We have visited 53 on many occasions, and generally had a good time. Every time we visited have there seemed to be minor service issues, but we'd ignore them since we were having a good time.
When we visited this time, for my fiance's birthday, it was horrible. On prior visits, we were told to specify preferred seating (Booth or any other special requests), which is what we did for this reservation. That's where the issues began.
We arrived at our designated reservation time, after having to walk a block, in heels, given the street was closed. We were told to wait at the bar for our table, after having a reservation. Strike 1. We waited for 30 mins, before being told, by the Manager, Mr Bill Paczkowski, that he has a great table for us. Walks a couple paces further, stops, and tells us, it's not a booth. Which makes me wonder, why was I made to wait for a mediocre table for 30 mins, after having a reservation. Strike 2. Then we go down to our terrible table, sandwiched between two overpacked tables, with music blaring, where we can't even hear each other. No one stops by to drop off menu's or offer water for 10 more mins. We are 45 mins into a birthday dinner reservation with no service at this point. Abysmal. At the end of this, a waiter stops by, and when we complain to him, he says, well now I am here. Strike 3.
Irate with rage, we said we are leaving, at which point, he clears the table, and ushers us up. Fine. We go up and are met with an apologetic manager, who slides me his card, and says it's not how we usually are, we now have a booth for you. We are fuming at this point, and decide to never return. The best he offered us at the spot was, if you decide to come back, we guarantee this will never happen again. Why would I do that? If the best apology you have after ruining our night is, here's the booth you requested 45 mins ago, conditional on you returning back, we can make it up to you.
Please don't come here for special occassion, business dinners, any dinners. They just aren't equipped to run a restaurant. It's truly a shame, cause the food is good, but the front office is under equipped and under qualified to run a restaurant.
Such a pity.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Kimiko Wang
The foods are super oily. Three of the fours vessels they served are broken. And the oil quality is poor that my skin got allergic after the meal.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Zia Siddiqi (Zee)
Amazing place. There Shumai was to die for as was Quail fried rice
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
xinlin
I never ever give bad reviews on a restaurant but I will have to leave a bad review here. We had high expectations for this restaurant, we aren’t locals in nyc so we came to try this place out but it was disappointing.
First when we sat down we were looking at our menu but our server( a girl ) came over made it look like she was rushing us and came over 2x in 5min. Asked us if we wanted anything to drink and ready to order. We were still looking and we said needed more time and just water at the moment. She said “ are you sure “ and saying “ this drink is good “
Then our first dish came up and we wanted to wait for our other dish to come out, while we were waiting we wanted to take some pictures but she CAME OVER again and told us we should eat our food because it’ll be cold. Mind you we ordered Eel club which Personally was already cold. We weren’t on a rush to eat it so we told her it’s fine we are okay with it being cold. She looked at us weirdly and made a face. She then turned around and I swear she whispered to the other server and said something. Our other dish came up and we were taking pictures BUT she came up again and rushed us why we haven’t ate or touched our food. Mind you the food only came up for about 5min. So she was rushing us or something. We don’t like how most os the servers kept looking at our table, made us felt very UNCOMFORTABLE. I would not want to spend money at a place where I don’t feel uncomfortable to enjoy my food at. Then why would I want to come to a high end restaurant for this. When our third food came up “ codfish Fried rice “ she came up and asked if we wanted to mix the rice but it hasn’t been 1min we were there taking picture of the food. The way she said it was so not nice it felt like she was judging us.
We didn’t expect a high end restaurants to have this type of customer service, when we wanted our check at the end we couldn’t even find her. Where was she now. So when we asked it was another guy server that gave us the bill but it took awhile. Then she showed up to grab the bill but she just took it without saying anything. No Thank you or spoke a word. When we got ready to leave she was right next to us but did not say anything. This was not a good experience at all.
The food was mid the only good option would be Lobster spring roll
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
efraim selina
I went here with my friends, and everything this restaurant served deserves a standing ovation! The food is amazingly good—every dish comes with beautiful presentation, and you can really tell they use high-quality ingredients. I loved everything; even their simple cucumber salad was incredible—spicy, fresh, nutty, and perfectly balanced.
I absolutely love this place! The ambience is great, and our server was very friendly and attentive. If you’re looking for a restaurant that serves food made with love, you must visit 53.
Shout-out to Chef Mark, Chef Adam, and the entire team for the amazing food. Highly recommended! ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Altynai Urmatbekova
Food is good and service is good , but we had to wait 20 minutes to be seated even though we had a reservation and it was past time reservation. Also, they couldn’t find our jackets, coat check took so much time too. For this price they could accommodate little better and be more friendly ❤️
Taylor Cole
Would not recommend this place to anyone trying to celebrate or simply have a good night out, The host ruined a surprise engagement by bringing it up before even being seated, okay sure, we proceeded with our dinner just to find hair in our food !!! Threw off the whole vibe : , ) our server didn’t even care enough to come check on us after that … got served “complimentary” duck (that we don’t eat) then got charged for because we asked for the check after being disgusted by our meal. Too many better quality places out there with excellent service
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Nader S
Service was impeccable and the restaurant was well designed, but unfortunately the food and drinks were lacking. Small portions and the entrees were lacking flavor, and the drinks were weak. The lobster shumai appetizer was delicious though.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Margarita Bruno
Excellent dinning experience. The food was great. Myers, our server was simply perfect.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ryan Lounsbery
Stopped in for drinks - awesome ambiance and drinks. Staff were incredibly friendly. The bartender, Miguel, is the best.
Great food, staff did a wonderful job serving our large group. Everyone was able to find multiple shareable dishes they could enjoy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Antonio Borja
This place should not be missed. Great for dinner. Refined cuisine in a modern relaxed style.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mike Busby
Food flavors we excellent. Food serving was quick, place settings were cleared immediately upon finishing. The 4 choices were all excellent but don’t miss the Tenderloin and Black Cod. Ice cream sandwiches were also amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wayne Pastrano
Go here for the atmosphere. The food is good but not great but the drinks are good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Steve Rhee
I really enjoyed the ambiance and service The food was spectacular Garlic fried rice was great Soup dumplings were great as well It’s expensive so watch out but the cocktails were great as well
Recommended dishes: Crystal Dumpling, Black Cod Clay Pot
We have visited 53 on many occasions, and generally had a good time. Every time we visited have there seemed to be minor service issues, but we'd ignore them since we were having a good time.
When we visited this time, for my fiance's birthday, it was horrible. On prior visits, we were told to specify preferred seating (Booth or any other special requests), which is what we did for this reservation. That's where the issues began.
We arrived at our designated reservation time, after having to walk a block, in heels, given the street was closed. We were told to wait at the bar for our table, after having a reservation. Strike 1. We waited for 30 mins, before being told, by the Manager, Mr Bill Paczkowski, that he has a great table for us. Walks a couple paces further, stops, and tells us, it's not a booth. Which makes me wonder, why was I made to wait for a mediocre table for 30 mins, after having a reservation. Strike 2. Then we go down to our terrible table, sandwiched between two overpacked tables, with music blaring, where we can't even hear each other. No one stops by to drop off menu's or offer water for 10 more mins. We are 45 mins into a birthday dinner reservation with no service at this point. Abysmal. At the end of this, a waiter stops by, and when we complain to him, he says, well now I am here.
Strike 3.
Irate with rage, we said we are leaving, at which point, he clears the table, and ushers us up. Fine. We go up and are met with an apologetic manager, who slides me his card, and says it's not how we usually are, we now have a booth for you. We are fuming at this point, and decide to never return. The best he offered us at the spot was, if you decide to come back, we guarantee this will never happen again. Why would I do that? If the best apology you have after ruining our night is, here's the booth you requested 45 mins ago, conditional on you returning back, we can make it up to you.
Please don't come here for special occassion, business dinners, any dinners. They just aren't equipped to run a restaurant. It's truly a shame, cause the food is good, but the front office is under equipped and under qualified to run a restaurant.
Such a pity.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
The foods are super oily. Three of the fours vessels they served are broken. And the oil quality is poor that my skin got allergic after the meal.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Amazing place. There Shumai was to die for as was Quail fried rice
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I never ever give bad reviews on a restaurant but I will have to leave a bad review here.
We had high expectations for this restaurant, we aren’t locals in nyc so we came to try this place out but it was disappointing.
First when we sat down we were looking at our menu but our server( a girl ) came over made it look like she was rushing us and came over 2x in 5min. Asked us if we wanted anything to drink and ready to order. We were still looking and we said needed more time and just water at the moment. She said “ are you sure “ and saying “ this drink is good “
Then our first dish came up and we wanted to wait for our other dish to come out, while we were waiting we wanted to take some pictures but she CAME OVER again and told us we should eat our food because it’ll be cold. Mind you we ordered Eel club which Personally was already cold. We weren’t on a rush to eat it so we told her it’s fine we are okay with it being cold. She looked at us weirdly and made a face. She then turned around and I swear she whispered to the other server and said something. Our other dish came up and we were taking pictures BUT she came up again and rushed us why we haven’t ate or touched our food. Mind you the food only came up for about 5min. So she was rushing us or something. We don’t like how most os the servers kept looking at our table, made us felt very UNCOMFORTABLE. I would not want to spend money at a place where I don’t feel uncomfortable to enjoy my food at. Then why would I want to come to a high end restaurant for this.
When our third food came up “ codfish Fried rice “ she came up and asked if we wanted to mix the rice but it hasn’t been 1min we were there taking picture of the food. The way she said it was so not nice it felt like she was judging us.
We didn’t expect a high end restaurants to have this type of customer service, when we wanted our check at the end we couldn’t even find her. Where was she now. So when we asked it was another guy server that gave us the bill but it took awhile. Then she showed up to grab the bill but she just took it without saying anything. No Thank you or spoke a word. When we got ready to leave she was right next to us but did not say anything. This was not a good experience at all.
The food was mid the only good option would be Lobster spring roll
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
I went here with my friends, and everything this restaurant served deserves a standing ovation!
The food is amazingly good—every dish comes with beautiful presentation, and you can really tell they use high-quality ingredients. I loved everything; even their simple cucumber salad was incredible—spicy, fresh, nutty, and perfectly balanced.
I absolutely love this place! The ambience is great, and our server was very friendly and attentive. If you’re looking for a restaurant that serves food made with love, you must visit 53.
Shout-out to Chef Mark, Chef Adam, and the entire team for the amazing food. Highly recommended! ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food is good and service is good , but we had to wait 20 minutes to be seated even though we had a reservation and it was past time reservation. Also, they couldn’t find our jackets, coat check took so much time too. For this price they could accommodate little better and be more friendly ❤️
Would not recommend this place to anyone trying to celebrate or simply have a good night out, The host ruined a surprise engagement by bringing it up before even being seated, okay sure, we proceeded with our dinner just to find hair in our food !!! Threw off the whole vibe : , ) our server didn’t even care enough to come check on us after that … got served “complimentary” duck (that we don’t eat) then got charged for because we asked for the check after being disgusted by our meal. Too many better quality places out there with excellent service
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Service was impeccable and the restaurant was well designed, but unfortunately the food and drinks were lacking. Small portions and the entrees were lacking flavor, and the drinks were weak. The lobster shumai appetizer was delicious though.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Excellent dinning experience.
The food was great.
Myers, our server was simply perfect.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stopped in for drinks - awesome ambiance and drinks. Staff were incredibly friendly. The bartender, Miguel, is the best.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Great food, staff did a wonderful job serving our large group. Everyone was able to find multiple shareable dishes they could enjoy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place should not be missed. Great for dinner. Refined cuisine in a modern relaxed style.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food flavors we excellent. Food serving was quick, place settings were cleared immediately upon finishing. The 4 choices were all excellent but don’t miss the Tenderloin and Black Cod. Ice cream sandwiches were also amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Go here for the atmosphere. The food is good but not great but the drinks are good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
I really enjoyed the ambiance and service
The food was spectacular
Garlic fried rice was great
Soup dumplings were great as well
It’s expensive so watch out but the cocktails were great as well
Recommended dishes: Crystal Dumpling, Black Cod Clay Pot
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