Knickerbocker Bar and Grill

UNFRIENDLY SERVICE RUINED AN ALREADY DISAPPOINTING MEAL.

My boyfriend had read excellent reviews about this place and decided to take me there for my birthday. This is not the place for a special night out, the atmosphere is old and stodgy . Our waitress was unfriendly ( If I didn't know any better I would say she has a problem serving minorities ). When we asked her to store our bags while we ate dinner she placed our bags next to the bathroom on top of a dirty mop. The kitchen may have been having an off day, but everything we ordered from the stale bread, the tasteless salmon croquettes, to the chewy T bone steak was bland.

When I mentioned to the waitress that we were a bit disappointed with the quality of our meal she shrugged her shoulders and said " everyone else here likes it, so that's too bad for you". She then proceeded to go to the other wait staff and literally pointed at our table while gossiping

If you like flavorful food and good service stay away. BEWARE OF LESS THAN FRIENDLY SERVICE.

This place might be an institution but it missed the mark. If you are looking for decent steak and good service there are plenty of other great establishments in NYC to visit.

Pros: Unique posters on the walll

Cons: Rude wait staff, food was all hype

Posted 10/28/09

The "Knick" has been a village standard for decades able to combine a young crowd, the occasional celebrity and older village regulars comfortably. It's T-Bone steaks (order one for two) are as good as the top steak houses in New York, and about half the price. The rest of the menu has been constantly improving with a new chef. Lots of good wine selections for $45 or less. Jazz on Fridays and Saturdays adds a lot

Pros: Interesting varied menu beyond the steaks

Cons: Can be noisy

Posted 09/12/09

Knickerbocker is my go-to place for special occasions with small groups. The bistro is always a good bet when you want a quick bite and the regular staff are always friendly. You'll never leave hungry and the deserts and great too!

Pros: Friendly staff, great steak!

Cons: Having to wait when they're busy...

Posted 06/03/09

This is a true story that happened on Valentines Day. I took my daughter to Knickerbocker for dinner. We had 5:30 reservations and were seated upon arrival. That was the only part of our dinning experience that went well! Within 5 minutes of sitting down the owner started screaming at the wait staff; first about a table not being set and then about time cards. He was screaming in the middle of the dinning room?not what you want to listen to during a fine dinning experience. We both order the T-Bones and requested them ?medium.? About thirty minutes later, the steaks arrived and were served rare?.a purple center. I requested that the steaks be sent back and cooked properly. I know the difference between very rare and a nice pink medium. The owner came over to our table and accused me ( in a very loud tone) of not knowing what medium was and said that when I got my steaks back there would be no pink in the meat. The owner was so rude that my daughter started crying and I decided to leave.
Please DO NOT reward an owner that treats his customers like we were treated. He ruined a very special day with my daughter. They are many fine steaks houses in New York. Please take this one off you list of establishments to visit.

Cons: Owner is very rude.

Posted 02/15/09

Came here for New Year's Eve. Prices were hiked for the night, but understandably. T-bone was pretty good, but not legendary in my opinion. Sides were delicious, including creamy spinach. The chocolate souffle was tasty. The service was very friendly and sincere, if not phony and solicitous. Overall, a good time even if the prices were too high.

Pros: Sides, service

Cons: Prices

Posted 01/12/09

My rich uncle brought me here one fabulous night. I had the best dinner of my entire life. I ordered steak on top of mashed potatoes and spinach that was drizzled with a cherry sauce. On top of that was a piece of lobster (the first I'd ever had) and it was soooo scrumptious! Our server was amazing and server knew everthing about wines. I was HIGHLY impressed and satisfied. The interior is also incredibly visually stimulating. Wow.

Pros: food,service,ambiance

Posted 11/21/08

My husband and I love steak so we try to visit every steak restaurant in NYC. I came across Knickerbocker on the web and since we have never been there decided to try it. What a big disappointment!!!!! I had the ribeye and my husband had the T-bone-both steaks were tough and very salty. It did not feel or tasted like good aged steak. This is definitely not a place for a romantic date. It is too crowded, too noisy and also the seating are too close to each other.

Pros: none

Cons: spend a little extra and go to a real steak restaurant.

Posted 11/07/08

Had dinner there on a Saturday night- with my husband. We ordered the Crispy Rock Shrimp app- which was amazing and big enough for us to split easily (and I'm an eater), the crab cake was just ok- but still good. The wine list good- they had a nice selection on ? bottles for a decent price. I ordered the Black Angus Burger and it was the best burger I've ever had- it was huge, cooked perfectly, and had a salad basically on top. Also the french fries were really tasty. My husband had the braised short ribs and LOVED them, I didn't taste but the presentation was great and it was a good size portion. This place was comfortable; tables were close but still gave you enough space. No live music when we were there- from 7-9. We even had a drink somewhere else and peaked back in around 10 and still no band. It was kind of a let down since that was one of the reasons we wanted to try Knickerbockers, but all in all I would definitely recommend for a casual but still nice date spot- It's just cozy and good and the service was excellent.

Pros: Great Beef!

Cons: No Live Jazz

Posted 10/08/08

This restaurant is one of my favorites. I recommend getting the black angus filet mignon au poivre. Tonight I thought my tastebuds were in heaven. I am considering going for brunch tomorrow, and will probably get my usual crabcakes benedict (to die for). If you're in the neighborhood, I recommend stopping in for one of the nights when there's music (never too loud). If you're making an excursion, I would say you should make a whole romantic date out of it. Go to La Petite Coquette down the block, buy some pretty lingerie, then go to the Knickerbocker and get a meal and some wine which will certainly seal the deal! Go home with leftovers if you have any, and thank me later. Oh- important to know- at the Knickerbocker, you should order the chocolate souffle for two, but make sure to do it at the beginning of the meal, so they can time it properly.

Posted 09/19/08

Having grown up in this neighborhood, I have searched high and low for the best brunch menu and have fallen in love with Knickerbocker. Their French toast is highly recommended but you cannot go wrong with any menu selection. Their dinner is also a table pleaser - with excellent fish, steak, ribs, sides and salad options, there is something everyone will love. If you like shortribs (and I'm the type of person who will ALWAYS order them if they're on the menu) they are not to be missed here. The flavors are dynamic and additctive while the meat simply falls off the bone without being the least bit fatty. Hats off to the chef!

Posted 08/12/08

I've gone here many times and enjoyed it but I had an experience this week that I was compelled to write about. I ordered the beef medallions off the bistro menu and almost fell of my chair when I was served one piece of beef the size of a quarter with some mixed greens and a potato with goat cheese (the menu said there would be mushrooms in this potato creation but they were not in evidence). "MedallionS" implies plural and my friend suggested I send it back, but I couldn't be bothered. It tasted fine but for $16.75 I felt very disappointed that this respectable establishment has resorted to tactics befitting a shady tourist trap.

Pros: prompt and professional service, good food

Cons: big miss menu items

Posted 05/21/08

I have only been here for lunch and I keep going back because it's always good. The selection is extreamly wide and the service is very polite and friendly

Pros: Great Food and service

Cons: Prices are a bit high

Posted 12/08/07

no one would know that the BEST chocolate souffle would be found in this well known jazz and steak joint. but, ooooh is it good. if you get the funny waiter, he'll do a dripping and stabbing into the souffle act that is somewhat funny and endearing. there's great live jazz there as well-- and though i haven't had the steaks, many a people have complimented them for their great t-bones... next time we'll go there for dinner and dessert... not just dessert. the staff is friendly-- not overly nice or attentive but the souffle and live music make up for it all. prices are reasonable.

Pros: best chocolate souffle, great live music -- highly talented individuals

Cons: sometimes hard to find a seat

Posted 09/07/07

I like their whole menu and recently discovered their Kobe burger, its heavenly. The best burgeri in the city. Buttery, smoky, perfect.
Charming rustic atmosphere, always consistent. happy 30th!!!

Pros: food

Cons: nada

Posted 04/24/07

I RECENTLY HAD DINNER HERE AND HAD A GREAT EXPERIENCE. THE MENU WAS EXTENSIVE AND IT WAS HARD MAKING A DECISION. BUT I DECIDED ON THE STEAK AND I WAS PLEASED. THE FOOD IS
DELICIOUS AND THE STAFF WAS VERY CORDIAL. I WOULD DEFINITLEY GO BACK. I RECOMMEND IT.

Cons: HARD TO GET PARKING

Posted 02/21/07

Even though its not cheap, the food is just incredible. The steaks taste as good as the hamburgers which are phenomenal. The garlic mash potatoes are excellent as well, makes my mouth water just typing about this now.

Pros: Great Food, Service, Atmosphere

Cons: Crowded, Expensive

Posted 11/12/06

Went here to celebrate a birthday with a party of 6.
The food was mediocre- and overpriced for quality and the level of the resaurant. The waitstaff is borderline disrespectful to the customers-they're too busy laughing and fooling around with eachother. The dinner was handled unprofessionally

Pros: None

Cons: Very Poor Service

Posted 08/20/06

Knickerbocker may be known for its steaks & beef but based on our recent experience, I recommend trying the no-beef dishes too. I was intrigued by a "laquer duck" entree which turned out to be a combination of duck breast done in a wine sauce with a wonderful vanilla flavor. It was accompanied by what I can only decribe as a duck taco; a sort of duck hash in a tortilla topped with a contrasting flavor mix of mangos, peppers and other ingredients. Sounds strange but it was a surprisingly tasty delight! My wife tried their crab cakes which she likewise found surprisingly filled with lots of crab and little filler and stuffing. She also recommended the grilled asparagus. The service was also surprisingly efficient considering it was a Sat. night and a "name" jazz pianist was playing. One word of caution. If you go to Knickerbocker to hear the music, go to a late set. It tries unsuccessfully to cater to both dinner crowd and a jazz audience at the same time. Once the diners have pretty much cleared out however, it can be a great place to enjoy some gret mucic without the usual pressure to keep drinking in order to keep your table.

Pros: Imaginative menu; staff makes you feel at home

Cons: Great jazz but noisy room

Posted 06/24/06

Went there for the first time this past weekend and left knowing we'd be back. My boyfriend had the T-Bone (the fried onions on top and the garlic mashed were AWESOME) and I had the Surf N Turf (also very good), and we both ended up with leftovers. Try the churros for dessert! Atmosphere was family friendly and service was good - we made reservations and were seated immediately.

Pros: atmosphere, STEAK, wine list

Cons: pricey

Posted 01/22/06

The food is superb and you shouldnt go if you want a quick/cheap meal. Put up with the loud sardine packed dining room and slow service youll be handsomely rewarded. The walls are richly decorated with Hirschfeld sketches and Coney island posters fabulously old NY decor. Thankfully, we called ahead because even with a reservation we still waited over half an hour to get a table.

My ribeye was tender with a sumptuous sweet potato no need for butter or salt. My sister had filet mignon topped with portabellas her sides left A LOT to be desired after the filet. Between ten plates of t-bones, ribs, salmon and steaks, there wasnt a scrap left on the table. If it wasnt bad manners I wouldve picked up my chocolate souffle and licked the bottom clean. Three hours later and I was blissfully stuffed to the gills. Definitely recommend!

Pros: steak, chocolate soufflé, ambiance

Cons: slow service, packed house, music fee

Posted 11/12/05

Knickerbockers is said to attract a 40+ crowd which is definitely the case. However, the ambiance is lively and warm and the service the same. The food was absolutely incredible with highllights being a steak house favorite; creamed spinach with nutmeg and you MUST try the chocolate souffle. To die for. My favorite in NYC so far. Be aware this place is pricey.

Pros: Food, Ambiance, Service

Cons: Price

Posted 11/08/05

I have been going to Knickerbockers for 15 years for brunch and dinner and have never had a bad experience. The ambience is a homey neighborhood restaurant that is cool without trying to be trendy. Regulars have been coming here for years and know all of the waitstaff by name. Be sure to request a booth when making a reservation and definitely get the steak. Unlike most places, the steak can be ordered for 1-4 people and comes with creamed spinach and a choice of potato (get the garlic mashed). Their drinks are great from bloody marys to martinis-they really know how it should be made.

Pros: steak, drinks, booths

Cons: price

Posted 10/24/05

MY OLD HANG OUT HAS CHANGED, FOR THE BETTER. NEW, HIPPER LOOK. BEAUTIFUL CHERRYWOOD TABLES,MORE COMFORTABLE FEEL. THE MUSIC IS STILL GREAT.
SAME STAFF FROM YEARS AGO, MAKE IT VERY COMFORTABLE. WE HAD THE T BONE, GOOD AS LUGERS, EVEN BIGGER AND CHEAPER.I HAD FOIE GRAS ON AN APPLE TART, TOO DIE FOR. WE SHARED A BEET SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE. I HAD THE CRABMEAT LASAGNA WITH A GINGER BUTTER SAUCE, THIS WAS NOT YOUR GRANDMAS LASAGNA, LOOKED LIKE IT WAS MADE TO ORDER.FOR DESSERT WE HAD, I THINK ITS THE BEST AROUND, CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE. I ASK MY WAITRESS HOW IT IS MADE, AND SHE SAID THE KEY IS VALROHNA CHOCOLATE.
IT WAS AS GOOD A MEAL AS I'VE EVER HAD, ANYWHERE. MY HUSBAND JUST REMINDED ME ABOUT THE WINE, CHAULK HILL CAB. FOR $60, HE SAYS ITS A STEAL.
IT WAS WELL WORTH THE VISIT BACK THERE, CHEERS!

Pros: FOOD, JAZZ, SERVICE

Cons: ONLY WEEKEND JAZZ

Posted 09/17/05

Terrible service! No one should be treated like this when they are a customer!
We were a party of 6 women. We were treated poorly from the moment we walked in the door. The concierge (who called himself "the manager") was rude and disrespectful. We left this restaurant after this person continued to harass us in front of a full room of diners.

Posted 08/27/05

i've dined at the restaurant a few times and the experience was so so, however the last time i was there i was amazed at how pompus the staff was. during dinner i left to go to the restroom and the bus boy just happend to spill a full glass of red wine all over the table, my chair, and my lamb skin gucci bag. i believe the manager said, "hey accidents happen." his face turned bright red and obviously didn't know how to handle the situation. we had to pay for the entire dinner (including the spilled wine) and i had to wait about 2 1/2 months to get the bag dry cleaned. the owners and the managers need to learn how to run a business.

Posted 08/22/05

Like an old standard, the Knick never disapoints. Even if you mised the cameo in some poular movies, you'll appreciate the Hirschfelds (pencil drawing that hide the artist's daughter's name "Nina", over and over again) and the great live Jazz. They have found the magical combination of live dinner music that is both enjoyable and unobtrusive. It's a treat to sit at the bar, or to cozy up with a small grou in those round leather booths... the chocolate souffle is a MUST!

Pros: Music, Ambiance

Posted 03/13/05

I love the coziness, camaraderie and ambiance of eating at the bar, and the Knick is hands down the best dining-at-the bar place in this town.

Pros: Dining at the bar, Bartenders, Great menu

Cons: Slightly older crowd

Posted 02/22/05

I HAVE BEEN TO THE "KNICK" MANY TIMES AND ITS ALWAYS GREAT. I RECENTLY WENT AND I LOVE THEIR NEW LOOK. GREAT LOOKING CHERRY WOOD TABLES, REALLY GO WELL FOR THIS STEAKHOUSE. I ACTUALLY FEEL A LITTLE MORE COMFORTABLE WITHOUT THE WHITE TABLECLOTHS. LITTLE DISAPPOINTED THAT THE JAZZ IS ONLY ON FRI. & SAT., BUT I'LL LIVE. LOVE THIS PLACE, ALWAYS FEELS LIKE HOME.

Pros: GREAT FOOD, COMFORTABLE, NICE STAFF

Posted 01/21/05

This was a hit of a restaurant for our group. Great T-Bone!!! Highly recommended. Atmosphere was excellent, as was the live music. Service was a bit slow, but we didn't mind as we had the music to listen to. Would not recommend the Ahi Tuna appetizer. Highly recommended overall. Great selection of entrees and a nice wine list!

Pros: Moderately Priced, Great Steak, Large Menu

Posted 11/14/04

Came recommended to us, but we found the food to be so-so, the service good, but we were told we could not order desert since the table we were at had a reservation waiting. Like that wes our fault. No much of a value to this experienced diner.

Pros: Service

Cons: Attitude, Parking, Food quality

Posted 11/21/03

a superb place! i've been coming here for years since the early 80's....great jazz that never disappoints and great steaks and side dishes....also good seafood try the grilled halibut, the appetizers are awesome too if you just want to hang out in the bar...this is a classic New York place, let's hope it stays around forever!

Pros: the jazz, the food, the atmosphere

Cons: the parking

Posted 10/25/03

Two twentysomethings treated a friend who is leaving the working world for law school to a nice meal. Habitues (via parents) of the KBG for many years, we reserved a table. Two yummy starters, two bottles of wine and two execrable entrees later ('medium rare' steak burned outside, gray within, INEDIBLE ribs so packed with gristle that they were -a lifetime first-) we thanked the waitress, paid the bill (not including the ribs, thankfully) for a $70 steak and music charge, gave generous tip and asked to see the manager. He said that we were intoxicated (how can you contest that?), that the meat 'always comes from the same supplier,' never apologized for the ruined celebration, and finally kicked us out, saying he did not need patrons like us. At least two longtime customers with expense accounts, lost forever. We don't dine where we have been treated so shamefully.

Pros: Oysters rockefeller, duck breast, ambience, waitresses

Cons: Horrid manager, elevator music, questionable meats

Posted 07/17/03

Our dinner took over two hours because of the slow service. Since we didn't get the check until after the live music had played for 15 minutes, our bill included a music charge per person. The fine print on the menu says all people who are still seated at a certain time will be charged.

Pros: long time between, courses allows one, to digest

Cons: Unfair cover charge

Posted 07/07/03

An institution in the West Village, Knockerbocker is one of those restaurants where you can either have the meal of your dreams or the meal from hell. Last night, I had the most delicious pork chops. My dining companion had a steak with so much fat on it that he had to send back it. The service is great, the prices are very fair, and the restaurant is a throw back to old gentlemen's clubs. Most of the diners are elderly. Hip it ain't, but I do return from time to time with mixed results.

Pros: prices, service

Cons: inconsistent food

Posted 04/13/03

I've been a fan of this place since I came to NYC years ago. Excellent service for each visit. I highly recommend the smoked salmon and caesar's salad, as well as caviar pie!! The famous T-bone steak is also quite a taste. If you 're going in a group don't order the bigger portions-1) too difficult to have it cooked the way you want it 2) the bigger the portion, the smaller each person will get. So, every 2 ppl. should get a T-bone for one, not all 4 of you getting T-bone for 4. Trust me, it's a huge difference. Also their chocolate souffle is not bad at all. I wouldn't try their pasta though, it's not so good. Other dishes that I didn't mentions are rather inconsistent in quality.

Posted 02/04/03

ALWAYS dependable. Ambiance, Service, and food. We have been there dozens of times and it never misses. No matter who we bring with us, they are impressed. Even New Years Eve was perfect. Everything on the menu is just right and one of the best steaks in town. Knickerbocker is a jewel of a restaurant. Hope they never find out how much they could actually charge for their food!
A Great - Dependable place to dine and enjoy good Jazz!

Pros: Dependable Food, Good Jazz, Moderate Price

Posted 12/31/02

Easier to get to and easier for most to get into than Peter Luger and though there's no Luger steak sauce, the meat is comparable. Enormous portions, so steak for one is ample for two. It's cooked to perfection, served sliced & on the bone in sizzling pan. Accompanied by variety of wonderful potatoes and creamed spinach. Added perk is you're not limited to steak house side dishes, so you can get a superb caesar salad, many other choices to go with your steak. Large menu is sure to please non-meat eaters also. There is usually (or maybe always) live music starting at 9pm. Likely to please most everyone, locals, visitors, finicky eaters, big eaters. Clubby feel with banquettes, photos of the streets from years ago.

Pros: as good a steak as an, can get a reservation, live music

Cons: okay, it's not trendy

Posted 08/23/02

I had dinner with my husband this evening here and it was such a pleasure to be taken care of, and taken care of well. The waiter, Sean knew exactly what to do and was unobtrusive. The T-Bone for 2 was one of the top 3 I have ever had and the creamed spinach was by afr the best I have had. the ceasar salad was amazing. Try the garlic mashed as well!

Pros: service, quality

Cons: expensive

Posted 06/20/02