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.
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
Yelp Review,
What a fabulous restaurant! Fred and staff went above and beyond for our daughter’s engagement party. The venue had the perfect private room with romantic ambiance. Our party of 30 were pleasantly surprised by the speed of our food coming out and the delicious flavors presented. Everyone had a great time.
Vikki S.
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
NL
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
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!!
MS
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.
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
Sarah D
Elaina H
Easter E
Bridgette J.
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 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
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
Maria I
Adam I
Michael M
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
EJenny
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
Mark C
Mal H
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
Sarah A.
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 .
Shelly D.
Leo R.
Jen C.
Bij T.
Jen C.
Orly S.
Thank you guys and sorry for late post
Toktam R.
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.
Susie Shore
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.
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.
Spencer R
Nikki S.
Laura K
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
Jaclyn
Customer My Rewards Member
Customer My Rewards Member
Paul
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
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
Monica S
Haich Nottle
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