VIBE

Making its home in the former Metropolitan Bank, this seafood scene boasts lofty marble ceilings with mood-setting red chandeliers, transforming a vast open space into a pleasant dining room that hosts both ground level and balcony seating. Located downstairs (in the basement) is a lounge featuring live jazz performances throughout the week, while the outdoor terrace, which overlooks Union Square Park, provides patrons with prime views perfect for people-watching.

CROWD

Younger business suits, large groups, and couples dining out.

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

Upscale casual calls for something like a light shirt, chic blazer, fitted pants, and accompanying scarf or necklace.

GO HERE WITH

Friends; coworkers; significant other; a date; yourself

WHY WE LIKE IT

The Blue Water Grill offers great seafood in a lively, agreeable atmosphere (and you can't beat the location). And the cozy jazz room is a great contrast to the upstairs’ airiness, perfect for all our moods!

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

It’s a large restaurant, which means that it lacks some of the intimacy we enjoy in other favorites about town. We'd skip the sushi rolls, which pale in comparison to almost everything else on the menu−you can find better sushi at many of Manhattan’s excellent Japanese eateries.

GOOD TO KNOW

Blue Water Grill is part of B.R. Guest’s group of 19 restaurants, which includes Isabella’s on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, as well as the Dos Caminos restaurants. The dining room provides a refined dining experience, while the bar scene (and sometimes even the jazz lounge) is loud and festive. Seating at the outdoor café is first come, first served. Their Sunday Brunch is one of the best in town and comes complete with a complimentary beverage (be it a bloody mary, mimosa, bellini, champagne, coffee, or just good old-fashioned orange juice).

CLOSEST COMPS

Sequoia (Washington DC)

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