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The Grill
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
The Grill
8.9
Major Food Group’s reboot of the old Four Seasons Grill Room leans into theatrical, mid-century glamour while serving sharply executed steaks and continental classics. Prime rib carved tableside, pasta a la presse, and meticulous service make it a destination for big nights and power dinners alike.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prime Rib, Pasta a La Presse, The Seagram Crab Cake
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 9.1
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 9.5
Cultural Relevance: 9.3
What makes it special: Old-school power-room setting married to high-wire, tableside steakhouse theater.
Who should go: Diners seeking grand, throwback New York steakhouse glamour.
When to visit: Weeknight dinners for buzz without peak-weekend overload.
What to order: Prime rib, pasta a la presse, Seagram crab cake.
Insider tip: Ask for a seat facing the room to enjoy the full mid-century spectacle.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No on-site valet. Expect limited street parking in Midtown East; nearest paid garages along 52nd–54th Street typically run $30–$50.
Dress code: Upscale smart casual — jackets not required but common. Avoid overly casual attire; polished jeans acceptable but lean dressy.
Noise level: Moderate–lively; conversation is doable but the room hums during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: Walk-ins are unlikely; if accepted, expect 45–75 minutes depending on cancellations.
Weekday lunch: Business-heavy but generally no significant wait with a reservation; walk-ins may face a short 10–20 minute delay.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: A few strong options (e.g., vegetable plates, salads, select pastas). Not a vegetarian-focused menu but workable.
Vegan options: Very limited — typically requires modifications. Best to call ahead.
Gluten-free options: Many proteins and sides can be prepared gluten-free; staff is attentive but there is no dedicated GF prep zone.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want a high-impact, glamorous setting; the room’s mid-century grandeur makes an impression. For a casual, low-pressure first date, it may feel too formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible but unreliable. Your best chance is early weekday evenings or late-night dining. The bar area sometimes accommodates walk-ins.
Is it kid-friendly? Children are allowed, but the atmosphere is adult, polished, and business-leaning. Best suited for older kids (10+) comfortable in formal dining rooms.
Best For
Better for: Tableside theater, mid-century glamour, power-dining ambiance, and refined execution of classic continental dishes.
Skip if: You prefer a relaxed, casual steakhouse, need extensive vegan options, or dislike buzzy, high-energy dining rooms.
The Grill
8.9
Vibes:
Luxury Dining Elite
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Housed in the landmark Seagram Building, The Grill reimagines mid-century American steakhouse glamour with carts of prime rib, Dover sole, and old-school tableside service. It’s a power-dining theater where finance, media, and fashion crowds come for stiff martinis, crab Louis, and perfectly charred cuts.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seagram’s Crab Cake, Prime Rib with cottage fries, Grasshopper Pie
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 9
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 9.3
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: A meticulously updated Four Seasons dining room with theatrical steakhouse classics.
Who should go: Deal-makers, architecture nerds, steak and martini obsessives.
When to visit: Weeknight dinner or Friday lunch for peak people-watching.
What to order: Crab Louis, prime rib or filet, grasshopper pie.
Insider tip: Ask for a banquette along the room’s edge for the best sightlines.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet; nearby paid garages on 52nd/53rd St. Street parking is scarce, especially after 5pm on weekdays.
Dress code: Business casual to elevated. Jackets not required but common; polished attire fits the room’s mid-century formality.
Noise level: Moderate–lively; conversation is possible but the room has a distinct buzz during peak service.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes at the bar if walking in; prime-time tables are rarely released without a reservation.
Weekday lunch: Generally no wait with a reservation; walk-ins may face a short delay during power-lunch rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but workable—salads, vegetable sides, and a few composed dishes depending on the season.
Vegan options: Very limited—mostly modified salads and sides; best to call ahead for off-menu accommodation.
Gluten-free options: Multiple options including seafood and steaks; staff is familiar with gluten restrictions and can adjust sauces.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want a glamorous, high-impact setting. The room is impressive and polished, but the energy is more ‘power dining’ than intimate, so choose it for confident, upscale dates rather than quiet conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible but not guaranteed. The bar and lounge sometimes accommodate walk-ins, especially early or late in the evening. For prime hours, reservations are strongly recommended.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children. The space skews formal, and tableside service caters to adult diners. Teens who appreciate classic steakhouses may be fine, but there are no child-specific amenities.
Best For
Better for: Classic mid-century steakhouse theatrics, polished service, and high-end seafood/meat presentations in a landmark dining room.
Skip if: You want a casual steakhouse, a quiet low-profile meal, or broad vegetarian/vegan options.
The Grill
8.6
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Luxury Dining Elite
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Set in the landmark Seagram Building, The Grill is a mid-century New York chophouse built for serious power lunches. Tables are spaced for privacy, service is captain-driven, and classics like prime rib and Seagram Crab Cake anchor deal-making meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prime Rib, The Seagram Crab Cake, Pasta a La Presse
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 9.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Iconic mid-century steakhouse energy tailored to Manhattan power dining.
Who should go: High-stakes client meetings and finance or legal teams
When to visit: Weekday lunch right at opening for maximum calm
What to order: Prime rib, Seagram Crab Cake, tableside Pasta a La Presse
Insider tip: Request a booth along the room’s perimeter for more privacy.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No on-site valet; nearby paid garages on 52nd & 53rd Streets. Street parking is scarce during business hours.
Dress code: Business formal to elevated smart casual. Jackets are common; avoid overly casual attire.
Noise level: Moderate during peak power-lunch hours; conversation remains easy at booth tables.
Weekend wait: Reservations strongly recommended; walk-ins may face 30–45 minutes depending on bar availability.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait with a reservation; walk-ins may encounter a short 5–10 minute delay at peak.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but workable—salads, vegetable sides, and occasional pasta preparations.
Vegan options: Very limited—expect to rely on custom vegetable plates; menu is protein-heavy.
Gluten-free options: Several dishes can be prepared gluten-free, including steaks and select seafood; inform staff for modifications.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want a highly formal, polished setting. The Grill is more about power dining than intimacy, but booths offer privacy if you prefer a refined, grown-up first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible but not guaranteed. Your best bet is arriving right at opening for lunch or checking bar and lounge seating during off-peak hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially. The room skews adult, with a formal atmosphere and no kid-specific menu. Older children or teens comfortable in fine dining may be fine.
Best For
Better for: High-level business meals, classic New York luxury, tableside presentations, and polished captain-led service.
Skip if: You want a casual meal, extensive vegetarian/vegan options, or a setting that feels relaxed rather than formal and structured.
The Grill
8.7
Set in the landmark Seagram Building, The Grill reimagines the mid-century power chophouse with tableside prime rib, crab Louis, and a dessert cart anchored by flaming Baked Alaska. It’s less about sheer steak volume and more about theatrical, meticulously executed classics in one of Manhattan’s most photogenic dining rooms.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prime Rib, Seagram Crab Cake, Baked Alaska
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 8.9
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 9.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: A mid-century Seagram Building dining room where tableside prime rib and Baked Alaska feel like theater.
Who should go: Design-minded diners who prioritize ambiance as much as steak
When to visit: Later seatings after 8pm for a more intimate room
What to order: Prime rib, Seagram Crab Cake, Buttered Rum Baked Alaska
Insider tip: Request a banquette along the wood-paneled perimeter for the best sightlines without the bar’s noise.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated valet; nearby garages on 52nd & 53rd between Park and Lexington. Street parking is limited and tight after 6pm.
Dress code: Elevated smart casual—blazers, dresses, and polished footwear fit the room. Jeans are acceptable only if dark and styled cleanly.
Noise level: Moderate buzz early evening, softening to comfortably low later—easy to hold a date-night conversation.
Weekend wait: Walk-ins can face 45–75 minutes; bar seats fill quickly.
Weekday lunch: Typically seated on time with minimal wait if booked; walk-ins may face a short 5–15 minute delay.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—limited but well-executed options such as composed salads and vegetable-forward plates; the kitchen accommodates modifications.
Vegan options: Very limited—may require off-menu adjustments; call ahead if strictly vegan.
Gluten-free options: Good support—many proteins and sauces can be prepared gluten-free; staff is knowledgeable about substitutions.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—its dramatic mid-century room, polished service, and tableside presentations create an impressive experience without feeling showy. Ideal if you want a memorable, intimate setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible but unpredictable. Arriving right at opening or after 9pm gives you the best chance; otherwise expect a long wait or bar seating only.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially—this is a formal, adult-leaning dining room. Older teens may be fine, but it’s not suited for young children due to pacing, cost, and ambiance.
Best For
Better for: Atmosphere-first steakhouse dining—tableside service, meticulous classics, and a historically significant room that outshines standard chophouses.
Skip if: You want oversized steakhouse portions, casual energy, or a menu heavy on modern cuts and sides; choose a traditional volume-driven steakhouse instead.