West Bank Cafe

"happy hour" everyday. the biggest savings on this were the $6 beers. the menu downstairs at the comedy club is much smaller than the one up stairs, but the item prices are the same. come here to pregame and save money on drinks before the show because a $6 beer went to $15 real quick. that being said, the mushroom risotto balls are a must get. i wish they werent so dry, but i loved the flavor and when you dip them in the truffle mayo, its a perfect marriage. they come in a batch of 12 small balls, and they are filling. the staff is great and service is quick!

I love everything about this place. But the food really does it for me. Tonight we had roast organic half chicken and it hit the spot. Fresh, well-prepared and seasoned, hot, and delicious. Waitstaff are super sweet and attentive. The interior is spacious and well appointed with a lovely and welcoming ambiance. Always clean bathrooms. I pray this place remains open. It's a gem. It belongs here and everyone who dines here loves it. We will do everything we can to ensure its doors remain open.

Family owned and I met the owner Came here for brunch on Sunday for a first date Food 4/5 Avocado toast was more like tarty guacamole toast If they remove the watermelon radish but replace it with paprika, then we are talking Sourdough was the highlight here Eggs Florentine This was perfection to me because I have a lighter palette and they cooked the eggs more light The fries are seasoned potatoes btw and they were perfectly seasoned, 2 levels above the more bland situation I like Service 4/5 Sometimes it was hard to get a server but note that the owner himself doubles as a server too and he's so friendly and fast for his age! Ambiance 5/5 Pretty Christmas lights top floor There's a jazz and comedy situation downstairs and the owner gave us a tour Cleanliness 5/5 Big and well maintained bathrooms

Service was swift but not rushed. We were asked if we had tickets to a show as we were being seated. I heard the table next to us being updated about how much time they had to make theirs. We had the salmon tartare appetizer, chicken Parmesan and grilled salmon entrees. That was too much to allow us to have dessert. But, we intend to go back tomorrow to make up for that. Seating is comfortable and uncrowded. Decor is pleasant. I'm glad this is handy to where we're staying.

Very good service, varied brunch options at fair prices. Convenient to Broadway theaters You will be pleased

Just got back from New York, saw great theater and had dinner at my favorite NY restaurant, the West Bank Cafe! Had delicious Salmon and yummy appetizers.Best before or after theater meal and I love the bar there too. It's a NYC must go to. Great food, people and atmosphere! Can't wait to come back!

We have had food from here several time, both take out and inside. The food has always been really good. Several times we went for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful turkey meal with mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and green beans. It also comes with an appetizer. I always get the leek tart which I find to be very tasty. For dessert, we have been pleased with the pumpkin and pecan pies. I have also had the grilled flank steak which is excellent. The community loves this place with its warm inviting atmosphere. We are lucky to have it in our neighborhood for so many years. It is a real treasure and the food isn't bad either!

Great place but only tell people you love. I don't think they need a lot more business.

Food is delicious service is great & ambiance is nice Just heard they are closing their doors in August Don't know why I only ate there 2 months ago & the food was still good All the good restaurants in NYC seems to be closing

Cute place. Good food. But service....what service? We were either done or mostly done with our food before our server, if you can call her that, even came by. Left an awful lot to be desired! First and last time here! I never left a review still sitting at the table...first time for everything! And never ever ask me if I want change when paying cash! It's beyond rude to assume you get to keep anything!

Had an amazing time at West Bank West Bank Cafe on 407 W.42nd St. near Ninth Avenue steps away from the theater district! The owner, Steve Olsen, has been running this place for an impressive 44 years. It's officially my new favorite spot - the cuisine was delightful, expertly presented, and remarkably reasonably priced! https://www.westbankcafe.com. We managed to secure a seat at Tennessee Williams' favorite table and had the chance to spot Broadway actors and other celebrities. Downstairs, the Laurie Beechman theater offers a remarkably intimate setting, accommodating around 75 people. West Bank Cafe's appeal extends beyond catering to celebrities alone. Steve Olsen, having overcome significant health challenges, is a grateful survivor who actively organizes numerous charitable fundraising events in the Café. I enthusiastically recommend the West Bank Café and look forward to returning soon.

Nice cafe with good ambiance in the neighborhood. Stopped here for coffee and some excellent drinks with colleagues, and they were very friendly and fine with people taking a table for 2+ hours with relatively low spend (just drinks, although some great alcohol too) in a low traffic afternoon.

This past weekend, I was in NYC for a bike tour. I wanted to have a nice dinner but I didn't want to spend too much. I walked by this cafe, stopped, and decided to try it out. At first glance, the cafe looked very nice and the staff seemed to be catering to the customers' needs. It had a well stocked bar, too. The mood seemed nice as I walked through the door. I was a bit concerned whether they would be interested in serving a party of one. There were no issues with that. However, I was put way back in a corner away from everyone else. Things went down hill fast. I believe that the staff might have felt the other customers' tips were more important and that they would just go through the motions with me. My waiter seemed disinterested and burdened by my existence. Shortly after, another single customer came in and was also seen in the very back with me. This costumer ended up being a regular. He also had severe issues with swallowing. It was very hard to ignore his coughing and other noisy sounds. Honestly, I was a bit discouraged. I ordered a steak.... It was barely edible. It was impossible to cut or chew. The steak came with potatoes. There was no bread. There were no veggies. My tab came out to close to $70. I got very ill afterward and had to end my evening early. I would not recommend this cafe.

Enjoyed a glass of wine with a friend in this cozy bar & restaurant. They have plenty of whites, reds and bubbly by the glass to choose from. I enjoyed a glass of a Malbec. The aromas from the kitchen smelled great. The bartender was friendly and made a great suggestion for finding Broadway shows.

If you're looking for a place to have dinner before seeing a show check out West Bank Cafe. Every time I've eaten there the food was so fresh and tasty. I went again last weekend and got the Caesar Salad with Shrimp. The shrimp were cooked perfectly. They tasted buttery and light. The salad had the perfect amount of dressing. I'm already making plans to bring some friends for a birthday.

Always pretty good stuff here. Lots of options, nice classic restaurant atmosphere. I've never been to the drag shows downstairs but hear they're good.

Very nice. Small menu but nice selection. Our party had the trout, streak and the app of meatball sliders. Also a Caesar salad that was great. Dessert included rice pudding and an ice cream sundae. All plates were licked clean !

West Bank Cafe feels very much like a family-style restaurant, and indeed we were surrounded by an older crowd + families. It took a while for our food to arrive but we were kept busy with the complimentary gruyere cheese and bread. I thought the service was good, with the staff checking to make sure we were satisfied. We left the cafe very full and quite satisfied. The Mac and cheese with truffle oil wasn't quite what we expected in terms of texture, but it was good. The steak with fries are enough to feed two. I liked the shrimps that came with the shrimp scampi, but even for spaghetti cooked in butter, it felt a bit too greasy. All in all, if you are somewhat famished, West Bank Cafe will satisfy your needs!

We walked in and got seated shortly after, unfortunately no one ever greeted our party, we never were acknowledged, we never received water. Waited over 15m and decided to try some place else!

Ribs were delicious, service was good. Great location close to theaters. Old school feeling

Ambiance nice Location convenient to Broadway theaters. Salmon was perfectly cooked. However, they did not crisp the skin. Rubbery. Lovely fresh berries and whipped cream for dessert.

The West Bank Cafe is a warm neighborhood restaurant that has been around for decades for good reason. The food is delicious and generously portioned. My go to dish is the salmon which is always beautifully cooked and never overdone. While I've had many of the dishes my hands down favorite was the corned beef special they had on St. Patrick's Day! It was as good as my grandmother's if not better and I liked her! The entertainment is always wonderful whether you're there for the music on the main floor or downstairs watching a fabulous show. Everyone who works there is warm, friendly, and makes you feel welcome.

Went for dinner before a show and was really pleased with the place great menu and the food was superb. Great service and all at a reasonable price. Take my word it's handy for Broadway shows and you won't be disappointed with the food.

I've been to West Bank Cafe a few times over the years and have always had good meals there, especially any time their lemon ricotta pancakes and orechiette with sausage were involved. Downsizing to a two person Thanksgiving this year, we decided to give their turkey feast a try and were not disappointed! For under $60 per person (pickup and delivery), we got enough of the most tender, delicious turkey I've ever had to last at least two meals along with a divine cranberry orange sauce and gravy, a generous serving of mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted carrots and green beans, a delicious creamy butternut squash soup, and a slice of pumpkin pie with a perfect dollop of whipped cream. Everything was well-packaged for oven reheating. Highly recommend to anyone looking to outsource the cooking, pandemic or not! Staff was very friendly, as always, and properly masked. Wheelchair access: step free access from the street, plenty of space to move around even pre-pandemic. Not sure about the bathroom as I have never needed to use it.

Our waiter George was amazing, kind, knowledgeable, and accommodating. I made up my own dessert option from menu options and he made it happen! The food and cocktails are always on point. West Bank Cafe is a reliable option in the theater district for food before or after a show. I've been three times in the last few weeks and have always had a pleasant experience. The WBC burger is excellent. The add-ons of bacon and avocado are great. The shrimp scampi is a great option that I have enjoyed twice. The St Rita and the summer mule cocktails are two that I highly recommend. I'll be back again soon!

Good "go to" kind of place. Convenient to theater row. Pleasant service, diner ambience, reasonable prices. Reliable.

The loveliest piece of medium rare salmon ever... Perfection, over asparagus and faro. The Caesar's salad also had perfect romaine. Fine service. Many reasonable wine choices (roughly 4x retail, though).

we went there for an early lunch, sat at the bar and ordered the salmon tarta, the food was delicious and the service was perfect. We met with the owner who was very hospitabl. I would highly recommend the place

We are never disappointed when we have a meal at West End Cafe. We go for lunch with a terrific selection of salads and all sorts of menu items. Dinner is exceptional. It's a comfortable atmosphere and service is always attentive.

Great restaurant and beautiful atmosphere. Nice large bar and great history behind the restaurant and theater. It's been there since 1978 through all the ups and downs of NYC. Steve Olsen is a charming owner with great stories. Very reasonable prices for excellent quality and tasty dining.

We had an excellent dinner there last night. Two of us had the salad and pasta special, and both were delicious. We had the spaghetti and meatballs and tagliatelle with acorn squash. The most health conscious in our party had the spaghetti squash entree with a delicious sauce. We shared the mushroom risotto balls as an appetizer, which were recommended by our very charming server. A good call! The restaurant has a refined atmosphere and a very friendly vibe. I'm looking forward to my next visit, so I can try some of the many appealing items on the menu.

I had a midweek lunch with a group of friends (5 of us in total). There were plenty of choices and everyone seemed to like theirs. Portions were a decent size. I had the Truffle Burger, no bun, salad instead of fries. It was a tasty and filling meal. Place has a very comfortable atmosphere and is a good choice if you are looking for to eat on 42nd St on the far West Side. Weird note about the men's room and I wish I took photos but there are two urinals that both myself and a friend thought were sinks. They were black instead of the traditional white and probably could not be used by a shorter person as their bottom was well above floor level.

Saw a show here - the Power of Potus. This is a great show and I highly recommend it. We were in stitches laughing all night. It's a one woman show (very talented one at that) plus the band. I loved that the show didn't focus too much on the divide in politics- it was quite friendly and entertaining for any viewers. The rest of the review is for the restaurant. The food I ordered during the show was surprisingly good. The crab cakes were fresh and delicious and the Caesar salad did not disappoint. I also tasted my friends salads (beet & goat cheese and grilled chicken) and both were quite tasty. The wine selection was also great. The service was also on point. I'd come back here just for dinner- great find!

With its location in Midtown's Theatre District, this place is a solid choice for a pre-show dinner. The service is very fast... almost too fast? Our waiter was polite and friendly. I had the cauliflower soup, which was fairly good, and the salmon tartare, which I'm sure is a standout if you are a bigger fan of salmon than I. My mom had the kale octopus salad, which was also very good. The atmosphere loaded with Christmas lights was lovely, too. This is a safe bet if you are looking to reserve a dinner before a show. You will not be late to said show. That being said, it wasn't anything to write home about.

[NOTE: this review is actually from 2014 :) - I'm only just now finally getting around to posting it.] The food here is so good, we went twice in the week we were in New York. The ragu of the rigatoni alone is worth a visit. Amazing. Other winners: Some of the best calamari we've had. The beet salad (so fresh, and OMG that cheese) The salmon (cooked medium... and when was the last time someone asked you how you wanted your salmon cooked?) The chicken (with skin so perfectly crispy) The dark chocolate bread pudding. We weren't crazy about the risotto balls, though. And the Caesar dressing was citrusy, which was an odd choice (for me, anyway). But we would've gone back a third time if our vacation was longer. They had a Pre Fixe menu: soup or salad, chicken or salmon, choice of dessert, but we never took advantage of that, and we also ordered wine. And it was money well spent. Oh, also a very teeny ding for Service, which had a slight slowness/inattentiveness to it... and both times we went, there was a food mix up, though each time it was corrected immediately. But with a bowl of that rigatoni in front of you, who cares?

Great little place to eat before a show! Went here for Sunday brunch before seeing a matinee! Had a blast. My friend recommended the cafe, apparently it's been around for more than 20 years. For being 1pm on a Sunday it was quiet, which worked to our advantage. The food was delicious; they did a great job! I had the special of the day for brunch, it was melted cheese on a ham and cheese sandwich also came with a side salad - so good! Mimosas and alcohol available as well, we didn't indulge but others around us did and it looked refreshing. Would definitely come back to this location. The entire place was simple but that's all you needed. Bathrooms are cute - and kinda funky. Good for large groups or family dinners . Outdoor seating also available. Staff was friendly and attentive. Short waiting time for food and service. Would definitely recommend to a friend. Enjoy your visit / meal! I know I did!

We came here before we went to see All My Sons with Annette Bening. There were 10 of us and we were seated right away - in fact they sat part of our group before all of us arrived. A few of us got a variety of drinks and we all got something different to eat. They happily split foods so people could share entrees. I had the carrot and ginger soup - it was outstanding!! I was surprised that it was served cold. I also got the beet and goat cheese salad. It was a perfect combination for dinner. Friends got the pasta and shrimp ... spaghetti squash ... and a beef dish. Everyone was happy with their meals. The server was working as hard as she could - she had too many tables - otherwise it would have been a 5 star. Even though the waitress couldn't give us all our separate checks, she could give us 2 checks so it made it a little easier. Good choice. We were finished with plenty of time to make the show.

Reliably good & great service! So comfortable eating at the bar or table service. No theater event is complete for me if it doesn't include dinner @ West Bank!

Went here with a group of eight friends for brunch after seeing Addy & Uno at Theatre Row across the street. The matinee was incredible and heartwarming, and this brunch topped it off. I had the Italian baked eggs and would order this again tomorrow. In fact, everyone who tried them said they'd get them next time, too! Packed with smooth, flavorful ratatouille and perfectly-good eggs with crispy eggs in a skillet, served piping hot. Especially great for a cold day. Comes with delicious Parmesan-covered bread to dip in it. Also tried the bacon burger which was so good. The whole atmosphere is relaxing and quaint, with cozy Christmas garlands. 5 Stars!!!!!!

I met the owner while eating at Spark's Steakhouse on Tuesday. I made a reservation for Thursday. The owner stopped and talked to us several times. He treated us to Rice balls which were wonderful...sort of a North Eastern hush puppy. The food and atmosphere were great...I had the Rainbow Trout, my daughter had Shrimp Scampi, and her friend had a cheeseburger. We all really liked our food!! The staff was both friendly and attentive! We'll go back next time we're in NYC!!

My husband and I had dinner here last night before a show. The service was wonderful....the host) manager visited our table several times to check on us. They were out of the cocktail I ordered as well as the pasta my husband ordered....but compensated (unasked) not only with multiple apologies, but with a free drink and the most delicious risotto balls. Our pasta dishes were beautifully prepared and presented. Will definitely be back.

I've never walked out of a restaurant before and I'm a native NYer and worked at restaurants while going through school. So I'm always sympathetic and can see if there is a situation. But this was so uncalled for. Our reservation was at 12:30 we sat at 12:25. Our drinks took over 20 minutes, we told the server when he brought them over that we have a 2:00 show and put in our order and said just bring out whatever is ready which included a salad and pancakes and a burger. At 1:15 after seeing tables who sat after us getting their food, I call over the man who sat us and I said we waited for our drinks and we don't even have our salad yet he cuts me off and says "I don't need a lecture, I'm bussing tables your lunch is comped." Instead of saying I'm sorry, I'll check on your order right away he insulted us and ruined my time with my niece. He goes in the kitchen and I'm looking at my niece as if what just happened, he brings the salad out that was obviously sitting there waiting to be picked up and said "do you want your food now because I can bring it now." What? The kitchen was holding it for ransom I thought? And he kept saying we didn't have to pay as if that would make anything better. We didn't want a free lunch. We just wanted to eat on time. No amount of money is going to compensate for insult on top of injury. We just wanted our food so we can eat it and not rush eat and go to our show. He was nasty and rude and the entire experience was awful. I don't think he would have dared say what he said aggressively like that to a man. What a shame. I had good experiences there but everything and everyone was disheveled and a mess. He made a bad situation so much worse. Don't go. Period. I wouldn't even rate them a star but you can't post a review without one. PS - the place wasn't even half full at the time and most tables were done.

I've eaten at West Bank Cafe since 1991 and it's one of my faves in NYC- delicious food, beautiful setting, and fun people watching! Tonight was no exception and Justin was a wonderful server. He recommended the Vouvray and I loved it so, that I had two glasses! My Rigatoni Bolognese was divine and while I was disappointed you ran out of the Peanut Butter cookies, my Lemon cookie was AMAZING. I love West Bank Cafe and will definitely be back soon.

Once again, the same friend was in town and wanted to meet for lunch and wanted to return to the West Bank Cafe. We were seated near the window and were told about the specials. In the interim, she ordered a glass of Malbec and I ordered a glass of Merlot. We looked at the menu and she ordered the lamb chops and I got the WBC burger which came with fries but I substituted for a small salad. The food was delicious. We were able to sit and talk and there was no rush for the table. We finished our meal each with a cup of coffee. It is pricey but the food is very good. I would recommend.

Had dinner tonight. Excellent wine list and staff made great recommendations. The owner has paid close attention to wines, which complement the cuisine. Host was excellent, as well as everyone else. Will be back very soon. Good bar for before or after dinner drinks.

We came here last minute after a Broadway show as we saw an ad for a free glass of house wine with our playbills. Being the budgeting tourists we were, West Bank Cafe skyrocketed to the top of our dinner list. Thankfully, the glass of wine is not limited per party, but is an offer applicable to every member that has their playbill with them. Saves you a solid $10 each, so that's wonderful. We were even seated immediately on arrival after our play without a reservation; albeit it was a weekday. Now, as a disclaimer - I was super sick and congested, so I couldn't fully taste and appreciate our dishes. That being said, my butternut squash risotto was amazing and so satisfying to my poor sick face and head. The texture was perfect, and the creamy sauce was rich and decadent without being overbearing. Normally I'm not the biggest fan of mushrooms, but the risotto had the most perfectly cooked mushrooms, somewhat on the firmer side - so easy to gobble right up. My sister ordered the same dish and was also very satisfied and happy, while my adventurous (ahem) friend ordered a nearly-plain burger - despite this she said that it was still excellent and of top-notch quality. Service was excellent and our food came our incredibly fast despite it being a fairly busy evening, ambiance was classy without being stuffy, and the prices were fair given the quality of the food and being in NYC. Bathrooms were clean and comfortable (a rarity in NYC). Would definitely recommend West Bank Cafe to anyone traveling to New York, especially those looking to have an element of more classy and refined dining without doing excessive damage to their wallet.

Steak frite was prepared perfectly. In fact entire dining experience was perfect. Light jazz playing. Service was perfect. Have i said the word perfect yet? It applies in every way.

Shrimp scampi pasta is delicious but probably very unhealthy. There's so much yummy butter on it in the great white wine sauce. Shrimps were jumbo and plump. The chocolate mousse also tasted very full of fat! Tasty and very filling. Service was nice but when you sit outside loud passing motorcycles and in general loud people can just get in the way of having conversations

TLDR: One of my new favorite restaurants in the theater district! Will be back next month! Overall rating: A We went here for dinner before seeing a show across the street. Made an easy OpenTable reservation for Thursday at 5:45pm. We had to wait a few minutes for them to ready our table. No biggie. I love the atmosphere here, especially in the little room in the back. Not too loud or too dark. Bathroom is clean and on the same level as the restaurant for anyone with mobility issues! Good service and food. They ask if you're seeing a show at the beginning so they time your food service properly. Here's what I got: -Homemade tagliatelle $19 (Braised pork & tomato ragu, broccoli rabe): This was actually pretty good! I really enjoyed the texture of the noodles and the flavors. I requested they shave a sh*t ton of cheese onto my pasta. Everything is better with cheese! My friend who got the same dish agreed it was great! Could probably use a sprinkle of fresh cut basil for brightness (in taste and color). A -Schlafly Raspberry Hefeweizen (16 oz can): I am in love with this beer! It's made with real raspberries. No added sugar/colors/flavors. Slightly tart and almost no hoppiness. Really hits the spot on a warmer day! I can't wait to get this again! A++ I enjoyed this so much I'm coming back again to celebrate Father's Day! See you soon!