After giving it twice as a gift we finally tried this ourselves. Not a bad night; but I expected a lot more for the $$. Was an experience closer to a bland wedding reception than fine dining.\r
Bring lots of extra $$. We spent $20 for water and ice-tea, $30 for parking, $35 on tip. ($250+ total for the night with no liquor). \r
Food was by far the biggest disappointment. ?Seared Filet Mignon? was cooked accurately to medium rare but wasn?t really seared- it was bland and flavorless and tasted like it had been sitting around a little too long. Better steak at Outback (let alone a real steakhouse). Lobster Ravioli tasted a bit better, but there were only five of them in a small bowl. My wife left hungry. Salad was nice. Good ingredients and pear slices still attached to the stem were a neat touch. Potatoes tasted like they came from a box. Desserts were small- looked, tasted like them came from a frozen pack at BJs.\r
Service staff was well trained but not experienced. (We saw one waitress counting her tip money out loud after the guests at the table next to us got up). \r
Views will be the highlight of the trip for tourists, but familiar if you?ve been on Circle-Line. The design of the boat limits enjoyment of the view? from our table inside the lower deck it was mostly down and out at the water (not up at the skyline).\r
DJ started out well but ended up with typical wedding reception music (Electric Slide, Macarena, Cha-Cha Slide; plus five patriotic songs in a row for the Statue of Liberty). Dance floor is too small and got very crowded. Classier live piano was on the middle deck.\r
Still, hard to beat the combo of dinner, dancing, and view of the New York skyline. Great for tourists not used to fine dining. I don?t feel embarrassed that we gave this as a gift?heck, if someone else was paying I?d go again. \r
HINTS: Go when it?s warm and enjoy the open upper deck with better views. Arrive early to get a better table (but you?ll eat most of your dinner still at the dock).
Pros: Nice combo of skyline views, dinner, and dancing.
Cons: Disapointing food, so-so service, very touristy.
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