Ed's Chowder HousePerfect for Lincoln CenterEd's Chowder House is one of my favorites places around Lincoln Center. The calamari and the cod are outstanding. Great desserts too.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMA good way to start an evening ABTI'm a traditionalist who's not into Nouveau Cuisine, so I had mixed feelings when my wife suggested we dine at Ed's Chowder House.
But my fears were uncalled for, as one can find many choices of quality food. Service was fine. little pricey, but that's a trade-off for it's convenience to Lincoln Center.6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent service. Food came fast,Excellent service. Food came fast, which we appreciated since we had limited time before the theater.6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGeneric Space with Great FoodEd's Chowder House has nothing of Ed left in it, if there ever was an Ed, except perhaps the food. The wonderful corner space with high ceilings and large windows facing onto Lincoln Center has an inexplicable décor that would be more at home in a suburban hotel ballroom than a chowder house, with dark wood paneling and crown moldings, topped with striped wallpaper.
The bar is up to snuff and the service is passable, but again more akin to the suburban hotel model and not truly up to Manhattan standards, particularly in terms of the wait staff's knowledge and professionalism.
The food, however, was wonderful and portions were generous. Soft shell crab specials were out of this world, and the whole sea bream was perfectly grilled.6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went here for brunch. HadWe went here for brunch. Had one of the best spanish omlettes. My wife loves lobster rolls and thought their version of the sandwich was very good.6/9/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat night!Went for a Saturday night dinner with my family, not too crowded, great waitstaff, quick service and overall wonderful meal!! I love their seafood dishes and awesome chocolate pudding!6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat AND reliableI've been here at least 5 times and the food is consistently interesting and very well-prepared. Wish it wasn't so loud when you're seated next to a group of shouters, but I guess that's inevitable in a big place like this. The service is friendly but not smarmy, helpful if you need it and not overly solicitous. I can count on taking foreign guests here and find a wonderful meal. Especially good before and after Lincoln Center events.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were pleased with the menuWe were pleased with the menu and our food. The wait staff were superb!6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMIncredible ServiceThe food is great, this is the closest and best to Lincoln Center......but the service really stands out.
Roxie who mans the phones remembers your name, makes sure you get seated and makes you not feel so bad for being late for your rezzy.
The restaurant understands that everyone needs to get across the street and they offere meals that are fast-especially when you're late.
The place is completely worth returning many, many times.
Dumn name...because the room is elegant and glam......
four stars definitely.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMI am so happy the chef hasI am so happy the chef has had sauteed soft shell crab on the menu. I have had it every time since it has been on the menu (at least 4 times so far) Keep it on as long as you can & bring it back every year.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMWe enjoyed smoked salmon andWe enjoyed smoked salmon and soft shell crabs before going off to the ballet. It was an enjoyable meal.6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good but not greatI have eaten here several times and it is always good-very good but rarely great. I love the chowders, but the corn chowder was not quite hot enough and skin was starting to form on the top, as if it had been sitting almost a little too long. But very tasty. Same for the soft shell crab - the preparation was interesting and the crab was good, but again, not great. Based on all the times I have eaten at Ed's, I would say overall the apps and bar food are often better than the entrees.6/4/2013 12:00:00 AMpricey -- food pretty goodvery convenient to lincoln center. the food was quite good. service was a tad slow at one point. but server was nice enough to pour me a free, second glass of wine after i asked for just half a glass. that was great!6/3/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat time!Excellent seafood. Fantastic service. A definite return.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMFish FoodiesThis place a good variety of seafood to please any fish foodie. You can pick a chowder or get a sampler of three different chowders. You can have "just" a sandwich, like a lobster roll or you can have a complete meal with the fish of your choice. The round booths are great for parties of six to eight people.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMI have been here before. TheI have been here before. The fish offerings are always good and fresh and we enjoyed our dessert. We had the chocolate donuts.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMNice SurpriseWe returned to Ed's Chowder House after a long absence because we found the service to be seriously lacking in the past. We were pleasantly surprised to find the service most attentive. The food still is much to our liking so we will return.5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMEd's is simply good foodThe best part about Ed's is the simplicity. The bar is quaint, very well lit with natural lighting and has an excellent selection of cocktails, wine and beer. The dining area is spacious and cozy, with partial views of neighboring Lincoln Center. The food, from the appetizer selection, entrees and deserts were well thought out and executed beautifully. Everything tasted good, a testament to the chefs preparation. And finally, the service was professional, but not stuffy. She had fun with her job.5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMSeafood frenzyDeliciously fresh oysters, clams, kingcrab! the shellfish platter is a gem!5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMGood place pre-Lincoln CenterFirst visit to Ed's Chowder House after many years of pre-Lincoln Center dining. Lovely decor, relatively spacious tables and very nice service. The food itself was surprisingly unmemorable - clam chowder was OK, while the tuna portion was small, and the crab special was not so special. There are far better seafood restaurants in the city, but none so convenient to Lincoln Center. I saw two sets of diners come at 6:30pm who felt rushed in trying to make a 7:30pm curtain - duh! We arrived at 6pm, and were comfortably on our way after dessert and coffee by 7:15. We will come back for the ambiance and location, and explore other menu items to see what their best dishes might be.5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMSoft shell crabsLast night we had soft shell crabs. We have been coming to this restaurant for years. This was BY FAR the best entree we have ever had. The preparation & the accompanyments were superb. I could eat that every week!! Please offer this as long as you can. Do it every year just like it was done yesterday .5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways GoodI have found this restaurant consistently good, and I have tried many different menu choices.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful mother's day lunchI was not celebrating Mother's Day but the place was full, people were happy, and the food and drinks -- Bloody Mary-- were great. Wonderful crab cakes.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMI went there this weekend....DontI went there this weekend....Dont let the name fool you is right! I was pleasantly surprised with the decor and service. The drinks were very good and the food was delicious.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMThis has become our "go to"This has become our "go to" rstaurant when we are off to any Lincoln Center event. Everything is consistently perfect. The only warning is to avoid sitting at tables near the bar, which is especially vibrant. Seats near the bar are fine for people who have nothing to say to one another5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat as everThird time eating at Ed's. Food terrific and imaginative without being over the top. Noise level this time was fine, but on one occasion in the past it was "energetic." Service exceptional. If you are going to Lincoln Center for ballet, opera, whatever, this is a great and convenient place to eat. Open late enough to stop in after the event for dessert and/or drinks.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMPriceyI've been here a number of times and always find the food above satisfactory, We enjoyed the lobster rolls but felt they were a little pricey given they don't come with anything other than a bit of cole slaw.
The service was not up to par. Our server wasn't helpful about any changes we requested, and there were few people dining at lunch. They offered us a dish of cookies, that, sadly, were only mediocre.
However, Ed's Chowder House is convenient to Lincoln Center, and the food continues to be very good. We shall return.5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways excellent!As always the lunch we had was fantastic! Their oysters are perfection! The only food that 5 us did not rave about was a tuna slider and the cookies. Neither were bad but just ok. Normally their cookies are amazing! We also had calamari, fluke, risotto, Manhattan crab chowder, mushroom soup, lobster rolls, grilled asparagus, seasoned fries and more! Everything was delicious! The staff is always happy to accomdate special orders the best they can. My department loves to dine at Ed's! Can't wait to return!5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMBest place before Lincoln CenterI have been to Ed's many times and it never disappoints
It was not crowded on a Tuesday night before the ballet, and I have found it to be more crowded at other times. I hope this doesn't mean that it is losing popularity because we were a group of 5 around a large round table and the conversation was easy and it was very quiet for a NY City restaurant. The food is interesting. We were all dieters so we love the idea of many fish selections, and we had the vegetable sides for appetizers; a thrifty , nutritious way to go. The bread basket is also always good....you have to cheat a little!5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMFavorite Place Near Lincoln CenterIf you love seafood, you have come to the right place! Ed's has a fantastic menu of items, is reasonably priced and has a friendly/helpful staff. PLUS the food is amazing!5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMRepeat visit. As good as theRepeat visit. As good as the previous times! Great Lincoln Center location.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMI have been to this restaurantI have been to this restaurant several times and have never been disappointed. The food and the service were as satisfying as they have been in the past. As it turns out, I'll be headed there again next week and booked with Open Table.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMLincoln center GemLincoln Center is finally blossoming with some very good eating alternatives,The second floor dining room is a a large room (the former Empire Hotel ballroom I believe), sectioned off into nicely manageable enclaves. The menu is a cornucopia of excellent seafood choices, from Manhattan blue crab chowder to delicious soft shell crabs and a large variety of tasty fish choices. The service is attentive yet casual. Highly recomended.4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMAs always, the food was exceptionalAs always, the food was exceptional and the service pleasant. This was an exceptionally busy time, however, and the noise level was pretty high.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways love being here - feelsAlways love being here - feels like a very "New York" kind of place! Definitely worth the detour.4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMgenerally a very good choicegenerally a very good choice when you are in the Lincoln center area.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMconsistently superbThis was a return visit to Ed's Chowder House and as expected and come to expect, the food and service were excellent. We enjoyed one of the daily appetizers-white asparagus,drilled w/ an accompanying pate and smoked ham bits. The asparagus were blanched to perfection and tender. The special entree, sea scollops, pan seared were large, tender and served w/ a spicy red pepper sauce. I asked for it on the side, a wise decision as the scallops needed nothing to enhance their flavor.
Noise level was high and we were in the back, quieter room. The main dining room was even more-so. Therefore, ask to be seated in a quiet area if you wish to have conversation w/ your table mates.
All in all an excellent dinig experience.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMService was very good butService was very good but we felt slightly rushed as we were not completely finished and they were already asking if we were done to pick up the plates. Great bloody mary. The chowders are definitely worth to try and the fried oysters. It was a nice lunch meeting and it looks like the bar can be a great place for happy hour. Will come back to try that!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWe needed a restaurant nearWe needed a restaurant near Lincoln Center this seafood restaurant worked for us. The food was good and the restaurant is spacious. Cocktail Silver Sidecar was yummy. Three of us got lobster roll and loved it.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWe totally loved it. ThreeWe totally loved it. Three people - NY, CT and DC, vegetarina and not, we all loved the food. A plus was that it wasn't that busy, so it was quiet and relaxed. Hope that doesn't change4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMAs ever a wonderful experienceAs ever a wonderful experience at Ed's. Brought yet another first timer -- visitor from Boston, who so enjoyed their meal, and with child (11 year old), who equally enjoyed their New England clam chowder and shrimp cocktail. We also had the scallop special, and my favorite must order: scallop ravioli appetizer. Our service was stellar, but of course, and meal delicious. It also doesn't hurt when you're seated next to a true actor by chance: Patricia Clarkson! Such the NYC experience! All must experience Ed's Chowder House just next to Lincoln Center.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMEat here all the time whenEat here all the time when going to Lincoln Center. Always find it dependable and enjoyable.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of the few really goodOne of the few really good restaurants located across the street from Lincoln Center.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMPleasant quiet atmosphere...pleasanPleasant quiet atmosphere...pleasant service and very tasty offerings.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMBravo!What a treat! We took our mom here for dinner but don't think we were looking for a subdued place with a boring lobster dinner. We wanted unique yummy seafood and we got it! The chowder sampler was delish, especially the mushroom! And the oysters were perfectly briny and sweet. The surprise were the raw clams. They tasted almost as fresh and nutty as the ones we've had in Greece. (I say almost because the Greek ones scerm when they in you mouth.) The salmon sampler was a treat, and our mother declared it the best she's had. The staff were friendly and willing to do anything to make us happy. I had called ahead to ask if they could do something with a raw oyster and a candle. That didn't work so they adhered a candle to a plate. Bravo!4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Lincoln center choice.Great Lincoln center choice. Friendly, good food, beautiful restaurant4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMA Neighborhood GemAltho' we live in the neighborhood, this was our first time at Ed's. It is a beautiful spot, completely re-done from the former steak house. A vibrant bar scene. Our table was not ready, even tho we had a reservation, and we waited about 15 minutes. Once seated, our server was prompt, pleasant & efficient. The food was spotty...the chowders were delicious, but the scallop ravioli(a signature dish) was watery. The manager sent it back to the kitchen, and the second time it was only a tiny bit less runny. The crab cake was excellent, & the spinach was very good tho slightly too buttery-tasting.
We were impressed that when we asked for black napkins (we both had on dark pants), we got them!
We would go back and try it again.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMAcross from Lincoln CenterEd's Chowder House is across the street from Lincoln Center. This makes it perfect for a pre- or post-show meal. It is a nice restaurant, with a nice interior, nice food and nice service. It is the generic nice NYC restaurant. Seafood nicely prepared, good price-fixed menu. You can't go wrong here, but if you are looking for a memorable experience, you may want to keep searching.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMVery welcoming atmosphereVery welcoming atmosphere in a sophisticated environment.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect for before/after the operaWanted a place close to Lincoln center following Das Walkure at the met. Ed's was the perfect spot - just across the street. My meal (Moules Frites) was just okay, however my companion's meal (seared scallops) was outstanding. Nice bar scene, decent selection of beers and wine, and an outstanding raw bar. Service was attentive and food was delivered quickly. Would go again!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AM