You would have to be living under a rock if you don’t know what Serendipity 3 is. The iconic Manhattan location has been around for over sixty years now, and has been populated by the likes of everyone from Bill Clinton, Leonardo DiCaprio, Wendy Williams and most recently… Cher! (Who was there the night that I showed up.) Generally, I tend to avoid places like these which can be infested with tourists, however I have been a big fan of Serendipity 3 for quite some time, and felt the need to stop by on a rainy Tuesday night. It was worth all the rain in the world and so much more.
Let’s discuss Serendipity 3’s illustrious history. I first came to know about this lovely location through the movies, even though I have been a New Yorker since birth. The one particular movie in this case has the same name as the location, “Serendipity”, which stars John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale, which centers on a couple that meet by chance while shopping at Bloomingdale’s, and share dessert at the restaurant later that same night.
But it has been around for so much longer than that, opening in 1954. With its memorable drinks including their Frrrozen Hot Chocolate (I tried the peanut butter version and it was AMAZING!), Serendipity has had major movie icons inhabit its location from Marilyn Monroe to Jackie Kennedy and even Andy Warhol, just to name a few. When you attract a magnitude of stars from yesteryear and today, there must be a secret to your formula. I think I figured it out.
Upon your arrival to the Upper East Side location, you become transfixed into a world that is reminiscent of a 50’s diner of sorts mixed with the movie “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory”. The space isn’t large, but doesn’t to be, as you become mesmerized with the chochki’s all over the walls, beautiful colors that adorn throughout, a gorgeous upstairs location and so much more. If you are looking to throw a party for your child or even for your upcoming birthday, Serendipity is definitely a place to have on your radar.
What was surprising to me was that it not only is a place to have some scrumptious desserts (including their Guinness Book of World Records $1,000 Golden Opulence Sundae), but they also have a decadent amount of delicious food available at your disposal. Essentially, they are providing the best of both world. I recommend trying their Fried Dim Sum, The Catcher in the Rye (BLT with chicken topped with melted muenster on rye toast with Russian dressing) or their Shepherd’s Pie, the latter of which gets delivered piping hot and is the perfect meal for the chilly weather that we have been getting lately.
With Manhattan becoming an ever changing atmosphere, filled with conglomerate after conglomerate marching its way in and getting rid of local establishments, it is good to know that Serendipity 3 is here to stay and I hope that it will impact a ton of smiles for future generations to come. I had a blast and I hope you have the same! For more information, check out their official site.