La Vela

I've been to La Vela a few times and will continue to go back. There's a comfortable feel to the place but most importantly it's good Italian served by nice people at good(for NYC) prices. Definitely be back

Pros: Cuisine, Value

Posted 09/23/08

Went here with 2 other friends on a Saturday night. Service was good, food was great. I had the chicken piccata, which was perfect. My friend ordered a special, which was pretty good. For desert had a fruit pastry a la mode, which was also delicious. I definitely plan on going back. And did I mention inexpensive? 2 of us ate, and the bill was only around $30!

Pros: great food! inexpensive!

Cons: none that i can think of

Posted 03/22/08

La Vela is a great neighborhood Italian Restaurant. This Upper Westside spot has a nice, cozy feel to it. The food is delicious and not overpriced. Good service too.

Pros: Food, Service

Posted 02/23/08

What a wonderful experience! Ate here last Friday with my husband and another couple. I rarely love both my appetizer and entree and thought they were both delicious and cooked to perfection. The sides were exceptional too. My husband thought the same as did the other couple. The service and atmosphere were right up there too. Will definitely go back.

Pros: food, service

Cons: none

Posted 07/30/07

Upon my daughter's recommendation, I ordered 6 entrees and several appetizers for delivery. Food was okay but clams were full of sand. I was not that impressed with taste of entrees. My daughter, on the other hand, had a romantic dinner there and was very impressed with the food, service, and price. Probably just a bad night.

Posted 03/27/07

We ate here constantly when we were renovating our kitchen because it is in our neighborhood.
The food is always terrific. The specials are creative and delicious and the regular menu offers awesome variety. The staff is attentive, warm and friendly. The atmosphere is relaxed and varies from a date restaurant to family birthday parties. Fabulous!

Posted 01/15/07

La Vela has fantastic food, and the fact that it's affordable makes it even better. The service is good too. The atmosphere is fairly casual, and it fills up around dinner time so make a reservation. I went with a group of four and we tried eachothers' dishes, and loved every one of them. I would recommend La Vela for any one who wants a fantasitic gastronomic experience and an affordable evening.

Pros: Great food, reasonable price

Cons: Crowded

Posted 12/06/06

I've eaten here several times because it's a few blocks from my apt. and the food is good when they get it right, but that often doesn't happen. I'm a vegetarian and last night I ordered a pasta dish specifically asking if there's any meat in it and was told there is not. I ate a little and took the rest home to my boyfriend. In the light of his apartment we saw that there was ground meat in the sauce. I was so upset that I had eaten meat and took it back to tell them. They denied that they made a mistake and insisted that they just mixed my order up with someone else's when they packed it to go. This was clearly not the case because I made a special order and the amount I had taken to go was exactly the large amount I had left on my plate. They said they would make me HALF a portion of what I had initially ordered. I was infruriated not only that they made me eat meat, which I haven't eaten in 15 years, but that they were so dismissive, rude, and cheap when I brought their mistake to their attention.

Cons: terrible service

Posted 09/26/06

i was going with a friend to see a play in central park, so i picked this restaurant because it was fairly nearby and because of the good reviews by citysearch members. i asked the server for recommendations on what to order throughout the meal and was not disappointed. we shared grilled vegetables for an appetizer (much tastier than i expected) and then i had one of the specials (risotto with chicken) and my friend had the spinach-ricotta stuffed ravioli--both were good, solid entrees if not amazing--in my dish the chicken could have been more flavorful but other than that no complaints. good portion sizes. for dessert we shared the chocolate mousse w/ strawberries--wish we had gotten one each as it was so yummy we were licking our spoons. we polished our plates clean for every course, and at the end of the meal the TOTAL bill was around $45. not bad at all for those of us on a budget! not the most amazing italian meal i've had but still pretty darn good and i wouldn't mind eating there again if i was in the area.

Pros: good meal for the price, pretty fast service

Posted 08/26/06

I took a friend to this restaurant for a birthday celebration. The menu was quite comprehensive and the specials of the day added even more variety. The service was prompt, the wine selection was good, and the food was fantastic for the price! Overall I was highly impressed and plan to go back again soon!

Pros: great food, fair price

Posted 02/12/06

La Vela is one our favorite UWS locales. The service is efficient and friendly. Their homemade pasta is amazing, especially the gnocci with gorgonzolla. Completely impressed with them every time.

Pros: Gnocci, service, management

Posted 07/31/05

Great neighborhood place! Nice ambiance, great classic Italian dishes and a good value. They don't rush you out and you don't feel cramped - unlike a lot of the other small lower priced Italian restaurants on the UWS. I'll be back.

Pros: ambiance, food, value

Posted 07/15/05

This was great food and at an excellent value!!! The service was fantastic and it was a real "homey" place to eat. I will definitely be coming back!!!

Pros: excellent food, great service, fantastic value

Posted 03/29/03

When my boyfriend and I want to treat ourselves, taking a break from cooking and from our diets, we head to La Vela. The friendly staff, beautifully decorated dining room and delicious food combine to make this an outstanding eating experience.

Posted 09/14/02

I have never once had any hint of any reason to not return again and again. Their food is fantastic, their drinks are generous, and their desserts....well if you have any room left over after their over-sized entrees, then you shouldn't pass them up. YUM!

Posted 07/25/02