queensyard — Restaurant in New York

If I could give queensyard zero stars, I would, based on the service alone. As someone who has worked in the service industry for many years, I understand the importance of hospitality, and what my party experienced at this restaurant a few weeks ago was the exact opposite.

Upon arrival, things seemed fine, the space had a lovely aesthetic and the hosts were nice. Once seated at approximately 9:20pm, my table of eight—predominantly Black individuals—was made aware by our server, Mario, that the kitchen would be closing soon and that it’d be best for us to put in our orders as soon as possible. Mind you, the restaurant doesn’t close until 11. I initially thought this was off-putting but I didn’t read much into it.

As we waited for our guest of honor, who was celebrating their birthday, to arrive, a few of us ordered drinks. I had a nice mocktail. Finally after being asked several times if we were ready to order, we placed our food orders. I had the ribs with a side of Mac & cheese and brussels sprouts which was all quite enjoyable. Unfortunately, we were rushed through our meal before the restaurant was even closed, while other tables around us continued dining without issue. In fact, at approximately 10:53 a server assistant (busboy) came over to our table, leaned over one of the empty chairs and proceeded to ask “You done?”. Out of confusion, we asked him what was said and then he repeated his question with the same rude tone of voice. Of course I understand that someone is going to come by to clear the table but there is always a proper way to ask questions and get the job done. With my fork in hand, anticipating my last savory bite, and several of us still enjoying our meals, I answered “no”. From that point forward, we were subjected to uncomfortable, lingering stares from across the room—an obvious intimidation tactic to make us feel unwelcome and encourage us to leave.

Still attempting to make the most out of our dining experience, we finished our meals and decided to take a few photos with the birthday girl. The intimidating stares from the staff continued.

When I brought my concerns to the manager, Alexi, I was met with complete disregard and nonchalant energy. Not only was there no effort to address the situation, but his tone of voice insinuated that what we experienced wasn’t a big deal as he defended the actions of his support staff. No accommodations were made, no concern was shown, and it was clear that management had no interest in making things right whatsoever.

The only positive aspect of the night was our server, Mario, who was kind and professional. Unfortunately, his good service wasn’t enough to compensate for the blatant disrespect and discrimination we faced.

It’s beyond disappointing to have an experience where you feel unwelcome simply for existing in a space. Hospitality should be about making all guests feel comfortable, not pushing them out the door while pretending their concerns don’t matter especially when they are spending hundreds of dollars on a special occasion dinner. I would never return to this establishment, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who values fair and respectful...

A group of 7 of us booked our New Years Eve with Queensyard. It was supposed to include a 4 course dinner, show, and a gala - around $275 a person. I am sitting here right now at the table almost 4 hours into the night still waiting for our 2nd course. Dinner was supposed to start at 7, the show at 9, and gala at 11, but this was our timeline:

7:00PM - we arrive and were told to wait in the waiting area as our table wasn't ready yet 7:30PM - Still not seated. When we went to check with the host, she said that they are still waiting for the guests at our table to leave 7:50PM - we are finally brought to our table. However, they definitely gave us the wrong one because they sent someone from another party to us thinking we were in the same group. The host then came over to ask us for our name again to confirm 8:10PM - someone finally comes to take our drink orders. We asked to select our food options as well since it's getting really close to the show time, but they told us they'd come back 8:45PM - we get our sharing apps (foie gras and bread/butter) 9:10PM - first course arrives (choice between burrata or venison carpaccio) 10:25PM - over an hour later, we have not received our second course (risotto). Looking around, there are other tables in the same situation as us, but there are also other tables who were seated much later and are already out the door 10:35PM: we finally get fed up and ask to speak with a manager. He tells us he has no excuse for the wait, the kitchen is short staffed, and that we can go to the show and they'll refund us for dinner. This doesn't help as we are all starving and the show is already almost done. He gives us his business card and told us to email him to figure out the refund situation, and promised that he will have our food sent out right away 10:40PM: our risotto finally comes out 11:00PM: we get our main entrees. At this point, we don't want to spend the New Year countdown at our table, so we skip on dessert and ask for the check

I completely understand being short staffed during COVID and kitchen running behind on NYE, but this really was a disaster of a night. The entire staff was overwhelmed: from the hosts dealing with the lines out the door and messed up reservations, to the wait staff who had no answers for any of the hangry customers who were missing the show or sitting at their tables without food for hours. As we were walking out, we heard multiple groups also talking about a refund too.

In addition, the food was not great and our entrees came out cold. We also had to send back two cocktails because they were not drinkable... Not sure if it's better on a normal day but definitely wouldn't recommend for any big events they hold, especially for...

The Queen’s Yard: A Gem with Tarnished Service

Nestled in an enviable location, The Queen’s Yard stands as a testament to sophisticated culinary artistry and architectural elegance. With panoramic views that capture the essence of the city’s charm and an interior design that exudes refined taste, this restaurant is undeniably a visual and gastronomic delight. It serves as an ideal venue for business meetings and a superb choice for private gatherings, whether with family, friends, or colleagues.

The culinary offerings at The Queen’s Yard are consistently commendable. Each dish reflects a commitment to freshness and quality that seldom disappoints. The menu, diverse and thoughtfully curated, caters to a range of palates, ensuring a memorable dining experience that one would expect from such an establishment.

Yet, it is with a heavy heart that I must turn a critical eye to the service. The bar and wait staff, though not without potential, fall grievously short in attentiveness and efficiency. One might enter with high expectations, only to be met with a level of service that is both sluggish and detached. This is not merely a minor inconvenience; it is a deterrent to what could otherwise be a seamless dining experience.

Happy hour, a time traditionally marked by conviviality and special offers, is an elusive event here. Rather than being celebrated and promoted, it is shrouded in obscurity, requiring patrons to inquire explicitly about its existence. This lack of transparency is perplexing and undermines the restaurant’s potential for fostering a lively, engaged clientele.

Furthermore, the initial and final impressions imparted by the front desk staff are, regrettably, far from welcoming. An uninviting demeanor upon entry and departure sets an unfortunate tone that lingers despite the quality of the food and the ambiance.

It is with a mix of admiration and disappointment that I pen these words. The Queen’s Yard has the makings of a five-star establishment, yet it is held back by a service team that fails to rise to the occasion. I hold out hope for a renaissance in their approach to hospitality, for it would be a profound loss to see such a beautiful venue diminished by a lack of customer care.

Until such a transformation occurs, my visits will be tinged with reservation. I will continue to frequent The Queen’s Yard, hopeful for change, but prepared to reassess my patronage if improvements are not realized. In a city where competition is fierce and excellence is expected, The Queen’s Yard must strive to meet and exceed the standards that its splendid setting and culinary...