"The View " Time Sq NY

[Ireland's Call Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ireland's Call]

Thinking of booking this restaurant in the Marriott in March....any members been there ..how does it rate?
Thanks G

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Thinking of booking this restaurant in the Marriott in March....any members been there ..how does it rate?
Thanks G

The view and experience of being in the rotating restaurant is a real treat. The food has been excellent on two visits, and mediocre on another, though I haven't been in the last year or so. The service can also range from snotty and inefficient to excellent, depending on your server. If you go, EYE THE CHECK CAREFULLY -- a friend caught them adding an 18% tip to the bill and then stamping it "Gratuity Not Included..."

All in all, if money is not an object (it's pricey) and you care more about the view than anything, it makes a nice pre-theatre dining experience. But another way to enjoy the view is to go up to the bar there for cocktails (also rotating) and they used to offer a happy hour type buffet, though I'm not sure if they still do.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

The view and experience of being in the rotating restaurant is a real treat. The food has been excellent on two visits, and mediocre on another, though I haven't been in the last year or so. The service can also range from snotty and inefficient to excellent, depending on your server. If you go, EYE THE CHECK CAREFULLY -- a friend caught them adding an 18% tip to the bill and then stamping it "Gratuity Not Included..."

All in all, if money is not an object (it's pricey) and you care more about the view than anything, it makes a nice pre-theatre dining experience. But another way to enjoy the view is to go up to the bar there for cocktails (also rotating) and they used to offer a happy hour type buffet, though I'm not sure if they still do.

I prefer the cocktail lounge and the buffet - it is an appetizer/desert type of buffet - if you only order a drink, there is a cover charge after 6pm? or 5pm????? You can call and check.
It is best to go about 20-30 minutes before sunset and it takes about 60 minutes to do a complete revolution....really a nice thing to do when in NY.
I never get tired of it!

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Garry.......I agree with the others that you should go for a drink, if not dinner. We seem to go more for drinks than dinner, although we have dinner there a few years back. Glitter has given you a very description of what to expect, dinner wise.

Not sure what they are currently offering in the way pre-theater specials? But, it's a great place to grab a drink, before or, after the theater.

[Ireland's Call Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ireland's Call]

Thanks all...a question on tipping .Usually 15 % plus ? Is it usual for them to add a figure and ask again when paying ? (how best to get a window table ?)
G

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

Thanks all...a question on tipping .Usually 15 % plus ? Is it usual for them to add a figure and ask again when paying ? (how best to get a window table ?)
G

Tipping at restaurants is 15-20 percent on the total for food and drinks. In NYC the regular tax rate is 8.25 percent, so an easy way to calculate the tip is just to double the tax and round up.

Most restaurants do not add a service fee. Some restaurants add an 18 percent service fee; sometimes that's only done for large groups. If they're charging a service fee, it's supposed to be clearly marked on the check.

In Glitter's post, she was saying that the View added an 18 percent service fee AND stamped the check saying that the gratuity was not included. So if her friend hadn't been paying attention, the friend would have paid the bill AND added another 15-20 percent tip on top, which would have meant a nice 36 percent tip for the server. Maybe it was a mistake, maybe not....

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Thanks all...a question on tipping .Usually 15 % plus ? Is it usual for them to add a figure and ask again when paying ? (how best to get a window table ?)
G

For a window table at the View (if you are going for dinner), make a reservation as far ahead as possible and request a window table when you make the reservation. If you don't like where you are being seated when you arrive, you can try slipping the Maitre d a 20, though I have only ever done that at Shea Stadium, never in a restaurant. And the non-window tables still have a decent view, btw. I would also suggest arriving a bit before your reservation time (especially if you are going pre-theatre) to have a better shot at a window table.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

If you want the best view of the city go to the empire state building preferably at night.