MenuPages

I love their frozen hot chocolate. We went to Serendipity twice this week. The first time we were seated right away and the second time we waited just about ten minutes but the host came outside to let us know when we would be next. We found the waiters and hosts to be very friendly, even when some other diners nearby weren't polite to them. I had a turkey, brie and apple open-faced sandwich and was surprised at the generous hunks of brie on it.

Where do I begin?? Ok, the frozen hot chocolate is nothing but hot chocoloate that is kept in the freezer and then partially melted with whipped cream on top. The result is a cheap taste that can be easily reproduced or even bettered at home. The chocolate cake was very unbeleivably ordinary and could be just a peice from a grocery store cake. The service is so poor that it spoils your outing! They are very rude and unaccomodating. We had an umbrella stroller that we left outside when we went in because we knew about their "policy". Since it was quite empty, I came back and asked them if we could take the stroller in (folded up of course) but they not only refused but were very rude and condescending about it. I told them that if they get more people in I will be glad to bring it out but they wouldn't budge. The decor was not really to my taste and a bit bizarre. Please do not go to this place unless you are masochistic.

I stopped at Serendipity for dessert with a small group after a nice lunch at another restaurant. Service was so slow that I needed to leave before I finished my dessert to make it to another appointment and they refused to give me a container for my ice cream!!! I paid $15 for that sundae, and they wouldn't let me take the rest of it with me because "they were proud of their dessert and letting me take the ice cream and pie out would damage the integrity of the pie." WHAT??? I couldn't even believe I heard these ridiculous words come out of his mouth, but they did. And did I mention that this was the manager speaking? The waiter ran to get the manager as soon as I asked for a carryout container! Apparently I not the only uppity customer who has wanted to take their expensive leftovers with them! It was so ridiculous that a lady at the table next to me offered me a used bag to put my dessert in so I could take it with me. Unbelievable! I recommend avoiding this crazy place at all costs - there are many, many great places for dessert in NYC. If you insist on visiting this one, bring your tupperware!

I always find it hilarious when people visit a restaurant solely because its "trendy," to in high heals and complain of the wait or the pain of walking around in narrow places like that. Serendipity is largely an ice cream parlor, and an excellent one at that. The sundaes and frozen hot chocolate are divine, and for the mammoth size of each (large enough for 2-3 to share) more than a good value for the money. As for the wait, either go at off times or be prepared, if you insist on didning at 6-8 pm, to wait an hour. Its the same for anyplace worth its repeutation: you wait because its busy, its busy because its good.

Took a relative who visits from overseas & loves to go to all of the trendy restaurants in ny. The wait was ridiculous, they are boasted as being family friendly but there are no high chairs or booster seats(nor any room to place them) The upper level stairway is the steepest I have ever seen! Do not wear heels or or you may have to turn around and crawl down like a small toddler. Then the food was not good at all. The spicy dishes were overly salty and the others had no taste at all and the desserts were just o.k. Waste of money and time.

As a NY native I'm sad to see such a great concept be so disappointing. The staff are a total buzz kill, a bummer, the worst debbie downers EVER. I tipped that miserable host and he still made us wait. The food is tasteless- but then again we were so turned off from the poor attitudes that we just didn't enjoy anything. To get your moneys worth- just take a peek inside and admire the decore- which is also over rated. Totally UN WORTHY!

We waited 90 minutes, but the worst part is when we asked the host why there are so many empty tables not being seated, he immediately defended himself, " if you don't like it, you don't have to stay!" He is arrogant. I will not spend my money at this so so restaurant. There are plenty of other places in NYC.