Uva Wine Bar & Restaurant

Voted #1 Best Wine Bar In The City - FULL Menu Served Until 2AM Everynight!

(646) 461-3208

1486 2nd Ave (Between 77th Street and 78th Street)
New York, NY 10021 40.7722 -73.9558

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Neighborhoods: Upper East Side, Midtown

uvawinebar.com

Hours:

Mon-Fri 4pm-2am / Sat 12pm - 2am / Sun 12pm - 1pm / Brunch Sat & Sun 11:30am - 3pm

Last updated 1.27.12

Category:

Restaurants, Wine Bars

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Group Dining, Outdoor Dining

Cuisine:

Italian

Editor's Tips

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What People Are Saying About Uva Wine Bar & Restaurant

The Owner

Uva Wine Bar & Restaurant

Owner

Uva Wine Bar & Restaurant has been voted the #1 Wine Bar in the city. We offer a wide variety of international wine & Italian food. We offer brunch on Saturday & Sunday and meatball Monday special. We have a private room that can accommodate a party up to 25 people and the entire restaurant can be reserved during the afternoon, depending on the day. Please check out our menu and come in to see us!

CityGrid

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Sister to Lusardi's restaurant, this warm-hued and rustic Italian bar and restaurant hosts Upper East Siders looking for an intimate experience. Dimly lit by electric candelabras and chandeliers, couples cozy up and friends order another bottle from a comprehensive list. A rear patio, framed by brick, dainty fencing and flower boxes, invites patrons to sit at petite green tables during nice weather. – – The Draw – The diverse wine list, touted by the house for its grape varietals, entices with over 120 Italian and American bottles--like Sicilian red Nero…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
Bring cash if you're just going for a glass. The credit card minimum is $30.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “The atmosphere in all four sections is wonderful.”
  2. “The service was really good, and the atmosphere was nice.”
  3. “The downstairs is cozy.”
  4. “The prices are reasonable and the ambience is nice.”
  5. “Awesome atmosphere, great food, gorgeous place and the staff was so friendly - especially Massimo!”
  6. “Nice cozy ambiance and decoration.”
  7. “it's a perfect date place - very romantic, with a cool vibe (a rarity on second avenue).”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “For main dishes we both had the braised boneless short ribs, which was truly delicious, and came with a 'rosemary cake'.”
drinks
73.68000030517578% positive
  1. “But really if your looking for a small bite and a few glasses of wine I would check this place out, but for dinner there are many other options in the area for a good italian dinner.”
  2. “Anyway, we drank a really great bottle of wine (my friend had been there a few times before) that only cost $28.”
  3. “Good wine list, bad service”
  4. “That's what went through my head - it's good for the UES because of the lack of a decent wine bar there.”
  5. “The dining room is loud, particularly close to the bar, and the service staff give the appearance of being constantly in a rush, though the service itself can be quite slow.”
  6. “Great wine, amazing antipasto misto (for two) and one of the few restaurants that makes you feel like you've left the UES.”
  7. “ordered the full antipasto platter to go with my wine.”
  8. “great wine bar!”
  9. “the food is delicious, the wine abundant, AND they have an outdoor garden with heat lamps.”
  10. “In addition to the amazing wine list, Uva has incredible entrees, but frequently, we'll go for a light dinner consisting of their Antipasto Misto platter and a plate of three or four cheeses.”
  11. “This is a nice place to go for a glass of wine and a bite to eat.”
  12. “Young men will have lots of women to choose from while there, but do not go there for the wine which even their best has a nasty after taste like a $9 bottle of yellow tail shiraz from the corner wine store.”
  13. “Excellent wine, solid service, delicious food (gnocchi with truffles?”
  14. “The wine is all really bad and unfortunately the patrons are too young and inexperienced to know any better.”
  15. “The reason being that anyone who enjoys an even halfway decent glass of wine is unable to find anything on their wine list.”
  16. “Sit at the bar, the bartenders are fantastic, and stick to the antipasto, you can't go wrong there.”
  17. “had a bunch of different cheeses with my wine, all of which were great as well.”
  18. “They have a phenomenal wine selection (including some very reasonable bottles), an eclectic menu, and a definite and unique feel.”
  19. “The food is very good and it has a nice wine selection.”
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. “The bruschetta is awesome, particularly the mushroom one.”
  2. “Awesome atmosphere, great food, gorgeous place and the staff was so friendly - especially Massimo!”
  3. “The food is very good and it has a nice wine selection.”
  4. “The food is decent if not outstanding.”
  5. “They have probably the best Bruschetta I've had in the city and the pasta is consistently good!”
  6. “Many good reds by the glass and the food was excellent.”
  7. “Great service, so/so food”
  8. “The bread was thick and crunchy and the veggies were very fresh.”
  9. “Have also had the baked pasta and eggplant appetizer which are all very good.”
  10. “For dinner half the table loved their dishes and half the table were not happy.”
  11. “Not so great food at Very high price”
  12. “Excellent wine, solid service, delicious food (gnocchi with truffles?”
  13. “love all of their food selections- bruschetta is delicious, cheese plates are perfect, and the salads and pasta are delectable.”
  14. “When my friends who have previously recommended a great Italian restuarant raved about UVA, I was excited and anticipated eating great food.”
  15. “Food was good for the price, only problem was that they put a little bit too much sauce on the dishes.”
  16. “the food is delicious, the wine abundant, AND they have an outdoor garden with heat lamps.”
  17. “Usually have fantastic pasta specials.”
  18. “For main dishes we both had the braised boneless short ribs, which was truly delicious, and came with a 'rosemary cake'.”
  19. “My favorite dishes are the shrimp appetizer and the gnocchi.”
  20. “don't understand chefs that feel they have to experiment with italian cuisine to try and improve on what is already good food.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The food is very good and it has a nice wine selection.”
  2. “love all of their food selections- bruschetta is delicious, cheese plates are perfect, and the salads and pasta are delectable.”
  3. “They have a phenomenal wine selection (including some very reasonable bottles), an eclectic menu, and a definite and unique feel.”
  4. “But really if your looking for a small bite and a few glasses of wine I would check this place out, but for dinner there are many other options in the area for a good italian dinner.”
overall
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. “Young men will have lots of women to choose from while there, but do not go there for the wine which even their best has a nasty after taste like a $9 bottle of yellow tail shiraz from the corner wine store.”
  2. “Awesome atmosphere, great food, gorgeous place and the staff was so friendly - especially Massimo!”
  3. “Food was great, service was terrific, and the place got packed as the evening went along.”
  4. “This is a nice place to go for a glass of wine and a bite to eat.”
  5. “Definitely great to share, since their portions are nice, and a solid Italian restaurant that is great for larger parties.”
  6. “One of the best restaurant experiences ever every time I go!”
service
73.33000183105469% positive
  1. “Food was great, service was terrific, and the place got packed as the evening went along.”
  2. “Everyone is so friendly.”
  3. “Excellent wine, solid service, delicious food (gnocchi with truffles?”
  4. “Good wine list, bad service”
  5. “Sit at the bar, the bartenders are fantastic, and stick to the antipasto, you can't go wrong there.”
  6. “Last time we went the service was horrible, I have never seen anything like it in all the years I've lived in NYC.”
  7. “The service was really good, and the atmosphere was nice.”
  8. “The service is friendly and professional, and the vibe is good.”
  9. “Extremely friendly staff.”
  10. “Great service, so/so food”
  11. “Awesome atmosphere, great food, gorgeous place and the staff was so friendly - especially Massimo!”
  12. “The people sitting next to us along with overselves were shocked.”
  13. “The dining room is loud, particularly close to the bar, and the service staff give the appearance of being constantly in a rush, though the service itself can be quite slow.”
  14. “Our server had big attitude and she was really slow!”
  15. “The service is excellent, and the prices are fair.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “Not so great food at Very high price”
  2. “Food was good for the price, only problem was that they put a little bit too much sauce on the dishes.”
  3. “The service is excellent, and the prices are fair.”
  4. “Definitely great to share, since their portions are nice, and a solid Italian restaurant that is great for larger parties.”
  5. “The prices are reasonable and the ambience is nice.”
  6. “Salad with gorgonzola - cheese was freezing cold and in huge lumps.”
wait time
50.0% positive
  1. “Our server had big attitude and she was really slow!”
  2. “The dining room is loud, particularly close to the bar, and the service staff give the appearance of being constantly in a rush, though the service itself can be quite slow.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

01/08/12

This is some good Italian!

by tanklogssss

The food is as elegant as the picture. Not only delicious, but large portions. Perfect for a date. I don't know if i agree with the guy that said the Bruschetta was not good, I thought it was on spot.

I will happily return!

2 Star Rating: Below Average

12/26/10

Seemed nice, until the food showed up

by RHodgson

The CON of this place was the definitely the Food.

Very small portions for a steep price, although that seems to be the trend in NYC so no complaints directed at this restaurant.

The Appetizers were definitely not worth mentioning.

(the traditional) Bruschetta's were not good. Just some petite particles (not slices) of French bread, laid out with diced tomatoes, maybe sprinkled with some olive oil, but all I could taste was the chilled tomatoes. (so much for the "Best Bruschetta" review - below)

Between the two pasta dishes which were ordered, one had a VERY STRONG taste of gorgonzola cheese, which put me off before eating it. I am no professional Chef, but I thought they specialize in perfecting such dishes so that it eases the smell or taste?

The other pasta was hard to chew and simply tasted bland. Needless to say my friend and I couldn't even finish them and took them home (which stank up the house of cheese)

The PROS were the atmosphere, decent, romantic and fairly quiet. The staff seemed friendly.

Pity.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

03/28/10

Great WINE LIST

by Fit4Caroline

this rustic wine bar with old world charm has a great wine list and a romantic cozy feel. I highly recommend trying the Malbec they serve by the glass it is phenomenal!

  • Pros: AMBIANCE
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/30/09

Great UES Wine Bar

by Lizzybear

Great place. Cannot wait to return.

  • Pros: Appetizers, Outdoor Seating, Wine List
  • Cons: No reservations
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/09/09

Best Bruschetta in the city!!

by mellissima

mmm I LOVE Uva! The place is dimly lim and romantic. Great wine selection and the food is absolutely delicious! They have probably the best Bruschetta I've had in the city and the pasta is consistently good!

The manager and staff are always very accommodating.

This place is a gem in the UES! You can't go wrong with anything on the menu

  • Pros: consistent, delicious food..great wine list!
  • Cons: indoor seating can get a bit cramped

The Details on Uva Wine Bar & Restaurant

Place Categories:

  • great soso food
  • really liked gorgeous place
  • great wine
  • excellent solid service
  • nice awesome atmosphere
  • favorite neighborhood spot
  • delicious bruschetta
  • delectable baked pasta
  • bad service
  • awesome staff
  • great italian restuarant
  • really great bottle
  • cold antipasto
  • incredible entrees
  • enjoys decent glass
  • cool vibe
  • great solid italian restaurant
  • favorite dishes
  • excellent many good reds
  • nice winelist
  • love uva
  • truly delicious short ribs
  • amazing antipasto misto
  • enjoyable 3cheese plate
  • enjoy young women

Message from Uva Wine Bar & Restaurant

  • Wine Bar
  • Italian Food
  • Outdoor Seating

Uva Wine Bar & Restaurant has been voted the #1 Wine Bar in the city. We offer a wide variety of international wine & Italian food. We offer brunch on Saturday & Sunday and meatball Monday special. We have a private room that can accommodate a party up to 25 people and the entire restaurant can be reserved during the afternoon, depending on the day. Please check out our menu and come in to see us!

Uva Wine Bar & Restaurant
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