Chain with views and acceptable food
Written: Dec 26 '07
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Pros: Great views, decent food... But those views are to die for!
Cons: Tends to be crowded and noisy
The Bottom Line: I recommend enjoying the views outside, accompanied by appetizers and drinks
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| snats's Full Review: Chart House |
We have eaten in at least three Chart House restaurants over the years, but we keep returning to one in Dobbs Ferry, NY. And frankly, it is not for the food that we come to Chart House - it is for the sunsets!
The restaurant is situated right by the river, at the foot of High St, and the views of the Hudson at sunset are unbelievable. To get an idea, just look at any Hudson school painting - one of those with seemingly unrealistic, sweet and even tacky colors - both in the sky and on the water. That is exactly what you see while sitting on the terrace of Chart House in warm weather - and "in person" those views are quite amazing and not tacky at all. Oh, the force of nature! Throw in the Palisades on the other side of the river & the George Washington & Tappan Zee bridges, and you are all set for a breathtaking experience.
Well, but what about the food? - you might ask. The question makes perfect sense, considering we are talking about a restaurant here. Well, let me tell you: the food is OK, but not amazing. But it is good chain-restaurant food, nevertheless. The restaurant specializes in a range of dishes - from seafood to steaks, all "with a hint of the exotic", and you can always count on such decent staples as Prime Rib, grilled salmon and lobster. There are oysters, fried calamari, salads and shrimp cocktails, as well. The restaurant is also famous for its "original mud pie" and Lava cake, served with ice cream. Those are not my personal favourites, but I can appreciate the serving size: one portion could feed a small Asian village for a week. That actually goes for prime rib and some other dishes, as well - just glance at other tables before you order.
The restaurant's prices are on the high side, however, and - preferring the view to the food anyway - we usually enjoy the bar fare ouside. An additional advantage of such an arrangement is that you rarely have to wait: the usual crowd is usually waiting for tables inside.
On the terrace, we usually order a cocktail (and there is quite a selection), or a bottle of trusted Tempranillo (cheap, but good) and enjoy the views while picking on a salad, a dozen of oysters, or fried calamari (oh, I know that Tempranillo is red and should not be ordered with seafood, but I stopped paying attention to such details a while ago). Among my favourite appetizers, there are also crabcakes and coconut crunchy shrimp, although you would not be able to feed the above-mentioned Asian village with those. In season, it is also good to order mussles, served either with shallots, garlic and sherry; or tomato, basil, garlic and white wine (we do order white wine with those.) Ask for french fries with your mussles and you can pretend you are at a Belgian restaurant - albeit with a view.
After the sun has set, it is time for your desert. We usually share a single order of ice cream or pie, but you have other options, as well.
As for the service, it is not outstanding, but not bad, either: usual friendly and informal young people, who occasionally show up to ask if everything is all right.
Come to think of it, we do not go to Chart House in winter at all. Thus, anyone who falls for my review will have to wait for warmer weather - or just go for full dinner by the fireside. That is nice and cosy, as well.
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: No
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations I like their appetizers, and my favourite is crab cakes.
Best Suited For: Romantic Evening
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Epinions.com ID:
snats
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Location: New York
Reviews written: 76
Trusted by: 3 members
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