Ed Russell

Literally a dining experience of a lifetime, that's how good the food is here! Relaxed, open, and informal atmosphere, yet "elevated" as the food is. The whole dining experience was excellent from start to finish. The oyster cart was an experience in itself.

Aaran Afalava

As soon as I walked in, live music/band were playing and it was absolutely welcoming. The host was just as welcoming and accommodating for me. My waitress, Nellie (spellcheck), was attentive and inviting. She helped add to the great experience. The food I ordered: - Corn bread 10/10 (we got two orders) - M Steak 8/10, the steak was a little cold when it arrived, but the sauce was delicious and the steak cooked exactly how I wanted it! - Coconut Rice 6/10 Overall, a wonderful experience. Thanks to the kitchen and staff for a memorable birthday!

Emahn Erving

One of the best meals I've ever had! We asked the maitre d' for a table closer to the amazing live jazz music. He was so kind and gave us the perfect table. Our server Marcus (not Samuelson) guided us through the night and curated an amazing 5-star experience. Since so many dishes looked amazing Marcus suggested the tasting menu and I'm grateful he did because I likely would have not ordered the best Caesar salad I've had in my life amongst various other items. Don't waste you time. Order the tasting menu! Everything was mouthwatering delicious. And we left completely full. I cannot wait to return!

Anna E. Molosky

Located in an elegant performing arts center, this architectural marvel of a restaurant and its menu are a symphony in itself. Even though we were late, the staff still took us in late on a rainy Sunday night and treated us to an excellent meal with a diverse twist on old classics, such as the Harlem Oysters, a nod back to Samuelssen's past. The service was incredible--our waiter Marcus is a veteran of the industry and knows how to treat good customers. My only recommendation, push back against the Truffle Pasta (an unlisted item that will be presented as a special). It is absolutely delicious, but is the same dish as the $32 pasta, just with white truffle. For me, the price is too high for its Michelin Starless britches at $175. Otherwise, an excellent restaurant and worth the money for a five star experience.

This beautiful black-owned restaurant is the epitome of elegance, class, and a culinary masterpiece. From the selection of inspired and exquisite dishes, tasty cocktails, excellent service, and decadent ambience, you absolutely must experience Metropolis. Located in the Perelman Perforning Arts Center, Metropolis features a large open dining space, and an outdoor deck, which both offer a relaxed and inviting ambience. There is a live DJ present and a clear view of the live performances featured in the lobby at certain points during the evening. In addition to the beautiful setting, Metropolis offers creative and inventive dishes that are flavorful and mouthwatering. Every item we had was absolutely delicious, especially the coffee smoked duck (though I wish they gave me a bit more duck) which was perfection. They offer a happy hour deal Tuesdays to Saturdays from 5 to 7, which includes drinks for $10 or less, and small bites.

+5

What a full on sensory experience! Food, ambiance, entertainment, hospitality, decor, all immaculate. Booked a reservation for two for my significant other’s birthday. My partner and I try to out-do each other every year with amazing dining experiences but thanks to Metropolis by Marcus, I think I have him beat for at least the next few. Menu: -Concise number of menu options that all work together. We ordered the Steak and Eggs (which our amazing server, Ira, described as a take on a traditional Ethiopian dish), the Cornbread, the Sugar Hill Nights (the juiciest fried chicken I’ve ever had outside my mother’s kitchen), and the M Steak. Every dish was not only delicious but also intriguing as there were various tastes, textures, colors, and fragrances all beautifully plated. Ambiance: -Walking up the staircase to enter the restaurant, we felt as though we were a part of the city yet entering a specially curated experience. The security staff were thorough and friendly. -A live music performance by a lovely songstress (apologies I did not get her name but she performed 05/02/25) began around 5:30PM. She sang one of my favorite songs, Allen Stone’s Give You Blue, and I was sold! Hospitality: -Our main server Nelly was absolutely excellent. She communicated effectively, inquired about allergies, checked in, and even made sure we left on time to travel from the restaurant to our Broadway play on time. -Ira who I mentioned earlier was kind and very informative about the menu’s intention and design. -Isaiah politely stopped us on our way out to invite us to return soon on a Thursday-Saturday evening and enjoy once again. -There was a gentleman at the entrance who confirmed our reservation and escorted us to our table who was very kind and made us feel welcomed! Absolutely recommend, run—don’t walk! See attached photos if you’re a foodie :)

+2

I don’t think I’ve ever given a restaurant 5 stars in every category, but here I am giving Metropolis one of the best reviews I’ve ever written. Already, upon entrance, I was smitten with the atmosphere and decor. Not only was it extremely lively, but it was filled with attentive waiters, a spectacular DJ, and Marcus Samuelsson himself! He introduced himself to each table, neglecting no one! We ordered so many dishes and each one kept getting better as we went. Personally, the brisket was by far the star of the show! We ordered extra bread on the side just so we could dip each plate’s sauce into it. The flavors were that delicious! Thank you for a wonderful evening and we will definitely be back!

+3

We had a wonderful dinner at Metroplis while we waited for the start of "A Christmas Carol." There were a number of standouts in the menu. You must order the cornbread to start your meal. It is flavorful and especially rich when you have it with the accompanying "sauces." The tuna tartare is also a good starting point. As for the "mains" the Harlem Express is the way to go. The fried chicken was crispy with a pleasing spiciness. To finish the meal the Almond cake is just what you want in a dessert. It was smooth, creamy, crunchy and comforting. The service and decor were both top notch.

+6

Overall rating: 4.4 Price: $156 w/ tip (split for 2) I walk by this spot on my way to work weekly and have been wanting to check it out for awhile. I’m not familiar with the theater which is my mistake, bc I did come in thinking the audience would be more… cultured. When I sat, it felt like I was with a few tourists to realize it’s the lobby of the theater inside. My friend and I had a reservation around 6 which I understand is early for the crowds. Okay. But we didn’t get served until 6:25 and it took a lot of eye contact with the host, waiters, for someone to come by. I am not still fully convinced we even had a waiter assigned to us because there were a few other times it was questionable. Things we ordered: - Oysters: 0/5 - do not get. These taste weird. - Fluke crudo: 5/5 - absolutely delicious - Brussel sprouts: 4/5 - nothing special - Seaport lasagna: 6/5 - mouth-watering so good - Crispy snapper: 4.5 / 5 - good but the curry was meh I also went online and just noticed we didn’t get served their happy hour menu. Very interesting. I’m glad I went because I would always wonder, but this place isn’t worth it to me based on the poor service.

From the ambiance to the service and food everything was great. The two times I’ve visited I sat at the bar and received really good service and the server staff was great as well. The first time was dinner the second time for happy hour. From the oyster cart to overall presentation of the food. Marcus Samuelsson is known to make ordinary dishes a bit different which gives the meal an idea of surprise. He keeps the menu fresh, so if you see something it might be for a limited time or seasonal.

The new restaurant by Marcus Samuelsson is definitely a worthwhile destination for a beautiful meal. The atmosphere, presentation of the food and cocktail menu was phenomenal. The wood was good, but I definitely expected to be blown-away by the quality and taste-profile. I tried a few things on the menu; the oysters were interesting but not worth $18 for an oyster that was overpowered by the XO sauce, the arctic char did not seem as fresh as it could be and as it was cooked (slightly undercooked) it was even more evident; the fluke crudo was my favorite on the menu and the Vesper Martini is a must try! I truly hope it was an off-night for the team so may come back and try again since the experience was amazing.

I started with the cornbread as an appetizer. It was completely different than how I imagined it would be. I was expecting a buttery cashew sauce to pour over it. The flavor was different but not bad. It had a hint of spice (paprika?) and an aromatic herb taste. My main course was steak frites. The steak and sauce had a pleasant flavor, and the fries were crispy. My server was outstanding and attentive. Note: The chicken used in their dishes is dark meat. Just a warning for those who prefer white meat.

Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson - Great Atmosphere, but Room for Improvement on the Burger My visit to Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson left me with mixed feelings. The ambiance, decor, and service were all impressive, with attentive waitstaff and a well-organized setup that made the dining experience enjoyable. However, as someone who rarely leaves food on the plate, I was surprised to find myself leaving half of my burger behind. To be fair, the sauce and technique were well thought out, and the combination of flavors showed promise. Unfortunately, the execution fell short when it came to the basics—the burger bun and meat. The balance between the bun and patty was off, and the meat didn’t seem as fresh as expected. The bun also had a slightly stale quality, as if it had been stored a bit too long. On a positive note, the fries were exceptional, crispy and full of flavor. If the burger itself could reach the same level, I’d be excited to return and fully enjoy both the food and the beautiful setting. Here’s hoping the chef fine-tunes this dish—I’d love to come back and experience Metropolis at its best.

Shiesha

From the ambiance to the service and food everything was great. The two times I’ve visited I sat at the bar and received really good service and the server staff was great as well. The first time was dinner the second time for happy hour. From the oyster cart to overall presentation of the food. Marcus Samuelsson is known to make ordinary dishes a bit different which gives the meal an idea of surprise. He keeps the menu fresh, so if you see something it might be for a limited time or seasonal.

Olivia N

Overall rating: 4.4 Price: $156 w/ tip (split for 2) I walk by this spot on my way to work weekly and have been wanting to check it out for awhile. I’m not familiar with the theater which is my mistake, bc I did come in thinking the audience would be more… cultured. When I sat, it felt like I was with a few tourists to realize it’s the lobby of the theater inside. My friend and I had a reservation around 6 which I understand is early for the crowds. Okay. But we didn’t get served until 6:25 and it took a lot of eye contact with the host, waiters, for someone to come by. I am not still fully convinced we even had a waiter assigned to us because there were a few other times it was questionable. Things we ordered: - Oysters: 0/5 - do not get. These taste weird. - Fluke crudo: 5/5 - absolutely delicious - Brussel sprouts: 4/5 - nothing special - Seaport lasagna: 6/5 - mouth-watering so good - Crispy snapper: 4.5 / 5 - good but the curry was meh I also went online and just noticed we didn’t get served their happy hour menu. Very interesting. I’m glad I went because I would always wonder, but this place isn’t worth it to me based on the poor service.

Ren D

I went during NYC Restaurant Week. The portions are big for the price, and I’m pretty satisfied with the food overall.

​Metropolis is an elevated escape right inside the new PAC on Fulton (adjacent to the 9/11 Memorial plaza). The space is stunning—modern, elegant, and surprisingly spacious. Unlike many cramped FiDi happy hour spots, there are plenty of seating options here. ​One important heads-up: Because it is inside the PAC, there is a security screening upon entering the building. Don't let this deter you—it’s quick, and honestly, it makes the venue feel a bit more exclusive. ​We stopped in after work and ordered from the Happy Hour menu (5-7 PM). The cocktail list is solid ($10 drinks in this area is a steal), but the bar bites stole the show. ​The Metropolis Burger is excellent and comes with a signature "M" branded onto the bun—a nice touch. ​The Berbere Fried Olives and Red Cornbread with goat's milk butter were perfect for sharing. ​Definitely save room for the dessert; the presentation is fantastic. ​The live DJ was the cherry on top. It was pleasantly unexpected and created a relaxing backdrop for unwinding—energetic but not too loud for conversation. ​If you work near the World Trade Center and want a sophisticated place to decompress, this is it. Just be ready for the brief bag check!

+4

Metropolis is definitely a hidden gem - you wouldn’t know this place existed unless you looked online because it’s tucked away in the performing arts center. Nonetheless it’s worth a visit. To start with the cons - I was not a huge fan of their drinks. We started with cornbread and the fried olives. Both were solid but nothing out of the ordinary. For my entree I had the Teff Gnocchi, which I recalled loved. It was a combo of sweet and savory, as the dish featured some dried dates on top? I also loved the smaller portion, which gave us plenty of room for dessert. We tried the banana pudding and sticky toffee pudding - both were excellent but I think the toffee pudding may have been my favorite. Our waitress was wonderful and accommodating, especially when we had questions or even wanted to swap our drink for a different drink. It was not busy at all on a Saturday night, and the ambiance was upscale yet casual.

Brianna Baker

Metropolis is definitely a hidden gem - you wouldn’t know this place existed unless you looked online because it’s tucked away in the performing arts center. Nonetheless it’s worth a visit. To start with the cons - I was not a huge fan of their drinks. We started with cornbread and the fried olives. Both were solid but nothing out of the ordinary. For my entree I had the Teff Gnocchi, which I recalled loved. It was a combo of sweet and savory, as the dish featured some dried dates on top? I also loved the smaller portion, which gave us plenty of room for dessert. We tried the banana pudding and sticky toffee pudding - both were excellent but I think the toffee pudding may have been my favorite. Our waitress was wonderful and accommodating, especially when we had questions or even wanted to swap our drink for a different drink. It was not busy at all on a Saturday night, and the ambiance was upscale yet casual.

Lu de Medeiros

Beautiful restaurant with festive ambience. As I visited for dinner, had the opportunity to listen to the singer at PAC lobby and after that, a dj started playing. Great space for happy hour and celebration. Attentive service however when our server finished their shift (around 8pm), no one carried over and it took over 10min to try to make eye contact to ask for our check as other servers were chatting with each other. Food was delicious and portions vary (gnocchi was quite small and the tartare as a small plate was bigger than the gnocchi as main). There are mocktails (overpriced but not so sweet) and at least one vegan alternative. Would get back for drinks and for the convenient location .

Service was slow and inconsistent. It was very difficult to get a hold of a server. There were many of them just standing around. Then they did serve, they were very friendly and nice, but strangely, they were simply not present most of the time. Our server served us and then went to the bar to serve drinks as a bartender, which was confusing to say the least. Food was mostly good. The biggest letdown was the braised short ribs. They were tough and chewy, which defeats the purpose of braising. It tasted like they rushed it. At $52, I expected the best quality. The front of the house took it off our bill, though, which we definitely appreciated. The crudo was excellent, as were the hamachi tacos, which were unique and creative. The tiger curry was underwhelming and unmemorable. The drinks were great. I'd actually wouldn't mind visiting this place only for their drinks. The atmosphere is classy and has a sort of modern and relaxed vibe. I'd go back, but they need to really up their service game.

Raquel Rodrigues

I never leave negative reviews, but this evening was so riddled with errors that I felt it was important for the restaurant staff to note. Especially with Marcus Samuelsson's name attached. What was good: -The food. We ordered the cornbread, the salad and the steak tartare. -The cornbread was hot and fresh with a crunch on the outside and delectable moistness on the inside. The red miso spread that came with it was actually inspired. Brilliant and delicious. -The salad was not only the prettiest salad we ever did see, but it was also inspired. Never knew cabbage could be so good. -The steak tartare was unique in appearance but it was delicious. My dinner partner is a connoisseur of tartare and he said it was one of the best he’s ever had. -The lighting and flatware were thoughtful and well-designed. What was bad: -We were sat at a half chair half booth table. The booth seats are too low for the table. I’m 5’4 and if I hadn’t used my coat to form myself a booster seat, my chest would have been parallel to the edge of the table. -Our first dish arrived before our water. We also had no napkins and had to ask for them. -Our second dish arrived before our cocktails. We decided to let it sit awhile, hoping the cocktails would arrive. After some time, we flagged the waitress and she said they would be out soon. -Our third and final dish, the steak tartare, arrived but the runner said it was steak and eggs. We asked him to clarify mentioning that we ordered the steak tartare and he said “oh yeah, same thing.” -The Jerusalem bagel that came with the tartare was TOUGH. If we hadn’t been on the clock to get to a play in the building, I would have mentioned it to the staff. We had to wrench it with our teeth like stale taffy. My partner gave up. I tried a little longer, and my teeth hurt the rest of the evening. -Our cocktails only arrived to the table after the 3rd dish was placed down and my friend’s drink order arrived incorrect. He asked for a bone dry martini. It arrived with vermouth. He didn’t even order it “bone dry” He specifically said “no vermouth” I had wanted to try the “Ebenezer’s Cap” but when it arrived, I saw that it should have been placed on the After Dinner drinks list because it was nightcap-esque (I probably should have deduced this from the name and the ingredients). So, I decided to save the drink for the end of the meal and placed an order for a martini. -Halfway through our final course, I checked on the status of the martini and was asked "Would you like your martini now?" I expressed my confusion over the question. The waitress then explained that they have to-go drinks for the theater. I was not aware of this and it was not what I asked for. The martini then only arrived after we finished our meal. -We asked to split the check. The waitress put the whole thing on my friend’s credit card. When the martini arrived after our meal, I asked if the restaurant could make things right. They did eventually remove one of the drinks from our bill, which was very appreciated, but there was a certain lack of hospitality that we had to inquire.

I never leave negative reviews, but this evening was so riddled with errors that I felt it was important for the restaurant staff to note. Especially with Marcus Samuelsson's name attached. What was good: -The food. We ordered the cornbread, the salad and the steak tartare. -The cornbread was hot and fresh with a crunch on the outside and delectable moistness on the inside. The red miso spread that came with it was actually inspired. Brilliant and delicious. -The salad was not only the prettiest salad we ever did see, but it was also inspired. Never knew cabbage could be so good. -The steak tartare was unique in appearance but it was delicious. My dinner partner is a connoisseur of tartare and he said it was one of the best he’s ever had. -The lighting and flatware were thoughtful and well-designed. What was bad: -We were sat at a half chair half booth table. The booth seats are too low for the table. I’m 5’4 and if I hadn’t used my coat to form myself a booster seat, my chest would have been parallel to the edge of the table. -Our first dish arrived before our water. We also had no napkins and had to ask for them. -Our second dish arrived before our cocktails. We decided to let it sit awhile, hoping the cocktails would arrive. After some time, we flagged the waitress and she said they would be out soon. -Our third and final dish, the steak tartare, arrived but the runner said it was steak and eggs. We asked him to clarify mentioning that we ordered the steak tartare and he said “oh yeah, same thing.” -The Jerusalem bagel that came with the tartare was TOUGH. If we hadn’t been on the clock to get to a play in the building, I would have mentioned it to the staff. We had to wrench it with our teeth like stale taffy. My partner gave up. I tried a little longer, and my teeth hurt the rest of the evening. -Our cocktails only arrived to the table after the 3rd dish was placed down and my friend’s drink order arrived incorrect. He asked for a bone dry martini. It arrived with vermouth. He didn’t even order it “bone dry” He specifically said “no vermouth” I had wanted to try the “Ebenezer’s Cap” but when it arrived, I saw that it should have been placed on the After Dinner drinks list because it was nightcap-esque (I probably should have deduced this from the name and the ingredients). So, I decided to save the drink for the end of the meal and placed an order for a martini. -Halfway through our final course, I checked on the status of the martini and was asked "Would you like your martini now?" I expressed my confusion over the question. The waitress then explained that they have to-go drinks for the theater. I was not aware of this and it was not what I asked for. The martini then only arrived after we finished our meal. -We asked to split the check. The waitress put the whole thing on my friend’s credit card. When the martini arrived after our meal, I asked if the restaurant could make things right. They did eventually remove one of the drinks from our bill, which was very appreciated, but there was a certain lack of hospitality that we had to inquire.

The food, hostes and atmosphere were very comfortable, friendly and luxurious. But service was terrible. We were on a New Year Eve dinner, and we have waited almost for an hour to be served, The wine we originally ordered was not available, and a different one was brought to us without informing us. We waited around 40 minutes for our drinks. When we asked for tap water, our request was ignored, and bottled water was brought instead, which we repeatedly had to ask to be taken away and replaced. At the end, during payment, the staff insisted that we had to leave a tip, even though a separate 20% gratuity was already added to the bill. We pointed this out several times before they finally acknowledged it. The atmosphere and food were excellent, and the hostess was very kind and professional. Unfortunately, the service from the waitstaff was not.

​The curated menu here is a masterclass in sophistication, offering thoughtful creative twists on familiar favorites. The cornbread is an absolute revelation, and the Caesar salad arrives exceptionally crisp and bright. While the burger remains a consistently delicious staple, the true star might be the atmosphere. ​The dining room is stunning, defined by soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows that bathe the space in natural light. However, be prepared for a more "leisurely" pace of service, and note that the menu is quite focused—selection is slim, though high quality. ​Pro Tip: Reservations are a must.

CC Rex

​The curated menu here is a masterclass in sophistication, offering thoughtful creative twists on familiar favorites. The cornbread is an absolute revelation, and the Caesar salad arrives exceptionally crisp and bright. While the burger remains a consistently delicious staple, the true star might be the atmosphere. ​The dining room is stunning, defined by soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows that bathe the space in natural light. However, be prepared for a more "leisurely" pace of service, and note that the menu is quite focused—selection is slim, though high quality. ​Pro Tip: Reservations are a must.

Alisa Ukrainets

The food, hostes and atmosphere were very comfortable, friendly and luxurious. But service was terrible. We were on a New Year Eve dinner, and we have waited almost for an hour to be served, The wine we originally ordered was not available, and a different one was brought to us without informing us. We waited around 40 minutes for our drinks. When we asked for tap water, our request was ignored, and bottled water was brought instead, which we repeatedly had to ask to be taken away and replaced. At the end, during payment, the staff insisted that we had to leave a tip, even though a separate 20% gratuity was already added to the bill. We pointed this out several times before they finally acknowledged it. The atmosphere and food were excellent, and the hostess was very kind and professional. Unfortunately, the service from the waitstaff was not.

Very pretty place. That's the best thing about this restaurant. They offer a limited contrived menu with lots of fried foods The olives arrived warmed over and tough, the shrimp poppers had no shrimp, was like deep fried mayonnaise. The potato side was dripping on oil. There wasn't a beautiful vegetable or simply prepared dish on the menu. One item, the gravlax, so bad had to send back to the kitchen The wait staff was friendly but inattentive, there was hardly anyone in the restaurant and we had to wave down staff to order.. The loud music provided by a DJ gave one a headache. On top of this, the toilets in the restroom were a mess and broken. This place needs new management and a new menu, The best thing was the wine. Not worth the 100+ dollar per person price. As a long time downtown resident who advocated for the development of the 9/11 site including the PAC, I'm utterly appalled. This is not a place that is economically inclusive and neither is the menu which is only for the most extreme foodies. The PAC has reasonably priced performances, why then promote and push this restaurant that is so out of the realm of reasonably priced? The whole thing is baffling and a big disappointment. This downtown community needs a wonderful reasonbly priced restaurant, not this. Just an update, the restaurant is very good on responding and apologizing to those of us with expensive bad experiences, yet with a 4.2 rating nothing ever changes. We were at the restaurant on a Friday night and no one was there. There's a reason for that. Unless Samuelson gets a grip on this place, can't imagine it will last very long.

ELIZABETH WILLIAMS

Very pretty place. That's the best thing about this restaurant. They offer a limited contrived menu with lots of fried foods The olives arrived warmed over and tough, the shrimp poppers had no shrimp, was like deep fried mayonnaise. The potato side was dripping on oil. There wasn't a beautiful vegetable or simply prepared dish on the menu. One item, the gravlax, so bad had to send back to the kitchen The wait staff was friendly but inattentive, there was hardly anyone in the restaurant and we had to wave down staff to order.. The loud music provided by a DJ gave one a headache. On top of this, the toilets in the restroom were a mess and broken. This place needs new management and a new menu, The best thing was the wine. Not worth the 100+ dollar per person price. As a long time downtown resident who advocated for the development of the 9/11 site including the PAC, I'm utterly appalled. This is not a place that is economically inclusive and neither is the menu which is only for the most extreme foodies. The PAC has reasonably priced performances, why then promote and push this restaurant that is so out of the realm of reasonably priced? The whole thing is baffling and a big disappointment. This downtown community needs a wonderful reasonbly priced restaurant, not this. Just an update, the restaurant is very good on responding and apologizing to those of us with expensive bad experiences, yet with a 4.2 rating nothing ever changes. We were at the restaurant on a Friday night and no one was there. There's a reason for that. Unless Samuelson gets a grip on this place, can't imagine it will last very long.

Jimmy Lin

One of the most disappointing dining experiences that I can remember. I can’t speak for Marcus Samuelsson, but as a non-chef I would be hesitant to have my name tied to this restaurant. Each person in our group ate the equivalent of 5 tablespoons of food for the entire 3 course family-style meal (we paid per person), and the best tasting (read: least sweet) item was the salad. Lucky that there was live music right outside (thanks to the Performing Arts Center) to keep us entertained as we watched the multiple wait staff overlook our large group repeatedly throughout the service.