Shark Bar Restaurant

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307 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY 10023

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(212) 874-8500
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Shark Bar Restaurant - New York, NY
Reviews
( 6 )
( 17 )
( 7 )
( 5 )
( 7 )

Best

Great soul food... period. Collard greens were kinda sweet but I loved them. The menu had variety and generously priced. Service was good, although, I felt like the waiter was rus...

Worst

I have been coming to this place since ""98"" and it was ALWAYS the spot. The waiters were always nice, there were always good looking people around and you could be sure to see ...

User review by lholan 11/16/2005

I have been to the Shark Bar about a half dozen times and each experience is different. The service is ok, but I am a waitress and I know I give much better service. The food is good most of the time and you get a good portion for the money. I notice in most of the reviews that everyone keeps talking about the 18% tip and that is a customary percentage. That is not outrageous and if you are going to dine out that is what your supposed to leave and if the service was good then atleast 20%. Pros: Atmosphere, Food Cons: Service (sometimes), The wait more
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User review by jonesan 11/15/2005

This past weekend (11/12), my friend and I went here and we thought that they were really trying to change their image based on previous negative reviews. I was quite impressed to see that the service was pretty good. The waitress was attentive and personable (though I had to remind her she didn't tell us the day's special-she may have been new) and made sure we received our food in a timely fashion. I noticed a few people using credit cards and/or debit cards. Our drinks were pretty good. It does appear that the 18% tip is included however. Also, check your receipt just in case of any oversights. Pros: Great food, Nice atmosphere, nice people Cons: Need more elbow room, larger food servings more
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Nice Place 7/27/2005

The food is great, finger licking good, but the drinks are horrible. Taste like water. Also, they don't except credit cards anymore which is so inconveinent. Other wise the place is okay. Nice place to take a date. Pros: Delicious Food, Inexpensive, Nice Environment Cons: Drinks are not good, Don't take credit car more
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Leave Your Credit Card Home 7/23/2005

I took my little sister here for dinner the other night and the waiter informed us, before he even greeted us, that the shark bar only accepted cash. This is the only restaurant in NYC that doesn't accept credit card...even McDonald's take credit. I don't understand how I am suppose to spend over $150 in food and drinks and then be expected to pay cash. On top of their ""cash only"" policy they automatically include an 18% tip to each bill--regardless of how good/bad the waiter is and the size of your party. The food was questionable and the waiter got loud when question about the 18% tip. I would stay away from the shark bar unless you walk around with a lot of cash that you want to waste on so/so food. Cons: Cash Only Payment more
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Where is the Southern Hospitality ?? 2/22/2005

This place has really become lazy. The waiter stared at me like I could read his mind. I had to guess he wanted to take my order. food- Bland sorry attempt of a soul food meal I asked for my brownie dessert to go, he returned with a very noticeably stale brownie wrapped in saran wrap! My friends and I were totally disgusted when we realized the gratuity is automatically added to every bill so his tip was set. Now we know why there is no need to be personable. We flat out told him he did not deserve such a large tip and asked to speak with his manager. She was just as bad, as soon as we started to explain why we did not agree with the gratuity charge she grabbed the check and walked away in the middle of my friend's sentence. RUDE, RUDE, RUDE! Pros: Romantic, Nice Music Cons: Horrible Staff, Bland food more
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WILL NEVER GO BACK! 11/7/2004

I visited the Shark Bar this past Saturday night (11/6/04) and I will NEVER go back! I have been there previously and was very much looking forward to dinner. Unfortunately, the wait was ridiculous. We waiting for over an hour only to be told that we would have to wait at least another hour! Meanwhile, people arriving after us were being seated. It was insanely crowded and so I was being pushed the entire time. The hostess could not give me a straight forward answer and we ended up just leaving..so much for a ""classy"" dining experience! PS. As people were walking out they were complaining about the horrible service and the tables were way too close together! Cons: , tables too close more
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What a Disappointment 10/13/2004

I've been going to the Shark Bar since my early 20's and now that I'm about to tie the knot-I wanted to go back to the place I spent many nights at the bar, before going to the Lyons' Den Nightclub. I remember when the food was exceptional, the waiters were FINE and it wasn't so cramped. The food is at best a 6 out of 10. I had the Chicken and Rib Combo and I swear the sauce on the ribs was more ketchup than BBQ. My waiter's shirt and pants were wrinkeld-and they closed the roomiest section of the restaurant. The Shark as we used to call it was a See and Be Seen kind of place. Now its a place were unassuming folk go to hang out. Thanks for the memories. Pros: Uptown Sampler, Dimmed Lighting Cons: , Cramped, Potato Salad more
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BIG DISAPPOINTMENT 4/20/2004

The Shark Bar was a big disappointment. I have heard good things about this place and I get there its so small. The lights are so dim that you need to hold the candle up to see what you are eating. The waiter was not attentive he gave me the wrong drink twice and the bill for three people who had appertizers, a drink and an entree was $200.00. That was not worth it and I don't think i'll ever do the Shark Bar again. Pros: Music, Cozy Cons: , TOO Expensive, Overcrowded more
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Overall Opinion 2/21/2004

I had the Blackend Chicken, Mac & Cheese and Candi Yams with a Lemonade. I ate everything off the plate! The Chicken was 2 nice bonless pieces. Could have had more portion of the sides. Lemonade nothing to talk about. People Sit almost on your lap, they are so close to you. The music did not fit the scene(reggae Dancehall) for the romantic setting they portrait. Very Dim Lighting that you can barely see your food. Last but not least BE AWARE! GRATUITY was added to a PARTY of 2 for 18% and it was stated a party of 4 or More on the menu. The couple next to us was charged the same. I will not be going back here. If this is not enough information for you. See for your self. Pros: Tasty, Friendly, quick seating Cons: , Music didn't fit set, food portion more
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I love the Shark Bar 1/29/2004

Any time I have out of town guest I take them to the Shark Bar. Their food is consistently excellent. If you go on the weekend the wait can be long and it gets crowded, but once you are seated it is a comfortable dining experience and well worth the wait. This is my favorite restaurant in NYC. Pros: excellent food, menu selection, drink menu Cons: , crowded more
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Service Needs Work 10/23/2003

A friend and I went to Shark Bar on a Wednesday night - and the service was lacking. The hostness was pleasant in sitting us. Our server rushed to tell us the specials (we had JUST sat down) When we were ready to order (she wanted appetizers and main course at the same time), they mistimed the courses. Our main course sat on the table for at least 10 mins before we were ready to touch it. Pros: Fun drinks, Huge portions Cons: Service more
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Soul-full Experience 5/18/2003

Everything you'd expect in a soul-food restaurant. Even the bar is lively with men watching sports-- NBA basketball in our case. There are two dining rooms, one secluded and one not. The main courses offer more food than you can eat unless you're a sumo wrestler. Crabcake appetizer very tasty/spicy. Meatloaf looked like a Fred Flintstone Brontosaurous Steak in size. The side dishes are the most fun-- collared greens, corn-on-the-cob, and (yes!) delicious Mac n Cheese amongst others. Waiter was very friendly and helpful w the menu. Probably best on a weekend, though we were there on a Thurs and the secluded dining room was empty. Pros: plate size, side-dishes, atomosphere Cons: dining room empty, not for dieters more
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Great Comfort Food 5/7/2003

Every time I visit New York City, I make it a point to eat here. the food is great and they give you large servings of everything. Be sure not to miss the macaroni & cheese and candy yams which are close to moma's. Pros: Food, Service Cons: Limited Seating more
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Great Dining Experience 12/26/2002

I enjoyed the food very much we had big proportions. I recommend everyone to try the vanilla martini. Great ambience! great staff! good prices!. The only thing I recommend is make reservations on a busy night this is a small place. Pros: ambience Cons: crowded more
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Overall nice place 11/27/2002

Fo a Sunday night, this restaurant was fairly busy. I'd recommend reservations if dining at a popular hour. Ambience was comfortable and romantic. The service was without any complaints. My waiter was extremely polite, courteous, and timely. The other customers were really great too..friendly atmosphere. The food was great. If you like soul food, this is the place to go! I had the blackened catfish, which wasn't too spicy (surprisingly), and my friend had the jerk snapper, which was, but in a good way! The candied yams were like dessert, which was a good thing because I couldn't eat another bite!!! It was around the corner from the Beacon theatre too. Pros: great service, big portions, good value more
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swank but mellow 11/1/2002

food is pretty decent, service is amiable if a bit scattered, and the vibe is chill. it's a good combination of neighborhood watering hole and semi-swank eatery. beware the fried appetizers (tasteless), but check out the sweet candied yams and mashed potatoes. more
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How I Felt 9/8/2002

The Shark Bar, a good place to go if your looking for great southern style cooking. Pros: food, service Cons: wasnt well lit more
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Nice Atmosphere, But not worth the money 8/28/2002

Well, i heard about this resatauraunt from friends who have heard about it too, but they never went. so me and my girls all decided to go to see what it was like. The restauraunt is really nice, the atmosphere that is. The food thats a whole new story, i didnt like it, my friends werent too fond of it either. And when we got our bill, we were very disappointed also. 200 dollars for bad food, and this was with 5 people, definitley not worth it!!! Go to TGIFridays or something... Pros: Romantic, Good music, Service Cons: Food, Prices, Did i say Food! more
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Soul Transformation 8/26/2002

Great gathering place, drinks weren't the cheapest, but it was great to bring friends. Staff was considerate, and food was interesting. Portions were definately generous, but prices for the sort of food could have been cheaper. Overall: A- Pros: Ambience, Great to bring friend, Good Food Cons: Drinks weren't cheap more
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Nice Experience 7/26/2002

The Shark Bar is a nice place to go with your boo. In the back are tables that have curtains you can pull for a little more privacy, the bread is good, the waiters are attentive, and the food is yummy. The only negative thing I have to say is the tables are too close together so you'd hear your neighbor's entire conversation. Other than that...it's all good! Pros: great atmo, private area Cons: tables close together more
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  • Neighborhoods: Upper West Side, Midtown
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