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All Reader Reviews of...

Serendipity 3

225 E. 60th St., New York, NY, 10022
nr. Third Ave.
212-838-3531

Avg. Rating

6
Food: 6
Service: 5
Décor: 7
"Mixed Reviews"

Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10.

56% would go back.

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Just go for the Frozen Hot Chocolate

By staceyeindia on 3/21/2011

  • Overall Rating: 6
  • Food: 7
  • Service: 5
  • Décor: 7
  • Yes, I would go back!

When I was calling for a reservation, I was put on hold for 10 minutes before someone finally was able to book me. The restaurante is very cramped and noisy with rambunctious children screaming. The menu was very busy, confusing, and difficult to read. We tried the Cleopatra's Barge which is black caviar, sour cream, and potatoes - it was all right. I ordered a one eyed jack and the steak was simply burnt and flavorless. I've had much better steaks at Applebees. My friend ordered a salmon which was also mediocre at best. I would stick to ordering their burgers and torteilini. The pink iced lemonade was really huge and fun to drink. The frozen hot chocolate was amazing to the last drop!!!! We also ordered fruit with fondue. The chocolate fondue was rich and fantastic and there was a decent array of fruit. The staff feel some need to fill up each dish with an inordinate amount of lettuce or watercrest. Also, how could there be only one bathroom?! I had to wait outside the bathroom and just ended up leaving b/c i was tired of the waiters pushing me around. The service was all right and we didnt have to wait too long for the food and our waiter was nice enough. The decor is interesting I guess, but nothing that makes your jaw drop. I would love to go with some other friends again to only order the frozen hot chocolates but make sure you fullfill the $8.50 per person minimum.

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51 out of 91 people found this review helpful.

great decor

By cygnerose on 6/11/2009

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

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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81 out of 183 people found this review helpful.

A Bit Disappointing

By eunhae18 on 7/23/2007

  • Overall Rating: 6
  • Food: 7
  • Service: 5
  • Décor: 6
  • Yes, I would go back!

Before visiting Serendipity 3, I heard so much about it. Perhaps that was why I was rather disappointed. As a warning, Serendipity is infamous for its long wait, so I strongly advise making a reservation. The decor is certainly unique but not outstanding. I was seated at a small table in a rather tight space. For my entree, I ordered the vegetable steak burger, which was tasty but not worth $11. I can find a burger that is just as tasty as, if not tastier than, the one from Serendipity for a much better price. For dessert, I ordered the famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, which was quite delicious, and the "Can't Say No" Sundae at our waiter's recommendation. The sundae was enormous, too sweet for my taste, and not worth $13.50. The most disappointing aspect of Serendipity was the service. The entree took an inordinate amount of time to arrive, and our waiter never noticed our empty water glasses. I would recommend visiting Serendipity just once or only on special occasions. You should definitely order the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate and share the dessert.

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203 out of 460 people found this review helpful.

Sweet Snacks but Surley Staff

By traciec on 4/17/2007

  • Overall Rating: 6
  • Food: 7
  • Service: 4
  • Décor: 10
  • Yes, I would go back!

We knew Serendipity would be a splurge - but we thought it would be fun. Our reservation was lost, the staff was surley, our order took 40 minutes to arrive, and it was cold when it arrived. The food would have been good if warm. The frozen hot chocolate was great! Bring your wallet and patience.

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207 out of 452 people found this review helpful.

Doesn't live up to the hype

By absolut on 6/13/2005

  • Overall Rating: 6
  • Food: 6
  • Service: 7
  • Décor: 7
  • No, I would not go back!

I went with my boyfriend a few weeks ago on a weekday and was seated immediately. We ordered the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate to see what all the hype was about. It was not worth the $8 we paid. I thought I could've made it on my own with hot chocolate mix, cream, milk and chocolate bits. When I saw the Serendipity recipe book in the library, the recipe was as I imagined. However service was good and rather quick.

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336 out of 688 people found this review helpful.

Terribly Overrated

By RifRaf on 12/12/2012

  • Overall Rating: 5
  • Food: 5
  • Service: 3
  • Décor: 7
  • No, I would not go back!

Not sure it is worth the wait, having done it three times now. Desserts are good, but don't even bother ordering an entree - mediocre at best and overpriced. Staff is snooty and takes to ordering the guests around to keep the terribly cramped space orderly. The frozen hot chocolate (classic is the best) is good and fun to share, but certainly nothing to die for. The one bathroom, which also usually has a line, is just another reason to pass this place up.

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10 out of 20 people found this review helpful.

Long wait and rude host

By emlee2323 on 5/25/2009

  • Overall Rating: 5
  • Food: 5
  • Service: 4
  • Décor: 6
  • No, I would not go back!

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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81 out of 145 people found this review helpful.

Go only if you want to say "I've been there"

By cjpelfrey on 7/1/2008

  • Overall Rating: 5
  • Food: 5
  • Service: 4
  • Décor: 7
  • No, I would not go back!

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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75 out of 118 people found this review helpful.

PLEASE DON'T Make ME GO AGAIN!

By cjbkids on 3/26/2013

  • Overall Rating: 4
  • Food: 4
  • Service: 4
  • Décor: 3
  • No, I would not go back!

I went to Serendipity to celebrate my niece's 16th birthday. It was so NOT a good experience! The food was akin to a bad day at TGIFs. It was so cramped and the decor is less than enchanting. The way it was hyped I was thinking it would be much more whimsical. Sorry but a bunch of Tiffinay imposters hanging from the ceiling do not impress me. At least it keeps your eyes focused upwards so you don't notice how rundown the rest of the place is. My daughter, who couldn't go to her cousins birthday, is now begging me to take her to have the frozen hot chocolate. PLEASE SOMEONE - tell me where I else I can take her to get this treat so I DON't have to experience this unpleasant place AGAIN!!!

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5 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

The strangest and worst restaurant experience I have ever had!

By cmarthur817 on 10/6/2009

  • Overall Rating: 4
  • Food: 6
  • Service: 1
  • Décor: 4
  • No, I would not go back!

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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112 out of 202 people found this review helpful.

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