Veeerrrrrryyyy pleasantly surprised. This place rivals the goodness of Chicago restaurants...only better in a way, because of the AMAZING crab. Omg the crab bisque was probably up there with some of the best I've EVER had. I also had the crab cake which was phenom. I have to get as much crab as possible when I'm back east, ya feel me?! So if I can take a little diversion from the food for a moment. We sat outside next to the beautiful waterfall and fountain. What a great way to enjoy a great meal with a great friend! Ok, back to food....my friend got the salmon with fresh asparagus and corn risotto. I don't even have words for how delicious it was. It was a truly special and truly delicious selection. And did I mention the server? Gosh Incant remember his name but I loved him. I think it was Ryan or something like that. My honey got a burger. It was ok. Grant it, we have some damn good burgers in the Chi and that's really tough to beat. We're spoiled for sure. Desserts were good. Nothing to scream about, it over all, a lovely experience for sure.
(4)
Jim M.
So despite my earlier predictions in my first review, I have been back - a couple of times. Each time, the experience gets better and my expectations are not as high. Last visit was a few days ago. We took three employees to the Pressroom for lunch. One of them was in a wheelchair, and the host went out of his way to set up a table in the upper deck (furthest from the fountain) outside, as the lower deck near the fountain is all high tops. It was a hospitable gesture. Our sandwiches were all very good. Linse had The Shiloh and I had the Melted Cow. Several of us enjoy the tasty duck fat fries as well. The service was very good, but my water glass went empty a few times and I had to wait for refills. The ambience inside and outside has character. I still haven't forgiven the Pressroom completely for our first experience, but I'll be happy to return again when I'm in town.
(3)
Greg K.
I've periodically gone to "The Pressroom" off-and-on over the years. There's honestly been nothing particularly compelling (for me) about the place. Sure, it's a nice bar with a lot of history associated with the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, but the food and the service has simply always been adequate, if and when not occasionally outstanding. The inside bar is nice. This is a well-established place, not too run-of-the-mill and not too fancy, on the part of King St. downtown that's seen some new places pop-up in the past couple of years. But... The winner part of this place is that they have opened an outside bar by the waterfall in back that, I can say, was an absolutely outstanding place to sit and spend part of a near-perfect "First Friday" the other night. I'm not sure when exactly this opened (or if it's always been there and I just never realized it), but well done! It was a tad crowded this past Friday, but there were plenty in attendance from Lancaster's thinner and more attractive crowd that night. The craft beer selection was good and, the service was equally "good" considering how busy it was. I truly enjoyed stopping by there, having eaten out back in the past, to be able to enjoy the evening. On nights like this past Friday I think they should maximize this part of their business, as it is one of the nicer places to be in all of downtown Lancaster.
Absolutely beautiful ? The waterfall , lights and alley parkway make it very romantic mood . The food is delicious !
(5)
Paul B.
Had a terrible experience a while ago, boy have things changed. The outdoor setting is awesome, a lot more attention to service. Food is pretty good, not great, but a great place to go. Congrats to the management for turning this place around, it is a gem.
(4)
Dante S.
I'm writing this review, as I have been waiting 40 minutes for a burger and fries. The table that ordered at the same time as I, have finished their meals. The two tables adjacent to me, that arrived 20+ minutes after me, both have food on their tables (one tabled order a pizza which takes more time to bake, than it takes a burger to cook). The waitress stopped by once after taking my order, moments before I started this review, to tel me Thai my food would be out momentarily. While you're patio is delightful, then efficiency of your food service; is less than delightful.
(1)
Kerri M.
I came here on a Friday night with a friend for some live music, food, & brews. The first time I'd ever been, considering I'm from out of town and whatnot. The beer selection was great. The menu seemed like it had a lot of good things. I ended up getting a spinach, bacon, & goat cheese salad which was excellent. However, you can't really mess that up. My dining partner ordered the vegan spaghetti and enjoyed it immensely. For dessert, we had a pumpkin cheesecake and it was excellent. Our server was very friendly and personable. Food and drinks did not take long to reach the table. It was an all around enjoyable evening.
(4)
robert s.
Should not post on here because we didn't eat here but went last night after a show around 10:10 and we were told they stopped servering at 10. Questioned the bartender about the their web site stating 10:30 and he no. They turned us away. I call today and spoke with a "manager" and she said that they close the kitchen when it get slow, she was very rude when i question the 10:30 time on their web site. So the short story is not sure about the food and never will be but the customer service is lacking and will go else where
(1)
Alvin T.
First, some of the one and two star reviews below are bullshit and inaccurate in terms of menu age and seating logistics! Ignore! Second, the bar is great with a nice mix of locals and outta town folk! Bar tenders are very experienced and knowledgable not to mention friendly! Good rotations on beer and wine plus a jazz treat on a weekly basis! Third, the pizza is great... Interesting combos of toppings and the crust is bang on. Fourth, and for the loss of a star, the food in general is a roller coaster of good and not so good! The menu has been completely reinvented from days of old and selections vary with the seasons but I guess the gamble is what side of the bed did the chef get outta? Or is the line asleep at the wheel after a fun filled night before? Who knows but consistency is an issue! Expect contemporary American selections with a touch of Lancaster county! Small plates trump the big plates! Price wise, see item #4 above, sometimes worth it, sometimes not...but over all competitive with the neighbors and the lancasterian willing to go a little further than the diners and chains around the city limits that choke Lancaster's culinary evolution! I hear there's an outside bar coming on line soon! Should be a hit!
(4)
Meghan M.
Went for lunch on a Saturday. Great, speedy service, delicious food, fun environment. We had the Bahn mi, Reuben, and a kid's pizza. The crab bisque was incredible!! Waitress suggested the peppercorn dressing for our side salad and to dip the duck fat fries in the dressing--wonderful idea! Yum!
(5)
Esther C.
Succulent pork belly sliders and creative/strong drinks? Customer for life. The ambiance is cool. The service is outstanding. Just make reservations. Like now. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Danielle P.
We had our wedding rehearsal dinner at the Press Room, including a cocktail hour on the outdoor terrace and then a buffet dinner in the private event room. It was perfect. They were so accommodating for our large group (50-60 people) and when our family toasts got out of control and our dinner started much later than expected. The location was beautiful. Many people commented on how perfect the setting was. Thanks for a great experience!
(5)
Thomas O.
Terrible! Came here with 7 friends for dinner. All 7 of us had to send our meals back because they were cold even even though the restaurant was not busy. On the second attempt, our food was still cold, except our steaks that we ordered rare were both cold and well-done the second time. Do not come here! The fact that they can't get it right the second time demonstrates that this restaurant is terrible.
(1)
Jay L.
The Pressroom, for when you can't get a table at Aussie and the Fox and you're too hungry to wait. How this place has continued without changing is beyond me. I am convinced one of these days I am going to see a Gordon Ramsay and a camera crew in this place trying to revive it on Kitchen Nightmares. The menu is as outdated as the inside of this relic from the past. And it's a shame, it could be so much more then what it is. The food is confusing and the menu is too large for anything to be fresh. The menu reads like a really expensive diner. As an example of this places randomness, how about a pork carnitas pizza with cilantro pesto, then some seafood risotto and a plate of hot wings... What? It would be fine if it was priced similar to a diner but with entrees going up to $40 for a steak, I expect more. The interior is just depressing. It is lit with terrible florescent lighting and is too bright to be intimate in any way. The green could be a nice splash of color if used correctly but this place uses it WAY too much. It hurts my eyes and makes me want to leave. I hope the owner comes around and decides to shut down for a few weeks, renovate the place, get rid of that horrendous green, throw away the menu and start fresh. I want to like this place, but with all the new restaurants opening nearby, the Pressroom cannot keep up. It is a shame but until something changes I will not return.
(2)
Greg L.
The good: The food was decently prepared and tasted fine, but was nothing special for the price. The bad: The selection and size of the menu was unnecessarily small, and way overpriced considering that the price and that the preparation was only decent. The wine list also had an excessive mark up, even for a restaurant. Selling wine with a markup at a restaurant is normal, but selling a $12-$15 bottle of wine for more than $40-$50 is a ripoff at best, and dishonest at worst. ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. My girlfriend and I arrived to a mostly empty restaurant, with maybe 30-40% of the seating occupied. We are young but are very well dressed, and no one would mistake us for a couple of young punks. They sat us at a tiny two person table in the back of the restaurant, where three of the walls closed in so close around the table that our seats were crammed into the table. The only way for us to physically sit at the table was with the chairs pushed all the way into the table (this was still with the backs of the chairs touching the wall), and our elbows and chests propped up against the table. Unacceptable, especially considering the price that you are paying for dinner. This restaurant isnt super expensive, but it also isn't cheap. If you want to eat dinner at this price point, do yourself a favor and go somewhere else.
(1)
Chris B.
Great food. Great service, and a newly opened outdoor bar make it a great summer stop for a drink and a bite. Try the Malbec Manhattan.
For upscale dining, this place misses the mark Overall, the food is pretty good. Nothing to write home about and definitely not worth the price they charge, but good for a quick bite on a weekday. Additionally, their happy hour specials are great to stop in and have a drink or two. Come early on First Friday if you're thinking about coming then. On our most recent visit, we had pretty poor service. Our waitress was training, but had a mentor too, who didn't do much to help. Our food took forever (probably not her fault), which added to sub-par service. They just changed the menu and the place seemed like a hot mess when we were there. I would recommend trying somewhere else.
(2)
Benjamin B.
I stumbled upon the Pressroom accidentally looking for a lunch spot. I happened to go on a special Sunday, the first time the establishment offered brunch. Now, I was not in the mood for breakfast, but I stayed because I was there. I am glad I did! I started with an order of duck fat fries, which lived up to any expectation I could have had. The waitress brought us some type of alioli (not the siracha alioli) that was divine. My colleagues and I ended up ordering another plate of the duck fries I part because the sauce was so great. Even without the sauce, the fries were excellent. As my entree, I ordered the Barnyard Pizza, breakfast on a pizza: egg, bacon, sausage, and other things. When I say that this was one of the best dishes I have eaten in a long time, I mean it. The crust was perfect, just thick and chewy enough. The sausage was excellent. And the best part was that the egg was cooked in certain places on the pizza but runny on others to create a wonder mixture of flavors and consistencies. If this was truly The Pressroom's first day serving brunch, someone really thought about what they were doing before opening the doors. Just as a plug, The Pressroom also featured Bloody Mary and mimosa bars, but I did not partake. I did have a light IPA from their rotating taps, which suggests to me that there is a lot more to try!
(5)
Andy E.
Love the Pressroom. I have business lunches there frequently.
(5)
Leo M.
My wife and I went there for dessert, service was excellent and the dessert menu was great. Sat outside by the waterfalls, a bit noisy but the atmosphere was great. Would like to try a meal there next time, prices were moderate..
(3)
Dalton G.
Okay so first off, my friend was coming to visit from Chicago and thought this place would be a good eat. WRONG. First off, we wanted calamari and they were out, second we ordered our drinks and waited 20 minutes for them to come! We finally placed our order and waited another 30 minutes until it came! We ordered the New York strip medium rare and it came out very overdone, the hot chocolate we ordered was cold and the service was just bad. The only thing the manager took off the bill was our drinks, the drinks! I ate about 2 bites of my steak and that was it and I had to pay $30 for it! Ridiculous! Will never be back again
(1)
Katherine M.
The decor and location of this place are just perfect. It's adorable, larger than you would think upon seeing it from the outside, and comfortable. I really enjoyed the look and feel of everything, including the menus which are printed to look like little newspapers. We ordered a lemonade and a specialty cocktail to start. Both were delicious. We each wished for a second. Sadly, that didn't happen. After we ordered, our waiter became scarce. We ordered French Onion soup to start, and finished both of our drinks by the end of the bowl. The soup was delicious - perfectly seasoned, not too thick or thin, and great cheese. One of the best I have had. We waited for a long time for the rest of our meal, both finishing our waters before the food came to us (it's July and we had just walked all around downtown, we were thirsty, understandable so). I would say it was a good 40 minutes between the soup and our food. Considered we ordered a pizza and what essentially was grilled corn, this seemed like a long time. Normally, this actually wouldn't bother me. But we had not seen our waiter and were drinkless. The food came and was delicious. The How Now Brown Cow was amazing - the tomato jam was perfectly sweet and the blue cheese perfect with it. The grilled corn nugs are essentially 1 ear of corn cut into 4 and grilled with a sweet/spicy butter sauce. This was yummy, but really awful considering we had no drinks. I was eating corn and then ice. We ate as slowly as possible, and saw our waiter visit another table. We finally saw him pass by again, still ignoring us, and were able to pull him over to get water as he had just filled another tables. So while the food and atmosphere here was perfect, our service was terrible. I was surprised none of the other 5 waiters who walked by our table told our guy or something. Or that our waiter wouldn't want to try and serve us another 10 dollar cocktail or two. I'll be back, but I'm hoping for more drinks next time! They had so many I wanted to try!
(4)
Jen L.
Went for dinner with 6 friends, awful experience. All 7 of our meals were cold when they came out (after a long wait), sent them back, and second time they were all still cold!! The restaurant wasn't busy at all so not sure what was happening. After 2 and a half hours we left, still hungry. There are lots of good restaurants and bars in the area, don't waste your time or money here.
(1)
Jon L.
Great atmosphere. Consistent food. Def my go to spot for my wife and I to eat. We love sharing a pizza and pub fries. What are pub fries you may ask? It's fresh cut fries with horseradish dressing, cheddar cheese, bacon and crab meat. Need I say more? 5 stars
(5)
Dennis U.
The Pressroom is a pretty average place but the slow service we encounted on our visit pulled it more toward a 2 star rating. The decor is interesting, the menu is uninspired and the food was ok. I had a crab cake sandwich that was n't too bad but it did take forever to get there. I'll keep on looking for better when I get back to Lancaster
(2)
J B.
The Pressroom is clearly surviving solely on its (once quite good) reputation. Had a gift certificate and decided to have lunch here over the weekend after having not been at the restaurant in several years. Can't say I'll be going back. Food was average. Not bad, but certainly not memorable. Had the prices been more reasonable, I might have left with a more positive impression of the meal, but the quality vs price ratio is completely unbalanced. The dining room is extremely antiquated and doesn't look as if it has been updated since the early 80s. The awning outside looks as if it hasn't been touched since the 60s. Ditto for the menu which features a rather uninspired selection. Service was lousy - slow and ill prepared. In their defense, our server was the only one we saw while there so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that they were perhaps understaffed that day. Bottom line: Completely unimpressed and a reminder of why I had not eaten here in years despite it's great location in middle of town.
(2)
Kimba Z.
I've wanted to take my (ex)journalist partner here for a while, since there are not too many newspaper-themed restaurants. After a day of wandering downtown Lancaster in the heat, two hungry, thirsty vegans expected to be underwhelmed but were very happy with the experience. The outside courtyard is beautiful, but it was too hot for that, so we hid in the bar in really cool art deco booths and loved the wine and beer selection. He had an Omegang; me an unoaked Chardonnay from Oregon. They were willing to make a pizza without the cheese (many places say no), and I substituted the chicken in my blackbean-mango salad with grilled portobellos, delicious! I felt a bit tense having to explain that vegans don't eat salad dressing with honey and egg, but the zinfandel vinaigrette on the third offering was lovely. Friendly service, happy to explain the history of the building, beautiful wood interior; someone spent a lot of money on this place. Looks like an overall good watering hole. Lucky Intelligencer staff to have this so close by. Cool open piano outside (a local art project), on which I attempted to remember long ago ragtime riffs, and interesting sculpture too.
(3)
Nixo A.
Location is nice, seems to be a hot spot in town. Food was decent but service was friendly but not great. We had to insist several times to get bread, more sparkling water. The sides that came with entrees were not the ones we ordered. They do their best, but there s a miss in the service organization. We tried the Shiraz, not great. The Malbec was OK, but hard to complain when you pay $30 a bottle in the restaurant. Not unforgettable experience
(3)
Tom H.
Ridiculously over priced (e.g. $15 for three medium sized shrimp billed as "Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail". My wife and I had two appetizers, and split a crab cake sandwich, two sodas and no dessert and the bill was $70 (without the tip.). Nice ambience and eating outside is a treat if you can avoid chewing and swallowing when the check comes.
(3)
Linda S.
SUPERB BRUNCH - Maybe it is the "make your own" Bloody Marys and Mimosas at the bar or maybe it was the donut holes we had while waiting for our meal but this is the perfect place for a relaxing Sunday brunch. The menu offers a wide variety of interesting variations on the classics. The Gravlax won raves at our table with scrumptious pickled onions and salmon prepared on site. All our selections were fresh and well prepared. Biscuits are light and fluffy and make a perfect egg sandwich. Service was friendly and attentive. Try the breakfast pizza! We had a large party and ordered one for the table to share. I wasn't sure I'd like it but it was really special and I'd order it again without hesitation. We lingered and stayed for about 2 hours but it was Sunday brunch and we did have a party of more than 6 so that length of time is to be expected.
(5)
Kelly I.
THE BEST crabcake you will ever have.....even if you are from Maryland and KNOW good crabcakes!.......served on fried spinach.....delicious!
(5)
Diane K.
The first thing I ordered was Bass, and they said they were out of it. I then ordered crab cakes and they were ok. My friend had meatloaf, which she hated. It had so much filler (bread), that it was soft and mushy. My husband had a steak which was very fatty. We were all disappointed in our dinners. The waiter was very slow and not attentive on top of that. This used to be a favorite for a special dinner,but not any more. I will not go back.
(2)
Sean F.
No better bar staff in town, and always a great spot for happy hour. We always sit at the bar...even if we're eating. Food menu always needed a bit of an upgrade, and I hear that's in the works so that's exciting. Great location and excellent decor.
(4)
K M.
We come here a lot for the bar. However, the food is excellent as well. It can be pricey, but we have always enjoyed our experiences.
(5)
Steven I.
Not as good as I would have hoped. The Prime Rib was OK; it had a gravy on top that was tasteless. My guess did enjoy there dinners.
(3)
Joe G.
The new menu and the premium meats have really, finally, stepped up this classic American establishment. New takes on pizza, and amazing drinks will lure me back to this place over an over again. The only downfall is that the menu is very limited, but good. Some would say that's a bonus, others problematic. Stop in and judge for yourself.
(4)
Renee B.
The Pressroom has a nice, casual, laid-back atmosphere with a great menu and sometimes even live music. Wednesday night jazz is a favorite of mine. The food has always been fresh and delicious. The burger is delicious, as are their pizza's, but most recently I thoroughly enjoyed the mango chicken salad. It was so unique- the seasoning was delicious and unique. Tony, the bartender is great- so friendly and welcoming. I always smile when I see he's behind the bar. Great wine and beer selection and full bar for cocktails as well. Two thumbs up!
(4)
Russell F.
Here's the hard part, in Lancaster you actually have a lot of great options for food. What the Pressroom sells isn't so much great food or service, they sell and atmosphere and a venue. The atmosphere is old Lancaster money and the venue is one where you might be dining next to a local politico or mover and shaker. If you don't count that high on your list of priorities then by all means, go elsewhere. I usually do. The food isn't bad. The menu not all that exciting. The service is average, at best. The prices are on the higher end of the Lancaster spectrum. All told, it's not such a great deal.
(2)
Melanie N.
So September 14 was my birthday, and I had class at my University from 7:45am until 6:30pm. When I finally got home my fiance surprised me by telling me he had dinner reservations at the Pressroom. I was so excited since we are foodies, and I have not yet eaten there before. One of our friends is a chef who works there. She is always encouraging us to go eat there. It was a warm evening so we asked to sit outside. The lights and waterfall would be a great romantic addition to my birthday dinner. The hostess was no where to be found so we went inside looking for help. People just kind of ignored us, and eventually a young busboy told us to wait outside and the hostess would be right out. Ok. So we stand outside and before she greets us, she says, "Did you hear the thunder?" We didn't hear it so we said no. Then she proceeded to seat us outside. The waiter finally gets to our table and says "We aren't serving outside anymore." Which was like...well why did the hostess sit us out here? He didn't force us inside, instead he asked for our drink orders and left. When he came back with our drinks he said, you can order appetizers but if you want dinner then you'll have to wait a hour because we have a banquet of 60 people inside. At this point is was already 8:15pm and we were starving! What was the point of eating there is we weren't going to be able to eat dinner? We had reservations so it's not like they didn't know we were coming to eat. We really felt like the waiter didn't want us to stay and eat there just because we sat outside. Whatever. We ended up having a fabulous meal at The Belvedere.
(1)
Eric F.
Seven gates is the best deal going here. Had a French dip which was very good and a friend of mine had the chorizo, which he said was good, too. Definitely a return visit is needed!
(4)
Eric H.
Perfect for a wedding rehearsal dinner! It's hard to find a place that's just right for 25-100 people, but The Pressroom is it. Easy to find, free validated garage parking and a friendly staff helped us relax and feel at home. The food was very good and the service outstanding. On a freezing night, we were welcomed with hot cider and homemade hot chocolate (wow!), then enjoyed excellent passed hors d'oeuvres (shrimp quiches, stuffed mushrooms, goat cheese and sausage tartlets). The plated dinner was served at exactly the right pace for the guests, and right on schedule. Dinner was a choice of salmon, pork tenderloin or crab cakes, all of which got great compliments from the guests. Drink service was attentive without being overbearing. I cannot say enough good things about the staff, Jan and Shawn especially were very flexible and made sure the guests were happy and all flowed smoothly. The room was nicely appointed and the entire atmosphere was elegant without being stuffy. If you are doing a dinner or banquet for a small to medium sized group, The Pressroom should be your top choice in Lancaster.
(5)
Adam F.
I'll def have to go back. The outdoor seating was really nice and the service was impeccable. Notes: The bleu cheese is a little thin and could be moldier.
(4)
george a.
Oh yeah, this was worth the walk.. ---------- FOOD: I got a baked mac and cheese and it was without a doubt the best Ive ever had! They dont have too much for vegetarians, a sandwich and the mac and cheese, but they do have quite a bit of stuff that I would have to try if I wasnt a veg head. DECOR: Its an old lancaster press building, and the style reflects that. Its got that turn of the century feel, yet its really modern. Marble and wood counter tops, frosted glass partitions.. Its just nice. SERVICE: I sat at the bar, so it was pretty prompt. Friendly too. ---------- FINAL THOUGHTS: Id go back in a heartbeat. Prices are reasonable, and its my kind of decor.
(4)
Nat Z.
The Pressroom's bar is probably one of the better ones in the city. It's pretty relaxed, comfortable, and has a great selection of liquor, draft beer, and wine. Drinks are pretty cheap and the staff are great. They also have this horseradish cheese dip that is excellent and served with Hammond pretzels (and free of charge, unlike many peer establishments). The restaurant itself isn't spectacular but it isn't bad, either. I imagine that quality may vary quite a bit from dish to dish, as I've had some great experiences with food here and some that were less than remarkable.
(4)
John W.
Gotta give The Pressroom lots of love. Great food, great service, great atmosphere!!! It was the place for our first dinner date and we loved it.!!! We'll definitely be back.
(5)
Jessica W.
This restaurant is on the pricey side, so I don't visit often. However, their cream of crab soup is hands-down the best cream of crab soup I've ever eaten. The base is slightly different from all other soups I've eaten, which makes it wonderful, and you do get your money's worth since the restaurant packs the soup with crab meat. The atmosphere is nice as well. You don't have to be dressed immaculately, but you do feel like you've treated yourself to a nice dinner if you eat there.
(4)
Cherine A.
This is one of the restaurants my mom and I always go to when we're in Lancaster. Their sandwiches are quite good, and the french onion soup is one of the best I've had. The filet mignon was cooked perfectly to order (medium well). The waiters are attentive, but they don't rush you. Take the time to read the cartoons on the wall - they're all by famous cartoonists and they're done specifically for the Lancaster Intelligencer-Journal. The building used to be the press building, so it's nice that they've kept that spirit in mind with the restaurant.
(4)
Juliet G.
After I ate inside I realized they had beautiful outdoor dining that I missed! Regardless of that I enjoyed my lunch which was a veggie wrap with mushrooms, asparagus, peppers, cheese...and fabulous. The coconut curry soup was divine!
(4)
Felix L.
Came here on a Saturday night with a small group a little before closing. the place was empty and we sat in their garden. Our waiter had our table and another table with 2 people. Inside the restaurant there were 3-4 tables with people finishing their dinner. It took forever to get our drinks, reordering drinks took even longer, wrong drinks were brought. We were waiting for grilled cheese for a small kid for 1 hour!. After waiting well over an hour for our food the burgers were well done when asked for rare, pizza was cold, ribs were tasteless, mac-n-cheese was just greasy. The only tasty items were onion rings and fries. the waiter offered to take the charges for the burger off, but when the check arrived he took off one beer and charged us 50% for the burger. If you want good service and food go to Annie Bailey's just a block down the road.
(2)
Paul A.
I've only ever had lunch here, so I can't say that dinner here is bad, it may very well be a great experience. But seriously, avoid having lunch here. The service is truly terrible. I've had lunch here a number of times with my mom while on her lunch break, and without fail she is always late back to work. The place is usually pretty empty, but for some reason that means that the servers just hide away and are never any where to be found. The food is fine, nothing special for lunch at least, but my oh my, seriously, I have always had the worst service here. They just don't seem to care. I hope they at least are more attentive at dinner, which they probably are.
(2)
A F.
Ate on patio last night for first time, have been coming here for years. Wonderful setting. Food is good. I had crab and shrimp cocktail and veggie pizza (weird combo but I was just off long flight and even longer traffic jam) companion had pasta. Topped off with frozen peach sorbet. Great Manhattan for the pre dinner tune up. Everyone I've brought here likes it, crab cakes are a favorite. Waitron was friendly and efficient.
(5)
Brian L.
Atmosphere was pretty rad, old building,old newspaper goins on, nice booths. At first my crotch wasn't exactly blasting off into orbit over the menu options, pretty normal items, burgers, pasta,salads. I saw Chicken Cordon Bleu w/ mushroom sauce, that was about the most interesting item i could find so i ordered it. welp....CROTCH, SET COURSE FOR HOLY SPACE! Hats down, the BEST I've ever had! wonderfully cooked Panko encrusted chicken w/ shaved ham and some fancy cheese which i can't recall the name, served with super tiny crispy green beans and garlic mashed potatos! My girlfriend got the pasta primavera which was also very tasty. I dont mind a simple menu when people can pull it off as well as The Pressroom!
(5)
Patrice W.
I dug it! As an out-of-town reporter, I couldn't help but want to check this place out. The decor was cute, although I have to say the fonts used on the "newspaper" menus weren't very accurate. But really, that's the only thing I could find to complain about. The prices were decent, the wait staff was very attentive and well-informed about their product. The food was extraordinary! I really was blown away by how delicious my dinner was, cdonsidering I got the vegetarian pasta primavera, and usually that comes out bland. The broccoli and spinach were very green and fresh, not wilty or brown. The pasta seemed homemamde, or at least cut on site, and the entire presentation was pleasing. I was...imPRESSed.
Food was good but not great. My meal was slightly cold when I got it but others in my party had their food very hot. I guess they timed it wrong and mine sat in the kitchen while the other orders were being completed. Is that acceptable? I think not. My sald was average. I think my salad was as warm as my meal. Is that a good thing? I think not. The service was slow but attentive. I guess they want to build-up your bill with more drinks. Most meals on the menu are priced at $30 which to me should command an excellent meal which did not happen in my case. Expect to pay some where in the $50-65 per person range here (not including tip). The food is good but not at the price point they are charging. I expect something much more tasty (less bland) then they deliver.
(2)
Ellen T.
Went here last year and fell in love with my favorite plate! The first and so far only thing I've eaten from the Pressroom (ate it 3 dinners in a row): the scallops, spinach and olive oil pasta (I forgot its exact name). If you do go here, get what I got! Other than that, nothing else on the menu caught my eye. But I'd go here any day just for that bowl of spaghetti :) Oh and also, on the day we came there happened to be a live jazz band playing, which always helps make it more memorable. P.S. They take phone-in orders
(5)
will r.
warning. got food poisoning from eating here. called to speak with owners. they could have cared less. a report has been filed. watch the news.
(1)
randy s.
My lady and I go Thursdays for the Live Jazz. The service is excellent. The staff is outgoing and the atmosphere is classy. I will admit that the food is pricey. Most of the time we just go for the music, conversation and a few drinks. One of these times I want to climb that ladder behind the bar. The bartender said that will never happen though. I think the best part is that there is no cover for the live jazz on thursday nights. The bands i've seen are extremely talented musicians.
(5)
Jen K.
Decent place. Interesting atmosphere. I think it was the old press shop for the local paper. I went on a Saturday night. It didn't seem very crowded for a Saturday. I think I was hoping for a livelier crowd but it felt more like a place my mom or grandparents would go to. the food was good, didn't knock my socks off but tasty. I would go back but not before checking out other establishments in town.
(3)
Jan H.
We dined here with friends before a show at the Fulton theater and we're very pleasantly surprised. A neighbor had given me the impression that The Press Room wasn't very impressive and was really more satisfactory as a lunch place, but we tried it anyway. It was fantastic! The waitress told us they've worked hard to improve things in the last year and we were wowed. The menu gave us a challenge in choosing between some wonderfully creative options rife with local ingredients and unusual combinations. When our orders came we found ourselves insisting to each other that we had to try a bite of each plate because they were too good to miss. Wonderful service, wonderful ambience, great value for the money. My only critique would be the wine list needs some expansion on wines in the lower price range. Though the $30 bottle we chose was quite nice, there was a limited selection at that price point.
(5)
Aaron D.
Ya know it's really a shame. A nice room with lots of history, but well below par food. Had the Berkshire Chop. Now this is a cut of meat that is typically sublime in flavor and texture. In this situation...not so much.. Don't let food code make you think that you can't have pork that is still pink in the middle. Berkshire is preferred in the medium range. This was overcooked and it effected the texture. The taste was flat and not luxuriously tender. I believe the outer fat had been trimmed off. That is like eating Lobster and leaving the head untouched. When I pay $26.00 for a chop (in Lancaster) I expect it to reflect the quality of true Berkshire. This was a swing and a miss. On the good side...the sides were good and the service was fine. This pushes them to two stars, but it was a close call. May try again down the road, but there are to many better options at the same or lower price point.
(2)
Lori S.
The Cesar Salad and Sangria are my favorites. It's a great place for Happy Hour and for a client lunch.
(5)
John M.
Friendly attentive service, good food and nice surroundings make this a solid go-to place in Lancaster. We had a party of 10 and our waiter (Chris?) did a remarkable job getting us settled, reciting the specials, asking about food allergies (there were 2) and staying on top of the entire process. We ordered a variety of things from the menu - burger (small but good), roast chicken (good), crab cake sandwich ((tasty), chicken club (so-so bc it was in a thick batter coating) and salads (good portions and fresh). The onion rings were particularly good. No dessert but we will be back to try the Pressroom again.
(4)
Maura B.
Friendly staff with great recommendations. Seating outside was lovely. Will definitely go back again.
(5)
Diane B.
Went there for lunch after our wedding, very bad service but great food. A year later, it's now our one year anniversary and we want to go back for sentimental reasons. My husband called and made a reservation stating it's our one year anniversary and requested a quiet table. We were seated next to some Red Hat Ladies Club table (I'm not kidding). Service was slow and the waiter was a snot. I had the scallops and they were delicious but that was the only highlight of the night. We got eye rolls and sighs when we asked for a box for leftovers and for a refill on a drink. For the prices they charge, there are about three nearby restaurants that offer a lot better. Off the top of my head I would say Gibraltar, Chekcers and Penn Square Grill beat it by a mile. I plan on being married a very long time and we could have gone there at least once a year for our anniversary but instead, I will not be back under any circumstances.
(1)
Lyn M.
The Pressroom is a great "go to" restaurant. I attend school at F&M and early freshman year someone told me about The Pressroom and I've been there at least once a semester since. For awhile my parents and I would try different restaurants but after being disappointed by a few we now always just head to the Pressroom. I've had a bunch of different things on their menu but the best appetizer is the baked brie and they have pretty good steaks (once mine was a little too peppery). The service has always been great and you never feel rushed. During the warmer months they have some tables outside, which is really nice and my favorite of the dining location options. The menu is normally a little different when you're outside but still good, with a decent amount of options. All in all I would tell anyone to head to the Pressroom no matter the occasion. Dress Code can be jeans or nice work attire... I've seen and worn the spectrum there.
(4)
Annah D.
I had an awesome cocktail and their spring rolls are delicious. Go on a night when they have live jazz!
(4)
Amy T.
The food and atmosphere in the pressroom is outstanding.I used to LOVE this place earlier,(ie until this year)-so what happened this year? I had a baby boy early part of this year,which makes me see things differently. My husband and I went here with our son,last Friday.We sat outside by the fountain, which was beautiful.We had a lovely dinner,of baked nachos,beer ,kobe beef burger with carmalized onions for me and a pizza margarita for him.My son enjoys going out and is fortunately very well behaved,however half way through our dinner,I realised he was getting uncomfortable and needed a diaper change.I went to the ladies room only to find out that they had no changing table.There wasn't a family restroom either.The only other place where I experienced this was in Paris,France- where it is so unbelievably hard to find facilities for infants. I hate giving this place only 3 stars, because everything else was so nice,but not having a changing table is a huge oversight.As new parents we have been making a great attempt to introduce our son to different experience,plus we always make sure we go family or local run businesses ,hence it is a huge disappointment when restaurants don't make this easy on us. I am sure this place would be perfect for a date or for a family dinner provided your kids are potty trained
(3)
Bruce N.
on a whim I picked this place to have a little farewell dinner with my daughter who was leaving for UAE. I've always hated kale ever since my father forced me to eat it as a child, but my cornmeal crusted catfish with kale was terrific, even the kale. My wife had the gonzo burger, which she loved, and my daughter the taco trio, which she fiddled with because she was nervous, but it was pretty good too because I finished it. Portions were a tad small for the price but I need to diet anyway. The place had poor acoustics, so music was loud and you could hear people jabbering. They need some sound absorption. And frankly, the men's room was too well lit. I saw a wrinkled old man in the mirror that couldn't have been me. After two fine bells ales, I need some dim lighting so I can have the optical delusion that I've retained a seasoned athletic look. Furthermore, the urinals are way too close to each other. My boys need some space and privacy. Two big guys would almost have to stand sideways and angle it in. But really, we had a great time. Service was superb.
(4)
Ralph D.
My lady friend and found this gem by chance. Interesteing concept, decor, and execution. Food was good. Would recommend for lunch. Looks like it could be a bar scene in the evening.
(4)
Steve P.
I recently re-visited The Pressroom, and things have changed for the better. Having heard Tony is back running the bar, I was anxious to check it out. But both times I visited he was not working. The staff were excellent, the beer list much better than years ago, and the menu has also improved. Had two great evenings talking to others at the bar and discussing beer with the bartenders. I plan on visiting much more often.
(4)
Eustace Charleston H.
I was once told ,"you pay for the atmosphere." That's exactly what you get with the Pressroom. The evening I went, it was a very comfortable evening so my party sat outside on the patio, which is located in between 2 large buildings and underneath tall trees. The patio also included a large water fall- which added to the atmosphere... I ordered a caprasi chicken sandwich with fries and pasta salad. The service was great, and the food was very good as well. As for the inside of the restaurant I am unsure of what the inside looks like, I should have ventured inside to write a more well rounded review.
(4)
Kerri M.
I came here on a Friday night with a friend for some live music, food, & brews. The first time I'd ever been, considering I'm from out of town and whatnot. The beer selection was great. The menu seemed like it had a lot of good things. I ended up getting a spinach, bacon, & goat cheese salad which was excellent. However, you can't really mess that up. My dining partner ordered the vegan spaghetti and enjoyed it immensely. For dessert, we had a pumpkin cheesecake and it was excellent. Our server was very friendly and personable. Food and drinks did not take long to reach the table. It was an all around enjoyable evening.
(4)
Leo M.
My wife and I went there for dessert, service was excellent and the dessert menu was great. Sat outside by the waterfalls, a bit noisy but the atmosphere was great. Would like to try a meal there next time, prices were moderate..
(3)
Dalton G.
Okay so first off, my friend was coming to visit from Chicago and thought this place would be a good eat. WRONG. First off, we wanted calamari and they were out, second we ordered our drinks and waited 20 minutes for them to come! We finally placed our order and waited another 30 minutes until it came! We ordered the New York strip medium rare and it came out very overdone, the hot chocolate we ordered was cold and the service was just bad. The only thing the manager took off the bill was our drinks, the drinks! I ate about 2 bites of my steak and that was it and I had to pay $30 for it! Ridiculous! Will never be back again
(1)
Dante S.
I'm writing this review, as I have been waiting 40 minutes for a burger and fries. The table that ordered at the same time as I, have finished their meals. The two tables adjacent to me, that arrived 20+ minutes after me, both have food on their tables (one tabled order a pizza which takes more time to bake, than it takes a burger to cook). The waitress stopped by once after taking my order, moments before I started this review, to tel me Thai my food would be out momentarily. While you're patio is delightful, then efficiency of your food service; is less than delightful.
(1)
Jim M.
So despite my earlier predictions in my first review, I have been back - a couple of times. Each time, the experience gets better and my expectations are not as high. Last visit was a few days ago. We took three employees to the Pressroom for lunch. One of them was in a wheelchair, and the host went out of his way to set up a table in the upper deck (furthest from the fountain) outside, as the lower deck near the fountain is all high tops. It was a hospitable gesture. Our sandwiches were all very good. Linse had The Shiloh and I had the Melted Cow. Several of us enjoy the tasty duck fat fries as well. The service was very good, but my water glass went empty a few times and I had to wait for refills. The ambience inside and outside has character. I still haven't forgiven the Pressroom completely for our first experience, but I'll be happy to return again when I'm in town.
(3)
Greg K.
I've periodically gone to "The Pressroom" off-and-on over the years. There's honestly been nothing particularly compelling (for me) about the place. Sure, it's a nice bar with a lot of history associated with the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, but the food and the service has simply always been adequate, if and when not occasionally outstanding. The inside bar is nice. This is a well-established place, not too run-of-the-mill and not too fancy, on the part of King St. downtown that's seen some new places pop-up in the past couple of years. But... The winner part of this place is that they have opened an outside bar by the waterfall in back that, I can say, was an absolutely outstanding place to sit and spend part of a near-perfect "First Friday" the other night. I'm not sure when exactly this opened (or if it's always been there and I just never realized it), but well done! It was a tad crowded this past Friday, but there were plenty in attendance from Lancaster's thinner and more attractive crowd that night. The craft beer selection was good and, the service was equally "good" considering how busy it was. I truly enjoyed stopping by there, having eaten out back in the past, to be able to enjoy the evening. On nights like this past Friday I think they should maximize this part of their business, as it is one of the nicer places to be in all of downtown Lancaster.
Absolutely beautiful ? The waterfall , lights and alley parkway make it very romantic mood . The food is delicious !
(5)
Cynthia R.
Veeerrrrrryyyy pleasantly surprised. This place rivals the goodness of Chicago restaurants...only better in a way, because of the AMAZING crab. Omg the crab bisque was probably up there with some of the best I've EVER had. I also had the crab cake which was phenom. I have to get as much crab as possible when I'm back east, ya feel me?! So if I can take a little diversion from the food for a moment. We sat outside next to the beautiful waterfall and fountain. What a great way to enjoy a great meal with a great friend! Ok, back to food....my friend got the salmon with fresh asparagus and corn risotto. I don't even have words for how delicious it was. It was a truly special and truly delicious selection. And did I mention the server? Gosh Incant remember his name but I loved him. I think it was Ryan or something like that. My honey got a burger. It was ok. Grant it, we have some damn good burgers in the Chi and that's really tough to beat. We're spoiled for sure. Desserts were good. Nothing to scream about, it over all, a lovely experience for sure.
(4)
Paul B.
Had a terrible experience a while ago, boy have things changed. The outdoor setting is awesome, a lot more attention to service. Food is pretty good, not great, but a great place to go. Congrats to the management for turning this place around, it is a gem.
(4)
Alvin T.
First, some of the one and two star reviews below are bullshit and inaccurate in terms of menu age and seating logistics! Ignore! Second, the bar is great with a nice mix of locals and outta town folk! Bar tenders are very experienced and knowledgable not to mention friendly! Good rotations on beer and wine plus a jazz treat on a weekly basis! Third, the pizza is great... Interesting combos of toppings and the crust is bang on. Fourth, and for the loss of a star, the food in general is a roller coaster of good and not so good! The menu has been completely reinvented from days of old and selections vary with the seasons but I guess the gamble is what side of the bed did the chef get outta? Or is the line asleep at the wheel after a fun filled night before? Who knows but consistency is an issue! Expect contemporary American selections with a touch of Lancaster county! Small plates trump the big plates! Price wise, see item #4 above, sometimes worth it, sometimes not...but over all competitive with the neighbors and the lancasterian willing to go a little further than the diners and chains around the city limits that choke Lancaster's culinary evolution! I hear there's an outside bar coming on line soon! Should be a hit!
(4)
Meghan M.
Went for lunch on a Saturday. Great, speedy service, delicious food, fun environment. We had the Bahn mi, Reuben, and a kid's pizza. The crab bisque was incredible!! Waitress suggested the peppercorn dressing for our side salad and to dip the duck fat fries in the dressing--wonderful idea! Yum!
(5)
Esther C.
Succulent pork belly sliders and creative/strong drinks? Customer for life. The ambiance is cool. The service is outstanding. Just make reservations. Like now. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Jay L.
The Pressroom, for when you can't get a table at Aussie and the Fox and you're too hungry to wait. How this place has continued without changing is beyond me. I am convinced one of these days I am going to see a Gordon Ramsay and a camera crew in this place trying to revive it on Kitchen Nightmares. The menu is as outdated as the inside of this relic from the past. And it's a shame, it could be so much more then what it is. The food is confusing and the menu is too large for anything to be fresh. The menu reads like a really expensive diner. As an example of this places randomness, how about a pork carnitas pizza with cilantro pesto, then some seafood risotto and a plate of hot wings... What? It would be fine if it was priced similar to a diner but with entrees going up to $40 for a steak, I expect more. The interior is just depressing. It is lit with terrible florescent lighting and is too bright to be intimate in any way. The green could be a nice splash of color if used correctly but this place uses it WAY too much. It hurts my eyes and makes me want to leave. I hope the owner comes around and decides to shut down for a few weeks, renovate the place, get rid of that horrendous green, throw away the menu and start fresh. I want to like this place, but with all the new restaurants opening nearby, the Pressroom cannot keep up. It is a shame but until something changes I will not return.
(2)
Greg L.
The good: The food was decently prepared and tasted fine, but was nothing special for the price. The bad: The selection and size of the menu was unnecessarily small, and way overpriced considering that the price and that the preparation was only decent. The wine list also had an excessive mark up, even for a restaurant. Selling wine with a markup at a restaurant is normal, but selling a $12-$15 bottle of wine for more than $40-$50 is a ripoff at best, and dishonest at worst. ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. My girlfriend and I arrived to a mostly empty restaurant, with maybe 30-40% of the seating occupied. We are young but are very well dressed, and no one would mistake us for a couple of young punks. They sat us at a tiny two person table in the back of the restaurant, where three of the walls closed in so close around the table that our seats were crammed into the table. The only way for us to physically sit at the table was with the chairs pushed all the way into the table (this was still with the backs of the chairs touching the wall), and our elbows and chests propped up against the table. Unacceptable, especially considering the price that you are paying for dinner. This restaurant isnt super expensive, but it also isn't cheap. If you want to eat dinner at this price point, do yourself a favor and go somewhere else.
(1)
Chris B.
Great food. Great service, and a newly opened outdoor bar make it a great summer stop for a drink and a bite. Try the Malbec Manhattan.
We had our wedding rehearsal dinner at the Press Room, including a cocktail hour on the outdoor terrace and then a buffet dinner in the private event room. It was perfect. They were so accommodating for our large group (50-60 people) and when our family toasts got out of control and our dinner started much later than expected. The location was beautiful. Many people commented on how perfect the setting was. Thanks for a great experience!
(5)
Thomas O.
Terrible! Came here with 7 friends for dinner. All 7 of us had to send our meals back because they were cold even even though the restaurant was not busy. On the second attempt, our food was still cold, except our steaks that we ordered rare were both cold and well-done the second time. Do not come here! The fact that they can't get it right the second time demonstrates that this restaurant is terrible.
(1)
Mark W.
For upscale dining, this place misses the mark Overall, the food is pretty good. Nothing to write home about and definitely not worth the price they charge, but good for a quick bite on a weekday. Additionally, their happy hour specials are great to stop in and have a drink or two. Come early on First Friday if you're thinking about coming then. On our most recent visit, we had pretty poor service. Our waitress was training, but had a mentor too, who didn't do much to help. Our food took forever (probably not her fault), which added to sub-par service. They just changed the menu and the place seemed like a hot mess when we were there. I would recommend trying somewhere else.
(2)
Benjamin B.
I stumbled upon the Pressroom accidentally looking for a lunch spot. I happened to go on a special Sunday, the first time the establishment offered brunch. Now, I was not in the mood for breakfast, but I stayed because I was there. I am glad I did! I started with an order of duck fat fries, which lived up to any expectation I could have had. The waitress brought us some type of alioli (not the siracha alioli) that was divine. My colleagues and I ended up ordering another plate of the duck fries I part because the sauce was so great. Even without the sauce, the fries were excellent. As my entree, I ordered the Barnyard Pizza, breakfast on a pizza: egg, bacon, sausage, and other things. When I say that this was one of the best dishes I have eaten in a long time, I mean it. The crust was perfect, just thick and chewy enough. The sausage was excellent. And the best part was that the egg was cooked in certain places on the pizza but runny on others to create a wonder mixture of flavors and consistencies. If this was truly The Pressroom's first day serving brunch, someone really thought about what they were doing before opening the doors. Just as a plug, The Pressroom also featured Bloody Mary and mimosa bars, but I did not partake. I did have a light IPA from their rotating taps, which suggests to me that there is a lot more to try!
(5)
Andy E.
Love the Pressroom. I have business lunches there frequently.
(5)
Katherine M.
The decor and location of this place are just perfect. It's adorable, larger than you would think upon seeing it from the outside, and comfortable. I really enjoyed the look and feel of everything, including the menus which are printed to look like little newspapers. We ordered a lemonade and a specialty cocktail to start. Both were delicious. We each wished for a second. Sadly, that didn't happen. After we ordered, our waiter became scarce. We ordered French Onion soup to start, and finished both of our drinks by the end of the bowl. The soup was delicious - perfectly seasoned, not too thick or thin, and great cheese. One of the best I have had. We waited for a long time for the rest of our meal, both finishing our waters before the food came to us (it's July and we had just walked all around downtown, we were thirsty, understandable so). I would say it was a good 40 minutes between the soup and our food. Considered we ordered a pizza and what essentially was grilled corn, this seemed like a long time. Normally, this actually wouldn't bother me. But we had not seen our waiter and were drinkless. The food came and was delicious. The How Now Brown Cow was amazing - the tomato jam was perfectly sweet and the blue cheese perfect with it. The grilled corn nugs are essentially 1 ear of corn cut into 4 and grilled with a sweet/spicy butter sauce. This was yummy, but really awful considering we had no drinks. I was eating corn and then ice. We ate as slowly as possible, and saw our waiter visit another table. We finally saw him pass by again, still ignoring us, and were able to pull him over to get water as he had just filled another tables. So while the food and atmosphere here was perfect, our service was terrible. I was surprised none of the other 5 waiters who walked by our table told our guy or something. Or that our waiter wouldn't want to try and serve us another 10 dollar cocktail or two. I'll be back, but I'm hoping for more drinks next time! They had so many I wanted to try!
(4)
Jen L.
Went for dinner with 6 friends, awful experience. All 7 of our meals were cold when they came out (after a long wait), sent them back, and second time they were all still cold!! The restaurant wasn't busy at all so not sure what was happening. After 2 and a half hours we left, still hungry. There are lots of good restaurants and bars in the area, don't waste your time or money here.
(1)
Jon L.
Great atmosphere. Consistent food. Def my go to spot for my wife and I to eat. We love sharing a pizza and pub fries. What are pub fries you may ask? It's fresh cut fries with horseradish dressing, cheddar cheese, bacon and crab meat. Need I say more? 5 stars
(5)
Dennis U.
The Pressroom is a pretty average place but the slow service we encounted on our visit pulled it more toward a 2 star rating. The decor is interesting, the menu is uninspired and the food was ok. I had a crab cake sandwich that was n't too bad but it did take forever to get there. I'll keep on looking for better when I get back to Lancaster
(2)
Bruce N.
on a whim I picked this place to have a little farewell dinner with my daughter who was leaving for UAE. I've always hated kale ever since my father forced me to eat it as a child, but my cornmeal crusted catfish with kale was terrific, even the kale. My wife had the gonzo burger, which she loved, and my daughter the taco trio, which she fiddled with because she was nervous, but it was pretty good too because I finished it. Portions were a tad small for the price but I need to diet anyway. The place had poor acoustics, so music was loud and you could hear people jabbering. They need some sound absorption. And frankly, the men's room was too well lit. I saw a wrinkled old man in the mirror that couldn't have been me. After two fine bells ales, I need some dim lighting so I can have the optical delusion that I've retained a seasoned athletic look. Furthermore, the urinals are way too close to each other. My boys need some space and privacy. Two big guys would almost have to stand sideways and angle it in. But really, we had a great time. Service was superb.
(4)
Ralph D.
My lady friend and found this gem by chance. Interesteing concept, decor, and execution. Food was good. Would recommend for lunch. Looks like it could be a bar scene in the evening.
(4)
Steve P.
I recently re-visited The Pressroom, and things have changed for the better. Having heard Tony is back running the bar, I was anxious to check it out. But both times I visited he was not working. The staff were excellent, the beer list much better than years ago, and the menu has also improved. Had two great evenings talking to others at the bar and discussing beer with the bartenders. I plan on visiting much more often.
(4)
Eustace Charleston H.
I was once told ,"you pay for the atmosphere." That's exactly what you get with the Pressroom. The evening I went, it was a very comfortable evening so my party sat outside on the patio, which is located in between 2 large buildings and underneath tall trees. The patio also included a large water fall- which added to the atmosphere... I ordered a caprasi chicken sandwich with fries and pasta salad. The service was great, and the food was very good as well. As for the inside of the restaurant I am unsure of what the inside looks like, I should have ventured inside to write a more well rounded review.
(4)
Jan H.
We dined here with friends before a show at the Fulton theater and we're very pleasantly surprised. A neighbor had given me the impression that The Press Room wasn't very impressive and was really more satisfactory as a lunch place, but we tried it anyway. It was fantastic! The waitress told us they've worked hard to improve things in the last year and we were wowed. The menu gave us a challenge in choosing between some wonderfully creative options rife with local ingredients and unusual combinations. When our orders came we found ourselves insisting to each other that we had to try a bite of each plate because they were too good to miss. Wonderful service, wonderful ambience, great value for the money. My only critique would be the wine list needs some expansion on wines in the lower price range. Though the $30 bottle we chose was quite nice, there was a limited selection at that price point.
(5)
Aaron D.
Ya know it's really a shame. A nice room with lots of history, but well below par food. Had the Berkshire Chop. Now this is a cut of meat that is typically sublime in flavor and texture. In this situation...not so much.. Don't let food code make you think that you can't have pork that is still pink in the middle. Berkshire is preferred in the medium range. This was overcooked and it effected the texture. The taste was flat and not luxuriously tender. I believe the outer fat had been trimmed off. That is like eating Lobster and leaving the head untouched. When I pay $26.00 for a chop (in Lancaster) I expect it to reflect the quality of true Berkshire. This was a swing and a miss. On the good side...the sides were good and the service was fine. This pushes them to two stars, but it was a close call. May try again down the road, but there are to many better options at the same or lower price point.
(2)
Lori S.
The Cesar Salad and Sangria are my favorites. It's a great place for Happy Hour and for a client lunch.
(5)
John M.
Friendly attentive service, good food and nice surroundings make this a solid go-to place in Lancaster. We had a party of 10 and our waiter (Chris?) did a remarkable job getting us settled, reciting the specials, asking about food allergies (there were 2) and staying on top of the entire process. We ordered a variety of things from the menu - burger (small but good), roast chicken (good), crab cake sandwich ((tasty), chicken club (so-so bc it was in a thick batter coating) and salads (good portions and fresh). The onion rings were particularly good. No dessert but we will be back to try the Pressroom again.
(4)
Maura B.
Friendly staff with great recommendations. Seating outside was lovely. Will definitely go back again.
(5)
J B.
The Pressroom is clearly surviving solely on its (once quite good) reputation. Had a gift certificate and decided to have lunch here over the weekend after having not been at the restaurant in several years. Can't say I'll be going back. Food was average. Not bad, but certainly not memorable. Had the prices been more reasonable, I might have left with a more positive impression of the meal, but the quality vs price ratio is completely unbalanced. The dining room is extremely antiquated and doesn't look as if it has been updated since the early 80s. The awning outside looks as if it hasn't been touched since the 60s. Ditto for the menu which features a rather uninspired selection. Service was lousy - slow and ill prepared. In their defense, our server was the only one we saw while there so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that they were perhaps understaffed that day. Bottom line: Completely unimpressed and a reminder of why I had not eaten here in years despite it's great location in middle of town.
(2)
Kimba Z.
I've wanted to take my (ex)journalist partner here for a while, since there are not too many newspaper-themed restaurants. After a day of wandering downtown Lancaster in the heat, two hungry, thirsty vegans expected to be underwhelmed but were very happy with the experience. The outside courtyard is beautiful, but it was too hot for that, so we hid in the bar in really cool art deco booths and loved the wine and beer selection. He had an Omegang; me an unoaked Chardonnay from Oregon. They were willing to make a pizza without the cheese (many places say no), and I substituted the chicken in my blackbean-mango salad with grilled portobellos, delicious! I felt a bit tense having to explain that vegans don't eat salad dressing with honey and egg, but the zinfandel vinaigrette on the third offering was lovely. Friendly service, happy to explain the history of the building, beautiful wood interior; someone spent a lot of money on this place. Looks like an overall good watering hole. Lucky Intelligencer staff to have this so close by. Cool open piano outside (a local art project), on which I attempted to remember long ago ragtime riffs, and interesting sculpture too.
(3)
Nixo A.
Location is nice, seems to be a hot spot in town. Food was decent but service was friendly but not great. We had to insist several times to get bread, more sparkling water. The sides that came with entrees were not the ones we ordered. They do their best, but there s a miss in the service organization. We tried the Shiraz, not great. The Malbec was OK, but hard to complain when you pay $30 a bottle in the restaurant. Not unforgettable experience
(3)
Tom H.
Ridiculously over priced (e.g. $15 for three medium sized shrimp billed as "Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail". My wife and I had two appetizers, and split a crab cake sandwich, two sodas and no dessert and the bill was $70 (without the tip.). Nice ambience and eating outside is a treat if you can avoid chewing and swallowing when the check comes.
(3)
robert s.
Should not post on here because we didn't eat here but went last night after a show around 10:10 and we were told they stopped servering at 10. Questioned the bartender about the their web site stating 10:30 and he no. They turned us away. I call today and spoke with a "manager" and she said that they close the kitchen when it get slow, she was very rude when i question the 10:30 time on their web site. So the short story is not sure about the food and never will be but the customer service is lacking and will go else where
(1)
Linda S.
SUPERB BRUNCH - Maybe it is the "make your own" Bloody Marys and Mimosas at the bar or maybe it was the donut holes we had while waiting for our meal but this is the perfect place for a relaxing Sunday brunch. The menu offers a wide variety of interesting variations on the classics. The Gravlax won raves at our table with scrumptious pickled onions and salmon prepared on site. All our selections were fresh and well prepared. Biscuits are light and fluffy and make a perfect egg sandwich. Service was friendly and attentive. Try the breakfast pizza! We had a large party and ordered one for the table to share. I wasn't sure I'd like it but it was really special and I'd order it again without hesitation. We lingered and stayed for about 2 hours but it was Sunday brunch and we did have a party of more than 6 so that length of time is to be expected.
(5)
Kelly I.
THE BEST crabcake you will ever have.....even if you are from Maryland and KNOW good crabcakes!.......served on fried spinach.....delicious!
(5)
Diane K.
The first thing I ordered was Bass, and they said they were out of it. I then ordered crab cakes and they were ok. My friend had meatloaf, which she hated. It had so much filler (bread), that it was soft and mushy. My husband had a steak which was very fatty. We were all disappointed in our dinners. The waiter was very slow and not attentive on top of that. This used to be a favorite for a special dinner,but not any more. I will not go back.
(2)
Sean F.
No better bar staff in town, and always a great spot for happy hour. We always sit at the bar...even if we're eating. Food menu always needed a bit of an upgrade, and I hear that's in the works so that's exciting. Great location and excellent decor.
(4)
K M.
We come here a lot for the bar. However, the food is excellent as well. It can be pricey, but we have always enjoyed our experiences.
(5)
Steven I.
Not as good as I would have hoped. The Prime Rib was OK; it had a gravy on top that was tasteless. My guess did enjoy there dinners.
(3)
Joe G.
The new menu and the premium meats have really, finally, stepped up this classic American establishment. New takes on pizza, and amazing drinks will lure me back to this place over an over again. The only downfall is that the menu is very limited, but good. Some would say that's a bonus, others problematic. Stop in and judge for yourself.
(4)
Renee B.
The Pressroom has a nice, casual, laid-back atmosphere with a great menu and sometimes even live music. Wednesday night jazz is a favorite of mine. The food has always been fresh and delicious. The burger is delicious, as are their pizza's, but most recently I thoroughly enjoyed the mango chicken salad. It was so unique- the seasoning was delicious and unique. Tony, the bartender is great- so friendly and welcoming. I always smile when I see he's behind the bar. Great wine and beer selection and full bar for cocktails as well. Two thumbs up!
(4)
Russell F.
Here's the hard part, in Lancaster you actually have a lot of great options for food. What the Pressroom sells isn't so much great food or service, they sell and atmosphere and a venue. The atmosphere is old Lancaster money and the venue is one where you might be dining next to a local politico or mover and shaker. If you don't count that high on your list of priorities then by all means, go elsewhere. I usually do. The food isn't bad. The menu not all that exciting. The service is average, at best. The prices are on the higher end of the Lancaster spectrum. All told, it's not such a great deal.
(2)
Melanie N.
So September 14 was my birthday, and I had class at my University from 7:45am until 6:30pm. When I finally got home my fiance surprised me by telling me he had dinner reservations at the Pressroom. I was so excited since we are foodies, and I have not yet eaten there before. One of our friends is a chef who works there. She is always encouraging us to go eat there. It was a warm evening so we asked to sit outside. The lights and waterfall would be a great romantic addition to my birthday dinner. The hostess was no where to be found so we went inside looking for help. People just kind of ignored us, and eventually a young busboy told us to wait outside and the hostess would be right out. Ok. So we stand outside and before she greets us, she says, "Did you hear the thunder?" We didn't hear it so we said no. Then she proceeded to seat us outside. The waiter finally gets to our table and says "We aren't serving outside anymore." Which was like...well why did the hostess sit us out here? He didn't force us inside, instead he asked for our drink orders and left. When he came back with our drinks he said, you can order appetizers but if you want dinner then you'll have to wait a hour because we have a banquet of 60 people inside. At this point is was already 8:15pm and we were starving! What was the point of eating there is we weren't going to be able to eat dinner? We had reservations so it's not like they didn't know we were coming to eat. We really felt like the waiter didn't want us to stay and eat there just because we sat outside. Whatever. We ended up having a fabulous meal at The Belvedere.
(1)
Eric F.
Seven gates is the best deal going here. Had a French dip which was very good and a friend of mine had the chorizo, which he said was good, too. Definitely a return visit is needed!
(4)
Eric H.
Perfect for a wedding rehearsal dinner! It's hard to find a place that's just right for 25-100 people, but The Pressroom is it. Easy to find, free validated garage parking and a friendly staff helped us relax and feel at home. The food was very good and the service outstanding. On a freezing night, we were welcomed with hot cider and homemade hot chocolate (wow!), then enjoyed excellent passed hors d'oeuvres (shrimp quiches, stuffed mushrooms, goat cheese and sausage tartlets). The plated dinner was served at exactly the right pace for the guests, and right on schedule. Dinner was a choice of salmon, pork tenderloin or crab cakes, all of which got great compliments from the guests. Drink service was attentive without being overbearing. I cannot say enough good things about the staff, Jan and Shawn especially were very flexible and made sure the guests were happy and all flowed smoothly. The room was nicely appointed and the entire atmosphere was elegant without being stuffy. If you are doing a dinner or banquet for a small to medium sized group, The Pressroom should be your top choice in Lancaster.
(5)
Adam F.
I'll def have to go back. The outdoor seating was really nice and the service was impeccable. Notes: The bleu cheese is a little thin and could be moldier.
(4)
george a.
Oh yeah, this was worth the walk.. ---------- FOOD: I got a baked mac and cheese and it was without a doubt the best Ive ever had! They dont have too much for vegetarians, a sandwich and the mac and cheese, but they do have quite a bit of stuff that I would have to try if I wasnt a veg head. DECOR: Its an old lancaster press building, and the style reflects that. Its got that turn of the century feel, yet its really modern. Marble and wood counter tops, frosted glass partitions.. Its just nice. SERVICE: I sat at the bar, so it was pretty prompt. Friendly too. ---------- FINAL THOUGHTS: Id go back in a heartbeat. Prices are reasonable, and its my kind of decor.
(4)
Nat Z.
The Pressroom's bar is probably one of the better ones in the city. It's pretty relaxed, comfortable, and has a great selection of liquor, draft beer, and wine. Drinks are pretty cheap and the staff are great. They also have this horseradish cheese dip that is excellent and served with Hammond pretzels (and free of charge, unlike many peer establishments). The restaurant itself isn't spectacular but it isn't bad, either. I imagine that quality may vary quite a bit from dish to dish, as I've had some great experiences with food here and some that were less than remarkable.
(4)
John W.
Gotta give The Pressroom lots of love. Great food, great service, great atmosphere!!! It was the place for our first dinner date and we loved it.!!! We'll definitely be back.
(5)
Jessica W.
This restaurant is on the pricey side, so I don't visit often. However, their cream of crab soup is hands-down the best cream of crab soup I've ever eaten. The base is slightly different from all other soups I've eaten, which makes it wonderful, and you do get your money's worth since the restaurant packs the soup with crab meat. The atmosphere is nice as well. You don't have to be dressed immaculately, but you do feel like you've treated yourself to a nice dinner if you eat there.
(4)
Cherine A.
This is one of the restaurants my mom and I always go to when we're in Lancaster. Their sandwiches are quite good, and the french onion soup is one of the best I've had. The filet mignon was cooked perfectly to order (medium well). The waiters are attentive, but they don't rush you. Take the time to read the cartoons on the wall - they're all by famous cartoonists and they're done specifically for the Lancaster Intelligencer-Journal. The building used to be the press building, so it's nice that they've kept that spirit in mind with the restaurant.
(4)
Juliet G.
After I ate inside I realized they had beautiful outdoor dining that I missed! Regardless of that I enjoyed my lunch which was a veggie wrap with mushrooms, asparagus, peppers, cheese...and fabulous. The coconut curry soup was divine!
(4)
Felix L.
Came here on a Saturday night with a small group a little before closing. the place was empty and we sat in their garden. Our waiter had our table and another table with 2 people. Inside the restaurant there were 3-4 tables with people finishing their dinner. It took forever to get our drinks, reordering drinks took even longer, wrong drinks were brought. We were waiting for grilled cheese for a small kid for 1 hour!. After waiting well over an hour for our food the burgers were well done when asked for rare, pizza was cold, ribs were tasteless, mac-n-cheese was just greasy. The only tasty items were onion rings and fries. the waiter offered to take the charges for the burger off, but when the check arrived he took off one beer and charged us 50% for the burger. If you want good service and food go to Annie Bailey's just a block down the road.
(2)
Paul A.
I've only ever had lunch here, so I can't say that dinner here is bad, it may very well be a great experience. But seriously, avoid having lunch here. The service is truly terrible. I've had lunch here a number of times with my mom while on her lunch break, and without fail she is always late back to work. The place is usually pretty empty, but for some reason that means that the servers just hide away and are never any where to be found. The food is fine, nothing special for lunch at least, but my oh my, seriously, I have always had the worst service here. They just don't seem to care. I hope they at least are more attentive at dinner, which they probably are.
(2)
A F.
Ate on patio last night for first time, have been coming here for years. Wonderful setting. Food is good. I had crab and shrimp cocktail and veggie pizza (weird combo but I was just off long flight and even longer traffic jam) companion had pasta. Topped off with frozen peach sorbet. Great Manhattan for the pre dinner tune up. Everyone I've brought here likes it, crab cakes are a favorite. Waitron was friendly and efficient.
(5)
Brian L.
Atmosphere was pretty rad, old building,old newspaper goins on, nice booths. At first my crotch wasn't exactly blasting off into orbit over the menu options, pretty normal items, burgers, pasta,salads. I saw Chicken Cordon Bleu w/ mushroom sauce, that was about the most interesting item i could find so i ordered it. welp....CROTCH, SET COURSE FOR HOLY SPACE! Hats down, the BEST I've ever had! wonderfully cooked Panko encrusted chicken w/ shaved ham and some fancy cheese which i can't recall the name, served with super tiny crispy green beans and garlic mashed potatos! My girlfriend got the pasta primavera which was also very tasty. I dont mind a simple menu when people can pull it off as well as The Pressroom!
(5)
Jen K.
Decent place. Interesting atmosphere. I think it was the old press shop for the local paper. I went on a Saturday night. It didn't seem very crowded for a Saturday. I think I was hoping for a livelier crowd but it felt more like a place my mom or grandparents would go to. the food was good, didn't knock my socks off but tasty. I would go back but not before checking out other establishments in town.
(3)
Patrice W.
I dug it! As an out-of-town reporter, I couldn't help but want to check this place out. The decor was cute, although I have to say the fonts used on the "newspaper" menus weren't very accurate. But really, that's the only thing I could find to complain about. The prices were decent, the wait staff was very attentive and well-informed about their product. The food was extraordinary! I really was blown away by how delicious my dinner was, cdonsidering I got the vegetarian pasta primavera, and usually that comes out bland. The broccoli and spinach were very green and fresh, not wilty or brown. The pasta seemed homemamde, or at least cut on site, and the entire presentation was pleasing. I was...imPRESSed.
Food was good but not great. My meal was slightly cold when I got it but others in my party had their food very hot. I guess they timed it wrong and mine sat in the kitchen while the other orders were being completed. Is that acceptable? I think not. My sald was average. I think my salad was as warm as my meal. Is that a good thing? I think not. The service was slow but attentive. I guess they want to build-up your bill with more drinks. Most meals on the menu are priced at $30 which to me should command an excellent meal which did not happen in my case. Expect to pay some where in the $50-65 per person range here (not including tip). The food is good but not at the price point they are charging. I expect something much more tasty (less bland) then they deliver.
(2)
Ellen T.
Went here last year and fell in love with my favorite plate! The first and so far only thing I've eaten from the Pressroom (ate it 3 dinners in a row): the scallops, spinach and olive oil pasta (I forgot its exact name). If you do go here, get what I got! Other than that, nothing else on the menu caught my eye. But I'd go here any day just for that bowl of spaghetti :) Oh and also, on the day we came there happened to be a live jazz band playing, which always helps make it more memorable. P.S. They take phone-in orders
(5)
will r.
warning. got food poisoning from eating here. called to speak with owners. they could have cared less. a report has been filed. watch the news.
(1)
randy s.
My lady and I go Thursdays for the Live Jazz. The service is excellent. The staff is outgoing and the atmosphere is classy. I will admit that the food is pricey. Most of the time we just go for the music, conversation and a few drinks. One of these times I want to climb that ladder behind the bar. The bartender said that will never happen though. I think the best part is that there is no cover for the live jazz on thursday nights. The bands i've seen are extremely talented musicians.
(5)
Diane B.
Went there for lunch after our wedding, very bad service but great food. A year later, it's now our one year anniversary and we want to go back for sentimental reasons. My husband called and made a reservation stating it's our one year anniversary and requested a quiet table. We were seated next to some Red Hat Ladies Club table (I'm not kidding). Service was slow and the waiter was a snot. I had the scallops and they were delicious but that was the only highlight of the night. We got eye rolls and sighs when we asked for a box for leftovers and for a refill on a drink. For the prices they charge, there are about three nearby restaurants that offer a lot better. Off the top of my head I would say Gibraltar, Chekcers and Penn Square Grill beat it by a mile. I plan on being married a very long time and we could have gone there at least once a year for our anniversary but instead, I will not be back under any circumstances.
(1)
Lyn M.
The Pressroom is a great "go to" restaurant. I attend school at F&M and early freshman year someone told me about The Pressroom and I've been there at least once a semester since. For awhile my parents and I would try different restaurants but after being disappointed by a few we now always just head to the Pressroom. I've had a bunch of different things on their menu but the best appetizer is the baked brie and they have pretty good steaks (once mine was a little too peppery). The service has always been great and you never feel rushed. During the warmer months they have some tables outside, which is really nice and my favorite of the dining location options. The menu is normally a little different when you're outside but still good, with a decent amount of options. All in all I would tell anyone to head to the Pressroom no matter the occasion. Dress Code can be jeans or nice work attire... I've seen and worn the spectrum there.
(4)
Annah D.
I had an awesome cocktail and their spring rolls are delicious. Go on a night when they have live jazz!
(4)
Amy T.
The food and atmosphere in the pressroom is outstanding.I used to LOVE this place earlier,(ie until this year)-so what happened this year? I had a baby boy early part of this year,which makes me see things differently. My husband and I went here with our son,last Friday.We sat outside by the fountain, which was beautiful.We had a lovely dinner,of baked nachos,beer ,kobe beef burger with carmalized onions for me and a pizza margarita for him.My son enjoys going out and is fortunately very well behaved,however half way through our dinner,I realised he was getting uncomfortable and needed a diaper change.I went to the ladies room only to find out that they had no changing table.There wasn't a family restroom either.The only other place where I experienced this was in Paris,France- where it is so unbelievably hard to find facilities for infants. I hate giving this place only 3 stars, because everything else was so nice,but not having a changing table is a huge oversight.As new parents we have been making a great attempt to introduce our son to different experience,plus we always make sure we go family or local run businesses ,hence it is a huge disappointment when restaurants don't make this easy on us. I am sure this place would be perfect for a date or for a family dinner provided your kids are potty trained
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Cynthia R.
Veeerrrrrryyyy pleasantly surprised. This place rivals the goodness of Chicago restaurants...only better in a way, because of the AMAZING crab. Omg the crab bisque was probably up there with some of the best I've EVER had. I also had the crab cake which was phenom. I have to get as much crab as possible when I'm back east, ya feel me?! So if I can take a little diversion from the food for a moment. We sat outside next to the beautiful waterfall and fountain. What a great way to enjoy a great meal with a great friend! Ok, back to food....my friend got the salmon with fresh asparagus and corn risotto. I don't even have words for how delicious it was. It was a truly special and truly delicious selection. And did I mention the server? Gosh Incant remember his name but I loved him. I think it was Ryan or something like that. My honey got a burger. It was ok. Grant it, we have some damn good burgers in the Chi and that's really tough to beat. We're spoiled for sure. Desserts were good. Nothing to scream about, it over all, a lovely experience for sure.
(4)Jim M.
So despite my earlier predictions in my first review, I have been back - a couple of times. Each time, the experience gets better and my expectations are not as high. Last visit was a few days ago. We took three employees to the Pressroom for lunch. One of them was in a wheelchair, and the host went out of his way to set up a table in the upper deck (furthest from the fountain) outside, as the lower deck near the fountain is all high tops. It was a hospitable gesture. Our sandwiches were all very good. Linse had The Shiloh and I had the Melted Cow. Several of us enjoy the tasty duck fat fries as well. The service was very good, but my water glass went empty a few times and I had to wait for refills. The ambience inside and outside has character. I still haven't forgiven the Pressroom completely for our first experience, but I'll be happy to return again when I'm in town.
(3)Greg K.
I've periodically gone to "The Pressroom" off-and-on over the years. There's honestly been nothing particularly compelling (for me) about the place. Sure, it's a nice bar with a lot of history associated with the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, but the food and the service has simply always been adequate, if and when not occasionally outstanding. The inside bar is nice. This is a well-established place, not too run-of-the-mill and not too fancy, on the part of King St. downtown that's seen some new places pop-up in the past couple of years. But... The winner part of this place is that they have opened an outside bar by the waterfall in back that, I can say, was an absolutely outstanding place to sit and spend part of a near-perfect "First Friday" the other night. I'm not sure when exactly this opened (or if it's always been there and I just never realized it), but well done! It was a tad crowded this past Friday, but there were plenty in attendance from Lancaster's thinner and more attractive crowd that night. The craft beer selection was good and, the service was equally "good" considering how busy it was. I truly enjoyed stopping by there, having eaten out back in the past, to be able to enjoy the evening. On nights like this past Friday I think they should maximize this part of their business, as it is one of the nicer places to be in all of downtown Lancaster.
(4)Sloan S.
I stopped by here years ago for dinner one night and remember it being a fun place; unfortunately, it appears I never wrote a review. Fast forward to last Saturday when my fiancée's mom and I were walking around downtown and decided we wanted to do an early happy hour. They have a gorgeous outside seating area and new bar that opens up to a waterfall (I'd say water feature but it's pretty large). Our bartender was incredibly nice and gave us great cocktail suggestions. We both chose a bellini with their hand-squeezed flavored lemonade; mine was blueberry, hers was strawberry-kiwi. Definitely a refreshing drink! Slightly sweet but overall very good. We ordered a small Funghi pizza, which had mushrooms, arugula, and truffle oil. We splurged and also added the duck confit. The pizza was great and the perfect size to share for a small bite. Overall, I would come back for the atmosphere and what looked like pretty creative dishes. Hope to try more of their menu soon!
(4)Claudia G.
Absolutely beautiful ? The waterfall , lights and alley parkway make it very romantic mood . The food is delicious !
(5)Paul B.
Had a terrible experience a while ago, boy have things changed. The outdoor setting is awesome, a lot more attention to service. Food is pretty good, not great, but a great place to go. Congrats to the management for turning this place around, it is a gem.
(4)Dante S.
I'm writing this review, as I have been waiting 40 minutes for a burger and fries. The table that ordered at the same time as I, have finished their meals. The two tables adjacent to me, that arrived 20+ minutes after me, both have food on their tables (one tabled order a pizza which takes more time to bake, than it takes a burger to cook). The waitress stopped by once after taking my order, moments before I started this review, to tel me Thai my food would be out momentarily. While you're patio is delightful, then efficiency of your food service; is less than delightful.
(1)Kerri M.
I came here on a Friday night with a friend for some live music, food, & brews. The first time I'd ever been, considering I'm from out of town and whatnot. The beer selection was great. The menu seemed like it had a lot of good things. I ended up getting a spinach, bacon, & goat cheese salad which was excellent. However, you can't really mess that up. My dining partner ordered the vegan spaghetti and enjoyed it immensely. For dessert, we had a pumpkin cheesecake and it was excellent. Our server was very friendly and personable. Food and drinks did not take long to reach the table. It was an all around enjoyable evening.
(4)robert s.
Should not post on here because we didn't eat here but went last night after a show around 10:10 and we were told they stopped servering at 10. Questioned the bartender about the their web site stating 10:30 and he no. They turned us away. I call today and spoke with a "manager" and she said that they close the kitchen when it get slow, she was very rude when i question the 10:30 time on their web site. So the short story is not sure about the food and never will be but the customer service is lacking and will go else where
(1)Alvin T.
First, some of the one and two star reviews below are bullshit and inaccurate in terms of menu age and seating logistics! Ignore! Second, the bar is great with a nice mix of locals and outta town folk! Bar tenders are very experienced and knowledgable not to mention friendly! Good rotations on beer and wine plus a jazz treat on a weekly basis! Third, the pizza is great... Interesting combos of toppings and the crust is bang on. Fourth, and for the loss of a star, the food in general is a roller coaster of good and not so good! The menu has been completely reinvented from days of old and selections vary with the seasons but I guess the gamble is what side of the bed did the chef get outta? Or is the line asleep at the wheel after a fun filled night before? Who knows but consistency is an issue! Expect contemporary American selections with a touch of Lancaster county! Small plates trump the big plates! Price wise, see item #4 above, sometimes worth it, sometimes not...but over all competitive with the neighbors and the lancasterian willing to go a little further than the diners and chains around the city limits that choke Lancaster's culinary evolution! I hear there's an outside bar coming on line soon! Should be a hit!
(4)Meghan M.
Went for lunch on a Saturday. Great, speedy service, delicious food, fun environment. We had the Bahn mi, Reuben, and a kid's pizza. The crab bisque was incredible!! Waitress suggested the peppercorn dressing for our side salad and to dip the duck fat fries in the dressing--wonderful idea! Yum!
(5)Esther C.
Succulent pork belly sliders and creative/strong drinks? Customer for life. The ambiance is cool. The service is outstanding. Just make reservations. Like now. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Danielle P.
We had our wedding rehearsal dinner at the Press Room, including a cocktail hour on the outdoor terrace and then a buffet dinner in the private event room. It was perfect. They were so accommodating for our large group (50-60 people) and when our family toasts got out of control and our dinner started much later than expected. The location was beautiful. Many people commented on how perfect the setting was. Thanks for a great experience!
(5)Thomas O.
Terrible! Came here with 7 friends for dinner. All 7 of us had to send our meals back because they were cold even even though the restaurant was not busy. On the second attempt, our food was still cold, except our steaks that we ordered rare were both cold and well-done the second time. Do not come here! The fact that they can't get it right the second time demonstrates that this restaurant is terrible.
(1)Jay L.
The Pressroom, for when you can't get a table at Aussie and the Fox and you're too hungry to wait. How this place has continued without changing is beyond me. I am convinced one of these days I am going to see a Gordon Ramsay and a camera crew in this place trying to revive it on Kitchen Nightmares. The menu is as outdated as the inside of this relic from the past. And it's a shame, it could be so much more then what it is. The food is confusing and the menu is too large for anything to be fresh. The menu reads like a really expensive diner. As an example of this places randomness, how about a pork carnitas pizza with cilantro pesto, then some seafood risotto and a plate of hot wings... What? It would be fine if it was priced similar to a diner but with entrees going up to $40 for a steak, I expect more. The interior is just depressing. It is lit with terrible florescent lighting and is too bright to be intimate in any way. The green could be a nice splash of color if used correctly but this place uses it WAY too much. It hurts my eyes and makes me want to leave. I hope the owner comes around and decides to shut down for a few weeks, renovate the place, get rid of that horrendous green, throw away the menu and start fresh. I want to like this place, but with all the new restaurants opening nearby, the Pressroom cannot keep up. It is a shame but until something changes I will not return.
(2)Greg L.
The good: The food was decently prepared and tasted fine, but was nothing special for the price. The bad: The selection and size of the menu was unnecessarily small, and way overpriced considering that the price and that the preparation was only decent. The wine list also had an excessive mark up, even for a restaurant. Selling wine with a markup at a restaurant is normal, but selling a $12-$15 bottle of wine for more than $40-$50 is a ripoff at best, and dishonest at worst. ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. My girlfriend and I arrived to a mostly empty restaurant, with maybe 30-40% of the seating occupied. We are young but are very well dressed, and no one would mistake us for a couple of young punks. They sat us at a tiny two person table in the back of the restaurant, where three of the walls closed in so close around the table that our seats were crammed into the table. The only way for us to physically sit at the table was with the chairs pushed all the way into the table (this was still with the backs of the chairs touching the wall), and our elbows and chests propped up against the table. Unacceptable, especially considering the price that you are paying for dinner. This restaurant isnt super expensive, but it also isn't cheap. If you want to eat dinner at this price point, do yourself a favor and go somewhere else.
(1)Chris B.
Great food. Great service, and a newly opened outdoor bar make it a great summer stop for a drink and a bite. Try the Malbec Manhattan.
(5)Jes K.
While I enjoyed the ambiance and the live music on Valentine's Day, I thought the food was overpriced for what I had. There was a prix fixe selection for V-Day. The fondue appetizer was my favorite. Creative and delicious. The seafood bisque was my next course, average. My entrée was the most disappointing. Overdone spaghetti noodles with a vodka sauce and seafood. I will say the scallops were adequately cooked. The sauce/seafood/spaghetti did not blend well. The dessert was a good chocolate cake I shared with my date. I'm visiting from NYC. Next time I visit I would like to try again to compare.
(2)Mark W.
For upscale dining, this place misses the mark Overall, the food is pretty good. Nothing to write home about and definitely not worth the price they charge, but good for a quick bite on a weekday. Additionally, their happy hour specials are great to stop in and have a drink or two. Come early on First Friday if you're thinking about coming then. On our most recent visit, we had pretty poor service. Our waitress was training, but had a mentor too, who didn't do much to help. Our food took forever (probably not her fault), which added to sub-par service. They just changed the menu and the place seemed like a hot mess when we were there. I would recommend trying somewhere else.
(2)Benjamin B.
I stumbled upon the Pressroom accidentally looking for a lunch spot. I happened to go on a special Sunday, the first time the establishment offered brunch. Now, I was not in the mood for breakfast, but I stayed because I was there. I am glad I did! I started with an order of duck fat fries, which lived up to any expectation I could have had. The waitress brought us some type of alioli (not the siracha alioli) that was divine. My colleagues and I ended up ordering another plate of the duck fries I part because the sauce was so great. Even without the sauce, the fries were excellent. As my entree, I ordered the Barnyard Pizza, breakfast on a pizza: egg, bacon, sausage, and other things. When I say that this was one of the best dishes I have eaten in a long time, I mean it. The crust was perfect, just thick and chewy enough. The sausage was excellent. And the best part was that the egg was cooked in certain places on the pizza but runny on others to create a wonder mixture of flavors and consistencies. If this was truly The Pressroom's first day serving brunch, someone really thought about what they were doing before opening the doors. Just as a plug, The Pressroom also featured Bloody Mary and mimosa bars, but I did not partake. I did have a light IPA from their rotating taps, which suggests to me that there is a lot more to try!
(5)Andy E.
Love the Pressroom. I have business lunches there frequently.
(5)Leo M.
My wife and I went there for dessert, service was excellent and the dessert menu was great. Sat outside by the waterfalls, a bit noisy but the atmosphere was great. Would like to try a meal there next time, prices were moderate..
(3)Dalton G.
Okay so first off, my friend was coming to visit from Chicago and thought this place would be a good eat. WRONG. First off, we wanted calamari and they were out, second we ordered our drinks and waited 20 minutes for them to come! We finally placed our order and waited another 30 minutes until it came! We ordered the New York strip medium rare and it came out very overdone, the hot chocolate we ordered was cold and the service was just bad. The only thing the manager took off the bill was our drinks, the drinks! I ate about 2 bites of my steak and that was it and I had to pay $30 for it! Ridiculous! Will never be back again
(1)Katherine M.
The decor and location of this place are just perfect. It's adorable, larger than you would think upon seeing it from the outside, and comfortable. I really enjoyed the look and feel of everything, including the menus which are printed to look like little newspapers. We ordered a lemonade and a specialty cocktail to start. Both were delicious. We each wished for a second. Sadly, that didn't happen. After we ordered, our waiter became scarce. We ordered French Onion soup to start, and finished both of our drinks by the end of the bowl. The soup was delicious - perfectly seasoned, not too thick or thin, and great cheese. One of the best I have had. We waited for a long time for the rest of our meal, both finishing our waters before the food came to us (it's July and we had just walked all around downtown, we were thirsty, understandable so). I would say it was a good 40 minutes between the soup and our food. Considered we ordered a pizza and what essentially was grilled corn, this seemed like a long time. Normally, this actually wouldn't bother me. But we had not seen our waiter and were drinkless. The food came and was delicious. The How Now Brown Cow was amazing - the tomato jam was perfectly sweet and the blue cheese perfect with it. The grilled corn nugs are essentially 1 ear of corn cut into 4 and grilled with a sweet/spicy butter sauce. This was yummy, but really awful considering we had no drinks. I was eating corn and then ice. We ate as slowly as possible, and saw our waiter visit another table. We finally saw him pass by again, still ignoring us, and were able to pull him over to get water as he had just filled another tables. So while the food and atmosphere here was perfect, our service was terrible. I was surprised none of the other 5 waiters who walked by our table told our guy or something. Or that our waiter wouldn't want to try and serve us another 10 dollar cocktail or two. I'll be back, but I'm hoping for more drinks next time! They had so many I wanted to try!
(4)Jen L.
Went for dinner with 6 friends, awful experience. All 7 of our meals were cold when they came out (after a long wait), sent them back, and second time they were all still cold!! The restaurant wasn't busy at all so not sure what was happening. After 2 and a half hours we left, still hungry. There are lots of good restaurants and bars in the area, don't waste your time or money here.
(1)Jon L.
Great atmosphere. Consistent food. Def my go to spot for my wife and I to eat. We love sharing a pizza and pub fries. What are pub fries you may ask? It's fresh cut fries with horseradish dressing, cheddar cheese, bacon and crab meat. Need I say more? 5 stars
(5)Dennis U.
The Pressroom is a pretty average place but the slow service we encounted on our visit pulled it more toward a 2 star rating. The decor is interesting, the menu is uninspired and the food was ok. I had a crab cake sandwich that was n't too bad but it did take forever to get there. I'll keep on looking for better when I get back to Lancaster
(2)J B.
The Pressroom is clearly surviving solely on its (once quite good) reputation. Had a gift certificate and decided to have lunch here over the weekend after having not been at the restaurant in several years. Can't say I'll be going back. Food was average. Not bad, but certainly not memorable. Had the prices been more reasonable, I might have left with a more positive impression of the meal, but the quality vs price ratio is completely unbalanced. The dining room is extremely antiquated and doesn't look as if it has been updated since the early 80s. The awning outside looks as if it hasn't been touched since the 60s. Ditto for the menu which features a rather uninspired selection. Service was lousy - slow and ill prepared. In their defense, our server was the only one we saw while there so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that they were perhaps understaffed that day. Bottom line: Completely unimpressed and a reminder of why I had not eaten here in years despite it's great location in middle of town.
(2)Kimba Z.
I've wanted to take my (ex)journalist partner here for a while, since there are not too many newspaper-themed restaurants. After a day of wandering downtown Lancaster in the heat, two hungry, thirsty vegans expected to be underwhelmed but were very happy with the experience. The outside courtyard is beautiful, but it was too hot for that, so we hid in the bar in really cool art deco booths and loved the wine and beer selection. He had an Omegang; me an unoaked Chardonnay from Oregon. They were willing to make a pizza without the cheese (many places say no), and I substituted the chicken in my blackbean-mango salad with grilled portobellos, delicious! I felt a bit tense having to explain that vegans don't eat salad dressing with honey and egg, but the zinfandel vinaigrette on the third offering was lovely. Friendly service, happy to explain the history of the building, beautiful wood interior; someone spent a lot of money on this place. Looks like an overall good watering hole. Lucky Intelligencer staff to have this so close by. Cool open piano outside (a local art project), on which I attempted to remember long ago ragtime riffs, and interesting sculpture too.
(3)Nixo A.
Location is nice, seems to be a hot spot in town. Food was decent but service was friendly but not great. We had to insist several times to get bread, more sparkling water. The sides that came with entrees were not the ones we ordered. They do their best, but there s a miss in the service organization. We tried the Shiraz, not great. The Malbec was OK, but hard to complain when you pay $30 a bottle in the restaurant. Not unforgettable experience
(3)Tom H.
Ridiculously over priced (e.g. $15 for three medium sized shrimp billed as "Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail". My wife and I had two appetizers, and split a crab cake sandwich, two sodas and no dessert and the bill was $70 (without the tip.). Nice ambience and eating outside is a treat if you can avoid chewing and swallowing when the check comes.
(3)Linda S.
SUPERB BRUNCH - Maybe it is the "make your own" Bloody Marys and Mimosas at the bar or maybe it was the donut holes we had while waiting for our meal but this is the perfect place for a relaxing Sunday brunch. The menu offers a wide variety of interesting variations on the classics. The Gravlax won raves at our table with scrumptious pickled onions and salmon prepared on site. All our selections were fresh and well prepared. Biscuits are light and fluffy and make a perfect egg sandwich. Service was friendly and attentive. Try the breakfast pizza! We had a large party and ordered one for the table to share. I wasn't sure I'd like it but it was really special and I'd order it again without hesitation. We lingered and stayed for about 2 hours but it was Sunday brunch and we did have a party of more than 6 so that length of time is to be expected.
(5)Kelly I.
THE BEST crabcake you will ever have.....even if you are from Maryland and KNOW good crabcakes!.......served on fried spinach.....delicious!
(5)Diane K.
The first thing I ordered was Bass, and they said they were out of it. I then ordered crab cakes and they were ok. My friend had meatloaf, which she hated. It had so much filler (bread), that it was soft and mushy. My husband had a steak which was very fatty. We were all disappointed in our dinners. The waiter was very slow and not attentive on top of that. This used to be a favorite for a special dinner,but not any more. I will not go back.
(2)Sean F.
No better bar staff in town, and always a great spot for happy hour. We always sit at the bar...even if we're eating. Food menu always needed a bit of an upgrade, and I hear that's in the works so that's exciting. Great location and excellent decor.
(4)K M.
We come here a lot for the bar. However, the food is excellent as well. It can be pricey, but we have always enjoyed our experiences.
(5)Steven I.
Not as good as I would have hoped. The Prime Rib was OK; it had a gravy on top that was tasteless. My guess did enjoy there dinners.
(3)Joe G.
The new menu and the premium meats have really, finally, stepped up this classic American establishment. New takes on pizza, and amazing drinks will lure me back to this place over an over again. The only downfall is that the menu is very limited, but good. Some would say that's a bonus, others problematic. Stop in and judge for yourself.
(4)Renee B.
The Pressroom has a nice, casual, laid-back atmosphere with a great menu and sometimes even live music. Wednesday night jazz is a favorite of mine. The food has always been fresh and delicious. The burger is delicious, as are their pizza's, but most recently I thoroughly enjoyed the mango chicken salad. It was so unique- the seasoning was delicious and unique. Tony, the bartender is great- so friendly and welcoming. I always smile when I see he's behind the bar. Great wine and beer selection and full bar for cocktails as well. Two thumbs up!
(4)Russell F.
Here's the hard part, in Lancaster you actually have a lot of great options for food. What the Pressroom sells isn't so much great food or service, they sell and atmosphere and a venue. The atmosphere is old Lancaster money and the venue is one where you might be dining next to a local politico or mover and shaker. If you don't count that high on your list of priorities then by all means, go elsewhere. I usually do. The food isn't bad. The menu not all that exciting. The service is average, at best. The prices are on the higher end of the Lancaster spectrum. All told, it's not such a great deal.
(2)Melanie N.
So September 14 was my birthday, and I had class at my University from 7:45am until 6:30pm. When I finally got home my fiance surprised me by telling me he had dinner reservations at the Pressroom. I was so excited since we are foodies, and I have not yet eaten there before. One of our friends is a chef who works there. She is always encouraging us to go eat there. It was a warm evening so we asked to sit outside. The lights and waterfall would be a great romantic addition to my birthday dinner. The hostess was no where to be found so we went inside looking for help. People just kind of ignored us, and eventually a young busboy told us to wait outside and the hostess would be right out. Ok. So we stand outside and before she greets us, she says, "Did you hear the thunder?" We didn't hear it so we said no. Then she proceeded to seat us outside. The waiter finally gets to our table and says "We aren't serving outside anymore." Which was like...well why did the hostess sit us out here? He didn't force us inside, instead he asked for our drink orders and left. When he came back with our drinks he said, you can order appetizers but if you want dinner then you'll have to wait a hour because we have a banquet of 60 people inside. At this point is was already 8:15pm and we were starving! What was the point of eating there is we weren't going to be able to eat dinner? We had reservations so it's not like they didn't know we were coming to eat. We really felt like the waiter didn't want us to stay and eat there just because we sat outside. Whatever. We ended up having a fabulous meal at The Belvedere.
(1)Eric F.
Seven gates is the best deal going here. Had a French dip which was very good and a friend of mine had the chorizo, which he said was good, too. Definitely a return visit is needed!
(4)Eric H.
Perfect for a wedding rehearsal dinner! It's hard to find a place that's just right for 25-100 people, but The Pressroom is it. Easy to find, free validated garage parking and a friendly staff helped us relax and feel at home. The food was very good and the service outstanding. On a freezing night, we were welcomed with hot cider and homemade hot chocolate (wow!), then enjoyed excellent passed hors d'oeuvres (shrimp quiches, stuffed mushrooms, goat cheese and sausage tartlets). The plated dinner was served at exactly the right pace for the guests, and right on schedule. Dinner was a choice of salmon, pork tenderloin or crab cakes, all of which got great compliments from the guests. Drink service was attentive without being overbearing. I cannot say enough good things about the staff, Jan and Shawn especially were very flexible and made sure the guests were happy and all flowed smoothly. The room was nicely appointed and the entire atmosphere was elegant without being stuffy. If you are doing a dinner or banquet for a small to medium sized group, The Pressroom should be your top choice in Lancaster.
(5)Adam F.
I'll def have to go back. The outdoor seating was really nice and the service was impeccable. Notes: The bleu cheese is a little thin and could be moldier.
(4)george a.
Oh yeah, this was worth the walk.. ---------- FOOD: I got a baked mac and cheese and it was without a doubt the best Ive ever had! They dont have too much for vegetarians, a sandwich and the mac and cheese, but they do have quite a bit of stuff that I would have to try if I wasnt a veg head. DECOR: Its an old lancaster press building, and the style reflects that. Its got that turn of the century feel, yet its really modern. Marble and wood counter tops, frosted glass partitions.. Its just nice. SERVICE: I sat at the bar, so it was pretty prompt. Friendly too. ---------- FINAL THOUGHTS: Id go back in a heartbeat. Prices are reasonable, and its my kind of decor.
(4)Nat Z.
The Pressroom's bar is probably one of the better ones in the city. It's pretty relaxed, comfortable, and has a great selection of liquor, draft beer, and wine. Drinks are pretty cheap and the staff are great. They also have this horseradish cheese dip that is excellent and served with Hammond pretzels (and free of charge, unlike many peer establishments). The restaurant itself isn't spectacular but it isn't bad, either. I imagine that quality may vary quite a bit from dish to dish, as I've had some great experiences with food here and some that were less than remarkable.
(4)John W.
Gotta give The Pressroom lots of love. Great food, great service, great atmosphere!!! It was the place for our first dinner date and we loved it.!!! We'll definitely be back.
(5)Jessica W.
This restaurant is on the pricey side, so I don't visit often. However, their cream of crab soup is hands-down the best cream of crab soup I've ever eaten. The base is slightly different from all other soups I've eaten, which makes it wonderful, and you do get your money's worth since the restaurant packs the soup with crab meat. The atmosphere is nice as well. You don't have to be dressed immaculately, but you do feel like you've treated yourself to a nice dinner if you eat there.
(4)Cherine A.
This is one of the restaurants my mom and I always go to when we're in Lancaster. Their sandwiches are quite good, and the french onion soup is one of the best I've had. The filet mignon was cooked perfectly to order (medium well). The waiters are attentive, but they don't rush you. Take the time to read the cartoons on the wall - they're all by famous cartoonists and they're done specifically for the Lancaster Intelligencer-Journal. The building used to be the press building, so it's nice that they've kept that spirit in mind with the restaurant.
(4)Juliet G.
After I ate inside I realized they had beautiful outdoor dining that I missed! Regardless of that I enjoyed my lunch which was a veggie wrap with mushrooms, asparagus, peppers, cheese...and fabulous. The coconut curry soup was divine!
(4)Felix L.
Came here on a Saturday night with a small group a little before closing. the place was empty and we sat in their garden. Our waiter had our table and another table with 2 people. Inside the restaurant there were 3-4 tables with people finishing their dinner. It took forever to get our drinks, reordering drinks took even longer, wrong drinks were brought. We were waiting for grilled cheese for a small kid for 1 hour!. After waiting well over an hour for our food the burgers were well done when asked for rare, pizza was cold, ribs were tasteless, mac-n-cheese was just greasy. The only tasty items were onion rings and fries. the waiter offered to take the charges for the burger off, but when the check arrived he took off one beer and charged us 50% for the burger. If you want good service and food go to Annie Bailey's just a block down the road.
(2)Paul A.
I've only ever had lunch here, so I can't say that dinner here is bad, it may very well be a great experience. But seriously, avoid having lunch here. The service is truly terrible. I've had lunch here a number of times with my mom while on her lunch break, and without fail she is always late back to work. The place is usually pretty empty, but for some reason that means that the servers just hide away and are never any where to be found. The food is fine, nothing special for lunch at least, but my oh my, seriously, I have always had the worst service here. They just don't seem to care. I hope they at least are more attentive at dinner, which they probably are.
(2)A F.
Ate on patio last night for first time, have been coming here for years. Wonderful setting. Food is good. I had crab and shrimp cocktail and veggie pizza (weird combo but I was just off long flight and even longer traffic jam) companion had pasta. Topped off with frozen peach sorbet. Great Manhattan for the pre dinner tune up. Everyone I've brought here likes it, crab cakes are a favorite. Waitron was friendly and efficient.
(5)Brian L.
Atmosphere was pretty rad, old building,old newspaper goins on, nice booths. At first my crotch wasn't exactly blasting off into orbit over the menu options, pretty normal items, burgers, pasta,salads. I saw Chicken Cordon Bleu w/ mushroom sauce, that was about the most interesting item i could find so i ordered it. welp....CROTCH, SET COURSE FOR HOLY SPACE! Hats down, the BEST I've ever had! wonderfully cooked Panko encrusted chicken w/ shaved ham and some fancy cheese which i can't recall the name, served with super tiny crispy green beans and garlic mashed potatos! My girlfriend got the pasta primavera which was also very tasty. I dont mind a simple menu when people can pull it off as well as The Pressroom!
(5)Patrice W.
I dug it! As an out-of-town reporter, I couldn't help but want to check this place out. The decor was cute, although I have to say the fonts used on the "newspaper" menus weren't very accurate. But really, that's the only thing I could find to complain about. The prices were decent, the wait staff was very attentive and well-informed about their product. The food was extraordinary! I really was blown away by how delicious my dinner was, cdonsidering I got the vegetarian pasta primavera, and usually that comes out bland. The broccoli and spinach were very green and fresh, not wilty or brown. The pasta seemed homemamde, or at least cut on site, and the entire presentation was pleasing. I was...imPRESSed.
(5)J D.
décor and location are very good. the menu is weak. seems it is for older people..60 and over.the food we had was good just lacking more choices.waiter was very good.took my 2 college sons and wife to dinner.add 5 more choices to beef,chicken,fish and pasta and I think you will be packed for dinner.
(3)Andy K.
Food was good but not great. My meal was slightly cold when I got it but others in my party had their food very hot. I guess they timed it wrong and mine sat in the kitchen while the other orders were being completed. Is that acceptable? I think not. My sald was average. I think my salad was as warm as my meal. Is that a good thing? I think not. The service was slow but attentive. I guess they want to build-up your bill with more drinks. Most meals on the menu are priced at $30 which to me should command an excellent meal which did not happen in my case. Expect to pay some where in the $50-65 per person range here (not including tip). The food is good but not at the price point they are charging. I expect something much more tasty (less bland) then they deliver.
(2)Ellen T.
Went here last year and fell in love with my favorite plate! The first and so far only thing I've eaten from the Pressroom (ate it 3 dinners in a row): the scallops, spinach and olive oil pasta (I forgot its exact name). If you do go here, get what I got! Other than that, nothing else on the menu caught my eye. But I'd go here any day just for that bowl of spaghetti :) Oh and also, on the day we came there happened to be a live jazz band playing, which always helps make it more memorable. P.S. They take phone-in orders
(5)will r.
warning. got food poisoning from eating here. called to speak with owners. they could have cared less. a report has been filed. watch the news.
(1)randy s.
My lady and I go Thursdays for the Live Jazz. The service is excellent. The staff is outgoing and the atmosphere is classy. I will admit that the food is pricey. Most of the time we just go for the music, conversation and a few drinks. One of these times I want to climb that ladder behind the bar. The bartender said that will never happen though. I think the best part is that there is no cover for the live jazz on thursday nights. The bands i've seen are extremely talented musicians.
(5)Jen K.
Decent place. Interesting atmosphere. I think it was the old press shop for the local paper. I went on a Saturday night. It didn't seem very crowded for a Saturday. I think I was hoping for a livelier crowd but it felt more like a place my mom or grandparents would go to. the food was good, didn't knock my socks off but tasty. I would go back but not before checking out other establishments in town.
(3)Jan H.
We dined here with friends before a show at the Fulton theater and we're very pleasantly surprised. A neighbor had given me the impression that The Press Room wasn't very impressive and was really more satisfactory as a lunch place, but we tried it anyway. It was fantastic! The waitress told us they've worked hard to improve things in the last year and we were wowed. The menu gave us a challenge in choosing between some wonderfully creative options rife with local ingredients and unusual combinations. When our orders came we found ourselves insisting to each other that we had to try a bite of each plate because they were too good to miss. Wonderful service, wonderful ambience, great value for the money. My only critique would be the wine list needs some expansion on wines in the lower price range. Though the $30 bottle we chose was quite nice, there was a limited selection at that price point.
(5)Aaron D.
Ya know it's really a shame. A nice room with lots of history, but well below par food. Had the Berkshire Chop. Now this is a cut of meat that is typically sublime in flavor and texture. In this situation...not so much.. Don't let food code make you think that you can't have pork that is still pink in the middle. Berkshire is preferred in the medium range. This was overcooked and it effected the texture. The taste was flat and not luxuriously tender. I believe the outer fat had been trimmed off. That is like eating Lobster and leaving the head untouched. When I pay $26.00 for a chop (in Lancaster) I expect it to reflect the quality of true Berkshire. This was a swing and a miss. On the good side...the sides were good and the service was fine. This pushes them to two stars, but it was a close call. May try again down the road, but there are to many better options at the same or lower price point.
(2)Lori S.
The Cesar Salad and Sangria are my favorites. It's a great place for Happy Hour and for a client lunch.
(5)John M.
Friendly attentive service, good food and nice surroundings make this a solid go-to place in Lancaster. We had a party of 10 and our waiter (Chris?) did a remarkable job getting us settled, reciting the specials, asking about food allergies (there were 2) and staying on top of the entire process. We ordered a variety of things from the menu - burger (small but good), roast chicken (good), crab cake sandwich ((tasty), chicken club (so-so bc it was in a thick batter coating) and salads (good portions and fresh). The onion rings were particularly good. No dessert but we will be back to try the Pressroom again.
(4)Maura B.
Friendly staff with great recommendations. Seating outside was lovely. Will definitely go back again.
(5)Diane B.
Went there for lunch after our wedding, very bad service but great food. A year later, it's now our one year anniversary and we want to go back for sentimental reasons. My husband called and made a reservation stating it's our one year anniversary and requested a quiet table. We were seated next to some Red Hat Ladies Club table (I'm not kidding). Service was slow and the waiter was a snot. I had the scallops and they were delicious but that was the only highlight of the night. We got eye rolls and sighs when we asked for a box for leftovers and for a refill on a drink. For the prices they charge, there are about three nearby restaurants that offer a lot better. Off the top of my head I would say Gibraltar, Chekcers and Penn Square Grill beat it by a mile. I plan on being married a very long time and we could have gone there at least once a year for our anniversary but instead, I will not be back under any circumstances.
(1)Lyn M.
The Pressroom is a great "go to" restaurant. I attend school at F&M and early freshman year someone told me about The Pressroom and I've been there at least once a semester since. For awhile my parents and I would try different restaurants but after being disappointed by a few we now always just head to the Pressroom. I've had a bunch of different things on their menu but the best appetizer is the baked brie and they have pretty good steaks (once mine was a little too peppery). The service has always been great and you never feel rushed. During the warmer months they have some tables outside, which is really nice and my favorite of the dining location options. The menu is normally a little different when you're outside but still good, with a decent amount of options. All in all I would tell anyone to head to the Pressroom no matter the occasion. Dress Code can be jeans or nice work attire... I've seen and worn the spectrum there.
(4)Annah D.
I had an awesome cocktail and their spring rolls are delicious. Go on a night when they have live jazz!
(4)Amy T.
The food and atmosphere in the pressroom is outstanding.I used to LOVE this place earlier,(ie until this year)-so what happened this year? I had a baby boy early part of this year,which makes me see things differently. My husband and I went here with our son,last Friday.We sat outside by the fountain, which was beautiful.We had a lovely dinner,of baked nachos,beer ,kobe beef burger with carmalized onions for me and a pizza margarita for him.My son enjoys going out and is fortunately very well behaved,however half way through our dinner,I realised he was getting uncomfortable and needed a diaper change.I went to the ladies room only to find out that they had no changing table.There wasn't a family restroom either.The only other place where I experienced this was in Paris,France- where it is so unbelievably hard to find facilities for infants. I hate giving this place only 3 stars, because everything else was so nice,but not having a changing table is a huge oversight.As new parents we have been making a great attempt to introduce our son to different experience,plus we always make sure we go family or local run businesses ,hence it is a huge disappointment when restaurants don't make this easy on us. I am sure this place would be perfect for a date or for a family dinner provided your kids are potty trained
(3)Bruce N.
on a whim I picked this place to have a little farewell dinner with my daughter who was leaving for UAE. I've always hated kale ever since my father forced me to eat it as a child, but my cornmeal crusted catfish with kale was terrific, even the kale. My wife had the gonzo burger, which she loved, and my daughter the taco trio, which she fiddled with because she was nervous, but it was pretty good too because I finished it. Portions were a tad small for the price but I need to diet anyway. The place had poor acoustics, so music was loud and you could hear people jabbering. They need some sound absorption. And frankly, the men's room was too well lit. I saw a wrinkled old man in the mirror that couldn't have been me. After two fine bells ales, I need some dim lighting so I can have the optical delusion that I've retained a seasoned athletic look. Furthermore, the urinals are way too close to each other. My boys need some space and privacy. Two big guys would almost have to stand sideways and angle it in. But really, we had a great time. Service was superb.
(4)Ralph D.
My lady friend and found this gem by chance. Interesteing concept, decor, and execution. Food was good. Would recommend for lunch. Looks like it could be a bar scene in the evening.
(4)Steve P.
I recently re-visited The Pressroom, and things have changed for the better. Having heard Tony is back running the bar, I was anxious to check it out. But both times I visited he was not working. The staff were excellent, the beer list much better than years ago, and the menu has also improved. Had two great evenings talking to others at the bar and discussing beer with the bartenders. I plan on visiting much more often.
(4)Eustace Charleston H.
I was once told ,"you pay for the atmosphere." That's exactly what you get with the Pressroom. The evening I went, it was a very comfortable evening so my party sat outside on the patio, which is located in between 2 large buildings and underneath tall trees. The patio also included a large water fall- which added to the atmosphere... I ordered a caprasi chicken sandwich with fries and pasta salad. The service was great, and the food was very good as well. As for the inside of the restaurant I am unsure of what the inside looks like, I should have ventured inside to write a more well rounded review.
(4)Kerri M.
I came here on a Friday night with a friend for some live music, food, & brews. The first time I'd ever been, considering I'm from out of town and whatnot. The beer selection was great. The menu seemed like it had a lot of good things. I ended up getting a spinach, bacon, & goat cheese salad which was excellent. However, you can't really mess that up. My dining partner ordered the vegan spaghetti and enjoyed it immensely. For dessert, we had a pumpkin cheesecake and it was excellent. Our server was very friendly and personable. Food and drinks did not take long to reach the table. It was an all around enjoyable evening.
(4)Leo M.
My wife and I went there for dessert, service was excellent and the dessert menu was great. Sat outside by the waterfalls, a bit noisy but the atmosphere was great. Would like to try a meal there next time, prices were moderate..
(3)Dalton G.
Okay so first off, my friend was coming to visit from Chicago and thought this place would be a good eat. WRONG. First off, we wanted calamari and they were out, second we ordered our drinks and waited 20 minutes for them to come! We finally placed our order and waited another 30 minutes until it came! We ordered the New York strip medium rare and it came out very overdone, the hot chocolate we ordered was cold and the service was just bad. The only thing the manager took off the bill was our drinks, the drinks! I ate about 2 bites of my steak and that was it and I had to pay $30 for it! Ridiculous! Will never be back again
(1)Dante S.
I'm writing this review, as I have been waiting 40 minutes for a burger and fries. The table that ordered at the same time as I, have finished their meals. The two tables adjacent to me, that arrived 20+ minutes after me, both have food on their tables (one tabled order a pizza which takes more time to bake, than it takes a burger to cook). The waitress stopped by once after taking my order, moments before I started this review, to tel me Thai my food would be out momentarily. While you're patio is delightful, then efficiency of your food service; is less than delightful.
(1)Jim M.
So despite my earlier predictions in my first review, I have been back - a couple of times. Each time, the experience gets better and my expectations are not as high. Last visit was a few days ago. We took three employees to the Pressroom for lunch. One of them was in a wheelchair, and the host went out of his way to set up a table in the upper deck (furthest from the fountain) outside, as the lower deck near the fountain is all high tops. It was a hospitable gesture. Our sandwiches were all very good. Linse had The Shiloh and I had the Melted Cow. Several of us enjoy the tasty duck fat fries as well. The service was very good, but my water glass went empty a few times and I had to wait for refills. The ambience inside and outside has character. I still haven't forgiven the Pressroom completely for our first experience, but I'll be happy to return again when I'm in town.
(3)Greg K.
I've periodically gone to "The Pressroom" off-and-on over the years. There's honestly been nothing particularly compelling (for me) about the place. Sure, it's a nice bar with a lot of history associated with the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, but the food and the service has simply always been adequate, if and when not occasionally outstanding. The inside bar is nice. This is a well-established place, not too run-of-the-mill and not too fancy, on the part of King St. downtown that's seen some new places pop-up in the past couple of years. But... The winner part of this place is that they have opened an outside bar by the waterfall in back that, I can say, was an absolutely outstanding place to sit and spend part of a near-perfect "First Friday" the other night. I'm not sure when exactly this opened (or if it's always been there and I just never realized it), but well done! It was a tad crowded this past Friday, but there were plenty in attendance from Lancaster's thinner and more attractive crowd that night. The craft beer selection was good and, the service was equally "good" considering how busy it was. I truly enjoyed stopping by there, having eaten out back in the past, to be able to enjoy the evening. On nights like this past Friday I think they should maximize this part of their business, as it is one of the nicer places to be in all of downtown Lancaster.
(4)Sloan S.
I stopped by here years ago for dinner one night and remember it being a fun place; unfortunately, it appears I never wrote a review. Fast forward to last Saturday when my fiancée's mom and I were walking around downtown and decided we wanted to do an early happy hour. They have a gorgeous outside seating area and new bar that opens up to a waterfall (I'd say water feature but it's pretty large). Our bartender was incredibly nice and gave us great cocktail suggestions. We both chose a bellini with their hand-squeezed flavored lemonade; mine was blueberry, hers was strawberry-kiwi. Definitely a refreshing drink! Slightly sweet but overall very good. We ordered a small Funghi pizza, which had mushrooms, arugula, and truffle oil. We splurged and also added the duck confit. The pizza was great and the perfect size to share for a small bite. Overall, I would come back for the atmosphere and what looked like pretty creative dishes. Hope to try more of their menu soon!
(4)Claudia G.
Absolutely beautiful ? The waterfall , lights and alley parkway make it very romantic mood . The food is delicious !
(5)Cynthia R.
Veeerrrrrryyyy pleasantly surprised. This place rivals the goodness of Chicago restaurants...only better in a way, because of the AMAZING crab. Omg the crab bisque was probably up there with some of the best I've EVER had. I also had the crab cake which was phenom. I have to get as much crab as possible when I'm back east, ya feel me?! So if I can take a little diversion from the food for a moment. We sat outside next to the beautiful waterfall and fountain. What a great way to enjoy a great meal with a great friend! Ok, back to food....my friend got the salmon with fresh asparagus and corn risotto. I don't even have words for how delicious it was. It was a truly special and truly delicious selection. And did I mention the server? Gosh Incant remember his name but I loved him. I think it was Ryan or something like that. My honey got a burger. It was ok. Grant it, we have some damn good burgers in the Chi and that's really tough to beat. We're spoiled for sure. Desserts were good. Nothing to scream about, it over all, a lovely experience for sure.
(4)Paul B.
Had a terrible experience a while ago, boy have things changed. The outdoor setting is awesome, a lot more attention to service. Food is pretty good, not great, but a great place to go. Congrats to the management for turning this place around, it is a gem.
(4)Alvin T.
First, some of the one and two star reviews below are bullshit and inaccurate in terms of menu age and seating logistics! Ignore! Second, the bar is great with a nice mix of locals and outta town folk! Bar tenders are very experienced and knowledgable not to mention friendly! Good rotations on beer and wine plus a jazz treat on a weekly basis! Third, the pizza is great... Interesting combos of toppings and the crust is bang on. Fourth, and for the loss of a star, the food in general is a roller coaster of good and not so good! The menu has been completely reinvented from days of old and selections vary with the seasons but I guess the gamble is what side of the bed did the chef get outta? Or is the line asleep at the wheel after a fun filled night before? Who knows but consistency is an issue! Expect contemporary American selections with a touch of Lancaster county! Small plates trump the big plates! Price wise, see item #4 above, sometimes worth it, sometimes not...but over all competitive with the neighbors and the lancasterian willing to go a little further than the diners and chains around the city limits that choke Lancaster's culinary evolution! I hear there's an outside bar coming on line soon! Should be a hit!
(4)Meghan M.
Went for lunch on a Saturday. Great, speedy service, delicious food, fun environment. We had the Bahn mi, Reuben, and a kid's pizza. The crab bisque was incredible!! Waitress suggested the peppercorn dressing for our side salad and to dip the duck fat fries in the dressing--wonderful idea! Yum!
(5)Esther C.
Succulent pork belly sliders and creative/strong drinks? Customer for life. The ambiance is cool. The service is outstanding. Just make reservations. Like now. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Jay L.
The Pressroom, for when you can't get a table at Aussie and the Fox and you're too hungry to wait. How this place has continued without changing is beyond me. I am convinced one of these days I am going to see a Gordon Ramsay and a camera crew in this place trying to revive it on Kitchen Nightmares. The menu is as outdated as the inside of this relic from the past. And it's a shame, it could be so much more then what it is. The food is confusing and the menu is too large for anything to be fresh. The menu reads like a really expensive diner. As an example of this places randomness, how about a pork carnitas pizza with cilantro pesto, then some seafood risotto and a plate of hot wings... What? It would be fine if it was priced similar to a diner but with entrees going up to $40 for a steak, I expect more. The interior is just depressing. It is lit with terrible florescent lighting and is too bright to be intimate in any way. The green could be a nice splash of color if used correctly but this place uses it WAY too much. It hurts my eyes and makes me want to leave. I hope the owner comes around and decides to shut down for a few weeks, renovate the place, get rid of that horrendous green, throw away the menu and start fresh. I want to like this place, but with all the new restaurants opening nearby, the Pressroom cannot keep up. It is a shame but until something changes I will not return.
(2)Greg L.
The good: The food was decently prepared and tasted fine, but was nothing special for the price. The bad: The selection and size of the menu was unnecessarily small, and way overpriced considering that the price and that the preparation was only decent. The wine list also had an excessive mark up, even for a restaurant. Selling wine with a markup at a restaurant is normal, but selling a $12-$15 bottle of wine for more than $40-$50 is a ripoff at best, and dishonest at worst. ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. My girlfriend and I arrived to a mostly empty restaurant, with maybe 30-40% of the seating occupied. We are young but are very well dressed, and no one would mistake us for a couple of young punks. They sat us at a tiny two person table in the back of the restaurant, where three of the walls closed in so close around the table that our seats were crammed into the table. The only way for us to physically sit at the table was with the chairs pushed all the way into the table (this was still with the backs of the chairs touching the wall), and our elbows and chests propped up against the table. Unacceptable, especially considering the price that you are paying for dinner. This restaurant isnt super expensive, but it also isn't cheap. If you want to eat dinner at this price point, do yourself a favor and go somewhere else.
(1)Chris B.
Great food. Great service, and a newly opened outdoor bar make it a great summer stop for a drink and a bite. Try the Malbec Manhattan.
(5)Jes K.
While I enjoyed the ambiance and the live music on Valentine's Day, I thought the food was overpriced for what I had. There was a prix fixe selection for V-Day. The fondue appetizer was my favorite. Creative and delicious. The seafood bisque was my next course, average. My entrée was the most disappointing. Overdone spaghetti noodles with a vodka sauce and seafood. I will say the scallops were adequately cooked. The sauce/seafood/spaghetti did not blend well. The dessert was a good chocolate cake I shared with my date. I'm visiting from NYC. Next time I visit I would like to try again to compare.
(2)Danielle P.
We had our wedding rehearsal dinner at the Press Room, including a cocktail hour on the outdoor terrace and then a buffet dinner in the private event room. It was perfect. They were so accommodating for our large group (50-60 people) and when our family toasts got out of control and our dinner started much later than expected. The location was beautiful. Many people commented on how perfect the setting was. Thanks for a great experience!
(5)Thomas O.
Terrible! Came here with 7 friends for dinner. All 7 of us had to send our meals back because they were cold even even though the restaurant was not busy. On the second attempt, our food was still cold, except our steaks that we ordered rare were both cold and well-done the second time. Do not come here! The fact that they can't get it right the second time demonstrates that this restaurant is terrible.
(1)Mark W.
For upscale dining, this place misses the mark Overall, the food is pretty good. Nothing to write home about and definitely not worth the price they charge, but good for a quick bite on a weekday. Additionally, their happy hour specials are great to stop in and have a drink or two. Come early on First Friday if you're thinking about coming then. On our most recent visit, we had pretty poor service. Our waitress was training, but had a mentor too, who didn't do much to help. Our food took forever (probably not her fault), which added to sub-par service. They just changed the menu and the place seemed like a hot mess when we were there. I would recommend trying somewhere else.
(2)Benjamin B.
I stumbled upon the Pressroom accidentally looking for a lunch spot. I happened to go on a special Sunday, the first time the establishment offered brunch. Now, I was not in the mood for breakfast, but I stayed because I was there. I am glad I did! I started with an order of duck fat fries, which lived up to any expectation I could have had. The waitress brought us some type of alioli (not the siracha alioli) that was divine. My colleagues and I ended up ordering another plate of the duck fries I part because the sauce was so great. Even without the sauce, the fries were excellent. As my entree, I ordered the Barnyard Pizza, breakfast on a pizza: egg, bacon, sausage, and other things. When I say that this was one of the best dishes I have eaten in a long time, I mean it. The crust was perfect, just thick and chewy enough. The sausage was excellent. And the best part was that the egg was cooked in certain places on the pizza but runny on others to create a wonder mixture of flavors and consistencies. If this was truly The Pressroom's first day serving brunch, someone really thought about what they were doing before opening the doors. Just as a plug, The Pressroom also featured Bloody Mary and mimosa bars, but I did not partake. I did have a light IPA from their rotating taps, which suggests to me that there is a lot more to try!
(5)Andy E.
Love the Pressroom. I have business lunches there frequently.
(5)Katherine M.
The decor and location of this place are just perfect. It's adorable, larger than you would think upon seeing it from the outside, and comfortable. I really enjoyed the look and feel of everything, including the menus which are printed to look like little newspapers. We ordered a lemonade and a specialty cocktail to start. Both were delicious. We each wished for a second. Sadly, that didn't happen. After we ordered, our waiter became scarce. We ordered French Onion soup to start, and finished both of our drinks by the end of the bowl. The soup was delicious - perfectly seasoned, not too thick or thin, and great cheese. One of the best I have had. We waited for a long time for the rest of our meal, both finishing our waters before the food came to us (it's July and we had just walked all around downtown, we were thirsty, understandable so). I would say it was a good 40 minutes between the soup and our food. Considered we ordered a pizza and what essentially was grilled corn, this seemed like a long time. Normally, this actually wouldn't bother me. But we had not seen our waiter and were drinkless. The food came and was delicious. The How Now Brown Cow was amazing - the tomato jam was perfectly sweet and the blue cheese perfect with it. The grilled corn nugs are essentially 1 ear of corn cut into 4 and grilled with a sweet/spicy butter sauce. This was yummy, but really awful considering we had no drinks. I was eating corn and then ice. We ate as slowly as possible, and saw our waiter visit another table. We finally saw him pass by again, still ignoring us, and were able to pull him over to get water as he had just filled another tables. So while the food and atmosphere here was perfect, our service was terrible. I was surprised none of the other 5 waiters who walked by our table told our guy or something. Or that our waiter wouldn't want to try and serve us another 10 dollar cocktail or two. I'll be back, but I'm hoping for more drinks next time! They had so many I wanted to try!
(4)Jen L.
Went for dinner with 6 friends, awful experience. All 7 of our meals were cold when they came out (after a long wait), sent them back, and second time they were all still cold!! The restaurant wasn't busy at all so not sure what was happening. After 2 and a half hours we left, still hungry. There are lots of good restaurants and bars in the area, don't waste your time or money here.
(1)Jon L.
Great atmosphere. Consistent food. Def my go to spot for my wife and I to eat. We love sharing a pizza and pub fries. What are pub fries you may ask? It's fresh cut fries with horseradish dressing, cheddar cheese, bacon and crab meat. Need I say more? 5 stars
(5)Dennis U.
The Pressroom is a pretty average place but the slow service we encounted on our visit pulled it more toward a 2 star rating. The decor is interesting, the menu is uninspired and the food was ok. I had a crab cake sandwich that was n't too bad but it did take forever to get there. I'll keep on looking for better when I get back to Lancaster
(2)Bruce N.
on a whim I picked this place to have a little farewell dinner with my daughter who was leaving for UAE. I've always hated kale ever since my father forced me to eat it as a child, but my cornmeal crusted catfish with kale was terrific, even the kale. My wife had the gonzo burger, which she loved, and my daughter the taco trio, which she fiddled with because she was nervous, but it was pretty good too because I finished it. Portions were a tad small for the price but I need to diet anyway. The place had poor acoustics, so music was loud and you could hear people jabbering. They need some sound absorption. And frankly, the men's room was too well lit. I saw a wrinkled old man in the mirror that couldn't have been me. After two fine bells ales, I need some dim lighting so I can have the optical delusion that I've retained a seasoned athletic look. Furthermore, the urinals are way too close to each other. My boys need some space and privacy. Two big guys would almost have to stand sideways and angle it in. But really, we had a great time. Service was superb.
(4)Ralph D.
My lady friend and found this gem by chance. Interesteing concept, decor, and execution. Food was good. Would recommend for lunch. Looks like it could be a bar scene in the evening.
(4)Steve P.
I recently re-visited The Pressroom, and things have changed for the better. Having heard Tony is back running the bar, I was anxious to check it out. But both times I visited he was not working. The staff were excellent, the beer list much better than years ago, and the menu has also improved. Had two great evenings talking to others at the bar and discussing beer with the bartenders. I plan on visiting much more often.
(4)Eustace Charleston H.
I was once told ,"you pay for the atmosphere." That's exactly what you get with the Pressroom. The evening I went, it was a very comfortable evening so my party sat outside on the patio, which is located in between 2 large buildings and underneath tall trees. The patio also included a large water fall- which added to the atmosphere... I ordered a caprasi chicken sandwich with fries and pasta salad. The service was great, and the food was very good as well. As for the inside of the restaurant I am unsure of what the inside looks like, I should have ventured inside to write a more well rounded review.
(4)Jan H.
We dined here with friends before a show at the Fulton theater and we're very pleasantly surprised. A neighbor had given me the impression that The Press Room wasn't very impressive and was really more satisfactory as a lunch place, but we tried it anyway. It was fantastic! The waitress told us they've worked hard to improve things in the last year and we were wowed. The menu gave us a challenge in choosing between some wonderfully creative options rife with local ingredients and unusual combinations. When our orders came we found ourselves insisting to each other that we had to try a bite of each plate because they were too good to miss. Wonderful service, wonderful ambience, great value for the money. My only critique would be the wine list needs some expansion on wines in the lower price range. Though the $30 bottle we chose was quite nice, there was a limited selection at that price point.
(5)Aaron D.
Ya know it's really a shame. A nice room with lots of history, but well below par food. Had the Berkshire Chop. Now this is a cut of meat that is typically sublime in flavor and texture. In this situation...not so much.. Don't let food code make you think that you can't have pork that is still pink in the middle. Berkshire is preferred in the medium range. This was overcooked and it effected the texture. The taste was flat and not luxuriously tender. I believe the outer fat had been trimmed off. That is like eating Lobster and leaving the head untouched. When I pay $26.00 for a chop (in Lancaster) I expect it to reflect the quality of true Berkshire. This was a swing and a miss. On the good side...the sides were good and the service was fine. This pushes them to two stars, but it was a close call. May try again down the road, but there are to many better options at the same or lower price point.
(2)Lori S.
The Cesar Salad and Sangria are my favorites. It's a great place for Happy Hour and for a client lunch.
(5)John M.
Friendly attentive service, good food and nice surroundings make this a solid go-to place in Lancaster. We had a party of 10 and our waiter (Chris?) did a remarkable job getting us settled, reciting the specials, asking about food allergies (there were 2) and staying on top of the entire process. We ordered a variety of things from the menu - burger (small but good), roast chicken (good), crab cake sandwich ((tasty), chicken club (so-so bc it was in a thick batter coating) and salads (good portions and fresh). The onion rings were particularly good. No dessert but we will be back to try the Pressroom again.
(4)Maura B.
Friendly staff with great recommendations. Seating outside was lovely. Will definitely go back again.
(5)J B.
The Pressroom is clearly surviving solely on its (once quite good) reputation. Had a gift certificate and decided to have lunch here over the weekend after having not been at the restaurant in several years. Can't say I'll be going back. Food was average. Not bad, but certainly not memorable. Had the prices been more reasonable, I might have left with a more positive impression of the meal, but the quality vs price ratio is completely unbalanced. The dining room is extremely antiquated and doesn't look as if it has been updated since the early 80s. The awning outside looks as if it hasn't been touched since the 60s. Ditto for the menu which features a rather uninspired selection. Service was lousy - slow and ill prepared. In their defense, our server was the only one we saw while there so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that they were perhaps understaffed that day. Bottom line: Completely unimpressed and a reminder of why I had not eaten here in years despite it's great location in middle of town.
(2)Kimba Z.
I've wanted to take my (ex)journalist partner here for a while, since there are not too many newspaper-themed restaurants. After a day of wandering downtown Lancaster in the heat, two hungry, thirsty vegans expected to be underwhelmed but were very happy with the experience. The outside courtyard is beautiful, but it was too hot for that, so we hid in the bar in really cool art deco booths and loved the wine and beer selection. He had an Omegang; me an unoaked Chardonnay from Oregon. They were willing to make a pizza without the cheese (many places say no), and I substituted the chicken in my blackbean-mango salad with grilled portobellos, delicious! I felt a bit tense having to explain that vegans don't eat salad dressing with honey and egg, but the zinfandel vinaigrette on the third offering was lovely. Friendly service, happy to explain the history of the building, beautiful wood interior; someone spent a lot of money on this place. Looks like an overall good watering hole. Lucky Intelligencer staff to have this so close by. Cool open piano outside (a local art project), on which I attempted to remember long ago ragtime riffs, and interesting sculpture too.
(3)Nixo A.
Location is nice, seems to be a hot spot in town. Food was decent but service was friendly but not great. We had to insist several times to get bread, more sparkling water. The sides that came with entrees were not the ones we ordered. They do their best, but there s a miss in the service organization. We tried the Shiraz, not great. The Malbec was OK, but hard to complain when you pay $30 a bottle in the restaurant. Not unforgettable experience
(3)Tom H.
Ridiculously over priced (e.g. $15 for three medium sized shrimp billed as "Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail". My wife and I had two appetizers, and split a crab cake sandwich, two sodas and no dessert and the bill was $70 (without the tip.). Nice ambience and eating outside is a treat if you can avoid chewing and swallowing when the check comes.
(3)robert s.
Should not post on here because we didn't eat here but went last night after a show around 10:10 and we were told they stopped servering at 10. Questioned the bartender about the their web site stating 10:30 and he no. They turned us away. I call today and spoke with a "manager" and she said that they close the kitchen when it get slow, she was very rude when i question the 10:30 time on their web site. So the short story is not sure about the food and never will be but the customer service is lacking and will go else where
(1)Linda S.
SUPERB BRUNCH - Maybe it is the "make your own" Bloody Marys and Mimosas at the bar or maybe it was the donut holes we had while waiting for our meal but this is the perfect place for a relaxing Sunday brunch. The menu offers a wide variety of interesting variations on the classics. The Gravlax won raves at our table with scrumptious pickled onions and salmon prepared on site. All our selections were fresh and well prepared. Biscuits are light and fluffy and make a perfect egg sandwich. Service was friendly and attentive. Try the breakfast pizza! We had a large party and ordered one for the table to share. I wasn't sure I'd like it but it was really special and I'd order it again without hesitation. We lingered and stayed for about 2 hours but it was Sunday brunch and we did have a party of more than 6 so that length of time is to be expected.
(5)Kelly I.
THE BEST crabcake you will ever have.....even if you are from Maryland and KNOW good crabcakes!.......served on fried spinach.....delicious!
(5)Diane K.
The first thing I ordered was Bass, and they said they were out of it. I then ordered crab cakes and they were ok. My friend had meatloaf, which she hated. It had so much filler (bread), that it was soft and mushy. My husband had a steak which was very fatty. We were all disappointed in our dinners. The waiter was very slow and not attentive on top of that. This used to be a favorite for a special dinner,but not any more. I will not go back.
(2)Sean F.
No better bar staff in town, and always a great spot for happy hour. We always sit at the bar...even if we're eating. Food menu always needed a bit of an upgrade, and I hear that's in the works so that's exciting. Great location and excellent decor.
(4)K M.
We come here a lot for the bar. However, the food is excellent as well. It can be pricey, but we have always enjoyed our experiences.
(5)Steven I.
Not as good as I would have hoped. The Prime Rib was OK; it had a gravy on top that was tasteless. My guess did enjoy there dinners.
(3)Joe G.
The new menu and the premium meats have really, finally, stepped up this classic American establishment. New takes on pizza, and amazing drinks will lure me back to this place over an over again. The only downfall is that the menu is very limited, but good. Some would say that's a bonus, others problematic. Stop in and judge for yourself.
(4)Renee B.
The Pressroom has a nice, casual, laid-back atmosphere with a great menu and sometimes even live music. Wednesday night jazz is a favorite of mine. The food has always been fresh and delicious. The burger is delicious, as are their pizza's, but most recently I thoroughly enjoyed the mango chicken salad. It was so unique- the seasoning was delicious and unique. Tony, the bartender is great- so friendly and welcoming. I always smile when I see he's behind the bar. Great wine and beer selection and full bar for cocktails as well. Two thumbs up!
(4)Russell F.
Here's the hard part, in Lancaster you actually have a lot of great options for food. What the Pressroom sells isn't so much great food or service, they sell and atmosphere and a venue. The atmosphere is old Lancaster money and the venue is one where you might be dining next to a local politico or mover and shaker. If you don't count that high on your list of priorities then by all means, go elsewhere. I usually do. The food isn't bad. The menu not all that exciting. The service is average, at best. The prices are on the higher end of the Lancaster spectrum. All told, it's not such a great deal.
(2)Melanie N.
So September 14 was my birthday, and I had class at my University from 7:45am until 6:30pm. When I finally got home my fiance surprised me by telling me he had dinner reservations at the Pressroom. I was so excited since we are foodies, and I have not yet eaten there before. One of our friends is a chef who works there. She is always encouraging us to go eat there. It was a warm evening so we asked to sit outside. The lights and waterfall would be a great romantic addition to my birthday dinner. The hostess was no where to be found so we went inside looking for help. People just kind of ignored us, and eventually a young busboy told us to wait outside and the hostess would be right out. Ok. So we stand outside and before she greets us, she says, "Did you hear the thunder?" We didn't hear it so we said no. Then she proceeded to seat us outside. The waiter finally gets to our table and says "We aren't serving outside anymore." Which was like...well why did the hostess sit us out here? He didn't force us inside, instead he asked for our drink orders and left. When he came back with our drinks he said, you can order appetizers but if you want dinner then you'll have to wait a hour because we have a banquet of 60 people inside. At this point is was already 8:15pm and we were starving! What was the point of eating there is we weren't going to be able to eat dinner? We had reservations so it's not like they didn't know we were coming to eat. We really felt like the waiter didn't want us to stay and eat there just because we sat outside. Whatever. We ended up having a fabulous meal at The Belvedere.
(1)Eric F.
Seven gates is the best deal going here. Had a French dip which was very good and a friend of mine had the chorizo, which he said was good, too. Definitely a return visit is needed!
(4)Eric H.
Perfect for a wedding rehearsal dinner! It's hard to find a place that's just right for 25-100 people, but The Pressroom is it. Easy to find, free validated garage parking and a friendly staff helped us relax and feel at home. The food was very good and the service outstanding. On a freezing night, we were welcomed with hot cider and homemade hot chocolate (wow!), then enjoyed excellent passed hors d'oeuvres (shrimp quiches, stuffed mushrooms, goat cheese and sausage tartlets). The plated dinner was served at exactly the right pace for the guests, and right on schedule. Dinner was a choice of salmon, pork tenderloin or crab cakes, all of which got great compliments from the guests. Drink service was attentive without being overbearing. I cannot say enough good things about the staff, Jan and Shawn especially were very flexible and made sure the guests were happy and all flowed smoothly. The room was nicely appointed and the entire atmosphere was elegant without being stuffy. If you are doing a dinner or banquet for a small to medium sized group, The Pressroom should be your top choice in Lancaster.
(5)Adam F.
I'll def have to go back. The outdoor seating was really nice and the service was impeccable. Notes: The bleu cheese is a little thin and could be moldier.
(4)george a.
Oh yeah, this was worth the walk.. ---------- FOOD: I got a baked mac and cheese and it was without a doubt the best Ive ever had! They dont have too much for vegetarians, a sandwich and the mac and cheese, but they do have quite a bit of stuff that I would have to try if I wasnt a veg head. DECOR: Its an old lancaster press building, and the style reflects that. Its got that turn of the century feel, yet its really modern. Marble and wood counter tops, frosted glass partitions.. Its just nice. SERVICE: I sat at the bar, so it was pretty prompt. Friendly too. ---------- FINAL THOUGHTS: Id go back in a heartbeat. Prices are reasonable, and its my kind of decor.
(4)Nat Z.
The Pressroom's bar is probably one of the better ones in the city. It's pretty relaxed, comfortable, and has a great selection of liquor, draft beer, and wine. Drinks are pretty cheap and the staff are great. They also have this horseradish cheese dip that is excellent and served with Hammond pretzels (and free of charge, unlike many peer establishments). The restaurant itself isn't spectacular but it isn't bad, either. I imagine that quality may vary quite a bit from dish to dish, as I've had some great experiences with food here and some that were less than remarkable.
(4)John W.
Gotta give The Pressroom lots of love. Great food, great service, great atmosphere!!! It was the place for our first dinner date and we loved it.!!! We'll definitely be back.
(5)Jessica W.
This restaurant is on the pricey side, so I don't visit often. However, their cream of crab soup is hands-down the best cream of crab soup I've ever eaten. The base is slightly different from all other soups I've eaten, which makes it wonderful, and you do get your money's worth since the restaurant packs the soup with crab meat. The atmosphere is nice as well. You don't have to be dressed immaculately, but you do feel like you've treated yourself to a nice dinner if you eat there.
(4)Cherine A.
This is one of the restaurants my mom and I always go to when we're in Lancaster. Their sandwiches are quite good, and the french onion soup is one of the best I've had. The filet mignon was cooked perfectly to order (medium well). The waiters are attentive, but they don't rush you. Take the time to read the cartoons on the wall - they're all by famous cartoonists and they're done specifically for the Lancaster Intelligencer-Journal. The building used to be the press building, so it's nice that they've kept that spirit in mind with the restaurant.
(4)Juliet G.
After I ate inside I realized they had beautiful outdoor dining that I missed! Regardless of that I enjoyed my lunch which was a veggie wrap with mushrooms, asparagus, peppers, cheese...and fabulous. The coconut curry soup was divine!
(4)Felix L.
Came here on a Saturday night with a small group a little before closing. the place was empty and we sat in their garden. Our waiter had our table and another table with 2 people. Inside the restaurant there were 3-4 tables with people finishing their dinner. It took forever to get our drinks, reordering drinks took even longer, wrong drinks were brought. We were waiting for grilled cheese for a small kid for 1 hour!. After waiting well over an hour for our food the burgers were well done when asked for rare, pizza was cold, ribs were tasteless, mac-n-cheese was just greasy. The only tasty items were onion rings and fries. the waiter offered to take the charges for the burger off, but when the check arrived he took off one beer and charged us 50% for the burger. If you want good service and food go to Annie Bailey's just a block down the road.
(2)Paul A.
I've only ever had lunch here, so I can't say that dinner here is bad, it may very well be a great experience. But seriously, avoid having lunch here. The service is truly terrible. I've had lunch here a number of times with my mom while on her lunch break, and without fail she is always late back to work. The place is usually pretty empty, but for some reason that means that the servers just hide away and are never any where to be found. The food is fine, nothing special for lunch at least, but my oh my, seriously, I have always had the worst service here. They just don't seem to care. I hope they at least are more attentive at dinner, which they probably are.
(2)A F.
Ate on patio last night for first time, have been coming here for years. Wonderful setting. Food is good. I had crab and shrimp cocktail and veggie pizza (weird combo but I was just off long flight and even longer traffic jam) companion had pasta. Topped off with frozen peach sorbet. Great Manhattan for the pre dinner tune up. Everyone I've brought here likes it, crab cakes are a favorite. Waitron was friendly and efficient.
(5)Brian L.
Atmosphere was pretty rad, old building,old newspaper goins on, nice booths. At first my crotch wasn't exactly blasting off into orbit over the menu options, pretty normal items, burgers, pasta,salads. I saw Chicken Cordon Bleu w/ mushroom sauce, that was about the most interesting item i could find so i ordered it. welp....CROTCH, SET COURSE FOR HOLY SPACE! Hats down, the BEST I've ever had! wonderfully cooked Panko encrusted chicken w/ shaved ham and some fancy cheese which i can't recall the name, served with super tiny crispy green beans and garlic mashed potatos! My girlfriend got the pasta primavera which was also very tasty. I dont mind a simple menu when people can pull it off as well as The Pressroom!
(5)Jen K.
Decent place. Interesting atmosphere. I think it was the old press shop for the local paper. I went on a Saturday night. It didn't seem very crowded for a Saturday. I think I was hoping for a livelier crowd but it felt more like a place my mom or grandparents would go to. the food was good, didn't knock my socks off but tasty. I would go back but not before checking out other establishments in town.
(3)Patrice W.
I dug it! As an out-of-town reporter, I couldn't help but want to check this place out. The decor was cute, although I have to say the fonts used on the "newspaper" menus weren't very accurate. But really, that's the only thing I could find to complain about. The prices were decent, the wait staff was very attentive and well-informed about their product. The food was extraordinary! I really was blown away by how delicious my dinner was, cdonsidering I got the vegetarian pasta primavera, and usually that comes out bland. The broccoli and spinach were very green and fresh, not wilty or brown. The pasta seemed homemamde, or at least cut on site, and the entire presentation was pleasing. I was...imPRESSed.
(5)J D.
décor and location are very good. the menu is weak. seems it is for older people..60 and over.the food we had was good just lacking more choices.waiter was very good.took my 2 college sons and wife to dinner.add 5 more choices to beef,chicken,fish and pasta and I think you will be packed for dinner.
(3)Andy K.
Food was good but not great. My meal was slightly cold when I got it but others in my party had their food very hot. I guess they timed it wrong and mine sat in the kitchen while the other orders were being completed. Is that acceptable? I think not. My sald was average. I think my salad was as warm as my meal. Is that a good thing? I think not. The service was slow but attentive. I guess they want to build-up your bill with more drinks. Most meals on the menu are priced at $30 which to me should command an excellent meal which did not happen in my case. Expect to pay some where in the $50-65 per person range here (not including tip). The food is good but not at the price point they are charging. I expect something much more tasty (less bland) then they deliver.
(2)Ellen T.
Went here last year and fell in love with my favorite plate! The first and so far only thing I've eaten from the Pressroom (ate it 3 dinners in a row): the scallops, spinach and olive oil pasta (I forgot its exact name). If you do go here, get what I got! Other than that, nothing else on the menu caught my eye. But I'd go here any day just for that bowl of spaghetti :) Oh and also, on the day we came there happened to be a live jazz band playing, which always helps make it more memorable. P.S. They take phone-in orders
(5)will r.
warning. got food poisoning from eating here. called to speak with owners. they could have cared less. a report has been filed. watch the news.
(1)randy s.
My lady and I go Thursdays for the Live Jazz. The service is excellent. The staff is outgoing and the atmosphere is classy. I will admit that the food is pricey. Most of the time we just go for the music, conversation and a few drinks. One of these times I want to climb that ladder behind the bar. The bartender said that will never happen though. I think the best part is that there is no cover for the live jazz on thursday nights. The bands i've seen are extremely talented musicians.
(5)Diane B.
Went there for lunch after our wedding, very bad service but great food. A year later, it's now our one year anniversary and we want to go back for sentimental reasons. My husband called and made a reservation stating it's our one year anniversary and requested a quiet table. We were seated next to some Red Hat Ladies Club table (I'm not kidding). Service was slow and the waiter was a snot. I had the scallops and they were delicious but that was the only highlight of the night. We got eye rolls and sighs when we asked for a box for leftovers and for a refill on a drink. For the prices they charge, there are about three nearby restaurants that offer a lot better. Off the top of my head I would say Gibraltar, Chekcers and Penn Square Grill beat it by a mile. I plan on being married a very long time and we could have gone there at least once a year for our anniversary but instead, I will not be back under any circumstances.
(1)Lyn M.
The Pressroom is a great "go to" restaurant. I attend school at F&M and early freshman year someone told me about The Pressroom and I've been there at least once a semester since. For awhile my parents and I would try different restaurants but after being disappointed by a few we now always just head to the Pressroom. I've had a bunch of different things on their menu but the best appetizer is the baked brie and they have pretty good steaks (once mine was a little too peppery). The service has always been great and you never feel rushed. During the warmer months they have some tables outside, which is really nice and my favorite of the dining location options. The menu is normally a little different when you're outside but still good, with a decent amount of options. All in all I would tell anyone to head to the Pressroom no matter the occasion. Dress Code can be jeans or nice work attire... I've seen and worn the spectrum there.
(4)Annah D.
I had an awesome cocktail and their spring rolls are delicious. Go on a night when they have live jazz!
(4)Amy T.
The food and atmosphere in the pressroom is outstanding.I used to LOVE this place earlier,(ie until this year)-so what happened this year? I had a baby boy early part of this year,which makes me see things differently. My husband and I went here with our son,last Friday.We sat outside by the fountain, which was beautiful.We had a lovely dinner,of baked nachos,beer ,kobe beef burger with carmalized onions for me and a pizza margarita for him.My son enjoys going out and is fortunately very well behaved,however half way through our dinner,I realised he was getting uncomfortable and needed a diaper change.I went to the ladies room only to find out that they had no changing table.There wasn't a family restroom either.The only other place where I experienced this was in Paris,France- where it is so unbelievably hard to find facilities for infants. I hate giving this place only 3 stars, because everything else was so nice,but not having a changing table is a huge oversight.As new parents we have been making a great attempt to introduce our son to different experience,plus we always make sure we go family or local run businesses ,hence it is a huge disappointment when restaurants don't make this easy on us. I am sure this place would be perfect for a date or for a family dinner provided your kids are potty trained
(3)