Classy joint. How did I not know this existed? Expensive Expresso Martini was 21 dollars! Poached egg on sourdough bread smeared with Avacado along with a salad was delightfully light. read more

Those who have memories of the food under former owner Steve Olsen should treasure them: a much-anticipated return to The West Bank Cafe was disappointing on several levels. One cocktail (the Paper Plane) was watered, while the other two (Blood Orange Bronwyns) rated a solid "Good enough, I suppose" from the drinkers. The specialty deviled eggs ($12 for two eggs, split into two) set the tone for the meal, and the tone was a dissonant note. The predominant flavor of the yolk filling was salt (maybe celery salt?) with little else in the way of nuance coming to the front. For a dish that a) is touted on the menu and b) offers many, many ways to be exceptional (mustard? seasonings? minced herbs and or alliums?) these were plain (did I mention salty?) and disappointing. A side Caesar salad that accompanied rigatoni Bolognese was characterless except for, sadly, more salt. None of the lovely nuances of fine, or even decent, Parmigiano-Reggiano topped the lettuce, and it is doubtful an anchovy was ever within 500 feet of the dish. The main was eaten by our guest, who seemed perfectly happy with it. Can't -- won't -- say the same for the cheeseburger, which arrived with a curious interpretation of "rare" (browned inside). The fries might have been nice if not for being overladen with (we'll pause for guesses) salt. And the much-appreciated gluten-free eggplant Parmesan of yore (or at least former ownership) is no more. Oh, there is a gluten-free eggplant Parmesan on the menu, but it is a step or two down from what was. The West Bank Cafe also committed a cardinal sin of Hell's Kitchen/theater district restaurants: the kitchen was apparently overwhelmed and main courses were delayed (20-25 minutes) in hitting the table. Notice the lack of dessert commentary? There wasn't time. The service was thoroughly affable and not really up to the task of the room. Our cheery waitress absented herself when she and we realized there was more of a delay in food coming out of the kitchen. At other tables, with other staff, guests were asked who had ordered what by those ferrying out the plates. Not a major sin, but also a sign of a waitstaff that has not been trained in communicating with each other. That's a management problem, not a staff problem. The table to our left that didn't get the fries it had ordered with their entrees? Who knows? Is one off night a fair way to judge a restaurant? Perhaps not. But the compendium of missteps in several aspects of the experience (food, drink, service), combined with the abundant choices in Hell's Kitchen, severely undercut the desire to give another chance to this once-loved classic, which hosted date nights and birthday parties. On to the next. read more

We had dinner here after the theater and we loved the food and the ambiance. The staff was friendly and the menu was varied enough that any of us found a favorite. My husband got the spaghetti and meatballs. I got the salmon. Both cooked very well and well priced for being so close to Broadway. Great food, great staff...and there's a small theater downstairs for those who want to mix a meal with some entertainment. read more

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A theater district fun hangout bistro hailing from 1978, West Bank Cafe is a wonderful place to dine serving consistently good food served by an efficient delightful staff. We dined on their highly recommended: - Arancini Risotto Mushroom Balls - Shrimp cocktails - Cobb Salad - Seared Atlantic Salmon on farro - Spaghetti and Meatballs - Vegan Spring Vegetable Risotto - delicious Cocktails **the Cadillac Margarita is very good & strong ** We're told, Joan Rivers used to perform at the Laurie Beechman theater downstairs!! Definitely a good nostalgic choice! Thank you for a splendid evening! read more

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Fast seating and friendly staff. Easy walk from our hotel and recommended by hotel staff!

This is just a good place to eat. It's also a fun place to eat. They catered to the theater crowd and time your dinner accordingly. Many of the waiters and waitresses are Broadway actors or theatre workers. They are all very welcoming and hospitable. The food is high-quality and served very well. The dining room is very nice with lemon tablecloths and perfect lighting. read more

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Super cute spot. Friendly staff. Great place for a drink or meal pre or post theatre. I've been ages ago to see Joan rivers and have returned twice in the last year for brunch. Food was good as were the mimosas. Check it out if you're looking for a bite in Hells Kitchen! read more

West Bank Cafe - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Went to the reopening of West Bank since being bought by new owners and Broadway producers Tom and Michael D'Angora - and somehow it's even better than it was before!! Obsessed with their spaghetti with meatballs, Tom's grandfather's recipe, craving it now. Also loved the homemade hot fudge sundae and the signature rice balls. Cannot wait to come back - such a welcoming, jovial vibe. 5 stars!!!! read more

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Happy to say that nothing feels like it's changed since the new ownership. It was one of my favorites, and still is. There's something special in the water there. Always a cool crowd. Always good service. Always really good food. And I really appreciate the well marked menu for gluten free and more. No better pre-show or after-show place. read more

West Bank Cafe - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Loved our experience here. We sat at a booth before we went to see Wicked and found that we had plenty of time with a 6pm reservation for an 8pm show. The service was fast and the food was really great- we loved the bolognese and steak frites! The accompanying Caesar salad was also nice. We look forward to coming back next time. read more

Love it! Theatre folks love to hang out here, too! Always greeted with a smile and my name. Who knows what new friend you'll make at the bar, especially with Matthew the bartender. read more

roasted chicken for caeser was good! not enough caeser ? the wedge was good! didn't know drinks "up" was without ice! need to see drag here! read more

West Bank Cafe - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Brunch, Brunch and the unlimited cocktail option. Both are fabulous. Sometimes it's hard to choose - the French toast, Croque monsieur or an omelette. Now I'm hungry just thinking about their delicious options. It's a family favorite- especially on a Sunday afternoon and our go to for birthday celebrations! Dinner or brunch - you can't go wrong! read more

Went here for dinner after a show at Greenroom 42. Service was impeccable. The food was fine: I thought the eggplant parm was bland but the arancini were super flavorful. They had lots of great options on the menu, so I would definitely go back and try something else! read more

West Bank Cafe - Eggplant Parmesan - Dinner - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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"happy hour" everyday. the biggest savings on this were the $6 beers. the menu downstairs at the comedy club is much smaller than the one up stairs, but the item prices are the same. come here to pregame and save money on drinks before the show because a $6 beer went to $15 real quick. that being said, the mushroom risotto balls are a must get. i wish they werent so dry, but i loved the flavor and when you dip them in the truffle mayo, its a perfect marriage. they come in a batch of 12 small balls, and they are filling. the staff is great and service is quick! read more

West Bank Cafe - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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A great little gem - nothing fancy but the food was delicious across the board. High quality ingredients - cooked really well. And great service! I love stumbling into little spots like this one! read more

we had not been here for a while and came in the other week prior to a show. The owner ship had changed and the menu was a bit different then it used ot be. The food and service was very good. We both got specials since it was taco Tuesday. The chicken tacos were very good and the portion was more than adequate. read more

Great food, friendly staff and amazing vibe. Especially if you want to feel like you're part of the theatre world. Come here for the decor and stay for risotto balls! There's a lot of them! read more

Family owned and I met the owner Came here for brunch on Sunday for a first date Food 4/5 Avocado toast was more like tarty guacamole toast If they remove the watermelon radish but replace it with paprika, then we are talking Sourdough was the highlight here Eggs Florentine This was perfection to me because I have a lighter palette and they cooked the eggs more light The fries are seasoned potatoes btw and they were perfectly seasoned, 2 levels above the more bland situation I like Service 4/5 Sometimes it was hard to get a server but note that the owner himself doubles as a server too and he's so friendly and fast for his age! Ambiance 5/5 Pretty Christmas lights top floor There's a jazz and comedy situation downstairs and the owner gave us a tour Cleanliness 5/5 Big and well maintained bathrooms read more

West Bank Cafe - Eggs Florentine - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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I went there for an event in the basement and it's such a cool space with a bar, stage and dj. The food apps were really good (the pizza was very good) and the bartenders were great. read more

We have had food from here several time, both take out and inside. The food has always been really good. Several times we went for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful turkey meal with mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and green beans. It also comes with an appetizer. I always get the leek tart which I find to be very tasty. For dessert, we have been pleased with the pumpkin and pecan pies. I have also had the grilled flank steak which is excellent. The community loves this place with its warm inviting atmosphere. We are lucky to have it in our neighborhood for so many years. It is a real treasure and the food isn't bad either! read more

Most AMAZING dinner! Risotto balls are Devine! Followed by yummy chicken parmigiana! Tiramisu & expresso topped off this epic meal! Can't wait to return! read more

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This place was amazing. I've wanted to come her for year and finally did it. I didn't take pic of the desert but it was also so good. A chocolate Bread Pudding! The service was stellar & the whole place is beautiful. read more

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Love this place! Great food, great atmosphere and very friendly staff. Been coming here for years. Feels like a home away from home.

Adequate food (trout picante) smallish special tomato salad. Poor service, charge for bread not stipulated, limited menu and pricey drinks. Many better choices in the theater district /Hells kitchen area. read more

I love everything about this place. But the food really does it for me. Tonight we had roast organic half chicken and it hit the spot. Fresh, well-prepared and seasoned, hot, and delicious. Waitstaff are super sweet and attentive. The interior is spacious and well appointed with a lovely and welcoming ambiance. Always clean bathrooms. I pray this place remains open. It's a gem. It belongs here and everyone who dines here loves it. We will do everything we can to ensure its doors remain open. read more

A weekday lunchtime disappointment. Service was sluggish...the restaurant was essentially empty...zero ambiance...the unhoused were allowed to use restrooms which, while empathetic to their situation, is a deterrent to paying customers needing to use those same facilities. I know the Laurie Beechman Theatre is an institution, but some things have an expiration date and, despite the fundraisers and community rallies, this cafe seems to have exceeded its shelf life. read more

Had a delicious brunch before seeing a matinee. The food was delicious. I had a burger (which was perfectly cooked) and for desert I had the butterscotch parfait with was amazing! The service was spectacular as well! Special shout out to SLee and Garrett for being so welcoming and accommodating. I'd recommend anyone who is looking for a meal before a show to come here! read more

The neighborhood actually helped this restaurant stay open so happy they did As I mentioned in my last post the food service & ambiance is all wonderful read more

Enjoyed a glass of wine with a friend in this cozy bar & restaurant. They have plenty of whites, reds and bubbly by the glass to choose from. I enjoyed a glass of a Malbec. The aromas from the kitchen smelled great. The bartender was friendly and made a great suggestion for finding Broadway shows. read more

West Bank Cafe - Bar - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Service was swift but not rushed. We were asked if we had tickets to a show as we were being seated. I heard the table next to us being updated about how much time they had to make theirs. We had the salmon tartare appetizer, chicken Parmesan and grilled salmon entrees. That was too much to allow us to have dessert. But, we intend to go back tomorrow to make up for that. Seating is comfortable and uncrowded. Decor is pleasant. I'm glad this is handy to where we're staying. read more

Very friendly and welcoming staff. Decor was original caricatures from Al Hirschfeld. Food was delicious and beautifully served. Highly recommended for pre- and post- theatre. read more

Had a most unfortunate dining brunch experience this past Easter between the cocktail and the entree. Reached out to the restaurant sending a private message through Resy and never got a response which was surprising & very disappointing. Hopefully things have improved since then. read more

Great place but only tell people you love. I don't think they need a lot more business.

Just got back from New York, saw great theater and had dinner at my favorite NY restaurant, the West Bank Cafe! Had delicious Salmon and yummy appetizers.Best before or after theater meal and I love the bar there too. It's a NYC must go to. Great food, people and atmosphere! Can't wait to come back! read more

Very good service, varied brunch options at fair prices. Convenient to Broadway theaters You will be pleased read more

Having never been before decided to check it out, after hearing it had been recently renovated/under new ownership. Wasn't part of the dinner theater crowd. In the early evening it was pretty packed, with a few bar seats available and one corner setting available. Definitely had a bustle vibe to it. We promptly seated and our orders were taken. The food took a while to arrive, probably over 30 minutes. We were told the kitchen was busy although a couple seated much after us had their food presented well before we did. The one item that did arrive quickly was the appetizer, a salmon tartare. It was the perfect combination of briny, creamy, salty and crispy with the potato chips on top. Enjoyed it. For a drink I tried the Negroni. It was pretty solid. Came in a real tiny glass though although the glass was filled up. Still felt a little small for a cocktail. Eventually our food arrived. The chicken parm was a well prepared dish, with a nice fried cutlet layered with sauce and cheese, with a side of spaghetti. Comfort food done well, devoured it. We also had the ravioli special of the day and was well prepared and flavorful. By the time we're done, a little after 7pm, the place had emptied out. I was told it picks up again at 9:30. Overall a solid meal, with a few kinks (timing) to be worked out. I'd advise people to check it out, even if it's a little out of the way. Currently seems to serve a mostly theater crowd, but that wasn't me and shouldn't be you. It's a nice dining experience and the theater below, which I didn't go to, should be a nice add on. read more

I've been to West Bank Cafe a few times over the years and have always had good meals there, especially any time their lemon ricotta pancakes and orechiette with sausage were involved. Downsizing to a two person Thanksgiving this year, we decided to give their turkey feast a try and were not disappointed! For under $60 per person (pickup and delivery), we got enough of the most tender, delicious turkey I've ever had to last at least two meals along with a divine cranberry orange sauce and gravy, a generous serving of mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted carrots and green beans, a delicious creamy butternut squash soup, and a slice of pumpkin pie with a perfect dollop of whipped cream. Everything was well-packaged for oven reheating. Highly recommend to anyone looking to outsource the cooking, pandemic or not! Staff was very friendly, as always, and properly masked. Wheelchair access: step free access from the street, plenty of space to move around even pre-pandemic. Not sure about the bathroom as I have never needed to use it. read more

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Absolutely amazing dishes !!! Everything on the menu is amazing....From appetizers to their dessert.

If you're looking for a place to have dinner before seeing a show check out West Bank Cafe. Every time I've eaten there the food was so fresh and tasty. I went again last weekend and got the Caesar Salad with Shrimp. The shrimp were cooked perfectly. They tasted buttery and light. The salad had the perfect amount of dressing. I'm already making plans to bring some friends for a birthday. read more

West Bank Cafe - Caesar Salad with Shrimp - New American Near Me - New York, New York