(212) 580-8700

2315 Broadway (nr. 84th St.)
New York, NY 10024 40.7869 -73.978

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Neighborhoods: Upper West Side, Midtown

Hours:

Sun-Thu, 5pm-9pm

Wed-Thu, 5pm-10pm

Fri-Sat, 5pm-11pm

Price:

$$$$

Last updated 4.14.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Family-Friendly Dining, Online Reservations, Date Spot, Group Dining, Bar Scene, Notable Wine List

Cuisine:

New American, Traditional American

Notable Chef:

Tom Valenti

What People Are Saying About Ouest

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Confident, straightforward and comfortable, it's the kind of restaurant that feels like it's been around for decades. The mood is as robust as the signature two-olive martinis that typically begin meals. Red-leather banquettes and dark woods give the dining room the air of an Ivy League supper club--few restaurants in Manhattan scream louder for blue blazers and slacks. – – The Food – Chef-owner Tom Valenti's food makes just as much noise; he cooks in a masculine, big-flavored, meat-and-potatoes style, rich with terrines, mustards, eggs and bitter greens. A…

ambiance
96.30000114440918% positive
  1. “The decor was beautiful but not pretentious, the food was inventive, interesting and tasty.”
  2. “great food, romantic.”
  3. “The food is very good and the atmosphere is nice.”
  4. “The decor was nice.”
  5. “The food is good, the ambience pleasing, the location superb for Upper Westsiders, but the staff is obnoxious, making it hard to have a non-stressful dining experience here.”
  6. “The dinner and desserts are wonderful too, but I much prefer to drink at the bar and take in the atmosphere.”
  7. “The service, atmosphere, and food have been excellent on repeat visits (I never order the same thing twice.”
  8. “had the $28 price fix special for Sunday brunch, and both the food and the atmosphere was excellent.”
  9. “For starters, this is a "locals" restaurant, very comfortable and not at all pretensious.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “First off, the passion fruit custard is one of the most amazing desserts I've ever had.”
  2. “The desserts were great.”
  3. “The dinner and desserts are wonderful too, but I much prefer to drink at the bar and take in the atmosphere.”
  4. “The food (the short ribs and the scallops) was excellent, although the desserts were a bit underwhelming.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “small, popular bar at the front (with excellent bartenders) then a long hallway leads to the main dining room.”
  2. “Dinner was a pleasant experience, we arrived early and had a drink at the bar and were promptly taken to our seats when the table was ready.”
  3. “The bar upstairs has wonderful drinks as well.”
  4. “Wonderful wine list.”
  5. “The dinner and desserts are wonderful too, but I much prefer to drink at the bar and take in the atmosphere.”
  6. “have been here a few times to sit at the bar, enjoy a delicious strong Manhattan and people watch.”
food quality
94.16999816894531% positive
  1. “As a long term resident of the Upper West Side, and one who is familiar with the paucity of good cuisine there, it took me years before I consented to eat at Ouest for fear of yet another disappointment.”
  2. “Pair that with their magnificent mashed potatoes, they are special.”
  3. “If you don't like food, you will learn to love food at this place.”
  4. “The food (the short ribs and the scallops) was excellent, although the desserts were a bit underwhelming.”
  5. “And in the end, the bill was very reasonable, especially given the quality of the food.”
  6. “Ouest - once again we were treated to wonderful food and a special/different menu.”
  7. “This was the best meal I have had on the Upper West Side in years.”
  8. “Other dishes good, but not stand-out.”
  9. “Beet salad also very good.”
  10. “Great food and the service was fine too!”
  11. “For my entre', I had a unique egg soufle' that was equal parts tastey and rich.”
  12. “Still the food was delicious and service quite good.”
  13. “Very good food but obnoxious staff”
  14. “The food is good, the ambience pleasing, the location superb for Upper Westsiders, but the staff is obnoxious, making it hard to have a non-stressful dining experience here.”
  15. “But even the simpler dishes are really good.”
  16. “I've sampled almost everything on the menu and have never had a bad meal.”
  17. “had the $28 price fix special for Sunday brunch, and both the food and the atmosphere was excellent.”
  18. “The food was good.”
  19. “Yet, the food was fabulous and the service was excellent.”
  20. “Great food; "attitudy" hostess”
  21. “Great salmon gravlax appetizer.”
  22. “If you like food you are going to love this place.”
  23. “Great food on UWS Broadway?”
  24. “It is amazingly tender and the vinaigrette compliments it boldly without overpowering the fresh seafood.”
  25. “Always full but always peacfull, this beautiful American style cuisine is just top notch.”
  26. “The decor was beautiful but not pretentious, the food was inventive, interesting and tasty.”
  27. “The food is still outstanding: comforting classics with just enough of a twist to make them memorable.”
  28. “You get to the point where it is tought to enjoy the food.”
  29. “favorite appetizer is the grilled baby octopus which comes with a roast tomato and caper vinaigrette.”
  30. “Special occasions or just want a good meal”
  31. “While it was a bit pricy, I must admit the food was excellent and the service was top notch.”
  32. “The food is very good and the atmosphere is nice.”
  33. “Everyone enjoyed their food.”
  34. “great food, romantic.”
  35. “The standout from my meal was the attentive friendly service.”
  36. “Warm friendly service with Delicious food”
  37. “Your restaurant is terrific; the cuisine is devine.”
  38. “Good food, snotty immature service”
  39. “The service, atmosphere, and food have been excellent on repeat visits (I never order the same thing twice.”
  40. “have been here a few times to sit at the bar, enjoy a delicious strong Manhattan and people watch.”
menu variety
50.0% positive
  1. “The incredibly rude waiter who pressured us to order quickly (we weren't even there during rush hour) didn't even know the menu.”
  2. “bad service, fodd is to over the top, and the complex menu is messed up by the kitchen.”
  3. “I've sampled almost everything on the menu and have never had a bad meal.”
  4. “Ouest - once again we were treated to wonderful food and a special/different menu.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “great date place”
service
64.36999797821045% positive
  1. “Great food; "attitudy" hostess”
  2. “But the surly hostess could not have been more rude;”
  3. “The food is good, the ambience pleasing, the location superb for Upper Westsiders, but the staff is obnoxious, making it hard to have a non-stressful dining experience here.”
  4. “The service, atmosphere, and food have been excellent on repeat visits (I never order the same thing twice.”
  5. “The incredibly rude waiter who pressured us to order quickly (we weren't even there during rush hour) didn't even know the menu.”
  6. “Warm friendly service with Delicious food”
  7. “Very good food but obnoxious staff”
  8. “have been here a few times to sit at the bar, enjoy a delicious strong Manhattan and people watch.”
  9. “superb service with wait staff who explained everything and injected accurate insight.”
  10. “Good food, snotty immature service”
  11. “Our waiter was unpleasant.”
  12. “small, popular bar at the front (with excellent bartenders) then a long hallway leads to the main dining room.”
  13. “They say that the waitstaff and hostess were very rude.”
  14. “Still the food was delicious and service quite good.”
  15. “Many reviews on here stated that the service was terrible.”
  16. “The service is excellent and the staff is knowledgable and professional.”
  17. “The red leather chairs don't make up for poor service and prices that are as rich as the heavy heavy sauces everything gets.”
  18. “bad service, fodd is to over the top, and the complex menu is messed up by the kitchen.”
  19. “Wife's striped bass was very good however, and the staff was properly attentive.”
  20. “While it was a bit pricy, I must admit the food was excellent and the service was top notch.”
  21. “Yet, the food was fabulous and the service was excellent.”
  22. “Some annoying hostess kept insisting it was a scew-up early in the night that delayed my 10pm reservation.”
  23. “The standout from my meal was the attentive friendly service.”
  24. “Just tell the hostess that a nice welcome and a smile would be great!”
  25. “Absolutely terrible service, Very rude condesending waiter.”
  26. “Those poor reviews are surely from bitter ex-employees!”
  27. “know a lot of people who go for the $29 dollar price fix, which is good.”
  28. “Great food and the service was fine too!”
  29. “The service was excellent.”
value
87.5% positive
  1. “had the $28 price fix special for Sunday brunch, and both the food and the atmosphere was excellent.”
  2. “The price wasn't bad either.”
  3. “know a lot of people who go for the $29 dollar price fix, which is good.”
  4. “The red leather chairs don't make up for poor service and prices that are as rich as the heavy heavy sauces everything gets.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “small, popular bar at the front (with excellent bartenders) then a long hallway leads to the main dining room.”
  2. “As a long term resident of the Upper West Side, and one who is familiar with the paucity of good cuisine there, it took me years before I consented to eat at Ouest for fear of yet another disappointment.”
3 Star Rating: Average

12/03/09

Good food, snotty immature service

by whirlgirlz

First off, the passion fruit custard is one of the most amazing desserts I've ever had. I savored every bite. Beet salad also very good. Other dishes good, but not stand-out. The incredibly rude waiter who pressured us to order quickly (we weren't even there during rush hour) didn't even know the menu. We were there for less than two hours, but this guy made us feel like we were 'camping out'. Upon exiting the restaurant, he made eye contact with me but did not say goodbye or thanks or anything - just gave me a look of 'oh, finally!'. This after we gave him a large tip.

  • Pros: Classic comfort food, great desserts
  • Cons: Inexperienced and rude waiters
4 Star Rating: Recommended

11/28/09

Classic old Manhattan feel

by Sandy333

I have been here a few times to sit at the bar, enjoy a delicious strong Manhattan and people watch. The dinner and desserts are wonderful too, but I much prefer to drink at the bar and take in the atmosphere.

  • Pros: strong manhattans, classic decor
  • Cons: pricier than i expected
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/27/09

Special occasions or just want a good meal

by LouisR

We made a good choice in celebrating our anniversary at Ouest. From the food to the service, everything was first rate. We are looking forward to our next time at Ouest to try some of the other selections on the menu.

  • Pros: Great food & service
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/09/09

Elegance Without the Fuss

by clarknyc

Ouest is one of my favorite restaurants. It's that simple. Time after time I've enjoyed my experience at this Upper West Side standout. After several years, chef Tom Valenti continues to offer up exciting, creative and flavorful food, he has not rested on his laurels, like some New York chefs. As for service, it is just how I like it - helpful and aware, but not hovering.

A favorite appetizer is the grilled baby octopus which comes with a roast tomato and caper vinaigrette. It is amazingly tender and the vinaigrette compliments it boldly without overpowering the fresh seafood. My entrée of choice is a guilty pleasure, bacon wrapped pork tenderloin with grilled pork belly, yes, triple pork! I'm sorry, wrap it in bacon and I'm there. Words to describe this decadent course - crispy, juicy, smoky goodness. Pair that with their magnificent mashed potatoes, they are special. For desert, if you have room, you might as well close your eyes and see where it lands on the menu because for the life of me, I've never had a bad one at Ouest. Maybe that's not helpful, but that's just how I feel. Ouest is certainly one of the best restaurants in New York, that makes it a rare standout in the neighborhood.

  • Pros: Consistantly great food and service
  • Cons: None that I have experienced
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/21/08

Excellent Brunch

by zanewynand

I had the $28 price fix special for Sunday brunch, and both the food and the atmosphere was excellent. They start you off with a bread basket, which included scones so soft that they melt in your mouth. Very fresh, possibly baked just minutes earlier. For appetizer, I recommend the Spicy Tomato Bisque, which is incredible and addictive. It's like having your first alcoholic drink after staying sober for 10 yrs. For your entrees, go for the Sturgeon or the House Smoked Duck Breast (just google my name, Zane Wynand, and Ouest, and you can see some pictures of the dishes). All the flavors go together very nicely.

The Details on Ouest

Place Categories:

  • great food
  • best restaurants
  • terrible service
  • rich price
  • rude condesending waiter
  • more rude surly hostess
  • great desserts
  • never bad meal
  • obnoxious staff
  • excellent atmosphere
  • incredible spicy tomato bisque
  • beautiful decor
  • nice welcome
  • delicious people watch
  • nice smile
  • favorite appetizer
  • terrific omelette souffle
  • great date place
  • beautiful american style cuisine
  • not stand-out other dishes
  • wonderful drinks
  • enjoyed everyone
  • enjoyed time
  • excellent friendly service
  • delicious manhattan
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