Blue Water Grill

DO NOT COME HERE. They overbilled me by more than $100 on a bill for 4 people, and the food was only okay at best? Save yourself the trouble, go to one of the other thousand restaurants in the area, you?ll be happy you did.

Pros: large space, live music downstairs can be fun

Cons: Food is only ok, the service was horrific and blatantly ripped me off

Posted 01/05/07

Went here for lunch during Restaurant Week with my boyfriend. I ordered from the Restaurant Week menu, while my boyfriend ordered from the real menu. The food was amazing! The jicama salad with the montebrie cheese is fresh, light and perfect for a summer salad. The crab cake is perfect - not too heavy yet truly filling. And the gelato desserts were true gelatos. The ambiance and food are great -- but I was pleasantly surprised with the service. I was expecting a snobby attitude from the waiters (just b/c the restaurant has been around for a while and is quite busy during lunch). However, our waiter was amazing! When I casually asked about the cheese in the jicama salad - he not only told me the name, but the region and how it is prepared. I was shocked at his knowledge (but really... Aren't all servers suppose to know that sort of stuff when it comes to their menu?!?). It is a bit pricey (about $100 for two for lunch) but it's worth it on a special lunch date.

Posted 12/28/06

The oysters were very fresh, and our waiter was extremely helpful. Not pushy, not rude, nor overstepping any boundaries, he gave a very good description of the different types of oysters and their tastes. We were so pleased with his recommendations that we ended up ordering another dozen of our/his favorites.

Also, the rock shrimp wraps were extremely tasty and delicious. Highly recommended, with just a hint of spices but not too much. The entrees were good (the mahi-mahi, and the "famed" chilean sea bass), but we were most impressed by the appetizers (the oysters and rock shrimp wrap).

We sat in the Jazz Room, and it was very nice but not too loud and overbearing. Perhaps it was because we were seated behind a pillar which blocked out the direct sound, but we were able to talk to each other without having to yell, and the mood was romantic. Highly recommended for a great date or special celebration!

Pros: Fresh and tasty oysters, romantic, great ambiance, great service

Cons: A tad pricey (although we knew it coming in - for special occasions)

Posted 12/16/06

Though I am NOT seafood eater at all, I took my boyfriend, who likes seafood a lot, here for his birthday and was very pleasantly surprised!! We had reservations and were seated immediately in the jazz dining room- the ambiance was very romantic. Music was perfect volume- loud enough to hear but not so loud that you couldn't talk. Our waiter was top notch- always coming back to the table to make sure we had everything we needed, and even threw in a few "extras." As for the food, to start the Kumoto oysters were amazing, and Fox Island oysters were very good as well- I'd highly recommend both. For main dishes, I ordered a pumpkin crusted Mahi Mahi and he got a Sea Bass on a bed of musrhoom risotto- everything tasted superb; cooked to perfect temperature with just the right flavorings. Topped it all off with a fresh, tasty apple crumble that was was sweet and savory. Plus, the waiter really knew his wines and helped us make a great choice that went perfectly with our meals.
Blue Water Grill has definitely turned me on to seafood!! I would certainly go back and would absolutely recommend this restaurant.

Posted 12/10/06

I've been here a few times and can not stop ordering the chilean seabass... It is incredible! Additionally, its well located, large (at least two floors) yet has a cozy feeling to it. If you are looking for something on the romantic side ask to be seated downstairs where there is occasionally live music. But, sit AWAY from the music or you will not be able to hear a thing. Chocolate fondue is also worth trying.

Pros: Location, Food, Atmosphere

Cons: Can get expensive

Posted 11/15/06

I have never eaten dinner here but have enjoyed a quick lunch of a simple burger or salad. I liked sitting just behind the bar but was once seated on the upper level which had an odd musty smell which was not enjoyable.

Pros: Good lunch spot

Cons: Sometimes a wait for a table

Posted 11/15/06

I love this place... food is great and service is always amazing. Yes, I had to wait once even though I had reservations but the hosts apologized several times and it was no big deal really. Wait staff is very cordial, and the atmopshere is upscale without being pretentious. Jazz room is wonderful, I did not find it too loud (maybe if you sat directly in front of the band) but the rest of the room had no problems conversing. Great food and wine and one of my favorites.

Pros: courteous staff, great food, romantic

Posted 11/05/06

I went here for a father daughter dinner with my dad. We had the ceaser salad, baby octopus salad, Opa special, and pumpkin creme brulee. It was all wonderful! The restaurant is really beautiful and classy with marble floors and walls. We sat outside which was nice people watching. The waitress was great and was able to describe the Opa fish which neither my dad or i have had. The ceaser salad was basic but great, we got it lightly dressed and it definitely had enough dressing. They have really amazing bread here, its like air with a crispy crust. The octopus salad had almost a mesquite smokey flavor which was really interesting. The Opa was incredible! If they have this special, order it! It is almost like a tuna but white and more smooth and less like a steak. We had the opa with the pomogranate sauce that comes on the mahi mahi which was amazing. We also had a side order of pumpkin ravioli which was obsenely good! Very rich with a real pumpkin flavor. The pumpkin creme brulee was fantastic, it tasted like pumpkin pie. All in all, a wonderful place for a superb seafood meal. my one complaint was that it was a little slow.

Pros: great seafood

Cons: a little slow

Posted 10/30/06

We went on a Saturday night and it was expectedly crowded. We had to wait about 15 minutes for a table for 4, which was reserved. The service was friendly and helpful. The seafood was extremely fresh and all 4 of us enjoyed everything we ordered.

Oysters were the freshest I have ever had, not surprising since BWG is the largest buyer of oysters in the city. Grilled baby octopus was succulent and flavorful. I would have preferred my red snapper a little bit rarer, but I still cleaned my plate.

The Blue Water Cocktail is nothing special - order a plain 'ole Cosmo or nice glass of white wine instead. One drawback was the size of the tables - very small and a little annoying trying to manage all the plates and glassware.

Even though this place is a part of a huge corporate machine, it was enjoyable enough and I would most probably return.

Pros: Fresh seafood, lively ambiance

Cons: very small dining tables

Posted 10/23/06

I consider myself somewhat of a foodie, my BF and I always checking out the new restaurants, trying to find a new great place, and have always meant to try Blue Water Grill, but just finally went. And I never give an outstanding review unless really warrented, but this place earned it! It has not lost its appeal over the years. The service is great. We sat downstairs in the jazz room which is such a wonderful setting. The band did take a 30 mintute break during dinner, but they played jazz music over speakers during this time, which was nice. But the live jazz so nice. The lobster bisque is fabulous, as are the lobster and shrimp sprning rolls (sauce is spicey, be aware) I had the lobster and scallops dinner, which was just about perfect. Really that good. My BF had filet mignon, which was cooked perfectly, and so tender. Dinner, 2 drinks, tax and 20%tip was about $135, not bad for a nice dinner in NYC, and totally totally worth it when the meal turns out to be this great

Pros: AMAZING FOOD, ambiance, jazz room

Cons: band breaks for 30 minutes during dinner

Posted 10/01/06

Mother in laws 75th birthday, party of 9. Arrived 20 minutes early, waited at the bar and got our reservations on time. If you are a beer drinker avoid it in this place Brooklyn Beer tastes rather unpleasant. Seated next to open doors on a comfortable city night. Service was prompt and efficient. Air conditioning was turned down upon request. Lobster Bisque Excellent--Blackened Swordfish , eh but the side dishes brought out the flavor. Creme Broulee--excellent. Scallops and shrimp were ok, Kids had surf and turf Steak was better than shrimp . Good combo it was ok. Chilean Sea Bass was good. Tuna was excellent.
Pricey, good ambience, very good service (management must be reading these reviews) . You mostly get what you pay for in New York.

Pros: Ambience, Service, Lobster Bisque

Cons: Pricey, a little too loud, but we were near the open doors.

Posted 09/30/06

The service is excellent, the food is great and the wine list offers excellent choices by the glass. Is it groundbreaking? Nah. But I know your parents will love it. Great for business and family dinners, anniversaries for those who vacation in Nantucket and also a great choice for Mother's Day. The seafood platter is a great value 125.00 for tons of lobster, clams, crawfish, oysters and shrimp. Four of us split it for dinner and with drinks and dessert, it was an elegant, yummy, memorable meal. Check out the Jazz bar downstairs for a totally different vibe.

Pros: Excellent seafood, good service

Cons: You can get something a little more interesting for the price in this city

Posted 09/18/06

I love seafood and Blue Water is the place to get it!!
My family and I love this place. Can't get enough!!

Posted 08/26/06

I admit it, I am hooked on all the BR Guest restaurants in Manhattan. Blue Water is probably my #3 spot on the list (coming in after Ocean Grill and Vento). Very reliable, great atmosphere, food and service.

Posted 08/11/06

as a local, i decided to give this place one more chance and have concluded that, in short, this place is a tourist trap and B&T-ville. the bar staff is aloof and unfriendly. the food is expensive for what you get, and not all that interesting. the "signature" blue water salad is wilted iceberg lettuce with canned black olives and chick peas and boxed croutons -- and barely edible. the lobster sandwhich is a whopping $22 and you essentially get a heaping mound of cucumbers and avocado, strategically placed under a TEASPOON of lobster, so as to make the lobster look more plentiful. the best part of the meal was the homemade potato chips. don't bother with this place -- there are plenty of other seafood joints where you'll get pristinely fresh seafood for half the price....

Pros: fresh seafood

Cons: small portions, overpriced, unfriendly service

Posted 08/02/06

GET APPETIZERS. the rock shrimp in lettuce was good, and so were anything on their oyster bar--everything was thoroughly clean, no sand or grittiness at all. Ambience was nice, service was slow but polite. Entrees were above average (the boyfriend loved it, i thought it was just okay). All in all, I think appetizers were a lot better than the entrees. OH, ps-we were seated in the main floor so no complaints about noise, but I heard downstairs in the jazz room is real loud so unless youre a fan of jazz, request for the main floor when youre making reservations.

Pros: appetizers, ambience

Cons: service was sloooow, pricey

Posted 07/27/06

I went with three friends to Blue Water Grill and ate in the Jazz Room. Beware: if you want to be able to HEAR the person next to you speak, DO NOT EAT IN THE JAZZ ROOM!!!! The ambience was fine, but we were screaming across the table at each other. Appetizer was an array of shellfish which we found okay but not particularly impressive. The lobster roll was fantastic as was the lobster bisque. I ordered the Wild Atlantic salmon with a mustard viniagrette and asparagus salad - delicious! All entrees came in surprisingly large portions and everyone was more than satiated. Dessert was generously served as well. I definitely would return, but will think twice about being seated in the Jazz Room!

Posted 07/16/06

I went here last night with 6 of my friends. I made a reservation for us at 8, and we still had to wait about 35 minutes because 'they didn't expect us to be that many people', and yes, I did make a reservation, once again. Finally when we got to sit down, I had to sit right next to the pianist (we were sitting in a jazz hall) and I felt like I could have bothered him if I sneezed or something. I couldn't hear anyone so I was screaming to people who were sitting right next to me. The waitress took about 20 minutes to bring us the menu. She came back 20 minutes after to take our order, and it took us 30 MINUTES to get our appetizer! We ordered it from the raw bar; some oysters, lobsters, mussels and more and I can't understand why that raw plate had to take 35 minutes since they're............raw! Anyways, they were clean and fresh. We liked it. We also waited about another 30 minutes for our entree. 6 Lobster dishes, 1 salmon dish and 1 sea bass dish; the food was okay. I have never paid so much at a dinner in my life but we also got very nice 3 bottles of wine. So I guess that was fine. I recommend this restaurant for a romantic spot but not to pig out like we did! Good scenery, decent food but Not-so-good Service!

Pros: Raw Bar, Ambience

Cons: Service

Posted 07/14/06

My husband and I visit New York once a year for our anniversary. We choose Blue Water Grill for two of our trips. The food is excellent (especially the dumpling appetizer), the staff is friendly and the atmosphere is great. While visiting last year we saw Susan Sharandon and Tim Robbins dinning. It was a great New York dinning expereince and would highly recommend. Very romantic.

Posted 06/19/06

I went here tonight for my birthday dinner and I loved it. My date and I were seated in the Jazz room the moment we arrived (despite being arriving a half hour earlier than our reservation). The room was a little bit noisy, but not to the point where you couldn't hear your date. We started off with the calamari, which was a little salty, but still tasty. For entrees he had the Surf n' Turf which was delicious, and I had the Sea Bass. The portions were huge for both dishes, and they both tasted amazing. For dessert we had the chocolate fondue, which was also spectacular. I would definitely recommend going back here for any seafood lover! The only downside was the service was a little on the slow side.

Pros: Food, Jazz, Ambiance

Cons: Service

Posted 05/15/06

The service and ambience is excellent at this restaurant which specializes in seafood. Just go for the seafood everything alse on the menu is below average and overpriced.

Pros: Ambience, service, Managment

Cons: steak, high prices

Posted 04/22/06

We were made to wait 20 minutes for our table, finally got a table right by the band, I mean right in front of the band, don't know why they have tables so close to the band, in any case, requested a change of table, so had to wait another 15 mintues. After being seated took our waiter 10 mintues to get us a menu, 15 minutes to come back for our order, by the time we finally got our food it was almost 1 1/2 hour since getting there. The food, I have to say was very good, but service not so good, can't decide if it was worth the wait, probally give it another shot.

Posted 04/11/06

I've never really been a fan of large, american-style, expensive restaurants. However, Blue Water Grill is a place where I will make a definate exception. Blue Water Grill has some of the BEST seafood entrees I have ever had. While dining I had the crab-crusted red snapple which was to die for. My dining companions had the surf & turf and sea bass, both of which were almost as good as my snapper. Desserts were equally good. The ice cream roll, fondue and cheesecake were all delicious. Pair all the great food with great service, and beautiful architecture, it's no wonder this place is ALWAYS busy.

Posted 03/22/06

Well we went there last week with 4 people. Had reservations only had to wait 15 mins on a saturday night. Has sat in the Jazz Room, pretty noisy, but it was fun! Everybody ordered something different, fillet, snapper, shrimp, scallops. Got a bottle of wine and apps. Rolls where a little small, over all got out of there for <$200 plus tip for a group of 4. Waiter was a little slow I think she was somewhat new! Anyway pretty darn good!!!

Pros: taste

Cons: waiter slow

Posted 03/20/06

The food was decent. The service was sub par...especially for a B.R. restaurant. I've been accustomed by the restaurant group's great service, so I was disappointed by the long wait for my lunch. The waiter was apologetic on the wait, and comped us a round of beverages.

My table was in the main dining room, but seemed to be a high traffic area for the bus people. The restaurant is busy but the high traffic area in the main dining room detracts from the overall experience.

Pros: Outdoor Dining

Cons: Ambience, Service, Average Food

Posted 03/11/06

you will love the seafood especially the RAW APPITIZER, I love the dessert too :)

Posted 01/10/06

I had a small family party at Blue Water Grill one week before Christmas. The event manager was very helpful, the host who was in charge that day managed to seat all 12 of us 1.5 hour early when I called in the same day to request it. They are all very nice and efficient. Food is fantastic for the price. Will definitely go back.

Posted 01/03/06

I went there last night with my friends, the place was so crowded and noisy. We made a reservation and still have to wait 15mins to be seated. The food was horrible, the fish was over cooked and too salty. The steak was bad, and it taste like they boiled the steak instead of grill (it supposed to be grill). You can find any restaurant in NYC is better than this one.

Cons: food, service

Posted 11/02/05

nothing great, just average. but prompt seating and friendly staff..

Pros: prompt seating , friendly staff

Cons: food is just average

Posted 10/30/05

This is my favorite restaurant in NYC. The jazz room cannot be beat. Service is excellent, and the food and ambiance make it a great value!

Pros: Ambiance, Value, Fun place

Cons: Crowded, Hard reservations

Posted 09/27/05

We went for a tame bachelorette party dinner. It is great for large groups! The place is large but very cozy. The service, ambiance and food were amazing. I am a non-fish eating vegetarian so I was a little hesitant of finding something on the menu. They were very accommadating and prepared a side dish as a main course. I highly recommend this restaurant!!!

Pros: group dining, service, food

Posted 09/18/05

I had been looking forward to eating here and always heard great things. I made reservations for the jazz room. An hour later and 60 bucks later at the bar (which only probably got us 3 drinks) we were finally seated. The service and food were pretty good but for the price you are paying I expected better. I also found the Jazz Room a bit loud and often found it hard to have a conversation. I'm certainly not saying it was the worst but i certainly didn't think it lived up to all the hype.

Pros: service, decor

Cons: overpriced, crowded

Posted 08/30/05

I've been going to Blue Water for years. The service has gone down hill. I ordered the Lobster Mash and it was horrible. The manager offered to bring more, but I declined. He did not take it off the bill. Then was there a month later and order the seafood 3 tier entree. The ceveche was horrible, the crawfish was spoiled, the mussels did not even have the meat in them. The server offered to have the chef come out and he did not. The manager came out in his place. He offered to comp our apps and sent a round of sparkling wine.

Posted 08/01/05

The atmosphere is good. Only a little loud for my taste. I like smaller, quieter places. This is definitely not it. The jazz room is great, there's live jazz playing. The service is great, the staff is nice and friendly. The rolls and sushi are good while the main course food is average - not so great, small portions and overpriced. The dessert is delicious. Overall, I would probably recomend just to go check it out since it is such a popular place. However, this would not become one of my often-visited restaurants.

Pros: friendly staff, great dessert, romantic jazz room

Cons: overpriced, long wait, too loud

Posted 07/02/05

Blue Water is restaurant eqivalent of a beautiful girl who getsyou excited because she looks great, but is mind-numbingly dull when you finally engage her in conversation. It has a great bar scene, and a nice jazz room downstairs, but the food is consistently disappointing; good, but not great. If you don't require the scene, there is much better seafood in the neighborhood.

Pros: Atmosphere, Outdoor Seating, Service

Cons: Uninspred Cuisine, Reservation Needed

Posted 06/01/05

I love this place! Excellent service, delicious food (try the Lobster Mashed Potatoes) and an atmosphere with a good NYC feeling. I recommend the Jazz Room. The music is the perfect accompaniment to the dining experience. Good date place, perfect for hosting out-of-town vistors and fun with colleagues. Great, great, great!!!

Pros: lobster mashed potato, jazz room, wine list

Posted 05/08/05

My date and I were excited to go, and didn't even mind the 25 minute wait (EVEN WITH OUR RESERVATION) to get a table. I ordered the 14 oz Grilled Sirloin and my date had the lobster and scallops. We had an overpriced bottle of chardonnay and a Spider Roll appetizer. The roll was fine, but nothing special. My steak was better than expected although the cut of meat wasn't the best. I've had far better for less at the big steak houses. Her food came cold and she was very displeased. Overall, typical New York City....you pay for the ambience and to be able to say you've been there, the food was only slightly above average.

Pros: "Happening" ambience

Cons: Food only average, over-priced

Posted 04/17/05

i don't have much complain about this place in fact i go there once in a while
but i have to say there are couple staffs who are very arrogant and unfriendly.
once i called to make a reservation and it was absolutly terrible experience if it wasn't for my friend's birthday party i would have never dine there ever again.. very very rude phone mannerism..this is corporate restaurant and i think training staffs are very important. staffs are face of the restaurant, and it was absolutely ugly

Posted 04/01/05

This is a great place. On the weekends, they have a jazz bar downstairs. The food was very well done and the desserts were even better! The prices are very reasonable as well, especially for New York.

Posted 03/21/05

Nine people for dinner and everyone was pleased! Yes, this place can be noisy and the food is not tremendously sophisticated. However the food was very good and it offered something for each of the very different palates at our table. They were late in seating us despite our reservation for the first seating of the night. However we were made to feel very comfortable at the bar and they even brought exta chairs so we could sit together. For dinner we were seated upstairs and this allowed for us to hear each other and our noise didn't seem to bother anyone else. The waitstaff was efficient and pleasant. This is a great place for a large group. Appetizers, a bottle of champagne, dinner and coffee came to 58 total--including tax and tip, and we enjoyed three hours there.

Pros: large parties welcome

Posted 03/06/05

I Have been there a lot of times for brunch and...it's always great. Even if you have o wait to get a table, once you seat it's a pleasure to stay. Omlette is great and banana caramel desset is outstanding.

Posted 02/19/05

After hearing about Blue Water Grill for years now, I findly was able to check it out for a buddys birthday. This place was Outstandinggggggg. All 7 people at my table agreed that it was one of the best meals we had ever had. The prices were a tad pricey but it really was worth it. Try the Blackened Swordfish and the Sauteed Scallop Appetizers which were to die for. I will recommend this place to anybody in need of a great dining experiences.

Pros: service, food, Jazz Music

Cons: none

Posted 02/08/05

While I prefer BR Guest's other seafood restaurants Atlantic Grill and Ocean Grill, Blue Water Grill does have great cuisine. The problem with it is that it is always overcrowded and very noisy as a result. The tables are also much too close together in parts of the restaurant. Nevertheless, the food is good enough to disregard the bad aspects of the dining experience at Blue Water. I'm sure that I'll continue to go back.

Pros: Great Food, Large Menu, Decent Wine List

Cons: , Noisy

Posted 01/23/05

The food was prepared exceptionally well. I had the special, grilled Red Snapper... it was excellent. I felt very comfortable and it had a very romantic atmosphere.

Pros: Warm Comfy Atmosphere, well prepared food, cleanliness

Posted 01/02/05

I agree that the service here is not the best, so I try to go during off hours and days that are not as crowded for dinner. I have to admit that the 6 or so times I've been here, I've gotten the same thing to eat every time: Swordfish with crabmeat/sweetpotato hash. I love it! I've tasted off of friends plates and different desserts and have never put a bad thing in my mouth here. You do have to keep of top of the waiter for drinks, bread, etc. They are very slow or not attentive at all. Go at 5:00 on a weekday and enjoy.

Posted 11/20/04

Went there with a friend for early dinner. The food was all right, nothing special. The waitress was so mean that she didn't guide us to a table when we were obviously waiting to be seated! She eventually gave us a table on the very corner, which was so uncomfortable! Couldn't believe it. What is it. She didn't like it my friend and I were looking damn sexy?! Never again!

Cons: , OK food

Posted 11/09/04