Daintree — Restaurant in New York

Hostess Claudia and General Manager Gerardo, ZERO stars

Bartenders and Security, Hayden, 5 stars!

We were recommended the Daintree by another rooftop down the street that was hosting a private party. Upon arriving to the Daintree rooftop, we were rudely greeted by Hostess Claudia where we were told Daintree was first come first serve, almost at capacity and we would need to look around ourselves for seating. We did, found a nice corner, and went up to the bar to order. Shortly after ordering, a cocktail waitress asked if she could help us, we told her we had just ordered at the bar, and she offered to help with our second round when we were ready! We ended up ordering our second round at the bar, as our cocktail waitress was busy, though appreciated her kindness. After getting our second drinks, we were rudely confronted by Hostess Claudia asking us to combine our party of 4 to 1 couch, as there were reservations coming in. We obliged, though asked Claudia why we were told there were no reservations and it was first come first serve. Claudia was incredibly curt and unprofessional immediately, stating reservations were through resi, acting as though we should know this and our question had offended her. We asked General Manager Gerardo if he could send the cocktail waitress over, and he said Daintree didn’t do that and we needed to go to the bar. The inconsistency and lack of customer service was palpable. Hostess Claudia had a fake smug smile on her face while taking to us, and General Manager Gerardo talked down to us. Oh All four in our party were perplexed by this exchange.

Following this, Security Hayden came up and informed us our time was up and we had to leave. We were shocked and confused at this news, asked why, and to speak to a Manager. General Manager Gerardo came up and without even asking us anything, started telling us we needed to leave the bar and were unwelcome. How things escalated to this point for Hostess Claudia and General Manager Gerardo is still perplexing to our party. We had just ordered our second round, were quietly tucked away in a corner, enjoying a drink after work. Security Hayden seemed as though this exchange with his colleagues towards customers was common, was incredibly kind to us, offering to comp our drinks in exchange for his unprofessional colleagues.

While the bartenders and Security Hayden were delightful, the staff that greets customers at the door, Hostess Claudia and General Manager Gerardo create a miserable experience at Daintree and I would...

My wife and I visited NY from the UK in April to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. We reserved 10 days in advance (which is the earliest you can book it) for a window seat with a view ("Empire State Two Tops"), and paid $22 to guarantee this seating. When we arrived in the hotel lobby we were greeted by a girl who asked if we were there for the "private event". No, we're here to celebrate our anniversary! We were told we couldn't access the bar as they'd since booked it our for a private function! When we mentioned we'd booked and paid for it, we were told excuses that because it was through a third party (the Tablz system does the booking) it wasn't their fault and they likely didn't know about our booking. Yet, it is the Daintree website that links you to the Tablz fulfillment website. They didn't even attempt to contact me in advance to let me know.

How unprofessional is this? It's one thing to inconvenience people who have reserved (at no cost) and made plans, but its completely out of line to do this after you've taken their money! They did try to offer us an alternative date, but that's no use when you only got a few days left and have bookings for those days. Also, by this point I was thinking why should they get my business . . .

The girl in the lobby was actually very sympathetic and looked awkward, like she knew this was wrong. She was just following orders. I got the impression that this was a fairly regular exchange for her. I've attached a picture of her phone screen at the time, with someone fobbing us off. Meanwhile, a menacing bouncer guy had transitioned into "standby mode" just behind her, getting ready to pounce in case we were incapable of having a civil exchange . . . Really???

Additionally, no refund was provided until I chased it up afterwards - when I emailed Daintree, they didn't even respond to apologise, they just contacted Tablz, and it was them that emailed me to let me know about the refund.

So, probably great views from the Daintree, and based on the other reviews, you'll probably be ok and have a good time. But just remember, you might turn-up and they've taken your money, cancelled your evening plans, and not bothered to let you know. Ok, for walk-ins, but why risk a reservation when there are plenty of other great places to go in Manhattan that can run a business...

Did I have a wonderful first date? Yes. Was Daintree's romantic and dim ambiance comparable to an evening in the living room of a stocked 16th floor penthouse to blame? Absolutely. I was initially worried that it would be a posh place (and perhaps not let me in with my ripped jeans); fear not. The staff and environment are laid back, polite, and the decor is far from fancy, but instead set with a cathartic collection of sophisticated Scandinavian dessert peices that pay homage to the massive native New York house plants e.g. Brazil Plant, Rubber Plant and others, placing them around couches you can really fall asleep on and tables too small for platters but perfect for sitting your cocktail down on. As for the drinks, my date and I where not too adventurous, so our orders reflected a sort of loyalty to the familiar that resulted in cocktails that were not bad or good. Upon return, I plan on avoiding the drinks that sound like they taste like a margarita or a spiked lemonade, and see what the bartenders really have to offer. Having said that, everything taste better when you are eye level with the empire state building's top floors and are able to look down on midtown and its sparkling towers that look like metal trees. And this is one dope treehouse. Imagine you have one friend who is an actual music connoisseur. They have him the aux at Daintree-- we're talking an eclectic mix that will bring you back and move your head forward. They don't miss. Ultimately, you aren't traveling from whatever den in Harlem or waving walkup in Brooklyn you hail from for the steeply priced drinks and surprisingly tasty bites. Take someone you want to have conversation with-- someone who's eyes you want to stare into. Daintree offers comfort, anticipation, romance, and an ambiance that wont make you sleepy but certainly want to cuddle. P.s. it's a little cool, bring a jacket or perhaps a...