TESSA

Absolutely loved my experience at this restaurant! The grilled octopus was a standout dish—10/10 for sure! The flavors were incredible, and it was cooked to perfection. The fried cauliflower was equally impressive, also a 10/10; they had the perfect crunch and flavor. The romesco salmon was spot on, beautifully balanced and delicious. The ambiance was just what we needed for a chilly evening—gloomy and moody with candlelit tables that created a cozy atmosphere. Perfect for a date night or a special occasion! And let’s not forget the drinks! The Grey Goose martinis were amazing—smooth and refreshing. Overall, a fantastic dining experience that I can't wait to repeat! Highly recommend!

Usually busy. I’ve sat at the bar mostly, a couple times at a table. I prefer the bar. Sal and the woman bartender are awesome! I like their cabs and the garden martini. The cauliflower app is so good. I love their bread rolls. The happy hour has food and drink specials. I’ve been many times, it’s a neighborhood favorite.

We had an early dinner here on a Saturday with a reservation, but there were plenty of open tables. The space has a cool ambiance but a bit on the darker side. The service was mostly attentive throughout the meal, and the pacing between courses felt just right. Presentation across the board was excellent. Every dish came out looking like there was thought put into them. The standout for me was the cacio e pepe. Super rich flavor, and the foam layering the sauce on both sides was a nice touch. We also had the octopus appetizer, which was really well-cooked and flavorful. Prices are definitely on the higher side, but there’s clearly thought behind everything from the visuals to the taste. The bathrooms are clean. There’s one upstairs and three downstairs.

Enjoyed the food and atmosphere. It does get really hard to hear even though there isn’t music blasting. The pork chop was good but I wish the eggplant rigatoni had more eggplant in it. I thought it only had tomatoes at first. I got the small plate which is good for a single serving, I think the large would be great for sharing. For dessert we got the baked Alaska and it was delicious! Wish we had more room to try out the other desserts. Server was super nice and friendly.

Stepping into Tessa, you're immediately struck by the wonderful ambiance – The flavorful Meatball is an absolute must-try. If you are keen on healthier starter, I recommend “house dips” which come with 3 dips; garlic hummus, whipped ricotta, spinach-artichoke, with veggie sticks. And if you're looking for a satisfying main, don't miss the juicy and flavorful pork chop – cooked to perfection! You can tell the ingredients are fresh and carefully chosen, and the dishes are prepared with obvious care. I'm already looking forward to my next visit.

Had a forgettable dinner at this place. The service was awful. The servers (more than one came at the table) kept rushing us. I understand we’re not in Europe and we’re in nyc and people rush through dinner, but this was just awful. The food was so so. My friend had the shrimp pasta which she didn’t really enjoy. The gazpacho was bland. The thing that was decent were the rosemary fries. The Aperol spritz was good. We had asked three different servers for bread and olive oil on the side and it never came. The space was small and felt claustrophobic. Left quite disappointed.

The bartender was so friendly and fun to deal with and the drinks were delicious

Former chef, and I would say possibly best salmon dish I've had in a restaurant. Most enjoyed meal I've had in NYC. My wife had the duck. It was also very well prepared and flavourful... Obviously, I had to steal a couple bites... good cocktails too. Just writing this review is making me want to go back. If you want a beautiful restaurant with great ambience and isn't a tourist trap....hit this place up.

Great spot in UWS for brunch. The restaurant is big and has a nice vibe to it. The service was good and prompt. We got both hot and iced coffees (the hot is better - iced was watered down) and tried the ultimate brekkie, steak & eggs, and the gnocchi with chicken. Everything was delicious and very filling. The ultimate brekkie was a particular standout with the size of the sandwich. We also split the rosemary fries and loved them! I definitely recommend this spot for brunch. I'd love to come back and try their dinner menu.

After dining at Tessa on several more visits, I am updating my review to 4 stars. They are losing 1 star for lack of consistency. Sometimes, we dine at Tessa and have a fantastic experience, other times we leave with a hit or miss experience. Service is particularly inconsistent, but we have discovered you usually get better service in the bar section for some reason. We still LOVE the tuna tartare w mango, yum.! The pasta dishes are also great- and we appreciate having the option to choose a small or large portion as well. The steak we ordered on our last visit was just okay, definitely can get a better steak nearby, and the mixed drinks are almost always poorly mixed to the extent that we now only order Wine at Tessa if we want a drink.

Intimate setting with a nice wrap around bar. Plenty of seating inside and some out. The service was attentive and personal. Ray was there when you wanted him while still leaving us enough space to discuss and make our menu decisions. Never felt rushed or under appreciated. He was even nice enough to help us move to a more comfortable table since it was so busy the night we went. Loved the food and drinks. Great for after work drinks, date night or just out with the friends.

All time favorite afternoon bar & small area still under scaffolding for outdoor dining. New HH and small bites menu, the Cauliflower Fritto is just perfection. Every drink is made with precision, fig old fashioned is a favorite, as well as the Spicy Lichee or Garden Martini. Mussels, burger, trio of dips also nice bar food. Staff couldn't be nicer, only flaw are the horrendous acoustics !! The metal decor ceilings are beautiful but need some soft material to absorb the cheerful chatter. Upscale wine bar but screens over the bar typically have sports on.

Stopped by for drinks. Place was packed. Bartender was super friendly. Food and vibes are great.

I cannot state enough just how delicious the food is here !!! Soooooooooo good !! Everything was full of soo much flavor and the steak had to have been one of the best cooked steaks I've ever had perfect temp and seasoning. It's pretty inside and perfect to go for a date night the ambiance is nice and the service is prompt and very courteous.Definitely recommend this place

Tessa, a modern American restaurant with a delightful Mediterranean twist, stole our hearts in the heart of the Upper West Side. Being big fans of its sister restaurant, Asset (Tessa cleverly spelled backward), we knew we were in for a treat. What we ordered: *octopus: fingerling potato, smoked paprika, garlic, olives, red watercress *crispy chicken sliders: spicy honey mustard, pickles, cabbages, carrot *seared scallops: asparagus, potato, cherry tomato, orange beurre blanc *New York strip steak: garlic mashed potato, roasted mushrooms, truffle butter *honeycrisp apple crumble: bourbon ice cream *doughnuts: served 2 ways, glazed & spiced sugar, salted caramel sauce *sorbet: raspberry, apricot, biscotti Tessa is a true gem in the Upper West Side. Whether you're looking for a romantic evening or a celebratory dinner with friends, this restaurant delivers. We highly recommend making a reservation, as the place gets quite popular. We can't wait to return and explore their brunch menu soon!

Great place to dine alone - I was welcomed in and offered my choice of tables, not shunted to the bar automatically. The pear salad was gigantic and very tasty. You can select a small or large pasta and I was very happy with the small portion of cacio e pepe. Be warned it's so peppery it hurts - but for me it hit the spot! Wine pour was adequate if not generous, nothing worse than a tiny pour and this was more than acceptable. Would dine again!

We had a pre-show brunch at Tessa and it was incredible! Definitely recommend making a reservation as it gets packed for Sunday brunch. The French toast was so good -- that maple butter was incredible! The BLT sandwich (we had it without bacon) was really good, especially the aioli that really added such a bright flavor! The hash browns are definitely the crispiest I've ever had -- probably deep fried but oh man so crispy! We had cocktails as well -- garden martini is nice and light for brunch. My husband had the spicy lychee-tini which was really good as well. Service was nice, didn't feel rushed at all even as the place got packed. Overall, this is a really nice place to grab brunch and I would definitely come back! So glad we had a reservation for this deliciousness

Excellent food and beverages! Respectful service and setting! Will return the next time we are in town!

The best lamb meatballs I have ever had! Food was delicious and so are their Martinis. Stopped here for a late lunch and ambiance and service was amazing. Staff is efficient and attentive. Great prices as well.

We went here for a happy hour and were pleasantly surprised at their amazing drink prices. $4 pints of beer?! And their happy hour on Tuesday through Friday starts around noon (I think 11:30 am?) until 7 pm. We showed up here a bit before 4 pm and there were lots of spots; however, the place quickly filled up. Service was quick, courteous and good. The restaurant looks quite big. We were only seated in the bar area. Will definitely be back.

Tessa has been my favorite restaurant in the city since I stumbled upon it 2 years ago. I bring friends and family here and everyone has loved it. I particularly recommend the Pickletini, UWS Manhattan, beet salad and their bread with warm butter/oil combo. Yum! Please never close!

Enjoyed the food and ambiance at Tessa. Will be back. Recommend the menu and good vibes. Check it out.

Tessa was an unexpected delight. Came here for dinner on a Wednesday and was pleasantly surprised by the hospitable service, spacious interior, and delicious food. We ordered the cauliflower appetizer and the burger to split, both were absolutely scrumptious. Awesome flavor and texture on both dishes. To drink, I had a dirty martini and a glass of Malbec. Great wine selections! I can't wait to come back and try more of their menu. Great restaurant all around.

A great brunch spot with a variety of options depending on your cravings. I had the omelet with spinach and cheese. It was prepared well and came with a side of hash browns (crispy and didn't stick together) and a small salad (light citrus dressing). I also ordered the Bloody Mary that was not heavy on the Clamato. Try it!

We had never been to Tessa before and were happily surprised by the quality of the food as well as the staff. The mussels appetizer was delicious! My husband thought the scallops were among the best he ever had! My bacon cheeseburger was terrific as well! We plan on returning soon!

Sat at bar for happy hour. Great service, cocktails, and appetizers. Will be back for sure.

The food was tasty, service was quick and responsive and ambience was delightful. Highly recommend it

Came on a weekend day for brunch after a race. The service was friendly and the restaurant was full. We had a reservation and this is highly recommended. French toast - Big portion and comes with syrup but did not need it. Overall, a solid restaurant for brunch that you can't go wrong with!

I've been here twice more since my first time and I still look forward to coming back. The food continues to be as delicious as I remembered the first time. I even brought my family here, which includes my occasionally picky parents. They also loved the food here. The one thing that did throw my parents off was the fact that they treat salmon like steak here. My whole family was unsure of what to make of the raw center of the salmon. I love sushi, but I just wasn't expecting that. We ended up asking them to cook the salmon all the way through. When it came back my mom was happy. I still have no idea if it being cooked all the way, but being flaky and tender is considered medium, medium rare, or medium well. It's some kind of medium, that's all I know. I got the beet salad both times I returned recently and I'm sad I didn't get a picture. Their presentation is simple, but beautiful. I've come to really adore beet salads, so I might be biased, but this one reaffirmed my love of beet salad. The dressing seems to be yogurt based and is a gentle, creamy accompaniment to the rest of the flavors. I really appreciated that it didn't overpower any of the natural flavors of the fruit, beets, and nuts. I recommend getting this as a started for the table. It's large enough to share, and it's nice to have something fresh and light to go with the bread rolls/pasta you might order. I got a chance to try a bite of my friend's bolognese pasta, and I can't wait to come back to get this myself. Although it's a straightforward dish, a single flavorful bite had me wanting more and understanding why bolognese can take a lot of time. I got the grilled branzino and was very happy with the dish. I would recommend this if you're looking for a dish that isn't as heavy as pasta. It was wonderfully tender, flaky, and juicy. The bitterness of the broccoli rabe paired well with the starchy potatoes and mild flavor of the branzino. I wish the sauces on the plate had been more flavorful, but I liked the color they brought to the dish and dipping my bites in them. I've noticed many Italian places choose to serve branzino whole, but personally I prefer a fillet cut the way Tessa prepared it. It's simpler to eat, and they still present it beautifully without relying on the impact of seeing a whole fish on a plate. My only complaint is that it got kind of loud here on a Friday night, but that was largely due to the people at Tessa. If you're more sensitive to louder spaces maybe try to come here on any other weeknight. Sometimes their music choices can be pretty random too, but I accept that for the delicious food, sweet servers, and overall ambiance. Definitely still recommend.

Wish I could do zero stars. Came by on a Saturday with a friend for some drinks. The bartender must not have been the true bartender? Ordered a Manhattan and she spilled half of it when she presented it to me and said...ooops?! Annoyed that almost half of my drink was gone and she wasn't going to do anything about it I figured let me switch drinks. I asked her if she had large single rocks and she told me they weren't frozen. Ummm, it's 3:00? So gave up after my spilled drink. On to my friend who ordered an on tap beer. She poured it halfway and then said it may be flat...no offer for something else. So my friend said just give me something then in a can or bottle. What a disaster. To make matters worse, she hands us an unitemized bill for $30. What a horrible experience. Absolutely not returning.

The bar tender is the best !! I love to take my dates to this place drinks are very strong and the food very tasty

Amazing UWS spot that is a great go-to. Bar ambiance is awesome - Darker vibes with candles. The drinks are also well made, so that doesn't hurt! Best thing about this spot is the happy hour. Signature cocktails are $8! Where do you find that?! And they are delicious!

Excellent neighborhood place, with a nice range of dishes on the menu, fair prices, and extremely high quality service. I've had weaker service in Michelin starred restaurants. Someone here knows how to train a wait staff. The featured cocktails were also very good.

Brunch is a 12/10 for the menu and the service and the drinks and the food. Ambiance is good / fun, a bit darker and not always full of people. If you like good food - this is the place to be!

Cute little place with good American food. Cute aesthetic but pretty large space. Nice place for bfast - enjoyed the shrimp roll. Overall good

Food was good Service was attentive I would certainly return Ambiance was appropriate- not too loud

We took my parents here for my dad's birthday this week. They sat us 20 minutes after our reservation (not the worst I've ever experienced) and then once seated, no server came to our table for another 15-20 minutes. The food was ok, but certainly nothing special. As the meal was ending, an employee apologized for the lengthy delay, and asked if we had any food allergies as she was going to send over some complimentary desserts. Her shift then apparently ended and she neglected to tell our waiter who gave us the bill and sent us on our way with slight discount. Below average experience in every way.

This is my go to brunch place. Everything I've had is great. The "build you own bennie" option is fantastic. The burger is wonderful. My current fave is definitely the BLTA with an added egg. I'm drooling just thinking about it.

I went to Tessa on a chilly weekend morning, ordering a coffee and the brunch dish, the wake-up call. I loved the ambiance of the restaurant, and unlike some brunch restaurants, they take reservations. The service was great, but I wasn't dazzled by the food. The wake-up call had eggs, marinara, and burrata, but the burrata had kind of congealed on the dish and the marina just wasn't very flavorful.

I had such a lovely dinner at Tessa! We were able to make a same-day reservation for 3 people. We got there early and had a drink at the bar. I really enjoyed the Lavender Lady Grey gin cocktail. The restaurant is large, dimly lit, and modern. At our table, we enjoyed complimentary bread. The rolls were delicious, and they give you a butter and oil combo for dipping/spreading. We split the snap pea salad and crispy brussel sprouts for an appetizer. The snap pea salad was so refreshing and flavorful. The brussels were crispy and salty. We ended up splitting two main dishes: the ricotta gnocchi and the sea scallops. Both meals were delicious. I especially enjoyed the scallops. The gnocchi were fluffy and paired nicely with the sun-dried tomatoes. We were too full for dessert. This was a great meal! The service was spectacular, and the host even took a great photo of me and my friends. I would definitely come back here.

So I walk by this place all the time. It's nicely placed in a cute part of the UWS. They did a great job with their outdoor seating and the restaurant just looking like it's a place that you want to try. I went for brunch with a couple friends and it's great little brunch spot. The have the typical brunch items such as bagel with lox, eggs Benny, but they also have this eggplant dish that's quite delicious. It's almost like an eggplant shakshuka with burrata. Even thinking about it makes me want it again. The drinks there are great! I'm super picky about bloody Mary's, I basically don't like them, and this place has one that was quite yummy. They also had a few different types of juices you could add to the mimosas which was nice. So they don't do bottomless here, but you can get a large pitcher of mimosas or other drinks so it's kinda similar which is always a nice option!

It was ok/good. I might consider this place again if I wanted to have a chill night at a nice place with a relaxed atmosphere. The good: The space is pretty/nice/well put together Drinks are very good/well executed Not blasting loud music Food presentation was pretty The ok: The food was ok. Not bad, not rave worthy. Service was kind of slow. That being said, could have been an off night, so I am not going to hold this to them completely because who knows. But, I did notice some other tables kind of get annoyed because things were taking a long time. On the plus side, they don't really rush you - so you could really just have a leisurely meal and drinks with friends. It seems to have almost two sections. First section is more communal bar/like tables and then up the stairs is a more traditional dining area. Crowd was mixed, which I liked. Mixture of people on dates, friends on a night out, families, etc.

You must try the donuts! The food is fantastically envisioned and prepared, and the service is remarkable. We had the meatballs, which were generous, juicy, and served in a tangy, delicious sauce. The ricotta gnochi was freshly prepared, and melt-in-your-mouth good. The star of the entrees, though, was the cacio-e-pepe. I've nothing to compare it to. It is one of the best pasta dishes I've tasted! Did I mention: you must try the donuts!

Good atmosphere, decent service, but pretty average food. The cocktails were a bit sweet, the salmon was good, but the burger was pretty sub-par. The dessert was gross and left me feeling sick to my stomach.

Came here with a friend on a Monday and the place was pretty busy already. The venue is pretty big if you wanted a large party. We got the house dips, shrimp scampi pasta, and the fettuccine bolognese risotto. I think both entries were a bit overcooked so the texture was a bit mealy and felt like the flavor was a bit on the bland side. Overall, I was not sold on the food, but the staff was friendly

Came in here on a Sunday evening for dinner with a friend. The service was friendly and efficient. My friend and I split the beet salad. I had the octopus and she had the shrimp scampi. All of the dishes were good. I was happy to see the menu included a few non-alcoholic drink options. We tried Mizz Frizz and East Peasy Lemon Squeezy. Loved the ambiance. I'll be back!

Tessa, Assets sister on Amsterdam! Same cool vibe, same cool ambience and same great food and drinks. They have a great outdoor setup with nice tables and music. Happy Hour is one of the best in the area. $4 beer, $7 cocktails and $8 wine offered from 4-6. Truffle fries are to die for. Bursting with Flavor and topped with fresh parmesan. The octopus was fabulous, so moist and tender. Green Mussels are cooked in a cilantro, tomato garlic, white wine sauce with a touch of coconut milk. Open until 11 on Weekends, my husband and I like to stop in when we're in town, for a late night glass of wine before going home. The Malbec, by the glass is one of my favorites and the bartenders are always so nice so it's a nice end to the evening.

An excellent restaurant in the UWS. Should be on everyone's radar whether they are looking for a date location or seeing a show at the Beacon. They're very aware of the theatres schedule, and asked if we were seeing a show there that evening. We were. They gave us the check early, without needing to ask, to make sure we were out on time The menu is varied. Whether you are looking for seafood, Italian, or steaks they have you covered. The scallops were excellent, and my dining companion equally enjoyed their branzino. It's served without the head if that matters to you. The burrata, served atop arugula, balsamic vinaigrette, and served with bread and prosciutto is a must for burrata lovers. I wish they had a n/a beer, but whatever. It's never a guarantee, and that won't matter to most, I suppose. Reservations strongly recommended.

This place is great! Extensive menu that could satisfy anyone. Solid 4. Just not a 5 because there was a lot of wait time between being seated and taking order. We got our appetizer before our drinks. Understandable when busy but just didn't earn 5 stars for me. Cacio e pepe is the bomb.

I wanted to check this place out since moving to the UWS. I can tell you that it is a nice space, and it was pretty average food and service. The manager seemed to need to help out the servers which was nice of them, however it was very evident that they were understaffed and things got mixed up with mine and my friend's order. Drip coffee was $4, no one came around to refill. A little on the pricy side for what we got but if you're in a pinch, it's a spacious place.

Tessa is such a great spot! The food and ambiance is great in there. I just reserved the back wine cellar room for a big birthday group and the service was great! Definitely recommend for a big group but also a small dinner or even at the great bar

Made a 7:30 reservation for my birthday. Asked for outdoor as I had a large dog. Well they apparently gave our table away . Oops! Won't be back

Everything was so great! The entire staff was attentive and the service was so quick! The food was amazing (could not recommend the banana bread and burger enough), and the music made for a perfect brunch ambiance! Will definitely be back :)

Decent breakfast spot in UWS - took us outside on half marathon morning!! Really good looking French toast, excellent steak and eggs (after removing the like 2 cloves of garlic) and smooth service. Fairly limited brunch menu and no substitutions... overall fine. Thanks Tessa.

Walked by on a rainy Mon night. Not very crowded, so I stopped in for a bite. Sat at the bar. Drinks: Blood Orange G&T - Great flavors but a bit light on the Gin. Hence, the missing star. Entree: Lobster Diablo Pasta - Great spicy sauce and a generous amount of lobster. Bread: That little roll was excellent! Service: Good, but a bit slow in refilling my drink. I would pop by again for a quick italian meal.

Went for happy hour for our date night. Review is only on drinks . My husband got the espresso martini, I wish I wasn't sensitive to caffeine because I would have ordered one for my self, it was delicious and smooth. The garden martini was not my cup of tea, taste like a green juice despite the other ingredients in it. Paradise city was ok, but I wouldn't order that again expected it to have a more tropical taste. Lychee martini was very good and I loved the lychees. Service was good, they were pretty attentive. Will be back.

First time here. Very impressed. This area is hard to find good restaurant, but think this will be our go to. Service wonderful. Food was a plus. Recommend the caesar salad, caccio de pepe and the pork milanese (not as thin as I expected but so good). Another friend had the ricotta gnocchi which he really liked, but did not care for the dressing. Will definitely be back. Thank you to the staff