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All Reader Reviews of...
Serendipity 3
225 E. 60th St., New York, NY, 10022
nr. Third Ave.
212-838-3531
| 4.8 | "Mixed Reviews" Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10 |  |
The strangest and worst restaurant experience I have ever had!
cmarthur817 from 10010 | Posted on 10/6/09
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I stopped at Serendipity for dessert with a small group after lunch at another restaurant. Service was so slow that I needed to leave before I finished my dessert to make it to another appointment and they refused to give me a container for my ice cream!!! I paid $15 for that sundae, and they wouldn't let me take it with me because "they were proud of their dessert" and letting me take the ice cream and pie out "would damage the integrity of the pie." WHAT??? I couldn't even believe I heard these ridiculous words come out of his mouth. And did I mention that this was the manager speaking? The waiter ran to get the manager as soon as I asked for a carryout container! Apparently I not the only uppity customer who has wanted to take their expensive leftovers with them! It was so ridiculous that a lady at the table next to me offered me a used bag to carry my dessert. Unbelievable! I recommend avoiding this crazy place at all costs - there are many great places for dessert in NYC. If you insist on visiting this one, bring your tupperware!
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Hugely Disappointing
mbord from 98074 | Posted on 9/20/09
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Cons: Rude, insulting service. My wife and I traveled to NYC for our tenth wedding anniversary and booked reservations well in advance. We arrived to Serendipity 3 only to be "greeted" by an unprofessional person who couldn't find us on their reservation list. We were given the third degree in a naked attempt to get us out the door. He summoned his manager so the two of them, standing only a few feet away and at full volume, could openly question whether or not we were *lying* about our reservation! I calmly restated the facts regarding when / how we booked up and who my wife spoke with, but it was clear we were a problem for them and no longer welcome. I maintained my composure, stating I was "very disappointed by this" but inside I felt like shouting at the top of my lungs for having to bear such unacceptable treatment. Three minutes at Serendipity 3 were like a ten minute slap in the face. Serendipity 3-- the only restaurant I've ever loathed. Avoid at all costs. They do not deserve your business.
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DONT'T EVER VISIT THIS PLACE?NOT KID FRIENDLY
Alwaysjlove from 10021 | Posted on 6/20/09
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I waited 3 hours in the rain for them to tell me they don't allow strollers. I spoke to the manager and he said NO STROLLER. I asked if he discriminates again children and he openly said YES!!!! DON'T WASTER YOUR TIME!!!! As a real NYC resident I can tell you if you want great frozen hot coco and a fun experience go to Dylan's No line, no waiting, no rude staff.
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Host is HORRIBLE...rude, rude, rude!
rosenbloom from 20841 | Posted on 6/16/09
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This host makes a horrible first impression and it is one that lasts. He laughed in the face of customers on several occasions and had a haughtier than thou approach to his job as if he couldn't stand to be helping the tourists lined up keeping his restaurant busy. The food was mediocre at best, the desserts better but he ruined the mood entirely for us and we will NOT be going back. Highly discourage others to throw their money away at this overhyped place when there are so many fabulous restaurants in NYC with great service and a smiling staff. You'll be highly disappointed with how you are treated here.
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great decor
cygnerose from 10032 | Posted on 6/11/09
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food is unremarkable but the decor is very appealing. they're burgers are ok, the frozen hot chocolate is exceptional!! i recommend serendipity is ideal for a spontaneous snack with close ones. The staff is helpful.
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Long wait and rude host
emlee2323 from 01701 | Posted on 5/25/09
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The atmosphere is unique, the food is OK and not enough to attract me back. There is always a long wait. There is no system to their seating plan. I have observed that tables were left empty for over 30 minutes even when there is a long line of guests at the door. The host is rude and arrogant, when we ask about the status and why tables are left empty, his reply is " you do not have to stay if you don't like it".
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First visit to New York and First visit to Serendipity and the Last
thejones from md21029 | Posted on 4/23/09
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We booked a table for an afternoon meal 4 adults and 3 children, we arrived ontime, we had to wait, and wait after another long wait we ordered ~~~ then guess what ~~~ yes we waited for our food 55 minutes !!! people who turned up after us and had not booked got their meals before us. our meals arrived , nothing much to look at, the fries were cold and not very many, but I thought it could take another 55 minutes to get them replaced so I left them, Then the desserts overflowing icecream and fudge running down the glass, which did'nt look very clean,not very cold. Then the bill, arrived VERY promptly and paid just as quick and we were ushered downstairs, We stood to one side to wait for one of the children to use the toilet ( only one toilet for a restaurant of this size ??? ) and we asked to wait outside the toilet area, when I questioned this, we were then told to wait OUTSIDE, I said to the person by the booking desk, now you've had our money we're a nuisance to you are we ? he just nodded
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Can I get a refund please?
Bronxville09 from 10708 | Posted on 2/16/09
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Wow! Be careful what you read. This place was described as family-friendly and fun. We must have been there on an off-day. The experience started with the nasty person handling the waiting list and continued with the "Don't-call-me-Waiter-I-have-a-college-degree" wait staff. The people who waited on us made us feel small and parochial. They were snickering at the guests and pointing at folks behind their backs. Oh, and the food was bland--hamburgers ordered medium came burnt beyond recognition. My son said the food looked like something from "Man vs. Wild." For a family of 5 paying over $200, it was a very poor experience. The owner should "clean house" with the wait staff and also really clean the floors and look under the table--to quote my 13 year old "GROSS."
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We came for the dessert, but...
Nox123 from M5V3N4 | Posted on 11/19/08
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Saw the huge sundae on Food Network and heard about the frozen hot chocolate - just hot chocolate, slushified, not all that and a bag of chips. The food was ho-hum, too - I had the seafood crepe, my partner, the burger. We split the Strawberry Fields sundae (strawberry cheesecake, ice cream, sauce), and it was good, but again, nothing unique. What DID impress us was the service, especially the host at the door. There was a line, we were told there would be a 45 min wait, and to come back in 30, which was fine (Dylan's Candy Bar is just a couple of blocks away). It's not that they treated us special, it's that they didn't treat anyone special, and I liked that. It was efficient, they were very careful not to let anyone miss their seating and kept their cool against aholes who came up, expecting not to have to wait. As long as you go, knowing that you'll have to kill a bit of time, you'll have a great experience. I do want to go back for more desserts.
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Go only if you want to say "I've been there"
cjpelfrey from 73013 | Posted on 7/1/08
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Terribly overhyped and the food certainly was not worth the money. We had a reservation for four, and still had to wait half an hour once we got there five minutes prior to our designated time! Wouldn't have been so bad if we didn't have two kids with us, which everyone said to take there because they said the children would enjoy it so well. My well-behaved children were trying to, but couldn't figure out why the other customers around us were staring at them as though they didn't belong. It made it very uncomfortable, and yes I agree with everyone it takes forever to get your drinks and food. I was really looking forward to this dinner, but was sincerely let down.
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