heard the place was re-opening I was on the phone the first day they started taking reservations. Came here last night with my wifre for our 13th wedding aniiverssary. As has been said before, the views are spectacular. I would say you really have to see it for yourself to trully understand what people mean by spectacular. Being dancers ourselves, we enjoy the big band era..so tha is a definate draw for us. I would say the Rainbow Room is a trip back in time. Some people really do get dressed up into character and it's fun to watch. Now for the food. The food overall was good...it lwasn't mind blowing but restaurant quality...of a solide 3.5 star restaurant. Overall, I would say that if you come here, it's for the fulll package experience...and not the food alone. If you want to be transformed and enjoy spectacular views with good food, I suggest you come. Drawbacks: I will say the price is a bit steep, but it is an experience so, it's not for everyone...I spent upwards of $500 for a dinner for two wih some cocktails and wine. They are only open for dinner and dancing on Mondays, which can be a drag for some, and when we came the band stopped playing at 10 p.m. That was also dissapointing, since my reservation was for 8 p.m. and expected to stay at least till 11 enjoying the music. Unlike in the past, they only had one band and most of the music was swing, where as before, they would play a mix of latin ( rhumba, cha cha, salsa ) and foxtro, or a waltz. Overall it's an experience and if you can afford it...I would definatley reccomend you come at least one time. If you do, decide to come...make reservations ealrly, the band starts at 6 and ends at 10. read more

Since I am poor and friendless I was forced to follow Becca's http://www.yelp.com/user_details_review_search?userid=DJHAt1ldC3-1UIxt1xJQPw&q=rainbow direction to gain entry to the Rainbow Room (reference option F.) and find a sugar daddy. (I am fabulously coiffed and have some serious booty for a poor friendless girl after all) New York is a crazy city you never know who you'll meet and where you'll end up. I rolled into RR with my new friends and wondered who's wedding we were crashing. Mid-West Haute Couture was in full effect. There was no shortage of Laura Ashley or Long Island big hair. Half a dozen bellinis later.. my judgmental breaker flipped and I had a warm accepting feeling for all of the poorly dressed outta-towners and the pretentious "regulars". There was a lot of enthusiasm on that dance floor and it was great entertainment while I scarfed down some great food. All in all Rainbow Room is a very nice place for a treat. Of course I am still saving my pennies to go for brunch... per Dr. Becca's suggestion. read more

Priceless views of the city but the food was slightly above average. We had two cocktails before our brunch, $37. My sunrise something drink was supposed to be a mojito like drink with cucumber but tasted a bit too much like cough syrup. The place is nice, recently remodeled. The ambience is nice too but they have too many people doing remedial jobs (e.g., having two service men in the bathroom and a person standing on each corner directing you was a bit much and wasteful). The food was OK. My wife loved the foie gras spread, I liked the sardines and caesar salad. But the rest was not as good as for say compared to a Bellagio vegas brunch. Ambience was great, there was a live jazz band on the stage above, the service was on point and the food presentation was neat. As mentioned it will cost you a pretty penny. We had brunch and coffee for two, plus tip we paid $250. I wouldn't go back, it was good to "experience" but the cost does not equate to the quality of the food. read more

The Rainbow Room is hands down the most beautiful dining space I have ever experienced. The chandeliers, the orchestra stage, the wide staircase, the dazzling view, etc etc etc all of it come together to create a spectacular atmosphere. My girlfriend and I, being two 20-year olds, felt out of place surrounded by what I can only assume to be old and new money folks (cue Gatsby reference). Even from before you step into the dining area, the service from the mezzanine to the waiting room with the New York skyline view, you feel like a kid waiting in line to get on Space Mountain, except the wait is all part of the experience. The level of professionalism and decorum from the staff is commendable. Once we were seated, I was pleasantly surprised by the level of care that our waiter took to make us feel comfortable (sorry I don't remember your name, Mr. Glasses and neat comb-back hair). The menu looked expansive. I wish I had known before going in that we could order as many things from the menu as we wanted (that it was all part of the buffet). We ordered the lobster benedict and the Luger Omelette. The former was prepared beautifully and tasted just as good. The lobster pieces were huge and delicious. The shrimp was an excellent addition. The latter was good as well, but the steak pieces could have been more rare (or at least could have asked my preference for how I wanted the steak done). However, no complaints, as it still tasted wonderful. The monkey bread doused in caramel was succulent. The biscuit, not as much, as it felt dry. I guess the two balanced each other out. The bacon bar was amazing, my favorites being the fatty pieces on the cutting board and the pastrami salmon (I must have eaten half a pound of salmon). The crepe station was not what I had expected (they roll the crepes instead of keeping it flat in the semi-circle), but the creamed-salmon crepe that I had was DELICIOUS (which I topped with more pastrami salmon lol). The juice bar had a ton of choices, but I went for the orange juice which tasted very fresh. The dessert bar had like 15 different options. I tried the strawberry pie, the cheesecake, and the chocolate tart, all of which were perfect. You may think $125 is too much for brunch. Normally I would say yes, but with the combination of the view, the service, and the food, I can't help but think that this is one of those life experiences that everyone should try. The Rainbow Room is back, folks, and it's bringing its former glory here to stay. read more

This is an excellent, iconic New York, special occasion type of place. If you come here for either the Monday night dinner ($175 prix-fixe) or Sunday brunch ($95), you must be looking for something special (e.g. a birthday, special date, engagement party, out-of-town-visitor, etc). If you come here regularly, that's a little strange and you live a very fancy life. It is a beautiful room with exceptional views. I've been here for dinner before and after the renovation and I like what they have done. I thought the live band on Monday night was great. How often does one get to listen to a big band while overlooking Central Park during dinner, it's unique. The dance floor rotates, the staff is friendly and the drinks are good. The food is not exceptional, but it's certainly good. You're not just paying for the food, but for the room and ambiance in which you're eating it. If you come on Monday, definitely plan to dance to at least one song. My friends and I don't really know how to dance to big band music, but who cares! Don't let that beautiful dance floor and those live musicians go to waste. Have a long meal, enjoy the view and music. The crowd is definitely older and there are definitely tourists, but it's still a special place. Feel free to invite me anytime! read more

Gorgeous view and really attentive waiters. I loved the room, the history and the thought that I was hobnobbing with some rich people as well as other tourists. The orchestra was lovely as was our table. I was not impressed with the brunch. There was not a single dish that stands out as really delicious. I think the best thing I ate was a bagel. The brunch was like 90.00 plus my cranberry juice was extra plus tax, tip and you're laying out 120.00 dollars for a vast array of just okay food. I am glad I had the experience and all but I wouldn't go back. I can get a way better breakfast for a lot cheaper many other places. However, the pictures from eating at those other places wouldn't be as fun! read more

my Achilles heel can be summed up in 3 words: SUNDAY BRUNCH BUFFET I made reservations for my out of town guests, with drinks + dessert in mind. We walked in and found out brunch was the only option - what an amazing stroke of luck! As I am normally extremely wary of buffets (questionable freshness, exposure to germs, overall sense of feeding at a trough), my doubts lasted until the nanosecond I saw the spread: Seafood galore!! Lobster tail nigiri, jumbo sized shrimp cocktail in a jumbo sized cocktail platter, scallop salad with tiny circles of chopped asparagus, lobster and raw tuna salad, lobster+shrimp+calamari salad, deviled eggs w/ caviar, sashimi, lobster claw cocktail, seared tuna, raw clams and oysters so fresh it was a shame to douse them with any of the lemon that was offered within a thoughtful net casing. Shall I continue? 2 varieties of proscuitto, pate of course, 2 generous cheese platters, the usual offerings of salad, grilled squash flowers, perfectly grilled sea bass (my guilt of indulging in a fish at risk of extinction was overcome by the perfection of flavors), grillled salmon, pastas, and perfectly succulent prime rib. i'm drooling as i write. The dessert spread was equally elegant: Pana cotta, tiramisu, creme-filled crepes flambeed to order with sublimely ripened blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries, bite-sized eclairs and tarts, a plethora of delectable cakes and of course a tier of milk and white chocolate-dipped fruits including impressively sized strawberries. Did i mention the custard pie with pears seared to caramelized perfection? Every platter was full at all times, and there was a guy who's sole job was to freshly shuck the raw shellfish as it was consumed. i had to use the thesaurus function on dictionary.com to find other words to use for "perfect", but really, this brunch was absolute, divine, perfection. the quality, ambiance, and service were all impeccable. yes, it might run you about $85/person with a round of the rainbow room's signature bellini, but oh my was this culinary experience a #1 NY moment! for the quickest way to my heart, this is it. the secret is officially out! read more

Was here on June 19, 2016 and was expecting the spectacular brunch we had on my last review. The venue is of course still exceptional at the 65th floor of Rockefeller Center. However, the brunch is now $125 and is exceptional only on how disappointing it is. Certainly we were spoiled by our previous experience. But that brunch has been gutted in favor of a minimal buffet and some interesting menu items that are included. Ultimately though the experience of dining in this beautiful room at the top of this legendary Art Deco tower has value but the lack of performance on the food basically ruins it. I recommend that you save your money and pay $36 to go to the top of the One World Trade Center. read more

Dining at the Rainbow Room--which has a single seating and prix fixe dinner only--is unlike any dining experience in America. The food is exquisite, yes. But 65 floors up, the room is like a little universe where every detail, from the slowly rotating new floor to the crystal curtains to the refurbished ceiling dome, creates an alternate reality. Run by the Cipriani people (among the most disliked in New York's hospitality business for too many reasons to count) before the 2009 closure, the Rainbow Room's reputation had diminished considerably. The view is the view and people would pay to eat Chicken McNuggets and drink Two Buck Chuck to gaze out on the most beautiful city in America. But people who remember coming years earlier (in the 1990s, say, when my friend's son had his bar mitzvah there) had somehow stopped coming. When you mention the Rainbow Room to longtime New Yorkers, the response tends to be: "Oh, I haven't been there in years." Tourists continued to flock to the iconic venue but foodies weren't excited. All that has changed and the new crowd running the place has scored a home run. The first three courses are set: rillette of duck confit and a small shrimp cocktail, chicken liver parfait with quail egg and a small bit of foie gras, lobster cavatelli (that doesn't skimp on the lobster, which is both tender and flavorful), and then a choice of filet mignon or a black bass for the main course. All four courses were outstanding, though the dessert underwhelming. It's too much food for one person, and I ended up bringing most of the filet home for a sandwich the next day. My elegant server, Klay, is one of three servers who returned after the closure and renovation. His love and pride in the place he's worked close to three decades comes in every word and glance. Brian Newman, Lady Gaga's bandleader with a standing gig at Django, the lounge space at the swanky Roxy Hotel in Tribeca, plays three sets. The band is phenomenal and transports one back in time. Michael Garin, a pianist in New York going on four decades (the Limelight, Elaine's, and much more) provides inter-set entertainment, with a mix of Latin and non-Latin songs to which people dance between courses. While three professional dancing couples dazzle non-dancing diners, the dance floor was full of couples ranging in age from 30 to 75. Yes, it's expensive. But next to Hamilton, the Rainbow Room is a bargain. And with Broadway tickets routinely 250 in the orchestra for hot shows, the prix fixe price tag is not unreasonable. One arrives at 7pm or 7:30pm and leaves around 11pm. It's dinner and a show, and when you consider that spending four hours on the 65th floor feels like traveling to another world, dinner at the Rainbow Room is worth every penny. read more