Vynl

Had an excellent meal here on saturday night - try the butternut squash wontons, they are to die for. I addition the peking duck wrap was well liked by my group and the special orange stir-fry.
Great service

Pros: Food - exceptional

Posted 08/24/09

This record-themed place is as much restaurant as bar. The back is mostly booths, though those with round tables can handle ten (skinny) people. The mensroom has a mosaic Elvis and and diorama. You relieve yourself to LOVE ME TENDER, HOLD ME TIGHT. Better not make it TOO tight-- or it won't work.
The staff is business-like, but efficient. They were very tolerant of our expanding group, and late-stay.
We didn't try the main dishes, but had a lot of typical bar appetizers: quesadilla, nachos, calamari. The food was well-presented: art on a plate. Mykel found nothing spectacular about the taste, but the rest of the crew raved. The music was NOT too loud to talk. The record decor was fun. That's it. --Drink club NYC is a roving group of NYC drinkers

Pros: Theme bathrooms

Cons: Booths kinda tough for a very large group

Posted 05/22/09

I wanted to check this place out because Thai + American just didn't sound right to me, but it got good reviews. The ambience was a little weird - it has a very old school diner feel and decor to it - but the food was good. The portions are pretty big, which may or may not be a plus. Staff was attentive, though I'm not sure if it was because it wasn't very crowded when I went. All in all, amongst what seems like hundreds of thai places in Hell's Kitchen area, it's worth it to check this place out, especially if you have some picky eaters in your group that only eat American food. They serve classic thai (and it's not super-Americanized) as well as classic American.

Posted 03/04/09

One of my favorite restaurants in the city. You MUST go in at least for a drink, to check out the atmosphere. The food is delicious, portions are large, and price is good. Please go!!

Posted 01/27/09

This is the way it should be. There were a lot of people on this Saturday night, but it never got too loud. Our food was timed perfectly. Our wait team was on top of everything, including some fantastic recommendations. Dinner was really quite fine for all of us - steaks and fish and lovely sides of mac and cheese and chopped salad. Dessert... yum...

Overall a memorable night for a special occasion. Loved it.

Posted 11/22/08

Their food is reliably delicious and reasonably priced. By now I've had just about everything they make -- and you really can't go wrong. Just read the menu and wait until your mouth starts watering ... and order that item. You can bring all kinds of people here, because the menu includes Asian, American, and European-inspired fare -- so it doesn't matter what folks are in the mood for! The dishes are simple, tasty, filling, and made with lots of love and attention.

Posted 10/27/08

Love the Theme! Ok, Like a Big kid I had to peak into each of the bathrooms, too cool. Ya gotta go see to understand. I met Brian the manager and he was so inviting and welcoming. We stayed at least an hour longer than plan for another round after a great meal. I had the Tuna. Fabulous! Great place, so glad my friend Arnold suggested we stop in after the Gadzillion Bubble show, which was really cute, who knew you could do soooo much with a Bubble and to boot, we sat one aisle over from Tom Cruise, a bubbly ;) Thursday to start the weekend off right.

Pros: Great Theme

Cons: None found

Posted 10/09/08

I never been so mistreated in a restaurant before, from the hostess not knowing what she was doing, to the bartender assuming I didnt need the mananger from a flippy Waiter waiter with a bad attitude . Serious, hospitality ?? WOW - If you are not a gay guy with with D*** hanging out I assume you cannot get service at that place. Its one thing to be gay friendly because they make your place trendier but hey... Let it run it for you and this is what you get !! DRAMA !! I will totally never step at this place once again . Cannot compliang about the food because I did not had a chance to eat it . Hospitality its not found at this location . Bad service and attitude its for sure the last thing I seak when going out to dinner . After asking for a table and being told that it would take 25 min - after walking around the block we come back and ask the status of the table ( the hostess told us ) I told you 25 min .. How long has it been ?? HELLO >....... Thats how you talk with a guess, I don't care if had been one minute . If they know anything about customer serivce, they should know that is not it . If I ask for the manager I do not need the waiter to tell me I do not need to talk to him .. thats for me to decide . And over all, the prima donna's who are used to offer 1/2 good customer serivces got upset once someone who actually didnt take their half CAN service .
Oh, and the table I waited for 1/2 hour didnt exist because they had a private party ... Someone forgot to mention that too !!
Never gain .

Posted 06/23/08

This place has some really great food and a really cute atmosphere. It makes me love HK!

Posted 02/13/08

Food is ok ! a bit overpriced to this fast asian food! Love the decoration ! Marlon is a great Waiter !!! The best !!! VYNL - 15th st and 8'av

Pros: waiter Marlon

Cons: price quality !!!

Posted 11/29/07

I didn't enjoy the fried chicken meal (but then again I'm from the deep south where chicken is always perfection) nor did I enjoy the macaroni with bread crumbs. It was flavorless. The drinks were sooooo good and the service was excellent.

Pros: Good drinks, fair price, excellent service

Cons: bland food

Posted 10/31/07

To be honest, this probably isn't a place I would choose to go for dinner and drinks. I met my friend here for her Birthday. And I have to say, what a pleasant surprise. The speciality cocktails were great and reasonably priced and the food excellent. The atmosphere is fun and cute and the "themed" bathrooms are the best part. Only thing I can say negative is that the service wasn't great. The staff weren't too accommodating or friendly. But not horrible. I've definitely had worse. All around, good experience and I'll be back.

Pros: food, drinks, themes

Cons: staff could have been a little friendlier

Posted 08/26/07

My boyfriend and I went there on a Monday and were greeted with a smile and a very informed server. I have to disagree with previous reviews, I found the service to be great. I loved the themed bathrooms and can't wait to go back to check out the one i missed(odd eh?). I should mention that the food was deliciously filling and the watermelon lemonade(expressively reccommended by the waiter) was just what he said it would be, "Fantastic"! I had a good time eating there. How often does that happen?

Posted 07/07/07

Hostess was friendly tonight, but the wait staff couldn't be bothered with my boyfriend and me. I had to literally stop a waiter with my hand after we had been ignored for 15 minutes. He was totally offended that I actually asked him for a beer! 15 minutes later I had to stop another waiter because I wanted to actually eat food at this restaurant and I needed someone to take my order. The waiter looked at me annoyed and was condescending when I asked him questions about the extensive menu.

Don't patronize restaurants like these. They're not worth it. The management should be ashamed that their staff treat people this way (as also indicated by other reviewers on this site). The management should hire people who want their patrons to have a good fun time and enjoy their experience, instead of "wanna be" models with horrific attitudes.

Cons: SERVICE

Posted 04/17/07

Today during luch I went there to have my lunch! The host was very nice, everybody over there have very good looking, tattoos etc etc, but my waiter i think was more interested in his visual instead of giving a good service! When I was in the midle of my appetizer the runner came with the sandwich and left withou any explanation!
The place is beautiful very clean, the food delicious, but for hospitality business it's not only good looking that matters. Personality is the point!

Probably I will never come back there because I felt ofended by the server service! and..yes I gave 20% tip as usual!!

Pros: Nice place

Cons: Good looking waiter but unprofessional!!

Posted 03/08/07

WORST SERVICE EVER!
Just went to the opening of the Columbus Avenue branch tonight. Never again! The service was horrible and the host was so RUDE! He was so busy talking to the staff that he completely ignored all the patrons. The food was good but I base all of my return visits on great service. This place definitely did not have it! I will never go back to this location but will continue to visit the other location on 9th Ave.

Pros: Food

Cons: Service

Posted 02/20/07

Locals recommended this place and we now recommend it to everyone we know. Its a fun place. It doesn't draw the touristy people but its near the theatre district. I LOVE their fried chicken and we go back here whenever we need something quick, fun and tasty! It has a theme but its not over the top or cheesy at all! Go into each of the theme bathrooms!

Pros: Fun, good location, comfort food

Posted 02/18/07

I always bring out of town guests here because the atmosphere feels fun and hip, there's plenty to choose from on the menu, and they don't get sticker shock at the menu prices like they would at other restaurants. A dinner entree for under $10? Holla! It's not the greatest food ever, but I'm always satisfied. Good variety for vegetarians too, and I'm always pleased with the drinks. The new location has a prominent bar where you can wait for your table, big improvement from their crowded space before. Highly recommended!

Pros: variety of well-priced food, good atmosphere

Cons: often have to wait for a table

Posted 01/11/07

Living in Hell's Kitchen for almost 10 years I have easily been to VYNL over a hundred times. The staff is teriffic, the food is delicious and the atmosphere is welcoming and warm, the drinks are good too. Great for weekend brunch!

Pros: service, ambience, food, variety, theme, drinks

Cons: the toys behind the bar are not for sale

Posted 11/18/06

the food is pretty normal. the decor is interesting and i also like how each separate bathroom has its own 'theme'-- with a doll of the celebrity and their music playing in the background... kinda corny, but thats how I remember this place now...

Posted 11/18/06

I walk by VYNL on my way to work every day, and finally found the time to try them out for dinner last night. All I have to say, is it was the best experience that I've had in a restaurant in a very long time. My job requires me to wine and dine my clients on a frequent enough basis, and I think I've finally found the perfect place to do it. Fun atmosphere and great quality at an affordable place, in a unpretentious setting. After my friend and I were seated, we were greeted by a gorgeous waitress, who helped us make our way through the large selection of choices on the menu. She did a great job at recommending food and wine, and she kept us entertained with her fun personality. I had the Fried Chicken as an entree and it was delicious! Perfectly cooked, great portions. Everyone around me (including the staff) seemed to be having a great time. I certainly got my money and time's worth and I will not hesitate to dine at VYNL again.

Pros: Inexpensive, Fun, Great Food

Cons: Loud

Posted 08/08/06

When Vynl was at 54th and 9th, it was by far my favorite "where should we go for dinner" restaurant. Great food, great view of the passing parade on 9th Ave., friendly staff. I was excited when I learned it'd be moving literally around the corner from me, at 51st and 9th, but since it moved it's been a HUGE disappointment. The old Vynl was loud; the new one is ear-splitting. The food is still good, but I was disgusted to find that with brunch items, you're only given ONE LOUSY SLICE of toast. Every Greek diner in the city, every OTHER restaurant gives you two. But not the New Vynl. How chintzy is that?

Even worse, though, is the utterly abysmal service. It seemed to take the new staff forever to figure out what they were doing; I had one nightmare of a brunch where the registers didn't seem to work and it literally took over an hour to get our check. I don't really know how long; I got disgusted and left the money on the table and split. A decently run place might've found some way to apologize for the inconvenience, but not Vynl.

On the several times I tried Vynl after the move, service has ranged from indifferent to abysmal. I decided to give it a rest for a few months to see if the staff could get its act together. Went there a couple of days ago with a friend for dinner. The place wasn't at all busy, and we were shown a table in the back, given our menus, and promptly forgotten about. After fifteen minutes, when nobody even took our drink order, I looked around to try to get our waitresses attention only to see she and about five others of the waitstaff were having an endless gabfest by the register. I couldn't get anyone's attention because nobody was even bothering to look back in our direction. We ended up walking out and going to Renaissance, where at least the staff knows you're alive. I've written Vynl off my list forever; and it used to be at the top. Good going, idiots.

Posted 07/28/06

Their menu clearly states that on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holiday Mondays they serve brunch from 9:30 to3:30. Well, again when I called to order brunch today, Memorial Day at 11am, they said "we are not doing it today". Enough said.

Posted 05/28/06

I had passed Vynl too many times but never went in until my friend told me it is her favorite secret spot. We went one night and I was so happy to have found a place that serves what seems like Everything including the Best Watermelon martinis, chicken satay, turkey meat loaf, and so so much more. This place is very reasonable and the staff is very nice. We try to go there as a group every week its that good!!!

Pros: great food, great drinks, great staff

Cons: can be crowded...

Posted 05/08/06

Not sure what to expect (they serve American + Thai) I tried out w/friends and was very impressed. We tried both American and Thai, 7 of us tried 6 different dishes and all were delicious. The servings were generous and the highlight after dinner was the banana-coconut bread pudding. Service was very pleasant and decor very creative. I loved the "vinyl record" menus and the bathrooms w/different music artists! This is a must try!

Pros: food , great value, decor

Posted 05/06/06

I totally love this place...I was staying at The Hudson for Valentine's Day weekend not this year but last year ...and me and my date both fell in love there. We were seated promptly, and the food was more than plenty and good. I would definitely go back if I am ever in that area again or stay at The Hudson again....which is a great place to stay in the city; I highly recommend the two ;)

Pros: fast service, good food, cozy

Posted 03/22/06

So loud talking isn't really possible, and the food is ok, but nothing fantastic. The cutesy decor doesn't make up for its shortcomings.

Posted 02/25/06

Summing it up... I actually received my drinks with my bill!! I was with two friends, and we received two Cokes and a Sprite WITH our bill on our way out. The food was ice cold, and our requests fell on deaf ears. I've been here a couple times, with average results, but this will have been my last trip to Vnyl. There are so many good places to eat/drink on 9th and in that area, this is not good food, good service, or a good value. Do yourself a favor, and choose somewhere else.

Pros: Retro Ambiance

Cons: Poor Service, Poor Food, Poor Value

Posted 02/19/06

I love the causal fun atmosphere at Vynl. The service is generally pretty good. They used to be a small restaurant, before they moved down the street to a new location- which is four times the size. And they are STILL always busy. Fun music, decor and bathrooms!

Pros: food, atmosphere

Posted 02/13/06

The old VYNL had a hip feel to it, but somehow managed to be welcoming and cozy. The old Citysearch review was accurate, but like my opinion of the new VYNL, needs to be reworked. The new VYNL is annoyingly loud and they are clearly having problems handling the increase in traffic I brought a party of four and waited nearly an hour for seating. I was told, I was the next big group on the list but they were constantly cramming newer groups of two into available spaces the hostess faked nice but was snide when confronted. Something doesnt feel right about this place anymore bottom line bigger isnt always better. The food is still good, but I can get good food many places in NYC. Watch for the new location to flameout somewhat when people get wind of the new attitudes.

Pros: Value , Bathrooms

Cons: Attitude , Noisy

Posted 12/11/05

this place has good food, it's a great value, but the service is quite bad. overall i would still recommend it. the server forgot to bring several items after requesting multiple times.

Pros: food, price

Cons: service

Posted 12/08/05

The 'new' Vynl features more than just a new location that doubles the table count: a completely revamped staff is trying to re-create the special atmosphere that the old place had. Or we hope they are. The menu is similar with some refreshing additions to the cool comfort food/Asian diner theme. The cobb salad is fabulous and the ample tuna steak is still the best deal in the city, even though the low price didn't move down the street with the restaurant. Try the meat loaf or the BLT. We dine at Vynl several times a week and will keep coming back hoping they work out the service and kitchen kinks.

Pros: Excellent value, Cool new bathrooms, New bar

Cons: Noisy, Spotty service, Miss the old Vynl!

Posted 11/17/05

Walking down 9th looking for a place for breakfast I almost missed it, I thought it was a record store. The main enterance has a bar. Its all about atmosphere, and the food was very good and big portions, not expensive either. The lights are made of vinyl strips. The tables are mosaic vinyl and there are themed shadow boxes on the walls, Michael Jackson, and a few others, the bathrooms are themed as well, Dolly, Nelly and Elvis, I picked Elvis, there is elvis music playing and a full wall of mosaic vinyl King! Fun place.

Posted 11/05/05

Whenever I have people visit, I always take them to brunch here. The decor can be a bit much (especially with a hangover, haha), but you definetly won't be lacking conversation pieces. The food is delicious, the portions are huge, and a hearty meal for two people was about $22 (with tip). Two warnings: get there early for the brunches because there is always a line out the door, and this isn't the place to go with a large group of people (most of the tables seat 2-4).

Posted 10/15/05

The watermelon mojito is great and the food is decent too.

Posted 04/25/05

Love it. Wonderful staff, good food, great $. Does it get better than menus in classic album jackets?

Posted 02/21/05

Good food, but terrible service. Rude waiters. I would not go back there.

Posted 01/09/05

Vynl is a great place to eat a good meal at an inexpensive price. The service was great! The cute little waitress bought my veggie dumplings (AWESOME - but they should serve more) quicker than expected. Everything on the menu sounds great - I'm such a picky eater. I 'd definitely go back for the food!!

Pros: Inexpensive, Cozy

Posted 10/20/04

The service was good -- our waitress was friendly -- but the food had absolutely no flavor! Both of my friends and I had nearly flavorless food. I had the grilled salmon with asparagus and portobello and it was like eating air -- blandness. The prices are pretty cheap, but it doesn't make up for the fact that the food was nearly unedible simply because of lack of flavor. I literally had to force feed myself my meal. Not fun.

Posted 10/05/04

I had dinner and brunch at Vynl and both times I came out very satisfied. The food is very good (french toasts are soooo yummy) with good variety. Ambience is fun. It's also very inexpensive. I love many restaurants around Hell's Kitchen neighborhood but I have to say Vynl impresses me the most.

Pros: Quality, Fun/funky atmosphere

Posted 08/30/04

I first discovered Vynl when I needed a place to meet friends for coffee before heading out somewhere else. Now it is one of my favorite places to go. It's good anytime, and I particularly love going for brunch. Especially when I have guests in from out of town. There is something for everyone - from the vegetarians to the sweet-tooths. Definitely try the milkshakes (even if you are having breakfast), the omelettes, and the BLT. All-around fun and good service.

Pros: good value, great food

Posted 09/30/03

LOVE Vinyl - always good food, inexpensive and fun. Great if you are on the run too!

Pros: Price, Yummy Food

Cons: cramped

Posted 09/30/03

The Vynl diners' pompous service and posturing make it a place to be avoided! They are a stereotype of pretentious New York hippness. In addition, its over, over cramped seating and mediocre food should dissuade anybody from eating there. All around miserable place to be.

Cons: overcrowded, rude, bad food

Posted 04/25/03

a lot of variety here, depending on your mood, plus you can't beat the retro paraphernalia all around. service is pretty good too. I like to stop in here for a late dinner after class. their coconut curries are good, and so are the quesadillas...

Posted 02/02/03

Creative menu, friendly staff. Nice for pre-theater or just cruising by. "Smashed Potato" is indeed a smashed potato.

Posted 01/28/03

Nice bar menu, fresh food, nice for the healthly minded person...then you see the desert menu!!

Pros: inexpensive

Posted 01/16/03