I came here for a dinner with family I haven't seen in a while. We met on a Saturday evening at 7pm. I am vegetarian and while they have a bunch of veggie appetizers I was disappointed in the complete lack of any vegetarian entree. It's 2026. They have some creative cocktails, GF tried the margarita and liked it enough that she ordered a second. I ordered something with a cheeky name that I believe had vodka and something citrusy/floraly that I also enjoyed. Something kind of strange though, maybe 5-10 minutes after ordering our drinks, another person came over and said "the person who took your drinks didn't get the last 2 so what did you order?" People make mistakes, I get it. Idk how anyone remembers shit anyway but maybe write it down? Either way, it felt strange that someone else came over to say that. It just felt odd. Fortunately our drinks came but we had to flag someone down to order that second margarita later. I ordered the cauliflower and kale soup and the cauliflower fritters mainly because they were 2 of the very limited things I could order but the waiter was a little judge judy (cauliflower soup AND cauliflower fritters?) yes, my guy. The cauliflower and kale soup was under salted which I actually appreciate. I hate when anything is over-salted to the point of drowning out the other flavors. I am impressed by their confidence in the soup to NOT do that but it didn't really stand on its own and was a touch bland. The fritters, on the other hand, were sensational. That roasted beet aioli was delicious and the crispness of the outside of the fritters was a lovely texture. 3/4 of us got our food at least 5 minutes before the last person which is not ideal. Portions were also surprisingly small for the prices. read more

My husband and I liked the food here, some dishes were great and some were just okay. We started with the mussels in white-wine and they were great, especially the French fries. We also got the tuna tartare, which was just ok. I wish there was a sauce that went with it. The burrata crostinis were also just ok, there wasn't enough burrata and too much fig. My husband got the braised short rib and again that was just okay. We ended with the banana bread pudding which was amazing. read more

Vela Kitchen - Mussels and fries - great - New American Near Me - Pleasantville, New York

So friends of ours mentioned this place they said the food is always great so eight of us went for dinner. The drinks were good. The food was delicious, but I have to say that the service was not good at all. they brought out the appetizers but two were missing and at the end they've ran out of it so they had to bring something else. Then for dinner time they forgot One dinner and it took a while for them to bring it out. I'm not sure what happened if it was just a bad night for them, but definitely not good service for us . Wespent hundred. We ordered Don Julio, which they did not have by charged us the same for a different tequila just very disappointing. I think too many mistake. So many Mistakes in one night don't make it a place that you will want to go back. read more

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Greeted by a horrible person at the front of the restaurant who didn't honor our reservation--he should not be working around the public. The service was generally very good. The food was okay, with some at our table liking it, others not so. read more

We arrived to the restaurant at 7:50 pm and were greeted by a gentleman who without as much as saying hello or welcome said" half the restaurants closed you can sit here. we didn't have enough reservations we are closing early." The food used to be good but it's gone downhill and because they decided to close early dessert was not even an option. we are parents to a young child and don't get out much, this was a big disappointment. Consider how you want to spend your time and money... read more

Seems to be a hit or miss, inconsistent food, mostly good. Overall positive atmosphere, great people working there, sloppy service at times, but nothing to get annoyed at. I would be back. read more

Love this local restaurant. Fantastic cocktails and great selection of wine Enjoy their appetizers. Sometimes I order two for my meal So tasty and beautifully prepared and presented Their main dishes are unique and plentiful The ambience is mellow and the bar scene just lovely enough After a great film at the Burns , it's off to Vela for great cocktail and fabulous meal !!! read more

Service was great. The food was delicious and didn't take long to come out, didn't think I would be full with my entree but it was filling! We had 3 courses, calamari for appetizers (not pictured), Mariscada as an entrée, and for dinner, some Keylime pie and chocolate cake. They are reasonably priced, although I do think the cocktails were a little on the side. Would recommend checking this place out! read more

Vela Kitchen - Salmon and Shrimp Mariscada - New American Near Me - Pleasantville, New York

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Nice space good choices near the cinema - hard to get a reservation . Cocktails and small plates are varied. Something for everyone.

No bread!! Mo rolls!! Small portions! Good service. Good atmosphere. Near Jacob Burns. read more

I came here with my boyfriend and parents on a Friday evening for dinner. Vela is one of the nicer restaurants in Pleasantville, so we made reservations. I ordered the Mariscada, which was salmon, shrimp, artichoke, Brussels sprouts, and sun-dried tomato in a light broth. I really enjoyed the pieces of seafood, which were tender and juicy. My family members enjoyed their entrées. My dad ordered the lemon soufflé for dessert, which was a cupcake and not really a soufflé at all. Overall, I think Vela is a safe option for a nice dinner. It might not be the most exciting meal, but the food is thoughtful and prepared with care. read more

Vela Kitchen - Mariscada - New American Near Me - Pleasantville, New York

The food was great, great selection, service was outstanding. It is one half block from the Jacob Burns movie theater.

I enjoyed eating dinner at Vela Kitchen. I ordered the Harvest Grain salad with salmon. It was delicious, with an interesting combination of flavors and textures (grain, spinach, mango, pickled beets, etc.) The hostess was very warm and inviting. Our waitress was efficient, though I would have appreciated more warmth from her. Being from TX, I was surprised by the smaller portion of salmon added to the order given the price, but I can't say I left hungry. The restaurant has a nice aesthetic. I would retur read more

Vela Kitchen - Harvest grain salad with salmon - New American Near Me - Pleasantville, New York

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Food is tasty, with some interesting choices, good combinations here; but generally speaking it is overpriced and very drafty. I mean, I am not one to worry about the temperature in a restaurant, but this place hAd a climate issue in the room with the front door. Beet salad would have been delicious with just a few small cubes of goat cheese. But when the whole thing is based on a slab of that creamy goodness; too much of a good thing. Then the paella: delicious seafood, but strangely not mixing well with the small amount of rice that was underneath. I was expecting something more infused altogether and certainly not a half a bowl of mussels that I had to use my hands and a fork to eat. Desserts are very good, especially the mini churros with Nutella. read more

Vela Kitchen - Paella - New American Near Me - Pleasantville, New York

John C , Westchester Good day all, on Friday after my daughters HS graduation we had a reservation to vela kitchen in Pleasantville ny First improvement they made is a new Person to greet you and sit you,wonderful friendly woman great addition hope she remains at position, The food as a whole was ok,appetizers Were ok,the entrees also were ok, I had Paella and it was lacking flavor, very bland,my daughters and wife's food was ok Staff is very friendly and attentive, We will go again read more

New Year's Day has always been such a random day for me. Sometimes I go to relatives, sometimes I go shopping, and sometimes I sit on my couch all day and watch Netflix (like this year). One thing my family and I always do however is go out to eat. This year is no exception - and while my family is notoriously indecisive on where to eat, this year we ultimately ended up at Vela Kitchen. I had never heard of this restaurant before, but nevertheless I was excited to try somewhere new. Vela sits on the main commercial strip in Pleasantville, right down the block from the Jacob Burns Film Center (another place on my radar). Anyway, I really like the look of Vela - there are a lot of clean lines with neutral, colors in the grey family. Even though this can suggest a sterile aesthetic, the entire restaurant was quite cozy and warm - I was really feeling it. The menu is composed of New American cuisine - there's really a nice variety of items to choose. The apps in particular all looked so good I had trouble picking. I ultimately went with the crostini which was topped with goat cheese, truffle honey, and arugula pesto. The app was good, and I was pleased to find the crostini not to be too hard so it was easy to bite cleanly. For my main I had the seared salmon - this came with black rice, kale, and a coconut mustard. The dish was very good - flavors and textures were on point and the coconut mustard was an unexpected twist. I was happy to see they were all made in-house which you don't see everyday, and since it was a special occasion we decided to take a peek. I went with the ricotta kisses which were kind of like beignets served with chocolate sauce to dip and whipped cream. These were tasty, but I was struggling to find ricotta flavor. Service was very good - everyone was super friendly and the food was served at the right pace. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised at Vela. I'll admit I had lowish expectations judging from the lack of good eateries in Northern Westchester, but they deliver the goods. I would definitely return if given the opportunity. read more

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This place surprises me every time I visit. Let's start with the bar. They know how to mix. Cocktail prices are still kept below the insane threshold. Although that's a moving target in itself. Food is good. It's simple and fresh. Not fancy, no foam or micro greens are used. If they were, I did not notice. Fish is good, sliders are divine, short rib dish looked amazing and huge. This place has a vibe that makes everyone super relaxed. I mean strangers and table neighbors chatting with each other. It could be that extra Old fashioned, who knows. Well, after all said and done, 2 branzino entrees , 1 Cesar salad (amazing), 1 drink $174 with 20% tip included. read more

This is an attractive restaurant with very good service. The atmosphere is upscale but not stuffy. The food, sadly, is variable. The duck was succulent and truly superb, with a well-balanced sauce and perfect asparagus. The Mariscados had nice shrimp, but the accompanying artichokes and fish were watery and bland. The salmon and fresh pasta was also tasteless and had surprisingly little salmon. The special dessert was a delightful light cheesecake with raspberry but the cappuccino was weak and watery. read more

Being in Westchester for many years, last night I had the pleasure to experience this dining location. Fantastic ! A must try ..for a Thursday evening it was so crowded which is a great indication that it serves up fine food and beverage .. read more

My fiancé and I came here for our anniversary dinner and it was fantastic! We loved the decor and ambiance, the service was top notch and the food was amazing! I had the New York strip and my fiancé had the braised short rib. Both were some of the best food we've ever had. Vela Kitchen is a great place for a special occasion dinner. I highly recommend giving them a try. 9/10 read more

This place is super yummy. Love the chicken milanese. Super flavorful. The inside is super cute too.

This is my favorite place to go especially with people who have never been there. I just know whatever we order will be delicious and every time it is consistent. You always get a warm welcome when you get there and they are very good at taking reservations, and listening to what kind of seating you want. I would highly recommend this to anybody living in Pleasantville or visiting Pleasantville! It is my favorite of all of the restaurants in Pleasantville read more

We decided on ordering a bunch of small plates. They were all delicious and freshly made. The service was very good. We started with the tuna tartare, the shrimp wontons, truffle Mac and cheese, fried calamari, beef sliders, and a salad. Everything wAS Excellent! We had a few drinks read more

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Great everything. Very much worth a visit. Warm, inviting staff and a very well run kitchen.

Great food and excellent service always polite Cocktails are really good special that miss curvy Pear vodka elder flower liquor prosecco yummy read more

So, so, so good. I first had the beef sliders as my appetizer, that was delicious. I then had the duck entrée, it was delicious. Overall, I admire how excellent the food is. The only down side about this restaurant other than the fact it took longer for me and my family's entrées to come than our appetizers came, is...well...nothing, although I wasn't really a fan of the ricotta kisses. Other than that, there's really nothing bad about this place at all. You have to come try this place out, ppl. read more

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I had a reservation at Vella Kitchen on a Thursday evening at 5pm. I was having dinner with my sister for her birthday and my 85 year old Mom. I called to say we running about 10 minutes late. When we arrived there was a very rude bald man with glasses working the front. As soon as we walked into the empty restaurant he told us that he almost cancelled our reservation. I said that I called to say we were about 10 minutes. He said you are 20 minutes late, as I was walking my 85 year old mother in the door. I have been to Vella's many times and will never go back! We left and went to Pub Street! Vella Kitchen, please focus on your customers. Without us you are nothing! No more dinner with friends at Vella. Too bad, I really liked your dinners and drinks! Adios. read more

Awful food, huge downgrade from what it used to be a few years ago. Astronomical prices too. Will not return.

Vela's food is always exceptional and never disappoints. The tuna tartare is one of the best I have ever had. The staff is so warm and friendly, they feel like family. Not even Covid-19 can change that. Treat yourself and thank me later. read more

Vela Kitchen - Tuna Tartare - New American Near Me - Pleasantville, New York

Wonderful food, make sure to get a reservation. It's one of those seems very fancy restaurants where even those of us who don't like fancy food, find just wonderful thing to eat. I highly recommend it. read more

Went here tonight with my boyfriend for the first time. Food was amazing - so glad I finally got to try this spot! Got a bunch of apps including a mussels, tuna tartare, and crispy shrimp dumplings. For dinner my boyfriend and I shared the lobster paella and one of their delicious salads. Got ricotta kisses for a to-go desserHighly recommend!! Definitely will become one of our go to dinner spots! read more

Vela Kitchen - Lobster Paella - New American Near Me - Pleasantville, New York

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We enjoyed: Roasted Candy Cane Beet, Goat Cheese, Mixed Greens, Candied Nuts, Balsamic Glaze Duck with fingerling potatoes, apricot chutney, and Swiss chard Seared Salmon, Forbidden Black Thai Rice, Sautéed Kale, Coconut-Mustard Sauce Double Chocolate Brownie with whipped cream & vanilla ice cream The food was delicious... presentations done with care, the portions were perfect, and the staff were very attentive. The ambiance was quite cozy which I loved. We admired the decor. It's a little pricey but we were celebrating a special occasion. The only change I'd like is offering more bread (we probably should have asked for more) and offering more non-fish pasta options. Overall we had a great experience and do highly recommend this restaurant. read more

Vela Kitchen - New American Near Me - Pleasantville, New York

Some friends joined me at Vela Kitchen for a celebratory Saturday night out. A few minutes after our waiter took our order, he returned and asked whether anyone had taken our order. The appetizers showed up a half hour later. I started mine--roasted beets with nuts. One of the nuts was so hard that at first I was afraid it had cracked a crown. I pulled it out of my mouth to look. It was no nut. It was a piece of steel! Imagine the end of a fork tine sawed off. That's what it looked like, and felt like. I have never experienced anything like it. Has anyone? I showed the shard to the waiter, who told me the appetizer was comped. (At least he didn't charge me for the extra iron.) Later he comped one glass of wine. Nothing for the rest of the dinner, which was roughly $150. At one point the manager came out to say he was sorry about what had happened. I guess not very sorry. He suggested a supplier was at fault. Sure, why not. By the time the main course arrived, people were leaving the outside tables, where we were. The waiters stacked up all the chairs but ours. Chew, swallow, scram! How Vela has fallen! Or maybe I'm old-fashioned. When you stick a hunk of metal into someone's meal, I think you should be appalled, contrite. At least pretend to the customer that it matters. Better still, before you serve a dish, instead of fussing with garnishes run it under an electromagnet. I will not be returning. If you go, I recommend you eat slowly, and be sure exactly what you're biting into. read more

Good news - they are open for curb side pick up!! Vela is one of my family's favorite restaurant. The food is high quality American bistro, and the menu is vegan/vegetarian friendly. The mini vegetarian burger sliders are delicious and their fries are super crispy. my family loves the short ribs. The staff is so nice, and they really took the time to package everything carefully for take away. It was all around a great family meal. Will definitely be ordering again and supporting them! read more

Our waitress was amazing. The best I have dealt with in Westchester in a long time. The ambience was nice. I liked the music in the background and the dim lights. It had a feel of a swanky Brooklyn sheik eatery. Martini and manhattan were very good. Nice wood work over the bar. As far as the food I have some highlights. The tuna tartare had a great presentation and tasted really nice. The shrimp rangoons were great, especially with the sesame soy sauce. My steak was good, slightly over cooked but not horribly over. We also had the gnocchi with duck ragu. It was bland. It had a lot of potential. It looked great, smelled great but didn't have the flavor to match. The bronzino was ok. All in all I will come back for another try. There were a few homeruns. But there were also a few dishes that were not my cup of tea. I feel at this point a 3 is a solid representation. I hope to be able to raise that the next time I come in. read more

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I'm giving Vella kitchen 4 stars although the quality of their food is undoubtedly 5 star taste. Very pricy and small portions but with that being said it was an incredible experience because of the attentiveness of our waiter, beautiful ambiance, and how the food is presented. Would absolutely go back for special occasions but have to be prepared to break the bank a bit. Great restaurant and a great night read more

Vela Kitchen - Salmon - New American Near Me - Pleasantville, New York

First time at Vela, a nice little spot near the train station. Good surprise. Tasty food and nicely presented. We had beet salad, a pork chop, and seared tuna over rice with a flavorful sauce. This is more of a 'foodie' place than we are accustomed to. The price was a little bit high for what we had. All in all, it is a nice little spot that is convenient if you're taking the train in Pleasantville. read more

Service was a 5, and food was very good. Cute American restaurant with fun bar. Small menu but food was good. I had lobster sliders and beef sliders. Both were good not great. The service was amazing. The hostess came table side to fix a drink that was properly made but sweeter than desired for the Person who orders it. Our waiter was also great. Great service and good food! read more

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We were meeting friends at the Jacob Burns Film Center and they recommended we have dinner at Vela Kitchen, which is less than a half block away. While we had never been to this restaurant before, our meals was so outstanding that we are planning to come back to Pleasantville to see more movies, as an excuse to have more dinners at Vela's! Their 2 sided menu is a delight to read. Two thirds of the first page consisted of about fourteen "Starters":all kinds of delicious sounding appetizers. We started with "Cauliflower Fritters with roasted beet aioli" and "Tuna Tartare with Wonton Crisp,Avocado Mousse and Spicy Soy.The bottom third o the menu consisted of salads.The other side of the menu had the main courses: Fish, Meats and Desserts. While my wife had the Seared Salmon, I ordered the Fresh linguini,Sautéed Shrimp,Salmon,Broccoli Rabe,Red Pepper Flake, Sautéed Garlic and olive oil. And for dessert we shared Ricotta Kisses, which were incredibly delicious "donuts" served with chocolate syrup and whipped cream. I did borrow a copy of their menu so I could plan what we'd like to order the next time we go to see a movie! This is truly an amazing restaurant that deserves to have long lines of customers waiting to get inside! My advice is make a reservation and you'll be in for an outstanding dinner! read more

Based on yelp reviews, my family and I made a reservation here last minute to eat after attending the Jack O Lantern blaze in the fall. They were very busy but were able to squeeze us in and accommodate our party of 6, including a toddler. We were not disappointed. Excellent food, service, and ambiance without being stuffy. A very cozy and inviting feel to the dining room. There's a dominant New American type influence on the cuisine, with a wide and I believe seasonal selection to the menu items. Portions were very fair for the prices. Highly recommended for any occasion, from a random weekday to a celebratory event. We're planning to go back next time we are in the area. read more