Ouest is a contemporary American Bistro, highly regarded on the Upper West Side and citywide. Executive chef/owner Thomas Valenti has created an oasis of fine dining and fine wines in a casual but sophisticated environment. If there is a special occasion (i.e. birthday, anniversary), please let us know if you would like a candle in dessert. Corkage fee; $30. If you bring your own cake; $3 per person plate charge.
"I thought the menu was stuck in winter, there were too few specials for seasonal items; the food was not memorable and my party received a more exhuberant goodbye than hello. Did I mention I got the "eye roll" from one of the servers for reasons unknown to me."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: good for groups, special occasion
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"Nice atmosphere but they missed the mark on the food. Appetizer soup had too much rosemary, which overpowered the taste. The hanger steak was tough as nails & overcooked. I would not recommend this restaurant, especially given the choices available in NYC."
Dined on 5/19/2013
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"Breakfast for the most part was good. Brioche French toast could feed three. Service was so so. Our airer did his job but sort of felt like we were doing him a favour. Overall it was good but not as great as I'd hoped for. The amazing bread basket is worth a visit though. So yummy."
Dined on 5/19/2013
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"i love Ouest because of the flavors presented in every dish. They are a step above in every way. If licking the plate was socially acceptable, I would do it!"
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, special occasion
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"Very disappointed at the treatment given when seated at a table designed for 4 for my party of 6... No one was interested in either hearing that we were dissatisfied, nor was any attempt made to resolve our issue. I have frequented this restaurant in the past, and generally enjoyed this neighborhood spot, however it was clear there is no interest in my ever returning.
Management was down right rude."
Dined on 5/18/2013
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"The rack of lamb is unfailingly delicious, cooked to perfection; couple the lamb with haricot verts, and add a simple salad beforehand with a little warm bread--a perfect meal!"
Dined on 5/15/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"I have dined at Ouest numerous times and always had a great service in the past, but this time not. I know that a waiter’s job is difficult when the restaurant is full. Still, a nice place such as this comes with a certain expectation of service. My purse was hanging off the back of my chair. Ouest is spacious, especially when compared to other New York restaurants, so there was no reason I should not have been able to hang it there. Yet, our waiter kept banging into it until he knocked it to the floor. I probably would not have minded as much if he had at least apologized, but he did not. I couldn’t believe it.
I do want to stress that all of the busboys seemed really nice and the food was delicious."
Dined on 5/13/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Ouest is always my go-to restaurant for a special night out with friends or just the two of us. The menu is inventive, varied and deliciously accessible. I'm always proud to share this New York gem with out-of-towners."
Dined on 5/06/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Our favorite restaurant in NYC. A visit to the City would not be complete without a stop at Ouest. For me the meal must include a Ouest martini and the smoked sturgeon appetizer. Their consistency and quality are outstanding."
Dined on 4/30/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"While Ouest hosts a lovely dinner, the brunch was underwhelming. Instead of the expected light, french style omelet our omelets were rubbery. Food was cold as well. At dinner, the green salad is well mixed and quite delicious, at brunch, it was haphazardly mixed with no dressing on most of the greens. Did not mention to staff as was in the middle of an important event and did not wish for the distraction a conversation would have entailed."
Dined on 04/28/2013
2009
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"Such a refreshing "adult" restaurant, not that the crowd is old, I saw some hipsters in there too. Food is always excellent, nice wine & spirits list, and attentive staff. Always a treat!"
Dined on 04/27/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"We were a family gathering and everyone liked their food. The waitress was very efficient as was the food service. We sat in a booth so we were able to have a nice conversation."
Dined on 04/28/2013
2006
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"Ouest is by now a local institution serving consistency tasty food from a slowly changing menu. Drinks are great and food, while somewhat heavy, is creative and attractively presented. We gontherereligiously, if not frequently."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2007
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic
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"The food and service was quite good. The wine list was exceptional, but when the check came, the waiter had charged us $50 more for a different wine than we had. When we questioned the bill, he said nothing, took it to the register and then returned with the correct amount without an apology or explanation. If this is the way this restaurant operates (charges you for more than you ordered and hopes that you don't check the bill) then we will never again dine here. I have been to the restaurant a few times and haven't looked at the bill carefully. I will the next time and if it happens again, this establishment will be on our "blacklist". The noise level was very high...very difficult to converse with others at our table."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list
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"Ouest is one of the best places to dine in NYC period. Food amazing; service top notch; wine list excellent. To have that caliber dining experience on the UWS is wonderful. You can use it for a special occasion of course - but it also plays perfectly for a great week night outing w/ friends or family. It is that versatile. A real gem."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"Have been to Ouest many times and it is always first rate. I especially like the way they prepare meat. It is the only place to get a proper hanger steak. The service is always good and usually helpful. Don't think I've ever been seriously disappointed with this restaurant."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"It was wonderful to find a place that is not noisy. The food was very good. I had the trout which was delicious. My friends had the halibut and enjoyed that, too. The beet salad could have had more goat cheese, but other than that, we really enjoyed our dinner."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Ouest is the best! They graciously increased our reservation from 4 to 5 and gave us a perfect banquet and waitress, Amber. Delicious food! Prompt service! Fabulous in every way!"
Dined on 04/04/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"The food here is fantastic. We went for brunch and the booths and tables are a great size for groups. Definitely come here hungry because the brunch deal includes 2 courses and the portions are very large. The only downside is the deal doesn't include drinks."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2009
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, special occasion
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"The unassuming facade of this upper west side gem belies the experience just inside the door. Old world styling with dark wood paneling, red leather booths, and soft lighting set the tone for a peaceful dining experience. The menu offerings are creative and delicious with an appealing and fresh presentation. While portions were not large, they are adequate. Likewise, service was not particularly attentive, but we the staff were unobtrusive and we were not rushed. The setting was perfect for Sunday brunch with our family of five, including three teenagers. We would return."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"The food was excellent and the service discreet and prompt. In fact it eventually became so prompt that my glass was quickly grabbed before I even got a chance to finish my wine, the check appeared as soon as the last bite of the dessert was eaten, and our waitress came back right away for the payment, even before we got a chance to get our credit cards out. I understand that it was Saturday night and they probably needed the table, but when you drop close to $100 per person, you kind of expect to be able to wrap things up at your own pace, and ours was not even leisurely. Apart from this rushed ending, it was a very pleasant experience and the menu is certainly appealing enough to justify another trip."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Split the following with my friend: the warm kale salad app, trout entree, and gnocchi and short rib entree. Service was spot on. The only complaint I would have is that their dessert offerings were boring and conventional - chocolate cake, apple tart, crepe brûlée, etc. We had to go elsewhere for dessert."
Dined on 03/27/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"Still the best on the Upper westside. Just the right level of attention from the waitstaff and the chef's casual quality of offering meatloaf and rack of lamb on the same menu; something for every taste... but yet tasteful in decor and to the palate."
Dined on 03/24/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"We are regulars at Ouest and it is one of my wife's favorite restaurants on the Upper West Side. The service however on this last visit was terrible....they had run out of salmon..which happens...but then the food we did choose took hours to arrive (2 salads!!)...and the staff really ignored us most of the time....sadly it looks as if they have lost some of their style."
Dined on 03/24/2013
2007
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"I was afraid the restaurant would be stuffy, but the waitstaff and hostess were very down to earth and easy going. I didn't feel pressured and my waiter wasn't snobby and was polite. The food was very good, and interesting. Creative. Overall: would definitely come again."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Truly enjoyed dinner - favorite dish was the salmon gravlax appetizer (would return just for that!). The trout was served cut into 3 pieces - have never seen it presented that way - tasted quite good but, for me, visually it was lacking. Wine list was sufficient if not exciting - drinks were good. Service was effcient- water glasses refilled promptly - wait staff wasn't as warm or engaging as they might have been - seemed disinterested, but still pleasant and got the job done. Loved the feel of the room - big rounded red leather booths - warm and inviting - noise level robust, but didn't interfere w/conversation. I would recommend sitting in the lower, main level room versus the upstairs dining rooms. Overall, very good meal - would return"
Dined on 03/16/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"This restaurant on New York's Upper West Side has elegant decor and soft side lighting that flatters its well-heeled patrons. Those are the best things about it. The food is over-salted; and all our dishes, excepting the desserts, came served in a lot of greasy broth. Two items that I ordered, one of which was on the prix fixe, were unavailable. The waiter did not apologize. I also ordered a side of spinach that never arrived (we weren't charged for it.) My companion's "smoked pork chop" was a piece of soft, salty ham. The desserts were pleasant-- standard-issue crème brulée without garnish. Ouest seems to be enjoying a cachet, but there are better restaurants in the area."
Dined on 03/10/2013
2010
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"Found Quest on Trip Advisor. Good fit for pre theatre dinner. We had a very accommodating waiter who served us in an efficient manner. Food was quite good. I had the snails, was disappointed it was nestled in a puff pastry which was delicious but reduced the need for a more sizable portion. My halibut was very tasty as was dessert. The only negative was a light surreptitious spray of water from an unknown source which turned out to be from a little boy's water gun! Disconcerting but only because his parents were not aware, and they were sitting right next to him!"
Dined on 03/09/2013
2009
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"My husband and I took friends to Ouest for brunch. The food was uneven. Some liked theirs; others had things like cold eggs.. The service was not attentive. In fact, needed to look for the waiter several times and then he delivered coffee before the plates were cleared. Surprising since my husband and I had a wonderful dinner here in the past and it was what made us decide to take friends for brunch. The breads were delicious."
Dined on 03/03/2013
2013
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