Avra Madison — Restaurant in New York

So, I've walked past this restaurant on numerous occasions and always wanted to try it out as it looks very inviting from outside on W60th. But from the start, it was all a bit of a disappointment. We had an early sitting as we had theatre tickets for a show later at 8pm. I had made the reservation over the phone the day before, and not via Resy, so when we arrived no one was able to find my reservation in the system. Nothing had been logged. So, that was annoying to start with. After a while of people checking, we were promptly seated right by the bar, which is also annoying as it's a constant walk-through with people coming and going. I was super disappointed to see a huge TV screen playing football - who wants this, in what is meant to be a high-end sea food restaurant? Go to a sports bar if you want football.

I asked to move tables and this was agreed by the staff, (however, it clearly was a problem for them even though the restaurant was far from full ) but at one point, there were 6 members of staff all crowded behind the check-in counter, some doing nothing and playing with their hair, others just talking and standing around, some looking lost and without a job to do. And suddenly there was huge influx of other diners resulting in a big bottleneck. The restaurant manager needs to sharpen up on the arrival of diners and managing the seating arrangements.

We then sat and it took nearly 10 mins just to be greeted and offered water. Yet, the restaurant was OVERLOADED with wait staff, servers, groups of them laughing and talking together doing nothing - such a bad look in any restaurant. Our own server was nice enough when he came to our table, but nothing was truly personal, it was more just transactional.

The food was just ok in the end. It's way overpriced as other diners have noted, and the price of fresh fish from the middle counter where you can choose from is ludicrous. Some at $75 - $150 a pound. Our shrimps which we started with had clearly been frozen prior, as they were rubbery and a bit tough. Portions were small too and actually nothing one couldn't struggle preparing at home. In all, it was an overrated dinner for sure, the interior is nice but there's much better and way more affordable elsewhere. Go to Kiki's on Division in Chinatown for a more fun, authentic and not as absurdly expensive...

Avra in UES was where my friends took me for birthday brunch on Oct. 30th Saturday and we loved every minute! The restaurant is a few mins. walk from 5th Avenue, Central Park and The Plaza. This beautiful restaurant has been on my bookmarked list for awhile now and absolutely enjoyed everything they had to offer.

First off, they gave us their best table by the window. The hostess was wonderful. And then Tolga was our main server and really attended to us well, greeting me Happy Birthday and telling me that they'll absolutely take good care of us. Really started off our experience the best way. Since we we're a big group, Tolga also had some help with 2 other servers and they were all pretty good!

We started off with prosecco and cocktails and decided that the lunch prix fixe at $34.50 which came with starters, main course and a dessert was the best deal. I had the grilled octopus for starter (supplement of $14) and it was sooooo good! I'll happily come back for this. Other friends had the calamari and meatball and they were also pretty good! For main course, most of us had the fish and I didn't let the opportunity pass by to have grilled lavraki/branzino. This was fresh, perfectly grilled and simply delicious, topped by some lemon juice. My husband had the lobster pasta (supplement of $17) and it was heavenly as well. For dessert, Tolga and the team offered for us to do like a platter of combined dessert like a sampler of their offerings and they were all delectable, albeit felt expectedly fewer in portions compared to the first 2 courses. The baklava was the standout in that platter so much so that we decided to order another. Later on, we found out that they gave it to us complimentary for my birthday. Thank you, Avra Team! That was wonderful and we felt special, made us realize we want to come back again soon. :)

We ended up indulging in a couple more cocktails (they're a little pricier than usual to be honest) and it was a hefty sum overall, but we really loved the ambiance and service. Shout out to the Avra Team for taking great care of your customers. Already booking for...

You first get a feeling for what type of restaurant this is when you walk in the door. You see a lot of people in dresses, suits, and lots of ties. People mentally and physically prepare themselves for a place like this. It's not just a place to eat, it's a place to be seen. And a place to look around because the person at the next table may have been in the movie you saw last night. It's not just the elegance, and the rare special treats on the menu. This place is not all show and no go. There is plenty of go. Everything I've ordered here so far is prepared to perfection. Can you imagine ordering octopus that almost melts in your mouth like butter? That was my experience. Not just the delicious food, but also the elegant way it is prepared on the plate. From the flatbreads before lunch or dinner right down to the elegant dessert, every plate of every course is delicately delicious, full flavored, and just as pleasing to the eye as to the palate. Dessert was somewhat diminutive but the amount of flavor I got could have been in a large salad bowl. Again, delicious delicate flavors, layered so each bite is a new surprise. If you're trying to impress a client, or a date, or bringing your family to a formal and proper dinner to celebrate a special moment, or maybe to start a family by unveiling a crystallized carbon ring, this is the place! I should also mention that service was amazing. Our server Erin was just the right balance of presence, always there when something's needed as if she could read my neurons before they fired. Elegant, polite and warmly engaging, just the type of person one would expect in a five-star...