Seamstress
“My favorite was the mutton burger – it had a little tanginess from the creme and fermented carrots.”
“My favorite out of all of these was the smoked and fried 'Yardbird' which I thought was a very innovative take on fried chicken.”
“The interior is the kind of place I'm happy to bring Brooklyn friends to, to prove the Upper East Side isn't all old money and high rises.”
Seamstress
Takes Reservations: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Happy Hour: Yes
Coat Check: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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One of the newer additions to the Upper East Side, Seamstress offers refreshing, good cocktails, though falls short of expectations in many other areas, at least based on all my visits there. After a few visits during their very first month of opening, I really wanted to like this place more, but I see room for definite improvement. I probably see no reason to return otherwise.
A number of issues came up. The cocktails are pretty good, but the consistency of their preparation is clearly off. The menu, oddly, feels also limited in variety when it comes to flavor palate. Most ingredients involved are on the lighter or sweeter side, though I tend to go for tarty, citrusy or something much more stiff/boozy. I also find the menu more confusing than informative, with descriptions that are more artsy but not necessarily useful in describing what type of drink you are about to order.
The service was downright atrocious on one of my visits, where it was unexpectedly crowded, but there was a seat available for the both of us. We sat at a communal table, to eventually be moved to a more private table, which was nice. We ordered our cocktails. Our server was very friendly. Thirty minutes pass and still no sign of our drinks. Server comes by at least five or more times to see if we were okay, but eventually offers us wine on the house because of the long wait. Almost an hour later, our drinks arrive. Not only was the wait unacceptable, but the drink seemed to have been haphazardly thrown together, with a garnish that was entirely wilted on the side of my glass. The server noted my look of disappointment, and he had me choose another drink that would be more of my liking. This drink nearly tasted the same as the last. Either way, I found the wait bothersome to start, and the wilted garnish hard to ignore in terms of presentation. Some drinks came with obvious care given, while others looked haphadzardly thrown together, or rushed. Some drinks tried were the Wizz Fizz, Porch Talk and Cold in Shadows.
First impressions are everything, and Seamstress clearly shows that while thought was put into their menu, the variety still lacks. It might veer more experimental. Not too many stiff cocktail options. Their cocktails tend to be more on the sweeter side. But overall, the inconsistent level of care and attention on several visits makes me hesitant. The service has been pretty bad, especially on super busy nights. It is understandable, but even on a not so busy night, expect something to go wrong. All in all, not the biggest fan.
I heart Seamstress!!!! I've been wanting to try this place for months but because it's kinda GU I haven't. We trekked all the way to the UES on a rainy Saturday night and walked in to a very civilized spot with great and super friendly bartenders. There are two small bars, one when you walk in to the right and the other one further back. The front bar was full so we walked to the back and luck was with us. There was 5 minutes left in Happy Hour so we ordered a dozen of some of the best oysters I've had to date, all for a $1 a shot. The bartenders are very knowledgeable about their craft so I told the girl what I like, what I usually drink and what I don't like and she made me a pretty perfect riff on a Manhattan. My BF ordered the drink with the pea shoots and it was fabulous as well. The crowd was a sophisticated older crowd which was perfect and the food that did pass us looked fabulous. If we didn't already have dinner plans elsewhere we would have definitely stayed for dinner. I guess we'll have to make a trip back up there!!
I came for the Happy Hour to try the $1 oysters. I'm so glad I did! I arrived at 5:30pm when they opened and was immediately seated at a nice high table along one wall. The space itself is dark but really nice and romantic – you know, with those dampened Edison bulbs. In any case, the drinks are really good here and they have an extensive menu.
The specials are written on a chalkboard on the wall. We got the fried cauliflower (awesome) as well as a dozen oysters. They had two different kinds of oysters that day and so we each had 3 of each type. However, they were so good we were not satisfied. We ordered another dozen just for the hell of it.
The oysters were large and very fresh. There were some shell pieces in the oyster, but overall not bad. The sauce they had in the center of the oysters was delicious. Just the right mix.
Service was friendly. Although it was pretty empty when we came at 5:30pm, my understanding is that it gets really packed during regular dinner hours until they close. Definitely worth trying!
Worst place ever!
I went in the bar and the sever sat me at a table.. I was waiting for a friend and she told me it was okay. When my friend came, the host said "you have to leave because I cannot take one more customer tonight".. I mean what?! the server was okay with it and the host just asked us to leave.. It was so terrible!! The bar was pretty empty. I don't understand why they won't take us! Is it racism or discrimination?! I don't get it..
Interesting cocktail bar in the UES shelling out fancy drinks in an even fancier looking establishment. Saturday evening sitting with a big group and getting quality treatment from the servers.
Cocktail list can be a little daunting (not much of a beer selection), so had to get a suggestion from the waitress. Settled on the "Goodnight Stella" ($13) – a small glass of mostly gin with rosemary hints. Expensive yet also incredibly strong. While nibbling on some appetizers wanted to get some juice to wash it down, but they don't serve any (odd) – had to settle for a soda instead.
Certainly more of an upscale bar than what I usually go to. Nice for conversations with friends or to impress a date.
My wife and I have searched through all the top mixology lounges in manhattan and have literally been to each and every one of them. We someone managed to stumble across seamstress on a website that we never heard of before and boy did we get lucky. This place is absolutely phenomenal.
Every single cocktail that we ordered was perfectly executed. The food here is delicious and the atmosphere wasn't as uptight as many of these places tend to get. The bartender looked pretty busy but she still took some time to say hello to us(we weren't sitting at the bar). Ultimately we ended up spending about 30 dollars on food and about 130 on cocktails… go figure. The cocktail list here is great because all of the classic american cocktails are outlined there for you should you want to step out of your comfort zone but are not familiar with the different names.
Finally got to try this crafty cocktail bar that's been on my list! I popped in with my sister on a Sunday night and we were actually the only patrons in there for a little bit, which was equal parts surreal and cool. We sat at the bar and got the bartender's full attention. He was super attentive and went over the whole menu with us and wanted to make sure we'd like what we were drinking. I tried the All The Way first, which is a refreshing and easy to drink sort of alcoholic cherry slush, in adorable patriotic packaging. I'd recommend this for less adventurous visitors. My second drink was the C. Vidal, and this was spectacular. I would come back just to drink several of these. It's unique enough but definitely so delicious you'll drink it quickly. The decor is also awesome and the vibe is great for a date. Will return!
Since I was last here at this spot it was JBird (yelp.com/biz/jbird-cockt…). For the same things I praised JBird for offering here, I have to say that Seamstress may be the worthy successor with it's focus on amazing cocktails.
The awning which still has the JBird logo on it threw me off when I came here with some friends, but don't be mistaken this place has its own distinguished vibe.
It's difficult not to compare the two so I'm going to make one last comparison. It isn't quite as low key and muted as JBird, but perhaps that was JBirds downfall.
It was sufficiently buzzing with groups of friends hanging out along with a few tables of what I imagine to be first dates on the Friday night I went. It's a great spot for both.
My friends and I had our fair share of classic cocktails since unfortunately they were "out" or unable to make a majority of the more specialty cocktails. They did a great job with our groups orders of their American classics. From basic staples like a Manhattan and old fashioned to other classics like the gin gin mule and rob roy they were all spot on and delicious.
This kept us well occupied along with orders of the market pickles, potato wedges and the farmstead cheese plate while we waited for the hour to prepare special chicken dish of the night.
The service was impeccable the entire night and all the food and drink was delicious.
The only thing to watch out for is that with the drinks and food tasting as good as they do, it's very easy to run up a balance here!