21 Club

I dined here with some colleagues at the end of a short business trip to New York and it was just a delight, from the moment we arrived it was like being welcomed to a friend's comfortable and stylish town house right in the middle of Manhattan. ... more

I dined here with some colleagues at the end of a short business trip to New York and it was just a delight, from the moment we arrived it was like being welcomed to a friend's comfortable and stylish town house right in the middle of Manhattan. We had drinks in the lounge bar at the seats where George Clooney and Michele Pfeiffer played out a scene in 'One Fine Day' - it was great only no Michele that night! The food was just sublime - I had the tuna tartare and the veal escalopes which were perfect and the business over dinner went with a real swing due to the ambience and style of '21'. We did a great deal and now always use '21' when we're in NYC. less

Fairly expensive, but not surprising. We had a very good experience. I am loving Leon's review - that guy knows restaurants. We thought the wine list was superlative, and the entrees were quite good. Service was a bit spotty; had to wait a bit ... more

Fairly expensive, but not surprising. We had a very good experience. I am loving Leon's review - that guy knows restaurants. We thought the wine list was superlative, and the entrees were quite good. Service was a bit spotty; had to wait a bit, and the sequencing was a bit off. less

I have never had a bad meal - lunch or dinner - at 21. My wife's family has dined here for 3 generations. We always celebrate my father-in-law's birthday here. I usually enjoy a juicy steak or an exotic wild game dish such as antelope. Great p ... more

I have never had a bad meal - lunch or dinner - at 21. My wife's family has dined here for 3 generations. We always celebrate my father-in-law's birthday here. I usually enjoy a juicy steak or an exotic wild game dish such as antelope. Great place for celebrity sightings and an incredible sommelier and wine list. Caters heavily to Manhattan's A-list. less

We went to this restaurant to celebrate my daughter's new job, my son's upcoming trip to Indonesia and the fact that all three of us were in the same town at the same time. I was expecting to spend some money, but I also had high expectations. W ... more

We went to this restaurant to celebrate my daughter's new job, my son's upcoming trip to Indonesia and the fact that all three of us were in the same town at the same time. I was expecting to spend some money, but I also had high expectations. We came away disappointed. We arrived on time for our reservation and didn't get seated until twenty minutes later. The seating arrangements were extremely cramped. The room we were sent to was compose of a long "L" shaped bench with tables and chairs. The distance between the tables was less than an inch so that to be seated along the bench, the waiters had to pull the table out to let you in or out. The very unfresh bread arrived a few minutes later. It was another 10 to 15 minutes before a waiter inquired about drinks and we opted to order wine. We recieved the 30 page wine list a few minutes later. This pretentious wine list was categorized by geography and type. Most wines were over $100 per bottle. We ordered a California wine for a little under that. It was just an OK wine when it showed up 10 minutes later. After nearly an hour at the restaurant we received our menus. In the meantime the noise level in the room was escalating with an obnoxious group about 4 tables down(only 10 feet)literally shouting and laughing like hyenas. We ordered our meal and the noise level continued to increase. In addition the temperature level was such that I was sweating in my coat and tie. With the noise level, the heat and the claustrophobic conditions it was very unpleasant. After apologies, my daughter left, cancelling her order with the waiter on the way out. My son and I trapped by the tables continued on. The food finally started to arrive about 1 1/2 hours after arrival. The ceasars salad I had was very pedestrian, my son's mixed salad was excellent. The entres were much better. My steamed mussels were similar to a dish I had in Brussells only better. My son's halibut was top notch. So 2 1/2 hours and a few hundred dollars later we departed from what should have been a festive evening but wasn't. With the swarms of waiters, wine stewarts, etc. you would have expected excellent service. It wasn't. My advice is for the chef to find himself a better managed restaurant in which to serve his very good food. less