La Vela

07/24/09

Excellent Baby Shower Location

by IPancakes at Citysearch

I hosted a baby shower for my sister here for about 45 people on a Sunday afternoon. The food was excellent and the staff was really helpful with everything. The staff worked with us on the menu and planned everything ahead of time so they were ready. I would recommend this restaurant if you are looking for a place to host a wedding shower or baby shower. It was also reasonably priced. 5 stars.

• Pros: Excellent food and service

09/24/08

Good Choice

by Markty at Citysearch

I've been to La Vela a few times and will continue to go back. There's a comfortable feel to the place but most importantly it's good Italian served by nice people at good(for NYC) prices. Definitely be back

• Pros: Cuisine, Value

03/23/08

Great Italian

by remotecontrol at Citysearch

Went here with 2 other friends on a Saturday night. Service was good, food was great. I had the chicken piccata, which was perfect. My friend ordered a special, which was pretty good. For desert had a fruit pastry a la mode, which was also delicious. I definitely plan on going back. And did I mention inexpensive? 2 of us ate, and the bill was only around $30!

• Pros: great food! inexpensive!
• Cons: none that i can think of

02/24/08

Great Neighborhood Italian

by carly35 at Citysearch

La Vela is a great neighborhood Italian Restaurant. This Upper Westside spot has a nice, cozy feel to it. The food is delicious and not overpriced. Good service too.

• Pros: Food, Service

07/31/07

I like it....

by pamela777 at Citysearch

What a wonderful experience! Ate here last Friday with my husband and another couple. I rarely love both my appetizer and entree and thought they were both delicious and cooked to perfection. The sides were exceptional too. My husband thought the same as did the other couple. The service and atmosphere were right up there too. Will definitely go back.

• Pros: food, service
• Cons: none

03/28/07

Sandy Clams with Food Delivery

by websleuth at Citysearch

Upon my daughter's recommendation, I ordered 6 entrees and several appetizers for delivery. Food was okay but clams were full of sand. I was not that impressed with taste of entrees. My daughter, on the other hand, had a romantic dinner there and was very impressed with the food, service, and price. Probably just a bad night.

01/16/07

Lucky to have it in the neighborhood

by annemanning at Citysearch

We ate here constantly when we were renovating our kitchen because it is in our neighborhood.

The food is always terrific. The specials are creative and delicious and the regular menu offers awesome variety. The staff is attentive, warm and friendly. The atmosphere is relaxed and varies from a date restaurant to family birthday parties. Fabulous!

12/07/06

Great food, great price

by beccmarie at Citysearch

La Vela has fantastic food, and the fact that it's affordable makes it even better. The service is good too. The atmosphere is fairly casual, and it fills up around dinner time so make a reservation. I went with a group of four and we tried eachothers' dishes, and loved every one of them. I would recommend La Vela for any one who wants a fantasitic gastronomic experience and an affordable evening.

• Pros: Great food, reasonable price
• Cons: Crowded

09/27/06

examine your food before eating!

by tk76 at Citysearch

I've eaten here several times because it's a few blocks from my apt. and the food is good when they get it right, but that often doesn't happen. I'm a vegetarian and last night I ordered a pasta dish specifically asking if there's any meat in it and was told there is not. I ate a little and took the rest home to my boyfriend. In the light of his apartment we saw that there was ground meat in the sauce. I was so upset that I had eaten meat and took it back to tell them. They denied that they made a mistake and insisted that they just mixed my order up with someone else's when they packed it to go. This was clearly not the case because I made a special order and the amount I had taken to go was exactly the large amount I had left on my plate. They said they would make me HALF a portion of what I had initially ordered. I was infruriated not only that they made me eat meat, which I haven't eaten in 15 years, but that they were so dismissive, rude, and cheap when I brought their mistake to their attention.

• Cons: terrible service

08/27/06

good solid italian at decent prices

by ips6298 at Citysearch

i was going with a friend to see a play in central park, so i picked this restaurant because it was fairly nearby and because of the good reviews by citysearch members. i asked the server for recommendations on what to order throughout the meal and was not disappointed. we shared grilled vegetables for an appetizer (much tastier than i expected) and then i had one of the specials (risotto with chicken) and my friend had the spinach-ricotta stuffed ravioli--both were good, solid entrees if not amazing--in my dish the chicken could have been more flavorful but other than that no complaints. good portion sizes. for dessert we shared the chocolate mousse w/ strawberries--wish we had gotten one each as it was so yummy we were licking our spoons. we polished our plates clean for every course, and at the end of the meal the TOTAL bill was around $45. not bad at all for those of us on a budget! not the most amazing italian meal i've had but still pretty darn good and i wouldn't mind eating there again if i was in the area.

• Pros: good meal for the price, pretty fast service