Somebody needs to take a closer look at what's going on here
Marina Azizian - BIRBAUM
We have had a lunch in his restaurant in Dubai Expo 2020! Worse place I’ve ever been! 55 minutes to wait for 4 hamburgers!!!! Not even someone to excuse!!! Not even a small word of excuse!!! Never! It is the worst place ever !!!!!!!
The dinner at the National Bar was spectacular. The service was excellent and the food was spot on. We saved a little money because we used a Travel Zoo voucher. We each had an appetizer, a main and shared desert. I would go back. A great place to dine.
michael
Really slow service. They did not appear to be shorthanded, so hard to understand. Took a long time to bring a glass of wine and when we ordered a bottle with dinner took at least 15 minutes to arrive. Please note that the wine, red, was way too warm also. Had to ask to have our appetizer plates removed as they sat there for 20 minutes after we were finished with them. Waiter was friendly when here was around but overall service was really lacking.
Lindsey D
So glad we were able to come here for Valentine's Day. It was a great experience and a treat to follow the Prix Fixe menu. Some items fell flat, but there was a saving grace in the wine/champagne pairing or in the next plate. Good: BEST DUCK EVER. Also, the Blanc de Noirs Champagne was wonderful. Had a wonderful Crosstown (cocktail) and my husband had a Ntl. Mule (he reported it was also good). Oddly enough, the Ice cream (paired with the less-than-wow Chocolate Cake) was wonderful. Bad: not much. as mentioned, Chocolate cake left a lot to be desired (was dry). Oysters on the menu weren't for us, but we managed through it. The dessert wine pairing was just hard to stomach. Would have rather had a digestif instead. So-so: Steak was fine. Literally. The Duck won the day. I wish I could have ordered a second portion of that instead of the Steak. It's not on the usual menu, so I feel like it's a treat that we were able to have it. The environment was well done. It was busy and social. Enjoyed the atmosphere, even on a romantic night.
KULWINDERJ
Good for burgers but not non meat options. I has the fish and chips which was just fish sticks and baked wedges, think the menu should be more honest and the chef may want to visit the UK to learn what fish and chips are.
imc80
Love GZ but that love is now tarnished! We uniformly disliked the food. Meh bread served with unsalted butter, French onion soup was awful (lack of cheese, terrible base, undercooked onions). Both burgers (lamb and beef) were overwhelmingly sub par in flavor, though cooked perfectly to medium. Fries were undercooked and mushy. Pasta dish was incredibly average. Not a single foodie at my table finished their meal, which is rare. Drinks were good. Service was decent. Food was so bad that we skipped out on dessert. GZ-please help save your restaurant and reputation!
josephc300
We spent a few nights in NYC and on Sunday we went to The National Bar and Dining Room for brunch. I made a reservation for 12pm but we got there earlier and they were able to seat us. We had a nice table. Our waiter was very friendly and good. I had a mimosa to start and others had a Bloody Mary and Bellini. I had the Croque Madame that was good. Others had the Ugly burger and omelettes. All were very good.
Dr-Z89
I have been here many times. The location is really great and the atmosphere warm and humming. But this time the service was really lacking. Waiters were inattentive and no match for the expectations of a Zakarian venue. Bringing a dirty cup and saucer? And not even noticing it ? The menu is nice and The National Benedict is a winner. The breakfast tacos on the other hand were disaappoitning, the chorizo had no flavor, and the sauces not to write home about, time to find another supplier for the chorizo.
DeborahB
My dinner was not as expected and I sent it back so while my husband ate I watched. The menu did not have many choices especially if you did not eat meat and only two fish options . The wait staff were disinterested and not friendly. The food was overpriced but expected being in New York.
I was at the restaurant twice over my weekend given it's proximity to my hotel and that I can usually get a table. I've had the endive salad (very filling and delicious), the carbonara pasta (yummy) and the fish and chips (meh). I'm not sure why restaurants often insist on putting fish and chips in the little metal container. I'd much rather have them on a plate breathing rather than being crushed with the chips. The fish were okay. The prices should be adjusted. I don't think they merit what is being charged for some items. All in all, I'd go back in a pinch, that is I'm starving and for lack of a better place near, this would be the best option, however, at the price point I don't think it merits a visit, despite it being a restaurant by Chef Zakarian. The food is not dissimilar to any decent pub you find at home.
Craftymom
Warmly greeted on arrival. Service was topnotch. Very pretty, warm ambiance. Had grilled octopus, very tasty. Salmon was good, sides not memorable. Wine list "tres cher'. I'd noted we were celebrating our anniversary and we were treated to as an extra dessert. Overall enjoyable.
Csat-NOLA
WeWe’re staying at the hotel around the corner. We walked in for a quick meal and they accommodated us quickly. Food was very eclectic look very good as well as the service. We also enjoyed sitting for extra time and enjoying some of their excellent drinks. Great experience all around
CeliaD
This was our second visit. The first time, the food was superb, especially the pork chop. It was tender and perfectly cooked. The second time, the chop was just as costly, but it was tough and leathery. The fish in my fish special was thin and bland. The restaurant itself is stylish, the service very good, but on the basis of this second visit, I'd say the food is inconsistent.
Pearlgirl01
We were staying nearby over Christmas and happened to walk by late on the evening we arrived and thought The National looked inviting and we decided to dine there. We certainly were not disappointed. We were shown to a comfortable booth table, our waiter Mahatab explained the menu, answered our dietary questions and could not have been more helpful. Our meals and drinks arrived promptly an we all enjoyed our meals, so glad we discovered this restaurant early in our trip as we are able to return for breakfast, which was also excellent, and for drinks one night after the theatre and for another evening meal. Love the ambience of the restaurant, the comprehensive menu and all the staff were pleasant and helpful. Great cocktails too! Best brussel sprouts we have ever had! Mahatab remembered us on our next visit, he even remembered our drink orders! We were blown away by this level of service, what an asset he is to The National. Needless to say we look forward to returning when we next visit New York and highly recommend a visit.
Somebody needs to take a closer look at what's going on here
We have had a lunch in his restaurant in Dubai Expo 2020! Worse place I’ve ever been! 55 minutes to wait for 4 hamburgers!!!! Not even someone to excuse!!! Not even a small word of excuse!!! Never! It is the worst place ever !!!!!!!
The dinner at the National Bar was spectacular. The service was excellent and the food was spot on. We saved a little money because we used a Travel Zoo voucher. We each had an appetizer, a main and shared desert. I would go back. A great place to dine.
Really slow service. They did not appear to be shorthanded, so hard to understand. Took a long time to bring a glass of wine and when we ordered a bottle with dinner took at least 15 minutes to arrive. Please note that the wine, red, was way too warm also. Had to ask to have our appetizer plates removed as they sat there for 20 minutes after we were finished with them. Waiter was friendly when here was around but overall service was really lacking.
So glad we were able to come here for Valentine's Day. It was a great experience and a treat to follow the Prix Fixe menu. Some items fell flat, but there was a saving grace in the wine/champagne pairing or in the next plate. Good: BEST DUCK EVER. Also, the Blanc de Noirs Champagne was wonderful. Had a wonderful Crosstown (cocktail) and my husband had a Ntl. Mule (he reported it was also good). Oddly enough, the Ice cream (paired with the less-than-wow Chocolate Cake) was wonderful. Bad: not much. as mentioned, Chocolate cake left a lot to be desired (was dry). Oysters on the menu weren't for us, but we managed through it. The dessert wine pairing was just hard to stomach. Would have rather had a digestif instead. So-so: Steak was fine. Literally. The Duck won the day. I wish I could have ordered a second portion of that instead of the Steak. It's not on the usual menu, so I feel like it's a treat that we were able to have it. The environment was well done. It was busy and social. Enjoyed the atmosphere, even on a romantic night.
Good for burgers but not non meat options. I has the fish and chips which was just fish sticks and baked wedges, think the menu should be more honest and the chef may want to visit the UK to learn what fish and chips are.
Love GZ but that love is now tarnished! We uniformly disliked the food. Meh bread served with unsalted butter, French onion soup was awful (lack of cheese, terrible base, undercooked onions). Both burgers (lamb and beef) were overwhelmingly sub par in flavor, though cooked perfectly to medium. Fries were undercooked and mushy. Pasta dish was incredibly average. Not a single foodie at my table finished their meal, which is rare. Drinks were good. Service was decent. Food was so bad that we skipped out on dessert. GZ-please help save your restaurant and reputation!
We spent a few nights in NYC and on Sunday we went to The National Bar and Dining Room for brunch. I made a reservation for 12pm but we got there earlier and they were able to seat us. We had a nice table. Our waiter was very friendly and good. I had a mimosa to start and others had a Bloody Mary and Bellini. I had the Croque Madame that was good. Others had the Ugly burger and omelettes. All were very good.
I have been here many times. The location is really great and the atmosphere warm and humming. But this time the service was really lacking. Waiters were inattentive and no match for the expectations of a Zakarian venue. Bringing a dirty cup and saucer? And not even noticing it ? The menu is nice and The National Benedict is a winner. The breakfast tacos on the other hand were disaappoitning, the chorizo had no flavor, and the sauces not to write home about, time to find another supplier for the chorizo.
My dinner was not as expected and I sent it back so while my husband ate I watched. The menu did not have many choices especially if you did not eat meat and only two fish options . The wait staff were disinterested and not friendly. The food was overpriced but expected being in New York.
Restaurantji Recommends
I was at the restaurant twice over my weekend given it's proximity to my hotel and that I can usually get a table. I've had the endive salad (very filling and delicious), the carbonara pasta (yummy) and the fish and chips (meh). I'm not sure why restaurants often insist on putting fish and chips in the little metal container. I'd much rather have them on a plate breathing rather than being crushed with the chips. The fish were okay. The prices should be adjusted. I don't think they merit what is being charged for some items. All in all, I'd go back in a pinch, that is I'm starving and for lack of a better place near, this would be the best option, however, at the price point I don't think it merits a visit, despite it being a restaurant by Chef Zakarian. The food is not dissimilar to any decent pub you find at home.
Warmly greeted on arrival. Service was topnotch. Very pretty, warm ambiance. Had grilled octopus, very tasty. Salmon was good, sides not memorable. Wine list "tres cher'. I'd noted we were celebrating our anniversary and we were treated to as an extra dessert. Overall enjoyable.
WeWe’re staying at the hotel around the corner. We walked in for a quick meal and they accommodated us quickly. Food was very eclectic look very good as well as the service. We also enjoyed sitting for extra time and enjoying some of their excellent drinks. Great experience all around
This was our second visit. The first time, the food was superb, especially the pork chop. It was tender and perfectly cooked. The second time, the chop was just as costly, but it was tough and leathery. The fish in my fish special was thin and bland. The restaurant itself is stylish, the service very good, but on the basis of this second visit, I'd say the food is inconsistent.
We were staying nearby over Christmas and happened to walk by late on the evening we arrived and thought The National looked inviting and we decided to dine there. We certainly were not disappointed. We were shown to a comfortable booth table, our waiter Mahatab explained the menu, answered our dietary questions and could not have been more helpful. Our meals and drinks arrived promptly an we all enjoyed our meals, so glad we discovered this restaurant early in our trip as we are able to return for breakfast, which was also excellent, and for drinks one night after the theatre and for another evening meal. Love the ambience of the restaurant, the comprehensive menu and all the staff were pleasant and helpful. Great cocktails too! Best brussel sprouts we have ever had! Mahatab remembered us on our next visit, he even remembered our drink orders! We were blown away by this level of service, what an asset he is to The National. Needless to say we look forward to returning when we next visit New York and highly recommend a visit.