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Tolani Reviews List
Tolani
In South African slang, "Tolani" means "too good," and that is exactly what this UWS gem is – an unpretentious spot of which you simply can't get enough. Drawing from the very best flavors, techniques and ingredients from each corner of the world, Tolani Wine Restaurant's menu brings a culinary adventure to your backyard, marrying authenticity with ingenuity.
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46 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Rating Breakdown 46 reviews
5 stars
(11)
4 stars
(26)
3 stars
(4)
2 stars
(5)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(22)
- fit for foodies(20)
- notable wine list(18)
- romantic(11)
- special occasion(11)
- good for groups(6)
Tolani Reviews List
Review 1 for Tolani
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
good for a group of people
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"If you want to try different dishes, and have a "tapas" with different inspired dishes,this is for you. The food was very good, with a few exceptions (the meatball was ordinary), the rest were inventive without being over the top. Good food, nice wine unhurried dining experience."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, late-night find
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Review 2 for Tolani
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Interesting menu
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food is excellent. Finally a place that does proper fish tacos aka not fried. Those are great. Large meat ball, muscles and the pork were all favorites of the table as well. Will go back"
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, romantic
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Review 3 for Tolani
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Tolani is die beste restraurant
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Die kos is uitstekend. Die diens is vriendelik en luister. Ek is mal oor hierdie plek en sal bly terug kom."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 4 for Tolani
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Despite the "tight-fit" and
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Despite the "tight-fit" and high noise levels, enjoyed the restaurant and will probably be back. Food was pretty good.....wine was nothing terribly special but it was good too."
Dined on 04/18/2013
2013
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Review 5 for Tolani
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Tolani is an intimate place
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Tolani is an intimate place with a small menu of interesting dishes. I tasted three of their "sharable" dishes and all were excellent. They were out of the first bottle of wine we ordered, but the fall back, an Argentine malbec, was excellent as well. The portion sizes are modest but not shockingly so; the prices a tad high - but both in accord with NY practice. (E.g., a dish of tiger prawns priced at about $19 was comprised of three large prawns.) My only quibble was that no bread was served; a basket of breasts was offered for $8."
Dined on 04/17/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list
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Review 6 for Tolani
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Rushed through the meal. Did
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Rushed through the meal.
Did not have time to finish appetizes before main course arrived
The place was not even full so what was the rush
Plus we we're trying to enjoy a bottle of wine between the two of us!"
Did not have time to finish appetizes before main course arrived
The place was not even full so what was the rush
Plus we we're trying to enjoy a bottle of wine between the two of us!"
Dined on 04/13/2013
2010
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Review 7 for Tolani
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great neighborhood find. Great
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great neighborhood find. Great ambiance, although it can get a little noisy. Nice menue and well prepared food."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem
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Review 8 for Tolani
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Never disapponted!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I've been back many times and the food,ambiance, and staff have been consistenyly great! Always look forward an interesting menu, good wine selection and attentive service."
Dined on 03/07/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 9 for Tolani
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ordered the Chef's Tasting
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Ordered the Chef's Tasting Menu with the Wine Pairings. The selections were imaginative and expertly prepared. Will definitely return. The ambience of the restaurant was warm and enjoyable. We are already planning our next visit."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 10 for Tolani
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Was recommended by friends.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Was recommended by friends. I've gone by it millions of times, but never went in. So glad I finally did! Lovely ambiance, great food, nice staff."
Dined on 02/25/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 11 for Tolani
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Wonderful food!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This is a terrific, truly terrific place. The food is wonderful, carefully prepared and graciously served. We have been there twice now and we highly highly recommend it as a standout on the Upper West Side."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 12 for Tolani
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Hard to have a private conversation
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Hard to have a private conversation with a friend. Guests at the table next to us were listening to us and looking at us and tried jumping in on our conversation. Then the woman interrupted our server when we were ordering to ask a question. The server obliged."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2013
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Review 13 for Tolani
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Decent food, ok service
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food was great. My only complaint is that our server only showed up once or twice during the night. She took our order and showed up once when we were almost done with our food to see how we were doing, then w the check. I dont think i saw her smile once, maybe it was a bad night for her. Otherwise, the other staff was cheerful and helpful. The food was good, but not over the top amazing. The hamachi dish was very small! The fish tacos were just ok - the tortillas were cold and stiff for some reason. But I was hungry and ate it!"
Dined on 01/26/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 14 for Tolani
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food and service were great.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food and service were great. friendly wait staff. Fries were the best I've had in some time now, octopus was tasty. Chicken was moist & flavorful. I would go back."
Dined on 01/22/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Tolani
Based on the average of (32) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
4
/
5
2 out of 2 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic