Serafina Financial District — Restaurant in New York

I suggest avoiding Serafina and Broad Street (next to the Stock Exchange) until the manager is fired and a professional experienced manager is hired and the servers staff gets trained properly. When we walked in there were about five tables occupied including us, yet we waited up to 10 minutes for anyone to approach us before we had to actually get up and go to the bar and ask someone to come give us water. The server was pleasant, although clearly not trained correctly….not her fault. Our food and appetizers all arrived at the same time. The entire time, the manager, and another man who worked for the restaurant sat the bar with their backs to all the tables and two of the other tables had an issue as well. We had to go up to the manager to tell him all of the things that were going wrong and his response ” What do you want me to do?” We were only a table of two, so wasn’t like we were a big party, and that was the response we were given. We told him we would have liked our appetizer to come out with everything that we asked for, like spoons for soup would be nice, and that our entrées didn’t come out the same time. A server brought over the spoons and was very nice and apologized while the manager went back to the bar with his back to all the tables. When our two meals arrived, we were only one of four tables at this point, the manager was STILL at the bar with his back to his clientele. I asked the assistant for some Parmesan cheese. It never arrived, and I asked him two additional times. I had to try to get someone’s attention by almost screaming at them by the bar for someone to give us assistance. A server came over and gave us what we asked for again apologizing, not the manager….he continued sitting at the bar with his back to the tables. When we were done with our meals the server walked over with a tiramisu, and said sorry this is for your troubles, again she was very pleasant and delightful. Did the manager say anything??? That would be a no because he was STILL sitting at the bar with his back to the tables…. are we noticing a theme here? When we left the restaurant, we walked all the way over to the other side and out the door and not one single person in the restaurant said thank you, good night, have a nice evening, nothing. This location just opened but clearly the manager needs to go and the staff needs to be trained better. We have been to many Serafina establishments all around New York City, East Hampton, Miami, and never had this HORRIBLE experience before.

We were excited to have this location open because we live down the block. There are so many places to eat in FiDi….skip this one until they get it together. Head to Meatpacking, never had an...

Right in the heart of Wall Street, there's a spot that's been drawing attention for all the right reasons—Serifina at 30 Broad Street. For those in the know, you might recognize me as the attorney & restauranteur often seen in a sharp three-piece suit, white spats, white gloves, a walking stick in hand, and frequently stopping to share a moment of kindness through my tradition of gifting hundreds of roses to those around me.

Serifina has transformed from its earlier café days into a place that's now a beacon of dining excellence in the Financial District. After witnessing its evolution firsthand over multiple visits, I can tell you, this transformation is not just about a change in menu or décor. It's about an establishment that has raised the bar for what dining should feel like in this bustling part of New York City.

The staff, led by the dynamic duo Frank and Christian, brings a level of service that makes every visit memorable. Chef Rocky and Juan behind the bar are crafting dishes and drinks that are personalized and downright delicious. They're not just serving food; they're curating an experience. It's their dedication to excellence that has turned Serifina into a place where you're always in for a treat, whether it's a casual dinner or a special occasion.

But what truly sets Serifina apart is the vibe. It's become a gathering spot for those who appreciate the finer things in life but in a relaxed, unpretentious setting. It's where the modern meets the timeless, offering an experience that's as much about the community as it is about the cuisine.

As someone deeply embedded in the fabric of this neighborhood, my connection to places like Serifina isn't about partnership or promotion as I have several other restaurants; it's about sharing what genuinely makes our area special. It's for those who, like me, seek out spots that add something meaningful to our collective experience of the city.

So, if you're ever in FiDi looking for a place that epitomizes the spirit and flavor of Wall Street, Serifina at 30 Broad Street is where you'll want to be. And who knows, you might just bump into me there, enjoying the ambiance, maybe discussing the latest find or sharing a story or two or awaiting your appearance to gift you a rose. After all, it's these shared experiences that make our neighborhood more than just a place to work or live—they make it a community.

~Arthur Orson...

Italian food is about simplicity and freshness yet there is a certain care and love that needs to go into the process. Perhaps when this was not a “mini chain” things were more cared for and regulated. First, as many have noted, the service was to be desired. The restaurant was rather full and the staff consisted of a hostess, a bartender/waiter and one waitress who were tasked to tend to all the tables. Our order was taken and eventually, after a significant wait, our food was served. That was the extent that anyone checked up on us. It was a fairly pricey establishment and one would expect a little more focus service wise. I had to go out of my way to flag down the bartender/ waiter just to get a check.

Ok food. There were seven of us so there plenty of opportunities to show their craft. Sadly everything fell significantly short. The bruschetta was on toast points with just diced tomatoes and basil. Taste was ok but nothing flavorful enough for me to notice. Was hopeful for things to come. The Caesar salads were lacking flavor and were dry and under dressed. Croutons lacked any flavor as well 3/10. The burger was somewhat cold and dried out. A reheat perhaps but over cooked, dry and a little cold. The Raviolis were soggy and completely drenched in butter and lacked much flavor. The red sauce dishes were acceptable but the sauce had no body. Not much better than a Raos or other higher end jarred sauce. Meatballs were not tough but not tender either and had a canned spaghetti and meatballs aftertaste thing going on. Off putting enough that I did not want to continue eating them. Eggplant parm was soggy, chewy and lacking any crisp at all. A blanket of cheese over the whole thing did not improve things. Edible but not enjoyable. Overall, portions were quite small. Left feeling a little hungry after dropping close to 300 on the meal. No care was put into this food. Just churned out with little to no regard for the actual product on the plate. One can tell there are some good ingredients there but none of that matters if you dont know how to execute.

Atmosphere was nice. Temp in the space was quite warm and the air even had an unpleasant muggy quaility to it. The whole experience was just...