The Village Voice trudged up to the Upper West Side to dine at some of our finer establishments over the past few months and put together a list of the spots they claim are the “10 best” in the neighborhood. The list may surprise you.
The spots they chose range from fine-dining establishments to the city’s most famous 24-hour hot dog spot. Either way, the Voice says the Upper West Side “is now a bonafide dining destination,” a concept we’ve been hearing for the past few years. The list is below, and the full article is here. Please let us know your thoughts on what was included and what was left out in the comments!
10. Jacob’s Pickles, 509 Amsterdam Avenue
9. Saiguette, 935 Columbus Avenue
8. Barney Greengrass, 541 Amsterdam Avenue
7. Gazala’s, 380 Columbus Avenue
6. Gray’s Papaya, 2090 Broadway
5. Caffe Storico, 170 Central Park West
4. Osteria Cotto, 513 Columbus Avenue
3. Boulud Sud, 20 West 64th Street
2. Thai Market, 960 Amsterdam Avenue
1. Telepan, 72 West 69th Street
The inclusion of Jacob’s Pickles (providing the most mind-bogglingly terrible service ever) and exclusion of Dovetail, really makes this whole list suspect. And what about Celeste?
Any UWS dining list that does not have Dovetail at or near the top is not credible
No Cesca?
I can comment on the places I’ve been to:
Jacob’s Pickles. Their signage says Beer – Biscuits – Pickles. I haven’t yet tried their namesake pickles…but the biscuits were dry and underwhelming. Also, the service leaves much to be desired. Shouldn’t be anywhere near this list.
Barney Greengrass. Meh, I can make better eggs at home that don’t cost $18.
Osteria Cotto. One of our favorites. Well thought-out cocktails and great, reasonably priced food.
Jacob’s pickles has absolutely no business being on this list. That is possibly the worst mistake. It’s an ok place to hag out and drink beer, but their food is barely average and the pickles suck
Cesca has gone downhill, but not having Dovetail is a major oversight.
Ouest! the best restaurant on UWS for sure.
ZERO credibility here. Gazala’s is TERRIBLE. No Kefi? Genaro’s or Celeste? Osteria Cotto is a gem though
If it wasn’t for Telepan, I’s say April Fools.
As I said earlier, not having Dovetail gives the list no credibility.
Agree with the comment that ‘Cesca has slipped a bit.
Drew, perhaps you can explain the love-affair many have with genaro’s? I’ve been, the food is meh and the service is off-putting and miserable.
This is so subjective – but, overall, I would have to agree with Denton, Chris and Cara. In my estimation, Ouest (which for years was one of my favorite places) has gone sharply downhill of late. And Cesca is loud, loud, with mediocre fare. Currently, I really like Citron. A terrific classic Bistro.
La Mirabelle is where I go to be around good people, away from chattering and carbohydrates.
Celeste?!
Gray’s Papaya? Nice hot dog stand–but a RESTAURANT? And indeed, the omission of Dovetail is truly bewildering. I’m so glad they skipped all of the excellent Japanese restaurants in our area, lest they become crowded with outlanders.
That is an absolutely terrible list. It was obviously written by someone with very limited experience up here
Jacob’s Pickles is average at best and Gazala’s is really terrible. Osteria Cotta is great though. I doubt if anyone would disagree that Boulud Sud and Telepan are great, but some might disagree that the former is on UWS! Places that I think deserve a mention are Vai, Geisha Table, Salumeria Rosi, Land and Casa Pomona (if it comes back after the water main accident).
Nice Matin is always a favorite and added to this list. And yes always a classic, Gray’s Papaya.
Saiguette at 106th and Columbus – I live a block away – very new addition to a much underserved Manhattan Valley – delicious and very affordable. It’s counter service and take-out — no tables and chairs.
How could they leave out “Elizabeth’s” on Columbus and 93rd? Great neighborhood place, nice setting, good service, but most important, delicious food. Families early in the evening, Adult crowd at night.
How about Bar Boulud?
Excluding Dovetail is inexcusable. I’d also lobby for Spiga, a local favorite.
It’s inexcusable that HENRY’s (105th Street and Broadway) is not on the list.
Excellent food, charming host, spacious environment, and very civilized. Guests are young families, Columbia University faculty and students, artists, and neighborhood folk. I grant it’s on the REAL Upper West Side, but it’s the “Go-to: restaurant for a marvelous, gracious, and fun meal.
UWS is not a dining destination. It has a long way to go. There are a few decent places to eat, but we need more restaurants where they care more about the food served than how much you drink.
Where is Bistro Cassis or Bistro Citron on the list, even if one would place at #10? Try mussel night at Bistro Citron where you get mussels, fries and a glass of wine for $21.
Cross-streets, please, always. Address number alone, especially on avenues, is meaningless. Please, please, please.
And I vote for Pesce Pasta, Columbus/90th, year-round, but especially pleasant for outdoor dining. Love food and staff.
saiguette – yum and reasonable – great new pick on the UWS
What, no Pomodoro, on Columbus & 70th???
The Village Voice taking credit for announcing the Upper West Side as, “now a bonafide dining destination”, shows they haven’t ‘trudged’ up here in a long, long while. The restaurants not on this list suggest they forgot to ask local sources for the low-down. The extraordinary Dovetail, for sure, also Vai, Pisticci, Cafe du Soleil, Vareli, Indus Valley, Gastronomia Culinaria (106th, near CPW)….and others, have made us a ‘dining destination’ long before the Village Voice claimed it so.
Agreeing with SHelley about UWS needing to improve on food quality and presentation. It is bizarre as one would think such a beautiful area would attract better food and service but I guess the prices are faster to catch up. Btw, I just walked my life off trying to find flour type 00 for pizza from 60 to 96. If anyone knows where to get it, I will be a happier person (doesn’t take much).
Applebee’s, Broadway at 93rd Street.
Completely agree – no Dovetail or Cesca make this null and void.
Not including Dovetail on this list is crazy.
What about: Ouest, Gari on columbus, picholine, Cassis on columbus, Indigo, patsys (everyone loves to hate but come on now), french roast, etc.
thai market and jacobs pickles shouldnt be here. jacobs pickles is glorified bar food and thai market is just average-great for people who order chicken pad thai, if you know what i mean. Have been on the upper west side since birth, and would honestly rank the taco cart on 70th higher.