Water's Edge

Have read a lot of reviews regarding Water's Edge, both pro and con. Dined there on 7/22/08 for the 1st time, food was mediocre, not impressed, and will not go out of my way in the future to eat at Water's Edge. There are a lot of restaurants I've dined at in NYC that have better quality, portions and less expensive. Pros: Nice view Cons: Mediocre food more

Water's Edge is SOLD ! Pros: staff, Chef, Cons: Owners more

FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT CRITICIZE WATER'S EDGE, YOU SHOULD JUST SHUT YOUR MOUTHS. IT HAPPENS TO BE ONE OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN OR MNEAR MANHATAN. IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT THAT THE FIREWORKS WERE UNABLE TO BE VIEWED, BUT I AM 100% SURE THAT THE FOOD AND SERVICE WERE PERFECT. I HAVE DINED HERE COUNTLESS TIMES AND MARIKA SOMERSTEIN AND HER STAFF GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO MAKE SURE EVERY DETAIL IS MET. IT IS OUT OF THEIR CONTRAOL IF SOMEONE CAN'T SEE THE FIREWORKS. IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THAT, CALL MACY'S. IT'S THEIR FIREWORKS. THE FOOD IS UNBELIEVABLE, THE VIEW EVEN MORE INCREDIBLE, AND THE OWNER IS PRICELESS. more

Dear Guests and Reviewers, the company of Water's Edge is completely aware of the problem. For 25 years every July 4th we had great views of the fireworks that's why people chose to be with us. This year Macy's decided to move the fireworks to 23rd St and lower, from the usual 34th street and Water's Edge only found out on the day of. more

PEOPLE PLEASE ! Pros: View Cons: Owners more

We visited the restaurant on July 4th, hoping for a decent meal and a great view of the fireworks. While the ferry trip from Manhattan was a nice start, it continued downhill from there. We were greeted by rude people and the restaurant, to be kind...needs refreshing. We were rushed through a dinner of mediocre food served by a waiters in dirty uniforms, only to wait 2 hours for the fireworks to begin ( it was suggested that we arrive early to get a good table/view when we made the reservation) Once they did begin we realized the view was blocked by the commercial buildings next door. At $ 200 per person ...we were quickly reminded that leaving Manhattan was the first mistake of the evening. I was never one to write on a blog to be critical ...but since the Water's Edge felt it fair to charge the $$$$ paid in full before the evening) , they should be reminded, it?s nice to get what you pay for ...and at roughly $500 for two (tax and tip included), that would suggest good service, good food and a clean environment ...none of which they succeeded in providing. Pros: Nice view of the Manhattan skyline. Cons: Everything else. more

Rude and incompetent service from people wearing dirty clothes. They brought the wrong stuff, told us it was the right stuff, got mad at us, etc etc. Really terrible. The view does not make up for it. Cons: Very expensive! Poor service more

I had to post on here, because I went to Water's Edge for Valentine's day with a group of people, and was simply amazed! This place goes above and beyond when it comes to the most stunning views you have ever seen...their decor is elegant, and the lights from the city though their glass windows brought a smile to my face that lasted all night. As for the food, I ordered the Chilean sea bass, which I have never had before- but this experience made me a fan- it was delicious and flavorful! I wish I had taken the ferry over from Manhattan, because I heard others talking about how nice it was...but unfortunately, we didn't get to experience that this time. I would recommend checking this place out at least once, whether it be as a couple or in a group- definitely romantic, or just great for some relaxing conversation! Pros: VIEWS, FOOD, SERVICE were all unbeatable Cons: expensive wines...but great selection more

The food was average, nothing to write a review over. But honestly, they could have served me a Happy Meal and I would have been content -- I got my money's worth the moment I set eyes on the view and the dining room. The city skyline, viewed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, never looked so clear and vibrant to me. The dining space is cavernous so that all get a good view, with the extra added touch of having everyone's seats turned toward the windows. Inspired and inspiring ... this is a place where you ask someone to marry you. more

Don't go to Water's Edge for Valentine's Day you will not get a good service or a good table and very bad atmosphere. more

Very good food. Great service. They had some problem with my American express card and I like how they handled it and gave me a chance to provide another card without any embarrassments. All in all, great service. I highly recommend them! more

Waters Edge was a wonderful dinning experience. The food was outstanding the decor was unbelievable. more

We decided to try Water's Edge during restaurant week. We weren't sure what the Prix Fixe menu would have to offer, but decided that the restaurant was too pricey to try any other time. Pros: Great prix fixe menu during restaurant week! Cons: Regular menu prices will make you cry more

Truly one of the worst dining experiences we've had in ages. This restaurant is soooooooo overrated. The only good thing is the view, which serves as a constant reminder that there are thousands of better choices packed within the blocks of Manhattan just over the river. The wait staff (which oddly are all Indian) rushed us through our menu selection, but was slow to check on us throughout the meal. And they had the audacity to ask for 2 tips on the bill (one for the captain??). The wine menu is impressive only if you want to spend more than $100 per bottle. The ""economically"" priced wines are marked up 4-5X resale value. Most importantly the food was unimpressive. My BF confessed after dinner that he knew it was going to be a bust when the ""fresh"" mozzarella in our salads was salted (I've created a monster). There is no excuse for salted mozzarella in NYC unless you are in a pizza joint, and even then... But the salad turned out to be the best part. They claimed the fish entree to be endangered chilean sea bass, and probably wasn't (which is just as well). It was between that and a steak dish which didn't sound good. Later I saw it on another table and was glad I didn't get it. I should mention that it was restaurant week, but that's no reason to lower the quality of the food and service. The risotto that was served with the fish appeared to have come out of a box and was jazzed up with frozen peas. I ordered carrot cake for dessert, which consisted of a plain stale mini muffin, with a garnish of carrots and raisins on the side. It's been a few weeks and I still have a bad taste in my mouth from the experience. Finally, without going on a totally snobbish rant, let me just say, this place epitomizes the phrase ""money can't by class"". Pros: View Cons: Food, Service, Location (everything but the view) more

I would recommend this place mostly for the great view. Ask for an outdoor table in warmer days. The food has been consistently good but not as innovative as many other restaurants in the city. The decor could use some upgrading. I have more modern tastes in interior design and I can see the potential for this space if you use minimalist furniture. The faux Victorian (I'm not sure what it is) style they are trying to achieve makes the place look aged. Their waitstaff needs more polishing but in general they are courteous. They also have a sommelier who was very helpful in recommending wines and was not at all pushy in making us order the expensive bottle. Yes, I suppose, you can call it ""touristy"" as more people get wind of this place, but that's not always a bad thing. It is also very pricey but I think it's worth a try. The boat ride to and from the restaurant is just breathtaking it makes you feel glad you live in New York so why not share the joys of brilliantly-lit skyscrapers to others? Pros: Good food and great view. Cons: Pricey. Decor borders on tacky. more

If you like your kitch in large doses with a hint of turn-of-century bordello and cheesy Indian ""trying to be classy but failing"" atmosphere, this is the place for you! True, a nice view of Manhattan, but it is a restaurant after all so the whole selling pitch can't depend just on view - which from the inside by the way is not spectacular due to the poor design of the restaurant. In summary, below-average food and above-average prices. If you're cheesy and don't know much about food and want to impress a date who hasn't been around much and is very easily impressed, it's the place for you - particularly if you like over-paying. If you are a discerning diner, take the water taxi there and back from Manhattan to enjoy the view, then go to a real restaurant. Pros: friendly waiter; view of Manhattaan over East River Cons: bad food and expensive more

Our appetizers of gazpacho and shrimp were excellent. The entres: Chilean Sea Bass (good) and the Duck (very good) were memorable. The Creme Brulee for dessert was fine. This is clearly designed for those who have an event to celebrate (marriage proposal, anniversary, birthdays, etc.). Plan to spend a lot on the evening. The service was fine, but english was a second language and very difficult to understand. The ferry ride from 34th street pier was bumpy to the restaurant, but the return trip was eye-popping....if you are a native, you should at least try this place once. Pros: View Cons: Value more

I went to Water's Edge a few weeks ago for dinner. Although it isn't a ""Trendy"" atmosphere by any means the view is wonderful. I would suggest however to request a window view that is not blocked by their ferry... I was sitting in front of it and it was great when the ferry left but when it returned it blocked our view! I ordered a sea bass and it was DELICIOUS... The food was rushed a bit but its a nice place to go if you want a nice view and a very good meal! Pros: Great View, Great Food, Live Piano Cons: depends on your age... may be a little stuffy for the younger set... more

My husband surprised me this past Saturday for our anniversary. He just told me when to be ready and that was it. I was surprised by the ferry ride to the restaurant and the service from the very beginning was impecible. My husband had the sea bass and it was totally awesome. My scallops were fantastic as well. The maitre'de came by to ask how our meal was and when my husband told her it was our anniversary, she came back with two glasses of champagne. Our waiter was very nice and even sang ""Happy Anniversary"" to us and we got a second glass of champagne on the house. It was an awesome evening and we will return very soon!!! Pros: atmosphere, service more

We were not offered a prix fix menu and were expected to order drinks. When we asked for water, regular tap water, they made a face at us. They kept coming asking if we want to order drinks and did not except no. The menu was given to us verbaly, after we ordered and got the salad we were told that one of the choices was not avilable. We had to order from the regular menu and were charged the regular price, plus an additional charge for the salad which would have been included otherwise. When we tiped according to the service (12%) the waiter came back and asked out loud to verify the amount of the tip. We are not tourisits but we felt like we have just been treated like tourists who don't understand restaurants. We will not go back or recommand it to others. Pros: view Cons: service, prices more