The LionEmbodies the vibe of NYCWoody Allen's shots of New York, whether interiors of apartments, fall in Central Park, or street scenes make the city seem vibrant, sensuous, alluring. Eating at The Lion is like being in a scene in a Woody Allen movie. Interesting people, hip neighborhood, provoking decor, and, fortunately, good food. Prices are NYC prices, but worth it. Come enjoy tasty victuals in a surrounding that enhances the meal. Eat at The Lion, and you'll be getting a true New York experience.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMMother's Day DinnerThe entire staff was professional, friendly and knowledgeable. The Food was very good and we had a thoroughly enjoyable experience and would definitely return.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGood spot - very consistentGreat dining room with consistent fare. Service can be on or off but generally you're going to have a good time. Will be back5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMRemarkable ambianceWhat a great place! Wonderful atmosphere, good food, terrific service. In had read about The Lion but had to experience for myself. I was, to say the least, very pleased. have a drink at the bar first; beautiful setting and a bartender worth talking to.5/6/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous Dining RoomThe Lion's dining room has a fabulously cool, decadent feel, and it's really buzzy without becoming offputtingly frenetic.
The service was great - patient and pacey. The food was fantastic, and the portions were huge.
Will be coming back again, and telling my friends.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat restaurantVery good service, great food and inspiring atmosphere!5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect Dinner for a group of guysThe ambience is amazing, if you're sitting the bright main room, surrounded by framed portraits, or in the black-wooded tavern in the front. Food is hearty and awesome - for a group of guys it's perfect. Lots of great drinks, wines, and meats.
Burger is exceptional - I would recommend.4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMI really love this place.I really love this place. My last experience was a little less than satisfactory: I had made a reservation well in advance, and then upon arriving had to wait 15 minutes -not just because it was busy, but because the host chose to seat two 4 tops tops ahead of us. I get that
"rich people" have a certain glow, but I thought this place was classier than that....I would also have left a more generous tip if the waiter didn't look at me with those eyes of: "oh you can't leave as big a tip as they can."4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and nice Speak-Easy vibeGreat food and quiet enough to easily talk, combined with a wonderful history to the building, a very nice evening.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Lion, with its lovelyThe Lion, with its lovely atrium and soft, live music during the weekends is a always a top brunch choice for us. Bloody marys are excellent, and the food is on point.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMThe bread at the beginningThe bread at the beginning is amazing... and so is the $55 ricotta gnudi with truffles (basically it's gnocchi) - but it's a really small portion... so if you can justify ordering a small $55 pasta dish go for it- my boyfriend and i split it as an appetizer. the chicken potpie was amazing... i hate peas, and i love that it didn't have peas in it. also the peanut butter bar for dessert was delish. very expensive restaurant, but delicious food4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMWe loved The Lion's SundayWe loved The Lion's Sunday Brunch. The Fritatta was perfect, and we're in love with the Greek Yogurt with Blood Orange and grapefruit. The flavors were delicious. We had that afterwards, like a dessert.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMLove this restaurant howeverLove this restaurant however felt rushed between appetizer and main course. Food always outstanding!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMNIce TreatmnetWe were about twenty minutes late for a birthday celebration on a Saturday night and the restaurant held our table for two. They people up front knew it was a birthday and tried to make everything as pleasant as possible, and they succeeded. The waitstaff was professional, knowledgeable and upbeat without being intrusive. The person who took our drinks order knew about the different bourbons and ryes that the bartender uses for Manhattans, and we had excellent ones, with the big square ice cubes that melt very slowly. As for the food, the oysters were decent, the kale salad used kale that was a bit tough, but it was tasty. The Delmonico Steak was pricey and probably not worth it. The duck breast was superb. The decor is charming.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Best! One of my favoriteThe Best! One of my favorite restaurants in NYC!
The Chicken Pot Pie is my favorite along with the Kale Salad, Spinach Parmesean Casserole and Brussel Sprouts. Can't wait for their corn to return this summer!4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic food in an amazingFantastic food in an amazing space. Had probably the best duck I've ever had. Excellent service as well.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was not my first time andIt was not my first time and as usual, it was an enchanting moment. The Maitre d'hôtel went out of his way to accommodate and please us. I highly recommend this restaurant.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Lion is a RoarAlthough I've been to the Waverly Inn, did not know that the Chef also had the Lion. Absolutely wonderful restaurant with a refreshing menu. We had Easter brunch which incorporated some of there dinner items as well. Wonderful mix. The atmosphere is warm and inviting with different rooms that surprise at every twist and turn. The main dining room sports a huge skylight. I remember coming here in the late 70's early 80's when it was Danny's Starlight Garden. Looks like it has fabulous bar, but on Easter it was a bit quiet. Definitely on my list of resturants to return too!3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding service and foodOutstanding service and food quality. Great decor. Looking forward to going back.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMTables tightly packed. ExcellentTables tightly packed. Excellent Foie Gras. We would go back.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat time at The Lion - awesomeGreat time at The Lion - awesome atmosphere! Food was excellent and unique.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was my husband birthdayIt was my husband birthday that day on 13 of march 2013. great ambiance ,and food we really enjoy .3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMHad an absolutely wonderfulHad an absolutely wonderful brunch here -- the service was attentive and very knowledgeable. The food was great and the live music was a perfect accompaniment. Even though we were sitting just inches away from the musician, it was a lovely background and not at all intrusive. Can't wait to go back....a bit pricey but worth it!3/3/2013 12:00:00 AMExceptionalExceptional plates + service.
Entering the restaurant/being seated is slightly awkward because of the bar being right up front, but once we were seated the experience was superb - exactly what I expected.
There is nothing that we ordered that I wouldn't order a hundred times over. Will be back often!
If you're on a date, try and request a table away from the bar if you can wait/if they have anything. It is a vibrant scene. Not distracting to us at all, but I could see how some people would notice it on a special occasion/1st date, etc.
Cheers to our server and the kitchen - very, very nice work.1/8/2013 12:00:00 AMI went there with my 2 girlfriendsI went there with my 2 girlfriends and we all loved the restaurant. Our food was delicious. The waiter was sweet. I would recommend it.12/27/2012 12:00:00 AMMy New Favorite Restaurant in NYCThe Lion has just become my favorite NYC restaurant. We had a fabulous dinner on Christmas Eve at a table upstairs which had a fun, glamorous "Toad Hall" feel to it. The tomato soup was light and flavorful, the chicken pot pie the BEST I've ever had and the gingerbread cake the most delicious I've had outside of Tiddy Doll's in London. Service is friendly and excellent - no attitude at all, which is uncommon and very welcome. The whole experience was outstanding.12/24/2012 12:00:00 AM