PRIVATE DINING AT UPPER WEST

PRIVATE DINING AT THE UPPER WEST RESTAURANT

Want a fun Santa Monica private party venue? The festive dining experience at Upper West is now available for private parties, celebrations, business meeting. Upper West is the perfect Santa Monica private party venue to host any of your corporate events, birthdays, anniversaries, rehearsal dinners and more. We offer three different options for private parties depending on the number of people attending.

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Front Room

The front / private room accommodates up to 45 guests seated and 52 reception or cocktail style. This room is equipped with a projector which displays to a 12ft image on a white wall, a cordless microphone accessing speakers remote power point control & WiFi access.

Main Dining Room

The main dining room accommodates up to 95 guests seated and 110 reception or cocktail style. This room is equipped with a 24ft bar, D.J. equipment, dance floor, a cordless microphone accessing speakers, remote power point control & WiFi access.

Entire Restaurant

The entire restaurant accommodates up to 140 guests seated 150 reception or cocktail style. The restaurant is equipped with a 24ft bar, D.J. equipment, dance floor, a projector which displays to a 12ft image on a white wall, cordless microphone accessing speakers, remote power point control & WiFi access.

What People Are Saying

Hello Fred,
I wanted to thank you and your staff for such an amazing evening.
We got texts all day yesterday thanking us for such a beautiful night.
The food was so good, the drinks were plentiful and your staff was outstanding.
We can’t thank you enough for helping to make it a special night.
Thanks again!
D P

Hi Fred,
Thank you for such a wonderful wedding rehearsal dinner last week. You and your team went above and beyond to create such an exceptional and delicious dinner. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
S C

Hi Fred,
I just wanted to reach out and thank you for all your help in hosting our team at The Upper West.
Our team really enjoyed the drinks and food, all good feedback from them.
Thank you and I look forward to recommending The Upper West for our future happy hour events!
With regards,
D C B

Hi Fred,
I just wanted to thank you again for a wonderful evening last Saturday night. My sister’s 60th birthday dinner party was absolutely wonderful! Our family (including the picky vegans) was thrilled with everything — the personalized menu, cuisine, wine, ambiance, service — everything was perfect!

Thank you and best wishes for a happy and prosperous 2024!

Kind regards,
L G

Hi Fred,
Just wanted to send a quick note of thanks for how wonderful our party was yesterday. Our team LOVED the food, and the staff was so kind and attentive to us the entire day
SM

Hi Fred,
Thank you so much for hosting us! Everyone had a great time and loved the food, drinks, decoration, music and service!
Happy holidays!
M G / Amazon

Fred,
You guys were perfect. Your service is off the charts good! And the food was delicious.
Thanks for being a part of my wedding.
A C

Dear Fred,
I can’t thank you enough for making our son’s first birthday party so beautiful. Everyone was raving about how delicious the food was. All of the staff were so friendly and helpful, and we feel lucky to have been in your beautiful space. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being so easy to work with and for taking care of every detail so thoughtfully. Looking forward to seeing you when we come by for dinner.
Warmly,
N & M

Hi Fred,
Team had amazing time. Thank you to you and everyone on your team for making it possible at Last Minute. Hope to have many more team dinners at Upper west.
Thanks,
H R
Amazon Prime Video

Hello Fred,
I wanted to let you know how much we appreciated the lovely rehearsal dinner you helped us with last month! The food was wonderful and your wine pairings worked so well. The room was just the right size for an intimate evening and the conversations flowed! I cannot tell you how many people remarked on how good the food was and how great the service was! We were very pleased by the event.

Thank you and your staff so very much!

B R & J E

Dear Fred

I don’t know how to thank you for all your kindness and attention last Saturday night!
We truly had an amazing time and the food and service was exceptional as always.
Thank you for all you did and your generosity. Wishing you joy, light and love always and hope your life will always be filled with celebrations as you help so many people achieve theirs???

All the best,
M R

Dear Fred,
I could not have asked for a better party or evening for my birthday!
I appreciate how easy going and hands on you were all night.
I will remember that night for the rest of my life, thank you so much for giving me such a lovely and beautiful experience.
L N

We don’t come here often but it is so good every single time we do. It’s a perfect place for birthdays and group dinners (have done a date night also but usually come with a group); good ambiance inside and great quality food.
K D

Hi Fred,
Our team had an AMAZING time on Thursday night. Everyone was raving about how delicious the food, drinks, service, and venue was. And thank you for adding that special touch to the menu with our company logo and message.
You and your team are the best! Thank you for making our night so special!!
We’ll be in touch soon for any future events!
Best,
S V

haven’t wrote a yelp review but needed to give this place the recognition it deserves! we were a large birthday dinner party which is always a bit nerve-racking but we were so well taken care of by friendly staff & the food & atmosphere was delicious. such a lovely experience. definitely recommend the bread pudding!

A B

Hi Fred,
Thank you so much for Saturday night. You and your team did such an amazing job.
The food and drinks were great.
I can’t thank you enough.
My Best,
S B

Hey Fred.
Friday night was truly perfect. Everyone loved the food. Your staff was very friendly and attentive. The room was set up beautifully. We’d love to host another event at Upper West in the future. Thanks for all your help. We really appreciate you and the whole team
D C

Fred,
I’m eternally grateful for the service you provided for my entire family and friends. The food was truly incredible, the service was immaculate, seriously such a strong team, and your leadership is genuine. I cannot thank you enough for the experience you created for us. I’ll never forget it. It was all perfect.

E W

Our group had a great time last Wednesday. My Executive Director and President were both pleased by the food, drinks, service, and location. We look forward to doing business with you again in the future.

Best,
P S
Manager, Corporate Relations

We held a party in the private room–success on all fronts! The food was excellent and the service even better. The cocktails were a hit and the configuration of the room facilitated a great event. Fred and his team were easy to work with and super helpful with respect to the planning. Additionally, Upper West’s prices were quite fair relative to the high quality, setting and location. Thank you for a memorable evening!

Fred Kipperman

MR FRED. THANK YOU SO MUCH. You were outstanding. You truly went above and beyond and I was so happy with everything. I am getting non stop calls about how amazing your venue is and how delicious the food was. We had the most amazing time and it would not have happened without you. Cannot wait for many more to come. Thank you again sir

Hi Fred,
Wow – just wow! We can’t thank you enough for the incredible evening we had celebrating my husband’s birthday at The Upper West on Sunday! It far exceeded our expectations, and we’re so grateful for your generosity and the warmth of your hospitality.
The restaurant looked amazing, and everyone was absolutely raving about the food! You went above and beyond with every detail, from the beautiful table setting to the film – it was such a fun and special touch that made the night enjoyable for everyone.
Thank you again for creating such a fantastic experience. We’re already looking forward to our next visit!
With all our appreciation,
T & S

Good Morning Fred:
Just wanted to say thank you to you and all the wonderful staff at The Upper West. It exceeded my expectations and everything from decor, drinks, food and staff were simply the best. A special shoutout to Aldo.
Thank you for everything. I know some of my guests will be coming back. They loved everything and so did I.
With gratitude,
DD H

Festive ambiance. Beautifully decorated holiday tree. Lovely meal. Quality company. Professional and well- mannered staff. Our dining table of approx. 12 dinner guests was located in a private space. The evening’s menu was designed by our phenomenal host; neatly crafted and folded within the dinner cloth. The film “Elf” was projected on the large wall in our private area. Several bottles of quality wine were present and champagne; the dessert wine in particular was delicious! Our gracious host gave a wonderful toast. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves for Christmas Eve. * The vintage photos from the 1950’s – 60’s of Hollywood’s Glamorous Stars Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe in the ladies room was a nice touch.

Ana T.

Last night was a great event, lots of fun and hoping everyone had the opportunity to enjoy some elements of the evening beyond the work! The guests were fantastic and seemed to really enjoy the night of great food, great whisky, and time spent with friends.Huge thank you to Elad, Fred and Nick for great support from the venue side.
Cheers,
BB

Hi Fred,
I hope you’re doing well! I wanted to share our deep appreciation and gratitude for your help to make our wedding celebration on August so special and memorable. Our family and friends loved everything from the incredible service, delicious food/drinks, and beautiful private dining space. Thank you for making the night so special for us.
J S

Hi Fred,
We want to thank you and your staff ever so much for our wedding experience at Upper West. It was the perfect venue for our amazing day! We were so happy with food, as always, and the attention of yourself and all the staff that day was just so on point. The feedback from our guests was fantastic. They raved about the food, thought the restaurant was just beautiful, and the service wonderful. It was truly a great day for us. Cheers to you!
MAR & LA

Thank you and your staff again for the wonderful dinner last night, Fred! The team had a fantastic time, and they loved the menu. 🙂 T
he staff was super accommodating and welcoming last night. We appreciate y’all!
K A / R G

Hi Fred,

I just wanted to thank you for the excellent food and service on Thursday night. Our group had a great time, and your private room was perfect for us!

Enjoy the rest of your summer. I’m sure I’ll be back in the restaurant soon for a date night or family dinner 🙂

Sincerely,

Susie

Hello Fred,

I am sorry I didn’t see you before I had to leave yesterday after our luncheon to thank you once again for helping make our end of the year event so memorable yet again.

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite events to organize because your staff is the best to work with!

Wishing you and everyone at Upper West an amazing rest of the year and hope to see you again at the end of another school year.

Take care,

S U

Hi Fred.
Thank so much for making my party so special. Everyone loved the food, the space and the enthusiasm of your whole team. We all had a blast!
A M

Fred,
Everyone had such a good time last night – we are still talking about it. The restaurant looked so festive, our room was perfect, the servers were outstanding and the food – so good!! The appetizers were so delicious and so big that people commented they couldn’t finish their dinners! Quite a few people mentioned that they had driven by the restaurant in the past and had never tried it, but are now looking forward to coming by for a meal.
Thanks again for everything and happy holidays.
Hope to see you again soon.
Lori

Fred

Everybody had a great time and raved about the food, and how attentive and helpful the servers were- I agree.
Everyone was so nice and made it so easy. Pleas let everyone know they were appreciated.
I really didn’t want to do anything for my 50th next month but after yesterday, I am reconsidering

D-G

Fred,

Thank you for hosting a wonderful holiday cocktails/dinner for NEO Studios!
Your staff and the great service is truly appreciated!
Have a wonderful holiday and we’ll talk soon!!

Hello Fred,
My family and I thank you most gratefully for the care and generous attention you gave our daughter’s birthday party Friday evening. It was absolutely perfect.
See you soon,

Wendy P and Scott P

After eating at upper west restaurant and enjoying the Lovely ambiance and amazing food a couple of times, we decided to have my sons graduation party at this location. The buffet prepared for our guests was so delicious and wonderful. The drinks and bar served the best drinks. I can’t tell you enough about Fred the owner. He did everything as we discussed plus more. He was on top of everything that night, including the staff. Highly recommend trying Upper West for your own dining and private events..

Moigan L

Great for large parties or events. Food delicious, service attentive. Burrata, tuna on crispy rice, octopus apps all delish. Sea bass on point. Would def come again. Good place for business meals.

Jones. J

Enjoyed a private dinner for 20 people and the food, as well as the service, was outstanding! Highly recommend.

Amy Elizabeth

Thank you again for making my birthday so special. Everything was fantastic. Huge thanks to your staff – all went smoothly and we really appreciate them. The menu was so nice on the tables – we look forward to coming for dinner another time soon!

Fondly,
D A

We came here for our company’s holiday party and it really was the perfect venue. We had the private room reserved with a cocktail hour and buffet-style dinner.

The private room was great–We had about 25 people and it was very spacious. We also had our own private waiter who was very attentive and brought us all cocktail refills in a speedy manner (which at an office party is key) My favorite cocktail was a blackberry mojito. I think their mojito selection changes per the season, but this was delicious, perfectly mixed, and not too sweet.

For food we had asparagus, mac and cheese, a salmon dish, and a chicken dish. Is it wrong to say that the mac and cheese was my favorite? This is gourmet mac and cheese at its finest… the kind where you eat it all and there’s a pile of grease at the bottom, but combined with multiple fine cheeses, it’s probably one of the best things you’ve ever eaten. I would highly recommend it

If you’re looking for a place that has a private room, I would highly recommend Upper West. I would love to come back try out more of the menu in a normal dining setting as well.

Liz S.

We’ve gone to Upper West multiple times for dinner and it’s always been great. That’s why we also selected them as our venue for our Wedding rehearsal dinner. The food was delicious, the service also very fast and attentive (for a large group of 25 guests). Working with Fred, the manager, was also a highlight. From the outset he was extremely friendly, informative, and helpful in making this a personal event for us. We were able to run a slideshow in the private room in the front area, and he also printed customizable menus for us. The overall cost was also very affordable. We will definitely be coming back to Upper West for years to come, and would also not hesitate to recommend as a venue for private party.
Iggy S

We took over the restaurant last night for our wedding party. The things that matter most when you are celebrating is to be able to relax and enjoy your own party and feel the great energy and see the enjoyment and smiles on the faces of your friends and family. We achieved all of that because, the owner Fred who was fantastic to work with from beginning to end and stayed for the evening to oversee everything, the totally flawless service of the entire staff, everything ran to schedule and the compliments that are pouring in today from all of the guests as to the incredible, most superb food and a fun night which is what one hopes for and why we wanted to write this review. Thank you to everyone at Upper West.
Sarah D

This restaurant has earned my business for good. We had our wedding dinner at this restaurant and it was a seamless experience from beginning to end. I had the privilege of meeting our coordinator (Fred) who was perfectly accommodating to our needs and wants for our big day. We throughly enjoyed the personalized wedding menus and everyone raved about their food! I also cannot begin to say enough wonderful things about the staff that night that catered to our party. Every one of them was sweet, sincere, polite, and accommodating to my whole party. I am looking forward to having more group gatherings at this beautiful restaurant.
Elaina H

Had my rehearsal dinner here a while back and it went really well! We had the little room up front that’s enclosed by glass and has windows open to the street. We did seated buffet. It was just a bit too small for 35-40 people and there wasn’t enough seating at first, but we asked them to bring in some more tables and chairs and it worked out great. The service was fantastic… took all our drink orders, brought out a few extra items/dessert we ordered… we ate all the delicious appetizers and asked for some more, and they brought out some more… just well done. All the appetizer stuff was awesome..vegetable flatbread, hummus&chips, chicken salad, ahi tuna crisps, the burrata caprese, kale salad, etc etc. The two “meatier” items: sliders and chicken tawook were pretty good too, but not as good as the appetizer type dishes. The owner, Fred? came in and congratulated us and made sure everything was going well. The only minor negative thing about it is when you close all the doors and windows (so we could do some speeches), it gets really hot in there… but it was a really hot day in general… I’d gladly come back here for either an event or just a normal meal. Thanks upper west!
Easter E

Ok so this is the deal! I had a birthday party for my daughter who turned 13. Her and her friends are total foodies; even one is a Chef so I knew Pizza wasn’t going to do. I chose Upper West because of the great “food” reviews and when I visited the ambiance was beautiful. Worked with Fred to make all the arrangements. It turned out to be a party of 17 with adults and it was absolutely fantastic! The food, the ambiance, the service! Even the chef Nikk Shipp stopped by our table to wish my daughter a Happy Birthday and had a chat with our wizard chef! It was so cool. I would give them more stars if I could. Excellent food, Fred was great and the service too!!!!!
Bridgette J.

Where to start? We had an 80 person celebration for our close friends to celebrate the impending birth of their baby boy. Co-Ed party, lots of entertainment industry executives who are extremely picky about food, service, and environment. From start to finish, every detail was PERFECT. This staff worked HARD to please us. Beautiful room and table arrangement, stellar drinks and bar service, INCREDIBLY DELICIOUS food including ahi tacos, beef sliders, chicken tawook (so yummy!), and THAT MAC & CHEESE…OMG! I think that I dreamt about it last night! Fred Eli and his staff were always there and on point the entire afternoon. I worked with Food Network for 9 years and this food is some of the best I have had. Thank you, UPPER WEST. You are our new GO TO place!! Yum!
Heidi F

Last night we celebrated my very active mother’s 90th birthday. We were 20 family and friends, and we are so glad that we chose the Upper West as our venue!

Everything was amazing! When we walked in, The staff was right there for us, so we ordered drinks, which were delicious. I especially enjoyed my vesper martini, with its touch of orange!

Our coordinator, Fred Eli, had already made sure that the beautiful front room was done to perfection, with lovely personal touches on the menus at each place, the lovely linens and candles on the table, and the fun addition of “Singin’ In The Rain” on the wall (silently) as we enjoyed our time at the restaurant. Of course, we added our own touches with flowers, which just added to the upscale, welcoming ambiance. The incredible attention to detail and service by the staff, in particular the fabulous and indefatigable Maria, saw to every need promptly, and with great smiles.

And then the food…Wow! Every guest was blown away by the flavors and expertise in our meals.The appetizers were beautifully passed by the staff, and included a flatbread, crab cakes, and small ahi tuna tacos stacks. After sitting down, our entree choices were Blackened Salmon, Flat-Iron Steak, or a chicken dish called Tawook, which seemed to include an Eastern Indian flair. All were perfectly prepared with lovely sides, and tasted amazing.

All-in-all it was a perfect party, and the Upper West made me, my sister-in-law, and my brother look like the best hostesses and host ever!

Thank you Fred, and your great team.

Vickie H

I’m not sure what took me so long to write a review. Upper West has been one of my favorite go-to spots for nearly 8 years now. I was hooked on my very first visit due to the food, the service, the ambiance (LOVE the old movies being projected onto the wall). I had been searching for the perfect venue to host a big birthday party. I’m pretty much a regular so I’ve gotten to know all of the owners, chef and some of the other staff as well. Pretty much, the Chicken Curry salad is on the menu because of me. Well, ok, actually because of Elad. He was eating it once and it wasn’t on the menu. I asked what it was and after trying it one time, it’s what I ordered (and still order) every time I visit. Then my friends who would visit with me ordered it also and it wasn’t too much longer before it was on the menu. I also always enjoy the Chicken Tawook, hummus and cocktails also, but everything is great. Thank you for always taking great care of us, providing excellent service and yummy food! Thank you to Nick, Fred, Elad, Eyal, Asaf, Cameron and Stephanie! (Sorry if I’m missing anyone else) ~joanie 🙂 If I can figure out how to add yummy photos, I’ll post!
Joan A

Fred Kipperman

Just recently went to a party at this location I fell in love with the venue! It’s a prefect place for larger parties or events in a great location! It was easy to find and parking wasn’t horrible. If you need space for a big event definitely consider this place!
Maria I

We had our rehearsal dinner in the private room at the Upper West last fall, and I highly recommend it to others. The food was amazing.. Many of our guests commented on how great it was, and I know they were not just saying it to be polite. The price is competitive,especially in light of how good the food is, and they let you project a DVD of any movie you’d like on the wall and print out menus with your picture on it for all of your guests. Very classy place.
Adam I

I planned a surprise party for my partner bday and this place was totally amazing and super professional. They provided me a private room and even if it was super busy the server paid a lot of attention to us. They have parking valet for 7$. Food is amazing, I recommend to try the tacos tuna. Portion are a little small but the quality is high. This place is perfect for a private party or business party.
Michael M

I had my daughter’s graduation party at The Upper West and honestly, it could not have been better. Fred was my first impression of the restaurant and he is wonderful. I called and emailed with questions and always received a prompt and courteous response. The food was so delicious that each and every person made it a point to tell me that they loved the food and restaurant and were all planning to come back to try everything else. The service was fabulous throughout the celebration. Everyone that worked there had a smile and genuinely wanted to make sure that we were taken care of. Everything that we ordered was cooked to perfection with amazing flavor.
Joann H.

Organized a post-engagement celebration for my sister and her fiancé.

Worked with Fred via e-mail and he deserves 5-stars for his service along. Was such a breeze to work with even on somewhat short notice and for 13+ people!

Fred added in an extra touch for our dinner and printed our menus in color with pictures of the engaged couple at the top. Really was just a wonderful way to start off my first experience here.

I arrived a bit earlier than the guests and was prepared to wait a bit as it was a busy Saturday night but NO, Fred and the team had everything set up and ready to go. The table was beautiful, with the menus looking amazing.

Each of our guests loved their meal- each app, main and dessert was loved. My sister even commented she’d come back just for dessert alone. Even with a large table, all servers were great about taking drink orders and handling them in context of a large restaurant

that was busy with a few big groups.

ABSOLUTELY will recommend

this place to any and all who will listen. Given what a great experience

I had, I plan to use them for all future business meals and events we

have.

-Kristie L.

I just wanted to thank the two of you for helping organize a wonderful event for us. I’m finally catching up after the busy weekend so apologies for the late message. Everyone enjoyed the food, drinks, and service from your staff. Sorry, I had to rush out early to organize for the party afterward, but it just illustrates how I trusted your team to put on an amazing birthday dinner! We look forward to coming back many more times.

Adam

I wanted to thank you very much for hosting us yesterday. It was a great event, superior food, excellent server, and fantastic accommodation. We had a great time! I really appreciate what you did for us last evening. Please send my big thank you to the server last night, didn’t catch his name. Wonderful!
EJenny

I just want to thank you for such an amazing experience I had at Upper West on Sunday evening. You and your staff were so amazing. And thank you for the dessert. That was such a special surprise! I will be back! You have a wonderful establishment there!
Gregg

Another successful holiday party for our rowing club at Upper West. They are so accommodating: they reserve the high top tables for us, and even pushed them together when enough people showed up. They run separate tabs for us which cannot be easy, but that makes it possible for everyone to order and pay for just what they want, not always possible with a party.
Even better, they have a “Bar Bites” Happy Hour menu as we are not all big eaters, so there are delicious options in reasonable portions and at reasonable prices. Not many places you can say that about! so we return year after year and are already looking forward to a mid-year gathering here.
The Bar Burger is delicious and you don’t feel like rolling out the door afterward as it is a perfect portion, and this year I had the crab cake sandwich which was also excellent, and also comes with house-made crispy chips (even if you don’t eat chips, you’ll eat these).
There is an excellent selection of beers, and wines by the glass, and of course a full bar. My husband had a stout he really enjoyed, and while I don’t really even usually like beer, I had “the next thing to a Hefeweizen” and it was delicious.
Thank you Upper West for another successful party. My friends think I am a genius. Ha.

MJ D

Jodi’s party was an unqualified success and I thank you and the staff for making it a great time for everyone.
Mark C

I cannot say enough about this restaurant. I made reservations for my bday for a large group. Having never been here, I was a little concerned. I was wrong to be concerned. Not only did they accommodate a large group without a set menu, every single person loved their dish. The service was phenomenal and the ambiance was nice. Would highly recommend!
Mal H

We just had a private 65 person event there. The servers were perfect and everyone loved the food! The manager was so nice, I can’t believe he did not charge us for the last minute no-shows. I have never seen a venue do that.
Nikki S

When my fiance and I decided to arrange an engagement dinner, we knew it had to be hosted at Upper West.
I worked directly with Fred, who was incredibly accommodating and responsive. He helped me develop a custom dinner menu with all of my favorite Upper West dishes, including the crazy good lamb nachitos. Fred had a special menu printed, which featured a photo of me and fiance. My guests “ooh and ahh’ed” upon seeing the menu, and it was a sign they were in for an amazing evening.
We were seated in the smaller dining room up front which was slightly quieter and had a more intimate vibe. The service throughout the night was top notch and our waitress was very attentive (I wish I remembered her name!). My guests were seriously impressed with the food from start to finish. The appetizer trio was beautifully plated and everyone enjoyed their entree selection and dessert.
As the evening came to a close, the restaurant sent over a round of ginger cosmo shots to toast to our engagement. Very classy, indeed! One of my guests had been ordering non-alcoholic beverages. Our waitress remembered this detail and brought him a shot of cranberry juice along with the cosmo shots, so he could take part in the celebration. It’s the small touches like these, that elevate a dining experience from good to great.
Thank you to the entire Upper West team for helping us throw a memorable engagement dinner. It was a perfect evening

Kristin W

We had our wedding welcome dinner at The Upper West. Fred, the owner, was extremely easy to work with and very accommodating. The appetizers were plentiful, including mini veggie burgers, ahi tuna crispy tacos, mini hamburgers, and grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup. The buffet dinner was better than any buffet we had ever had. We thoroughly enjoyed the flatiron steak, chicken tawook and blackened salmon. The desserts were beyond delicious, including carrot cake and maple syrup bread pudding to die for. The wait staff was extremely friendly and courteous. If we could give The Upper West more than 5 stars we would, it was that good!
Sarah A.

So I don’t even know where to start with how awesome this place was and the owner is a gem! We threw an engagement party here for my business partner and it couldn’t have been more enjoyable. As a restauranteur, I truly appreciate when an owner goes above and beyond to accommodate and this was one of the most exceptional experiences I have ever had at a restaurant. Everyone in my party loved the food, the ambiance was great and the physical location is dope! Anyway I could go on and on but suffice to say this place rocks, Fred is awesome, the staff are rockstars and all I can say is thanks again!!!!
Charles L .

Does it get get better than Fred when it comes to coordinating an event last minute?!! Not even close. And I’ve done way too many dinner events in LA that hardly compare to the beauty, ease, professionalism, service, and food that Upper West offered . . .and it’s has been right in my back yard this whole time. I couldn’t be happier with my experience here and I can’t wait to be back for another private event. Thanks Fred!
Shelly D.

This is one of my favorite places in LA. We had a large party on a Saturday night and Fred was able to take care of everything flawlessly. They handled a very large party like it was a small one. I highly recommend if you are planning a birthday dinner. Their food is great and drinks are strong. Street parking is also easy to find. Thank you!
Leo R.

We have been coming to dinner here for many years. The food is always excellent, classic, not too pricy and good. The burger, Mac and cheese and curry salad are always excellent. I decided to host my husbands surprise birthday party here. They do have a room in the front that’s more private but since we had 16 we took a long table. Everything was perfect. They have three menu selections to choose from with something for everyone (steak, fish, chicken, veggie). I chose a $40 option that had three apps /plate. They put a picture on the front to personalize the menu. I also liked that they let us bring cake and didn’t charge a cutting fee, they actually took $2 off. I had requested a separate tab for drinks prior and they remembered that, no reminders. The service throughout the night by Maria was perfect. Our guests all loved the food. Although it’s a large space and can be loud we felt insulated and didn’t have trouble hearing. Thanks Fred and upper west for the best dinner!
Jen C.

Impeccable service!!!!! I was just there this past Thursday evening in a LARGE group of 30 of us and our server was sooo amazing. I can’t stress how accommodating they were to us. Unfortunately, I don’t remember our servers name but it was unique and he was wonderful! He was incredibly attentive to drink and food orders, you never felt like you had to search for him despite us literally standing and sitting in a huge mob by the bar. He even went above and beyond and helped gather everyone for a group picture and even cut the mini bundt cakes me brought in into quarters for us. So much attention to detail- it was unreal. The happy hour food menu is so delicious and well priced. We had the lamb nachos, bar burger, veggie burger, Mac n cheese and they were all super tasty. The cocktails are so well made- I recommend the golden rye if you like whiskey. The ambiance is romantic with dim lighting. Highly recommend this place! Thanks so much for the great service!
Bij T.

I celebrated my birthday here with a group of my friends last night and we LOVED it!!! The owner, hostess, waiter and staff were superb! They were warm and welcoming, polite and friendly. Great ambiance and holiday decor! The food was FANTASTIC! The Tomato soup and ahi tuna tacos were to die for! The Diablo cocktail was honestly one of the best spicy margaritas I’ve had in my life! An absolutely perfect birthday experience! A perfectly run, classy establishment with a fresh vibe! We’ll definitely be back Thanks Upper West! Xoxo Orly Star
Orly S.

Had my birthday here and it was the best spot to be, feel like you’re having party at your house, best food best service, definitely recommended and will go back. Thank you guys and sorry for late post
Toktam R.

We had a great experience at The Upper West. Fred and the rest of his staff did a great job working with my wife and me to create a beautiful intimate wedding experience in the private room. They have great attention to detail and immaculate service. Fred was gracious enough to meet with us in person to plan, as well as exchange emails and phone calls. He made it very easy. Also, the food was beyond reproach–truly exceptional. I highly recommend The Upper West for any private event. The next time I’m in LA, I can’t wait to return for dinner with my wife.
Kevin S.

I wanted to thank you and all your staff for the wonderful celebration at your restaurant on Saturday night. From the time we arrived the entire crew was outstanding. We were done with the graduation earlier than expected so we called to ask if we could arrive 30 minutes earlier and they accommodated us even though as we found out later a large group had just left. The table setup was perfect. The wait staff made sure we had all the water, drinks and wine we needed our glasses were never empty. Our waiter, I think it was Lewis, was great. The food was incredible. My husband and son said it was the best steak they had ever tasted. My friend who I consider a foodie tasted each choice and said it was delicious. While I was there I even had a chance to meet the artist featured in your restaurant as he was dining with his parents there. We loved the people, staff, atmosphere, everything. Thank you for making our son’s graduation so special. We will definitely see you all again.
Susie Shore

My dinner experience here at The Upper West was fantastic! I came with a large party for a dinner reception and we were seated in a private room that was separated from the main dining area. It was definitely quieter and more intimate. Our waiters were also super quick, efficient, and friendly. Since we came as a large group, our food was served throughout four courses and we were able to choose our own entrees! Keep in mind that the photos I post might not be representative of actual portion sizes since we were a large party with a semi-predetermined menu, but I will list the prices according to their regular dinner menu. We started off with some delicious red wine and a trio of appetizers: Burrata, Ahi Tuna Crispy Tacos, and a Pan-Seared Crab Cake. The burrata sampler was very fresh and simple, with a nice hint of flavor from the basil, black chai salt, and dill-mustard vinaigrette. The ahi tuna taco was delicious as well and it had a nice citrusy flavor to it. The crab cake was served at the perfect temperature and it really balanced out the tangy and zesty flavors of the other appetizers. The vegetables were served family style, and I enjoyed every single one of them! My favorite was the Roasted Sweet Corn, which was absolutely amazing! It was seasoned with smoked paprika, cotija cheese and avocado butter, and it really complimented my entree nicely. My next favorites were the Wild Mushrooms, which were sautéed with garlic, leeks, farro, and fig. I usually hate mushrooms but I couldn’t stop getting seconds of this! I also enjoyed the Fried Sweet Potatoes, which tasted like yummy plantains! As for my entree, I chose the Prime Flatiron Steak, and this was seriously one of the best flatiron steaks I’ve had in a while! I asked for medium rare, and they cooked it perfectly. The meat was so juicy, tender, rich, and flavorful! It was served on top of a bed of smoked bacon, gorgonzola slaw, and some addicting balsamic sauce, which I enjoyed thoroughly. Whoever decided to mix steak and bacon is a genius and they deserve full credit because my taste buds were blown away! Now for the finale, we were served a slice of their famous Brioche Bread Pudding, and it was just a perfect end to our meal. The bread pudding was soaking in rye whiskey caramel and créme anglaise, but not to the point where it was overwhelming. It was the perfect amount of sauce that gave the bread pudding a mildly sweet taste with fantastic texture. Overall, everyone in my party seemed to enjoy their dinner and we were all very impressed with the quality, taste, and the presentation of our food. The great service was the cherry on top, and even the valet guy was super friendly and had the nicest smile! There is plenty of street parking but if you decide to valet. I am definitely coming back to The Upper West, and I am very glad I discovered this gem sooner than later! It is an absolutely perfect restaurant for a dinner date, a group of friends, or for large parties
Juliet P.

Was looking for a restaurant/venue to throw my 40th birthday bash with 40 friends in an la or santa monica restaurant. Came across Upper West on Yelp and reached out to the events manager, Fred via email before leaving on a trip to paris. He responded in 24 hours and told me the date of April 24th was available and even sent some prix fix menus for me to view with pricing. I read all the reviews and communicated with him for about 21 days prior to the event. They had 2 times to rent out the front room so we opted for the 815 pm to 2 am time frame. He was so accommodating with my menu changes and offering more variety. I was thrilled with the pricing. I also wanted to select a few wines to pair with the food. He responded to all 50 or more emails and even when I wanted to add a salad, told me to save my money as he has bigger portions. We opted on adding some family style sides and more wine. The menu was magnificent. *appetizer trio of ahi taco (amazing! I could eat 10!) Crab cake (also scrumptious) and burrata caprese (so cute, came in a spoon with caviar) Then choice of entree… *sea bass *flank steak *chicken tawook *coffee crusted pork Sides of amazing corn with avocado butter and herb cauliflower. Dessert was bread pudding. I had lyric pinot and a maldonado cabernet as well as a malbec. I think we went through about 20 bottles and they were well priced! When we got there early at 735, I was a bit panicked cause the front room had people still dining in it but fred accommodated with a table in the back and even helped bring in the enormous balloon bouquet that got delivered. They set up super fast and the service from our server was impeccable. Don’t know how he managed to handle all of us with just a couple helpers. My wine glass stayed full, food came out timely. Just the corn was a little late but it was a great last minute treat before dessert. They sang happy birthday to me twice with the bread pudding and with our cronut cake. Fred even had menus printed with my pictures which turned out to be a great keepsake. The private room in front has windows that open to the sidewalk and is all glass stating into and out of the restaurant. We didn’t even realize other people were dining in the restaurant cause it seemed so private. Could not have asked for a better venue or better foodie food to show off and treat my guests. For the location, it didn’t break the bank and everything was magnificent. Thank you fred and all of upper west! I highly recommend for drinks or dinner!
Diana P.

This place was fantastic! We had a big event here and they were the best to deal with. The food was out of this world. Overall great experience. A+
Spencer R

I’ve eaten at Upper West a few times now and have not had a bad dish yet. Upper West is a nice spot with a great atmosphere. Classy but not pretentious if you know what I mean. Their blue cheese chips are so bomb! Try them for an appetizer next time you are in! Recently came here for lunch with one of my friends as I wanted to come check out the front intimate room that they have available for parties, etc. I had never really paid attention to it on my previous visits so wanted to come check out as we are looking to host our rehearsal dinner here this fall. The manager Fred who I had been corresponding with came over and sat with us to explain the room and details of how the event space works etc. to us. Really nice guy and answered any questions I still had. I decided to order the Chicken Tawook since it is one of the items on the set menu offerings and man oh man was it delicious. A really flavorful dish with tomato and yogurt and delicious chickpeas and spinach. I was impressed! They always have great service and delicious food and beverages. If you are in the area I would definitely check them out. We are looking forward to hosting our event with them this fall!
Laura K

Had a great event for work here. Reserved a space near the front. We had our own servers and ordered buffet appetizer foods. EVERYONE loved the food. People raved. The wine- excellent. The service – impeccable. Booked with Fred- the owner- placed a deposit and he took care of the rest. Super easy and laid back with timing. This place was a hit! I knew about this place as I have come for Happy hour- which is a pretty darn good one. Menu good. Vegan options. Very energetic place. Great crowd every time. Will be back for event planning and happy hour for sure Bathrooms multiple stall- nice

My boyfriend had a wonderful birthday at Upper West. Thank you so much for helping me coordinate it. I hope you have a wonderful week!!
Jaclyn

The best west LA restaurant, any occasion, it always delivers.
Customer My Rewards Member

My husband arranged a surprise birthday party for me here and it was fantastic! The staff went above and beyond to make me feel special – said happy birthday, shook my hand, and very importantly ensured I had a full glass of bubbles all night. The service and food was excellent. We have just moved to LA and this will soon become our regular after Saturday night! The pork dish was superb! Highly recommend
Customer My Rewards Member

Haich Nottle

Dear Fred, thank you for the fantastic time we had on Saturday night. Louis was the most fabulous waiter person. The food was spectacular. Every single one of my guests loved every bite and every moment of the evening. Thank you for making Susan’s 80th birthday so memorable for her and for me.
Paul

Fred, I want to say thank you! The effort you put into making our event wonderful was enormous! I can’t express enough gratitude! Everyone I heard from expressed the venue was perfect and the food was exceptional. I couldn’t even try to tell you the number of people that commented to me the food. Way more than I normally hear from people. Your expertise in placement of everything was a huge benefit to me. You have a great restaurant and gift! I want you to know I truly appreciate your attention to detail as it made our event exceptional. I was stressed planning our most important party of the year for the first time with the added part it was in a city I wasn’t in. I want to thank you for dealing with me and helping me create what I was told by our CEO was a better Legend Party than Brisbane had (that is huge!!!!!)! I want you to know I couldn’t of done it without you!
Tiffany-NicoleGrace

I just wanted to thank you for everything! Thanks for making my 50th birthday feel so special. We had a great time and everyone thought the food was delicious and the service was impeccable. Bill and I plan to go back one day for a date night. You were awesome! Could you be so kind as to furnish me a copy of the menu pdf you made which had the wine listing included so I can add it to my photo album? Many thanks!
Sean

I absolutely love this place! They have such great food, great service, the energy is always high, overall such a great spot. We came here for my uncles graduation party there were about 40 of us and they did a great job managing such a big party. They also have excellent strong drinks, highly recommend!
Monica S

My husband arranged a surprise birthday party for me here and it was fantastic! The staff went above and beyond to make me feel special – said happy birthday, shook my hand, and very importantly ensured I had a full glass of bubbles all night. The service and food was excellent. We have just moved to LA and this will soon become our regular after Saturday night ! The pork dish was superb ! Highly recommend
Haich Nottle

The food from this restaurant was incredible, and if we had stayed for longer, we would have made repeat visits. I was invited to a surprised birthday party which one of my friends was arranging it for his wife, Everything was perfectly arranged. The staff just gone beyond our expectation with helping us to make the party even more amazing and joyful, They were super fast and attentive. They have super creative food and drink options, and along with that it was super delicious too. That event was one of my life’s best events, and Upper West just made it more amazing with its service. recommend
Leona A.

This place has the best customer service I have ever experienced. We came here for a friend’s birthday dinner and the owner was so accommodating to our large party.

My sister and I had shared the Blackened Salmon and it was amazing! It had tons of flavor and it was perfectly cooked. They were so kind to have split the dish for us before having it bought to the table. We had also tried the roasted sweet corn as well and that was delicious. The corn had the perfect balance of sweetness and savory taste.

As we came near to the end of our dinner, the owner came over with a giant plate of dessert for the Birthday boy! Enough for the whole party to share! We were so pleased with the food and service. I will definitely be back with my family soon to try all the other delicious item their men

Megan L

Just wanted to thank you and your amazing team for making my husband’s party an unforgettable one. Everything was perfect! See you soon!