A place that leads with a pizza roll inspired by Totino’s has a lot of confidence. And when your regulars are Taylor and Gigi, you’re clearly doing something right. A year in, The Corner Store NYC is still a tough ressie to land. So, the question is whether it lives up to all the hype.

Atmosphere

The Team behind Abe & Arthur’s and the Catch restaurants has always known how to set the vibe. It’s nice to see the while many things change in New York, this is one group of restaurants that stays the same. The Catch guys have the magic formula of design, energy and crowd that they rinse and repeat with every venture.

The front room as you arrive is the bar where normally the seats are reserved. Unlike most bars where it’s packed, they don’t allow you to stand around waiting for a spot to open. The main area is intimate, with round booths that frame the dining room and a few tables in the middle. Its limited amount of tables is why even a year out, it’s still a challenge to get a table. Overall, this makes the environment a lot more calm than the old Abe & Arthur’s days.

The Corner Store NYC is like their legacy restaurant that shows off their 25+ years of achievement in running some of the most successful restaurants around. But this one is extra special.

Food + Beverage

You know a team has skills when they can make a menu that is a cross between a McDonalds and a Houston’s top notch meal. The spinach dip reminds me of the work lunches we did at Houston’s in the early aughts, but elevated. Same with the fries and homemade dipping sauces, which include their riff off the McDonalds special sauce, and an avocado aioli. The difference, though, between the originals and The Corner Store NYC versions is everything in the latter is made from scratch. There’s a nostalgia to the food that many of us grew up with, but with whole non-processed ingredients. This isn’t a light meal — although you wouldn’t guess it from the supermodel crowd noshing on lobster rolls with caviar.

Some of my favorites included the lobster frites, which were large enough for three to share. The Wagyu French dip is another crowd-pleaser that you can share for the table. The Corner Store NYC version of the Caesar salad is almost prolific. I admire a chef who can come up with the idea of fried cream cheese. This isn’t Michelin-starred food by any stretch of the imagination. However, the beauty of The Corner Store is that they don’t take themselves too seriously.

On beverages, the sour cream & onion martini is another unique drink that shows off their brilliance. Even with the high marks on the reviews, I was prepared to dislike it. However on that first sip, it was unlike anything I have ever tried before. All the drinks have just that extra element of ‘special’ to them. It’s worth it to make it a cocktail night at The Corner Store NYC.

Service

For a place that is one of the most sought-after reservations in NYC, the service is tops from every touchpoint. That’s why the Catch Hospitality Group has been so successful over the past 25+ years. They understand that you only make it long-term when you treat people with respect. Restaurants come and go, but the Catch portfolio has proved its staying power. The jockeying to get a table for those without a coveted reservation can be intense. However, the maitre d’ stand handles the crowds with grace and does their best to get you in. The servers do more than just dial it in. They are genuinely pumped you have a coveted reservation and expertly guide you through the menu. People are friendly with good energy, and their bartenders know how to make a drink. Service is at the highest standard and is seamless between the kitchen and front of house.

Overall: 8.0/10

It’s worth the hype and a place to people-watch.

Other Articles You’ll Like

Casse Cou – A Private Club in the Meatpacking District  
The Princeton Club’s 2.0
Le Bar Penelope

FAQs

Q: Where is The Corner Store NYC located?

A: The Corner Store NYC is located at 475 W Broadway, New York, NY 10012.
Phone: (212) 271-9240

Q: What are the hours of operation of The Corner Store NYC?

A: The Corner Store NYC’s hours of operation are as follows:

Q: What kind of food does The Corner Store NYC serve?

A: The Corner Store NYC serves New American food with unique twists on classic recipes.