Hudson Garden Grill
“The Hudson Garden Grill has recently opened on the grounds of NY Botanical Gardens and its now NYBG's first full service restaurant.”
“We both had the Frida Kahlo prix fixe option, which was out of this world (vegan tostada, red snapper and tres leches cake).”
“I had the crab cake with avocado that was possibly the best crab cake I've ever had.”
Hudson Garden Grill
Takes Reservations: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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Summary – Food was great but service was oh-so slow. A bit pricey but nice ambiance.
I came here for a birthday lunch with a party of 8. They tried to accommodate us outdoors, but there are no really functional tables with two umbrellas – just by virtue of the table type – so it was hard to get good shade for everyone.
The menu is small but has something for everyone. The sandwiches are definitely more affordable than the $20+ entrees. All of the food we got was great: the scallops and grits – both entrees – had a beautiful presentation and were scrumptious. The sandwiches were smaller but came with fries or chips. The menu also includes about 7 fresh juices.
Lunch took over 2 hours, though, which was much longer than we expected. Our waitress, Toni, was sweet but seemed a little overwhelmed; I later noticed there was a full inside, so I'm sure waiting the tables outdoors was an added strain.
The indoor space has a bit more of a formal feel, though the outdoors was a really great for alfresco dining.
After wanting to try to place out for some time now since it's opened about a year ago, I finally did on my last visit to the garden.
Me and my date entered upon into this beautiful establishment and waited for a table to sit outside as it was a very beautiful and sunny afternoon.
The employee that was to seat us apparently wasn't around so the manager offered us free prosecco while we wait. It was only about 5min – I never get few things that quick .. I should've maybe realized this sooner ..
We were seated outside with our prosecco's, handed menu's – usually I'm used to some water and bread being on the table within 5-10min tops .. But I guess I had my prosecco to quench this thirst of mine.
After about 20min of just sitting there with no water, no bread, our waiter finally arrived and his first words to us, ::drumroll please:: "you look happy, do you know what you want yet?" I, in fact looked much more opposite of happy. I'm hungry. I've been waiting patiently. I am hot with the sun blinding me in the eyes. I have no water and I can't be fat and chew on the bread I was not given at the start. Yes, I am the happiest camper ever ……
I didn't want to judge our waiter yet so quickly, so I let his rude introduction slide and we ordered. He quickly left and guess what? He never returned ..
Trying to track our waiter ROSS down, was a mission. I had to ask a different server, Chelsea to bring us water. Thank god for Chelsea. I should've sat my ass down inside and ate with her instead.
Finally, the runner brought our food out. My date had ordered the Hudson burger which she seemed to enjoy but I thought it could've been a little less cooked as we did ask for medium. Not well done. But nonetheless, she seemed to like it.
I went on to the the cubano and wished I never did. It looked great until I bit into it. There was way too much ham and cheese compared to the ratio of actual pork in my sandwich. The pork was definitely over cooked and found myself chewing much more than I should be. My mouth got tired at one point. The worst thing about the sandwich though was the mustard. Whoever made this, slathered on so much goddamn mustard, it's literally all I could taste without pulling the sandwich apart. I had to stop myself halfway through as I couldn't handle it anymore. The fries were nothing special. No seasoning, no flavor. Okay but no salt or pepper on the tables?????
For some reason, I had to ask for bread and water still. Everyone around me dining seemed to have an issue. One group across from us scorned us and flipped out when we received our food first. The couple next to us looked like they were on a pity date and wanted to rip their eyes out, watching them was quite depressing. Then another older couple next to us was complaining to the chefs on how to prepare foods and how to make them better. I was surrounded by miserable people that made me miserable being there me I should've walked out before my food even arrived.
After the terrible experience and food I no longer couldn't even finish, again trying to track down Ross is legit impossible. Like where are you!!!?
I got fed up and went inside to complain to the manager. Ieshia, the manager seemed extremely apologetic almost as if she seemed to be doing this on a regular. Apologies on top of apologies, it just didn't stop. However, she was nice and comped our meal and offered dessert to which I politely declined.
After being here on my first visit, sitting there becoming depressed by other diners around me who were just unhappy, having to hunt down waiters for a glass of water that should be provided and having horrendous food, I think it's safe to say I will most likely never return to this establishment.
Shame. Thanks Ross ..
Really good restaurant inside the botanical gardens!
Came here while we were walking around the gardens and thought their menu looked good! They were really busy though, but we did get to sit up at the bar in front of the open kitchen. It was great that we got to see all the action – and boy it was definitely busy!
Due to the restaurant was so busy, we didn't really get much service, it took a long time to get our food and they even forgot to give us our utensils to eat the food. And our water definitely didn't get refilled even though we were sitting right at the bar!
We had ordered:
– seafood nosh board
– mussels and fries
– beef short ribs
The seafood nosh board was good – it definitely was small, light portions for 2 people. It included mini lox and bagel, mini lobster roll, octopus, sardines and some sort of fish. All was very good and tasty!
The mussels and fries were great! Definitely enjoyed the fries.
The beef short ribs were nice and soft and it was on top of a bed of potatoes, which is really uniquely presented – shreds that were put together and pan fried.
All and all, we enjoyed the food very much!
Your choices may be limited within the grounds of the New York Botanical Garden, but this spot is definitely worth it…I would even consider coming to the Garden just for the food.
The restaurant is beautiful. They have wood paneling on the walls that was reclaimed from trees in the garden that fell during Hurricane Sandy, along with a couple big murals, lanterns on the walls, and beautiful chandeliers. All together it makes for a perfect blend between rustic and modern, with huge windows to lighten the place up.
The food was outstanding. We started with the Hamachi Tartare, with avacado and pine nuts. This is probably one of the best appetizers that I've had for years. It had the perfect amount of seasoning, the pine nuts added a beautiful toasted nutty flavor, and the hamachi was butchered perfectly.
For entrees, I had the squid-ink pasta carbonara, one word…Hum. The only complaint that I have is the small…is really really small. If you are getting a meal, even a light one, I would go with the large. My fiancee got the chopped salad. It was fantastic, with every component bursting with flavor.
The attention to detail was outstanding. They served their fries (which looked great) in little flower pots.
Beautiful spot in the gardens for a bite to eat. It's a full service restaurant and more pricey than the other options in the gardens, so I probably wouldn't stop with 3 hangry toddlers in hand.
The space itself is huge, with beautiful high ceilings and chandeliers. We tried the burger (which seems to be one of the more popular options), omelette of the day with spinach and goat cheese, and a side of mac n' cheese with lardo. I didn't try the burger itself, but the fries were excellent and served in a cute little flowerpot. The omelette was good as well, but nothing special; it's a small portion size as well, so I'd go with something else if you're starving. The mac n' cheese, on the other hand, was fantastic. Super crispy breadcrumbs on top, and plenty of salty lardo throughout.
I probably wouldn't come all the way back here just for the food, but the service is pleasant, the space is beautiful, and it's a perfect spot for a reprieve after a long day of exploring.
The service is horrible. So, if you don't mind practically serving yourself the food is still good. Probably one of the better restaurants in the area.
The last time I've been here this was a café now converted as a restaurant.
The food however, is great. Especially the Mac & Cheese and the burger.
I've preserved Hudson Garden Grill on my To-Do List since the last time I was here in December. Not difficult to locate, Hudson Garden Grill is located past the Haupt Conservatory. Its rugged brick exterior, offsets the beautiful and graceful manicured landscape.
When I'm in The Bronx Botanical Garden, I seriously feel, as if I'm in a whole new world. Please, I mean no disrespect…. But, with all jokes aside, interior designs stand out immediately. The space is airy, with simple touches, of white antiqued wood slab walls, that are seen throughout- giving off a neutral tone to show off, Hudson's tasteful interior, while metal ceiling lamps, add a nice touch. All these features, in my opinion, presents with a put-together, country-elegant feel. But the mega hit in Hudson Garden Grill, for me, has to be their arch windows that add a soft feel and gives you a gorgeous view of the garden.
Hudson Garden Grill use only, Hudson Valley's local ingredients adding up to a clean and sophisticated menu offering classic dishes such as, salads, great quality pasta and fish dishes- with a totally, unique spin.
Hudson, is not for the 20-something hipster; if you fall in that bracket, please…scratch that thought and move on, because this ain't the place for you. But, on a very positive note, Hudson Garden Grill is elegantly polished. And the menu? Without a doubt, the chef, truly poured his/her heart out with every meal adding finesse and lovely touches. And above all, service was amazingly pristine.
This is an upscale restaurant on the grounds of the New York Botanical Gardens. I highly recommend reservations because otherwise it's quite difficult to get a table, though we did sit at the bar and it was quite lovely. They're open till about 6 PM (the Gardens are only open till 5 PM). To start, they include their own onion bread which is extremely good. I had the crab cake with avocado that was possibly the best crab cake I've ever had. It wasn't too fried and beautifully breaded with fantastic avocado. I didn't care too much for the pickled cabbage on top but everything else was so good that I barely noticed. My boyfriend had the duck and waffles which was basically a large piece of duck with a small waffle in addition to a fried duck egg. He loved it. Though everything here was a big pricey, it was high quality and extremely good. One star off for service which was a little slow and they really could have refilled our waters more quickly. Many people here were ordering cocktails and those looked quite good too. I'm sure their desserts are also delicious. I'll definitely be coming back here for a fancy lunch next time I visit the Gardens.