Skylight Diner — Restaurant in New York

I love diners. The pie case. The milkshake machine. Club sandwiches cut into perfect triangular wedges held together with the toothpicks that have the little red cellophane flags on the end. They're a part of American folklore we must preserve. Where else am I gonna go when it's 11 pm and I'm craving veal piccata? The place is clean. Tile, white, blue, glass, light. Stacks of prepackaged baked goods on the counter. Dessert cases to the left and right. A wall of small cereal boxes covers a mirror above the old milkshake mixer. All the classics. Greeted by the host. I asked to be seated at the counter. A front row seat to the expeditor's carefully choreographed dance of answering the phone, calling out orders to the kitchen, packaging meals for take out, and passing plates to servers. We ordered the meatloaf. Excuse me. We ordered "The Best Baked Meatloaf" (hyperbole I'm sure) which came with soup or salad and two sides. We chose the matzoh ball soup, mashed potatoes and broccoli. We added a Skylight apple walnut salad. Gotta get some greens, right? When a full bowl of soup came out, and not a cup, I immediately felt worried that we ordered too much. Then the apple walnut salad arrived and I knew we were in for it. If the salad had a chicken breast or steak it would have definitely been enough food for the two of us. We got halfway through it before deciding it was best to take a break. Then came the entre. Three slices of baked meatloaf doused in brown gravy. Three rolls, and our bowls of starch and veg. I think our server was amused by our astonished faces every time he handed us a new plate. The two of us made it through a third of it. Diner food should be good, cheap, or plentiful. I personally think two of those three qualities should be present at all times. Was the food the best tasting? No, but it wasn't bad either. Far from it. Quintessential diner fare. Was it cheap? The Skylight salad was $13 and the meatloaf was $21. Pay with cash for 4% off. For the amount of food received, that is a good value. Split, that's $17 a piece, and we barely made a dent in it. Leftovers, baby! So, yes. Plentiful. Overall it was a charming experience. I'll be back to order some pie and multiple cups of decaf. Sit at the counter and try to decipher the orders as they're spoken into the microphone for the...

A friend and I were going to a convention near at the Jacob Javits center and needed some breakfast. We found Starlight and decided to give it a try and it was indeed worth trying out.

Now if you have seen some of my other reviews I love to get into a place’s aesthetic. I adore that this location isn’t just a diner in name. The decor truly had that diner ambiance. The floors, walls, lights, chairs and even down to the table wear radiated everything about a diner so that was already a plus for me.

It was pretty busy, being that we came at breakfast time, and we were seated quickly. Once we got the menus I was overwhelmed but in a good way. The menu wasn’t incredibly long, however, it had a decent amount of choices I almost wasn’t sure if I wanted breakfast 🤣

I ordered pancakes and scrambled eggs and turkey bacon with some tea and my friend had a Belgium waffle with some fresh fruit. I would say we waited about 10 mins or so for our food to come and we were both very pleased. The pancakes tasted like Sunday morning in and the eggs and turkey bacon were just superb. My friend said her waffle was exactly what she needed and the fruit was so fresh.

After eating sat for a bit got refills on our drinks and went to pay. (You pay at the front before leaving) Since this was a diner I wasn’t sure if they took Apple Pay but I was pleasantly surprised when I was informed that they did. Our bill came up to about $35.

Highly highly recommend this spot especially being that there aren’t much decent sized breakfast spots in this area or especially if it’s convention season and/or you’re visiting NYC and need a good breakfast spot! 10/10 I...

Skylight Diner delivers an experience that encapsulates the quintessential American diner ambiance while providing high-quality food. The setting is nostalgic, featuring retro decor and comfortable seating that immediately make you feel at home.

The highlight of my visit was the French toast. Skylight Diner takes this classic breakfast staple to new heights. Made from thick-cut bread that's soaked just enough to absorb the flavors but not become soggy, the French toast is a culinary delight. The exterior has a satisfying crispness, while the interior remains fluffy and moist. Topped with a generous sprinkle of powdered sugar and accompanied by fresh fruit, this dish is a balanced composition of flavors and textures.

What sets Skylight Diner apart is not just the food, but also the exemplary service. Staff are attentive, friendly, and prompt, ensuring that your coffee cup is never empty and that any special requests are accommodated. Their attention to detail is remarkable, even during peak hours, which is a testament to their training and professionalism.

In conclusion, Skylight Diner offers a superb dining experience that goes beyond the cliché diner fare. The French toast alone is a reason to visit, but when combined with the cozy atmosphere and excellent service, it makes for an outing that you'd want to repeat. Skylight Diner doesn't just serve food; it delivers an experience...