Serendipity 3, New York, New York, American Restaurant Details

Food:

"Must-try" frozen hot chocolate is the signature (the rest of the "good" American comfort offerings are mere "prelude") at this "whimsical", circa-1954 East Side sweets 'n' gifts "institution"; despite "high prices", "sassy" service and "crazy crowds", it's a magnet for "tourists" and "grandchildren" alike.

Food:

I am a tourist but this is one place you have to come. The meals are good but not the reason I'd come. The frozen hot chocolate is the reason to come. Such a fun place to come and the server we had was on point! Glenn you are the man

Food:

It's a rip off place. And I mean that literally!

Rundown of what happened

1. Service -

If you are reading this, you might already know this place requires you to wait in long line to get sited. We were also told we will be waiting in line so we were expecting it when we arrived.

But what we didn't realize is we should have put our name down and just walked around the area and come back. If you were to put your name down( If you are lucky enough to put your name down between Manager's gawking eyes on young ladies) and wait around the area, you will be told to stand in straight line with your back to the wall.
How they will tell you is another story. We just didn't appreciate how he was yelling at friend of mine who had her back turned to sideways to talk to us while we are waiting. But because we wanted to try this place, she and I did not make scene out of it.
Just because we didn't make a scene out of it doesn't mean it is ok.

2. Service -

After finally getting our name down after couple of groups of girls were allowed to cut in front of us,we waited in line and we were able to get a small table. I have to say desserts were good. But it really isn't like it's out of this world. We saw something about minimum order of $8.50 somewhere so we made sure we did that.

About 10 mins into the dessert, our waiter comes and asked if we are done. This is the waiter who just looked at me with blank eyes when I asked what he would recommend other than frozen hot Chocolate. His comment to us was .....everyone are different with their own taste.
Okie Dokie~

3 Service -

Into our 30 mins of being able to sit down, we were asked if we are done about 5 times, asked if check is ready about twice, waiter coming by our table to look at us about 5 times. And also of course, hitting our table while serving tables beside us, about three times.

With knowing we will be never EVER gonna go back to that place EVER again, we just knew we are not leaving any tips. Tips are for receiving service. Getting our dessert is what we paid for.

I made sure no one pays from my table and I paid bill with my credit card and made sure everyone see that I have written down $1 tip.

RIP OFF PART

And guess what my bank tells me...... in my credit card monthly statement, it says I paid total of $5 tip!!!!!

What a rip off place that is! I have worked as waitress and bartender to know how to appreciate good tip. To receive good tip, there are certain things you really should do. Yelling or harassing isn't just one of those.

Not giving good service is one thing. But taking money is a totally different issue.

I really can't be the first person to give $1 tip or no tip at all with attitude like theirs. And to think that's what they do when they don't receive enough tip.... WOW

I don't know if that's even legal.

I did call my bank to get $4 back but still.....

Food:

As many are prone to do, we went to Serendipity for dessert around 8:30 one night. The wait was only about 10 minutes and had a great little table near the back wall. Wife had the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, son had the Chocolate Blackout Cake and I had the Forbidden Broadway Sundae. We were in heaven and waddled out 45 min later. Service was quick and incredibly friendly. Amazing way to end a long day. They do have a full menu and a random general store in the front. Fun, lively, quaint and worth it in every way. Have fun and enjoy, but may need to loosen your belt on the way out!

Food:

Went here for the frozen hot chocolate only. It was decent but nothing spectacular. It was expensive for what you get. Although to be honest, this is New York. We didn't have a long wait like some people had but we went during the week. The place is neat. The frozen hot chocolate tasted like any other regular hot chocolate but in a milkshake form. It was OK just not great. I can't comment on any other food.

Food:

Atmosphere: Upon entering, you are greeted by the host in a small narrow hallway adorned with a random assortment of colorful toys/trinkets. The furniture and layout of the store is not ideal for a tall person (Me), but the restaurant reminds you of following the white rabbit down the rabbit hole from Alice in Wonderland.

Service: Figured the wait would be at least an hour, but was surprised when our name was called for a party of 3. Followed the host upstairs to the second floor where there were more tables since the first floor was packed. After ordering our food, our waiter came to check on us periodically which was a plus considering the amount of people dining that afternoon.

Food: Ordered the infamous Frozen Hot Chocolate to try. Once you take a sip, you will not be able to stop until you finish the whole glass. Along with the hot chocolate, we also ordered a few appetizers and entrees to share, but I didn't think any of the food was worth the price.

One item on the menu did seem intriguing, which was the Golden Opulence Sundae ($1,000) featured on the Guinness Book of World Records as one of the most expensive sundaes in the world! Perhaps one day when I have a spare grand in my pocket, I'd consider stopping by again to try this exotic dessert topped with edible shaved gold flakes.