The Uptown Restaurant

I don't normally write reviews for places that i frequent but i had to make an exception for uptown. i moved to this area afew months ago and i love this place. its very easy to become a regular here. the entire staff is friendly, even the owner will make an appearance to make sure everyone is having a good time. the best part about the place is the food. i've eaten here a bunch and i am always amazed at how good my entrees are. they are even beginning to put out some interesting specials too. Give it a try, you can't go wrong. Pros: Great food more

I recently moved from midtown to the upper east side. It took me awhile to find a local spot but i think i have. I had been to uptown before and enjoyed it but since i've been in the area i have realized what a gem it is. the bar scene is perfect. grab a stool and order delicious food from the complete menu. sit back and enjoy the scenery! or, sit down in the restaurant area for some quiet time in a candlelit booth. either way, you can not go wrong with uptown! Pros: all around good time more

I am a patron of the Uptown Lounge on a regular basis. I also recently had my husbands birthday party there ( I posted a review but it did not show) I read the previous review about the door man and how the guest did not like being carded. I can not think of a nicer restaurant with a great bar scene anywhere on the Upper East Side. Could this be because the doorman keeps the riff raff, drunks, and youngsters out? I have gone there on the weekends, been asked for id (thanks it is a complement) and had a great time. Food is superb, service is flawless, and the crowd is great (nice, respectable, and friendly) Management, do not change your policies on the weekend, it is the only nice upscale place to visit!. Pros: nice crowd, great food & drinks, great atmosphere Cons: none more

Just a quick note to thank all the staff and managers for hosting my husbands 40th birthday party. I live across the street at Rupert Towers and frequent Uptown with friends, clients and family: they exceed expectations every time. The food, service, ambiance, and space is flawless. I only have two negatives (not bad considering I go out 4 nights a week all over NYC), they being: 1) sometimes the bar area is too loud on weekends (dining room is perfect for conversation) and 2) it can get warm at the bar dining if the windows are open. Back to the positives, the party was a smashing success. I dealt with Kerry from start to finish; she was also present at the party to make sure every detail was perfect. My guests commented on how tasty the food was and how nice the restaurant was. I was very impressed and will continue to patronage Uptown. Great staff, food, and creative menu. Thanks again, you made Jason's party a great and memorable time. All the best- Mary Ann Pros: great food, staff, and space Cons: no a single thing more

For those of you who enjoy indulging your masochistic side every once in a while, Uptown is highly recommended. If you like being ignored by every waitress and busboy in the entire place for a full twenty minutes after being seated, run, don't walk, to Uptown. Our water glasses were filled and refilled FOUR times before we were given the opportunity to spend our money on drinks. And that was only because we Shanghaied someone else's waitress who was on her way to someone else's table. So what if the Martini we asked for with a twist arrived with three jumbo olives? Who cares if we paid seventeen times retail for a middling bottle of Riesling? We like our punishment served cold. And the drinks were, well, cold. This is about the only thing our server was able to successfully pull off. Getting a botttle of wine and a glass of vodka from the bar to our table before they got warm. We're not the sort of people who complain about the waitstaff in restaurants. It's a hard job. No one wants to be working on a Saturday night when everyone else is out having fun. But, since most waiters are unemployed actors, use the opportunity to practice your craft. Act. Just the bare minimum would suffice. And if you're a good enough actor, no one will notice that your enthusiasm isn't genuine. If you do a good enough job of acting like you care, someone might eventually cast you in something and you won't have to wait tables anymore. Then you can go out on Saturday nights and you can treat YOUR server like a pitcher of fresh urine. On a more positive note, the toilets in the bathroom flushed, the napkins were clean, and none of the chairs broke. We had a passable shrimp cocktail and a decent plate of chicken tenders. Be warned: DO NOT take a first date to this place. And DO NOT bring clients of any kind here. Unless you're looking to save money. Not on the food or drinks. On the tip. Pros: The ceiling fans were operational. Cons: Everything else. more

I live in the neighborhood and thought Uptown was a nice restaurant. Imagine my disappointment when I arrived with my parents (in their 60's) and two friends and we were harrassed at the door by a surly, power-hungry bouncer! I was tremendously embarrassed and my parents, from out-of-town, just couldn't believe it. I said something to our nice waitress and she said a large party had complained the night before about similar treatment. Nice restaurants do not have a rude bouncer out front harrassing diners for IDs. I will not return and will encourage my friends not to patronize Uptown until it learns to treat its diners with respect. Pros: Allegedly excellent cuisine, location, service Cons: Rude bouncer at a nice restaurant? Treating horribly at door. more

After living on the UES for the last five years, I have been a huge fan of Uptown. If you have not been here, this is what you can expect (and some tips). Great food (try the duck breast or bass), huge portions (order 1 salad to share), a great staff (actually nice genuine people), plenty of options (tons of wines by the glass, martinis, beer, apps), and probably the most "fun" "upbeat" atmosphere nore of 14th street. The place is spacious, beautifully decorated, open and the crowd is classy yet not snobby. It can get noisy at the bar section, so if you are on a date or special occassion, sit in the dining area or their back private room. The outside seating is great to people watch and you are never rushed out. The only negative is sometimes it is too busy and you can wait a little awhile for a table (call ahead, they honor all reservations). They also should offer some vegetarian options on the menu. I have hosted two events for my company ,Blackstone Mangement, here and both my co-workers and clients were impressed. The service is equal to that of 5 star places, they actually appreciate your patronage. This is a real find, especially on the upper east side. All the best and continued success- Marshall B. Pros: your patronage is appreciated, service, entrees Cons: not a single thing more

This place has great food and they deliver late! Unfortunately every time I have ordered they have mixed up or left out dishes in my order. It has happened consecutively, 3 times already. Im writing this because i'm so mad i can't order from them and have to settle for something else. Pros: food, atmosphere Cons: service, delivery more

I had the filet mignon which was great quality and cooked in a very tasty sauce. I paired it with a nice Pinot Noir and it was a perfect meal. Good ambience. On the Sat. night I was there they played 80's music which was fun. The female:male ratio was 3:1 - better for the guys. Pros: Steak, Wine, Value Cons: Male/Female Ratio more

What a unique find on the UES! Uptown Lounge is trendy and chic yet reasonably priced. The martinis and appetizers are great perfect for happy hour since the drinks are only $6 from 5-8pm. My fiance and I never frequent the same restaurant twice, but we keep going back! Pros: martinis, trendy scene, food more

We just wanted to thank all the staff and managers at Uptown Restaurant. Our engagement party was absolutly perfect. The space "skylight room" was beautiful and all the guests had a great time. Everyone commented on how good the food was and how attentive the staff was. We live in the area and you will see us again! Many thanks- Jon & Jill L. Pros: great food, staff attentive, upscall yet fun more

My friend and I have been to Uptown tons of times for drinks and appetizers. It is the nicest place on the UES and we always have a great experience. We went to dinner at Uptown last Thurs evening with another couple. We sat towards the back area behind the fancy curtains. We ordered our appetizers and entrees. I must say, I was completely taken back. I knew they had great bar food, but the dining experience was superb. The meals were first rate (and reasonably priced) and we had a very enjoyable evening. Our waitress, Laura, was very attentive and was a pleasure. Food, ambience, drinks: on a score of 1 to 10 (best), this place is a solid 9. We will definitely be back! Pros: great food, upbeat vibe, fun staff more

Saw the great reviews on this site so I thought I'd take a chance. Was by myself so I ate at the bar. The bartender, Marta, was very friendly. Ordered the so called baby back ribs. Don't think they were babybacks because they were large ribs. Just drenched in bbq sauce and came out cold. Marta apologized profusely and bought my drink to compensate. A classy move which I appreciated. A nice looking place and a good singles scene though. Pros: good service, nice decor Cons: not worth it more

nice, classy bar. good food. great service. great music. this is where i take people visiting me from out-of-town. Bring enough cash, or a credit card. Pros: food, service, music Cons: expensive more

Great place for a hungover brunch. $15 includes 2 drinks (bloody marys or mamosas) and your meal. Portion sizes are big and filling. I would recommend the banana stuffed French toast if you're going for breakfast or the chicken sandwich if you want lunch. Sit in the back because that is where there is the most light. Pros: not crowded, stiff drinks more

As an UES resident who frequently goes downtown for dinner and entertainment, I must say that it is great to have such a wonderful restaurant with-in walking distance. The dishes here are delicious and very reasonable. The place is usually very busy and they have turned into quite the nighttime spot. I made an effort to speak to the owner, manager and chef to let them know how great of a job they are doing If you stop by here, take notice to the family "feel" of the place. Service is very warm and inviting. They change the menu every season, offer unique and tasty drinks and overall just a pleasure to be there. P.S- try their dumplings or goat cheese stuffed mushrooms. For entrees, try the tuna w/ ginger or the grilled shrimp. Pros: great dishes, friendly service, fun vibe more

I am the managing director for the midtown office of Bear Sterns. I also frequent Uptown Restaurant for dinner and drinks. I am always impressed by the service, quality of food, ambience, and the charming nature of this place. Even though the location is further then we usually go, I decided to have our tier office party at Uptown's Skylight Room. I was beyond impressed. Granted this is not the Plaza, but it was one of the most successful and fun holiday parties we have attended. Delicious appetizers & entrees, beautiful room, and the staff was extraordinary. John & KT, you both coordinated an excellent party and I will continue to have both my personal events and corporate functions at your establishment. Thank you again and Happy New Year. -JF Pros: great food, fun staff, upbeat & fun more

Its rare I venture to the upper east side, especially all the way in the 80's but this place is a real reason to go. A few friends and I stumbled by Uptown on our way back from the MET. The decor is classy but not to stuffy and there are plenty of tables. They have awesome martini specials and the food was delicious. Try the spinach dip ...it rivals Houstons. Service was super friendly ..I'll definitely head back. more

I took my girlfriend to Uptown for her birthday on a Tuesday night on a recommendation of friends. We were greeted and sat promptly. I was first surprised at the live jazz band that was playing and also by the ambiance. We had some apps first, then filet and fish special, Mahi Mahi with baked clams in a tomato sauce. It was great and affordable. A bottle of wine under $40 that was good?!? and a meal that didn't break the bank. When I told the waitress that it was my girlfriends birthday they brought out a complimentary brownie with candle. The only negative I had was that it was crowded. Overall it was a beautiful place with great food at a reasonable price. I would recommend it to anyone. Pros: Food, Ambiance, Cost Cons: Crowded more

Right after being seated, the waitress spilled an entire tray of drinks on the table (that weren't even ours). When she came back, she didn't bother to dry it off, nor did she even bring a towel so we could dry ourselves off. She proceeded to ask us "What do you want?" and then stood there like we were annoying her. We ordered our drinks, got them shortly after, and every single drink was wrong. At this point, we asked for the manager, and he was abrasive, smug and made the situation even worse. When we got our correct drinks, they were absolutley terrible and undrinkable. Wouldn't recommend to a worst enemy. more