Rock Center Cafe: Christmas Eve by the Rockefeller Tree

Dear Food Diary:
For the past 5 years, I’ve kept my own little Christmas Eve tradition – dinner by the most beloved tree. It makes up for the lack of Christmas decor in my apartment, while it paints everything Hollywood has made me believe this special night should be. I mean, who doesn’t love Home Alone 2? I grew up watching that and Christmas in NY always seemed “magical”and it is. In fact, my first trip to the Big Apple was during the holidays and it was unforgettable.
After church service, we headed over to dinner. This year, we got one of the best seats in the restaurant, right by the window. My lovely view was the famous Christmas tree in front while being surrounded by skaters all night long.
I don’t usually go back to a place just for “ambiance”, after all, food is what really brings me back, BUT this is an exception. The menu here is ok, nothing special, but I like how there isn’t an outrageous prix fixe menu made up just to squeeze extra dollars out of our wallets. Everything is a la carte and service is friendly and warm.
For starters we shared Braised Berkshire Pork Cheeks, served with celery and parsnip puree. Tender to the fork pork, nicely seasoned with a soy like base. It was good, not wow.
My Sea Bass was ok, I would of liked the skin to be crispier. The lobster sauce was creamy and tasty. I actually liked the bed of artichoke hearts, piquillo peppers, kale and smoked bacon best. I could of ordered a side of just that. The kale absorbed all the flavors, it’s soft yet has a slight crunch, and the smokyness of bacon and sweetness of peppers brought it together nicely.

Piano Boy’s Roasted Prime Rib of Beef came cold. Yes, cold. I usually don’t suggest sending food back, but this was too hard to dismiss. I know this isn’t Smith and Wollensky, but seriously, our expectations weren’t too high to begin with. They brought it back warm and apologized, we just crossed our fingers and prayed they didn’t spit or put any “special” seasoning on it. The tuscan style double baked potato wasn’t bad with the crusty top, but not exceptional either.
For dessert we shared an Apple Tart with dulce de leche and freshly whipped cream. It was a little too sweet for my taste, but the caramel was really yummy and I had more than a couple spoonfuls.

Dinner prices aren’t cheap, but for Christmas Eve it’s really reasonable. Plus I just can’t find another place with such Christmasy feeling. It makes me smile the minute I walk in, it’s cozy, modern and sleek.
I guess if you’re in a Christmas mood, this is still a place to go while the tree is still around. I think it’s a great place to bring friends or family who are visiting from out of town too.
Another great Christmas Eve by my favorite tree. ‘Til next year!
P.S. Chubby’s RATING:
(5 yummy is for OVERALL EXPERIENCE, only 2.5 yummys for FOOD)
20 West 50th St
212.332.7620

Rock Center Cafe on Urbanspoon

13 Responses to Rock Center Cafe: Christmas Eve by the Rockefeller Tree

  1. Anonymous says:

    That's sweet, but CCG, why the lack of holiday decor in your apartment? Little (fake) trees don't take up much room. You could even make one on a bulletin board with all your Christmas cards. Just pin them up in the shape of a tree. You could also put Christmassy pictures on top of your usual photos to fill the room with holiday spirit. (I just saw that on HGTV.)

    Anyway, I love your Christmas Eve tradition. Happy New Year's too!

  2. Anonymous says:

    An excellent restaurant to hang out!!

    Ok…I know I am a foodie and have travelled quite a bit and been to lot many places but the one city which is always an extension of mine is undoubtedly New York. I am proud to wear my Nike NY cap and cheer my Basketball

    team without fail. I have been to almost all the food joints, restaurants, pubs and bars located in Manhattan and I must say they all are pretty good considering this age of twittering and Face book wherein if you fail once your

    name pops up on all the social networking websites with negative comments. This is a welcome change becoz ultimately we the customers become the king as shoddy service or bad quality food can easily land the owners into

    trouble.

    But the one place which has succeeded in amazing me is the newly refurbished Restaurant named Point Break. Formerly named as Nation Restaurant & Bar, Point Break is a new Surf Bar located in the heart of mid-town

    Manhattan. Now I remember sometime back I had been to this place when it had the old look and feel and I thought ok..seems to be an average place..what's the big deal? But even during my last visit when it was still in its old

    shape it served me excellent food and the service was razor sharp. So last Saturday when one of my friend threw a party and told me the venue to be a swanky new outlet which he was speaking so highly about I thought ok..let's

    try this one too. When he told me about the address I wasn't sure it was the same place but when I reached there the whole look and feel from Outside was changed and once I entered in, the earlier known Nation was truly

    looking like a break from the past and hats off this guy, I don't remember the name of the owner, but he has rightly renamed it as Point Break!! It appeals to the newer generation guys like me. We had a great time there. The

    menu featured old classics and new additions. I loved the wheel o' shots which made me crazy!! I had the fish tacos which was delicious..yummeee and it has got plenty of room for parties, the DJ that they had was great,

    excellent sound system as well and the drinks were strong and I had a look at the menu and thought the prices were pretty good.

    Guys on top of it the next day when I searched this place on the internet, this restaurant has a Face book page too wherein they post photos and updates of recent happenings/parties and upcoming events/parties/offers too.

    They tweet also which is really nice thinking by the owner.

    Anyways not wanting to sound like a paid blogger I would say as a foodie this restaurant is a nice one and I would not hesitate to give my recommendation for it to my guests coming in from out of town. Go and try once and do

    not hesitate to leave a comment once you are there. I know I am only going to get thumbs up from you all!!!

    Ciao…

    John Smith, NYC

  3. Anonymous says:

    Your photos are wonderful. sorry to hear the food was so-so.

    Wishing you a marvelous New Year!
    LL

  4. Anonymous says:

    I was wondering about this restaurant. It's good to know that this place is at least worth visiting to watch the ice skater. Next time let me know when you will be there, I'll show up at the rink and you can watch me slip and slide. 🙂

  5. Anonymous says:

    sue,
    I'm just lazy, plus there's so much decor all around… I feel very Christmasy already =)

    john smith,
    that was so looong you need your own blog or something

    lori,
    thank you! i just go there for the atmosphere, so i knew about the food, it's been 5 years =)
    Happy New Year to you too!

    Christine,
    LOL, I only go there Christmas Eve! so if your around next year, I'll watch you skate then =)

  6. Anonymous says:

    I agree – there's something magical about the skating rink and the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. When I was in NYC last month I stopped by the rink and just stood there soaking in the "ambiance" for awhile. It was really nice. Merry Christmas!

  7. Anonymous says:

    That's a really, really, really nice tradition…
    Guess what? I'll be there for New Years! YAY!

  8. Anonymous says:

    Jen,
    Indeed… i go there every year and it keeps brining a big smile to my face… i take lots of pics too, like a tourist LOL

    Sophia,
    Welcome to NY … i hope you'll have a lot of fun!!!! if you need any suggestions, you can email me ! cindy@chubbychinesegirl.com

  9. Anonymous says:

    I did not get to make it in from Jersey to see the decorations this year, since I got a cold…

    Glad I can see it through your eyes!

    Ummm yummy cheeks and that fish dish looks fabulous!

  10. Anonymous says:

    Love the holiday decorations in New York. Didn't get to see them this year, but I don't think they change too much from year to year. Tradition is good, isn't it?! Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas dinner. Happy New Year!

  11. Anonymous says:

    I have had dinner during the holidays at the Sea Grill which was really expensive. But we got to see someone propose on the ice rink and the atmosphere was wonderful. I would love to eat there at Christmas Eve. You definately got a great seat!! Great shots of the tree and decorations.

  12. Anonymous says:

    i'm new… anticipation to brief around more time after time!

  13. Anonymous says:

    i'm new… expectancy to post approximately more time after time!

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