Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Harvard Club- Midtown West ( " The Clubbiest Club in NYC")

Among other events, the Superbowl will be drawing people to the Harvard Club, which gets good reviews with some sour apple along the way..

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  • 27 W 44th St
    New York, NY 10036
    b/t 5th Ave & Avenue Of The Americas in Midtown West
  • Transit information 7 7X B D F M S Get Directions
  • Phone number (212) 827-1200
  • Business website hcny.com
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  • 9/27/2013
    The Harvard Club's exclusive clientele, operatic music, presidential decor and chivalrous atmosphere is nostalgic of a time when personable doormen had razor sharp wits, a time when leather bound books changed lives, a time when the fine arts were appreciated, a time when socializing was done over a strong drink and a firm handshake.
    • 11 friends
    • 289 reviews
    10/9/2013
    As the reviews state: YOU have to be a member.  A friend, who is, gave me a gala
    birthday party-the crab cakes were absolutely SUBLIME !  It turns out they
    are 'famous' for these-so It would be worth it to try and swing an invite...I've also
    had cookies from there which were first rate!  HOWEVER, you must be aware that
    the place says HAHVARD in every nook and cranny which means that I, in my
    uniquely 'Ruth/Southern California garb' was, I thought, looked on with  more than
    a little 'snootiiness.'  I am used to this, but I would say that their appeal is for those
    who don't want to deviate......It's definitely a slice of something that may be of
    a bygone era and in that sense, is worth experiencing.....and the waiters, I think,
    have been trained to speak ONLY WHEN SPOKEN TO.  They are not snotty and
    snooty just not of this era, when friendliness is part of the norm.  If you crave a
    back to a former era and don't mind 3 piece suits (on men and women) or
    gold watch chains (well...), then it can be fun-because the crab cakes alone
    are worth the price of high noses......
  • 8/19/2013
    1 check-in here
    an EXCLUSIVE club in NYC, you've gotta know someone or be a contributing alumni of Harvard

    GREAT FOOD but for such an exclusive & "classy" club w/ its dark wood decor the service was VERY amateur... our waitress was reading the daily specials off a ripped piece of paper.. & service was plain awkward..

    --complimentary bread basket: go for the POPOVERS!! Mmm buttery
    --lobster bisque: nice starter
    --grilled octopus: this was nice w/ a lemony touch, very filling
    --rhubarb tart with vanilla ice cream: chewy crust, not bad but not the best tart i've had

    sorry I don't have pictures, but i wanted to keep the dinner professional & there's no cell phone usage in the dining area!

    NOTE: there's also a bar here w/ bar snacks like pretzels on the side
  • 11/26/2013
    Do not go to the Harvard Club.

    1. The staff is munificently condescending. They will use words like that.
    2. If you want to look up the definition of munificently, you can use the Harvard Club's WiFi, for $750.
    3. If you're not Dressed Like Harvard, they'll make you wear their Oversized Harvard Coats and J.C. Penney Ties. If you still don't look like you belong (black), they'll seat you in the corner, away from the Real Harvards (white).
    4. If you try to split the check using multiple cards, the staff will give you the look that Queen Elizabeth surely gave President Obama when he gave her an iPod.
    5. Yes I know it's ironic that Obama went to Harvard.
    6. The food is edible. You can physically eat it and your body will digest it. Beyond that, nothing to telegraph home about.
    7. There's a Subway a half-block away. Go there.

    Do not go to the Harvard Club.
    • Jim L.
    • Theater District, Manhattan, NY
    • 88 friends
    • 7 reviews
    11/30/2013
    Lovely as always!
  • 11/6/2013
    1 check-in here
    The Alliance for Lupus Research hosted their Walk for a Cure NYC Walkathon launch party here and we enjoyed our visit, The service was great and the food was absolutely delicious.
    • 52 friends
    • 4 reviews
    6/3/2013
    Beyond underwhelmed by my experience here.  Went to look at an event space for a prestigious client and was floored by how rude the man in charge of events was. He acted as though he was doing me a favor by showing me the space instead of treating me like a potential customer.

    He said we'd have to pay $750 to use their wifi - and the strange part is that he wasn't even kidding.  Oh, and when I mentioned that other venues don't charge for wifi his response was, "People are just happy to have their events here - we don't need to be competitive with our pricing." I almost vomited, but opted to just walk out instead...and straight to The Yale Club (they were wonderful).

    Very disappointed and obviously not using the space for the event.
  • 6/24/2013
    Our team organized a gala event last Tuesday at HCNY and wow.  The entire experience was a very good and orchestrated with impressive precision.  Thomas, the catering coordinator was courteous and helpful every step of the way.  Some hick-ups of course but for a 300+ person event, the entire night was very smoothly run.

    Sadly I never got to try the lamb hor d'oervres (and I hear they're fantastic) but everything else I tried was tasty and well prepared.  Our guests were happy and, therefore, so am I.
    • Adam O.
    • Southwest Portland, Portland, OR
    • 3 friends
    • 28 reviews
    8/12/2013
    1 check-in here
    I think you have to have gone to Harvard to like this place. I checked in with a Harvard alum and if I'd gone there I'm sure I would have loved the Harvardiana. Having not, it didn't make up for the outdated space and bedroom decor that would fit right in at grandma's house.
  • 8/20/2013
    The Harvard Club is the epitome of upscale and fine dining. This place is as exclusive as it gets with all the perks and amenities one could ask for. The food served here was exceptional, the open bar was wonderful and the large, open space was everything one could hope for when going to a location such as this. Not once did any guest feel uncomfortable or unwelcome, everyone was more in awe of being in such a wonderful setting.
  • 5/29/2013
    1 check-in here
    Eh... this place rubbed me the wrong way. I came here for an alumni event for my school (not Harvard). At the event, it was not a cash bar, but one of those set ups where you have to buy drink tickets to get your drinks. I bought a handful so I wouldn't have to wait in line for more tickets. Towards the end of the event, they removed the alcohol without warning or last call, leaving a bunch of us with tickets in our hands. No more beer, no refunds on tickets, no apology, do not pass go, do not collect $200 dollars. I mean, really. Just give me what I paid for or give me my money back.
  • 7/26/2013
    2 check-ins here
    Elegant bar, nice drinks and well worth a visit if you can get an invite. I enjoyed a particularly delicate rose wine.
  • 1/13/2013
    I'm an old soul and this is heaven to me. Tons of Americana decor and history in one place almost puts museums in the city to shame. Almost.

    Came here to grab a drink with a friend, who is Harvard alum, otherwise I wouldn't be able to get in, and enjoyed it so much. Every single employee provides the epitome of client service. They remember every club members name! Inside is your typical bar surrounded by older folks (men and women :) ) talking about life and business. This is where you run into someone like Warren Buffet and talk over a Hefe Weiss.

    In the back there is a full restaurant with wooden furniture and a fireplace. Very quaint and rustic at the same time. I was told it has 110 rooms that each houses memorabilia from the different class years of Harvard, such as tennis rackets from the class of 1910.

    Hope to return to this place sometime. Who knows maybe I'll come back as a member if I ever decide [and can afford] to go to grad school at Harvard.

    If you are a member go often and milk your dues because its not cheap to be a member. If you're not a member but know someone who is, milk your friend's membership and pay for their dinner as long as they take you inside. #worthit
  • 10/15/2012
    1 check-in here
    Came here for a Food Network Festival event - great hospitality and amenities.

    Lots of wood paneling everywhere, carvings all over the walls, large portraits hanging on them, and busts of safari animals. Yup, must be a club. Great space to hang out and lounge about.

    The executive chef was real nice to talk to, and he presented some great pastries to try out (amongst the other tables present at the event).
    • 284 friends
    • 116 reviews
    5/3/2013
    I was in awe of this place - it looks like a castle inside. We were there for the New York Film Festival opening reception. Open bar: Black Lable, there was much more but i couldnt remember so clearly.
  • 7/30/2012
    1 check-in here
    Out of all of the Ivy clubs in the city, this is by far my favorite. I love hosting events here as well as having a drink or few in their bar/dining room. Some of their lodging rooms are very reminiscent of the old days where bath tubs had lion claw feet and couples slept in separate twin beds...although it's been a while since I've stayed there over night so all the rooms may have changed now.

    They have so many little quiet nooks where you can get lost and just spent a quiet day alone as well.

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