New York Other Cities

Welcome to Citysearch!

Click around for recommendations and reviews of restaurants , spas , shopping , hotels and tons of other great things to do near you.
 | close

Best of Citysearch

New York Nightlife 2008

More

Vote Sponsored By

Aspen

30 W 22nd St
New York, NY 10010
Phone: (917) 392-1228

Ratings & Reviews Summary for Aspen

What Users are Saying:

  • Prompt seating
  • Make reservations
  • Romantic
  • Good for groups
5 Star Rating
 
(29 reviews)
4 Star Rating
 
(11 reviews)
3 Star Rating
 
(6 reviews)
2 Star Rating
 
(8 reviews)
1 Star Rating
 
(7 reviews)

User Reviews for Aspen

2 Star Rating: Below Average

09/20/2008 Posted by NYCplaya11

This place has certain potential, but does not live up to it. There is a nice room in the back that no one uses, everyone just packs into the narrow entrance because thats where the bar is located and the bartenders are slow. I have a suggestion...Put a bar in that back room, it will spread the crowd out and make it easier to get a drink as well. If more people hung out in the back room, i think it would be more enjoyable for all. Also...it doesn't have to be pitch black, a little light never hurt anyone....

Pros: Good Looking Crowd, Bouncers are mad chill

Cons: Bartenders are awful, entrance gets too crowded and you can't move or get a drink

4 Star Rating: Recommended

08/01/2008 Posted by tony johnson

I went there for lunch on a whim with a friend. Although the place was empty (I'm new to New York, so I'm told this is not unusual), the food was really good. I enjoy my meal as did my friend. I have not been there at night, but I will try it out to see if the other reviews are accurate. In the meantime, the food is excellent.

Pros: Great Food

Cons: Empty, which for me was disconcerting

1 Star Rating: Not Recommended

06/29/2008 Posted by MCRnyc

went there last night for a birthday party and the place was a big disappointment. poor air conditioning for a hot and humid night so it was like a gym where you got to figure out who has BO problems. The bar had a service time as if we were at one of the hot clubs even though the place was half empty. To top it all off, besides our group, the place was a sausage fest. Add in the strange restaurant layout, and you have a place that you should strictly avoid unless someone is paying you to go. If we didn't feel obligated to wait around for the birthday girl, we would have cleared out much earlier.

2 Star Rating: Below Average

03/04/2008 Posted by bk_chic

very bland crowd, bad music, and the fireplace made the back room too hot when they opened it up after dinner. It's a nice idea, but can't think of anything less comfortable than overheating when you're getting buzzed. Just makes you want to lie down for a nap.

Pros: fireplace is nice for dinner

Cons: ...but not for drinking/partying

4 Star Rating: Recommended

01/31/2008 Posted by qtgurljny

Aspen gets high marks for decor althought it's more trendy and shabby chic rather than outright luxurious. Bar is cool but, doesn't seem to be the main draw. The large, open dining space is inviting. The food sounds good and menu sounded inventive (spin on traditional american) but, fell a little flat. It's wasn't awful, just not fantastic. Our waitress was redheaded and awesome. I would still go back and recommend it althought more as a see and be seen place and less of a culinary experience.

2 Star Rating: Below Average

01/23/2008 Posted by MXT

I was recommended to this restaurant, and visited over the weekend with a group of friends from out of town. The interior of the place is really funky and interesting, but that is about as far as it goes. We ordered a bottle 2003 bottle of red wine but the waitress brought out a 2005 bottle. After opening the wine she spilled the wine all over the table and did not bother to clean up, we had to clean the mess ourselves. We ordered the Hanger Steak special (at $34) and after specifically asking for the meat to be prepared medium we received a half rare piece of cold stake. We were also charged bubble for the meal. After complaining about our entire dinning experience the only excuse the waitress could offer was “I am sorry”! Avoid the food if you can, but do go and enjoy a drink at the bar!

3 Star Rating: Average

01/04/2008 Posted by look99

This place is alright. No problem getting in and not very crowed (actually not crowed at all) which can be nice depending what youre looking for. Drinks are verry pricey but staff is nice. Cool atmosphere but I remember not really liking the music. I'd maybe go back again, but only if I didnt have to pay again ha.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/09/2007 Posted by gourmetperson

I was there this weekend with a group of friends and we could not have had a better time. We were seated promptly, our waitress was not only attentive but also a lot of fun and kept us entertained throughout our dinner experience. The music was awesome (they have a dj spinning) - a little loud, but great! The food was very much like comfort food. You can either order your own entree or order from the tapas menu (which we did). Overall, we had a great time and will definitely come back. The fire pit is beautiful and makes the space look cozy and elegant.

Pros: everything

Cons: music a little loud

1 Star Rating: Not Recommended

11/26/2007 Posted by ritzny

This Saturday night, 6 of us (a latina, brazilian, asian, and white gal & 2 guys, white boy and korean)... we wait 30min to get to the front of the line only to get pulled aside. In line there were only black people waiting, I'm sure there was some private party, and I should have known we'd get some issues - but never that we'd be pulled out of line and asked to leave. When I phone my buddy inside to tell him they wont let us bec we dont fit the profile, the bouncers got more mad and tried cracking jokes to the rest of the line. Ridiculous. No one laughed. In all my 11 years here in NYC, this is the 1st time I've ever been discriminated against. headed back to the meatpacking district where the door policy was easy going about race. What a paradox.

Cons: Discrimination to non-blacks at door.

1 Star Rating: Not Recommended

11/19/2007 Posted by aesearch

I had high hopes, the ambience was very nice, and the menu looked great! But beyond that, my hopes were dashed. We were seated for our reservation 1 hour late. After finally being seated, our appetizers didn't arrive for another hour. It is now 11, and we were expecting to eat at 9. No one took drink orders during this hour, so we trapsed back and forth to the bar ourselves for water and wine. The appetizers arrived and half were cold (cold duck, unless it's cheap sparkling wine, is not a good idea). When the entrees arrived, there were substitutions that we were told about when ordering. Getting plain old potatoes when you are paying for pumpkin rissoto is something of a let-down! No apology, just attitude from the waitstaff. The place turns into something of a dance club once it gets late, and since we were seated and served so lousily, we had people bumping into our backs while we were trying to finish our cold duck and potatoes. Lastly, while we had checked our coats at the free dinner check, as it was now midnight, the charge had gone up to $3. Not a big deal, but after the experience it felt like insult to injury to get nickel-and-dimed by these jerks. I will not be returning, and advise others to spend their money on an establishment with a shred of management self-respect.

Pros: Ambiance (before midnight), Menu

Cons: Service, Actual Preparation of Menu Items, Coat Check

Editor's Review

It's only fitting that this sceney ski lodge be as chic as its namesake city.  See the full editorial review.

Insider Tips

Know Before You Go

At the stroke of midnight, the dining area becomes bottle service-only, and the full menu shrinks to a few late-night choices, also available at the bar.

More Insider Tips

Restaurant Information

Hours

  • Mon-Sat 6pm-4am

Payment Types

  • Visa
  • MasterCard
  • Discover
  • American Express

Cuisines

  • Eclectic & International
  • Tapas / Small Plates
  • American (New)

Meal Price

  • $$$

Amenities

  • Late Night Dining
  • Group Dining
  • Fireplace
  • Private Rooms
  • Bar Scene
  • Dine at the Bar
  • Date Spot

Specialty ratings for Aspen

Specialty Rating  
After-Work Bar 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Vote

Site Links:

Citysearch is a registered trademark of Bluefoot Ventures Inc., and is used under license.
© 2008 Citysearch.com All rights reserved.

Partner Sites: