The Heights Bar & Grill — Restaurant in New York

ZERO STARS-Let me start by saying that my husband and I have been patrons here since my Columbia days ('99-'03) & we've never experienced anything like what happened to our family last week. We came here to celebrate our eldest’s graduation only to have my husband rudely & aggressively spoken to, nearly poked in the chest, followed down the steps by their manager Sean. We placed a call at noon on Friday to make a reservation for nine at 8:15pm. The day manager, Deon, told us he couldn’t accommodate us, that we would just have to come down and see. But since the roof was open, it shouldn’t be a problem. We arrive around 7:45, I inform the very tall server with the dark framed glasses, that I would like a table for 9. As I stand there with my graduate in her graduation attire, he immediately tells me he can’t accommodate us on the main floor, but “go up to the roof and see if they can accommodate you there”. I start to walk to the roof, he calls out “wait, my manager just said there’s no space up there either.” Interesting, as no one had gone to check. No one asked if I wanted to wait for a table, or told me what the wait time would be. No one acknowledged me any further, period. That should have been our cue to leave and not return, but we had driven in with family. I went to talk to my family downstairs. I came back to ask that they put us on a list for the next available table and the manager, Sean, is griping about accommodating a group of 9, which is interesting as I’ve seen plenty of large groups seated both on the main floor and roof without issue. What kind of manager audibly complains about seating a large group at a restaurant? Last July, my family reserved a brunch table for 15 without a single problem (different manager). He begrudgingly takes down my name and number and tells me it will be 45 min to an hour. My husband goes upstairs to use the bathroom while we wait. While he’s waiting for the bathroom, the same server asks my husband to move because he has to get by. My husband tells him he’ll move as soon as he can but a kitchen worker was throwing out trash, so the path was blocked. The server rudely tells him he needs to get through because “I have customers, I need to get by.” Again, my husband repeats same. Server rudely tells him he has customers to attend to and he needs to move. My husband responds “I’m a customer as well. Why are you speaking to me that way?” Before the server can respond, Sean jumps in my husband’s face and yells “you can’t talk to my employees like that!” My husband tries to tell him what's happening but Sean interrupts yelling “if you have a problem, you talk to me, not him”. When my husband responds that he would be happy to talk to him, but now he’s also being rude, Sean flys off the handle, yelling “You know what?! You’re not welcomed here. Leave!” as he continues to point towards his chest. My husband tells Sean not to touch him and that while he’ll leave, he will hear about this treatment later. As my husband is turned and walking down the stairs, Sean FOLLOWS HIM, yelling “get out of my building!” Sean is now closely behind him as he is walking down steep, narrow steps, which could have caused him to fall down the steps. He continued following him to the front of the restaurant, where both my brother and I had to step in front of Sean to keep him away. He had no business following anyone down the steps once they turned to leave, much less attempting to continue the confrontation on the sidewalk for our family, children and every passerby to witness. To say that we will NEVER step foot here again is an understatement! We have seen Sean be rude, flustered and unhinged when the tables are packed. However, last week took the cake! Turned away at arrival, ignored, verbally AND physically accosted all because Sean is temperamental, unprofessional and could not and would not manage our large party on a Friday night in June is the epitome of incompetence, repugnance, arrogance and, I will add, left a very clear taste of prejudice...

This place is easy to miss with a small entrance way and a large staircase to get up to the bar/restaurant. Seating is limited and sometimes events are hosted here so keep that in mind during prime-time lunch and dinner hours especially on weekends.

But other than that, the food is fantastic, reasonably priced, and the service is very good. If you're a drinker, they're known for their margaritas.

After being introduced to this restaurant by my girlfriend who got her masters from Columbia (this is right near the University), I have not hesitated to return on multiple occasions.

This is not a bar to go to for a big game though. They have a TV or two but they aren't really prominent and don't advertise themselves as a place to go for the big game.

Additionally, this is more a restaurant than it is a bar. Though it is small, and the bar area is fairly large, I have rarely seen people in here getting only drinks. Whether people are sitting at a traditional table or at the bar, it seems pretty common for everyone to order full meals here. I too, have ordered a full meal every time I've visited.

I've tried various food items. They're...

I stopped in with the girlfriend for brunch on a lovely spring day. I was a bit shocked it was so empty but that meant we got our pick of tables on the rooftop. The waitress up there was friendly and provided great service.

They should probably rename the chilaquiles to breakfast nachos because that's what it is. It was delicious but the only similarity between it and actual chilaquiles is the chips. My girlfriend went with the pulled pork sandwich which she really enjoyed. It was overflowing and a bit hard to eat but also hilarious seeing her with bbq sauce all over her face. The $3 drinks were solid. I had quite a few margaritas and they definitively packed a punch.

Our total was around $25 a person with tax and tip which I thought was a great deal. The Heights Bar & Grill is a cute place and I can see myself returning. It's nothing fancy but they pull it together and while tiny the rooftop is a...