Juniper at The Vanderbilt — Restaurant in Town of Hempstead

Disappointing facility and practices, amazing food. This is a tough review to write.

The Vanderbilt is beautiful, an impressive property just to pull up to ... There's a valet podium, but no valet (730 pm Friday and raining). No big deal, we self parked and when we got to the front door, the valet was at the valet podium. Still not a big deal, but the guy didn't even look up from his cellphone as we walked in. That's not inattentive, that's just rude. This is a residence, he should have at least attempted to get the door for us, but he didn't, and didn't even say hello. He was similarly inattentive as we left.

The inside is beautiful, and the cocktails were craft and delicious. The bartender was attentive and so was all staff.

Entrees were a bit exotic and welcome, and all very good.

The 18 percent ADMIN FEE was a bit of a surprise, however, for a party of 2. I realized after the fact that this was like the mandatory gratuity that you usually get with parties of 8+. The waiter was attentive and kind, but this seems a dishonest way to throw a fee in (line item read : Admin fee). The fee was just a line item, I think they should be a bit more upfront about it. I asked about it on the way out and the hostess indicates that it was a gratuity.

Great food, but the valet and the hidden fee left me feeling...

Reservations were a breeze, even for last-minute plans. Upon arrival, there was plenty of parking, and the restaurant was nestled inside an apartment building. The décor was contemporary, cozy, and clean. The service was friendly; however, one of the older waitstaff was displaying bullying behavior toward a younger staff member, which was uncomfortable to witness.

Despite that, the food was lovely. My steak and fried eggs were well done, though I had asked for medium. The flavor of the steak was lightly seasoned, which paired nicely with the provided sauce that had a pleasant acidity. The potatoes were nicely seasoned, the artichoke dip was delicious, and the wild mushroom flatbread was finger-licking good. The coffee was excellent, and the spicy lavender margarita offered a fun twist with just the right hint of heat.

The waffles, however, were the weakest part of the meal—dense and doughy, with a biscuit-like texture—so we opted for potatoes instead. The flavor and texture of the chicken was beautifully done. I appreciated the calm ambiance, and the noise level was perfect for conversation, blending well with the soft musical tones throughout the...

First time here and enjoyed a lovely dinner with my family. The menu was thin so do check it before deciding to dine. The photos and reviews are what lured me here. I usually associate high end pricing and mediocre food at Hotel restaurants but this was a delight. While still pricey, it was indeed worth it. The restaurant shares a lobby with the hotel and apartment rentals here. Luxury living indeed. The restaurant did their best to accommodate my seating request which I'm very appreciative. Given the Pandemic, I've been selective with indoor dining especially if the tables are too close together. This space had high ceilings and a lovely ambiance. I would totally return to try the brunch as that menu looks really appetizing. This visit, the big hit was the Spanish Branzino and the Lobster Spaghetti. Desserts were all great choices, think Meyer lemon custard, chocolate chip cookie in a skillet topped with ice cream and an adult version of a brownie...