South Gate Restaurant & Bar is New York’s midtown meeting place. Whether for cocktails and sharable plates in the park-front bar & tavern or an elaborate meal in the soaring dining room, enjoy a quintessential New York dining experience. The team produces seasonal modern American cuisine in a brilliantly designed space by Tony Chi. The vibe at South Gate Restaurant & Bar is relaxed, elegant and indulgent. Soak in the sun through huge windows overlooking Central Park or dine fireside surrounded by multifaceted mirrors that reflect the passing horse carriages. Catch a glimpse of the future as you navigate South Gate’s impressive 650 selection wine list on a customized iPad, assisting in finding an old favorite or discovering a new one.

See more South Gate Restaurant & Bar details

Reservations for South Gate Restaurant & Bar

29 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Very Good) 3.6 / 5

(29 Reviews)

Rating Breakdown 29 reviews

5 stars

(5)

4 stars

(16)

3 stars

(2)

2 stars

(3)

1 star

(3)

Food

(Very Good) 3.8 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 3.5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 3.7 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

Read all 29 reviews

Write a review

Filter Reviews By:

Diners classify this restaurant as:

good for groups(8)
fit for foodies(7)
great for brunch(6)

neighborhood gem(5)
romantic(5)
special occasion(5)

South Gate Restaurant & Bar Reviews List

Review 1 for South Gate Restaurant & Bar

Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

Restaurant under major renovation.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/29/2013

2007

Dined on 03/29/2013

2007

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Restaurant under major renovation. We should have been told before. Dr zcherry"

Dined on 03/29/2013

2007

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.

Review 2 for South Gate Restaurant & Bar

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

Very disappointing experience

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/27/2013

2011

Dined on 03/27/2013

2011

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Very disappointing experience compare to what it used to be not so long ago; the nicely designed room on CPW was transferred to a small, dark room on the back of the Hotel. More importantly, the superb 25$ Lunch Menu which was excellent just vanished
-although it is still mentioned on the website- thus the price was double, and then you could count your pasta Cavatelli in your plate on your hands ( I asked if this was an appetizer size....) service was fair, no more. I will not return until the other room is reopened and I see what the Menu looks like"

Dined on 03/27/2013

2011

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.

Review 3 for South Gate Restaurant & Bar

Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

WE DID NOT STAY FOR DINNER

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/08/2013

2009

Dined on 03/08/2013

2009

Food

(Poor) 1 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"WE DID NOT STAY FOR DINNER BECAUSE WHEN WE CHECKED IN WE FOUND OUT THAT THE DINNING ROOM WAS CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS AND THEY SENT US A DARK DINGY ROOM IN ANOTHER PART OF THE HOTELALSO THE MENEU HAD CHANGED AND WAS MORE EXPENSIVE THEN WE THOUGHT. I THINK THEY WERE DECEPTIVE.!!!!!!!!!!"

Dined on 03/08/2013

2009

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.

Review 4 for South Gate Restaurant & Bar

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Surprised to find this gem

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/19/2013

2005

Dined on 02/19/2013

2005

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Surprised to find this gem inside the Marriot. Great wines by the glass."

Dined on 02/19/2013

2005

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.

Review 5 for South Gate Restaurant & Bar

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Hotel restaurant in the Essex

Top 25 Contributor

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/16/2013

2005

Dined on 02/16/2013

2005

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Hotel restaurant in the Essex House. Large, attractive dining room with high ceilings, fireplace, and walls of wine bottles. Space between tables, lending a relaxed, calming atmosphere. Views of Central Park. Creative American food, which was good, but pricey."

Dined on 02/16/2013

2005

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.

Review 6 for South Gate Restaurant & Bar

Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

South Gate was extremely disappoint

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/10/2013

2011

Dined on 02/10/2013

2011

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"South Gate was extremely disappointing.The menu was very overpriced and service was poor. Wait staff did not get order right. Will pass this restaurant by."

Dined on 02/10/2013

2011

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.

Review 7 for South Gate Restaurant & Bar

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

This was our first dining

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/02/2013

2011

Dined on 02/02/2013

2011

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"This was our first dining experience at Southgate, and it certainly will not be our last. My porcini encrusted scallops were superb, and my husband's filet mignon was perfect. Add to that the excellent service--most professional but very friendly staff---and it was a winning dinner. The JW Marriott Food and Beverage Manager (His name escapes me at the moment) went out of his way to welcome us. Great PR! We look forward to making Soutgate our priority for dining when in New York. We were also delighted with our accommodations at the JW Marriott Essex House--our new hotel when in New York. That and Southgate are a winning combination!"

Dined on 02/02/2013

2011

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.

Review 8 for South Gate Restaurant & Bar

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Atmosphere was good but food

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 01/29/2013

2009

Dined on 01/29/2013

2009

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Atmosphere was good but food a bit disappointing - tough, cold "dumplings" and coagulated side sauce (same sauce for multiple choices)."

Dined on 01/29/2013

2009

Special Features: vibrant bar scene

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.

Review 9 for South Gate Restaurant & Bar

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Computer Literate Oeonophiles Only

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 01/18/2013

2008

Dined on 01/18/2013

2008

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"My husband and I had a lovely dining experience at South Gate. It's ideally located, the food is beautifully prepared and presented and I would recommend the prix fixe menu, which is excellent value for money.

The only negative was the wine list, which is computerized, and on a large IPAD (I think that's what it was). It took us about 10 mins to figure out how to use it, then it died, then they presented us with another one. Unfortunately, the wine list has nothing between expensive and cheap -- no reasonably-priced, good wines.

That said, however, we will definitely go back."

Dined on 01/18/2013

2008

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.

Review 10 for South Gate Restaurant & Bar

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service was good and the food

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 01/23/2013

2005

Dined on 01/23/2013

2005

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Service was good and the food was quite good, especially for a hotel restaurant. The sherbet dessert was not so great, but appetizers and main courses were delicious."

Dined on 01/23/2013

2005

Special Features: good for groups, notable wine list, scenic view

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.

Review 11 for South Gate Restaurant & Bar

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5