CHOICE Kitchen & Cocktails

I guess when I think of trendy I think of a gorgeous architectual decor. This definetly did not have that aspect working for it, and was not notable what so ever. The crowd was not what I would consider the creme de la creme either. There were lots of the bridge and tunnel crowd hanging about, and drunk suburbanites yucking it up. The service was quite good and drinks and food were served up quickly and the prices were decent. We went out with a crowd of 6 and had dinner and drinks for $300. I guess if you're just looking for a night to go out and have a good time this place would be fine, but I think there are SO MANY better choices in the city.

Pros: GOOD SERVICE AND CHEAP

Cons: NOT TRENDY AT ALL

Posted 05/20/07

CHOICE hosted one of my best friend's surprise bridal shower on a Saturday afternoon. The service was impeccable (they were very attentive and they kept the mimosas coming!) and the food was excellent. They did an outstanding job. We will be definitely coming here again!

Pros: Food and Service are awesome

Cons: None at all

Posted 03/15/07

After reading all the AMAZING reviews and the ones where people accuse the owners of hyping up their own restaurant I decided no matter what I would write a legitimate review the next day. I went with 3 of my girlfriends around 6pm. The decor and the atmosphere are really pleasant - good lighting, design and spacious, the wait staff was attentive and helpful (nothing exceptional though they had the typical NYC drab attitude). They had a seemingly diverse drink and dinner menu, but both were nothing special - really. One of the reviewers said it was like a step above diner food and I agree (because sometimes diner food is not bad, just diner food!). The one negative thing I would say is do not eat the desert, we shared a carrot cake and it tasted like that: its been in the refridgerator uncovered for a long time taste. For my group it was just about getting together and hanging out for a couple of hours without the hassle of being at a loud bar or cramped into a small space. So I say it's worth trying at least once. I would go back again, but it wouldn't be because of the great food and drinks, just if we couldn't decide and got desperate we know this place would be a safe bet for what we want.

Pros: great ambiance, and low key for a small group (less than 6 people)

Cons: Great expections based on the diverse menu, but dissapointing in uniqueness

Posted 03/01/07

$15 for any meal off the brunch menu plus two drinks ! (mimosas, bloody marys, or coffee) I went there with a bunch of friends this past weekend and we were very happy with what we got for the price. The cobb salad is very yummy as are the chocolate chip pancakes. Not a bad deal.

Pros: nice atmosphere and good brunch specials

Posted 01/29/07

I am a vegetarian and I ate at Choice for the first time last night.
I went with a group of friends and I was not expecting to enjoy my meal at all.
Surprisingly, everything was delicious-and a lot of stuff was veggie friendly! For
a Murray Hill place that boasts about it's ribs & steaks--it also serves some excellent
meat-free dishes: I had the veggie dumplings and one of their very cool salads, too.
They had so many salads to choose from: with mandarin oranges, citrus dressings,
goat cheese, apples, avocados and pecans! So delicious.

Pros: good food, lots of choices!

Cons: very crowded, but I can see why!

Posted 01/18/07

I guess you can call me a regular at Choice. I work late nights and always stop by for dinner and drinks. Love the staff, food, and drinks. I read the last person's review and I think the reason you only see 1 review per person is that management asks guests to tell their experience on the bottom of the reciept ( says "Please review us on CItsearch"). I guess you can say I am bias, but $20 average for an entree is not expensive. You're in NYC not Kansas. Food is great, cool staff, and an overall consistently great time. Keep it up, great place to go!!

- JJ

Pros: great food, staff, & drinks...cool jazz band on tuesday

Posted 01/08/07

I go to choice all of the time. i love it. the food is good and very reasonably priced. the drinks are strong and the staff is very friendly and attentive. what i enjoy the most is that it is not like any other bar/ restaurant in the area. the crowd is cool and not in the frat house way. give it a try. i did and i've been back a bunch since

Posted 01/08/07

As someone else pointed out, most of these reviews are obviously the owner(s) shilling about their own place. Most of the reviewers have only reviewed this restaurant (click the member name to see for yourself) and the reviews are way too glowing.

Here's the real deal about this place. It is definitely a nice place and they have some good drink specials. The food is actually pretty good but it is way too expensive for a Murray Hill neighborhood restaurant. If you are going to pay these sort of prices, I suggest you go to a better restaurant south of 23rd Street. (You should go to Dining Fever to get a 20% off coupon which makes the food prices somewhat reasonable).

I gave this place a 0 but would have given it a 7 or 8 if the prices were better and they didn't resort to shilling (someone has to even out all the 10's from the owners).

Attention ownership--the menu prices need to be lowered, then you would probably be more crowded and wouldn't have to resort to obvious shilling.

Pros: Decent food, decent decor

Cons: Pathetic shilling owners

Posted 01/07/07

After reading all of the rave reviews, I decided to host my Wife's 30th Birthday Party at Choice. Let me just say they did an outstanding job. Kate the manager was very good with prior communication, and even better the night of the party. The food was great, the cocktails were unique and very good. All of those in my party (15 people) were very pleased with their meals. I felt compelled to write this review, something I never do. Choice is by far the best value for a great time in NYC.

Pros: Food, cocktails, price

Cons: None

Posted 12/10/06

I recently held a birthday party at Uptown Lounge (their sister location) and everything was great. I was given a gift certificate for my husband and I to dine at Choice. This was a very generous gesture and greatly appreciated. We brought friends with us and everyone was impressed. The ambiance is very similar to Uptown, just slightly more upscale. The food was excellent in both presentation and taste. We thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of Choice, as did our friends. The staff was very attentive, drinks were delicious, and the crowd was great. Very nice place to go for a great dinner in an upbeat trendy environment. Afterwards we stayed at the bar until the DJ started. Great time from start to finish, thank you again! - Cindy & Ari

Pros: excellant food & drinks, upbeat & fun place, great bar scene, nice change

Posted 11/20/06

Thank- you Katie and the staff at Choice Kitchen for hosting my daughter's bridal shower this past Sunday evening. You made it a very stress free occasion and pulled off the 75-guest party with such ease. All of the guests had a marvelous time and every detail was superb. The entree selection received rave reviews and passed appetizers were delicious. Thank you again and I highly recommend Choice for special occasions, they made mine very special and my daughter very happy. Thank you again and Happy Holidays - Mrs. Cohen

Pros: staff, great food, perfect for a party, NO PROBLEMS!!!!!

Cons: not a one!

Posted 11/19/06

Nice place for brunch. We usually go to Banc cafe for brunch but stumbled upon Choice Kitchen last week. I must say, we had a very pleasant experience. The brunch entrees were delicious, nicely presented, and the price was reasonable. The pre-fix includes two drinks and the peach mimosas were very tasty. Portions were generous and the atmosphere is very elegant yet warm and inviting. The waitress was very friendly, however the busboys were slow with coffee re-fills. I was also very impressed that the owner was on the dining room floor and apparently his mother was the hostess. Kind of neat in a city that is full of corporate ?chain? restaurants. Overall, I was very impressed with Choice and I will patronage them again.

Pros: great brunch deal, tasty food & cocktails, nice staff

Posted 11/16/06

Stopped by this past Tuesday evening with co-workers. We all had a fabulous time. They offer a great happy hour with a nice selection. The food and drinks were great and the jazz band was a nice change from the humdrum top 40 usually played at places. The menu offers something for everyone; I would recommend the dumplings, spinach dip, portabello muchrooms (yummy) and skewers. The portions for the salads and entrees were huge so consider splitting a dish. The only negative was the dining room was a little too dark, however after I commented, the manager adjusted the lights. There are limited places that offer both an upbeat scene and a nice environment to enjoy a quality meal, they do it right here. Just keep the lights up so we can see what we are eating (only joking). Great place, nice staff, and a definite new favorite.

Pros: nice interior, great apps & selection was nice, happy hour is a good deal, tasty entrees

Cons: slightly dark in dining room, bathrooms hard to find

Posted 11/16/06

this place is a great addition to the neighborhood! the menu includes GREAT appetizers and salads and the atmosphere is a bit nicer and trendier than what you typically find around here. definitely go and check it out for happy hour or a weeknight dinner with friends.

Posted 11/15/06

My decision to try this restaurant was based on its 9.7 rating. Don't be fooled like I was. Choice is one notch above the local diner. It really deserves a 8.5 rating. The food wasn't bad; it just wasn't great. My buffalo wings tasted like they mixed the sugar with the salt. Even my striped bass tasted like they spilled sugar on it. Really weird. At the end of my meal, I ordered dessert and coffee at the same time. I finished my dessert long before my coffee arrived. The red velvet cake was really dry and the frosting was too heavy and sweet. Overall, I wouldn't have bothered with a review for this very mediocre place. I feel the need to write this review because the other rave reviews are misleading. Please beware.

Pros: jazz tuesdays

Cons: bad food, slow service

Posted 11/13/06

I just wanted to write a quick thank-you to everyone at Choice for the excellent job they did for my son's engagement party. We had over one hundred guests at Choice for a sit-down dinner and it was flawless. Every detail was perfect. My guests raved about the food, ambiance, decor, and the attentive service. I drove the managers Katie and John crazy and I appreciate them addressing every concern from the "nervous mom" . I am truly impressed and will recommend you to all my friends & family. Many thanks and continued success. - The Idlebergs

Pros: perfect place with great food, decor, and service. Top rated.

Posted 11/06/06

I went top Choice last Saturday. I noticed at the bottom of my sales receipt they suggest you share your experience at Choice on Citysearch by writing a review. I rarely would take the time to do this, but the staff and Paul (manager) at Choice made my birthday dinner fabulous. I had twelve guests including myself and all had a fantastic time. The appetizers, entrees, and drinks were superb. The food is truly great; everything from comfort food to higher end entrees. The place is very nice but also has a relaxed "Cheers" kind of feel to it. The staff was hands on and made everything perfect. I had a great night and appreciate the attention even on a night they were packed. First class establishment from start to finish. Thank you and you will see us again- Jerry & Becca

Pros: great palce fo rlarge groups, food fantastic, great staff

Cons: not a single thing. great time!

Posted 10/25/06

My husband and I live in the area and decided to stop by Choice for a light snack and drinks on Thursday night before going out. While it was a little loud at the bar, we were quickly accommodated to their dining room. Very spacious, nice decor, and very lively atmosphere. The hostess & serverwere very attentive and polite.

We decided to continue a rather enjoyable experience and dine at Choice (originally had plans to go to the Italian place next door). Our table was a poorly lite , however we mentioned it to the manager and he quickly addressed our problem. I had the shrimp scampi and my husband had the filet. Both were spectacular. Very tasty, fresh, and nice presentation. We were also impressed with the wine list: some nice finds at reasonable prices (also a 30 plus selection by the glass). After dinner, we returned to the bar and were entertained by Mark, the bartender. Overall a great time, good food and excellent staff. Keep it going, it is nice to have a classier place to go instead of the usual hum-drum. We had a very enjoyable dining experience and will be back. I heard the brunch was very good..

Pros: excellant food, very classy place, great bar scene

Cons: some tables are poorly lit, bar area is crowded

Posted 10/01/06

My buddy had a party at Choice the other night and we had a great time. We had dinner beforehand and everything was awesome. We stuck with simple stuff, quesadillas, burgers and some pasta but all of it was delicious, burger was cooked perfectly too. We then moved to the back bar, which was perfect for his birthday. Our waitress and bartender for the party were both really friendly and helped us keep the party going.

Pros: Great Service, Great Food

Posted 09/29/06

Before going to dinner at CHOICE, I read the other reviews on Citysearch...they were all GLOWING, rave reviews and strangely enough, they seemed as if they written by the same person. (Check the users who wrote these reviews - most of them haven't reviewed any restaurants other than CHOICE.) With this in mind, I tried to give CHOICE as much credit as possible - however, after a three-hour dinner at this establishment, my fears were confirmed. Other than mediocre nachos (but then again, how DIFFICULT is it to serve nachos?) and an uber sweet COBBLE brownie sundae (again, it wasn't anything special), the food was pretty much bland, boring, and forgettable. My salad came without dressing and a ungenerous three pieces of shrimp. It was honestly one of the WORST salads I have ever had. My friend had ribs which I tasted and found to be acceptable at best. The drinks were TOO sweet and varied between TOO strong and TOO weak...no consistency at the bar. CHOICE's sister restaurant, UPTOWN (on the UES) is much better - go there instead!

Posted 09/24/06

I had a party for 40 people here and everyone loved it. Katie, the mgr, was so very accomodating and helpful and the staff were very attentive. The place is pretty and very comfortable and everything was included in one reasonable price. I was upset , however, that I had to pay extra for the scotch, I think they should have told my guests that it wasnt included but aside from that everthing was terrific and I was very pleased.

Posted 08/30/06

I recently had a dinner party at Choice in their private room. We had a sit down dinner and cannot tell you how satisfied I was with the quality of service and food. It is very unique to the area as the decor is beautiful. Finally a place where I can go out with my friends that has a large selection of drinks and martinis (the wine list is impressive too). A special thanks to Rich and Katie for making my event a memorable one. One more thing, try the Remedy Martini it won't let you down.

Pros: Friendly Staff, Great Food, Delicious Martinis

Posted 08/02/06

I live in the Murray hill area and frequent Choice for dinner and drinks with friends. I met with Katie and discussed the possibilty of having my boyfriend's 30th birthday party in their back party room. I am writing this for one reason: to let the the staff and managers at Choice know that we had a great time and my guests were thrilled. Everything was first class from start to finish. The private room is beautiful (flatscreens, nice artwork, fireplace, private bar), the food is amazing, and we were treated very nicely. Great music only added to the atmosphere. The party was a smashing success and you have earned our business for future parties and events.

Great job and many thanks-
Mandy & Jared

Pros: great food, beautiful private room, upbeat place

Posted 08/01/06

I highly recommend Choice--whether you're in the mood for drinks or hungry for a meal, Choice will not disappoint. The atmosphere is modern but comfortable, making Choice an ideal location to catch up with friends.
The drinks were original without being goofy, and the menu is eclectic without spreading itself too thin.
If you're having trouble choosing, choose Choice!

Pros: Ambience, Food, Drinks

Cons: They aren't open 24/7

Posted 07/20/06

My co-workers and I keep coming to Choice because they have the best happy hours. Every Wednesday they do $6 martinis & drinks all night long and they are all delicious. I also checked out the wine and jazz night on Tuesday night. The band was cool and they had $5 glasses of wine all night- I had the chardonnay and it was yummy. Highly recommended!

Pros: Great wine & cocktail list

Posted 07/04/06

I am a huge fan of their location on the UES, Uptown Lounge. They operate a fantastic venue. My girlfriend and I went to Choice for dinner this past weekend and we were blown away. This is slightly more upscale then Uptown. The appetizers and entrees were delicious, but were presented in a way you would expect from a really high-end place. The prices were reasonable and they had a great selection of wines and specialty cocktails. The area is very busy, but Choice has a very unique feel. You have both a classy restaurant and a very high-energy bar (not your usual Murray Hill meat market). Everything here is tastefully done. The decor is beautiful and only compliments the dishes that are prepared. The staff is also remarkable, very knowledgably and "spunky" (nice to deal with people who are not mad at the world). I write this review b/c Choice and Uptown are a nice change from the hum-drum blah blah places in NYC. If you want to have a great meal, enjoy a nice bar scene, and actually have the manager, owner, and staff thanks -you, this is your place. Cheers to continued success and giving me and my company a Murray Hill "home".

Pros: excellant food & service, great location, outdoor seating

Cons: not a single thing

Posted 07/04/06

Choice is a new addition to the Murray Hill neighborhood. I was looking for a place to hold by wife's 30th birthday party. I was hesitant to have the event at Choice solely b/c it was brand new and I haven't heard anything about it. The place is absolutely beautiful and the private party room is amazing. Every interior detail is superb. I spoke with Katie and Rich (managers) and we planned the party. We had the party last Saturday for 40 friends. The quality of service, food, and attention EXCEEDS the high standards of the interior space. The pricing is reasonable and the private room with bar was perfect. Everything was spectacular and my friends raved about Choice. This will be an instant hit. I have been to their other location on UES and can see they know what they are doing. Great job, thank you- Jerry & Linda

Pros: service, AMAZING FOOD, nice private room

Posted 06/05/06

Good food, spectacular drinks, fun crowd. I could not have had a better experience and cannot say enough positive things! Would recommend to anyone looking for a great night out, and definitely advocate taking Choice up on it's outstanding happy hour..

Posted 05/30/06

Tried this new place on Friday night and we weren't disappointed. The drinks were excellent, the food was delicious and the waitstaff was so nice. I can't wait to go back. In a neighborhood that doesn't really have too many places, besides a diner, where you can just go and get a burger or some grilled fish this is definitely a welcomed addition to 3rd Avenue.

Pros: great food, reasonable prices, good drinks

Posted 05/29/06

My boyfriend and I wanted to grab a quick dinner and decided to check out Choice Kitchen & Cocktails. My salad was perfect! Lots of yummy veggies and the portions were huge. My boyfriend thought that these were the best boneless chicken wings and nachos he had ever had! The restaurant had a great vibe - super sleek but yet really relaxed. So going back!

Pros: great food!, big portions!, great vibe

Cons: none

Posted 05/23/06

After reading reviews about how the owners hyped it themselves i decided for myself. I had some friends in town from Chicago and i decided to take them. The weather was great so we decided to sit by the front window which was a great idea. The drinks were poured perfectly. The service was good but I think we had a new server and she was still learning. We ordered a bunch of appetizers which i thought were prepared perfectly. Only one person ordered a main meal, a hamburger, but it was good. We opted for another drink instead of dessert. The crowd was a good mix and not too loud which we enjoyed. Overall I would go back.

Pros: Decor and food

Posted 05/23/06

I typically hang out in the East Village or LES and decided to meet a few friends for drinks at Choice before going out. We wound up having such a great time that we stayed the night! The drinks...the food...the people...such fun! Happy that I can now save money on cab fare not having to travel all the way downtown. Well done!

Pros: Hot Crowd, Food , Drinks

Posted 05/23/06

My girlfriend and I came here on a Saturday Night as we were looking for a place in the area to eat. It features a long front bar and seating for about 40-50 people in the back. We came in at 9 p.m. and the dinner area got more crowded as the night went along. The food here is very good (I had the chicken, she had the steak salad) and reasonably priced. However, the service wasn't the best. Our appetizers came out the same time as our entree and our waitress disappeared quite frequently. Beer is reasonably priced (a pint of Coors Light was $5.00). We would probably go back because of the food although if the service remained the same, that might be our last visit.

Posted 05/22/06

We went to brunch at Choice this past Sunday and really enjoyed everything. We sat outside and enjoyed a great afternoon. The outside is a little cramped but I guess that's NYC. The food was first rate with a nice selection of omelets, traditional dishes, and some tasty unique entrees (banana stuffed croissant is amazing!). It thought it was also reasonable, includes 2 drinks w/ alcohol. There has been a buzz about this place since opening and I can see why. Very well run, excellent food, and an overall great experience. Our waitress, Carra, and manager Cindy were great. Welcome to the neighborhood, sorely needed!

Pros: tasty entrees, outside seating, great staff

Posted 05/21/06

I live across the street next to the Rodeo Bar. My husband and I stopped by Choice on Tuesday evening and were pleasantly surprised. It really is a beautiful place and the staff was great. Very nice crowd, a break from the b&t bars in the 30s. They need to make sure that people know how big the place is and about the huge dining room, from the street you don't get the full atmosphere of the place. We both had drinks and entrees. Food was flawless and probably the best in the area. Nice assortment and variety, I had the potato cod, Jerry the duck breast. Both were great. It was also difficult to find the bathrooms (downstairs), need more signs. Overall a great experience and a welcome to the neighborhood. We will be back. - Diane & Jerry

Pros: great food, tredy space, relaxed feel

Cons: bathrooms downstairs

Posted 05/16/06

Apparently, Choice opened this last week. I went to Choice this past Friday for dinner with friends. It is the same owner as the Uptown Restaurant (which I frequent alot). As a resident in the neighborhood, It is a HUGE asset to have a nice classy place like this in the area. I am sooo sick of the run of the mill frat bars and "higher end Park Avenue" fare at crazy prices and so-so fare. The food is superb and very reasonably priced. Great selections of boutique wines (loved the Oregon Hahn PN), martini's, and specialty drinks. The space is beautifully designed, very high end but comfortable. Exposed brick, fireplace, very open and an alive vibe. For a first time visit, I was very impressed and you will see us again. Best of luck and keep it nice!

Pros: beautiful space, great food, nice staff

Posted 05/13/06

Prior to Choice opening, there were limited places for a nice meal, no ear piercing music and a good time. I quickly grew tired of the fondue place and the cafe bar, nice but boring and the food was miserable. My co-workers and I went to Choice on Wednesday for their martini night. Katie & Rich (the managers) were great to my group. The appetizers are delicious! goat cheese tapas, Asian dumplings, Brazilian skewers, lemon shrimp and baby back ribs! The martini selection was FUN! We tried all of them. On the receipt it asked to review the place on Citysearch, and I am doing just that. Beautiful place, great staff, no attitude, fun tunes, and an amazing menu (a true gem)Thanks for a great night out, you have a beautiful place, great staff and really know what you are doing! - Thanks Jenny & Mutual of America Group

Posted 05/13/06

Was @ Choice for it's opening night, and was not impressed AT ALL. Yes, the decor is trendy, warm, and inviting, however the scence does not override everything else that sucked. The seating arrangements were too tight and cramped. The waitress was not only slow, but screwed up our order (5 appetizers only) by forgetting one of our appetizers and the condiments for the nachos, as well as overcharging on the bill. Food presentation was sub-par (I've seen better plates at TGI Fridays), taste was bland, and I was so ready to leave once the meal was over. The menu is pretty extensive though. Overall, it's not worth it.

Pros: Decor is trendy, Decent menu choices

Cons: Slow & crappy service, Flavorless food, Too noisy

Posted 05/12/06

Choice restaurant was the ideal place for me and my friends to gather after work. The service was attentive and friendly, the drinks were amazing, and the food was superb. The entire feel of the restaurant made me feel like I was a regular patron. It is a great place to meet for dinner, drinks, or to watch a game at the bar.

Posted 05/11/06

I went there with a few business associates the other night for dinner and drinks. We all had a great time. This place is amazing. There is nothing like it in the area. The food was top notch. I don't know where they got the chef from, but this isn't anything like what I expected. I will go back 110%. Its a great place to kick back and hang out with either business or friends or even a date. The decor is nice, the staff and service was also top notch. I have no problem recommending this place to anyone.

Pros: Food, decor, service

Cons: NONE

Posted 05/10/06