Aquario Restaurant — Restaurant in Town/Village of Harrison

My experience tonight was a three at best. I met my 80yo parents here who had a 7pm reservation and are always early to everything on the front of the line standing waiting to be seated. The line of grey haired fogies was ten deep when I arrived perfectly on time for our 7pm reservation. I was pretty bummed to see all these geezers being forced to stand and wait- I had to go around the line through the bar to find my folks first in line. Mom and dad had talked this place up to me so I was excited for amazing food and service and honestly we got neither and dad paid too much for our less than mediocre dining experience. It was busy! But honestly that’s no excuse for the prices they charged. I don’t need much but especially when I order a spicy entree I need good water service. I got two glasses of water the entire 2+hr meal even with my water glass hanging half off the table. This is what’s important to me maybe not you. But that was a huge fail.

Everything took a really long time.

The service staff was at best frantic and missing. We are all out bread waiting for anyone and when we asked for more bread with the entree They did bring us more bread but never brought us more butter as they said they would. No big deal we only wanted the second bread to dip in our food haha. So everything sook way too long. As my dad was about to complain to a manger as they were walking by another man came by and grabbed the manger by the wrist and told them off in front of us saying he’s never had such a terrible experience in the 30 years he’s been coming to this place. An old school Italian guy. It was something to behold. Honestly the service was a two out of five. They were terrible. To the food: Highlight: free 6 tiny slices of mild sausage w toothpicks as soon as we sat and mediocre Italian bread. Sourdough? 45 minutes after being seated I ordered the spicy pork and clams meal. It was ok but the clams in my entree and the clams my father got in his appetizer were shoe leather. Mom got a salad which was pretty basic before her meal. I had her cucumbers. Basic. The rice and beans guy came separately soon after the entrees were served and they were basic and unflavorful at best. My meal actually came with some fried potatoes that dipped in my spicy sauce were pretty good but again, basic. And maybe my favorite part of meal which means maybe this place is actually a two or one star. Yikes. My parents took home a bunch of left overs including 5 clams from my entree. We asked to see the dessert tray a few times as it walked past us finally we did and my mom’s favorite dessert had been sold out. Our waitress told us we need to call ahead to reserve a slice of that if they are busy. That was a wow moment for me. Dad and I split a napoleon and mom got the chocolate cake. Our napoleon was awesome but honestly I’ve never had a bad one and they teased us with a tray of them as we were being seated so I’d been craving. Mom’s chocolate cake was not awesome, kinda bitter actually, they give both desserts some fruit and a scoop of homemade strawberry ice cream (maybe to balance the not quite sweet enough chocolate cake?) Highlight: before dessert they brought out a complimentary plate of iced cherries and grapes I would love if I weren’t allergic. I’m sad to say for the price and experience I can’t possibly give what my experience tonight was more than a three and that’s a reach, a big one. I would never go back...

Aquario is Westchester's best seafood restaurant. This Portugese spot has been a top personal favorite of mine for over 20 years. No other Westchester restaurant offers as large a choice of fresh fish on their everyday regular menu. Portions are ample. Prices are fair. Quality is unfailing in everything served- entrees, side dishes, appetizers, soups, breadstuffs, desserts, etc. Service is attentive, although the pace is leisurely. Décor is elegant, but not gaudy. There are several seating areas, which mitigates the noise even when they are busy. Every meal includes nice extras - e.g., slices of chorizo arrive before any of the food you order, a nice plate of grapes is served even if one does not order dessert or coffee, every glass of water has a slice of lemon in it without your having to ask. Rice with black beans comes with entrees & is some of the best I've tasted. Wine selection is very good. I especially love 2 dishes they serve which I have not seen elsewhere- 1 is an appetizer of a whole squid body stuffed with shrimp & mixed vegetables, in a tomato sauce; the other is blended fresh vegetable soup- a rich, orange puree which is deeply satisfying & also quite healthy. The regular menu lists all of the following items: Chilean sea bass, halibut, yellow fin tuna, swordfish, wild king salmon, branzino, red snapper, grouper, Dover sole, monkfish, cod (bacalhau), brook trout, lobster, sea scallops, crab legs, soft shell crab (in season), colossal shrimp, langoustines; also available are 2 great seafood combination dishes which are great to share- mariscada & Fisherman's rice stew. I have sampled most of the items listed& never have I been disappointed. The dessert selection is extensive, including flan, linzer torte, cheesecake, chocolate mousse (excellent for chocolate lovers), fresh berries, baked pear or apple, & more.

I cannot think of any restaurant which features such an abundance of high quality offerings, at such reasonable prices, in such a pleasant setting. It is in a residential neighborhood, so parking nearby is easy.

If you dine here once, you are certain to...

This is my favorite restaurant ever, but they lost stars from me this weekend. Read below.

I had my baby shower here and everything went great until the end. The food was great, the service was great.

Towards the end, WE PAID for dessert platters that they put out. Flan, chocolate cake, cheesecake, lemon meringue, fresh fruit, etc. Less than half way into dessert, they starting putting the desserts away and back in the kitchen. My guests weren’t even finished. It was obvious they wanted to save it for the restaurant side to sell it by the slice for dinner. VERY STINGY and unsanitary. We paid for this. A few people asked for a Togo box to bring some desserts home and the servers/bartender was VERY rude and stingy about it. again, we paid for this. When they hand me one little tiny box, the servers are standing there giving dirty looks and staring at me while I’m packing up a slice that I didn’t even get to try at my own baby shower.

When my guest asked for a box for a slice, the bartender said “50 cents for a box”. All of a sudden they’re 50 cents??? To bring something home that WE PAID FOR?

I understand you’re a small business but this honestly ruined my special day and made...