Vai Restaurantlovely restaurant; wonderfullovely restaurant; wonderful service and very helpful staff; excellent food--some portions were small6/10/2013 12:00:00 AMsurprised by the presentationWe were expecting a traditional Mediterranean meal. This meal was not the tradition and it surpased our expectation. Presentation was wonderful and each course was exceptional. The inside dining was very noisy, however, we were fortunate enough to be seated outside on a perfect summer night. This is not an inexpensive meal; however, very worth it.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMMy 20 year old daughter calledMy 20 year old daughter called this restaurant "cool." Interesting menu; Mediterranean without having a traditional "middle eastern" menu. Nice selection of wines by the glass. Food was delicious.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMStill AwesomeThe food continues to be great with ever evolving seasonal dishes witnessed by an incredible hamachi crudo with ramps that rivals the superb stalwart "tuna-hamachi duo." But how can you pass up ramps when you see them?
The place is consistently awesome. Yes, it's a bit cramped and noisy during prime time, but who cares when the food and service are that good?
Vai is a top ten NYC restaurant and has been consistently excellent since opening day.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMEnjoyable dining exeprienceVai was a nice little find. Their appetizers and main courses, s reported by the three of us, were all excellent. The staff is polite and responsive. I look forward to going there and entertaining again6/3/2013 12:00:00 AMMy favorite hands downThis is my favorite new discovery in ages. This amazing Italian spot never disappoints. The buratta ravioli and the simply grilled fish in browned butter are outstanding5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Neigborhood SpotThe food was great - we shared several small plates and one main, which was a great way to try many of their options. All the food was great, and with great presentation.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMserious cooking going on here......serious cooking going on here........tends to get a bit on the expensive side given the pleasant but plain and somewhat cramped surroundings.....but if you focus on the food, the rest fades into the background5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMWent here for a special nightWent here for a special night out with a group of 8. The menu was unique, but appealing to everyone. Food was awesome, service awesome.. Would recommend the Brussel sprouts and the truffle ravioli!5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat spotOn the recommendation of a friend we went to Vai for a graduation dinner with our 2 adult grandchildren.
A fun time. Dinner great, Brandino awesome and incredible chocolate mousse. Due to noise level I would not recommend for more than 4.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMa great splurgeWith 2 little ones at home, we don't get to eat out much so appreciate that much more a perfect place like Vai, from the terrific food to the scrumptious bottle of wine the chef picked out for us to the ambiance. More of a Brooklyn vibe than Upper West Side dowdiness.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMgreat food but you pay for itabsolutely delicious meal..but when you order a $29 filet of fish and it doesn't even come with a piece of parlsey..all side dishes are extra..it adds up.
Worth it..we cleared our plates, but be ready for a $100 meal with wine.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMDELICIOUSFantastic all-around. The flavor profiles and delicacy are just outstanding. Love this place. Wow on the ravioli and burrata special app.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMThe menu options are excellentThe menu options are excellent and choosing among them is a challenge; many incorporated some seasonal item. As an example, ramps were the star of our recent dinner. Each of the portions is beautifully presented and the perfect size and delicious - the burratta ravioli are an indulgence not to be missed. The wait staff is very helpful and appropriately attentive. If food is important to you, you will thoroughly enjoy this place.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMLovely spot! Small venue,Lovely spot! Small venue, as promised, but we were there early and did not feel cramped. Somewhat limited menu, but fresh and seasonal options, and we all enjoyed our meals. Brussel sprout salad was excellent, and scallops were really tasty. Pasta choices also good.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMIncredible food, poor serviceAmazing food but service was way too rushed even though the restaurant was a third empty. Twice they pulled out our plates before we were done and the same with drinks. It's a pity they don't give you the time to savor their delicious food.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMVai is a gemVai is definitely a neighborhood gem. The food has always been fantastic there, and somehow keeps getting better. Fresh ingredients, creative dishes and great presentation. Add to that supurb and friendly service, and you always have a wonderful dining experience. Great place to bring foodies from out of town for a local dining experience. Caution, energetic place and the noise levels are not conducive to deep conversations during peek dining hours.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMWe walked from Lincoln CenterWe walked from Lincoln Center to Vai and it was worth the walk. Food was wonderful and service was paced perfectly. Would definitely recommend and go back.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have ben here many times.We have ben here many times. The food is always fabulous... get the Brussels Sprouts!! Our server was Ebony. She was such a great time. She was very excited about the food and her excitement seemed very genuine. She was very pleasant and took our sarcasm in stride!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMEvery time I go to Vai I haveEvery time I go to Vai I have a wonderful experience. Vincent Chirico's food is terrific and the staff are always friendly and helpful.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious & DelightfulI loved my Vai experience. I went there with my significant other and parents, and all four of us had a great time. The service was fantastic, the food was delicious and unique, and the drinks were good as well. Great for dinner with family or friends, probably not for kids. The bill will add up with drinks; that said, this is worth it for a nice night out or any special occasion. Will definitely return.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious food and nice atmosphere.Delicious food and nice atmosphere. We did wait 20+ minutes despite having an 8:30 reservation, but once we were seated it was very enjoyable.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMSomething's very fishyWe were 5. Small venue better suited for 4. Ate the whole Branzino. One of the most delicious fish meal I've EVER had!4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMGot the five-course tastingGot the five-course tasting menu. Not every dish was superb, but the flake, the scallops and the short ribs are divine.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMTOP RESTAURANT KEEPS GETTING BETTERDined with friends this past Saturday, all of us frequent guests of Chef Vincent at Vai.
The spring menu is awesome, presenting some refreshing dishes with the great standbys still present. Vai continues to impress as one of the finest restaurants in the city. Anayse, server and sommelier spectacular, is one of the nicest professionals in the business who makes sure everything is "just so."3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent Food in a Charming SpotWhat a terrific cozy (very) little spot in the heart of the UWS! Great ambiance with an exposed brick wall and hanging lanterns with real candles in them. Waitstaff was attentive and friendly and wine list was excellent. To top it off, the food is SUPERB. I had a scallop dish that was beautifully prepared and presented, as was my husband's dish which he said was exquisite. Appetizers, bread and desserts were equally outstanding. The only drawback is the noise level --- which others have noted--- which can make it difficult to have a serious or intimate conversation. Nonetheless, we will definitely return to this fabulous find!3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMExquisite food at moderateExquisite food at moderate prices. I have been coming to Vai for several years now, and the food and the service were always superb.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMVai is arguably one of theVai is arguably one of the best restaurants on the upper westside. The food and service are always top notch. The only downsides are that the restaurant is small and the noise level can get quite loud making it challenging to hear across the table.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMI love Vai! I've never beenI love Vai! I've never been disappointed when I've gone to Vai. This time around, I went later than usual (8:30 PM on a Saturday night) and it was extremely busy and loud. This resulted in a longer than usual wait for a table (I had 8:30 reservations), but, as always, the food was great and the servers were very nice. If it don't mind the loud environment (or you intend to dine earlier), then Vai is a great date spot.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMBetter than expectedThe food exceeded our expectations,especially the sweetbreads and the grilled whole branzini, both were among the best we've ever had. Special cheese ravioli with a cream sauce was also excellent. Our only reservation is that the wines (by the glass) were quite pricey -- very good, but still, a bit more than usual. However, the waiter did "top off" my second glass, which was much appreciated. I'd go back in a heartbeat.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMawesome food on the uws. spaceawesome food on the uws. space is a little cramped, but overall ambiance was nice. we'll def go back frequently!3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food is very imaginativeThe food is very imaginative and very delicious. They also really know how to make you comfortable...great service. A neighborhood gem that I am very glad I found in my neighborhood. Oh...and once a month they have a wine tasting with dinner...terrific!3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous foodie find on theFabulous foodie find on the uper west side. What a treat. A very interesting, creative menu.3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMThey were very accommodatingThey were very accommodating to me and my baby girl- meant a lot to be out and about!3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMWay too noisy, with tablesWay too noisy, with tables too close together. The food was great!3/9/2013 12:00:00 AMLove! Food was very goodLove! Food was very good and service was impeccable. Started with the arugula salad and the egg/chorizo/potatoes. The egg was so perfect, it was so delicious. I got the burrata ravioli, it was so rich but not overwhelming. They were literally bursting when I ate them, so good. The other two people I was with really liked their mains too (tagliatelle and red snapper). I loved the strawberry soda they had, nice to see some good non alcoholic drinks, but the strawberry sangria was good too :) I also loved the little dessert before dessert, nice take on doing an amuse! Cant wait to come back!2/7/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was delicious! TheThe food was delicious! The space is cramped and not conducive for a large group. The space is very loud and if sitting at a table for six, you cannot hear the person sitting at the far end of the table. The great food and wine made up for the loud small space. Vincent, the owner/chef made everyone feel special. Great night and can't wait to return.1/1/0001 4:00:00 PM