VitaePleasant Midtown Dining ExperienceThe host, servers and bartender were all most gracious and polite. Vitae offers some interesting cocktails and a pretty good wine list. I have eaten here before and enjoyed an eclectic menu with seasonal variations.We were pleasantly surprised with dessert tidbits which were presented with no prompting, a nice surprise. I would not hesitate to recommend Vitae to business or friends and family.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat a Great Surprise!The options in the midtown area are limited but with a friend in town staying at the Grand Hyatt, I picked Vitae for it's proximity for her. Boy, was I surprised at how great our dinner ended up being! We each had a glass of wine which was a generous pour, we had the Arctic Char dinner which was AMAZING and we were given free mini desserts after we finished dinner! The service was attentive and knowledgeable and the atmosphere was nice for us to be able to chat and catch up.
Pleasantly surprised by Vitae and would return when I'm in the area!5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMRegular Manhattan visitorsIt was a quiet night in the restaurant, which we view as a plus. The service was impeccable. the ribeye for two was excellent as were the deserts. We will be back.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMMy friend said that the porkMy friend said that the pork chop was the most delicious one that she had ever had. Service was excellent, attentive but non-intrusive.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent Food near GCTTrying to find great food near Grand Central Terminal tends to point one to the Oyster Bar or one of the excellent Japanese restaurants just east. But Vitae is a phenomenal place for inventive and tasty fare with excellent service and nice touches (amuse bouche, palate cleanser, complimentary sweets and a treat to take home). It's these little things that put Vitae over the top. Only concern is that it does get noisy when the place fills up. Having dined upstairs and down I've found it quieter up top. Definitely go -- excellent for pre-theater.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMWhen the Chef overcomes the reviewsThe choice of this restaurant was based on tripadvisor reviews , but I should say that all the dinner (food choosen from the list, no tasting menus) has been excellent and much more than expected. Also the kindness of our waiter (and the others who were helping) is a 'plus' for this restaurant.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMFound a gem!Wonderful experience that was perfectly in sync with the menu.
Interesting food pairings and flavors that excited the palette, instead of competing.
This was a top five dinner in the last 10 years.
Wine list was adequate for breadth, with some high end choices.
Our $90 Cab was a fine complement from the middle of the list.
Service was model for excellent. A small staff that acted as a seamless team, felt much larger and attentive.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMMy first time lunch thereMy first time lunch there was a winner. The food was imaginative and well executed. The service was attentive but did not get in the way of a business conversation. Everything about the experience will reinforce a return visit.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was my second time atThis was my second time at Vitae and we had equally great food, service and overall experience as the last time. The menu is creative and well thought out without being overly adventurous. We constantly found ourselves trying to decide between multiple options that looked equally delicious. Great service again from Jason, who's knowledge of and passion for food really make for a great experience. We'll definitely be going back4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is a wonderful restaurant.This is a wonderful restaurant. I've come here three times. I love their bourbon/whiskey-based cocktails the best. The service is very good. Everyone is very welcoming and courteous. The noise could get a bit loud during lunch, though. I went alone the first and third time here, and the experience was a bit different. I don't recommend dining here alone.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent, a real treatThis is a fine restaurant. The service is very attentive, friendly, and professional service. The menu is creative, but also has items -- such as our familiar but excellent Potato Leek Soup. Fish was expertly prepared, desserts were creative and very satisfying.4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, fair pricesVitae is a real hidden gem. The interior and decor are all modern, tasteful and crisp. It sets a sophisticated tone right from the start. The 2 tops are packed Manhattan close but the larger tables are actually spaced very well.
The menu is relatively simple and packed with a nice variety. They have about 10 apps, 5 pastas (all can be dinner or appetizer sized), 5-7 entrees and 4 sides. Everything I have eaten there has been fresh and well prepared. On top of it all, the prices are extremely fair. 2 blocks away you would pay $27 for a cobb salad, but here you get a wonderful Artic char for $32. Go for the char.4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMReally great lunch! Menu hadReally great lunch! Menu had nice variety. The rhubarb streusel dessert was delicious!4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMMidtown GemSecond visit, equally as impressive. Food is top notch, quick and nicely presented. Service is strong. Great spot in midtown for a nice (but not over the top) place to meet and lunch.4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Best Meal All Week!This was the best meal we had the entire week we were in NYC! Everything was perfect from start to finish. The food was creatively prepared and absolutely delicious. The service was attentive and the ambiance just lovely. Due to its proximity, this is the perfect restaurant for before or after a Broadway show. You will not be disappointed!4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMApproaching the restaurantApproaching the restaurant from the outside, I expected nothing like what I was greeted with as I entered. There was a noisy scene at the bar. As I was brought to our table upstairs, I did a complete turn-around. Comfortable seats, spacious table for 4, waitstaff who were eager to see to your every wish, low lighting. I found the menu varied so that everyone could enjoy whatever appealed to their tastes. The soup was delicious, as were the scallops, the pork chops and arctic char, excellent presentation and accompanying sides, the pork schnitzel, although delicious had the thinnest meat inside a delicious breading. The pairing of wine was easy because of the extensive wine list. Dessert excellent,an an enjoyable evening.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMwent here to celebrate a birthday~went here to celebrate a birthday~ service was great! very attentive and attend to all your needs~ food was delicious! the lamb...porkchops...trout...tacos...dessert...was all so good! full of flavor and the presentation of the food was great as well~ i would say pretty pricey but worth it to eat here for a special occasion :)4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMWent for a business lunch.Went for a business lunch. The service was terrific, the food delicious and memorable. I would definately recommend and return.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMMarvelousA colleague and I had lunch at this beautiful restaurant in an area with not too many gems. Service was attentive but not overly so. The food is exquisite and we were treated to an unexpected amuse bouche. I had the roasted baby beets with mizuna, pistachios, goat cheese, and beet vinaigrette as a starter, and ricotta gnudi with crispy prosciutto, spinach, and parmesan as the entree. My companion opted for the wonderfully satiating creamy polenta with burrata cheese, wild mushroom ragu and thyme. We were brought fresh brioche rolls hot from the oven. Prices are what you would expect for a nice midtown restaurant, but not overly outrageous as the portions are more than adequate. Highly recommend.4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat experience.Excellent on all counts. Definitely going back! Pork belly appetizer is amazing.4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved itLoved the food and atmosphere. Preferred sitting downstairs as upstairs felt hot, stuffy and cramped. Would go back3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic!!! Had the scallops,Fantastic!!! Had the scallops, beet salad, beet pasta, and apple crisp and all were out of this world! And the house bread could have been a dessert it was so good!3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMFood is Amazing!!What can I say this was our third time coming here, the food is AMAZING!! I had a hard time deciding what to get for an appetizer & entrée as I knew no matter what I ordered I would not be disappointed. I wish we had a restaurant like Vitae upstate but then again I guess we wouldn’t have an excuse to go to NYC to dine here. We brought my Sister here last year when she was visiting, she still raves about the food. I’m looking forward to returning soon!! Service was Excellent and I just love the Ambience!3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMA great restaurant at reasonableA great restaurant at reasonable prices and although the restaurant was pretty full, it was quiet enough to be able to talk at the table.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food in souless midtownThis restaurant is a gem, though I am not a fan of the neighborhood which reminds me too much of work.
Do not hesitate and get the tasting menu for $75, it is a very good deal.
Make sure to keep room for their tasty desserts.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a lovely meal for two.We had a lovely meal for two. We had the tasting menu with the wine pairings. The food was delicious and the pouring was generous. One note, the clientele was "eclectic," which means it was a bit of a bummer that for our romantic Friday 8:30 dinner we were seated next to a family with three sullen teenagers wearing ripped jeans, knit caps and hoodies who spent the time texting. But, aside from that it was a terrific experience.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMThe service was great, foodThe service was great, food tasted good and location was nice. However my complaint with the Vitae is the portions were EXTREMELY SMALL. In fact they should state on the menu it is "A la carte" because it was virtually that. So I went to location hungry, had an appetizer and main course and STILL left hungry. Based upon the price...the food was ridiculously over priced. When I go out to have dinner...its primarily to eat. As a result, I will have to give Vitae only a marginal passing grade but I will not be going back and will certainly not recommend as a place to eat dinner. In my opinion...what is the point of having dinner at a restaurant and still famished at the end?3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was very good. SteakFood was very good. Steak was great, lamb was very good, duck was great.
Reasonable wine list.
Sit upstairs, it's far better. A little too bright downstairs for my taste.
I'd go back, and I'm very picky.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent, innovative food.Excellent, innovative food. First rate service. excellent wine list and genuine hospitality. A great combination. Decor not particularly to our taste but tables nicely spaced and comfortable. Would definitely go back and recommend3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent Dining ExperienceSaturday night dinner with three friends to celebrate two of the attendees' birthdays was delightful. We were greeted at the table with a bottle of champagne to start off the evening (I included a note via OpenTable about the birthdays so they were prepared). Very nice touch! The food was well seasoned and prepared with a beautiful presentation at the table. The service was outstanding. Our servers, waitress, and sommelier were all very polite and professional. The flow was well-paced, not too frenetic yet not too slow. Overall, a wonderful dining experience for a very special occasion.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMCool ambiance, our waiterCool ambiance, our waiter recommended the venison and it was to die for. Will be coming back.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful ExperienceVenison was to die for, service meticulous, and hostess made real accommodations to modify dishes and make them healthier.
A wonderful meal and I recommend highly. I would definitely return.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMThis has been the fourth timeThis has been the fourth time at Vitae. The food has been excellent as is the ambiance. The last time dining I found the service slightly rushed and the noise level louder than in the past. I may seem a bit picky but I do believe that this venue has the potential of being outstanding.3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWent on a Friday night forWent on a Friday night for my 30th birthday dinner. Vitae seated my very large group of 14 in a gorgeous semi-private area upstairs. The furnishings were elegant and lovely and I loved the ambiance. Our server, Jorge, was fantastic - he was very thorough in his explanation of the menu and specials, patient, sweet, and was sure to let us know limited quantities of a certain menu item so that we could reserve them for the table before they ran out. The food was outstanding. Every plate, course, and drink ordered was delicious and arrived timely, and the presentation and plating were superb. I had an amazing and memorable birthday dinner here and will certainly be back again for the great food and lovely service. Thank you! :)3/8/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother fantastic meal at VitaeAnother fantastic meal at Vitae. Great service, terrific food and plenty of little freebies makes dining at Vitae a wonderful experience. Hard to believe this place has only been open a year. Poached egg, scallops, pork bellies and tartare are all delicious starters (frankly I have never had a bad one, these are just some recent favorites). The homemade chittara and risotto are two of my favorite entrees, but again, there is nothing on the menu I didn't enjoy. A great location for a business lunch or a delicious dinner. Small groups (4) are easily accommodated. For larger groups, be sure to call ahead (this isn't a huge space) as the loft is fantastic, but I'm sure it is also in demand.3/8/2013 12:00:00 AMService was excellent. TheService was excellent. The decor is awesome. The food was excellent!2/19/2013 12:00:00 AMThey started out on a highThey started out on a high note on my first visit and high gotten even better.2/14/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, amazing service.Great food, amazing service. Very accommodating to a guest with dietary restrictions. We will certainly return1/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food and service wereThe food and service were superb. I ordered the chestnut agnolotti--awesome. My only complaint: $5 for a soda???1/3/2013 12:00:00 AM