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All Reader Reviews of...

Blue Water Grill

31 Union Square West, New York, NY, 10003
at 16th St.
212-675-9500

Avg. Rating

8
Food: 8
Service: 7
Décor: 8
"Recommended"

Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10.

81% would go back.

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soso

By memechrstine on 11/15/2012

  • Overall Rating: 6
  • Food: 8
  • Service: 3
  • Décor: 5
  • Yes, I would go back!

45 minute wait despite reservation. We finally got a table in the jazz room. cool atmosphere, but too noisy for my taste. Their crab cake is awesome. Would come back for guests but not just locals

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6 out of 12 people found this review helpful.

soso

By memechrstine on 11/15/2012

  • Overall Rating: 6
  • Food: 8
  • Service: 3
  • Décor: 5
  • Yes, I would go back!

45 minute wait despite reservation. We finally got a table in the jazz room. cool atmosphere, but too noisy for my taste. Their crab cake is awesome. Would come back for guests but not just locals

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8 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

stay away

By cjazz on 6/30/2012

  • Overall Rating: 1
  • Food: 1
  • Service: 1
  • Décor: 1
  • No, I would not go back!

We live in Gramercy and have eaten in every restaurant in the neighborhood except Blue Water Grill. Now we know why. I called to reserve a table for two at 6:00. When we arrived, the hostess escorted us upstairs where patrons over the age of 25 are being hidden. I already felt uncomfortable, especially when I am hip to that bogus game. The waiter came over to the table, and we asked about the various salads on the menu. He could not describe a simplistic Caesar salad and had a tough time explaining the vegetables in the chopped salad. We asked about the fish tacos, only to be informed that the soft shell crab taco was being replaced by the fried cod variety. Our salads arrived. The Caesar was missing cheese, and the chopped salad had no tomatoes, which was stated on the menu. When I glanced to my left, I saw the waitstaff massaging each other in the corner. I was appalled. The fish tacos were delivered to our table. Inside this taco shell was a over fried log of fish, similar to Mrs. Paul's fish sticks, and a sprinkling of shredded lettuce with a few miniscule pieces of tomato interspersed. This was not a real fish taco, never mind taste like one. You would find better tacos at Taco Bell! The food at Blue Water is substandard at best and the place itself is a dinosaur which really appeals to tourists who are visiting the Union Square area. BWG should clean up their act and start from scratch. Not only won't we return, but we will spread the bad word in the neighborhood.

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15 out of 25 people found this review helpful.

stay away

By cjazz on 6/30/2012

  • Overall Rating: 1
  • Food: 1
  • Service: 1
  • Décor: 1
  • No, I would not go back!

We live in Gramercy and have eaten in every restaurant in the neighborhood except Blue Water Grill. Now we know why. I called to reserve a table for two at 6:00. When we arrived, the hostess escorted us upstairs where patrons over the age of 25 are being hidden. I already felt uncomfortable, especially when I am hip to that bogus game. The waiter came over to the table, and we asked about the various salads on the menu. He could not describe a simplistic Caesar salad and had a tough time explaining the vegetables in the chopped salad. We asked about the fish tacos, only to be informed that the soft shell crab taco was being replaced by the fried cod variety. Our salads arrived. The Caesar was missing cheese, and the chopped salad had no tomatoes, which was stated on the menu. When I glanced to my left, I saw the waitstaff massaging each other in the corner. I was appalled. The fish tacos were delivered to our table. Inside this taco shell was a over fried log of fish, similar to Mrs. Paul's fish sticks, and a sprinkling of shredded lettuce with a few miniscule pieces of tomato interspersed. This was not a real fish taco, never mind taste like one. You would find better tacos at Taco Bell! The food at Blue Water is substandard at best and the place itself is a dinosaur which really appeals to tourists who are visiting the Union Square area. BWG should clean up their act and start from scratch. Not only won't we return, but we will spread the bad word in the neighborhood.

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13 out of 24 people found this review helpful.

Birthday Dinner

By doreenebanks on 1/25/2011

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 9
  • Décor: 8
  • Yes, I would go back!

Wow, I loved this restaurant. The architecture of the building is magnificent. We arrived 30 minutes early but it was not a problem, we were shown to a booth, down stairs and we enjoyed the jazz combo. The food was great, (I ordered the blackened swordfish with sweet potatoes, it was great.) I had two children stop by for a drink. We thought we might be holding up a table and the waitress told us we were fine, to take our time. Were we in New York? I don't know but this restaurant fulfilled all my birthday hopes.

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56 out of 103 people found this review helpful.

Disaster

By CST on 10/16/2010

  • Overall Rating: 1
  • Food: 1
  • Service: 1
  • Décor: 1
  • No, I would not go back!

What a complete and utter disaster. We arrived at 8:20 for an 8:30 reservation for a party of 4, planning on having a drink at the bar first. We had to wait 10 minutes, at the door, in our coats with a crowd of people until we could "check in" with the hostess. We were then told that there was a 45 minute wait for our table. Um, excuse me, we had a reservation. We left ... went to BLT Fish around the corner which was great. Such a shame Blue Water Grill used to be someplace special ... now it feels like a TGI Fridays, the only thing missing is the blinking fob for when your table is ready. Never again.

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67 out of 134 people found this review helpful.

Great place & service, ok food.

By eyebepeisthoff on 10/1/2010

  • Overall Rating: 8
  • Food: 7
  • Service: 8
  • Décor: 9
  • Yes, I would go back!

I've been going to BWG about twice a year since 2003, it's a good place. Great ambiance, good location, courteous, attractive and friendly staff. Unfortunately, the food can be hit or miss. I've had good food there, but tonight it was a bit disappointing. Half of the dishes my group ordered were mediocre or worse (one was bland, another too salty, one too dry, generally unexciting, etc.). This place would be so much better if only their kitchen could provide great dishes on a consistent basis. When the food is good and satisfying it makes all the difference.

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74 out of 133 people found this review helpful.

An NYC favorite

By eastsider65 on 1/5/2010

  • Overall Rating: 10
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 10
  • Yes, I would go back!

Have been going to Blue Water for the last 7 years and it never disappoints. The food and service are really the best the city has to offer and if you are there for a special occasion they go above and beyond to make the night so very memorable. A great value and experience you will never forget.

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108 out of 210 people found this review helpful.

Impeccable Service, great food

By RBNYC on 11/13/2009

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 8
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 10
  • Yes, I would go back!

I took my best friend there for his birthday last night.We had a fantastic experience. The hostess was warm and inviting and seated us within ten minutes of our arrival. Our waitress was so sweet and seemed as though she genuinly cared about us having a great dinner. She was attentive and was constantly smiling and checking on us. He ordered the lobster bisque (best i have ever had) and i had the crab cake. The crab cake was fantastic although i wish they gave me two instead of one, so I could have shared! Our entrees were good, but nothing special (filet mignon, and sea bass). All in all its a great place for a romantic date, dinner with parent, or friends.

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113 out of 220 people found this review helpful.

The best crab cake and Chilean sea bass

By nyclocal on 10/1/2009

  • Overall Rating: 8
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 5
  • Décor: 8
  • Yes, I would go back!

I went to Blue Water Grill last night, for my husband's birthday. We had a table in the jazz room. Excellent atmosphere, a little crowded and noisy for my taste, but acceptable considering what it was coming. Their food is AMAZING! Their Chilean sea bass is perfectly prepared. This fabulous tasting white fish is served on a bed of greens drizzled with soy sauce and accompanied by a pyramid of sticky, flavored white rice which gives this delicate and flaky, buttery and mild fish an Asian twist. The crab cake is melting in your mouth. In my opinion, it is the best I have had in NYC. The freshly made potato chips are adding a crisp note to the softness of the extremely fresh crab meat. The calamari is served on a bed of cilantro leaves and grated carrots, drizzled with a perfectly matching sauce. The music is fine and completes the atmosphere. In the end, the complimentary champagne drinks were supposed to make up for the little unexpected behavior of our server and for the uncomfortable table setting we were assigned for the evening.

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111 out of 212 people found this review helpful.

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