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Home > Restaurants > Rock Center Café

All Reader Reviews of...

Rock Center Café

20 W. 50th St., New York, NY, 10020
nr. Fifth Ave.
212-332-7620

7.7 "Recommended"
Average Reader Rating
on a Scale of 10		 Write Your Own Review
100% Would you go back?
83% Would you take a date?
66% Would you take kids?
83% Would you go on business?
66% Would you go on a special occasion?
Food: 7.3
Service: 7.3
Décor: 8.3
Value: 7.5
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  • Showing reviews 1 through 6 of 6

Solid all-around experience

FatBastard from 10019 | Posted on 4/5/08

Overall Rating: 8 (Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? Yes
Would you go on a special occasion? Yes
Food: 7
Service: 8
Décor: 8
Value: 7

While the cuisine at Rock Center Cafe won't blow your mind with its originality, I've found quality to be reliable, portions ample, and preparations sufficiently thoughtful to warrant return visits. On weeknights, the restaurant is rarely full and offers delightful rink-side seats during colder months. Service has been attentive, though perhaps in part due to favorable staff-to-customer ratios. In all, this may be the one restaurant in Rockefeller Center to not dismiss as best left to tourists.

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7 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

Good for a Quick Bite

hungryjacq from 11215 | Posted on 8/8/03

Overall Rating: 7 (Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? No
Would you take kids? Yes
Would you go on business? Yes
Would you go on a special occasion? No
Food: 7
Service: 4
Décor: 5
Value: 6

Potent drinks, fried seafood...all the best life has to offer. Gives you a chance to mingle with tourists and enjoy the great outdoors. Try the coconut fried shrimp and the fried oysters. Just the right amount of grease to go with the piña coladas or watermelon martinis.

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285 out of 581 people found this review helpful.

Dine Among The Fountain,And The Tourists

adsong from 10019 | Posted on 6/30/03

Overall Rating: 7 (Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? Yes
Would you go on a special occasion? Yes
Food: 7
Service: 7
Décor: 9
Value: 7

Serving "Contemporary American food With Italian-influenced cuisine " and located smack-dab in the middle of Rockefeller Center,this restaurant is very fun,especially in summer,when the outdoor bar and cafe is set up where the skaters normally do their twirls,slides,falls and jumps.The beautiful golden statue - fountain of Prometheus provides a beautiful backdrop,while the bar really jumps with locals,NBC employees and tourists alike.In winter the indoor restaurant provides a view of the skaters. Menu is medium to good, and includes:Penne Caprese FreshTomato Sauce, Mozzarella and Basil   17. Chicken Marsala Sautéed Mushrooms, Braised Shallots   19. Roasted Free-Range Chicken Breast Sautéed Market Vegetables, Lemon Thyme Sauce   20. BBQ Lacquered Norwegian Salmon Pineapple-Mango Salsa and Jicama Slaw   21. Saffron Crab & Risotto Cakes Stone Ground Mustard Sauce   26. Seared Ahi Tuna Chopped Steak Ratatouille, Couscous and Topeka Oil   21. Crispy Skin Sea Bass Southern Bean Salad and Fire-Roasted Tomato Vinaigrette    24. Boneless Prime Rib of Beef Double Baked Idaho Potato and Horseradish Cream   24. Leave room for their special Key Lime Pies!.

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286 out of 613 people found this review helpful.

Pleasant Surprise at Rock Center

martin_chamois from West 50's | Posted on 6/17/03

Overall Rating: 8 (Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? Yes
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? No
Food: 7
Service: 7
Décor: 9
Value: 7

One has to be suspicious of any restaurant located at this prime tourist spot. With tables facing trough the wall of glass windows, or in good weather directly on the plaza in front of the famous fountain the restaurant cries out “tourist rip-off”. But in fact the Rock Center Cafe is a serious and surprisingly very good cafe. The menu is limited and full of fresh and delightful combinations. While prices are high, the quality is equally good. The wait staff is a bit unpolished, but the overall deal is well worth a visit for anyone looking for an enjoyable lunch or dinner.

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291 out of 592 people found this review helpful.

What a Wonderful Time...

Ready2Review | Posted on 3/27/03

Overall Rating: 8 (Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? Yes
Would you go on business? Yes
Would you go on a special occasion? Yes
Food: 8
Service: 10
Décor: 10
Value: 9

As we sat down at our table looking out onto the skaters in the middle of Rock Center, we realized that we had left our gift certificate at home... The service could not have been more accomadating though. They substituted sides for us as well as brought us many extra desserts. On top of that, they honored our gift certificate in advance. Everything was delicious and watching the skaters was so much fun. All in all- a Great Experience!

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206 out of 452 people found this review helpful.

Melting Pot Cuisine

Zizzu | Posted on 3/26/03

Overall Rating: 8 (Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? Yes
Would you go on business? Yes
Would you go on a special occasion? Yes
Food: 8
Service: 8
Décor: 9
Value: 9

This all occasion, crossroads, restaurant can be summed up with one word-ubiquitous.From a brilliant filet mignon to amazing crabcakes to veal milanese this menu is influenced by the major NY cultures and is carefully crafted by a three star chef. You cannot beat the views and the service is determined and friendly. This is a well managed establishment whose sole purpose is to cater to everyone- and they execute it quite well.

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250 out of 460 people found this review helpful.

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