by Noell M. on I have been coming to POD for about 8 years now. This was my first Stephen Starr restaurant and even after all this time it is still one of my favorites. My outlook of POD has changed over the years. At first I thought it was for "special occasion" dining and that you had to get all "fancied up" to go. Now I feel it is more casual and relaxed.....in fact, most of time when I go it is on a whim or a last minute change of plans. Like all of the Starr restaurants, POD really embraces its theme through its food and aesthetic. The theme of POD (at least what I think it is) is a super chill, futuristic, dining hall filled with color, music, and a cool quirkiness. The interior of the restaurant reminds me of a blank canvas. Add in the music and colored lighting (mentioned above) with the aroma of delectable food and POD is transformed into a cleverly crafted piece of artwork. Sushi, seafood, poultry, salads, and steaks are all represented on the Asian fusion menu. My favorite dishes are the Wasabi Crusted Fillet Mignon, the Macadamia Chicken Stir Fry, and the POD Caesar Salad ( which is large enough to split). For a drink I usually go with Pink- champagne, pineapple and cranberry juice. A great place to go for a few drinks (take a moment and sit on the funky red bar furniture), with a group, on a date or just to people watch! I highly recommend if you enjoy other Starr restaurants!
by Charlott Alcon on This is the best outdoor drinking spot in the city, hands down. It's not a "nice" place and yes it's a little bit out of the way, but dealing with the trek there and the dank bathrooms and mystery pools of water on the floor are small inconveniences compared to what you get. On a night when the weather has been 80 degrees during the day, you can ascend the steps of the rickety old boat that is The Frying Pan and enjoy 360 degree views of all the skylines and waterfronts visible from the west side of Manhattan. Even though it's a popular spot, somehow you can always find a table, and then when you do you just want to stay and stay, so you can enjoy watching the sunset over the water and then look at all the lights of the buildings reflecting off the water, and feel the cool air breeze past you as you sip a cocktail. Drinks here are not ridiculously expensive from what I remember, and the bartenders will serve you quick. To my knowledge there never has been waiter service to the tables, but I could be wrong. So . . . . when you want another cocktail, or you want some of that delicious grilled American food they fry up in the kitchen, you have to walk down the rickety iron stairs and get it yourself. I've had things like veggie burgers, onion rings and shoestring fries from the kitchen and they are always cooked just right. Nice and greasy like you'd expect, but never so greasy that it's too much. It's food that's made for people who plan to drink a lot and need something substantial to carry them through their day/night of hanging out. Another thing I like about the Frying Pan is that there is often a little house music dance party going on downstairs. It's fun to feel that "at the club" vibe when you're essentially on a rickety old boat that's parked on the Hudson River. And no, they don't charge to get in to the party! I love the upstairs seating because it offers the best views. But the downstairs area has more tables, and is better for large parties. It's really great to come here at night when the sun is down, but if you come during the day they do have plenty of shaded areas on the boat so you don't have to bake in the sun if you don't want to. I love this place and come here every summer -- I hope it never closes!
by Sang Niksich on I am really excited about this place. Such a massive place, with bars everywhere, massive food servings, a fun atmosphere with nice lighting.... It really is a very cool place. Great for a Friday after work to have some beers. They have a decent beer selection, but I do wish it was a bit more extensive (along the lines of Taco Mac). This is my new regular Buckhead bar (though I am not a Buckhead regular).
