Yep! I’m back with a new restaurant for you guys to try; Grand Banks in NYC. My best friend, Stacia, scouted out this spot for us to have our bi-weekly brunch at, which was way overdue. We both like scenery and seafood, and since this place has both, it didn’t take much convincing to get us there. So, do you need a new brunch or dinner spot? This might be it. Here’s all you need to know….
Venue
Environment: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Not only do you get the full NY skyline, Pier 25 hosts so many surrounding activities, all perfect for families! The boat is just a few steps away from a small sprinkler park, volleyball court (yes, it has sand), various playgrounds, mini golf and other restaurants, too. You can make a full day of fun on the pier, then stop for a bite to eat. Not too bad huh?
However… the boat itself isn’t too much to boast about. The pictures that we initially saw enticed us into wanting to give them a visit. But in person, it’s not so appealing. It’s small and looks a bit outdated.
Hospitality: ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
No complaints here! Our waitress, Emily, as well as other hostesses, attended to us promptly, checked on us regularly and was extremely helpful with our requests – Shout out to them!
Family friendly: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Family friendly in the sense that children are allowed (there were even a few small ones there during our visit), but I’m not too sure if the food selection is something that kids would usually go for. Also, besides it being a boat, there’s nothing particularly appealing for a child. There’s a lot of activities for children to enjoy surrounding the restaurant, but for me, this venue is more appropriate for the mature crowd.
Food
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
We loved everything! Our entrees included the Lobster Roll, Tomato and Watermelon, Soft Shell Crab and Sea Scallops. For drinks, I had the Permanent Vacation (soooooooo good! Literally tasted like a drink you would get from a beach bar on an island somewhere) and Stacia had a seltzer water 🙄.
We wiped every plate clean. Everything was fresh and well seasoned, especially the crabs! Are you supposed to eat the shell on soft shell crabs? Idk, but I surely didn’t waste any time picking for the meat. They taste perfect just the way they’re served.
Presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ehhh, cute enough but nothing fancy. Everything about the plating and drinks were pretty standard. I would have liked to see my food served on an anchor, a helm or maybe a Captain’s hat. Anything to make looking at it a little more fun.
Price: 💵 💵💵
Most entrees average out to be around $30, while appetizers and drinks are between $17 and $22. Is it worth it? Sure, considering it’s fresh Seafood. But some of the entrees could be larger servings, in my opinion. Or maybe I just wanted a second Lobster Roll? 😋 But anyway, you can check out their menu here!
Tips and General Information
• There’s a mandatory $25 reservation fee, but no worries, it goes towards your bill. Reservation fees vary depending on your seating preference.
• We already know that street parking in NYC is basically nonexistent. But is just me, or did the prices for parking garages go up?! I spent $60 to park my car for 2 hours. Yes, SIXTY DOLLARS! I almost grabbed my keys and made a run for it. Never thought I would be in the position to steal my own car. But I definitely, almost, considered it. I parked at Icon Parking, which is literally a 3 minute walk to the pier. There were cheaper garages (not much cheaper, maybe by a couple dollars) but they were further out and, not surprisingly, all full.
• If you suffer from motion sickness, beware! From the second we stepped foot on the boat, the both of us felt nauseous. We were able to get through most of our meal, but eventually had to move. There’s a row of tables that sit on the dock, directly alongside the boat; we requested to be seated there instead.
Would I go back? Short answer, no. Although the food was good, it’s nothing I would need to double back for and the aesthetics did nothing for me. It was a good one-time experience, but I’m sure that’s the last I’ll see of it.
Have you ever been to Grand Banks? Would you give it a try? Let me know!
TTYL,
LEXI 💋
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