Have you been to Hudson Beach in Riverside Park this summer? The area in the park around 105th street has been bustling since the cafe there reopened. And it’s fun to watch people try out the ring set on the beach.
Feel free to opine about anything in the neighborhood in the comments.
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The restaurant seems to be very busy — and noisy. However, our experiences on two visits have left us very disappointed. Sunday, with friends, we were assured that Woodchuck was an ale. When a pitcher arrived and it was obvious it was cider, we were met with arguments that it was apply flavoured beer. Finally, after assurances that we were going to eat, the charge for a pitcher of cider was removed. On a second visit we were presented with a bill that had an erroneous $10.00 charge. The waiter and manager apologized, brought us a corrected bill, and when presented with the charge card receipt, the $10.00 had been added back to the bill. Again, it was removed with apologies.
In spite of the fact that it has a nice menu of salads, wraps and hamburgers, a good beer and wine list, I doubt we shall return. Prices are a bit steep.
We much preferred the ambience of former years when one could relax and listen to Marty Taub play softer music more suitable for watching the sunset over the Hudson.
So to summarize, you incorrectly identified a cider as a beer (Woodchuck was, and always will be, a cider). The server removed the charge, then removed it again when the error was brought to their attention.
I fail to see a valid complaint.
Next.
I’m glad to have a restaurant there again, but they are clearly still working out the kinks. We went on Monday and they were slammed. In fact, we heard a manager to tell servers to stop taking food orders soon after we had ordered. It took more than an hour to get our salad and quesadilla, and when they came out the quesadilla was wrong but we didn’t send it back for fear of never seeing food again. They seemed to have a lot of servers but need more people working in the kitchen.
They also need a better system for getting tables than the current self-policed first-come, first-served, because we saw at least one yelling match go down between two groups of people waiting.
Yeah, they’re working out the kinks. But the food isnt bad, the prices are high but not unreasonable, and its a pretty awesome place to relax. Its been open what, three weeks now? The Ellington itself does fine, so I expect this place to get itself in good order too. And yeah, the seating system sucks.
As to the above who ordered cider without knowing it was cider… You ordered something without knowing what it was. And they corrected everything in the end. Fine, dont come back, less people means its easier to get a table.
Sorry Debbi D but we were told by the waiter that it was an ale and by the manager, after it was served, that it was apple flavored beer.
totally different subject: can anyone tell me why I have ANTS in my 15th floor prewar apartment? I’m thinking that they come down from the penthouse terrace gardens as opposed to up from the street – they aren’t anything but a nuisance, i.e. they don’t bother me, just have piqued my curiosity –
If they are Carpenter Ants, then they may be feasting on your old building. Any recent demo’s in your area?
Displacement often sends them looking for new digs. Of course water (moisture and food) left out will bring them as well.
@Manhattanmarg
Place a couple of these as directed and your ant problem will be solved in a couple days:
https://www.amazon.com/TERRO-Killer-Liquid-Baits-pre-filled/dp/B000HJBKMQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432831913&sr=8-1&keywords=ant+bait
Crappy picture. Doesn’t show a bustling scene. Area was BUSTLING on weekends BEFORE the restaurant. The Ellington in the Park is a nice addition. It certainly adds life to the area. Prices seem better than the previous concession. I particularly like the Shiner Ruby Red beer. Fruity and gingery and on tap. Not on the online menu, but often on the blackboard. Haven’t tried the food though.
It is so weird to me that prime storefronts sit empty and dark, and locals are hoping for new grocery stores in the neighborhood, while Fresh Direct parks its truck permanently curbside at W 80th and Broadway. Really bugs me to see it permanently idling there.
I feel the same way about Food Trucks and Food Carts, paying zero taxes and idling outside Brick and Mortor places that are barely hanging on.
I got there just after 4 PM on Tuesday, sat downstairs. Had coffee and a fruit salad with my pooch. Could not have been more pleasant. Sure some kinks to be worked out, but a lovely setting. Music could be more conducive to the setting and volume a bit moderated.