Upper West

Nice new place to hang out

by Love Little Dogs

This used to be a place called Flints. The new management has re-modeled and given the place a more modern look. Menu is American classics with twists. Portions not overly generous but very reasonably priced and over all good. Only thing we had that our party unanimously did not care for was the tomato soup. The Ahi Tacos are unique and flavorful, the Cappuccino Brownie to die for. Killer Mojitos to boot!

• Pros: Good food. Reasonable prices
• Cons: Service was slow, bit loud

Excellent food

by weho333

Tried this place recently and everything we had was fantastic. Waiters are very friendly and everything we tried was just great.

Make sure to save room for dessert! They have some winners.

A bit loud for a romantic dinner, but all in all a sophisticated and good choice for upscale dinner with friends.

• Pros: Very tasty entrees
• Cons: Can be a bit loud

Best overall restaurant on the Westside

by happygolucky27

This is a must try! My favorite restaurant in LA has been Taste on Melrose, but Upper West just may have taken the top spot.

My boyfriend and I's long-planned date night ended up coinciding with a Laker game that neither of us wanted to miss, so a compromise was needed. Said heaven-sent compromise came in the form of Upper West because it shows the Laker games using a projector on a big wall, while hosting a menu that is a huge departure from typical sports bar fare, and an atmosphere that is still very "date night" appropriate.

I had the seabass which was absolutely delicious, eventhough it was a bit overcooked. It came with a pear salsa that I ended up asking for more of. Even the stubborn palate of my boyfriend's loved the salsa and piled it onto his burger, which he stated was one of the best ever(though still overcooked.)

The desserts were also out of the world. I had the key lime tart that came with basil coconut sorbet. The sorbet was soooooo good. Bite after bite left my tastebuds confused but very intrigued at the surprisingly delicious combination. The tart itself was simple but oh so tasty. Hailing from Florida, I know a thing or twelve about what Key Lime pies are supposed to taste like and this tart came the closest out of everything I have tried in LA. The boyfriend had the Cappucino Brownie(or something like that.) He didn't have many words for it, but mostly because he could only moan and happily grunt through his full mouth. Apparently, he loved it.

All in all, this restaurant has everything I could have possibly wanted: Amazing menu(peanut free for those allergy sufferers like me), great service, reasonable prices, and an upscale but casual atmosphere.

• Pros:  huge projection screen for sports, amazing food, low prices
• Cons: nada

A most relaxing and lovely evening

by PatMargulies

We had a lot of fun at this newly opened place.... a party of five including men, a woman of a certain age, and young women too ... some vegetarian, some pasta fanatics, some no-carb, some South Beach AND in spite of the diversity, everyone found more than several things that they'd love to eat.

We tried only two appetizers concerned we'd be too full for the dinner -- lamb crepes and the tacos -- both really exquisite. Dinners included: flat iron steak (seriously enjoyed by a serious meat guy), grilled cheese with tomato soup (lovely), shells & cheese (their title for a glorious four-cheese, Asiago and all that good stuff, mac n cheese), the salmon entree (gorgeous and cooked perfectly), and ...

... another carnivore eating a sirloin steak.

That was me, so I can tell you double wow. Once for the first time I tasted it and then again for when I reheated it the next day -- to me the true test of quality food !!!

To me the menu seems like one where even in a large party, everybody could find something they liked.

The wine list was really nice and the salmon-eating guy had his fair share of just the house red and liked it a lot -- and he knows the grape!

The martinis were very fun... I wanted to try them since another review had mentioned them... I had the cucumber -- delish. I can imagine on a hot day, nothing lovelier!

We shared two desserts -- ginger cake with apple compote and creme fraiche and a key lime tart... but a biggish tart!

One more thing... I know that cost is cost, but I sincerely felt very good about the final bill and the cost of a rather lavish evening.... I believe we got value beyond what one may be likely to spend elsewhere, and without similar resulting value.

It was a really fun evening. I loved the crowd in the room -- women together and out for the evening; old folks, young folks, babies...

I understand that the Upper West will soon open for lunch and also weekend brunch. I cannot wait!

We all had a lot of fun and wish this restaurant the very best luck -- success already has been reached.

• Pros: the food and the service
• Cons: could not name one