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The Clocktower
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
The Clocktower
8.3
A hotel-dining room with real polish where breakfast is built for meetings, celebrations, and slow pacing rather than quick bites. Keep it classic and composed—one main, one coffee, and let the room do the rest.
Must-Try Dishes:
Full English breakfast, Eggs Benedict, Buttermilk pancakes
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 9.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: A high-design hotel room that turns breakfast into an occasion.
Who should go: Business breakfasts and celebration mornings
When to visit: Early weekday mornings for the calmest service
What to order: Full English, eggs Benedict, pancakes
Insider tip: Book ahead and sit deeper in the room for quieter energy.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Hotel valet available; limited street parking in the area, especially during weekday mornings.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—business attire, polished casual, or elevated weekend wear fits the room.
Noise level: Low to moderate—easy conversation, especially during early mornings.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—breakfast service may see 20–40 min waits on weekends without a reservation.
Weekday lunch: No wait typically for breakfast on weekdays, especially before 9am.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several composed vegetarian-friendly breakfast plates available.
Vegan options: Limited—possible with modifications, but not a dedicated focus.
Gluten-free options: Yes—select dishes can be adapted; staff is knowledgeable about accommodations.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you’re aiming for polished and intentional. It’s calm, refined, and conversation-friendly, though more formal than casual coffee.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on early weekdays, but reservations are strongly recommended—especially for weekends or business hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young kids. The room skews adult and refined, better for teens who can match the pacing.
Best For
Better for: Polished business breakfasts, celebratory mornings, and design-forward hotel dining with calm pacing.
Skip if: You want a quick, casual breakfast or budget-friendly plates—this is about atmosphere and experience.
The Clocktower
8.2
A high-design hotel dining room where brunch is built for slow pacing, meetings, and occasion energy—not quick bites. The move is classic British-leaning comfort, ordered with restraint, so the room and service rhythm stay the headline.
Must-Try Dishes:
English breakfast, Brunch cocktails, Dessert menu pick
Scores:
Value: 6.9
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 9.2
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A luxury hotel brunch where the room does half the work.
Who should go: Celebrations and business brunches
When to visit: Weekend brunch window, earlier seating
What to order: English breakfast, one brunch cocktail, dessert add-on
Insider tip: Sit deeper in the dining rooms for quieter energy.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet; nearby garages in Flatiron, street parking is very limited and unreliable on weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jeans are fine if polished, but most guests dress up a bit.
Noise level: Low to moderate — conversation-friendly, especially deeper in the dining rooms.
Weekend wait: 45–60 minutes without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait with early arrival; reservations recommended
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several composed vegetarian brunch plates available.
Vegan options: Limited — some modifications possible, but not a vegan-forward menu.
Gluten-free options: Yes — gluten-free options available and staff is accommodating.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want a polished, low-pressure setting. It’s more refined and calm than flirty, which works best for conversation-driven dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible early in the brunch window, but reservations are strongly recommended on weekends due to hotel traffic.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially — children are welcome, but the room and pacing skew adult and occasion-focused rather than family-oriented.
Best For
Better for: Elevated, unhurried brunches where atmosphere, service, and setting matter as much as the food.
Skip if: You want a quick, casual brunch or a high-energy, social scene — better to choose a louder café-style spot instead.
The Clocktower
8.2
A hotel-anchored British room overlooking Madison Square Park that’s great for toasts without committing to a full tasting-menu marathon. The move is cocktails first, then one or two signature plates and a dessert—celebratory, photogenic, and easy to pace.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seared scallops, Beef Wellington, Baked Alaska
Scores:
Value: 6.6
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A park-view British room that turns dinner into an easy event.
Who should go: Cocktail-forward celebrators
When to visit: Golden hour into dinner
What to order: Scallops, Wellington, Baked Alaska
Insider tip: Start at the bar—then move to a table.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet. Nearby garages around Madison Square Park; street parking is very limited after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—heels, blazers, and polished looks fit the room; jeans are fine if styled well.
Noise level: Moderate to lively—buzz adds energy, but you can still hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially after 7pm
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several vegetable-forward starters and mains available.
Vegan options: Limited—best to ask about modifications.
Gluten-free options: Yes—select dishes can be prepared gluten-free with guidance from the staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—cocktails, views, and a flexible menu make it easy to keep the night light and conversational without pressure.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes if you start at the bar or go early; later prime hours are tougher without booking.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal—this is more of an adult, cocktail-driven room best suited for teens and up.
Best For
Better for: Celebratory nights that prioritize atmosphere, cocktails, and pacing over a long formal meal.
Skip if: You want a serious fine-dining tasting menu or a quiet, low-energy dinner—look elsewhere for that.
The Clocktower
8.2
A hotel-anchored British room overlooking Madison Square Park that’s strongest as a stylish occasion dinner with cocktails and classic-leaning plates. The vibe is dark, clubby, and photo-friendly—treat it like a bar-first meal, then land on two signature dishes and dessert.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Wellington, Chicken Kiev, Sticky toffee pudding
Scores:
Value: 6.9
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A park-view, old-world room that turns dinner into an event.
Who should go: Cocktail-first date nights
When to visit: Golden hour into early evening
What to order: Wellington, Chicken Kiev, sticky toffee pudding
Insider tip: Start at the bar—then move to a table.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No on-site valet; nearby paid garages around Madison Square Park. Street parking is limited and difficult after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—jeans are fine if polished, but most guests dress up for the room.
Noise level: Moderate to lively—conversation is easy early, gets louder as the bar fills.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, shorter if you start at the bar
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait or walk-in friendly
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several vegetable-forward starters and mains can be built into a full meal.
Vegan options: Limited—possible with menu guidance, but not a strong vegan destination.
Gluten-free options: Yes—staff is accommodating and can guide you to naturally gluten-free dishes.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—especially for cocktail-first dates. The moody room, park views, and bar energy create instant atmosphere without needing to over-order.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes, but your best bet is to arrive early, grab bar seats, and ask the host about table availability as the night unfolds.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really—this is an adult-leaning, evening-focused room best suited for dates and celebratory nights rather than families.
Best For
Better for: Occasion dinners, cocktails-with-a-view, and stylish nights that feel like an event rather than a simple meal.
Skip if: You want a quiet, food-first dinner or are prioritizing value and portion size over atmosphere.