My wife and I took our first Christmas in New York trip last week and were looking forward to eating at the Rainbow Grill for the famous view it has. I had made a reservation the day before, but when we arrived our name wasn't on the list. I informed the elevator guy (who was asking about reservations ) that we had our reservations for the Rainbow Grill, not the Rainbow Room. He said "oh, just the grill?".....That should have been our first red flag. When we reached the 65th floor, we checked our coats and were seated right away, but were informed by the "captain" that there were no window tables available. We took his word for it and sat down where he escorted us, but soon noticed that there were several tables by the window open. My wife asked our waiter if we could be moved, and he said we would have to ask the captain (whom of course was no where in site). After finally getting our water and some rolls, we observed that other people were coming in, being led to a non-window table and then being moved (after slipping the captain some money ....probably $20.00 if I were to guess).
My wife and I discussed how we felt like we were in that Sienfeld episode where Jerry and friends try to get a table at a Chinese restaurant. We decided it would be our luck that even if we did "grease his palm", he probably would decide it wasn't enough to move us and would keep the money anyways.
The food was mediocre at best, the service was slow and uncaring. So basically I wish we would have just ate at the Waldorf where we were staying.
My recomendation would be for anyone who wants to see that view, just pay $17.00 and go see the "Top of the Rock". It will save you a whole lot of money and the view is just as good.
Everything else about our trip was wonderful....the RBG was a disappointment.
Pros: view
Cons: service and if you can't get a window table it's not worth it.
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