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Guastavino's
409 E. 59th St., New York, NY, 10022
nr. First Ave.
212-980-2711
| 4.3 | "Not Recommended" Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10 |  |
Best Wedding Ever
LL13 from 11201 | Posted on 8/28/09
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We had our wedding reception at GuastavinoÂ’s this past spring. We wanted a NYC wedding and could not have chosen a better venue. It looked stunning, especially lit up under the bridge. Staff was great to work with - very nice, helpful and accommodating. Awesome chef, food was so delicious - the best ever had at a wedding. We got tons of compliments from our guests on the place, food and service. Wish we could be guests at an event here. We were very happy and pleased with our experience from beginning to end. Wedding was amazing, beautiful and perfect!
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perfect wedding
staceyg from 19130 | Posted on 8/27/09
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Got married at Guastavinos earlier this summer. Prior to wedding there were some communication difficulties and it was tough to schedule appointments for things like tastings (I live out of town). But wedding was amazing. Staff could not have been more kind and helpful, place looked spectacular, somehow there was always a drink in my hand, the ceremony involved a view of the bridge, and I hear the food was delicious - not a single thing I would have changed. Hoping someone else I know has a party there so I can go back!
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Worst Service Ever
colevsky from 11235 | Posted on 2/22/09
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Guastavino's is absolutely breathtaking. It's the reason I decided to have my wedding here. I was promised excellent food and service to complete the package. While the food was tasty, the service was horrendous. The maitre'd had the wrong start time for our event and was not prepared for the arrival of our guests. He spend most of the night trying to catch up and it was evident in that nothing ran smoothly. We were promised plenty of food at cocktail hour, but within minutes, stations were bare and not replenished quickly enough. Those that managed to get food, had no forks with which to eat. Favors never made it onto tables and the cake came out after many guests had already left. Those whoe recieved dessert, could not get waiters to bring tea, coffee, and milk, waiting half an hour and finally giving up. The maitre'd was rude, obnoxious, and missed many details we planned for the event. If he had focused on his job, instead of treating my husband like a criminal (accusing him of trying to sneak in extra guests), maybe he would have avoided ruining our wedding.
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New Years Fiasco
CosmicHarley from 10606 | Posted on 1/14/09
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The event we attended at Guastavinos was one of the worst experiences I have ever had. As a "VIP" ticket holder, I was appalled at having to spend over an hour in sub-freezing weather to gain entrance to the venue. The mandatory coat check did not allow us to warm up once we were finally granted entrance into the venue. Our seats were against the windows which kept the temperature at our seats somewhere in the 50s. We were also supposed to have table service but the waiter that was assigned to our table only came by once the entire evening to ask if we needed anything. We asked for hors devours which were never delivered. That was the last we saw of him the entire night while he and other waiters worked steadily at tables around us. I had to stand in lines 4-5 deep and wait for up to 20 minutes to get a cocktail while my date sat in the frigid air. I (foolishly) thought that spending over $400 for tickets would ensure a pleasant experience. We will never patronize this establishment again and will advise everyone about the horrible experience.
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Audaciosly insolent service
BestReviewsNYC from 10001 | Posted on 4/5/08
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You should bow to kiss the feet of the Maitre D and owners of Guastavinos for the supreme privilege of being allowed on their premesis. This is the feeling you invariably get as a guest of this establishment despite their shallow attempts to appear congenial. Several times have I not only dined here but also have been obliged to attend special functions as a member of various organizations. After the first time, I regarded it purely as a duty to my host than a personal choice. Without question one of the worst in the city in terms of the attitude, of the owners and most especially the Maitre D. In one affair, the man actually threatened to call the police against some guests, sober ones, who were only expressing their dissatisfaction with the night and in the most pleasent way this could be done! To be shouting at his own patrons, we thought perhaps he was the one intoxicated. No surprise their valued chef, who my friend happens to know, finally left and now speaks of unbelievable tales from this place. For the sake of your guests, avoid the horrible hoodlums that run this place, at all costs.
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gone seriously downhill
buxter | Posted on 3/20/05
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Living in the neighbourhood I've taken gusets for drinks, dinner and brunch several times to this spectacular space. The space is still worth a look. I have had pleasant to good experiences until yesterday. Not only were both of our Brunch orders wrong, mine was just inedible. Hard fried eggs when I had ordered poached and watery, flavourless corned beef hash that might be rejected at a soup kitchen. Service was bumbling at best, verging on incompetence. Head half a block south to Cafe Joul for a great Bistro brunch instead, they never disappoint. Bottom line, this is BRUNCH, if they can't handle brunch........
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Try harder
daniel_in_ny | Posted on 11/23/04
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This could be such an amazing place. After having crossed the porch (looks a bit like I imagine a Texan style Barbecue place) you enter an amazing building with a beautiful bar section. The setting in the dining area is also quite remarkable (although you should avoid the area close to the kitchen where it feels like in a concourse). Unfortunately the food was a bit disappointing. My spinach salad appetizer was greasy, the roasted macadamia nuts too sweet...My favourite was the dessert (hot chocolade cake). The waiter tried to be funny and to sound like a wine connoisseur, explaining what a big difference the vintage may make. He was damn right: The first bottle of white wine (a 2000 vintage) was superposed which we could tell for sure with the second bottle, a 2001 vintage. At least we got new glasses for the second bottle without having to request them...
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Shouldn't this be Listed Under Bars?
roastbeef | Posted on 2/4/03
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I think Guastavino's may be the sexiest bar to open in New York in many years. It's grandeur makes it an intensely New York experience and if I lived nearby I'd drink here often. As for the restaurant, I must say I've never ventured a try.
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Fool's paradise
squid | Posted on 2/1/03
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Critic's choice out of hell. Very noisy, erratic service, erratic food, totally undependable. I was very embarassed to attempt to entertain upscale friends here who know good food and good service. OK if all you want to do is go to the bar.
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Huge Aspirations - Tiny Realizations
wudzee from 06518 | Posted on 1/28/03
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Walk in - say WoW - and then leave. At least based on the brunch I was served there. Absolutely the worst Bloody Mary I've ever had, and then they brought out the food. Bland, boring and . . . oh, never mind.
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