I am an old-time member of the Garden and I remember when there were other vendors operating out of the current Hudson Grill. There was a varied menu and food was affordable and very tasty. Over ten years ago, the cuisine would compliment whatever exhibit was at the Garden. This was fantastic. And years ago, you could sit outside without having to purchase a meal from inside. Like everything else, changes have been made but not for the people or for the better.. It is a big disappointment and I hope that another vendor or catering company can bring a more varied and interesting menu to the Garden.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 1
Alan rivera
Very goodVegetarian options: Very good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Butternut Squash Soup, Soup
Jonathan Gaige
I’m a former fine dining bartender, so I might have slightly different expectations than the average patron. I also live a few blocks from NYBG, have been a Member for going on 3 years, and yet have never been able to try this place because of limited hours and I think it’s fantastic!When I came in the restaurant was slammed and everyone really was doing their best to keep everything running smoothly. The (I assume) floor manager got me a Campari (and grabbed a new bottle from the basement!) while I waited for a seat at the bar to open, which gave me a great view of the open kitchen to see how well everyone worked under pressure. It was beautiful to watch. Everyone who waited on me was incredibly polite, generous, accommodating, and lovely.I had the lamb tagliatelle and the garden salad along with a glass of the Four Graces Pinot Noir, which paired very nicely with both. The mushroom in the tagliatelle ragu really shines through, which I loved. The salad was fresh and bright, and just a perfect opener. I can’t wait to come back and try the burger and the Cesar salad.Do I have criticism? Of course. The tag could have been more al dente, the espresso was a bit bitter, and I would love to see a better bar program. But, like, those are minor issues in the grand scheme of so many things to love about the place. It is perfect on a “Spring” day like today. This is a Botanical Garden’s restaurant. And it’s killer at that. Thank you for coming to my TedTalk
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Michael Eddy
Average place to eat. Nothing special. But the staff is special. The most pompous and unprofessional. You merely going to the establishment is treading on their space. The host was the most off putting. Avoid this place unless you’re in dire need of
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Meredith
I make a reservation every time I go to the NYBG. This was the first time I was very disappointed in the food. The squash appetizer was very dry and tasted like it had been sitting under a heat lamp for a long time. Both chicken dishes ordered for mains were underwhelming. The crispy chicken sandwich was fine, but the chicken wasn't as juicy as usual - the salad was also very overdressed. My husband's chicken dish came with green beans that were extremely overcooked and mushy. I'm hoping this was just a very off day as they're getting back into the season.
JanetR
As always. The food, the service (thanks Miguel!) and the ambience were excellent. TIP- This is the place to treat yourself to an order of the warm focaccia bread and/ or the French Fries. Both are amazing.
JoJo
If you order salads - youre safe. We ordered the prix fix lunches. Phillo wrapped shrimp- very good. Asparagus- had to fight to cut, not cooked right. Sauce good. Soba noodles -left in bowl as it tasted only of too much salt. My eggplant coquettes were meh. The lime sorbet was good but modest. My fruit tart was unedible. Crust like a brick, inside sickenly sweet. Waitstaff tried hard. Place is very lovely,but food mostly misses. Would only return for a salad... and the view.
UptownDiner
I will first comment on the negative. We had 530 reservation, finishing up around 645. This is winter. It is pitch black outside the restaurant. The evening had a clear, full moon but was still very dark. Using phones as lights, we made our way to the stairway in front of the catering entrance. There was a small lit rope lamp along the bannister. It was just too dark. We walked out the Mosholu Entrance to a mostly deserted poorly lit street. There was very little traffic on Saturday night around 7pm. I'm not sure if I would have felt any more comfortable if we parked in the main lot because the ground were very dark. Bottom line, not eating there again if I'd get out after dark Now for the good aspects, I always go there when I have a day at the Garden. The burgers are fantastic. The beet salad was huge, truly an entree salad. The Roasted Kabocha Squash was OK and a bit pricey. We didnt get Brussels Sprouts this time which would have been a better choice. There was the Prix Fixe Menu which had an interesting starter but none of the entrees were to my liking. I would have liked the option of having one of those starters as an al a carte option. I look forward to my next meal there, but not after dark
Paul Jman
Went in at 1pm. Not very busy. Sat at bar where there were a few other customers. Waited. Waited some more. No host/ess in sight. Someone in the kitchen yelled that I was waiting and the reply I heard was "I'm busy". Waited ten more minutes. I finally left, which I've done exactly 3 times in my life.Not one acknowledgment that someone was coming. I was planning on eating and then seeing the orchids.Oh well, I guess I'll starve and walk to the crummy pizza place down the path.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
A J
Great place before or after orchid show.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi, Hudson Burger and Fries
Came here during one of the Orchid Show nights with my partner and it was disappointing from beginning to end. Upon entering we saw 3 different employees hovering around the host stand but no one greeted or even acknowledged us for a bit. When we eventually we're acknowledged, the tone was not warm to say the least. We didn't have a reservation so they said they'd have to seat us at the bar which is completely separate from the main dining room. The main dining room did seem full but the covered outdoor seating was completely empty. They said they were all booked up and this was fine with us, but it seemed to create a gap in service throughout the night.After we were seated at the bar it took forever for anyone to even hand us menus or even water. Both drinks and our eventual food took long to come out. It took long for us to even get our check to leave. No one seems to "tend" the bar but it overlooks the open kitchen and waiter stations. Even though the bar's not in the main dining room it'd be impossible to forget us because we're seated literally right in front of all of the staff coming in and out. We also saw every single group of diners who came in after us get seated in the main dining room or the covered outdoor seating. We were the only people ever seated at the bar. It felt hard to believe every other guest actually had a reservation considering we spent 2+ hours there, most of it just waiting for service.The food and drinks itself were just OK. Not worth the wait or janky service. Plus my partner unfortunately got a bit a food poisoning right after eating his meal.Maybe it was an off day for them considering they typically don't do dinner service but I definitely won't be returning. The service itself might just be subpar on it's own, but we also personally just didn't feel welcomed there.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Maude
Service was Ok- the squash was undercooked or dry- salad was good but the service was just adequate- could have been better- it's a great venue needs alittle more caring attention to customers
NJGardener
It's a nice and bright restaurant. Our meal was delicious. I had the salmon and my husband had gnocchi. Service was good too. It was pretty crowded when we arrived but we were seated immediately since we had a reservation.
BarryG
Our first time as members of NYBG. 4 Adult Guests. The dining room enough room so the tables are not on top of each other. The menu selections (which changes periodically) has something for everyone. The server was excellent in his timing of when to approach the table in offering drinks and possible appetizers. The appretizers came to the table in time before one would start to look for them. The soup of the day, a carrot and ginger blend and was thick and flavorful. Prawns and Burrata also delicious and enough to share. Main courses braised short ribs, hudson burger, sauteed gnocchi and eggplant croquettes, all well presented, large portioned and equally satisfying as the appetizers. Overall we were not rushed and well taken care of by the staff. We will definitely make this a regular stop when we visit the gardens in the future.
Penny
I love Hudson but you really let me down Friday. I made the reservation a months ago for the anniversary. My friends mother is passing. I had a 2pm reservation and wasn't seated until nearly 1.20, then our waiter forgot our wine order, when it came it tasted dreadful and no sign of food. We left without eating at 2:45. Obviously not the experience I was planning to treat my friend
I am an old-time member of the Garden and I remember when there were other vendors operating out of the current Hudson Grill. There was a varied menu and food was affordable and very tasty. Over ten years ago, the cuisine would compliment whatever exhibit was at the Garden. This was fantastic. And years ago, you could sit outside without having to purchase a meal from inside. Like everything else, changes have been made but not for the people or for the better.. It is a big disappointment and I hope that another vendor or catering company can bring a more varied and interesting menu to the Garden.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 1
Very goodVegetarian options: Very good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Butternut Squash Soup, Soup
I’m a former fine dining bartender, so I might have slightly different expectations than the average patron. I also live a few blocks from NYBG, have been a Member for going on 3 years, and yet have never been able to try this place because of limited hours and I think it’s fantastic!When I came in the restaurant was slammed and everyone really was doing their best to keep everything running smoothly. The (I assume) floor manager got me a Campari (and grabbed a new bottle from the basement!) while I waited for a seat at the bar to open, which gave me a great view of the open kitchen to see how well everyone worked under pressure. It was beautiful to watch. Everyone who waited on me was incredibly polite, generous, accommodating, and lovely.I had the lamb tagliatelle and the garden salad along with a glass of the Four Graces Pinot Noir, which paired very nicely with both. The mushroom in the tagliatelle ragu really shines through, which I loved. The salad was fresh and bright, and just a perfect opener. I can’t wait to come back and try the burger and the Cesar salad.Do I have criticism? Of course. The tag could have been more al dente, the espresso was a bit bitter, and I would love to see a better bar program. But, like, those are minor issues in the grand scheme of so many things to love about the place. It is perfect on a “Spring” day like today. This is a Botanical Garden’s restaurant. And it’s killer at that. Thank you for coming to my TedTalk
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Average place to eat. Nothing special. But the staff is special. The most pompous and unprofessional. You merely going to the establishment is treading on their space. The host was the most off putting. Avoid this place unless you’re in dire need of
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
I make a reservation every time I go to the NYBG. This was the first time I was very disappointed in the food. The squash appetizer was very dry and tasted like it had been sitting under a heat lamp for a long time. Both chicken dishes ordered for mains were underwhelming. The crispy chicken sandwich was fine, but the chicken wasn't as juicy as usual - the salad was also very overdressed. My husband's chicken dish came with green beans that were extremely overcooked and mushy. I'm hoping this was just a very off day as they're getting back into the season.
As always. The food, the service (thanks Miguel!) and the ambience were excellent. TIP- This is the place to treat yourself to an order of the warm focaccia bread and/ or the French Fries. Both are amazing.
If you order salads - youre safe. We ordered the prix fix lunches. Phillo wrapped shrimp- very good. Asparagus- had to fight to cut, not cooked right. Sauce good. Soba noodles -left in bowl as it tasted only of too much salt. My eggplant coquettes were meh. The lime sorbet was good but modest. My fruit tart was unedible. Crust like a brick, inside sickenly sweet. Waitstaff tried hard. Place is very lovely,but food mostly misses. Would only return for a salad... and the view.
I will first comment on the negative. We had 530 reservation, finishing up around 645. This is winter. It is pitch black outside the restaurant. The evening had a clear, full moon but was still very dark. Using phones as lights, we made our way to the stairway in front of the catering entrance. There was a small lit rope lamp along the bannister. It was just too dark. We walked out the Mosholu Entrance to a mostly deserted poorly lit street. There was very little traffic on Saturday night around 7pm. I'm not sure if I would have felt any more comfortable if we parked in the main lot because the ground were very dark. Bottom line, not eating there again if I'd get out after dark Now for the good aspects, I always go there when I have a day at the Garden. The burgers are fantastic. The beet salad was huge, truly an entree salad. The Roasted Kabocha Squash was OK and a bit pricey. We didnt get Brussels Sprouts this time which would have been a better choice. There was the Prix Fixe Menu which had an interesting starter but none of the entrees were to my liking. I would have liked the option of having one of those starters as an al a carte option. I look forward to my next meal there, but not after dark
Went in at 1pm. Not very busy. Sat at bar where there were a few other customers. Waited. Waited some more. No host/ess in sight. Someone in the kitchen yelled that I was waiting and the reply I heard was "I'm busy". Waited ten more minutes. I finally left, which I've done exactly 3 times in my life.Not one acknowledgment that someone was coming. I was planning on eating and then seeing the orchids.Oh well, I guess I'll starve and walk to the crummy pizza place down the path.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Great place before or after orchid show.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi, Hudson Burger and Fries
Restaurantji Recommends
Came here during one of the Orchid Show nights with my partner and it was disappointing from beginning to end. Upon entering we saw 3 different employees hovering around the host stand but no one greeted or even acknowledged us for a bit. When we eventually we're acknowledged, the tone was not warm to say the least. We didn't have a reservation so they said they'd have to seat us at the bar which is completely separate from the main dining room. The main dining room did seem full but the covered outdoor seating was completely empty. They said they were all booked up and this was fine with us, but it seemed to create a gap in service throughout the night.After we were seated at the bar it took forever for anyone to even hand us menus or even water. Both drinks and our eventual food took long to come out. It took long for us to even get our check to leave. No one seems to "tend" the bar but it overlooks the open kitchen and waiter stations. Even though the bar's not in the main dining room it'd be impossible to forget us because we're seated literally right in front of all of the staff coming in and out. We also saw every single group of diners who came in after us get seated in the main dining room or the covered outdoor seating. We were the only people ever seated at the bar. It felt hard to believe every other guest actually had a reservation considering we spent 2+ hours there, most of it just waiting for service.The food and drinks itself were just OK. Not worth the wait or janky service. Plus my partner unfortunately got a bit a food poisoning right after eating his meal.Maybe it was an off day for them considering they typically don't do dinner service but I definitely won't be returning. The service itself might just be subpar on it's own, but we also personally just didn't feel welcomed there.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Service was Ok- the squash was undercooked or dry- salad was good but the service was just adequate- could have been better- it's a great venue needs alittle more caring attention to customers
It's a nice and bright restaurant. Our meal was delicious. I had the salmon and my husband had gnocchi. Service was good too. It was pretty crowded when we arrived but we were seated immediately since we had a reservation.
Our first time as members of NYBG. 4 Adult Guests. The dining room enough room so the tables are not on top of each other. The menu selections (which changes periodically) has something for everyone. The server was excellent in his timing of when to approach the table in offering drinks and possible appetizers. The appretizers came to the table in time before one would start to look for them. The soup of the day, a carrot and ginger blend and was thick and flavorful. Prawns and Burrata also delicious and enough to share. Main courses braised short ribs, hudson burger, sauteed gnocchi and eggplant croquettes, all well presented, large portioned and equally satisfying as the appetizers. Overall we were not rushed and well taken care of by the staff. We will definitely make this a regular stop when we visit the gardens in the future.
I love Hudson but you really let me down Friday. I made the reservation a months ago for the anniversary. My friends mother is passing. I had a 2pm reservation and wasn't seated until nearly 1.20, then our waiter forgot our wine order, when it came it tasted dreadful and no sign of food. We left without eating at 2:45. Obviously not the experience I was planning to treat my friend