Lindens — Restaurant in New York

We went to Lindens for a brunch as it was close to where we taking a stroll, the reviews were pretty good and I like to try out new places. Hadn't realised that it was actually part of the Arlo hotel though.

Unfortunately, food wise, we were disappointed. The main problem was that the spicy meat pizza was a lot spicier than we expected. We're not great with super spicy food so we should have checked on the spice level beforehand and I'd say this was a medium high spice level, which was bordering on the inedible for us. Though we did finish it with copious amounts of liquid to cool things down. This is probably a non-issue for other people who can tolerate spice, so for you spice lovers you may like it, but for me I just lost all sense of taste!

The burger was okay, but what annoyed me was that they wanted $12 extra for some fries, on top of the $19 for the burger. That just screamed price gouging to me and refused to pay the extra for fries on principal. If I'm going to have a burger and fries for $31 it better be a REALLY good burger to justify that cost and in no way was it that good. I agree with other food critics, I expect fries or a salad to be included with a burger and if you insist on separating it out as an extra then it should be a reasonable price, which this was not. Yes, this is a pet peeve of mine.

The service was pleasant but a little slow, so don't expect to be in a rush to get your meal over with.

We ate in the outdoor courtyard and I did like how they had decorated it. Do note there's a very big/loud AC unit from the hotel venting into the courtyard even though we were almost at the opposite end of the courtyard to it, which killed the ambiance somewhat. Having said that, if it was full up I suspect the voices of diners might drown it out a little, whereas there were only half a dozen tables occupied at the time we had the meal so it...

The food we had this evening was a 5 star experience but the service was not, I would still recommend it for the food but they need to work a lot harder on coaching and training new staff. The person that received us at the door was not very attentive and we had to ask for a high chair for our toddler from our waitress the third time she came around. My wife and I ordered cocktails to start, which were great, and indicated we wanted wine with the food however no one asked us after that and when the appetisers (and starters together) were served we managed to get the attention of another waiter to get a menu for wine by the glass and then we managed to order from another waitress, not ours, and then the two glasses took about 10 minutes to arrive so we had almost finished the food before we got the wine. It is really worth to mention that the indoors dining area by then only had two other guests at one table and was otherwise completely empty. Taking queue from the first serving I ordered a glass of red when they cleared the table but that glass still took 5 minutes to arrive after the main was served. The main course was as brilliant as the starters and the bass my wife had was cooked to perfection, the cauliflower our two elder daughters shared was fantastic and my hanger steak was really good. The dessert’s were outstanding we had the two crème brûlées, the table side sundae and the eclair, our daughters were ecstatic about the experience. I chose the restaurant based on reviews and they are honest about the food but service seem to be a bit shakey. Our waitress was clearly new to the profession and could have used a fair bit of more coaching and support to...

A Hidden Gem with Burgers Worth Writing Home About

Tucked away in the heart of the city, Linden’s American Restaurant isn’t just another spot trying to slap “gourmet” on its menu — it means it. From the moment you walk in, there’s a cozy yet confident vibe that makes you feel like you’ve discovered something special. But let’s cut to the chase: the food is where Linden’s really shows off.

First up: the burger. This isn’t your average patty-on-a-bun situation. We’re talking perfectly seared, juicy beef that’s seasoned like someone in the kitchen really cares. The bun is soft but holds its own, and every topping — from the melty cheese to the tangy house-made sauce — adds something real to the bite. It’s the kind of burger that demands your full attention. And yes, you will find yourself thinking about it later.

Now, let’s talk fries. These golden beauties come out hot, crisp, and salted just right — none of that soggy, over-seasoned nonsense. They’re the kind of fries that dare you not to finish the whole plate before your main even hits the table.

And then there’s the steak — tender, flavorful, and cooked to that perfect balance where it practically melts in your mouth. It’s clear Linden’s isn’t cutting corners; everything from the quality of the cut to the way it’s plated shows care and craft.

Whether you’re looking for a casual dinner or showing a friend your new favorite spot, Linden’s hits that sweet spot between comfort and class. Go for the burger, stay for the steak, and don’t even try to skip the...