The first time we came, food was amazing. Has gone massively downhill since then - definitely not worth the sky-high prices.
IZON MAG
A Terrifying Experience at The Otter Restaurant, at Manner Hotel in SOHO. As our server approached, she inquired about any allergies. I confidently stated that I had none, but my colleague, aware of his seafood allergy—specifically to oysters—cautiously communicated this crucial detail. We felt reassured that the staff would take care to accommodate us.
However, what happened next turned our pleasant anticipation into a moment of sheer horror. After placing our orders, tension began brewing when I noticed my colleague's expression change. He glanced nervously at his plate as the server returned with our meals, and I could sense his unease.
A Second Chance at The Otter Restaurant: A Disappointing Experience
Having had a difficult experience during my first visit to The Otter restaurant at the Manner Hotel, I was grateful when the manager reached out to invite me back. He kindly offered to comp the meal in hopes of redeeming my perception of the establishment, and I was optimistic about giving it another try.
However, my second experience turned out to be just as disappointing. Upon arriving, we were greeted by our server, who seemed friendly but didn’t inquire about any allergies or dietary restrictions – an oversight that set the tone for the evening. We made our dietary requirements clear from the outset: no meat or pork, emphasizing our need for careful attention to these requests.
Unfortunately, despite our clear communication, the server failed to ensure that our needs would be met. When our meals arrived, I was dismayed to discover that my dish contained pork, which was both surprising and frustrating. This oversight revealed a lack of attention to detail and care that one would expect from a dining establishment, especially my colleague that I invited is Muslim, and she took a small bite unbeknown, the vegetable corn dish had pork in it I was devastated and after having been offered a second chance.
My colleague and I were so sick for a week long vomiting & diarrhea stomach hurting and cramping crazy due to this terrible terrifying experience that I had with The Otter after we discover the dish isn’t in fact vegan and contained bacon. I told the server she begins to fraternize with other staff talking and pointing at our table laughing and making a terrifying moment feel even worst by laughing & acting as if my concern was a joke. I never in my life ever felt like this humiliation & disgusting fear from a restaurant. While I appreciate the manager’s attempt to make amends by inviting us back, this experience has left me feeling disheartened. Dining out should be a pleasure, free from concerns about dietary mishaps. It’s clear that there’s still work to be done in ensuring that all guests feel heard and accommodated.
Oscar Garcia
Great atmosphere servers , service & Management awesome … The Wedge with Crab lump a home Run .. Cocktails 100% 🎉 …
Shima Hojjati
First of all thank to their hospitality that we brought us champagne since we’ve been celebrating our anniversary, They started with brioche and 3 different butters which was so delicious! Oysters were so fresh and the main course halibut had such a clean taste and great broth. Clams were so good too. All lovely and the atmosphere is great. They are so friendly too. We ordered ice cream for desert which was extremely sweet that the sweetness sticks in your throat! The whip cream and grapes were not good too, so I’m guessing probably they don’t have pastry chef so eat any food and they are great, save the dessert for later!
Martina Ruseva
Loved the art deco style of this restaurant! It is spacious and could be good for a bigger group too. We tried the halibut and the lobster roll and got a few apps and a side of green beans. I really liked the side of green beans and the lobster roll! I was worried that it may not be filling, but it was. We had the rice pudding dessert and that was just okay, but they had other options too
Sandy Tseng
Pretty decent spot in soho. Opened a couple months ago and pretty easy to get a spot. The sautéed squid was amazing and the best dish of the evening! The dips that came with the bread was tasty too. We also got the steak, crab agnolotti, halibut, and tuna tartar. They were all pretty good except for the halibut was pretty bland and dry so I’d skip that. Finished with the pistachio tiramisu which was delicious and filled with lots of pistachios.
Anthony Cash
I've been meaning to come here for some time, finally got the chance last night for drinks with a friend. Lovely fashionable host who checked my coat right away, followed by being greeted with warm ambiance and beautiful decor. No detail was spared throughout the space- it's gorgeous! I stuck with the Dame Blanc throughout the night- perfectly smooth and balanced without the liqueur being too overpowering. I really enjoyed myself. Our server was quite antsy to hand us the check, which we gleefully ignored as it was a quiet Monday night, but otherwise I look forward to coming back for dinner. Totally my vibe. 4 cocktails totaled to a little over $100 with tip.. Fabulous new spot in SoHo.
Nicholas Nip
My husband and I were hungry around ten o'clock in SoHo, so we popped into The Otter hoping to find some decent oysters and a shrimp cocktail. We did not anticipate to find such a unique and flavorful seafood experience on such short notice.
We ordered the roasted prawns, the dressed seafood platter, and the oysters. The shellfish was perhaps the best we've had outside London powerhouse J. Sheekey and certainly the best we've had in New York so far. Each bite on the seafood platter was extremely flavorful, and the variety of preparations of the dishes more than justified the cost.
Another highlight of the meal was The Otter's inventive cocktail menu. I had the cheapest glass of sparkling wine. But my husband enjoyed a delicious twist on the whiskey sour, the Seafoam Sour, and the Otter Dirty Martini. Reader, this was the most delicious martini we've tried. If you like a stout drink that keeps its subtlety, you're in the right place.
Let the amazing staff at The Otter take care of you. You won't regret it!
Nicholas Allingham
Really delicious seafood dishes in a classic art deco setting. Highlights were the steamed halibut with chestnut broth, golden borscht and the homemade ice cream is an absolute. Highly recommended!
I am writing this review on behalf of my girlfriend and her friend, who recently visited this restaurant expecting to enjoy the seafood menu items. Unfortunately, their experience was nothing short of a nightmare. They both ordered the Clams and Shells, which ended up giving them food poisoning. This lasted for two long, miserable days and completely ruined my girlfriend's birthday dinner and the weekend we had planned to celebrate. This establishment's carelessness turned what should have been a joyful occasion into a distressing and disappointing ordeal. I would not recommend this place to anyone looking for a reliable and safe dining experience.
Mr Rick
I paid over $800/ night for this Hotel i stayed 3 nights and dined 2 nights.. the food id phenominal.. the chefs have awsome crafmenship..i was able to thank one of the sous chefs there Terrell P. Thanks a million for the amazing food.. ill definately return
Ryan Dougherty
The food, ambiance, and service were all tremendous! Delicious and diverse flavors across the raw bar/starters/mains. Also, the staff was very welcoming and ensured we were at ease and not rushed, which you can't say for many NYC restaurants. Highly recommend!
Cassie Guo
Had a fabulous group dinner here. Great ambience and food. Standout dishes: “scallop crudo, red chili, green chili”; dressed seafood platter; crab ravioli; clams and shells; and all the desserts (rice pudding, looking at you! 😍) Started with drinks at the hotel bar Sloanes, which I’d also recommend.
SC
I came to The Otter after reading about it in “The 15 Best Dishes We ate in 2024” on Food. The atmosphere and front staff was very inviting, and service was attentive and professional. The fish was surely cooked to perfection, but overall every single dish (in my case the Swordfish, the Halibut, and the seafood platter) really lacked in flavor, something which the numerous sauces were not able to compensate for. A salt shaker at the table might have helped. Another note about the table setting is the danger of having a tall candle in the center of the table, and being handled tall paper menus. For the steep prices, and underwhelming menu, the experience was disappointing, especially because of the large amount of great restaurants in the neighborhood.
The first time we came, food was amazing. Has gone massively downhill since then - definitely not worth the sky-high prices.
A Terrifying Experience at The Otter Restaurant, at Manner Hotel in SOHO.
As our server approached, she inquired about any allergies. I confidently stated that I had none, but my colleague, aware of his seafood allergy—specifically to oysters—cautiously communicated this crucial detail. We felt reassured that the staff would take care to accommodate us.
However, what happened next turned our pleasant anticipation into a moment of sheer horror. After placing our orders, tension began brewing when I noticed my colleague's expression change. He glanced nervously at his plate as the server returned with our meals, and I could sense his unease.
A Second Chance at The Otter Restaurant: A Disappointing Experience
Having had a difficult experience during my first visit to The Otter restaurant at the Manner Hotel, I was grateful when the manager reached out to invite me back. He kindly offered to comp the meal in hopes of redeeming my perception of the establishment, and I was optimistic about giving it another try.
However, my second experience turned out to be just as disappointing. Upon arriving, we were greeted by our server, who seemed friendly but didn’t inquire about any allergies or dietary restrictions – an oversight that set the tone for the evening. We made our dietary requirements clear from the outset: no meat or pork, emphasizing our need for careful attention to these requests.
Unfortunately, despite our clear communication, the server failed to ensure that our needs would be met. When our meals arrived, I was dismayed to discover that my dish contained pork, which was both surprising and frustrating. This oversight revealed a lack of attention to detail and care that one would expect from a dining establishment, especially my colleague that I invited is Muslim, and she took a small bite unbeknown, the vegetable corn dish had pork in it I was devastated and after having been offered a second chance.
My colleague and I were so sick for a week long vomiting & diarrhea stomach hurting and cramping crazy due to this terrible terrifying experience that I had with The Otter after we discover the dish isn’t in fact vegan and contained bacon. I told the server she begins to fraternize with other staff talking and pointing at our table laughing and making a terrifying moment feel even worst by laughing & acting as if my concern was a joke. I never in my life ever felt like this humiliation & disgusting fear from a restaurant. While I appreciate the manager’s attempt to make amends by inviting us back, this experience has left me feeling disheartened. Dining out should be a pleasure, free from concerns about dietary mishaps. It’s clear that there’s still work to be done in ensuring that all guests feel heard and accommodated.
Great atmosphere servers , service & Management awesome … The Wedge with Crab lump a home Run .. Cocktails 100% 🎉 …
First of all thank to their hospitality that we brought us champagne since we’ve been celebrating our anniversary, They started with brioche and 3 different butters which was so delicious! Oysters were so fresh and the main course halibut had such a clean taste and great broth. Clams were so good too. All lovely and the atmosphere is great. They are so friendly too. We ordered ice cream for desert which was extremely sweet that the sweetness sticks in your throat! The whip cream and grapes were not good too, so I’m guessing probably they don’t have pastry chef so eat any food and they are great, save the dessert for later!
Loved the art deco style of this restaurant! It is spacious and could be good for a bigger group too. We tried the halibut and the lobster roll and got a few apps and a side of green beans. I really liked the side of green beans and the lobster roll! I was worried that it may not be filling, but it was. We had the rice pudding dessert and that was just okay, but they had other options too
Pretty decent spot in soho. Opened a couple months ago and pretty easy to get a spot. The sautéed squid was amazing and the best dish of the evening! The dips that came with the bread was tasty too. We also got the steak, crab agnolotti, halibut, and tuna tartar. They were all pretty good except for the halibut was pretty bland and dry so I’d skip that. Finished with the pistachio tiramisu which was delicious and filled with lots of pistachios.
I've been meaning to come here for some time, finally got the chance last night for drinks with a friend. Lovely fashionable host who checked my coat right away, followed by being greeted with warm ambiance and beautiful decor. No detail was spared throughout the space- it's gorgeous! I stuck with the Dame Blanc throughout the night- perfectly smooth and balanced without the liqueur being too overpowering. I really enjoyed myself. Our server was quite antsy to hand us the check, which we gleefully ignored as it was a quiet Monday night, but otherwise I look forward to coming back for dinner. Totally my vibe. 4 cocktails totaled to a little over $100 with tip.. Fabulous new spot in SoHo.
My husband and I were hungry around ten o'clock in SoHo, so we popped into The Otter hoping to find some decent oysters and a shrimp cocktail. We did not anticipate to find such a unique and flavorful seafood experience on such short notice.
We ordered the roasted prawns, the dressed seafood platter, and the oysters. The shellfish was perhaps the best we've had outside London powerhouse J. Sheekey and certainly the best we've had in New York so far. Each bite on the seafood platter was extremely flavorful, and the variety of preparations of the dishes more than justified the cost.
Another highlight of the meal was The Otter's inventive cocktail menu. I had the cheapest glass of sparkling wine. But my husband enjoyed a delicious twist on the whiskey sour, the Seafoam Sour, and the Otter Dirty Martini. Reader, this was the most delicious martini we've tried. If you like a stout drink that keeps its subtlety, you're in the right place.
Let the amazing staff at The Otter take care of you. You won't regret it!
Really delicious seafood dishes in a classic art deco setting. Highlights were the steamed halibut with chestnut broth, golden borscht and the homemade ice cream is an absolute. Highly recommended!
Got food poisoning here
Restaurantji Recommends
I am writing this review on behalf of my girlfriend and her friend, who recently visited this restaurant expecting to enjoy the seafood menu items. Unfortunately, their experience was nothing short of a nightmare. They both ordered the Clams and Shells, which ended up giving them food poisoning. This lasted for two long, miserable days and completely ruined my girlfriend's birthday dinner and the weekend we had planned to celebrate. This establishment's carelessness turned what should have been a joyful occasion into a distressing and disappointing ordeal. I would not recommend this place to anyone looking for a reliable and safe dining experience.
I paid over $800/ night for this Hotel i stayed 3 nights and dined 2 nights.. the food id phenominal.. the chefs have awsome crafmenship..i was able to thank one of the sous chefs there Terrell P. Thanks a million for the amazing food.. ill definately return
The food, ambiance, and service were all tremendous! Delicious and diverse flavors across the raw bar/starters/mains. Also, the staff was very welcoming and ensured we were at ease and not rushed, which you can't say for many NYC restaurants. Highly recommend!
Had a fabulous group dinner here. Great ambience and food. Standout dishes: “scallop crudo, red chili, green chili”; dressed seafood platter; crab ravioli; clams and shells; and all the desserts (rice pudding, looking at you! 😍) Started with drinks at the hotel bar Sloanes, which I’d also recommend.
I came to The Otter after reading about it in “The 15 Best Dishes We ate in 2024” on Food.
The atmosphere and front staff was very inviting, and service was attentive and professional.
The fish was surely cooked to perfection, but overall every single dish (in my case the Swordfish, the Halibut, and the seafood platter) really lacked in flavor, something which the numerous sauces were not able to compensate for. A salt shaker at the table might have helped.
Another note about the table setting is the danger of having a tall candle in the center of the table, and being handled tall paper menus.
For the steep prices, and underwhelming menu, the experience was disappointing, especially because of the large amount of great restaurants in the neighborhood.
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