West Bank CafeIdeal for pre-theatreThe staff asks if you will be attending the theatre and works to be sure you are served in plenty of time to arrive for curtain time5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMYou can bank on the West Bank Cafe!Great experience, as usual; tried the shrimp scampi over linguine for the first time and it was the best ever! We weren't going to the theatre, so visited over a long, leisurely dinner. Don't miss the rice ball appetizer--great to share and delicious!5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMBefore we even arrived, ClintonBefore we even arrived, Clinton the Maitre d' was wonderful
about helping us navigate some reservation adjustments
and then greeted us warmly and graciously upon our arrival.
Our server was equally generous and welcoming.
All appreciated the refined and
comfortable ambience. As the host of the evening, the
West Bank Cafe team made me look good.
Thank you.5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMGood ComebackWe had a 6:00 pm saturday reservation and theatre tix for 7:30 pm. We were 15 minutes late but not seated until 6:40 pm or so. Needless to say that was aggravating but we were a party of 4 so had plenty to chat about while waiting. The staff knew we had a 7:30 pm theatre time and to their credit they served us efficiently and quickly without sacrifing the quality of the food. Would have preferred a more leisurely meal but clearly some diners who had been to a matinee were slow in finishing their desserts.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMEating At a Friend's HouseFood was wonderful,fresh and wholesome.
Steve the owner stops by to say hello and asks
How food was. Service was Tops with Courtesy
And attentiveness.
A Feel Good Place!5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat placeThe quality of the food is the number one reason to go to the West Bank Cafe and everything else enhances the dining experience.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMPre theatre findAlways looking for new places to eat near theatre district. This is a great new find for us even though restaurant has been open for more than thirty years. They were very aware of getting us in and out in time and soft shell crabs were done perfectly. Nice wine selections and specials.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat menu. Fast service butGreat menu. Fast service but not pushy. Good choice for pre-matinee lunch. Lots of choices.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AM42nd Street GemWe ate early so the restaurant was relatively empty. The service was excellent - extraordinarily attentive. The spaghetti squash was delicious as was the fabulous apple tarte tatin. We look forward to returning.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMI have been to this restaurantI have been to this restaurant at least 6 times and every time I am completely satisfied with both food and service. it is my favorite before theater eatery. I have recommended this place to friends and they have also been pleased. Hope they keep up the good work, since restaurants in NYC can be great once or twice then fall apart and disappear.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMFood is always consistentlyFood is always consistently good...Have been there many times for brunch when going to matinees...and dinner is very good too.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMWent there before theatreWent there before theatre performance on 10th Avenue. Early show starting a 7( student production.) They got us in and out on time. Food very good, service very good, ambience lovely. Very good spot, especially for that part of town.5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMthere is no excuse for a waiterthere is no excuse for a waiter who does not speak English or know the menu and then argues with customers5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMNever disappointed.We go there many times and they never disappointed us. Always serves great foods and services.5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMTimes Square GemThe West Bank Cafe is a very friendly, neighborhood bar/restaurant near Times Square moderately priced, with a good menu selection. A nice place to dine before or after the theater. Reservations recommended pre-theater.5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMA memorable mealMost pre-show dinners have a buffet line vibe. Not this one. I had the beet and goat cheese salad to start. It was perfectly dressed and absolutely delicious. The orange segments were a bright touch and balanced the dish. For my main course I had the pork chop. It was well seasoned and every bite was tender and juicy and not at all undercooked. What more can you ask for? You absolutely cannot eat here without trying the truffle mac and cheese. You'll lick the plate when no one's looking. Can't wait to go back when I can stay for dessert! The selection was incredibly tempting but the Divine Miss M was about to take the stage and we had to run.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AM5 of us met here as a centrally5 of us met here as a centrally located place for commuters from Brooklyn, Michigan, New Jersey, and Illinois. Keep the Risotto Balls and Spicy Shrimp with Fennel on the menu....THEY WERE GREAT!!!5/6/2013 12:00:00 AMterrific restaurantEverything about this place is above par and it's the most dependable place we've found in the area. The food, service and ambiance are never disappointing.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways a winner!Reliable pre-theater choice for dinner. $35.00 3-courses, salmon or chicken, beautifully prepared, all fresh ingredients. Great service. lemon mousse is delicious!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, overpriced wine.Very happy with our selection of restaurants, but I'm tired of paying more for one glass of wine than I can buy a bottle for -- our bar bill was more than our food bill -- that's just not right!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMBeen going for 35 years.So why stop just because I moved to N.C.? I go nearly every time I come back to NYC.... this visit displayed all the things I love about the West Bank Cafe....really friendly staff, terrific food. I had something I rarely have anymore; a cheddar cheese burger...perfectly medium rare and the beef truly tasty. It also side-stepped a pet peeve of mine, it was not too big or stuffed with things to be able to eat like a polite person in public....and I did not end up wearing it!
This place is rightfully packed, especially now that 42nd St. Is the new Theatre Row. After 8pm it quiets down for a couple of hours, for a time frame that allows you to linger.....I have no reason not to keep loving this terrific place!5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMMy friends and I enjoyed aMy friends and I enjoyed a leisurely lunch before the nearby matinee. Menu choice was diversified, service was very good, and desserts delicious.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMWest Bank never disappoints...foodWest Bank never disappoints...food and service can't be beat. The price fixe is a true bargain.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was my first return visitThis was my first return visit in some time. Enjoyed our lunch, especially because West Bank has a prix fixe for $20 that is most excellent - and a great value: 3 courses4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMI dine at the West Bank CafeI dine at the West Bank Cafe frequently and have left a number of reviews here. The menu is simple, unchanging, and reliable - except for a few specials offered each evening. On my last visit, I sampled of each of the entree specials and concluded that the chef had become more creative over time. The service seemed also to be particularly gracious.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMAgain, we went to this restaurantAgain, we went to this restaurant before theater. Again I had the great turkey sandwich and again I enjoyed it very much.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMBeen to West Bank Cafe before.Been to West Bank Cafe before. The food is wonderful, waitstaff pleasant and nice ambience. It's our go-to spot for lunch or dinner before the theatre. Knowledgeable about gluten-free and helpful when making my food selection.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWe enjoy this restaurant,We enjoy this restaurant, esecially after shows. The food and wine are consistently good. The table servers are always attentive. And, you can do some star-gazing, if that appeals to ou. They also have the best dessert in NYC -- the caramel toffee parfait!4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMPre-theatre dinner was greatPre-theatre dinner was great and reservation was on time; we were seated immediately. Waitress was polite, knowledgeable, and did not rush us. Food was delicious and prices were reasonable. I would go back again and recommend The West Bank Cafe.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat find for pre-theaterGreat find for pre-theater meal. Enjoyed our lunch!4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMIn the theatre district..knowIn the theatre district..know how to make it a quick, but rewarding experience.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMWest Bank continues to makeWest Bank continues to make the dining experience truly enjoyable. Food is uniformly good and plated and presented well. Lemon Mousse dessert is truly outstanding.4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was very good. ServiceFood was very good. Service was excellent. They were very accommodating. It's an excellent place for pre-theater dinner and/or drinks.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMAs soon as the lunch/theaterAs soon as the lunch/theater rush was over, the noise level diminished to low. Since we were a group of five with nowhere to go following lunch, we sat for a very, very long time catching up on our lives. The staff was most accepting of our prolonged presence allowing us the luxury of being comfortable and welcomed. Since we have eaten here before, it is our number one reason for return visits.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMI have been going to WestI have been going to West Bank Cafe for years. I always enjoy my meal. It is a great pre- or post-theatre restaurant.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMOnce again I was happy withOnce again I was happy with my choice for a pre theatre dinner. The braised halibut was great!4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMStill Comes Out On Top!This place contiues to be the best in the hood. The food is always delicious and the service totally pro.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is a perfect restaurantThis is a perfect restaurant choice for people attending the theaters on 42 nd Street. The salads were great and the mussels perfectly prepared. This will be our first choice when returning to that area. Make your lunch reserrvation well in advance on matinee days. It is very popular!4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMHave dinner twice and foodHave dinner twice and food and service was excellent both evenings. They are aware of time constraints of theater crowd and aim to get you out on time.4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMLate night dinner and a sharedLate night dinner and a shared dessert... The Butterscotch Toffee Parfait was amazing!!!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMA terrific restaurant in theA terrific restaurant in the off-broadway theater district. Lovely, staff, ambience and food.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is a perfect spot forThis is a perfect spot for pre or post theater dining for the off broadway theaters on the far West side. The food and service were excellent, the prices moderate, and celebrity sightings are possible. We sat next to the acting couple, Dylan and Becky Ann Baker.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMThe WBC has been a favoriteThe WBC has been a favorite of ours for years. Great staff, lively ambiance and a delicious and varied menu is on tap all of the time. There is always at least one vegetarian entree on the menu and it is always served beautifully and delicious.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMYou will not be disappointed.Dined here before an 8pm curtain and enjoyed a delicious and relaxing dinner. The noise level is very loud, but worth it because the food was unbelievably good! Our waitress was very friendly and efficient. Prices quite reasonable for dishes I would expect to be priced higher at other more snooty NYC restaurants. I had the scallops and they exceeded expectations. Worth your dime and time.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMFood and service were veryFood and service were very good. The only problem is the noise. While eating and sitting in the middle of the restaurant it is extremely noisy. If you are sitting near a wall or near the front window, the noise is tolerable. If not, it is intolerable, so bad you can't hear the person sitting across the table. Hopefully the restaurant will do something about it.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMGREAT pre-theater experience!I haven't been to the West Bank Cafe in years and was delighted to have an excellent dining experience all around that was nice and relaxed before going to a Signature show across the street. The staff and the food were excellent! The bartender went the extra mile helping me plug in my phone (which I hate to have to do). The hostess(es) were extremely helpful and understanding and got us a great table. Even though the kitchen must have been swamped with orders (the dining room had just filled up!) we got our food in plenty of time to enjoy it without rushing and get to our show. Kudos to them! and Kudos to all!3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMWe love this spot. Near toWe love this spot. Near to theater, wonderful cafe atmosphere, caring staff, and very good food!3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect for brunch for neighborhoodPerfect for brunch for neighborhood theaters. Service not rushed which worked well for us...got seated when we arrived... Nice place3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and a Great time!Had a great dinner and a great time. It was also fun sitting next to a couple of hotshots in the entertainment industry. We will be back soon. Thank you.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMBest Roast Chicken in NYTheir roast chicken is outstanding: crusty, salty, delicious. And the toffee dessert will make you lose consciousness. Parking lot right next door -- perfect place to go pre-theater (or anytime).3/21/2013 12:00:00 AM