I had brunch at Lex Yard on Sunday, February 22nd, eager to see the Waldorf Astoria’s long-awaited renovation and to experience Chef Michael Anthony’s newest project. As someone who has dined at Gramercy Tavern for years — and proudly owns a well-worn copy of V is for Vegetables — this review is not easy to write.
Let’s start with the positives.
The dining room is breathtaking. Truly one of the most stunning spaces in Manhattan right now. The renovation of the Waldorf Astoria is elegant, restrained, and architecturally impressive. The room alone makes you want this restaurant to succeed.
The other highlight was our server — a young woman whose enthusiasm and warmth lit up an otherwise somber room. She was charming, informed, and genuinely happy to be there. In a largely empty dining room, her energy carried the experience. I left her a significant gratuity in appreciation of her spirit; she deserved it.
Unfortunately, that’s where the highlights end.
We opened with a glass of Taittinger Champagne ($28) and a bottle of San Pellegrino. The menu reads beautifully — thoughtful, seasonal, promising. But when the food arrived, the excitement dissipated.
The Brown Butter Cinnamon Swirl roll with cardamom frosting ($18) landed somewhere between cold and room temperature. For a pastry that relies on warmth and aromatic butter to shine, this was a missed opportunity.
My friend’s turkey club sandwich was fine — competent, but unremarkable. The roasted potatoes alongside it were slightly undercooked.
I ordered the Cheddar Soft Scrambled Eggs with everything crumble and bagel chips. The eggs arrived at room temperature, which flattened both texture and flavor. I added smoked salmon (which was delicious), but the whole wheat toast was more stale than toasted — a detail that feels inexcusable at this level.
As someone who has worked in hospitality for three decades, what struck me most was the lack of supervision. Chef Michael Anthony was off, and there was no visible floor leadership until the moment we stood to leave — when a manager briefly appeared and then vanished just as quickly. With business this slow, I am surprised he didn't take the opportunity to touch tables and check in on the guest experience.
Three hosts stood chatting at the podium. Two bartenders occupied themselves — one testing recipes and dating syrups, making productive use of an empty bar.
Food runners and additional servers looked disengaged. The room lacked pulse, direction, accountability.
I left feeling frustrated — not because of the cost (New York is expensive), but because the experience didn’t justify it. The $100 gratuity to our server felt deserved. The rest of the spend did not.
This is a restaurant with pedigree. With the Waldorf’s grandeur and Chef Michael Anthony’s reputation, expectations are understandably high. Right now, Lex Yard feels like a beautiful stage without a conductor.
It needs leadership. It needs inspiration. And it needs someone at the helm of that extraordinary dining room to bring it to life.
Not recommend. Took 45 mins for a simple omelette to arrive cold. Coffee was cold. Servers were nice but not attentive. Restaurant was at 20% capacity max. Missed pancake order. I believe they are severely short staffed and it shows.
The press and others have reported the reopening of The Waldorf Astoria. As Lex Yard is only one of several restaurants on the property, I am focusing solely on this restaurant in this review. I recently needed to meet a former colleague and decided to tour all the options before making a decision. Given that I wanted a restaurant feel, Lex Yard was the perfect choice. The others felt like they were in windowless sections of the lobby, which was not my vibe.
With a lobby entrance off Lexington Avenue, Lex Yard is visible from the street and easy to access. The bar area is expansive, and I can see why this is a popular spot for people who work in the area.
I started at the bar and moved to a table next to it to be more comfortable. The menu is wide-ranging, offering a host of cold seafood options from oysters to caviar, along with several classic old-world dishes revived and reinterpreted.
My guest and I were primarily interested in a bottle of wine and a few snacks, but wound up eating main dishes. I ordered the lobster roll, which came with a caviar topping, which I guess is how they justify the $48 price. It’s not very large and was a bit stark on the plate; glad I ordered a side of potatoes. I now understand why there are no prices on their menu online. My colleague ordered a delicious fish dish, which she loved.
The service was impeccable, and the food was delicious. I will say you'd better be sure you are comfortable with the menu and wine list prices, as this is not for the faint of heart. If so, you will be rewarded with a lovely meal in a beautiful space.
I’ve frequented this bar for numerous reasons, Jonathan being the top one! Bluntly speaking .. impeccable service! He was friendly, knowledgeable of the menu and everything it entailed , and genuinely cared about making sure everyone had a great experience. He made great recommendations for both food and cocktails and continuously makes amazingly balanced drinks. Even when it was busy, he made you feel welcomed and never rushed. Definitely one of the best customer service experiences I’ve had at a bar— and I continue to come back with no regret & always a better experience than before. Lex Yard you have a solid team & Jonathan is one to keep around.
We had a Christmas lunch here several weeks before the holiday. It was a wonderful experience! The room is so beautiful and the service is very Waldorf. Delicious pasta, seafood, and steaks. Fabulous desserts and coffee. Highly recommend this establishment.
An iconic New York landmark reborn. After an eight-year wait, our visit to the Waldorf was rewarded in every way. Breakfast at Lex Yard on the second floor was a refined experience—elegant surroundings, impeccable service, and truly exquisite cuisine. The eggs Benedict were flawless, and the French toast indulgent and memorable. A luxurious return worthy of its legacy.
We had the most amazing dinner! The food was nothing out of this world but it was yummy and well cooked! What really set the bar was the amazing service by the whole team but especially Kevin O! We had a great meal and are looking forward to coming back!
Located inside if Waldorf-Astoria this restaurant has a limited choice of excellent menu items both in presentation and taste. My favorites so far are Waldorf new salad and Monk fish. Prices match the quality and service is quite attentive
The space is absolutely stunning! Unfortunately, we were in two groups that arrived at the same time. The first group was completely finished with their meals 15 minutes before we got our entrees. While my chicken was very overcooked, they took it off the bill and gave me a glass of wine on the house. Since we’d waited so long for the meal, I didn’t want to delay us any further so my fellow diners shared their plentiful meals with me. I felt their recovery was everything you’d expect from this quality of establishment - very much appreciated. The beef fat potatoes were ? ? ?, the oysters were great, but they didn’t have any horse radish (plain), or hot sauce which I found strange for a place that has so many cold seafood options.
I probably won’t go again, but I think they still deserve high marks for the drinks, some food, the service, ambiance and recovery.
The positive points were the renovation and the restaurant’s beautiful ambiance at the Waldorf Astoria — the service was also good. Unfortunately, the food was terrible, especially for a menu that had been advertised in The New York Times as a top Thanksgiving option. They delivered a mediocre execution of a meal where mistakes simply can’t happen.
To make matters worse, the three pies served tasted undercooked, as if they had come straight from Trader Joe’s. Definitely not worth it
BE AWARE: beverage prices here can be outrageous: a non alcoholic drink was 28$. I realize it’s NYC but please this is a tad obscene. Also, if you asked for a take home bag: REMIND THEM. I thought I could salvage the duck dish but I couldn’t.
What makes this place stick out was the service from KEVIN who was from Boston. Two things that really stuck out were the Oysters and the Lobster salad. Oysters were as fresh as could be and the lobster salad was a perfect melange of lobster, greens and citrus dressing.
Now what was mediocre: ricotta cavatell and what was subpar was the lamb- yuck! You wonder how those two dishes passed taste tests. Oh well, another mediocre night in NYC but what saved the day was the waiter- his charm, grace and wit Thanks Kevin.
The bar staff was very nice.
Hostess desk- when I saw him on the way out I wanted to make sure he knew how good our waiter was- he could have cared less.
Went back for another visit and had an excellent meal. The lamb shank was a lot of meat and cooked perfectly. The arctic char was excellent. The Swiss chard side was superb.
Small complaint each visit the dessert has taken forever (30 minutes plus) before it arrived.
Surprisingly good for a hotel restaurant, although $38 burgers (fries $18 extra?!) are a bit much, however, the burger was extremely good (as were the fries) so it was worth it same with the lobster roll. Don’t get the dessert sundae though it was a mess. Decent wines, extremely good and friendly service at the bar. Energetic, crowded place. Very friendly, everyone.
Location is beautiful, service is good. However, the bread for the table was cold & stale sadly. The appetizers were not very good in my opinion. The presentation was great but they lacked depth and had no flavor. I would like to note that my entree was great and the drinks are great as well.
We had dinner there this week. What stood out above and beyond food was the quality of service and attentiveness of the staff. The venue is pleasant and tables are well-spaced out, but that in itself is not distinguished. Food is reasonably priced but not the fine dining one would compare with Gabriel Kreuther - Burger was good, Arctic char was excellent, and a few starters met expectation. Service is 6-star though.
A truly a fantastic experience. 10 out of 10. The service and attention to detail in my opinion would make this a Michelin rated restaurant. We had drinks in the peacock and then dinner upstairs at the restaurant. The upstairs is a better choice for a more intimate quiet dinner. The four course dinner was the best. I can’t wait to go back here. I also cannot reiterate enough, the absolute top service we received from everybody in the restaurant. Our waitress was an absolute professional, was kind. And knew every detail about every entrée
Mixed feelings about this one. The cocktails were genuinely excellent skilled, thoughtful, and worth the premium price. That was the highlight. The seafood and early courses arrived with impressive choreography, and service felt polished and attentive throughout.
But then the main courses landed: perfectly fine chicken, pasta, and seafood, shared family-style, but nothing that justified the Waldorf name or Chef Michael Anthony's reputation. For what you're paying, "delightful" doesn't cut it there's no distinctive culinary point of view here.
What concerned me more was the Saturday night vibe. The dining room was half-empty on a prime evening, and the chef only stopped by one table while ignoring others. That kind of favoritism feels off, and the empty seats suggest the restaurant is still finding its footing.
The hostess stations also fed me conflicting information about where we'd be dining, and getting asked invasive personal details just to sit at the bar felt unnecessarily bureaucratic for a place like this.
Bottom line: Competent execution, lovely cocktails, but it feels like opening night jitters. Not quite the destination experience you'd hope for at this price point.
It was our first time and we really loved the experience. The service met the hotel’s high standard, and the property looks stunning after the renovation. The restaurant is cozy, elegant, and modern at the same time. Both the food and the service were excellent. I highly recommend it for a special occasion.
The food was incredible, the wine pairing was perfection, but you would expect that from a restaurant in the Waldorf Astoria, right? What I did not expect…..as a local…… was Kevin O.!!! What an absolute delight and breath of fresh air!!!
I was celebrating my birthday and he treated my friend and me with so much respect and we had so much fun with him and it really was just the most perfect evening!!!
It is wonderful to have the Waldorf back in action. The update, while taking years, has been beautifully done, keeping the old charm, but updating the look and feel at the same time. The dinner at Lex Yard adds a much needed fine dining option in mid-town. The new Waldorf salad is superb as are the hamburger and the sea bass.
I’m not one to complain about prices…if you complain, you just shouldn’t go is my motto…but charging $12 for iced tea (and charging for refills) is really quite obnoxious. $36 for 3 x 8 oz glasses of iced tea is crazy.
Restaurant was beyond gorgeous and the staff from the hotel concierge to restaurant hostess and waiter were amazing. Sat in the bottom floor which is lively and a la carte. Would love to go back to the upstairs seating for the pre fixe menu.
Absolutely loved my experience at Lex Yard! The atmosphere is vibrant, the service is attentive, and the food is consistently delicious. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a great spot to relax and enjoy quality dining.
My husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary. We entered Lex Yard and were warmly greeted by Arielle and Eleanor to be escorted to our table. Overall beautiful space and atmosphere.
Our waiter, Kevin extended superb service. It was excellent. The food was excellent and I’m not exaggerating. We ordered a delicious heirloom tomato salad, followed by mushroom tagliatelle, and herb roasted chicken. Simply decadent!
I’m not really sure why the reviews are averaging 4.7 it fully needs to be 5!
Thank you so much for an incredible evening Lex Yard! Looking forward to coming back again soon.
I can’t rave enough about the incredible meal I had at Lex Yard. Nestled within one of the world’s most iconic hotels, legendary Chef Mike Anthony has created the perfect menu. It is a mix of classics with a twist and some of his own creations, all crafted with incredibly fresh ingredients, love and creativity.
From the picked veggies, to the bright and colorful soups and salads, to the fresh seafood, you can’t go wrong. The pasta dishes were a standout for me, while comforting and packed with flavor and texture, not heavy at all. The burger was one of the best I’ve had. Oh!! And desserts are not to be missed. I loved the home made ice cream. Wow, wow, wow! I can’t wait to go back and try the winter menu.
The new Lex Yard has a fabulous and tasteful vibe, appearance and decor. The room will be splendid in any season. I loved how they so many touches at the bar to control noise from hard surfaces. Very well done. The halibut was excellent! Highly recommend. A culinary experience. Staffing levels over the top but they want to set a good standard in first few months. Can’t wait for autumn there. Probably will be buzzing.
We ate downstairs and the food was delicious: new Waldorf salad, sliders and fries. Cocktails unique and tasty. The setting is gorgeous. We will definitely be back!
The new Waldorf salad IS delicious. The lobster role with truffles and caviar is what you want it to be.
The drinks are delicious and beautiful as is the glassware.
The service was Michelin attentive but so friendly and warm as was the room itself.
Expensive but that’s to be expected.
We really enjoyed our spontaneous dinner at Lex Yards last Saturday night. The Manager, Eliza, was so courteous and stoped by our table to check in which we appreciated. They’re newly re-opened after many years and have a very cool ‘20’s vintage vibe. Because of that, we both ordered Paper Planes and wow, they were the best ones we’ve had to date. Well done!
The fish was fresh and delicious and really everything was played beautifully and just worked so well.
I’d definitely return and while the prices are on the higher side, the whole experience is next level. For fine dining, this is your place. Beautiful decor also.
I would say the breakfast food is very competent but not necessarily a destination for NYC. However, the service is excellent from the time you walk in front of the building through the meal and the atmosphere couldn’t be nicer. A lovely way to spend some time & a meal.
Stopped by the newly reopened Waldorf Astoria in the neighborhood and had a quick drink and light dinner at Lex Yard. The space is elegant, refined yet inviting, a bit of Sketch London meets New York sensibility. Nick at the bar was excellent: personable, informed, and thoughtful. The Waldorf salad and burger were both solid, and the red velvet tart was a great finish. Feels like a place that will settle in as a neighbourhood favourite — and a must-visit for anyone passing through.
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