P.J. Clarke's On The Hudson — Restaurant in New York

As much as I hate writing bad reviews, this experience honestly left me speechless. I visited this place on Sunday around 8 PM. The terrace was quite busy, but there were plenty of seats available inside. We spoke with the hosts and were seated right away. There were two of them, and both were genuinely kind and accommodating. I also politely asked if there was a way to charge my phone, usually it’s a hassle and no one wants to bother, but not this time. The hostess immediately helped, which I truly appreciated. But then… the experience went downhill. We were seated next to something that was leaking, not ideal, but fine. The main issue, however, was our server. He came to our table with zero greeting, didn’t introduce himself, nothing. He simply brought tap water, which I don’t mind, but I do appreciate when servers ask what you’d prefer. We ordered two beers from the menu… Surprise: they were out of both. Okay, we picked something else. I clearly said, “We’ll need another minute before ordering food.” And that’s when the fun began. Our server disappeared. We waited over 15 minutes — no check-in, no nothing. I ended up asking the host (who was standing nearby), and even they were surprised. It took another 5 minutes before the server finally reappeared. Meanwhile, other tables were getting served, and our guy was just walking around, chit-chatting with coworkers, completely ignoring us. Eventually, after what seemed like a nudge from the host (I overheard his name might be Michael), he came back to our table. No apology, no sense of urgency. He just asked, “Oh, you didn’t get your food yet?” I told him, “We haven’t ordered yet.” He asked, “Did you place the order with someone else?” I said, “No.” And then, I kid you not, he goes: “So what do you want?” Unbelievable. We ordered two lobster rolls and a burger. I asked if I could get fries instead of chips with the lobster roll. He said, “Sure.” Later I found out that substitution cost an extra $5 — which no one told me about, nor was it written anywhere on the menu. The food came out quickly, in under 10 minutes. It was fine — not terrible, but nothing impressive either. The buns were really dry. Definitely not worth the price. The view was the only redeeming factor — it really was beautiful. The server checked on us once. No water refills. No interest. Nothing. Shoutout to the busboy and runner, they were the real stars. Smiling, efficient, attentive. Honestly, they saved the experience from being a complete disaster. When we asked for the check, the server seemed surprised we didn’t want dessert, but by that point, I just wanted to get out. He brought the payment machine, and that’s when I noticed the extra $5 charge. When I asked about it, he seemed clueless. I said it was probably for the fries, he just nodded. No explanation. Just… “yeah.” Also, the tip suggestions started at 22%. I typed in my own — because there’s just no way I’m tipping 22% for that kind of service. He handed me the machine, and then just walked away. No “thank you,” no “have a good night,” no nothing. Great. I was genuinely shocked by the “service” I received. The only bright spot, besides the view and the bus staff, were the two sweet hosts who smiled and said: “Hope you guys enjoyed… at least a little bit.” And honestly? That summed it up perfectly. We...

I live very close by so I have been here a lot of times before and during the quarantine. No doubt the view is great. Last time I was here in late July, the food was good, service was good. Last night though, totally different story!! I had put my name down for the waitlist. They said it’s gonna take an hour for us to get a table. So we start walking around. 45 minutes later, I receive a text message that our table is ready. I call them and let them know we’re on our way in addition to responding 1 to the text message which means we’re on our way! We get there 15 minutes later which is exactly one hour from the time I put my name down on the waitlist. When we arrive though, two ladies tell us that they don’t have any tables available right now!! I stated that I have called to confirm they keep the table for us and that they have said they would! Their response was “Yes, we did but we are busy”!!! No apologies. So we ask how long it takes to get a table and they say whenever the next table becomes available. We wait another 20 minutes and the table is finally ready! Our waiter was a nice guy but he was very busy serving a lot of other tables so it would take him a very long time to come back to the table each time to get orders or put in new requests. I order the avocado sirracha burger which I really liked before. Well now, not so much! The avocado was literally a tiny tiny bit of paste you could barely see on top of the burger and overall the quality was not great. We also had orders of the Clarke burger and that was also not great. The quality of food here has tremendously dropped. I do realize with the pandemic, it should be harder to keep the quality as before but when it is a combination of average quality food, rude hosts and not great service, I wonder if I wanna ever come back here. I would get the same view from the other restaurant very close to it at Le District. I believe it is very important to keep customers...

I recently had the pleasure of enjoying lunch at P.J. Clarke's On The Hudson, and it was an exceptional dining experience from start to finish.

Atmosphere: The location of P.J. Clarke's is simply unbeatable. Nestled in Battery Park City, the restaurant offers stunning views of the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty, which create a serene and picturesque backdrop for any meal. The interior is a perfect blend of classic charm and modern comfort, with warm wood accents, cozy booths, and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. The ambiance is relaxed yet refined, making it an ideal spot for both casual lunches and more special occasions.

Service: The service was impeccable. From the moment I arrived, the staff was attentive, friendly, and professional. My server was knowledgeable about the menu and offered excellent recommendations without being overbearing. The timing of the meal was perfect, with each course arriving at just the right moment, allowing me to enjoy a leisurely lunch without feeling rushed.

Food: The food at P.J. Clarke's truly lived up to its reputation. I started with the classic clam chowder, which was rich, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. For my main course, I opted for the legendary "Cadillac" burger, and it did not disappoint. The burger was cooked to perfection, juicy and full of flavor, with a delicious blend of toppings that took it to the next level. The accompanying fries were crispy and well-seasoned, the ideal complement to the meal. For dessert, the warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream was a comforting and delightful way to end the lunch.

Overall Experience: P.J. Clarke's On The Hudson offers a five-star dining experience that combines excellent food, top-notch service, and a breathtaking setting. Whether you're a local or a visitor, this restaurant is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy a memorable meal with a view. I highly recommend it and look forward to...