A Review of City Hall Restaurant in New York City

If you live in or visited New York City, have you been to City Hall? I don't mean the seat of the New York City government, but the restaurant on Duane Street, between Church Street and West Broadway. City Hall restaurant is a tribute to old New York. It has a great ambiance in a loft-like building. The building has high ceilings, is very airy, and high on the walls surrounding the restaurant are great black and white pictures of old New York. The menu is simple, with wholesome meat and seafood dishes. There is a raw bar, and the seafood can be done in a variety of ways. The meat dishes are superb, with high quality cuts of meat, including lamb and beef. The restaurant is moderately high priced. The prices are not over the top for the quality of the food, but if you add side dishes, it does add up.

City Hall also has two wonderful and nostalgic event rooms downstairs from the main restaurant. They are both perfect for special family events or corporate events. One is the Rose Room which seats 32 people or accommodates 45 for a cocktail reception. It has warm rose colored walls, a venetian stucco ceiling and lacewood wine cabinet. The Granite Room is City Hall's largest private dining area seating 110 guests or accommodating over 200 for a cocktail reception. It is truly an old New York style restaurant with a black walnut bar constructed of 19th century brick, cast iron columns and warm leather seating. It also has a grand piano that glows in the candlelight of the room. In addition to these two special rooms, events can be booked in the main restaurant area.

My husand and I, and our family and friends have dined here several times and the food is consistently good. We have had prime rib for two, done to one's liking. It is sliced off the bone for easy handling. The rack of lamb is delicious and if one is into calves liver and onions, this dish is very tender and delicious. We have even had great hamburgers. Those of us who had seafood dishes were very satisfied. The side dishes include several vegetables dishes including grilled asparagus, smashed potatoes and sauteed potatoes, string beans with a hint of garlic and oil, and sauteed mushrooms to name a few. Everything is very flavorful, but not highly spiced. Desserts are very good. They include some New York favorites such as cheescake, but also include Red Velvet Cake, chocolate souffle volcano cake, and other seasonal pies and desserts.

One great feature of City Hall for those who have young children is that they welcome children. On Saturday evenings, many young couples from the Tribeca area of New York come in with their children. While the atmosphere of City Hall is special, and you will see many business people there for lunch and dinner during the week, the management does not require that patrons dress up. So parents can come on a Saturday where they have spent a day in the park with their children and dine comfortably. City Hall also has a children's menu.

I hope you get a chance to try this special restaurant.