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Santa Monica - Upper West restaurant
7.6

Upper West

  • Santa Monica
  • $$
  • Casual
  • Food
    great
  • Vibe
    great
  • Perks
    good

Food: Ingenious, yet somehow lacking

The food at Upper West embarks on a tantalizing journey of tantalizing taste and innovation. Patrons rave about the Mini Burrata Salad’s flawless blend of creaminess and fruity tang. Meanwhile, the Miso Braised Short Rib promises a melt-in-mouth encounter, forging a harmonious pact with its tasteful accompaniments. Even vegetarians aren’t left behind, with the Veggie Burger seemingly engineered to perfection. Compliments consume the restaurant’s creativity and the fresh, well-sourced ingredients. However, the symphony of flavors often hits sour notes, with complaints about underwhelming taste and stingy portion sizes often marring the overall culinary experience.

  • Very Creative

    Menus praised for creativity, uniqueness, and boundary-pushing culinary adventures

  • Okay Taste

    Mixed reviews on food: some dishes impressed while others fell flat.

  • Small Portions

    Numerous complaints about tiny, small portions not justifying the price.

Top 3 dishes at Upper West

  1. 1

    Mini Burrata Salad 🏆

    Amazingly creamy cheese, beautifully paired with apples and blackberries; truly a delight.

    Mini Burrata Salad dish
  2. 2

    Miso Braised Short Rib

    Tender, flavorful, melts in your mouth, well-complemented by sides.

    Miso Braised Short Rib dish
  3. 3

    Veggie Burger

    Consistently praised as the best veggie burger ever experienced by many.

    Veggie Burger dish

Vibe: Buzzing hotspot serving practical glamour

Upper West makes your stay a delightfully enchanting reverie with its elegant amalgamation of coziness and style. Large windows allow nature to lend an enhancing touch to the ambiance, while the restaurant plays host to intimate date nights with perfect lighting. The drink selection is lauded for its extensiveness and creativity. Despite the distracting music, the restaurant maintains its buzz, churning out Instagram-worthy moments.

  • Great Drinks

    Extensive and creative drink selections received high praise from customers.

  • Bad To Entertain

    Loud music disrupts conversation, detracts from dining experience.

Perks: Parking woes and noise frenzy

Upper West strikes gold in certain areas: Reservations are a breeze, and large group settings are handled with proficiency. Additionally, the restaurant prides itself on offering an array of diet-friendly options, and the outdoor seating is a treat for groups. However, the perks shroud a few dusty corners. Noise levels border on chaos, threatening to swallow your conversation as the service disappoints with a sluggish pace and somewhat impolite interactions. Moreover, parking is often a shot in the dark, though there’s the solace of a valet service.

  • Great For Groups

    Adequate seating, efficiently accommodates, smooth large group experiences.

  • Okay To Park

    Street parking is hit or miss, but valet option is available for convenience.

  • Bad For Kids

    High noise levels, not ideal for families with kids