WEST10WEST — Restaurant in New York

Amazing experience at WEST10WEST. I found this place purely on its street ambiance alone. I walked past after a heavy rain had come and gone. I glanced through and noticed the warm dim glow, and had to double back a block later - It had that much pull - pulling at iconic heartstrings of what I collaged together in my head of “the perfect romantic bar”.

I came in to find a sparsely but lively animated bar, with a couple booths quietly chatting away. My favorite seat was available: the end of the bar, near the wall. It’s not my favorite because it’s lonely, but because it has “prospect/refuge” - that is, you can see everything while at the same time feeling safe with your back to the wall. The setup inside the room was calmly provocative, the kind of space you feel comfortable letting your guard down and leaning into a conversation.

Immediately the bartender Aury approached with a warm welcome and the menu - “It’s all fairly new and we’re tweaking things”. The sense that there’s care in the drinks, and that they’re self-critical — a green flag. The cocktail I ordered was fantastic, well balanced: the Good Times. But even then, Aury made another for me on the house after sensing the recipe was slightly off. It's the kind of care you want to see, and felt like a mutual respect for the experience itself.

This place feels like the result of a lot of research of about how people feel comfortable and seductive. There’s good lessons here about space, proportion, lighting, attention, and simplicity. Everything feels simple without feeling lacking. It’s a human simplicity. It’s buzzing without feeling crowded, and just the right volume of avant-garde music behind the design-forward conversations.

The date next to me complimented the lack of a sign, and Aury shared some early thoughts about maybe making a small sign, but nothing...

The experience, food, and service at west10west cannot be overstated. Perfect spot for a date night, dress it up or dress it down. Have drinks, meet a friend, come and learn something new about food and cocktails.

The food… The menu is seasonal, rotating frequently, small and precise. The dishes are well thought and balanced- nothing is hiding under heavy and indulgent ingredients. The food was flavor forward and intentional. The bread is sour and light, served with just enough butter to avoid the heaviness that comes with too much fat before the meal. The dishes were served almost omakase style, allowing you to really enjoy each “course” without losing focus. The eggplant was standout, perfectly cooked and seasoned, exciting in both flavor and texture. The yellowtail was refreshing and delicate, interesting and fun. The octopus was perfectly prepared- well flavored and served with interesting versions of common companions. The beet gnocchi was delicious, but the photograph I took didn’t do it justice so you’ll just have to trust.

As non-drinkers- we often find drink menus lacking in practical cocktails that don’t compete with soda in terms of sugar and syrup content. These zero proof cocktails are AMAZING. Not being overly sweet is one thing, but being actually interesting, complex, and maybe even nourishing is a whole other level! The ingredients are botanical, natural, and easy to pronounce.

Beyond the food and cocktails the team at west10west make it feel like you’re over at a friend’s house for a special occasion. I almost regret writing this review for fear that we won’t be able to easily pop back in as regularly as we...

I’m writing this review because this restaurant truly deserves all the love. I wish I had taken photos of our dishes, but honestly, I was so caught up in the great company and the warm, inviting vibe of the place that it felt beside the point.

I felt compelled to write something, especially after seeing a few overly critical reviews that just didn’t reflect the experience we had. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, but in this case, it felt a bit unfair.

I stumbled upon this spot during a casual walk- it looked new and inviting, so I made a reservation to check it out with a friend. From the moment we arrived, everything felt intentional. The menu is seasonal, minimal, and beautifully curated to reflect the restaurant’s overall aesthetic- clean, thoughtful, and stylish.

I believe it was the owner who stopped by to check in on us, which was such a lovely touch, and our server was genuinely warm and attentive. Each dish we tried was delightful and unique- exactly what I look for when dining out in NYC. While I didn’t get a chance to explore their wine list this time, it looked well-curated and definitely something I’ll be back for.

Highly recommend checking this place out- it's the perfect spot for a cute date or a cozy dinner with a friend. It already feels like a neighborhood gem. Can’t wait to...