Does anybody eat at Top of the Mark?

[bagsrpacked]

I see lots of recommendations for drinking at Top of the Mark? Does anybody eat there?

[Pistou]

I ate dinner there once years ago--a friend's birthday and he was treating the group. The food was truly unexceptional, though IIRC nothing was bad.

I also had Sunday brunch there once, maybe 5 years ago. It was a clear day and the view was fantastic. The buffet was bountiful and diverse (omelettes and pancakes made to order, roast beef, sushi rolls, a blini bar with a variety of caviar, lots of cheese, smoked fish, and several meters of rich desserts stand out in my memory) and the quality of the food was by and large quite good. I believe it was $50/person at the time, and we lingered for about 3 hours catching up with the friends we were dining with and enjoying food and view. We never felt rushed and they continued to refill oj and coffee for as long as we were there. It is certainly something I would consider doing again for a special occasion where elegance but not extraordinary food are called for.

[waldrons]

It is far better known for cocktails than dinner. The Top of the Mark only serves a one-seating, fixed price menu on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, according to their website:

"The Top Of The Mark accepts dinner reservations on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm.
A three-course prix-fixe dinner is offered and includes an amuse-bouche, choice of starter and entrée, and dessert. Option for wine-pairing is also available.

The Top Of The Mark is open for cocktails and dancing throughout the evening, featuring the Black Market Jazz Orchestra from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am."

Susan

[brekkie_fan]

Did the prix-fixe and thought it was a-ok. Nothing spectacular. Saved on cover charge. Had a window seat...which made all the difference. Did Tonga room beforehand. All in all, a very eye-candy evening (decor, not meat market).

[Carrie 218]

I did for New Year's - My report from then:

[Went to Top of the Mark] mostly as we had good friends who were visiting who wanted something over-the-top. A fish mousse amuse was brought out in martini glasses and certainly whet the appetite. The first course was a trio of foie gras, a brulee'd mousse, a small croquette, and a one-inch piece of seared foie all served with baby mache lettuce with red shizo and a black truffle vinaigrette, accompanied with a Riesling Auslese sorbet. Clearly the winner of the evening. The next course was a creamy lobster cappuccino with thyme-ginger foam and Osetra caviar. The lobster cappuccino was quite nice, although almost too rich but the caviar wasted on "foam" that was hard and chewy. The main course was a Kobe beef and veal tenderloin with a port jus, sauteed porcini, fava beans, and brioche dumpling. Interesting that someone must have complained about a lack of a fish course for as an afterthought, a piece of seared halibut was also added to the plate. Very odd. Dessert service were plated bittersweet chocolate and orange "treasure box" with a Champagne mousse "sparkler." Basically chocolate walls held the mousse and a white chocolate cylinder held the Champagne mousse. All were topped with decorate chocolate clocks and Champagne bottles a bit on the cheesy side.

[chazzerking]

no, and I'd not plan on having more than 1 or 2 drinks, as they are rather expensive. The view is the thing, though. make sure the weather is reasonably clear.

[Mari]

We had 4 drinks and the $8 mixed nut bowl and it came to $90 with tip!! I think a $10 cover p.p. was added to the bill since we got there after 8 pm. You can avoid the cover if you get there before a certain hour on Friday or Saturday

The food looks like hotel food to me with a big mark-up, so I don't know that I would consider eating a formal meal there. I went twice recently noted that the majority of the people there were either just having drinks or eating desserts. Nevertheless, it's worth a visit since it is a very nice venue.

[grishnackh]

I've ordered appetizers there many times. They have always been fine, but they are far from a great value. Most of the time I stick to their fine selection of whiskies and martinis and eat elsewhere.

If you want a great dining value that's close to Top of the Mark, decamp to the Tonga Room across the street, underneath the Fairmont. They have a good happy hour buffet for just $7.95 a head. Though you can expect to pay about $10 a cocktail at the Tonga Room, much like the Top of the Mark.