My friend got a reservation here and we had a great experience. One thing to note is they have an…read moreanswering system and my group was starting to call to add one more to the reservation and ended up realizing we needed to leave a message. I was called back and the person who called me was very nice and was happy to make this change for us. Overall, the vibes of the restaurant were great I can totally see why it's hard to get a resy here! Service was excellent. First of all we were a bit late due to traffic and weather but the staff was really understanding! Next, our waiter accidentally put in 2 pastas instead of a burger we ordered but had that fixed immediately and took it off our tab which was a super nice surprise. We got a couple things to share and everything was delicious! The monkey bread was totally worth the hype! Steak was cooked perfectly and the pasta was delicious. Also got a couple drinks! Would totally come back here again.

Monkey Bar became one of my favorite Midtown restaurants because its modern history ran almost…read moreperfectly alongside my years in New York. I arrived in 2008 with very little, and when Graydon Carter revived the restaurant in 2009, I was beginning a rise of my own, first at a large global bank and then, to my astonishment, at one of the city's most powerful investment firms. The suits were daily, the walls were gold, and the pressure was so consuming that even success could feel like a form of attrition. After a few years, I moved to a smaller firm with Southern roots, where the culture was more humane, the work gave me greater autonomy, and I produced some of the strongest results of my career, even within an industry still governed by fear, greed, and status. Inside, the red booths, low lighting, generous spacing, and hand-painted monkey murals made lunch feel ceremonial without becoming stiff. The room was timeless and handsome, with polished service, quality food, and the subtle assurance of a place where you could be proud to bring someone important. I especially remember sitting in one of those booths with two mentors, each only a few years older than I was and therefore close enough in vintage to feel relatable, trustworthy, and genuinely within reach. One had entered my life after I left the larger firm and helped me understand an earlier chapter that had also ended abruptly and, at the time, felt deeply unfair; the other had guided me through the smaller firm where I finally found a more sustainable way to work. Over that long lunch, I introduced them, we discussed several promising ideas, and for a moment my career seemed to have reached the point where relationships, experience, and opportunity were finally converging. One of those ideas consumed an extraordinary amount of my time and energy, and I believed it might become the foundation of my next chapter. Instead, the arrangement eventually turned on me, the role I thought I had earned never materialized, and the business itself sputtered. My professional life, financial footing, and pride all collapsed just as COVID was beginning. Then Monkey Bar closed in 2020, which made the ending feel almost unnervingly complete: the restaurant, the city, and the version of myself built around New York finance all went dark at once. For years, I experienced that ending as devastating and unfair; now I can see it as wisdom delivered through an unnecessarily rough process. The restaurant's later revival by a Chicago hospitality group feels fitting because it still honors tradition and ceremony while allowing the old forms to evolve into something healthier, looser, and more current. I have not been back since that lunch, but a return now would feel like visiting the museum of my past, not reclaiming a life that asked too much, gave too little, and finally lost its hold on me. Even now, I remember Monkey Bar as a great Midtown lunch in a memorable room, surrounded by the residue of old ambitions and the gratitude of having survived them. The cocktails were sharp, the service was impeccable, and the dining room carried that glamorous old New York energy without feeling trapped by it. I remain deeply fond of the place, partly for what it was and partly for what it witnessed. Some restaurants become attached to a chapter of your life, and Monkey Bar holds mine with unusual grace.

My parents and I stopped into Lola's for a Sunday night dinner. We were seated right away in the…read moreback near the kitchen (which is open concept and fun to watch). We perused the menu and decided to go with the Naan, Beet and Rhubarb Salad, Yellowfin Sashimi, and then entrees grit cakes, low country broil, and dumplings. The food was exceptional. Nice combinations of flavors with fresh ingredients. Ambiance is nice. It's a cute spot, not too loud. Definitely a nice spot to relax. Service was fantastic. Our waitress was friendly and attentive. My mom also has an allergy to chili and the staff was nice enough to go through the menu and help her pick options that worked. Overall, highly recommend Lola's! Lovely staff, flavorful food and a cute atmosphere will make for a fun evening.

Stumbled across this spot by just walking in flatiron. We were seated by the kitchen counter which…read moreis a pretty cool concept. The ambiance was great and I loved watching the food being cooked. Service was 10/10 and our waitress was really attentive. Apologies that her name is slipping me at the moment. I wish they had more items to choose from but overall would recommend. I had the low country boil and my friend had the pork dumplings and grit cakes, all very delicious. I will come back for the fried chicken thighs

I've been to Don Angie a few times and it never disappoints! The food here is solid and the staff…read moreare all super nice. It can be hard to get a reservation here, but it opens 7 days ahead of time on OpenTable at 9am so definitely plan ahead if you want a reservation. For apps, we tried the Amberjack Crudo, the stuffed garlic flatbread, and the chrysanthemum salad. All three were delicious and I'd highly recommend trying them all. The flatbread had a cheesy texture while being super crispy similar to a Chinese scallion pancake. The chrysanthemum salad had a nice texture and was super refreshing. For entrees, we had the buffalo milk caramelle, gnocchi, sourdough pasta, steak Al Limone, and the lasagna. The caramelle portion was small but it had a nice sweet taste to it. The lasagna is the star as it comes with 6 large pinwheels and is served with garlic bread on the side! The sourdough pasta was also tasty along with the lemon sauce steak. For sides, I recommend getting the Japanese sweet potato's. They are super sweet and crunchy and was definitely the unexpected star of the food we tried! For dessert, the tiramisu is delicious but our group really loved the mochi!

Only losing a star because even for dishes that appear vegetarian - chrysanthemum salad, gnocchi,…read morecauliflower, broccolini - all have either anchovy or fish sauce and cannot be modified so while they do have vegetarian options, they're far less than what you think they are based on the menu alone. Even though the menu was more limited than we thought we still had a great meal. The Japanese sweet potatoes, caramelle, and tiramisu were all excellent and would go back for each of these! Service was friendly but on the slow side and the place is lively but loud, even for lunch.

Busy spot near Hudson Yards with delicious food - glad we had a reservation. The weather cooperated…read moreand we were able to enjoy their large outdoor patio. 10/10 recommend starting with the dip tower; the whipped ricotta and kabocha squash dips were my favorite, and I loved that they offered pita and veggies for dipping. We shared a few other things, but be warned (in a good way) that the Moroccan Fried Chicken for Two serves WAY more than two! Service was attentive and we didn't feel rushed. Although it was a little pricey, I'd definitely go back.

5/5 Stars -- An absolute gem in Manhattan West!…read more If you are looking for an incredible spot to bring a group of friends, Zou Zou is it. The ambiance is vibrant and chic, the crowd is great, and the overall vibe is just unmatched. Highlights: The Food: Exceptional across the board. We ordered the brussels sprouts (which were out of this world and cooked to perfection), the branzino fish, and crafted drinks. The flavors are phenomenal. The Service: The staff went above and beyond. A special shout-out to the incredible waitstaff and the attentive water service person who constantly kept our glasses filled--such a thoughtful touch. Our waiter was also exceptionally kind and welcoming. The Ambiance: Gorgeous decor with a warm, upscale energy that makes for a fantastic night out. Tips for future diners: Reservations are a must: Make sure to book ahead, especially if you are eyeing the gorgeous booths (note that the booths are designed to comfortably seat groups of up to 8 people). Family-style dining: While we didn't order it this time, they do offer a leg of the lamb that feeds 8, making it a stellar option for larger gatherings. I'll definitely be returning with more friends. Highly recommended!

Jorge's service was A+! Great atmosphere and ambiance. Had the French onion soup, escargot, and…read morelobster linguine. Will be coming back!!

Jorge was a great server! Went for lunch celebrating my dad's birthday, and it's a beautiful…read morerestaurant! Wagyu burger was good and filling, as well as the French notion soup. Roasted chicken could've have better flavoring, didn't taste like much. Overall it was a great experience!

Food was tapas style We were party of 2 ate 4 dishes plus…read moredessert. Good Portions. Ambiance a bit loud but fun. The mac and cheese chicken was excellent & The Bread Pudding was the best to end the night! Highly Recommend... would definitely come again. Come early they fill up quickly and no reservations but worth the wait!

Love the idea of Korean tapas! Every dish is reasonably priced. We got the popcorn chicken,…read moregnocchi, lucky noodle, paella, and the plantain for two people which was enough. The gnocchi and lucky noodle sauces were amazing. The gnocchi had a sauce similar to a teokbokki and had a nice kick. The lucky noodle had great texture and with the sweet onions, had a nice sweet and spicy mix. The popcorn chicken was cooked well. The paella was a nice mix between Spanish and Korean flavors. The only thing we didn't like was the plantain as it was just half a plantain and the dip it came with didn't mix well in my opinion. The drinks tasted stronger than I expected but that ended up with the drinks being a little bitter. Service was nice and quick here! This is a great spot for a girls night out. We came at around 6:30 PM on a Saturday and were able to get seated immediately. Overall, really good!

We had an amazing time at The Flatiron Room! We had dinner on 06/16 and our waiter and the…read morebartenders were fabulous. The music was wonderful as well. We had such a great time that we went back on 06/19 for drinks and music and our second trip did not disappoint either. The ambiance is fantastic with a cozy, inviting feel. The live music is terrific and so enjoyable to listen to. In addition, the service is outstanding. The bartenders were engaging and friendly and made phenomenal drinks. My favorite was the Whiskey Sour which was perfection. We can't wait to come back on our next trip to NYC!

We celebrated my friend's 82nd birthday and the food, service and ambiance were great! The jazz…read moresinger was awesome too! Thanks for a great night and we will be back! Escargot and bones is a must have! I also had the grilled octopus which was delicious!

Dauiela is the best! kept our water full, our steak TASTY, and gave us ample amounts of ketchup and…read morechipotly aioli. Also a PERFECTLY seared fish (plus well cooked capers). would DEFINITELY go again. One catch - there could be more lights, but the staff helped us by giving us a second light, and showing us the ambience by changing the intensity of the light & color temperature. The staff were very helpful.

I came in here on a Monday night to grab a quick bite- terrible!…read moreBar was dirty, not wiped down. Ordered a glass of white wine which immediately smelled like bar soap. Skeptical on the experience thus far- I only ordered a wedge salad. That is the only savior of the review. The salad was a good portion with fresh lettuce, decent amount of blue cheese, and nice chunks of bacon. Service was not friendly and seemed annoyed I was there. Definitely won't be back next time I'm in the city.