AQUAGRILL

The oysters here are as amazing as the rest of the menu is disappointing. I was really impressed with the sampling of half a dozen different varieties that the server arranged. The oysters were so fresh and each variety really had its own distinct characteristics. I used to think the differences in flavor between oysters was only subtle, boy was I wrong. Aquagrill was an awesome place to taste a bunch of different types of oysters and they do have the best selection I've seen anywhere else in the city so far. I highly recommend this place for oysters. Now, the rest of the menu was such a letdown. My two friends and I each had an appetizer and an entree and every one of the six dishes was really blah. Over salty, bland, or too reliant on one ingredient (i.e. seared tuna drenched in sesame oil). After the awesome oysters, I had high hopes for the rest of the meal but was so disappointed. It all seemed so uninspired, like something I might throw together at home and think, ok, this is decent for something I made... but not anything I'd expect from a restaurant. So, go for the oysters, skip the main menu. Pros: Oysters Cons: Unimpressive seafood menu more

I tried to take my boyfriend to Blue Ribbon for his birthday on a Saturday night, only to be disappointed by a 2.5 hour wait. While I'm sure their food is everything it's cracked up to be, we weren't sitting there for 2.5 hours watching everyone around us eat. Pros: friendly staff, awesome food Cons: the bar stools don't scoot right up to the bar's edge, makes it difficult for short people like myself more

This is one of the best restaurants I have dined at in this city! The service is knowledgeable and friendly yet not overbearing. The oysters are delicious and the fish is always fresh! Pros: Service, food, wine list Cons: Wish the terrace could be open year round more

i have been to this place for 7 years, and tonight the staff insulte me, because i was speacking french they had more than 20 % on my bill! if your foreign or have an accent watch your bill. Pros: wine list Cons: service more

Having gone for brunch on several ocassions you'll find excellent food and service in this place. Oyster lovers will have their day with over 15 varieties. Otherwise you'll find a varied menu with big salads, shellfish and other good brunch alternatives. We like their dinnerware and thin crystal glasses which gives them a touch of style (and make every drink a better one). Pros: Seafood, Service more

The portion of crab legs are much smaller than what I am used to for the same price at other seafood places but let me tell you... our bartender, Stacie was awesome! She recommended the toro tuna tartar with truffle oil and it was AMAZING! I mean...melt in your mouth amazing! We also let her choose an oyster of her choice and did she know her stuff...what a great evening! Sit at the bar...roll the dice at a table. I have been there 10 times and the best service has always been at the bar. more

This was my first time to this restaurant and I loved it! We sat at the bar and enjoyed several glasses of wine with our appetizer, dinner and dessert. The red snapper was the best I've ever tasted. There seemed to be a lot of repeat customers which tells me this place must be good. Service was great and we'll be going back here again soon! Pros: Cozy seafood restaurant with great food and service! more

Showed up last Sunday night with girlfriends and no reservation, host was very helpful finding us a seats at bar after short wait. The bartenders were helpful, friendly and cute, atmosphere was fast paced yet comfortable, and to top it all off, the food was some of the best ever...........amazing!!! I ordered off ala cart menu, which is a nice option, but specials were fantastic and perfectly prepared as well. Don't Miss!! Pros: Great cocktails, Great Food, Attractive/Attentive Staff Cons: Not A Lot Of Room, Long Wait For Restroom more

Went here on a Friday night. Did not have reservation, but the two of us were seated right away at 9:30. Cocktails are served in two sizes regular and modern; modern being served in oversized martini glass and are perfectly prepared. Waiter was knowledgable and friendly. He explained the different varieties of oysters (they have over 20) and put together an assortment for me based on my taste. We also had the lobster salad for an appetizer which was expensive ($23) but contained lots of lobster meat and a multitude of flavors (chunks of avacado, citrus). For entrees we had the seared diver scallops w/ a crabmeat risotto (highly recommend) and the Yellowfin Tuna which was also great. Did not have dessert, but they had several selections that sounded enticing. Overall a great place if you are willing to spend the money. Pros: Service, Food more

Went with my family to celebrate my sister's graduation, and was never seated. We watched for over an hour as parties our size, without reservations, were seated before us. Incredibly insulting. I'e never seen anything like it, and I'll never go back there. more

I need to express to everyone who might read this review how wonderfully consistent the quality of seafood at Aquagrill has been since I first ate there in 1998. I have never had anything less than a superlative meal on any of my visits to this restaurant over the past seven years. I've encouraged numerous friends and co-workers to visit the restaurant over the years; not one person who appreciates seafood has ever had anything less than glowing words for the food. more

our quartet came here for sunday brunch. my friend specifically wanted to try their oysters, and was pleased to see over 20 varieties listed. we tried 3 different kinds of oysters per the waiters helpful recommendations. the oysters (ranging from $2.50 - $2.85) were fresh and briny. we each ordered various seafood-themed brunch entrees as well. my friend & i had rare grilled yellowfin tuna sandwiches served with salad ($12). the tuna came slightly seared and there were no burnt edges to mask the freshness of the fish. one of my friends had the crab benedict ($16) the poached eggs came nested on seasoned slivered crab very tasty. another friend had their daily special hectors omelette a dense crab, asparagus, and cheese-stuffed omelette (very filling). entrees were preceded by a basket filled with warm miniature scones & muffins. i want to come here again for dinner! Pros: fresh seafood, oyster variety, attentive service Cons: wait can be long more

I adore this place. I've never been there and had less than amazing food. The oyster selection is great, and the entrees are delicious. And by delicious I mean, wake up days later savoring the flavors delicious. It's exactly the type of high end cuisine without going over the top that makes this place a must. Not to mention that the service ranges from very good to excellent. I've never met anyone who wasnt a huge fan, and frankly it's better than other, more expensive, seafood places in the city. I'm not one to highly recommend places, but this place is worth every penny (and that's a lot of pennies). Pros: food, service more

People must give this restaurant high ratings because they think they're supposed to. I was extremely disappointed. I ordered grilled pompano (one of my favorite fish), but it was overcooked and flabby, and tasted like it had been sitting around under heat lamps for a while. The sides were also overcooked and had a distinct ""reheated"" quality. It certainly wasn't what I expected from the second most highly rated NY seafood restaurant in Zagats. Add to that very questionable service - I was with a large party, but the staff was extremely inattentive. Our server came by to tell us the specials then disappeared. After 20 minutes we had to ask to have someone come back and take our order. We even had to ask for fresh pepper! In an establishment that claims to be of the level of quality that Aquagrill does, that's just inexcusable. more

food? A+ service and friendliness? A+ was planning a party for my staff, and was treated rudely by another restaurant when trying to add more people to reservation (a simple ""no"" would have worked). so cancelled on the spot. aquagrill was recommended by friends. they accomodated us at the last minute, made a vegan dish as a special requirement, and the food & service were tremendous. whatever the owners do when they hire staff, they're doing it very well. i'm a big fan. more

Aquagrill has been my favorite restaurant for 6 years because of its warm, friendly staff, happening and romantic ambiance and most importantly its commitment to impeccable food and wine standards. Tonite I was once again amazed by this restaurant. They have added a fantastic entree, barramundi with oxtail. It may sound incongruous but it is sheer harmony and perfect for the season. They just keep getting better! more

What a shame, use to be so well run when the owner was on the floor. They were very quick to say yes to an 8:30 reservation. We arrived and waited, and waited and waited some more along with about twenty other unhappy patrons. The gentleman at the door was extremely unsympathetic! Reservations mean the same as walkins. After waiting for too long we went next door to Fiama and had an amazing professionally handled meal. Keep that in mind while you're standing in Aquagrill's doorway. They blew their second chance. Never again! Cons: overbookers more

I have not been able to find a better place for raw bars in Manhattan than this place unless I look to go to Seattle or Vancouver. Their choice is good. You must try fresh seaurchin.. I did not want to tell anyone because the availability is very limited... keep it secret! more

Honestly, where else can you find so many choices of fresh oysters in New York City? I've been to only one other place in Seattle that offers that many choice of oysters in one sitting. I've been to Aquagrill many times and everytime is enjoyable. Great food, great staff. more

We went to aquagrill last night and had truly one of the best dinners ever. I started with the crab cake napolean which was very good but your basic crab. Then the entrees arrivesd-the tuna is to die for!!! It was cooked so perfect it literally melted in my mouth and the peanut sauce was amazing! I have been to many seafood restaurants but have never had a better experience than this one. Do not miss out-go. more