Have you ever found a gem and never wanted to share it? Lol, that's how I feel about Clay. Talk about perfect setting, food, and service. Absolutely stunning place in the heart of Harlem. Cool neighborhood, too. Highly recommend. Plan ahead because there could be a wait to get a reservation. Love this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Evan F
Pleasantly surprised with how good the food was. The bucatini pasta and duck confit were stellar, as was the chocolate budino for desert.
I want to preface that this review is focused solely on the customer service experience and not a reflection of the food quality itself. This pertains to a safety incident that occurred during our family's visit on 4/4/24 at approximately 5:48 PM.Upon arrival, we were promptly seated slightly ahead of our reservation time, which was appreciated. However, from the outset, the hostess's demeanor came across as unwelcoming and made us feel out of place.As our 6-year-old son was happily drinking his sparkling water while we awaited our order, we noticed the owner (or manager - a lady with shoulder-length black hair and glasses) repeatedly giving us seemingly disapproving glares, leaving us uncertain if it was due to our presence as a family with a child or perhaps related to my ethnicity.Unfortunately, the uncomfortable atmosphere persisted throughout our visit. During our meal, our son accidentally bit into the water glass, causing it to shatter and resulting in broken glass on his mouth and clothing, as well as a cut on his chin.While the staff promptly cleared the broken glass to address the safety hazard, which was appreciated, not a single staff member, including the owner/manager, approached us to express concern for our son's well-being or offer any first aid assistance. This lack of empathy and care for a young child's safety was deeply unsettling, especially given our loyalty as patrons who supported this establishment throughout the pandemic.For a $300 bill, we expected a higher level of attentiveness and compassion, particularly in a situation involving a child's injury. While the food quality may be exceptional, the lack of customer service in this instance was severely disappointing.
i really used to love clay and have never had any problems coming there, but i tried coming in with a few friends tonight and they carded all of us, even though we are all 25+. one of my friends didn’t have her ID or passport on hand, though she did show a photo of her drivers license which typically suffices at truly any other bar i’ve been to in new york, and she had to leave because they wouldn’t serve her. andrew who is the (new?) manager is not understanding or kind and created a really bad atmosphere for us. the bartender was great, but the manager ruined our night. AFTER the bartender had already poured the rest of our glasses so we were locked into staying
Frederique Reginensi
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Clay Restaurant, and I must say, it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The food was absolutely delicious, with each dish showcasing exquisite flavors and presentation. From appetizers to desserts, every bite was a culinary delight.The service at Clay was top-notch, characterized by discretion and efficiency. The staff anticipated our needs without being intrusive, ensuring a seamless dining experience. Moreover, the owners were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, adding a personal touch to our visit.Overall, I highly recommend Clay Restaurant to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience. Whether you're a food enthusiast or simply looking to enjoy a fantastic meal in a welcoming atmosphere, Clay exceeds expectations on all fronts. I will definitely be returning to indulge in more of their delightful offerings!Thank you to the team at Clay for an unforgettable dining experience!
Fantastic food with an equally special beverage program. Great service, too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi
Sarah Ward
Clay never disappoints. We live in the neighborhood and go here often. Food and service is exceptional!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christine N.
Went early on a weekend night. Staff were welcoming but the service seemed rushed and the sever forgot requests multiple times from our table and others. We sat in the basement, but think the upstairs is preferable. The food is good, but seems overly expensive for what you get. The radicchio salad was not very fresh - the pears were browned a bit indicating that they were not freshly cut and the salad itself was not bright and fresh. The bucatini was excellent as well as the chocolate pudding dessert. I know a lot of people love this restaurant but I found the service underwhelming and that it is overpriced for the ambiance and quality of the food.
Had dinner with 2 friends to celebrate their birthdays and this place did not disappoint. We arrived and enjoy the happy hour sparking wine and the hot a bottle of a delicious red wine they recommended. The food was exquisite, the pork belly was like nothing I ever had before. Every dish was so good I really enjoyed the food. I was not impressed y the services at all. Our first waiter was male and he was friendly, but for some reason then a female waiter came to take our orders. She was not friendly was rushing and overall had a weird attitude/energy. Not what I want to experience while out enjoy dinner. The only good thing she did was the wine recommendation which by the way other was over $100 bottle. But it was worthy it.Parking: I had no issues finding free parking
Hidden gem in Harlem’s heart. Amazing food and superb service. Will definitely go back to celebrate another special occasion.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi
Grace
We had our valentines dinner here, there were so many options on the menu and we were spoilt for choice. We went with the roasted chicken, steak and burger mains which were all amazing. We also had the doughnuts and panna cotta for desert. Food was fresh, and seasoned appropriately. Service was great and the servers were very accommodating when we requested for a change in tables. The ambience was just right for a couples dinner and for drinks at the bar.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yogurt Panna Cotta Vanilla Bean Peach Compote Urfa Biber Maple Butter Crumble, Grass Fed Strip Steak Soubise Broccolini Potato Pearl Onion Salsa Verde, Duck Fat Potatoes
Jennie L.
The service is terrible they charged me 200 when I had to cancel a reservation because of a foot injury and didn't care at all. They failed to respond back and its a total ripoff. STAY AWAY FROM THIS RESTAURANT!
Have you ever found a gem and never wanted to share it? Lol, that's how I feel about Clay. Talk about perfect setting, food, and service. Absolutely stunning place in the heart of Harlem. Cool neighborhood, too. Highly recommend. Plan ahead because there could be a wait to get a reservation. Love this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pleasantly surprised with how good the food was. The bucatini pasta and duck confit were stellar, as was the chocolate budino for desert.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chocolate Budino, Confit Duck Confit
I want to preface that this review is focused solely on the customer service experience and not a reflection of the food quality itself. This pertains to a safety incident that occurred during our family's visit on 4/4/24 at approximately 5:48 PM.Upon arrival, we were promptly seated slightly ahead of our reservation time, which was appreciated. However, from the outset, the hostess's demeanor came across as unwelcoming and made us feel out of place.As our 6-year-old son was happily drinking his sparkling water while we awaited our order, we noticed the owner (or manager - a lady with shoulder-length black hair and glasses) repeatedly giving us seemingly disapproving glares, leaving us uncertain if it was due to our presence as a family with a child or perhaps related to my ethnicity.Unfortunately, the uncomfortable atmosphere persisted throughout our visit. During our meal, our son accidentally bit into the water glass, causing it to shatter and resulting in broken glass on his mouth and clothing, as well as a cut on his chin.While the staff promptly cleared the broken glass to address the safety hazard, which was appreciated, not a single staff member, including the owner/manager, approached us to express concern for our son's well-being or offer any first aid assistance. This lack of empathy and care for a young child's safety was deeply unsettling, especially given our loyalty as patrons who supported this establishment throughout the pandemic.For a $300 bill, we expected a higher level of attentiveness and compassion, particularly in a situation involving a child's injury. While the food quality may be exceptional, the lack of customer service in this instance was severely disappointing.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Grass Fed Steak Tartare Pickled Shallot Celery Root Curedes
Everything that we ate was remarkable. Crab pasta was off the charts. Great service with great recommendations. I could eat here every day!!!
Stunning atmosphere, beautifully curated music, exquisite clay/ stoneware pieces served. Really a special place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beet Salad, Calamarata, Confit Duck Confit
i really used to love clay and have never had any problems coming there, but i tried coming in with a few friends tonight and they carded all of us, even though we are all 25+. one of my friends didn’t have her ID or passport on hand, though she did show a photo of her drivers license which typically suffices at truly any other bar i’ve been to in new york, and she had to leave because they wouldn’t serve her. andrew who is the (new?) manager is not understanding or kind and created a really bad atmosphere for us. the bartender was great, but the manager ruined our night. AFTER the bartender had already poured the rest of our glasses so we were locked into staying
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Clay Restaurant, and I must say, it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The food was absolutely delicious, with each dish showcasing exquisite flavors and presentation. From appetizers to desserts, every bite was a culinary delight.The service at Clay was top-notch, characterized by discretion and efficiency. The staff anticipated our needs without being intrusive, ensuring a seamless dining experience. Moreover, the owners were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, adding a personal touch to our visit.Overall, I highly recommend Clay Restaurant to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience. Whether you're a food enthusiast or simply looking to enjoy a fantastic meal in a welcoming atmosphere, Clay exceeds expectations on all fronts. I will definitely be returning to indulge in more of their delightful offerings!Thank you to the team at Clay for an unforgettable dining experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grass Fed Steak Tartare Pickled Shallot Celery Root Curedes
Fantastic food with an equally special beverage program. Great service, too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi
Clay never disappoints. We live in the neighborhood and go here often. Food and service is exceptional!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went early on a weekend night. Staff were welcoming but the service seemed rushed and the sever forgot requests multiple times from our table and others. We sat in the basement, but think the upstairs is preferable. The food is good, but seems overly expensive for what you get. The radicchio salad was not very fresh - the pears were browned a bit indicating that they were not freshly cut and the salad itself was not bright and fresh. The bucatini was excellent as well as the chocolate pudding dessert. I know a lot of people love this restaurant but I found the service underwhelming and that it is overpriced for the ambiance and quality of the food.
Restaurantji Recommends
Had dinner with 2 friends to celebrate their birthdays and this place did not disappoint. We arrived and enjoy the happy hour sparking wine and the hot a bottle of a delicious red wine they recommended. The food was exquisite, the pork belly was like nothing I ever had before. Every dish was so good I really enjoyed the food. I was not impressed y the services at all. Our first waiter was male and he was friendly, but for some reason then a female waiter came to take our orders. She was not friendly was rushing and overall had a weird attitude/energy. Not what I want to experience while out enjoy dinner. The only good thing she did was the wine recommendation which by the way other was over $100 bottle. But it was worthy it.Parking: I had no issues finding free parking
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Beet Salad, Yogurt Panna Cotta Vanilla Bean Peach Compote Urfa Biber Maple Butter Crumble, Calamarata, Grass Fed Steak Tartare Pickled Shallot Celery Root Curedes, Mini Doughnuts Blood Orange Lovage
Hidden gem in Harlem’s heart. Amazing food and superb service. Will definitely go back to celebrate another special occasion.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi
We had our valentines dinner here, there were so many options on the menu and we were spoilt for choice. We went with the roasted chicken, steak and burger mains which were all amazing. We also had the doughnuts and panna cotta for desert. Food was fresh, and seasoned appropriately. Service was great and the servers were very accommodating when we requested for a change in tables. The ambience was just right for a couples dinner and for drinks at the bar.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yogurt Panna Cotta Vanilla Bean Peach Compote Urfa Biber Maple Butter Crumble, Grass Fed Strip Steak Soubise Broccolini Potato Pearl Onion Salsa Verde, Duck Fat Potatoes
The service is terrible they charged me 200 when I had to cancel a reservation because of a foot injury and didn't care at all. They failed to respond back and its a total ripoff. STAY AWAY FROM THIS RESTAURANT!
The duck….This place was divine