More Than Just a Bar

By Lisa Loverro

New York is filled with its share of bar and grill joints, but there's nothing more satisfying than finding a great watering hole that happens to also have amazing food. That's just what I found when I stepped into the West End Bar and Grill on the corner of 49th street and 8th Avenue.

I entered around 7:00 pm to find the very familiar scene of an after-work crowd drinking, laughing and probably commiserating about the trials and tribulations of their nine-to-five. It had the perfect vibe of a bustling bar scene but without the annoying sensory overload. Even more enjoyable are the quiet tables in the back that you'll find as you make your way along the very sleek and modern looking mahogany bar.

Beyond the happy hour patrons the West End Grill caters to the business lunch crowd and out-of-towners looking for a pre-theater meal. The location is perhaps one of the best for pre-theater dinning as it's away from the hectic Times Square scene but still within walking distance to all the Broadway shows. And with its location in Hell's Kitchen it's also a local hangout offering a great hospitality experience with friendly faces.

The dishes here are seasonal with fresh ingredients, and the cocktail menu is filled with handcrafted potent potables, along with a variety of wine and artisanal beers. The inventive menu begins with starters that include a short rib spring roll, which were my particular favorite, pastrami sliders and lobster tacos. For the main I enjoyed the Bourbon Marinated Steak (cooked precisely as I ordered) with a side of delicious Sweet Potato Mash and my dining partner had the Pumpkin Ravioli with a Brown Butter Sauce, also incredibly delicious.

In the never-ending sea of fine dining restaurants where you'll often spend a fortune for mediocre food, the West End Bar and Grill was, in m book, comparable if not better than some I have visited. This midtown gem of restaurant has everything you'll need for a good dining experience with friends or colleagues.

West End Bar and Grill
813 8TH Avenue
New York, NY 10019
212.707.8986
westendnyc.com