Ouest

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

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

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.

07/05/08

LIKE THE FOOD-HATE THE PRICES-HATE THE SERVICE

by kittykatnyc

I live in the area and have dined there twice. I give a place 2 chances. $31 for fish?!? #38 for meat!?! Really?!?! I hate having to pay for pretense. The red leather chairs don't make up for poor service and prices that are as rich as the heavy heavy sauces everything gets. I had to wait for 20 mins between appetizer and entree, and 30 mins between entree and dessert. No explanation, our waiter just kept walking by, ignoring us. Thankfully the manager modified our bill when we complained the 2nd time. But we will not be back. This place trys too hard and misses on a lot of different levels. More negative than positive time, food, service

01/06/08

great food, romantic... great date place

by fakename00

went for brunch and had the fried poached eggs with duck... nice... what else can I say... I will return.

• Pros: quality of food, environment
• Cons: hostess was a little burned out

12/10/07

Warm friendly service with Delicious food

by mclovin_the_food

The standout from my meal was the attentive friendly service. We had a young baby with us and our waiter went out of his way to keep not only our meal going smoothly, but also to insure the happiness of the baby. In fact, when the baby started walking through the service area, none of the staff complained even though they probably had every right to do so.

Now for the food...We went on a Sunday for brunch. A complimentary basket of assorted breads was a great way to begin our meal. I started with the freshly made yogurt, which was absolutely excellent. For my entre', I had a unique egg soufle' that was equal parts tastey and rich. Everyone enjoyed their food.

• Pros: Service

11/17/06

Perfect dinner spot for any occasion

by fluddy

If you like food you are going to love this place. If you don't like food, you will learn to love food at this place. There is not a sour note on the entire menu. The goat cheese ravioli - cooked to perfection. The braised short ribs (and I usually HATE braised short ribs) have been consumed by me twice in the past 3 months. I took my father with my extended family here last Wednesday (disclaimer: my father is in the restaurant business, so he is notoriously difficult to impress, though easy to generally please). He went back the following night on his own, in a city that has something like 10,000 restaurants, that is quite a statement. My advice, go early and often.

• Pros: An oasis on the otherwise desolate upper west side
• Cons: they refuse to do take out

09/19/06

Simply excellent

by uwseats

It's nice that after so many years of success, Ouest hasn't gone downhill like so many restaurants seem to do. The food is still outstanding: comforting classics with just enough of a twist to make them memorable.

08/16/06

Horrible customer service

by loriamac

Absolutely terrible service, Very rude condesending waiter. Because I disagreed with the waiter I knew my meal would be not be prepared well. Fish was Dangerously undercooked.

07/30/06

Great food on UWS Broadway? You bet. Head Ouest.

by robertmc

I have been eating at Ouest since it opened. Unfortunately, I live one block away. I've sampled almost everything on the menu and have never had a bad meal. It's a very attractive, cool setting. A small, popular bar at the front (with excellent bartenders) then a long hallway leads to the main dining room. Two smaller areas are tucked away on an open second level (good for celebs who need to hide). An open kitchen completes the warm, open feeling. The place and the food are mature and adult, not kitschy or trendy. On a crowded night (usually every night) it can get a bit noisy, especially if you are seated at the side tables. (If you're a table of 4 and want to easily converse try requesting one of the hallway booths.) Although the menu has changed a bit over time, the quality of food and service has not. It's top notch. Wonderful wine list. The menu has just enough to satisfy any diner. A recent visit included the sturgeon appetizer (a signature dish), the arctic char entree (cooked to perfection) and the simple grilled tuna (which contrary to the name was full of flavor and appeal). Along with 2 drinks and 2 cappucinos the meal clocked in at $110. If money (and my waist) were no object I would eat here every night.