| Dining reviews and photos of Serendipity posted by real travelers and New York City locals.
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Although famous for their frozen hot chocolate and most of the desserts, this is not a restaurant with good food or good value for the service. Staffs are indifferent at best and curt at worst. Not one person in the over-staffed restaurant made a feeble attempt to crack a smile at any customer both times we were there. The majority of the customers, on the other hand, seemed to be jazzed about the place. Chalk one point to the power of publicity.
Note: I didn't even know there was a film that used this place for location until later on. Perhaps that's the reason my review is different from other VTers: I didn’t have any preconception about the place.
The decor is offbeat, with many Tiffany-style lamps and a non-functioned ceiling fan with a missing blade. The shop in front of the restaurant sells sweets and gifts, and the salesclerk is just as po-faced as the rest of the staffs.
NYC is a place where you can find excellent food easily, so if you want to visit Serendipity because some actors have been there, go ahead and please yourself. However, if you want excellent food (desserts included) in good ambience and with better service, go elsewhere. Most places even have ceiling fans that work.
Appetizers are from $3.50 to $10; soup/salad from $5.50 to $15; entrees from $6 (hot dog) to $19 (mixed grill). Desserts are from $5 (small tart) to $17.50 (large slice of cheesecake). The price, therefore, is from average to more expensive than average.
None of the food is worth the money. Most desserts are good but I would not categorize them as excellent. Mocchacino is mediocre. Leave a Comment Theme: DessertPrice: US$11-20 » Currency ConverterComparison: more expensive than averageAddress: 225 E. 60th St., New York, NY 10022Phone: (212) 838-3531Directions: Take the N, R, 4, 5 or 6 to 59th St-Lexington Ave. The restaurant is located between Second and Third Aves.Website: http://www.serendipity3.com/
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Of course, eveyone talks about the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate..because it's a must!
I just visited and it was delicious! (August 2004) The wait to get in may be long at times, especially Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings but its well worth it! Not only are the desserts delicious to the mouth and tummy but the decor is pretty to the eye as well.
It's a fun place for a girls-night -out, a family evening of chaos and even a great date night. Visitors are also very welcome.
Don't forget a stop at the store for a NYC Serendipity souvenir! Leave a Comment
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I read so many good reviews of Serendipity and their famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate that I wanted to make sure I tried this place. I didn't realize that they accepted reservations so I stopped by at 2 pm on a Monday thinking the wait wouldn't be so bad and after pushing my way through the throng of people both inside and outside, the host said there was a 1 1/2 hour wait! I asked him if there was any other time when the wait wouldn't be so bad and he said it was crowded from when they open to when they close.
I rewatched "Serendipity", the movie with Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack as fated lovers and I had to laugh at the scene shot inside the restaurant that showed all kinds of empty tables!
Well, I've never waited that long for any restaurant so I left still curious about that Frrrozen Hot Chocolate :-( But I sated my sweet tooth at a local bakery with a Napoleon, could the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate really be that much better???
You can buy the frrrozen hot chocolate mix at the store or online but that just wouldn't be the same to me. Leave a Comment Theme: DessertAddress: 225 East 60th Street, New York, NYPhone: 212-838-3531Directions: Between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.Website: http://www.serendipity3.com/
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Though this place has always attracted a crowd this has only grown since this small restaurant was used as a setting and meeting place for John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale in the movie Serindipity.
Make sure to come very early especially on weekends and around the holidays as the wait can be hours, on my last visit I got in a short line around 10:15 am on Sunday as immediately got a table as the restaurant was just opening. The food while pricey was good and was of the sandwich and burger variety with various soups and salads also available. The real reason both tourists and locals flock here is for their desserts none more popular than the Frozen Hot Chocolate which is amazingly good.
Serendipity is fairly convenient to both Central Park and Bloomindale's
You must try the Frozen Hot Chocolate. Leave a Comment
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Serendipity is a MUST if your visiting Ny. The restauant is known for their HUGE desserts, but they serve other food as well. The place is full of fun decorations, and always at least an hour wait, so its best to make rservations!
My favorite dessert is the Strawberry Fields Sundae. Its a huge piece of cheesecake topped with ice cream, strawberry syrup, strawberries, and soo much more goodness. Leave a Comment Theme: DessertPrice: US$11-20 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 60th Street between 2nd and 3rd Ave.Directions: Its in the almost in the center of Manhattan. Its near Bloomingdales. Just take the 6 (subway) to 59th street and you'll exit one block away.
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Ah, Serendipity. This is the first place that my good friend took me to when I came out to visit her. We each ordered a coffee and shared a megs Sundae.. it was so tastey. I can't even remember what it was called, but it was big and yummy. you get to choose 3-4 ice cream flavors... oh my tummy grumbles just thinking about it. Leave a Comment
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If you are the John Cusack fan that I am, then you are already familiar with this way cool eatery in NYC. The Serendipity Restaurant made history by being used as a location shot for the movie of the same name, Serendipity. I know the place was a hot spot before the movie came out, but now everyone knows about it so it can sometimes be difficult to even get in there. The wait is worth it though, so I certainly recommend going.
A word to the wise: If you are planning on going on a Friday or Saturday night be prepared for a wait of, at the very least, an hour or more. That's insane, right? But it will be fine if you do what I do, which is get there, put my name in, and have a few beers at this dive bar down the street. By the time you've had a few drinks it will be time to go back and ask if your name has been called.
Once you get in there you'll be happy you waited as you check out the funky, eclectic decor. Wild decorations give the whole place a Shabby Chic Cafe/Flea Market feel. Right up front by the hostess stand is a mini shop full of crazy little trinkets that have a total 'Serendipity' feel.
There are two floors for seating, but upstairs is where the scenes from the movie were filmed. My favorite seat is upstairs, a table right by the front window. That way you can look out on the street, and the people below that are waiting to get in.
This place isn't just all celebrity hype either. I think the food is great and rather reasonable for New York. The Seredipity staple however is a crazy dessert called the Frozen Hot Chocolate. And yes, it is both frozen and hot... don't ask me how they do it. This dessert is what Serendipity is known for and some people come here just to order dessert and nothing else.
Of course, the Frrrrrrozen Hot Chocolate! It's a must have at least on your first visit.
I've also ordered the Vegetarian Chilli which I really enjoyed.
Also on the menu could be a celebrity sighting, as many famous New Yorkers have been known to frequent this establishment - Keep you eyes Open! Leave a Comment
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Remember the movie "One Fine Day" and "Serendipity"..yoiu ladies should know. Well, this place does really exist.
What a delectable array of desserts and I must say the portions are huge! I almost couldn't make it out of my seat!! hee hee Thank goodness I could walk to my hotel to digest all that I ate! The experience is wonderful.
It was quite a wait but worth it!
I have two favourites 1)there chocolate mouse 2)chocolate cake Leave a Comment Theme: DessertPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterAddress: 225 East 60th StreetPhone: 212.838.3531Directions: Between 2nd and 3rd Avenues
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This is the main attraction and signature dessert here--the "Frrozen Hot Chocolate." (Yes, it's copyrighted that way!) It is also available as a Peanut Butter Frrozen Hot Chocolate, which is what everyone at my table chose. The base is a partially frozen hot chocolate blended with peanut butter, and in the middle of the gigantic parfair bowl is a huge dollop of sweetened, indulgent whipped cream. Top it all with chocolate shavings and let it drip over the edges, and you have a chocoholic's dream. It was truly amazing. Leave a Comment
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Serendipity is a New York landmark. When in New York, you can't miss visiting this restaurant. It is over-rated and touristy, but it is famous because they have established themselves uniquely long ago when others have not thought about the "frozen hot chocolate" and other goodies. So, why not try it when you're in town to check it out yourself?
I received great service. My waiter was highly skilled, efficient and pleasant. I will definitely go back to Serendipity when the opportunity arises again.
I suggest to go there early (before the lunch/dinner peak periods) as this tiny place gets packed quickly.
The frozen hot chocolate, yummy sundaes, other mouth-watering desserts, and other good ol' American fare (e.g., chicket pot pie, etc.).
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