(212) 725-4900
72 Madison Ave
New York,
NY
10016
40.7438
-73.986
Neighborhoods: Midtown, Midtown South Central
Olana
What People Are Saying About Olana
The Editor
Kathleen Squires
Citysearch
In Short – Perhaps the owners had an overstock of art by painter Frederic Edwin Church. How else to explain all the bucolic landscapes and naming the spot for his Hudson Valley home? But Olana takes the theme and runs with it, with a greenmarket-driven menu resplendent with farmland bounty. Some dishes, like monkfish "osso bucco" and chestnut crespelle with ricotta, mushroom and pine nuts, pick up cues from Italy, while a giant circular bar, plush red banquettes and shaded chandeliers incorporate citified chic. Nothing says "the country," however, more than desserts like rosemary-roasted…
08/31/09
What more could you ask for? Five stars!
by bella716
Olana - just the name alone conjures memories of a wonderful experience. The food is spectacular and very inventive. The service is attentive, without being too intrusive. The decor is so warm and inviting that you never want to leave. It's perfect for a romantic dinner for two, or a large corporate dinner. We had a company event in their private dining room and the night could not have gone better (and I am extremely hard to please). Five stars - will be back, again and again!
- Pros: food, service, decor
- Cons: none
08/16/09
Rude Staff - Not about the customers
by willchelsea
At Olana, it's not about you, it's about the staff. When they feel like going home, they close the place and ask you to leave - rudely! Too bad because the ambiance is great, but the drinks are bad (limoncello martinin is a glass of lemon juice) and the wait staff and manager should be working at Burger King! Avoid...there are thousands of more welcoming places in Manhattan!
- Pros: Great ambiance
- Cons: Staff needs training (or to be fired)
08/15/09
A NYC restaurant/bar that thinks it's in Kansas
by eidathome
I passed Olana on my way to meet friends for a drink at another restaurant and thought it looked good so at 10pm on a Friday night I called them on my way and we changed course and went to Olana. Place was busy but can accommodate with a nice big bar area and tables in the front with big comfy velvet chairs and nice subtle lighting. As I'm sipping on my 1st drink just shy of 11pm, the bartender puts our check down on the table. We didn't ask for it, and he didn't ask if we wanted anything else or even warn us that it was last call--just said "the manager said to close and he's following orders." We asked for water and were told there's no more ice they've shut down and please pay. We were floored! The place was packed with people having a nice time in the large bar area and at the tables, and they were kicking everyone out! Bizarre and so rude! In this economy when we can all choose from hundreds of other restaurants and you would think a place wants to try to stand out and welcome business, this place is throwing you out on a weekend night! Will never go there again. Was incredibly rude. I heard another table have to negotiate with the bartender--"well we have to use the rest room, OK, we'll be quick." He just glared at them. Outrageous. And the drinks weren't very good. No vodka in the limoncello martini and my tonic was flat. Next!
- Pros: nice atmosphere, modestly priced drinks
- Cons: place throws you out at 11pm on a Friday night!
The Details on Olana
What to Drink:
Potent cocktails like the corpse reviver (Lillet, gin, cointreau, simple syrup, lemon juice and a touch of absinthe, $14) are expertly made at the bar.
Private Rooms:
The party room with a fireplace and LCD screen is perfect for private business dinners or lunches.
Prix Fixe Menus:
The prix fixe lunch includes three courses for $29, while design-it-yourself four, five and six-course dinner tasting menus go for $68, $81and $94.
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