Not at all what I expected. Salt wasn’t even in a salt shaker but paper packets in a plastic cup. For the price it really doesn’t live up to the hype. The photos I saw online must be old because it was not in good shape at all.EDIT: As for the comment underneath from the owner, I think it shows everyone how unprofessional this place is. I reviewed an experience I had here months ago which, as far as I understand, is completely valid and allowed for a review platform. I shared my experience here because I believe is what this forum is for and told the absolute truth about what I saw. If someone wants to respond in an unprofessional manner I think that speaks more to them than to what I have shared. And yes, I am reviewing the right place.
Sydnei Griffin
I absolutely disappointed!! I have a reservation of 8 for my birthday party and the Resturant is completely closed down when we arrived. The fact that this Resturant still has electronic messaging on confirming my reservation multiple times is mind blowing!! My birthday was ruined because where are you going to find a decent reservation on at Saturday night in the middle of Manhattan!?
Alex Pernas
I made table reservations online, and the place was closed when we arrived...no one answered the phone
Avik Banerji
RESTAURANT WAS NOT OPEN AND WAS STILL AVAILABLE FOR RESERVATION AND NOT UPDATED ON GOOGLE. We commuted over and hour to come to our 2:30 pm reservation at Cecil ONLY to find the doors shut. We spent hours on a Saturday finding an alternative with less than a 2 hour wait. Completely irresponsible management. Do not trust this restaurant’s status on google
Darla Fox
Recently went here with a group of friends. We had a great time. The staff were excellent as was the food.
MichelleA
Made a reservation for my birthday dinner a week ahead. Received a confirmation email and text the day before. Showed up, and the restaurant was closed. Unacceptable! I've been looking forward to dining at The Cecil! I'm a Harlem native, never been, and have heard so many good things about the food. Never again! My party, which included my 83 year old mother, ended up walking to Lido; which isn't far but for an 83 year old woman with health issues, the walk in the cold was a bit much. Go to Lido! I had the steak and it was delicious, the service was exceptional, and the vibe was festive.
Dayne Letlow
Live DJ brings a lounge/ club atmosphere. Nice place for group dinners...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Claire Henry
This spot is great, I mean like landmark status.
RESTAURANT WAS NOT OPEN AND WAS STILL AVAILABLE FOR RESERVATION AND NOT UPDATED ON GOOGLE. We commuted over and hour to come to our 2:30 pm reservation at Cecil ONLY to find the doors shut. Completely irresponsible management.
Brought a date to this place and we had a great time. The steaks were incredible! The potatoes and string beans were tasty. It was a very busy Friday evening making the place feel exciting. I have since ordered delivery a few times and loved it too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Isis Chestnut
Nice spot but the service was not so good. There was one person working the whole damn floor at one point. So that meant our group amd the other groups that were there were not tended to as we should have been. The guy walking around tried to spruce things up by celebrating EVERYONE...birthday, anniversary, graduation, retirement...whatever. It was a nice way to liven things up but service needs major work.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Lawanda Chestnut
Nice spot but the service was not so good. There was one person working the whole damn floor at one point. So that meant our group amd the other groups that were there were not tended to as we should have been. The guy walking around tried to spruce things up by celebrating EVERYONE...birthday, anniversary, graduation, retirement...whatever. It was a nice way to liven things up but service needs major work.
TradeS
When the cecil first opened, it was considered a harlem gem. upon entering the restaurant after not doing so in some time, i was terribly disappointed. Gone is the posh elegance, and overall chic throwback The Cecil once offered, in its place: a poorly maintained, understaffed, drab and loud let down. The menu was once elegant, now it's just a commonplace tired and true offering. I was so disappointed and hurt by what I saw/experienced, I will never return again.
Jackie T
First time visit for a holiday gathering in the private room. Fantastic evening. Everything was great! The food was absolutely delicious. The "Jack Punch" was the best!! ? The calamari was delicious, but needed a pinch of salt.Parking: NYC on street parking. Watch the parking signs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pan Seared Salmon, Seafood Delight, Minton
Food was goodI would
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Not at all what I expected. Salt wasn’t even in a salt shaker but paper packets in a plastic cup. For the price it really doesn’t live up to the hype. The photos I saw online must be old because it was not in good shape at all.EDIT: As for the comment underneath from the owner, I think it shows everyone how unprofessional this place is. I reviewed an experience I had here months ago which, as far as I understand, is completely valid and allowed for a review platform. I shared my experience here because I believe is what this forum is for and told the absolute truth about what I saw. If someone wants to respond in an unprofessional manner I think that speaks more to them than to what I have shared. And yes, I am reviewing the right place.
I absolutely disappointed!! I have a reservation of 8 for my birthday party and the Resturant is completely closed down when we arrived. The fact that this Resturant still has electronic messaging on confirming my reservation multiple times is mind blowing!! My birthday was ruined because where are you going to find a decent reservation on at Saturday night in the middle of Manhattan!?
I made table reservations online, and the place was closed when we arrived...no one answered the phone
RESTAURANT WAS NOT OPEN AND WAS STILL AVAILABLE FOR RESERVATION AND NOT UPDATED ON GOOGLE. We commuted over and hour to come to our 2:30 pm reservation at Cecil ONLY to find the doors shut. We spent hours on a Saturday finding an alternative with less than a 2 hour wait. Completely irresponsible management. Do not trust this restaurant’s status on google
Recently went here with a group of friends. We had a great time. The staff were excellent as was the food.
Made a reservation for my birthday dinner a week ahead. Received a confirmation email and text the day before. Showed up, and the restaurant was closed. Unacceptable! I've been looking forward to dining at The Cecil! I'm a Harlem native, never been, and have heard so many good things about the food. Never again! My party, which included my 83 year old mother, ended up walking to Lido; which isn't far but for an 83 year old woman with health issues, the walk in the cold was a bit much. Go to Lido! I had the steak and it was delicious, the service was exceptional, and the vibe was festive.
Live DJ brings a lounge/ club atmosphere. Nice place for group dinners...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
This spot is great, I mean like landmark status.
RESTAURANT WAS NOT OPEN AND WAS STILL AVAILABLE FOR RESERVATION AND NOT UPDATED ON GOOGLE. We commuted over and hour to come to our 2:30 pm reservation at Cecil ONLY to find the doors shut. Completely irresponsible management.
Restaurantji Recommends
Brought a date to this place and we had a great time. The steaks were incredible! The potatoes and string beans were tasty. It was a very busy Friday evening making the place feel exciting. I have since ordered delivery a few times and loved it too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Nice spot but the service was not so good. There was one person working the whole damn floor at one point. So that meant our group amd the other groups that were there were not tended to as we should have been. The guy walking around tried to spruce things up by celebrating EVERYONE...birthday, anniversary, graduation, retirement...whatever. It was a nice way to liven things up but service needs major work.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Nice spot but the service was not so good. There was one person working the whole damn floor at one point. So that meant our group amd the other groups that were there were not tended to as we should have been. The guy walking around tried to spruce things up by celebrating EVERYONE...birthday, anniversary, graduation, retirement...whatever. It was a nice way to liven things up but service needs major work.
When the cecil first opened, it was considered a harlem gem. upon entering the restaurant after not doing so in some time, i was terribly disappointed. Gone is the posh elegance, and overall chic throwback The Cecil once offered, in its place: a poorly maintained, understaffed, drab and loud let down. The menu was once elegant, now it's just a commonplace tired and true offering. I was so disappointed and hurt by what I saw/experienced, I will never return again.
First time visit for a holiday gathering in the private room. Fantastic evening. Everything was great! The food was absolutely delicious. The "Jack Punch" was the best!! ? The calamari was delicious, but needed a pinch of salt.Parking: NYC on street parking. Watch the parking signs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pan Seared Salmon, Seafood Delight, Minton