Sunday, October 6, 2013

44 and X restaurant

The "X" in the name stands for Tenth Avenue...so, part of the really gentrified Hell's Kitchen...which you are made even more aware of by the fact it has such demure signage that I really had to look hard to find the name of the place

I wonder if it is as trendy as it all seems 

Well, reviews come in as good --but people keep talking about the brunch as if it were the main thing here

44 & X

3.5 star rating
363 reviews Rating Details
622 10th Ave
(between 44th St & 45th St)
New York, NY 10036
Neighborhoods: Hell's Kitchen, Midtown West
(212) 977-1170
Make a Reservation
Nearest Transit Station:
42 St. - Port Authority Bus Terminal (A, C, E)
50 St. (A, C, E)
Hours:
Mon-Sun 11:30 am - 3 pm
Mon-Wed 5:30 pm - 11:30 pm
Thu-Sat 5:30 pm - 12 am
Sun 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Parking:
Street
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Price Range:
$$$
Attire:
Casual
Good for Groups:
Yes
Good for Kids:
No
Takes Reservations:
Yes
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
Yes
Wi-Fi:
No
Good For:
Brunch, Dinner
Alcohol:
Full Bar
Noise Level:
Average
Ambience:
Trendy, Classy
Has TV:
No
Caters:
No
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Review Highlights   What's this?

  • "Great brunch spot with the most amazing muffins I have ever tasted." In 50 reviews
  • "Some menu favorites include the Crispy Sea bass, and the Filet." In 6 reviews
  • "tasty muffins, herb scrambled eggs and cheese grits." In 8 reviews
Show more review highlights
Rating Distribution | Trend
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364 reviews in English

  • Review from

    • 1 friend
    • 4 reviews
    Lansing, MI
    10/2/2013
    I usually research on Yelp like crazy before trying a place while traveling, but on a recent trip to New York, we stumbled upon 44 & X accidentally. We were headed to the Pony Bar for a beer and a bite, but it was too crowded, so we wandered back down 10th Avenue and thought the patio at 44 & X was too cute to pass up.

    We went to the bar for a drink and to glance at the menu. The bartender answered all our questions about the menu, the atmosphere was comfortable and the food looked good, so we thought we'd take a chance.

    We're thrilled we did.

    The Mediterranean chopped salad was crisp and fresh, and the persimmon salad had a combination of flavors (pomegranate seeds, walnuts, bleu cheese) I can't wait to replicate at home.

    My partner's pan-seared filet mignon melted in your mouth, and my rack of lamb was perfectly grilled and seasoned.

    Our server was quiet, friendly and always appeared when we needed him.

    It was a perfect dining experience -- one I wish we lived close enough to repeat soon.
  • Review from

    • 3 friends
    • 80 reviews
    Theater District, Manhattan, NY
    10/1/2013 1 check-in here
    If I didn't go to 44 1/2 first, I think I would have given this restaurant 4 stars possibly.  As sister restaurants, I think I couldn't help but to compare these 2.

    Like its younger sister, this restaurant has a lot of things going for it to make this place unique.  Every one of them is a bit more "grown up" though.  brown T-shirt, more subdued message ("Heaven in Hell" vs. "Whipped and Beaten" type of messages on baby pink T-shirt), white-based interior, more adult looking bar area, waiters who are very friendly (but slightly "quieter" than 44 1/2 guys), etc.  Everything is a bit more subdued which makes it more normal place although if I have never been to 1/2 before, I still would classify this place outrageously fun and great place.  If I must guess, I guess the owners came out with 44 X which was very unique when it came out, had its success and created 1/2 with even more emphasis on what made X a success.

    So let's talk about food.  Just to have a level ground to compare, I ordered basically the same dish that I had at 44 1/2.  Smoked salmon plate.  To keep the grown up theme, I think the whole dish was made slightly smaller which often provides more sophisticated look.  (As a big eater, I appreciate big plate for the same price as long as quality is not killed to provide it, ha ha).  My husband ordered scrambled egg.  There is no comparison point for this, but when his dish arrived, I saw a mountain of eggs!  And it was very good.  Bread basket provides a couple of different mini muffins with butter, jam and marmalade.

    This is a big restaurant and very crowded for a reason.  It is great to see that a restaurant can have a theme but good food at the same time.
  • Review from

    Astoria, NY
    9/28/2013 1 check-in here
    I came here for brunch after a run with a group of friends.  We were able to come in right before they opened and thankfully we were there early because this place filled up quickly.  It's a nice restaurant so we were a little out of place in our running gear, so we opted to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful fall weather.

    I had a bit of difficulty picking an item because I wanted to try several items, but I ended up opting for the brioche french toast that came with Irish bacon.  While we waited for our mains, the server came out with a box of freshly baked mini muffins and jams.  The corn muffins were awesome and it was certainly a great start to the meal.  When the brioche came out, I was a little disappointed that it was only two slices, but it turned out to be quite filling.  The hazlenut flavor was also perfectly complimented by their raspberry compote, adding that needed acidity to cut down on the sweetness of the dish.  I also learned that Irish bacon sucks as it was quite dry and nothing like the bacon I was expecting.

    My gf ordered the scrambled eggs with grits and sausage.  Grits were amazingly good, perfectly seasoned and the cheese sealed the deal.  The eggs honestly were a bit over cooked but fortunately not to the point where they were rubbery.  Overall we all seemed to enjoy our meal and 44 & X has made my list for food in Hell's Kitchen.  Service was also excellent, dishes came out quick, our waiter was good at checking up on us and keeping our drinks filled.
  • Review from

    Manhattan, NY
    9/18/2013 1 check-in here
    My reasons for loving 44 & X are really shallow. This is the best looking group of servers in the City, and the food matches the good looks in terms of its visual presentation. But moving beyond the visual and shallow, the food rises to the level of innovation and quality that I would expect from other restaurants this beautiful and reputable in NYC. Most recently, I saw Mayor Bloomberg here, and the local following is strong. When I need a nice place with excellent food in my neighborhood for visitors, this is my default. It's always excellent, and mostly reasonable too.

    The night ended with the servers going to the balcony as they finished their evening. All I'm going to say is that they might want to continue that tradition. :)

    44 & X has yet to disappoint, and it really is a 10. I mean, the food.
  • Review from

    • 4 friends
    • 14 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    9/30/2013 Seated via OpenTable
    This is one of those unfortunate restaurants that is super cute appearance wise but has very below average food. I love their decor and their outdoor patio is awesome. However, the food... the food is soooo not good. I've been here for brunch two times. The sausages are dry, eggs overcooked and crab cakes clearly not made in the house and is a store bought one. The best thing is the bread in the beginning they give you which is kind of sad if that is the most memorable thing you remember in a restaurant. What a sad place coz its super cute but the food just does not deliver.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 46 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    9/8/2013
    True with some comments about good-but-not-great. My friend and I each got different kinds of omletes - Salmon one for me, and a mushroom one for her. The eggs were cooked light and good, with lots of stuffing.... But to be honest, the cheese or something (sour cream?) didn't really go along with the other food, and to serve strawberries with potatoes?? Kind of random.

    And the price, uhm, yeh.
  • Review from

    Queens, NY
    8/29/2013 2 photos 1 check-in here
    Brunch. It was crowded on a Saturday morning. I was ravenously famished after a 6 mile run in Central Park. A and I waited for about 10 minutes (it felt like 10 hours) before we got seated next to the windows. We were served warm corn bread, which tasted a bit like heaven and clouds.

    GET THE EGGS ROYAL. Seriously, who DOESN'T want salmon and roe on their eggs benedict?

    Come here for clean, white walls and big windows.
    • Eggs royal: eggs Benedict with salmon and salmon roe
    • Inside eggs royal
  • Review from

    • 4 friends
    • 20 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    9/8/2013
    Very meh brunch.

    Food was extremely mediocre. I got herb scrambled eggs, which also came with a toasted english muffin, 3 sausages, and grits. for the price they're charging, the quality is definitely not up to par.

    Scrambled eggs: overdone, not fluffy, and tasteless. the only way you knew there were any seasoning in this thing was seeing the green pieces in the eggs.

    Sausages: small, mediocre, not sure what i was eating. One of them was burnt.

    Grits: there was a layer of cheese melted on top of the sad puddle of grits. MELTED CHEESE. on my grits. frakking blasphemy. but it was the "best" thing that was on my plate.

    oh the random berries were good.

    corn muffins...there was no short supply but they were too sweet.

    Conclusion: will not return for brunch.
  • Review from

    • 4 friends
    • 65 reviews
    Staten Island, NY
    8/12/2013
    Service was really friendly and helpful.
    Music playing was old school Kanye and Jay-Z (sweet)
    Beet salad was delicious. The collard greens were perfect, not bitter well done! Tasted almost like spinach.
    Mac and cheese was okay.. Nothing spectacular.
    Decor was modern and clean.
  • Review from

    Loudoun, VA
    9/15/2013 1 check-in here
    One of the best spots in Hells Kitchen.  I come here every time I am in town and the staff is always very nice and helpful.  The Turkey Meatloaf here is amazing (read: wrapped in bacon) as is pretty much everything else on the menu.  They also have a great wine list.
  • Review from

    • 14 friends
    • 7 reviews
    Portland, OR
    8/25/2013
    Everything was good, but not great. At this price point, I expect more. Also, expensive drinks for what we got. Ended up spending $50 for a brunch that wasn't memorable.

    I had the Eggs Benedict.
  • Review from

    Manhattan, NY
    7/18/2013
    I can't believe I waited this long to go to 44 & X. I live around the corner and am always seeing people enjoying themselves. I am so glad I finally went, and wish I discovered this gem months ago.

    There was no wait and the food was amazing. I loved our starter basket that came with jam and muffins, so British, so delicious.

    We decided to share the Brioche & crab cake/poached egg. A little sweet and salty and the mix was perfect. I wish there was more Raspberry on the Brioche, it had my mouth watering!

    I will definitely be coming back.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 29 reviews
    Los Angeles, CA
    7/30/2013
    We were in town for a wedding... Stumbled upon this place for lunch...

    Our server was fantastic! Super genuine and hospitable, and surprise!, not from NY!

    I had the short ribs over a spinach mash... The ribs were super tender and flavorful and the spinach mash was fresh, creamy and bright.

    I wouldn't necessarily make it a point to go back the next time I'm in town as there's an endless list of restaurants that I need to try, but the dish I had was solidly good and so was the service.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 18 reviews
    Bellingham, WA
    9/8/2013
    Third time here & we will be back!

    Pros:
    - great menu selection - wide variety
    - watermelon salad was fabulous
    - nice bar menu & fun cocktail
    - halibut was delicious
    - rack of lamb perfectly cooked & plating spectacular

    Cons:
    - small & not very ambitious wine menu
    - dessert selection lacking
    - only one bathroom for entire restaurant - men & women
  • Review from

    • 94 friends
    • 99 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    8/30/2013 Seated via OpenTable
    Solid food and come here for brunch pretty often. Service is decent during this hectic time period and reservations can be made which is great! Try the short ribs for sure.
  • Review from

    Manhattan, NY
    8/22/2013 1 check-in here
    The Hamptons on Tenth. The place to go for brunch decked in white attire regardless of the season, just be wary of the high risk that your threads turn red in the case you order their top-notch Bloody Mary. Food was delicious. Omelette is fantastic but overstuffed, I'm guessing they use 6 eggs in that beast. Must try the Mac & Cheese, just know, that's a beast too, so share with at least four people. Looking forward to checking out 44 & X for dinner soon.
  • Review from

    Manhattan, NY
    6/20/2013
    Came here for lunch on a weekday to enjoy the weather and sit outdoors. Many of my friends have raved about this place, but I honestly don't see what the fuss is about.

    The table ordered: catfish po-boy, fish and chips, and the tilapia. I think the general consensus was "Meh." Not bad for a weekday lunch in the neighborhood, but certainly not worth trudging out to 10th avenue for.

    Our waiter seemed like he was in a foul mood and going above-and-beyond to deliver terrible service. Good for people-watching on 10th avenue, good for good-looking wait staff, not memorable in terms of food.
  • Review from

    • 51 friends
    • 101 reviews
    Los Angeles, CA
    6/25/2013
    Excellent brunch- highly suggest the spinach, goat cheese, mushroom omelette. Also served a terrific latte, no sweetener needed!

    Great space, with large windows and cozy seats. The staff was friendly and helpful. Definitely would come here again!

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