Vai Restaurant

This restaurant is a gem! We came here on a Sunday for brunch, interestingly when we showed up the restaurant was pretty empty, but filled after a few minutes. The waiter suggested brunch options that were not on the menu: an avocado toast with asparagus and mushrooms, poached eggs, and eggs and steak, all of which were delicious! Service is impeccable and they also do -50% on the wine for brunch. It's the third time we come to this restaurant and we have never been disappointed!

This place knows what service is supposed to look like! They pay meticulous attention to everything the customer needs and they meet it abundantly. If you vacate your table, someone will immediately appear to fold your napkin before you return, it's as if it's in their DNA to be that meticulous. I've never seen an establishment so on top of their service as this space. The server was always around to top up our water, they inquired how the food was, they asked if we needed anything, they were always within arms reach and constantly offered to help. It honestly made the entire dining experience worthwhile. Now in terms of the food, taste is subjective so I can't really say much other than the crab pasta I got was not as great as I expected it to be, BUT the pressed chicken was exquisite. The owner was very personable as well, talking to be about his diverse background, all the languages he speaks and which countries he prefers better. This is what all restaurants want to be, but sadly most just falls short. Oh, and the space is beautiful as well. It fits the aesthetic of the upper west side neighborhood it resides in, very rustic and welcoming.

Food was disappointing - had a flavorless fish that was drenched in butter. Service was at best ok. Received limited attention and seemed like service was overworked and not excited about having to serve another set of customers. Restaurant also is incredibly loud given its small size, dense seating and reverberating stone-tile floors. Also make sure to stay clear from the window seating during cold weather, their basically is no insulation and you'll have to have dinner in your jacket. Disappointed and not the experience I was looking for.

The seating area is pretty small. We were a party of 15 and easily took up half of the restaurant. I had their french toast, which came with a fig syrup and caramelized walnuts. Perfect. The brioche bread was nice and fluffy. Others seemed to really enjoy their steak and eggs dish. And then there were those tasty slivers of toast... they kept on bringing them out once we would polish off a basket. It came paired with some sort of marmalade-y butter spread just ever-so-slightly sweet and raspberry coulis. And the mimosas came crowned with fresh orange pulp and a slice of strawberry. So tasty. Well done. I'm curious how this one would be for dinner.

This restaurant is so cute and cozy. It has this nice family feel to it and the wait staff is very attentive. For an appetizer we have the ceviche was way too spicy for me but my friend enjoyed it. For my entree I had the ravioli in truffle sauce which was everything I wanted. I could have eaten the sauce by itself with bread. The ravioli was a little too cheesy by the time I got the third one but still yummy. The mushrooms were cooked very nicely and were a great addition to the meal. The menu doesn't have that many options but I would go back just for the ravioli and the ambience.

Very delicious food. Went to a private party. The lamb chops. Sushi grade fish. Scallops. Almond cream dessert were all amazing. The catering staff excellent. I would love to return

Vai was a spectacular surprise. A delightful restaurant on the Upper West Side. The wine list is interesting and varied. The menu offers enticing dish after enticing dish — there are no bores here. Execution is terrific. The chilled creamy corn soup, kale salad with a runny egg, grilled asparagus, and Arctic char are all standouts. Service is friendly and solicitous.

Delicious Mediterranean fare. I came here with my girlfriend for our anniversary and we tried the Chef's tasting menu and a flight of wines. We were served course after course of truly delicious food. The seafood items stood out in particular as being cooked incredibly well. The wines were also a delight. Recommended for a special dinner in your life.

Had a reservation for 8:00. By 8:45, we still did not have a table. Although the host showed us to a waiting area and comped our wine, I still think it's completely unacceptable that they managed their restaurant so poorly that they kept a reservation waiting for 45+ minutes. Went to the seafood spot across the street and had a great meal with great service.

Menu is on the smaller side but everything we got was presented beautifully and tasted excellent. Service was impeccable. Setting is candle lit with exposed brick. Fake wooden paneling could use an upgrade. Highly recommended.