Before our recent trip to New York City, Mike had never been to Serendipity 3. I’ve been a few times in the past and have always enjoyed it so we decided to go. It’s somewhat of a tourist trap (but who doesn’t love the movie, right?) so I made reservations, which are available for lunch and dinner. We were both glad for the reservation since there was a pretty long line and the host was telling people it would at least 30 minutes for a table.
The restaurant is cute (but definitely cramped) and the décor is ice cream parlor-ish with a girly flair. We were seated upstairs which luckily is a little more spacious than the lower level.
The Famous $1,000 Golden Opulence Sundae on the Menu
Mike and I started the meal with a Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. (We could have waited until the end and called it dessert…but I really didn’t want to risk being too full for the best thing about this restaurant. ;) ) If you’ve never had a frozen hot chocolate, I have to say that its taste is true to its name. It’s much different from a chocolate milkshake in that it really doesn’t have a creamy consistency; instead it has an icy texture and a cocoa-y flavor. It’s topped with whipped cream and shaved chocolate.
Frrrozen Hot Chocolate
There are only seven items on the appetizer list but surprisingly it took us a while to agree on something. We finally settled on Spudnicks, which are potato skins with melted Cheddar and bacon (we ordered them without bacon) served with a side of sour cream. The potato skins were pretty standard…the crispy potato skin was definitely the best part.
Spudnicks (Sans Bacon)
For his main, Mike ordered Shake, Batter, and Bowl, which is a half-chicken that’s battered, deep-fried, then oven-roasted and served with thick-cut French fries and a small side of coleslaw. The chicken was crispy outside and flavorful and juicy inside. I didn’t taste the fries or coleslaw but Mike said they were ok except the fries being a little cold.
Shake, Batter, and Bowl
I ordered what I always order at Serendipity: the Young Chicken Sandwich. (I was told by the waiter that this item has been on their menu for over 40 years!) It’s a really generous portion and I left with enough food leftover for another meal. On the menu this dish is described as “crisply sautéed in butter with almonds and served on toasted Irish Soda Bread.” When they say crisply sautéed they aren’t kidding…the chicken was a little too crispy and was actually pretty dry. Sadly, it was not nearly as good as I remember it being in the past. The almonds added a nice nutty crunch but there weren’t nearly enough of them. The Irish Soda Bread was the best part of this dish, with the raisins in it adding a nice little bit of sweetness. The sandwich was served with a side of creamy mango chutney dressing, which was tart with just a hint of sweetness and paired well with the sandwich.
Young Chicken Sandwich
There were two ladies seated next to us who were gracious enough to offer to let me take pictures of both of their desserts. (Thank you so much Jill and Jackie! We hope you enjoyed your trip to NYC!)
“Big Apple” Pie: Jackie said this was delicious and the pastry crust was flaky and tasted homemade
Frrrozen Mint Hot Chocolate: Jill said this was good but the whipped cream had a filmy feel in the mouth…I experienced the same thing with the frozen hot chocolate we ordered, the cream felt a little more oily in the mouth than most whipped cream I’ve had
Mike and I had a good time, but we agreed that if we ever go back it will only be for dessert. Unfortunately, they don’t accept reservations for dessert, which honestly means we will probably only be enjoying frozen hot chocolate from the comfort of home in the future. :)
Serendipity 3
225 East 60th Street
Between 2nd and 3rd Avenues
New York, NY 10022
Tel.: 212.838.3531
Tags: Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, New York City, Restaurant Reviews, Serendipity 3, Shake Batter & Bowl, Young Chicken Sandwich
I was DROOLING when I saw that young chicken sandwich! But too bad it didn’t deliver…dry chicken is the worst. I love that you started out with dessert, and then ended with a dessert. You guys are impressive!
Sophia, Lol, I wish we were that hardcore! :) The two desserts at the end of the post belonged to the ladies’ next to us who offered to let me take pictures of their desserts.
Faith, I am SO glad that you went here! I would totally visit there too. I remember seeing the frozen hot chocolate on Oprah and thinking that I’d love to try! :D
I was looking through your NYC photos, Faith. Looking forward to visiting it! ;)
The desserts did look fabulous! It’s too bad the food didn’t live up to expectations though.
Faith,
Look like only for the desserts we need to make a trip to serendipity-3.
It appears that looks can be deceiving. Sorry the food was as great as it looked.
Mimi
Looks like a fun and funky spot. I love the lamps. That Big Apple Pie dessert is crazy big!!
This is such an interesting post. I have never seen such an overflowing chocolate milkshake.
I can’t even imagine what the $1000 dessert would be like…did they have any photos of it? Do you know what it was?
Goodness, Faith, I haven’t been there in a 100 years… it’s sad when places don’t come up to your memory of them. Oily cream is all of those nasty diglycerides that are added to the cream.. wonder if they use the real deal in the $1000 sunday?? DId you see the $70 hot dog while you were there? Foie gras and a hot dog are insane but I read it was tasty. It sounded like you had a good time with the chocolate though… it is a silly fun place to go!
i love that you started with dessert!!!! how fun. looks like a fun place to try if i ever get back into New York :)
I have always wanted to go there and have a frozen hot chocolate! A trip to NYC wouldn’t be complete without it. Your sandwich sounds really good – like something I’d like to recreate at home with juicy chicken!
What a great time you two had :) My favorite sandwich is the haight ashbury. Soooooooooo good! If you hit the restaurant around 9pm you can usually get in for dessert without too much of a wait. I tried once going around midnight for dessert and the place was packed. I guess all those late night drinkers wanted to get something sweet before heading in for the night :)
Next time I go I’m going to try that chicken sandwich you had. It looks great :)
What great food! One needs to be very hungry to eat there (the portions are immense)!
Cheers,
Rosa
I want the shake batter and bowl and humble pie and the slice of that apple pie. It’s ok. I won’t eat for a week before going.
Even though, you gave this a luke warm review, I am glad your write it up because the photos look phenomenal, even if they did not deliver.
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I would love to recreate that chicken sandwich at home – it sounds interesting on Irish soda bread. I am sorry that your experience was a little disappointing but it sounds like you had a great time anyway.
Everything looked so delicious that it’s a shame it didn’t live up to your remembered expectation. That’s always a bummer. Next time will be better I promise. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings…Mary
Frozen hot chocolate sounds amazing! Hope restaurants here will start to serve something like that soon.
It looks to me that you really enjoyed the meal at this restaurant. All the dishes are looking great.
Dessert should seriously stop being the afterthought of a meal and become the appetizer!
Dessert first…that’s cool. I love that potato skins! LoOk so tempting!
awesome. i love everything–the MASSIVE sandwich, the oh-so-generous ice cream and whipped cream on the pie, the decor. this one’s on my bucket list. :)
I saw the movie serendipity and love the concept of it, so cool that the restaurant is called that name. The desserts look scrumptious… I’m sure whenever I go to NYC I want to go there for desserts! :)
You should have told me you were coming to NYC! We could have met up! Ayayay.
Anyways. I’ve never been to any of the serendipity restaurants even though one of them is right near my apartment and I walk by it all the time. That frozen hot chocolate looks amazing!
I must admit I’ve never been to Serendipity, Faith! And I go to NYC a lot. Those photos are divine! Guess I should definitely get over there…I mean, who doesn’t want to eat a frozen hot chocolate??
Well Faith…it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one crazy enough to eat dessert first! You both must have rolled out of there stuffed like little piglets ;o))
Great read and thanks for bringing back this movie to me…I’ll have to go rent it out again soon.
Ciao for now and flavourful wishes,
Claudia
Joanne, I know, I would have loved to meet up with you! This trip was jam-packed but hopefully it won’t be too long before I make it there again…and I promise I’ll tell you! :)
Cara, From my understanding it’s a very fancy ice cream sundae and the components are flown in from different parts of the world. They didn’t have a picture of it, but I think you could probably find one if you Google it.
I’ve been to Serendipity once and it was so cute and good! I found a Serendipity 3 in Las Vegas a few months ago…so I guess it’s making its way out west finally!
great place :) having dessert first is rili a cool idea! sweeeeeeeeeeeetttttt!!
SO glad you had a great time! Serendipity is one of my favorite places–makes me happy!
Wow, that Irish soda bread dish does look amazing. What a fun place!