I had such an amazing time at this oyster bar! The staff was incredibly knowledgeable about all the…read moredifferent types of oysters they offer. I'm not a fan of oysters at all however Mya was so great in helping me choose the perfect ones for my taste to try. I even had the pleasure of attending their drag brunch event, which was so much fun. The atmosphere is lively and welcoming, making it a perfect spot for a day out with friends or a special celebration. Appreciate them for accommodating my party and I on short notice. Thank you to Mya for being such a great vibe. The ambiance was a wonderful dining environment however I would say it can be too cold at times.

I love Crave! I have been here twice and think it's one of the best upper scale restaurants here in…read morethe UWS. Super yummy cocktails and really friendly service. I've gotten the lobster curry both times I've been, and it is so delicious. Other notable apps include the crispy rice and the octopus. I would honestly pass on the fish tacos - the shells were weird and cardboardy and took away from the fish flavor. The tuna was delish and had a great smoky elote corn. Brussel sprouts and griddled rice were great sides, nothing too crazy! I will definitely come back here. Higher prices but worth it for good seafood.

Fun time at this bistro, with French café style seating outside, and an awning that kept one row of…read moretables dry. Ben was our server and he was extremely nice and patient. He also didn't mind that we lingered once we were done with our food. I got a glass of Albariño and my friend got Sauvignon Blanc and was happy with it. We got the Parker rolls to start which were yummy. I really loved my cod dish, and we were both full after. Hostesses were super nice too and making sure we got one of the dry tables outside. I enjoyed it a lot here, and three cheers for Ben!

On a walk-by saw this place and decided to try it. We were told we only had about an hour until…read morethe next reservation, which we didn't mind. The atmosphere is modern, relaxed, very comfortable NYC. The food was "eh". The portions are small, prices are big and the taste is absolutely basic. I'm not a great cook, but I can certainly make the wedge salad look and taste 50x better. The shrimp cocktail was less than ordinary. Overall, not regretting I tried it, but it's a one and done for sure.

What a gem! We found Elea as we were walking around the uws. This is on a side street, which was…read morequieter and less noisy than on the main Columbus or Amsterdam avenues. Elea has an outdoor shed which was covered and very nice. We got a table in this shed with our baby and dog. The service was friendly. We ordered several dishes to share, the fried calamari, grilled octopus and lavraki, all on the lunch menu. I really enjoyed every single dish! I was so craving the fried calamari and this really hit the spot, I loved the dipping sauce (which was a light tomato's based sauce but it was not exactly marinara). I loved the octopus especially with hummus! And the fish which was a lot with 2 fillets of lavraki with a large portion of spinach! So yummy, we will absolutely be back and can't wait!

A pretty and buzzing restaurant on the UWS. We stopped by on a hot summer Friday night and got…read moreseated downstairs in the main dining room. Started with the olives, big and briny, then the spanikopita and three dips and pita. The dips, fine, nothing special, not very prettily presented, especially the fava, which was a heavy tasteless dud. The pita was cold and something you could pick up at a supermarket. But then things looked up. The grilled shrimp were plump and beautiful on a bed of salad and oranges. The mussels were delicious, with broth and tomato and feta and two big chunks of grilled bread - why couldn't they do this with the pita? Wine by the glass good and service was very nice but I think we only saw our server twice. Once was when she presented our check with the 20, 22, 25 option. But all in all it was pleasant! Lots of families if you have kids and want a nice dinner in a place that makes kids comfortable.

I ordered the burger to be cooked medium . The meat was juicy and The fries were very crunchy but…read morenot oily. I like the chipotle sauce on the side, it had a slight kick to it but not hot. We have to keep asking for water though. So I'm giving it a 4 star. They automatically added 20 %tip to the bill.

This was my favorite breakfast on my recent trip to NY. The patio was adorable and everything on…read morethe menu sounded great. We ultimately went with the pancake as an appetizer for the table which had plenty of delicious berry compote on top. I'm so happy I went with the shakshuka as my main as it was super flavorful and left me feeling full and satisfied. The chunks of fresh veggies in the sauce made each bite a little bit different. Will be dreaming about this dish for weeks to come!

My cousin (god we love her) lives in the building next door so for the past 2 years Haven has been…read moreher haunt. Now I have a thing when people say "it's just next door" or "it's right down the street." What did George Dubya say? Fool me once and it's shame on you, fool me twice and the shame is mine for getting us into a war based on lies and greed?" Yeah something like that. Anyways, I typically don't believe when people say something is close so whenever I visit her we just order in delivery rather than motivate (ie put on a bra) and go out. But dang it this is literally. Right. Next. Door. As in I can sit on the deck outside of the restaurant and look in her living room. Smh. I say all that to say IVE BEEN MISSING OUT!! Her bday was this weekend so she booked a large table for family and friends. I was relieved to see they had valet. Parking is atrocious in this development so to only pay $10 to be 10 feet from the door was awesome. The restaurant itself is beautiful and the staff know her well and treated her as a valued guest. Here's the rundown: We went for BRUNCH. They have a prix fixe for $41 of most of the brunch items and it includes 2 Bellini, 2 mimosas, or 2 Bloody Marys. Good right? Welp what you don't know is that their cocktail menu is incredible so to heck with the prix fixe. We got mimosas at home!! Between the 10 of us we got cocktails, appetizers, entrees, desserts, coffee. Highlights: -Service was spectacular. Wesley was On It! By the time we finished eating there was another party of 10+ seated right behind us that he was servicing. I hope he enjoys the reward$ of his hard work! Make it rain on em Wesley! -Fat friendly seating. No arms, solid chairs, comfortable cushions. We were there for 4 hours and my booty was never sore. -Food. We tore it up and it was all delicious. My half of the table had the farm house breakfast sando, the fried chicken sando, French omelette, huevo rancheros. We shared the crab hush puppies, wings, calamari, goat cheese salad, and blueberry pancakes. I was nosey and saw that some of my other table mates ordered the skirt steak and eggs and the short rib. -Drinks. I know my husband loves mango so I suggested he get the smoked mango drink. I didn't know it came with theatrics. Dinner and a show?! Btw by the time our table was done almost everyone had ordered one. Lychee martini, Paloma, old fashioned, midnight espresso. Also all very good! -The View. Our party was too large to sit outside but we did sit right at the floor to ceiling windows. In between birthday wishes and food comas we watched the boats, jet skis, and undulating waves of the Hudson. Previous posters are correct - the place is pricey. But high key the people who live in that area are already paying a premium for everything else sooooo. Now, I DONT live in that area lmao so this will be a rarer treat for me. But I was happy to celebrate my cousin's birthday in a place that she loves. Awesome experience - I look forward to returning! 10/10 would put on a bra for this and walk downstairs lol

Best steak of my life, confirming that it is my cosmic destiny to be a carnivore. So good, that…read moreimmediatly upon devouring the last bite of holy carne, I considered ordering another. TBH, I don't really remember the rest of the meal. i think dessert was something sugary, dunno... Service was... oh, who cares when your body is coursing with medium-rare iron and slightly charred protein hunks that the noble bovine has so generously given mankind. And I guess I was there for my anniversary or something. I remember whatever riverfront view the restaurant touts was completely obscured by shitty rain. Oh, but the STEAK... I guess my wife liked her meal. Pasta? Chicken? Chicken pasta? Whatevs, it wasn't steak, so no matter. We're still married.

The Pardner and I recently celebrated an anniversary at Essential by Christophe, a Michelin-starred…read morerestaurant on the Upper West Side. The beige walls and neutral tones in the space gave us flashbacks to when we used to dine at Dovetail, the restaurant in this space many, many years ago (before children). Of course, our dinner at Essential far outshone any we had at Dovetail, both because this was a "date with the whole family" as the progeny puts it, and because the kitchen at Essential is unusually precise and deliberate, distilling onto each plate the pure, fresh, unadulterated flavors of premium ingredients. You can choose a four or seven course "experience", with or without wine pairings. Children may order à la carte or from an unpublished children's menu that includes burgers and pasta for picky eaters. Three of us went with the four course experience and chose our own wine and mocktails to accompany; the 11-year-old went à la carte. Our meal began with a more-substantial-than-usual amuse bouche of mushroom cappuccino. We were advised to sink our spoons all the way down to the bottom of the cup for each bite, so we could experience all three layers at once: sweet potato purée at the base, topped with Madeira reduction and umami-rich mushroom foam. First courses: Dorade Royale (artichoke / gold ossetra caviar / bouillon tiède gourmand): A neatly presented square of layered raw dorade and tender slivers of artichoke hearts came topped with a generous mound of caviar. Bouillon tiède was poured around the square tableside, which slightly warmed the dorade and intensified its delicate flavor. Hokkaido Uni (crustacean royal / sora pickles / wasabi velour): Despite the brilliant green of the gently creamy wasabi sauce / soup, there was no heat and little, if any, of fresh wasabi's distinctive scent. This was just as well, since the bits of Hokkaido uni in the dish were sweet and delicious, and a stronger sauce may have overwhelmed. Toro Saku (mi cuit / tamarind / mandarinquats / sea condiment): A fair sized slab of toro was probably prepared sous vide and very soft, but not flakey, reminiscent of aged sashimi. It was quite difficult to cut given the sometimes fibrous texture and the large slab felt clunky, monotonous, and indelicate, quite unlike our other dishes. Lovely little loaves of warm, brown kalamata bread were brought to the table after our first course was cleared, with little volcano-shaped ramekins of good butter alongside, sprinkled with perhaps Maldon sea salt. Second courses: Celtuce (grilled / cucumber / buddha's hand) -- I didn't get to try more than a teeny bite. But what I tried of it (mostly the sauce) was slightly citrusy, very complex and pleasantly light on the palate. Scallop (lightly smoked / gold ossetra caviar / champagne hazelnut) -- Two generously sized, sweet and delicate sea scallops were served with more of that excellent caviar (an ingredient that makes frequent cameos). This was my favorite dish and probably one of the best scallop preparations in the City. Langoustine (slightly cooked / stuffed zita / swarnadwipa / green curry): I could not pin it to any specific culinary tradition, but the curry worked well and not compete with with sweet langoustine. Third courses: Kampachi (barely grilled / combawa / château-chalon): A generous portion of what was essentially kampachi sashimi was very gently dressed with the tiniest touch of lime, cilantro, scallion, and (I think) sea beans, with a light drizzle of a thin, umami-rich, savory sauce. Squab (racan / roasted / fukushu kumquat / toast à gratin / sauce diable): Pigeonneau de Racan was exceptionally tender and juicy, the liver pate in a pastry shell rich. A pretty orange quenelle of something kumquat-y balanced the fat. Iberico Pork (presa de bellota / sweet peas & chorizo / jalapeño condiment / omija berries jus): A well raised, high quality product from acorn-fed, free-range pigs. Sweet, tart omija berry jus was the perfect foil, a bit reminiscent of cranberry sauce. Desserts: La Tarte au Chocolat (warm / roasted vanilla ice cream): Classic and uncomplicated, the ice cream was scented with pleasantly rounded and understated natural vanilla. La Framboise (crispy fine feuilles / linzer / madagascar vanilla): This confection was simple, yet elegant, strongly leading with the pure flavors of fresh raspberries. Le Soufflé (orange marmalade / green cardamom ice cream): The soufflé was beautifully made, impossibly light and airy, delicately scented with bitter orange. The accompanying green cardamom ice cream stole the show. All around a lovely meal and a lovely evening. We love Chef Christophe Bellanca's mashups of culinary cultures. They're fun and they work!

Absolutely blown away by my experience at Essential by Christophe. From the moment we walked in,…read morethe level of service was nothing short of exceptional warm, precise, and completely effortless. Not a single detail was overlooked. The attention to every meticulous element, from pacing to presentation, created a dining experience that felt truly special. The meal itself was extraordinary. Each course was not only beautifully executed but deeply flavorful and thoughtfully composed. The Mushroom Cappuccino was a perfect start rich, earthy, and comforting with incredible depth. The sweet potato with madeira reduction was a standout, balancing sweetness and richness with elegance. Le Royale was indulgent and refined, while the blue prawns were cooked to perfection delicate and bursting with flavor. Le Tropical brought a bright, refreshing contrast that tied the progression of the meal together beautifully. Even the bread service deserves recognition often overlooked, but here it was exceptional. Paired with the Winter Harvest Highball and the No. 3, the beverage program matched the food in both creativity and execution. What truly elevated the evening was having the pleasure of meeting Chef Christophe and touring the kitchen. He was incredibly down to earth, and his philosophy about food thoughtful, intentional, and rooted in passion clearly shines through in every dish. Every bite was delicious, every detail intentional. This is dining at the highest level refined, memorable, and truly deserving of its Michelin star. I can't wait to return.

Delicious food and good drinks. Had the watermelon mint…read moremargarita, spicy lychee tini. Both were good. For food we had the Caesar salad which was great and had enough dressing. We had the cacio e Pepe and lobster pappardelle. Wow both were delicious and I want more!

Brunch at Tessa was exactly what I needed. Great energy, well-executed dishes, and everything came…read moreout right on time. Evnat at the host stand set the tone. Professional, attentive, and genuinely accommodating. You can tell she takes pride in what she does.

I've recently been in a bit of seafood phase, and despite the fact that my expectations were pretty…read morehigh, my parents and I really enjoyed our dinner at El Fish! None of the dishes were a miss: Tostada Ensenada (4/5): Was she a tad petite for $27? Perhaps. Was she overflowing with seafood? Pretty damn close, because I was not disappointed and in fact had many juicy chunks of shrimp and octopus on that tostada. Baked Clams (5/5): I mean, chorizo, garlic, breadcrumbs - literally all I could dream for in a baked clam. Would order a whole platter of them if I could. Branzino a las Brasas (4/5): taste-wise, the fish itself was pretty bland, but texture-wise it was perfectly moist, and the cook on it made for the silkiest and softest fillet. Now what REALLY exceeded our expectations were the TORTILLAS that came with the branzino. Nothing complex, but it was the best tortilla I've ever had. Fideo Seco (5/5): did not expect pasta to steal the spotlight, but this was undeniably delicious. There's something about that cream sauce, which worked really well with the lobster. The fideo pasta they use is also so fascinating, like smaller strands of angel hair. Passionfruit sorbet (4/5): I love passionfruit so you can't go wrong with this - refreshingly tangy and acidic, maybe could've been a little less icy imo. Molten chocolate cake (5/5): didn't expect to splurge on dessert but did not regret it - the chocolate was so decadent without being overpoweringly sweet + moist cake! The interior is clean and has a rustic charm to it, would definitely recommend for a nice dinner date. Service was super attentive and friendly, really appreciated that - would love to come back when my wallet recovers!

Food 4/5 Service 4.5/5…read more Ambiance 4.5/5 Value 2/5 Discovered El Fish through the red dining and had an overall solid experience. It's definitely a more elevated take on Mexican coastal cuisine. Fideo Seco (4.5/5): The highlight of the night. The creaminess paired with the lobster was great. Grilled Octopus (4.25/5): cooked just right and paired with a unique, crispy sweet potato which made it fun to eat. Baked Clams (4/5): Delicious, though $21 for only 5 pieces felt a bit steep. Fajitas Nortenas (4/5): The steak could have been more tender, but the flavor was great--especially when paired with their excellent corn tortillas. Tacos de Langosta (4/5): A solid taco, but not exactly a "must-order." For $28, getting only two tacos felt a bit steep for what it was Skip the Drinks: Both the Watermelon Margarita and Passion Fruit Mojito felt overly strong and lacked a unique flavor profile Save Room for Dessert: Surprisingly impressive! The Chocolate Molten wasn't overly sweet, and the Strawberry Flan featured rhubarb that paired perfectly with the custard. A great spot for a high-end seafood dinner, though the drinks didn't quite live up to the food.