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    The Kitchen Step

    4.1 (498 reviews)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    The Kitchen Step Photos

    THE KITCHEN STEP ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Classy
    Casual
    Moderate noise

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    croissant french toast
    Jason K.

    Came here for brunch on a Saturday and we really enjoyed our meal. We had the French toast, steak and eggs, biscuits and gravy, and the eggs benedict. The French toast was really good. It wasn't too heavy and the whipped cream complimented it well. The steak and eggs came exactly as ordered, so no complaints. The biscuits and gravy were tasty, but needed a little more gravy to even out the ratio. The eggs benedict was my favorite. Their truffle hollandaise sauce is really amazing. I could it eat it with everything. The inside is really nice and has a instagramable seating area in the entrance. Would have appreciated a little more space between tables, but I know that can be a tall ask in JC these days. Still recommend checking this place out.

    Josephine L.

    Cute spot for upscale American brunch fare. Definitely get the Semolina Zucchini Fries if you're 3 or more people (or 2 very hungry people). The Mussels are well done and flavorful, though we were eating with French friend who gave the obligatory, "France does it better" comment. ;) The Steak & Eggs are ample, as are the rich Biscuits & Gravy. In fact, portions here are very generous for prices that range from the teens to 20s, so it's almost like brunching in 2015 again. Remember those pre-inflationary days? Me neither.

    biscuits & gravy
    Natalie T.

    This was such a nice spot with a great corner view of the block! The food was really tasty and came out quickly. I was so happy to see biscuits and gravy on the menu and it didn't disappoint! The steak and eggs was also cooked perfectly. Definitely a great spot- the music playlist added to the vibes. Our waitress was a little bit pushy considering it wasn't crowded at all and we would've loved coffee when she already handed us the check, but nonetheless they still provided good service!

    Zucchini Fries
    Benedict C.

    I ended up at The Kitchen Step with a couple friends on a Friday night when our prior dinner plans fell through. It was a bit late for dinner, around 0830-0900 so my friend was able to book a table for 3 online pretty easily. Like any other place in Jersey City, finding parking is hit or miss and unfortunately that night was a miss for us. We parked about a 5 minute walk away from the restaurant. Since we had a reservation we were seated immediately. The staff was very friendly throughout the night. The 3 of us started off with drinks and I enjoyed mine very much. From what I could tell my dining companions liked their drinks as well. So far so good. I ordered the Kale Caesar Salad as a "small plate" and the Ricotta Gnocchi as a "large plate". They were out of kale that night so my salad came with mixed greens rather than kale; no problem. I enjoyed the salad. It was light and refreshing. Nothing mind-blowing but definitely solid. A good pretty good start to my meal. I was looking forward to the ricotta gnocchi and when it came out it looked pretty good too. It came with wild mushrooms, paprika butter, and carrot top pesto. It was...alright. I guess I was expecting a more pesto-y flavor but I was a little disappointed to be honest. It was a perfectly fine dish and the gnocchi had a nice chew to it. I just wasn't the biggest fan of the sauce. Now on to my main gripe, price. The cocktail prices seemed pretty par for the course at $16. My salad was $15 and while I enjoyed it, it did not feel worth $15 to me. The gnocchi dish was $26 and it's not like they give crazy large portions either. I didn't leave hungry, but I also ordered 2 dishes. To me it seems like every food dish is $5-10 more than I'd expect to pay for them. Also, there's a 2.99% convenience fee on top of your bill if you're paying by credit card (who isn't these days?). That rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't hate my experience here, but I'd have some qualms about coming back.

    This is supposed to be 4 fish tacos costing $25

    4 tacos with tiny piece of smelly fish inside arrived like this and costing $25... very frustrating

    Christina S.

    Great little spot for dinner and drinks. The zucchini fires are a must every time I go! They are delicious!

    The Australian Lamb Pops
    Leslie S.

    1st time @ Kitchen Step. The Food Ambiance + Service were all on point. 4 of us were seated at 6; our reserved time. there were several tables still open. Cocktails I had 2 (not my usual one) the nightly special was awesome an interesting cucumber seed mix, next was a fig cocktail (I love figs:) it was lovely. Hubby had his Espresso martini (I never understand how you can mix alcohol + caffeine) it came out with whipped cream which made it more a dessert he thought. Food: Small Plates - Crispy Brussels Sprouts - Excellent flavor mix said coconut carrot puree w/pomegranate - did not taste coconut - tasted really good. Bruschetta of Prosciutto + whipped burrata w truffle honey. Excellent! Charred Octopus - was Very Good - fingerlings w/a nice small plate. They got the right amount of Char without incinerating the poor octopus! Winter beets salad with whipped burrata - OMG Delish! The portion sizes were decent; Any less would have been too little but all satisfying. Next Large Plates 2 of us had the Lamb Chop Special - perfect medium rare a light lovely crust. Only thing chops were served atop a deep fried (I may have this wrong) crispy potato which did not affect the lambies seemed a bit oily but I ate it all! The asparagus not overcooked very good. Hubby had the salmon - OMG it was Delish he only gave up one bite - I was happy w the lamb so no jealousy. Other party had the Halibut + really liked it. I had a taste which seemed a bit bland but she loved it. Desserts! With such a good meal we had to try 2! Ricotta Zeppoles were Great! The nutella dipping sauce + cherry marmalade Delish! Much fancier then the ones @ the Italian feasts we'd get as kids! The Strawberry Shortcake was just right on. More scone like but delish w/a crumy almost crusty top then the bursts of not over sweetened strawberries.. the nutella sauce I could have drank - I usually dont like nutella. The cherry marmalade was a very tasty surprise. On most dishes the portions were just right although some like the beet salad (beautifully presented) looked smaller then it was. The ambience was a soft glow, a basic but warm non fussy interior. They had outdoor seating w/those fire heaters which look inviting. Our young helper was friendly + other then waiting once for a 2nd bottle of water all dishes were brought out appropriately paced. A manager came over to check in a couple of times - a welcoming personality. If any staff room for improvement was the hostess who was just a bit indifferent. All in all a 5 Star experience.

    Brunch buttermilk baked chicken breast
    Kyla B.

    Had a reservation so was sat very quickly. The server was very attentive and great vibes for a late morning brunch. Got the brunch burger and it was very tasty. I felt like it was a good size for the price. The cup of coffee I got was very standard. Some of the other things my friends got were a little on the smaller side but the quality was pretty high! Would come back!

    Eric H.

    Great cozy place with a very homey feel to it especially on the inside. The menu is pretty simple and straightforward without being stuffed with too many options. The pork chop is always the go-to dish here for me. I also enjoyed the burger and fries. The mussels were also good but wasn't so sure about the spicy mayo-like dressing drizzled on top of the mussels and fries like chocolate sauce. Regardless, the food was good and I'd go check it out again since it's right in the neighborhood.

    Taylor E.

    Lovely restaurant with tons of outdoor seating to enjoy the beautiful fall weather. The service was a tad slow for my liking, especially the bar yet the waiter Michael provided excellent service and gave great recommendations. As an appetizer, I ordered the maple-chipotle bbq glazed wings which were cooked perfectly and had great flavor; definitely a must try item. The pink lemonade mocktail was incredible and I wished I ordered it for my drink as the lychee mojito was disappointing as it had no lychee. The shrimp po boy was a the perfect entree with so much flavor and the right portions. The fried pickles were a nice surprise. The Spanish mussels were delicious. I wasn't a fan of the large puff pastry that was served on top to be used to dip in the sauce, especially since I had no plate to rest the puff pastry on while I ate my mussels. Overall, good dining experience and great food.

    Jumbo lump crab cake
    Kyle R.

    Thought I was in a Brooklyn bistro until I realized k was still in Jersey. Cozy tone is set as soon as you step into the place - long narrow layout with a chic bar right in the middle. Intimate setting perfect for a little date night, cocktails or even a brunch outing. Nice bonus that it just so opened to be run by one of my favorite chefs in NJ who does some innovative flavor profiling on what would normally be a basic dish. The food was fantastic with a seasonal rotation. And the cocktails were crafted to perfection. Highly recommend checking it out

    crispy brussels sprouts
    Jasmin L.

    Made a reservation for a weekend at The Kitchen Step! It was a warm day so we were able to sit outside and the ambiance was really nice both inside and out. Our server who's name I unfortunately forgot was very attentive and personable. The drinks we got were the rum punch and a mocktail (with a shot of vodka). Both drinks were delicious! Brussel sprouts were to die for!! 10/10!! Definitely get them. Crispy and delicious. The steak and eggs were good and cooked perfectly as requested. The eggs benedict... I would pass on this menu item. I felt the hollandaise sauce was too salty. Next time I'll try something else.

    crispy zucchini fries

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    7 years ago

    Food was not bad. Not much vegan options. Service is good. Not upto mark and expectation but I am looking for good brunch option here.

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    Page 7 of 13

    The Kitchen Step Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Kitchen Step

    What is the difference between "Restaurant" and "Dining Room" when making a reservation online?

    I don't think anything but specify if you want an outdoor greenhouse

    I would like to make a reservation for 11/7, 7pm for 3 guests in the dining room - resy doesn't allow me to proceed. Could you please confirm?…

    Hi, Kerstin, Please call us at 201.721.7115 as we need more information to complete the… 

    Is this byob?

    No they have a full bar.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Monkey Bar - Smoked Whitefish Caesar (~$28)

    Monkey Bar

    4.3(526 reviews)
    4.7 miMidtown East

    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!

    Go for lunch, easier to get a res! Wowed by the truffle…read morebread and mushrooms Ambiance is super moody, the restaurant is darkly lit, it's automatically night when you walk in. Menu - we got steak, truffle bread, chicken parm, fries, and a pasta - solid portions, always tasty, they're reliably delicious

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    Monkey Bar - Spicy Shrimp scampi

    Spicy Shrimp scampi

    Monkey Bar - 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)
    3.5 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)
    2.7 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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    Tanner Smiths - Tuna Poke Tacos

    Tanner Smiths

    4.3(2.4k reviews)
    4.6 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)
    3.5 miMidtown West
    $$

    Don't always believe Yelp reviews--especially coming from a Yelp Elite--so let's set the record…read morestraight! First off, just a quick note for anyone looking: this restaurant is not halal. Aside from that, we had a fantastic experience here at Friedmans Herald Square near Penn Station. They were playing Hilary Duff music, which was such a fun touch since they often match the vibe of whatever is happening at MSG! They even had special Hilary Duff mocktails. The atmosphere is super sweet and cozy. The restaurant was empty when we first walked in, but the second we sat down, it completely packed up! The waiter was very friendly, and even though they weren't able to split the check at the table, they did provide an itemized receipt to make figuring it out easy. The food was great overall--the Mac & Cheese bites and the corn were especially good! We also tried the cheesecake and molten cake. Plus, the neighbors sitting next to us were so sweet. A wonderful spot with a fun vibe!

    Came on a busy Thursday morning at nine am. Got a decaf iced vanilla latte and a nova Benny and the…read moreMac and cheese. And lemme just say the food came out sooo quick. The Benedict was so delicious. I've never had it on a crispy hash brown type before. It was good and a massive portion. Mac and cheese was alright, though I would probably opt out of it next time. I was so full I totally forgot to drink my latte but the latte was good too. Ambiance was nice clean and very busy.

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    Friedman's - Interior

    Interior

    Friedman's - Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

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    The Smith - Veggie Burger with fries

    The Smith

    3.9(2.4k reviews)
    4.9 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)

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    The Smith - Inside dining

    Inside dining

    The Smith - Salmon tartar

    Salmon tartar

    The Smith - The bar

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    The bar

    Zou Zou’s

    Zou Zou’s

    4.2(600 reviews)
    3.4 miChelsea, Midtown West, Hell's Kitchen
    $$$
    Full bar
    Gluten-free friendly

    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.

    I came here with a large group so got to sample a lot of new things…read more - the kasseri cheese comes with a focaccia that has a pleasant sweetness to it - fattoush is probably going to be my go-to salad here with a moderate vinaigrette and candied pecans to balance the cabbage - the rice was good but didn't think it was so memorable; same with the roasted chicken which was tender and juicy and suited for a healthy meal - the Yemeni steak was my favorite thing here so far; the green sauce has a sweetness that complements the meat well and it's actually cooked medium rare - Moroccan fried chicken was just fine; came with a sour cream like sauce (perhaps for latkes?) and a sweet fruit compote that was good but besides a kick to the breading, this was some regular chicken - the charred broccoli is savory with a kick from the cashew harissa - Latkes were good and hot, but nothing too memorable Desserts: chocolate tart was good enough, the lemon froyo was actually even better, and the toffee pudding was too much cinnamon cake rather than decadent sticky pudding for my preference. Overall, I like the vegetables dishes a lot more here and I know what I like now, but not very interested in trying more things.

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    The Kitchen Step - desserts - Updated September 2026

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