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Café 50 West
Categories: Restaurants American (Traditional) Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch American (Traditional), Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
50 W 22nd St(between Broadway & 5th Ave)
New York, NY 10010
Neighborhood: Flatiron
(212) 352-2233
- Nearest Transit:
-
23 St (F, M)
23 St (N, R)
23 St (1, 2)
- Hours:
Mon 11 am - 10 pm
Tue-Sat 11 am - 11 pm
Sun 11 am - 8 pm
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Brunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
The Half King hosts a Monday-night reading series which includes some of the best-known writers and journalists in the country, including Pulitzer Prize… read more »
78 reviews for Café 50 West
Review Highlights
"I really enjoyed the brioche french toast too."
(in 5 reviews)
"...star back with good butternut squash soup and sweet potato..."
(in 4 reviews)
"The sweet potato fries were also really tasty."
(in 4 reviews)
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78 reviews in English
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Review from Arben S.
Manhattan, NY
9/30/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Quaint little spot! Beers were ICE COLD (Hit my soft spot)! Definitely going back as it is right by my office..
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Review from Shaina B.
Manhattan, NY
10/21/2011
I actually got to go to this place for free when Groupon sent me $25 free when they started "Groupon Now". The deal was 25 for 50 so I decided to check the place out.
When I first got there I thought it was a cute, cozy place. There was only one waitress on duty and the bartender was helping her with tables which I found a little odd. The menu was alright, nothing spectacular. The sandwiches were ok but the sweet potato fries were not my favorite at all. One thing I will rave about is their Italian soda. You must try it!! They have strawberry and peach flavors and make it look like an alcoholic beverage. Go if you want to try this place but I would definitely recommend something else. -
Review from Vincent L.
Manhattan, NY
10/13/2011
one sunday two years ago, i woke up to the sounds of my roommate singing loudly in chinese in his room. it was probably three in the afternoon and i was moderately confused and hungover. the singing grew louder and followed by uncontrollable laughter and then more singing.
i climbed out of bed and peered in his room, where he was sitting in front of his computer. he looked at me when i entered, eyes all crazy and started laughing. i went to the bathroom to brush my teeth and when i came out, he was passed out.
when he woke up i asked him what the hell. he said he was at cafe 50 west for brunch. since then, i've been here a few times. it's got great ambiance, never super packed like other "popular" brunch places, and best of all the "all you can drink" brunch special. all you can drink mimosas, bellinis, and bloody mary's!
the food i felt used to be pretty good, but has gone downhill. while the menu hasn't changed, maybe the preparation is less detailed? different chef? i'm not sure. i feel this place can be a five star if they would revamp the menu and serve great food, because i love everything else here. however, because the food was only okay to begin with and now it's gone from okay to not bad. i really don't think i'd come back for the food.
however, if you're looking for a casual brunch place, suitable for groups as well as just two people, without the hassle of a big crowd and want to get your drink on, come here. you may end up singing to yourself in chinese. -
Review from Sara G.
Manhattan, NY
8/31/2011
The food is fine, the drinks are drinkable, but Cafe 50 is just... meh. The service can be incredibly slow. I'm typically not one to complain or really care about this criteria, but I have waited an unacceptable amount of time for a drink on more than one occasion.
Yet I continue to come here because it's just so ridiculously close to my office. Never too crowded, decent prices. Go for convenience. Otherwise, pick another spot. -
Review from Becky R.
New York, NY
7/15/2011
As I'm walking out the door to head to brunch, the boy asks me what restaurant I'm going to. I tell him somewhere I haven't been before, Cafe 50 West. He starts laughing and tells me, "Have fun! The service sucks and they never have anything on the menu." How right he was.
I met up with two friends from out of town. When Friend #1 orders the shrimp omelet, the waitress tells him they do not have any shrimp. I immediately start laughing. It's fine, my friend's cool, he simply orders something else. Friend #2 orders plain ol granola, and I get the eggs benedict. Our food comes out in a bit and the waitress places a hot plate in front of myself and Friend #1. Then she says, "oh my gosh I'm so sorry, I totally forgot to tell you we're out of granola." Umm, excuse me? You wait until you serve the rest of the table with hot food to tell someone you don't have what she ordered? Good thing my friends are laid back. Friend #2 just went with it and enjoyed her coffee.
The sad thing is, my food was actually pretty good. Too bad I will not be going back. -
Review from Jessica J.
Williamsburg, NY
9/25/2011
Such a great place! We went yesterday with a Groupon and we will be back. The food was great- the $50 we had from Groupon was enough to take our entire entrees home with us. I am a connoisseur of spinach artichoke dip and this one was fabulous! The pita it was served with was hot and yummy. A great selection for the vegetarian and meat eater to both enjoy. There were not any compromises made in picking this spot.
Drinks were great. The bartenders were extremely friendly, and the music was so good I had to add the station they were rocking my own Pandora- Balkan Beat Box. I would also suggest trying their jalapeño infused tequila. It is just the right amount of spice! -
Review from Dano S.
Queens, NY
8/7/2011
Lemme just preface this by calling attention to the fact that our server was either a)working her very first shift b)extremely high and hungover c)just plain stupid or d) all of the above.
I met up with a girlfriend for brunch one Sunday and specifically picked Cafe 50 West based on its Yelp reviews for its bottomless brunch, outdoor seating, and proximity to our train stops. I got there first and the place was empty with the exception of one table. When my gf showed up we went in and stood somewhat awkwardly around until one of the four employees pretending we didn't exist finally greeted us. I didn't see any outdoor seating as I had expected so we asked to sit at the table closest to the open front of the room. That was fine but not really outdoor seating...so where is the outdoor seating? Is it just a myth? Still don't know.
So chica asks us what we'd like to drink and I ask for a water and let her know I'd like to do the bottomless brunch so I'll have my first (of hopefully many) mimosa and my gf dittos that. Chica tells us that they don't have any champagne but they sent the bussers out to get it so would we like a screwdriver or bloody mary instead as we wait for the arrival and chilling of the champagne. (Ummm did you not know that you advertise Sat & Sun as bottomless brunch days? Why wouldn't you make sure you are fully stocked for the morning sometime like the night before? Ok. Whatever.) Vodka was a little more than I'd had in mind since I was to later attend the Met's vs. Yankees game and had a whole day/evening of boozing before me but I said "What the hell, if I'm paying for a bottomless booze brunch, I might as well get it started." and my homegirl agreed.
So we order our food and await our screwdrivers and sit and chit chat and catch up on life. A few minutes later, as the bussers were walking in with boxes of champagne, our food arrived. I was surprised at how quick it came out buuuuut considering we were the only order on the line, it's not that surprising at all. When u also take into consideration how shitty it tasted, it's no wonder it came out so quick. Matter of fact, it came out so quick we still didn't have our screwdrivers...it'd only been about 15 minutes since we ordered them. ::sigh::
My eggs benedict came out with the sauce on despite me asking for the sauce on the side, but whatever, I'll live. Well that is until I tried to eat it. The damn english muffin was hard as a rock, literally couldn't even cut it with a knife and inedible. The hollandaise was not tasty. The egg and salmon were the only edible components. The saving grace was the side salad, especially the dressing on it. Fucking. Delicious.
My homegirl thought her food was ok. Not horrible but not spectacular. Maybe it would have tasted better if we ever actually got served some godforsaken alcohol to wash it down with!!
So finally our plates are cleared and the bill is dropped and we sit and chit-chat some more and after about 10 minutes of us not touching the bill our ever so attentive and thoughtful ::eyeroll::server must've remembered we never got what we came for and brought us each a HALF glass of screwdriver "on the house". Jeez. How nice.
Well that half screwdriver wasn't enough to get me drunk and it sure as hell wasn't enough to salvage chicas tip. Sorry beezy, you ruined my pre-game, now I gotta spend twice as much on overpriced booze at the stadium! -
Review from Jim P.
7/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Really just ok.
The bartender here is really cool dude. They are kind of laid back, and the bar is a huge piece of faux wood with a sequoia tree look/feel.
Since I had a big breakfast, I wanted something light for lunch.
The small falaffel platter, was just ok. with 6 or 7 small balls, a dollop of hummus, some pickled type salad, and about 5 small triangles of pita bread. It was average at best, and the some of the falaffel had some very hard crunchy things that I almost busted a tooth on. OUCH....not good.
(as we know, that happens sometimes with fried chick pea...but this was OUCH...) Anyway...I'd go back with a group of friends for a beer, but that's probably it. Another patron walked in with an online discount, so maybe for a deal, I might also give some of their other menu items a try. -
Review from Alex S.
6/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Nothing says "look at me! look at me!" like grabbing the front table near the door. In this place it's even separated from the rest of the tables. Obviously feeling superior, we sat here.
About 8 bloody maries (mary's? sheesh) later, I had no complaints about the food. Everything was A-OK.
Well, except for the fact that they were out of the tostadas...and the mac and cheese...and the sliders....and the hummus. You get the point. After ordering 5 different things off the menu, I finally told the waitress to just bring me whatever they actually had.
I then proceeded to do some damage to the free drink special. Well, damage is relative because each bloody mary was about 5% vodka. No matter, I'll make up for it in quantity. Keep 'em comin.
Waitress was of the bubbly variety. Just when I thought they were getting annoyed with how long we were staying, they actually brought out a couple free samples of other drinks for the table. Thanks! -
Review from Christine L.
Houston, TX
6/19/2011
Ended up here after not being able to find anywhere to sit at the last bar. Way laid back. Plenty of tables and bar stools to choose from. Ok, well it was a Wednesday night, but still worth noting.
Drinks are strong. Now, when they are strong I usually say 'tasty' when I still like them. They were just plain up strong, child. Then again I came with regulars so I guess the bartenders were just taking care of us as guests. Done.
And.... that's all I got. -
Review from Melissa L.
New York, NY
8/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
the sliders here and pretty good - and different than a lot of the others ive had before. they had some cilantro and tomatoes with the cheese instead of the standard all american approach with ketchup and onions. Thumbs up. i would go again (since they always have groupon and living social deals anyway).
three stars, you say? our waitress was pretty drunk and dancing everywhere. They blasted music when they wanted us to leave- so we did. ill go here earlier than 8PM next time to avoid the rudeness. -
Review from Melissa L.
Whitestone, NY
4/28/2011
I really don't know what to say about this place- it was 'A-OK' I guess you can say.
I got the smoked salmon benedict while my friend got the brioche french toast. The french toast looked good- but from reaction it wasn't anything spectacular.
My smoked salmon benedict was good- but my eggs were a bit undercooked (I hate non-cooked egg whites). The hollandaise sauce was light and the muffin was crispy.
I wouls say this place deserves 3 stars in that the ambiance/decor of the place was a lot better than the food.
My sweet potato fries (which i got in place of the home fries) were burnt as well!
I probably wouldn't come back here- but I wouldn't say you should rule out this place overall.
If you're in the area and looking for some simple breakfast- this would be a good option. -
Review from ally w.
2/22/2011
I understand why brunch is so popular here... $15 unlimited drinks (2 hour limit). The table next to ours had about 10 people, so the restaurant just gave them two bottles of champagne to tie them over - smart move.
This place is really great for groups. We didn't make a reservation, so got shoved to the front. Had the eggs with smoked salmon and onion jam - yummy! The pile high plate filled me up!
Service was as fast as it could be with one server...granted, the groups did their lingering, so they probably didn't need too many servers. It took 15 minutes before we finally took our check and credit card to the bar to get processed. Otherwise, a great place for groups. -
Review from Christine G.
New York, NY
4/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Really FAST service especially since I was late to brunch and we had plans after. They have probably one of the tastiest takes on eggs benedict with perfectly poached eggs. The Mexi-hollandaise sauce has some kick to it that really tops off the meal.
It was great for a large, someone raucous party like ours. They have a $15 dollar AYCD deal on the weekends. Unfortunately, I (and others in our group) didn't love their bloody mary's. They are almost too spicy but not in a good way.Listed in: AYCD!!
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Review from Scott N.
Washington D.C., DC
12/19/2011
Is this place still in business? I really liked it, but the phone number (and website) is down today.
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Review from Scott B.
My first visit to Café 50 West was Saturday Brunch this past week with some friends, and I was pleasantly surprised. The food was great, the drinks were tasty, and the staff was very friendly! I read several Yelp! reviews indicating that Café 50 West is great for groups, and I totally agree. The shape of the restaurant is so that the back of the place is perfect for groups (just make sure you call ahead to reserve this space). We had a medium-sized group on Saturday (~10 folks), so the staff set up a roomy table for us in the back where we could relax, spread out, and enjoy our time there.
THE FOOD
I tried a ham and cheese omelet, which was served with a small salad and home fries. Very tasty! Vinny ordered a burger (which looked dry to me), but he said it was good. I had food envy for the Mac & Cheese, so my friend who ordered it let me try some. Delicious!!! And, like at least one other Yelp! reviewer stated, the Mac & Cheese is big enough for a meal in itself.
THE DRINKS
Since it was Saturday Brunch, we had the option of $15 all-you-can-drink brunch drinks (Bloody Marys, Mimosas, Bellinis, etc.). I drank Bloody Marys primarily, and they were good. I had a sip of Vinny's Bellini, and it was yummy as well. The bar staff did run out of a couple of items, but they sent one of the waiters out to pick up what they were missing! I was very impressed byt his.
If you haven't tried Café 50 West, then put it on your list. I 'd definitely return for another visit. -
Review from Elaine C.
Bayside, NY
9/4/2011
Came here with a kgb deal and it was AWESOME! I got the Salmon Benedict and it was so fantastic that I would come here again and pay full price lol. My boyfriend got the turkey omelet but sadly that was pretty mediocre. The place was pretty empty so the service was excellent and the restaurant itself looked very nice. I will definitely come back. =]
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Review from Andre P.
Updated - 1/30/2011
Bad luck or a sign of things to come: is Cafe 50 West slipping? I was there on a Saturday at 6pm and there was NO WINE! Let me say that again, on a Manhattan Saturday night there was NO WINE! Except for a random bottle of prosecco, nothing else was left in the restaurant. We were told their wine was not delivered, but anyone with a brain knows that no one waits for the entire stock to go to zero before ordering. And even if so, couldn't Cafe 50 West go to a liquor store...
There was beer and spirits, and we decided to eat. The food was very nice. But still, no wine? It's Saturday and this is New York City!!!
I wonder if Cafe 50 will be around in a week or two?1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/5/2010
This is why I like it:
1. Good prices
2. Fits "hanging out at the bar with friends"
3. Can get a table… Read more »
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Review from Jenna M.
4/19/2011
My friend and I had three criteria for our dinner work meeting this evening: vegan food, wireless internet, and alcohol. Since I was hoping to also hit New York Cake and Baking Supplies [http://www.yelp.com/bi...] before meeting up with her, we chose the nearby Cafe 50 West for our rendezvous, based on Yelp reviews and the fact that they had an awesome happy hour special. I don't normally eat at non-vegetarian restaurants, but we had work to do -- and Cafe 50 West was a pleasant surprise.
The place was nearly empty when we strolled in at 6:30pm, but by the time we left at 8, it was quite busy. Despite that, the staff were friendly and attentive throughout the meal -- and they didn't even complain too much when our paperwork and laptops started to sprawl onto an adjacent table. We ordered a bowl of butternut squash soup to start, which was just ok: the texture was a little more gelatinous than I would have liked, and the flavor was a little too sweet for my taste, but eating it with the crusty bread accompaniment was a treat. For dinner, I had the house veggie burger with sweet potato fries, and both were really good. The burger seemed homemade, which may or may not have been the case, but either way, good work, Cafe 50. It was full of vegetables and had a great texture; topped with fresh tomato, lettuce, and onion, it was a great plate of food. The sweet potato fries were also really tasty.
The wireless internet worked wonderfully, and we managed to stuff our faces AND get work done relatively efficiently (this was harder as my friend got further and further into her complementary happy hour shots, but I don't mind being the designated worker). Our waitress was lovely, the ambiance was great, and the reasonably-priced menu was full of vegetarian options. There is a very good chance that we will be back -- and maybe we'll see you there. -
Review from Nicole H.
New York, NY
12/19/2010 1 Check-in Here
I come here often with coworkers and we always come back whether its for lunch or happy hour (and I've actually pleasantly found myself here for brunch one Sunday too!)
That being said, food is pretty good, but they seem to really focus on the breakfast plates so I'd recommend going for a mimosa and omlette. Or if thats not your thing, the sandwiches and burgers are just as good with a pint.
Great for groups and they rent out too! -
Review from Brett D.
8/14/2008
Well apparently it looks like this place is relatively unknown to the NY masses. I can see why as I almost whizzed by in a cab trying to find the joint, but what a true hidden gem Cafe 50 West is!!!
It is small and quaint with exposed brick, rugged hardwood floors and a casual waitstaff but what they lack in space they make up for in bravado. We were seated at a long communal wood table toward the back of the restaurant which was different, but fun. As we dined on our first round of apps a jazz trio assembled in a corner of the restaurant and proceeded to wail classic tunes mixed with 90's rock and hardcore standards. When I heard Radioheads 'High and Dry' played on sax it was like the Mothership calling me home. Beauty to dine by. I've finally arrived.
Our apps of truffled mac 'n cheese, hummus and pita (with not nearly enough pita) and garlic dipped artichoke were phenomenal starters complimented by dirty martinis, wine by the mason jar and a group favorite libation, the Saint G Spot. A sexy taste of sweet and sour like Key Lime Pie in a glass or the nasty girl next door, almost too tempting to touch. Yes, I'll take another please.
The atmosphere was warm and perfect for a group setting although I quickly commented this would make an impressive and intimate date spot for a progressive two-some. I wish our waitress would have checked up on us a bit more as I found myself scanning the restaurant frequently for her to bring me a new toxin. But clearly the music which fed my soul kept me calm and happy enough that I didn't feel at all slighted by the less than stellar attentiveness.
Everyone was happy with their main courses... the burgers and mussels (prepared a different way daily) were huge hits and my salmon with cous cous and chive yogurt dressing was amazing despite my initial skepticism. Seasoned and cooked perfectly, I couldn't ask for anything more. Well, possibly another dirty martini and the inclusion of blue cheese olives next time. But with such a sweet, little and simple spot amongst the calamity of NY chaos I fear for asking anything more as this is heaven already. -
Review from Madhuri I.
New York, NY
9/28/2009
For some reason I decided it would be a good idea to:
1. Run halfway to Cafe 50 West in the rain from the Meat Packing District
2. Once there, drink every possible form of alcohol until 4 AM
3. Dance to Michael Jackson numbers and get the footwork all wrong
4. Pay 13 dollars for a SoCo and lime shot
5. Stare at the blinding lights emanating from the car park opposite the cafe.
It wasn't. A good idea, I mean. -
Review from Jando S.
4/14/2008 1 Check-in Here
Cafe 50 West is one of the few delights in the Flatiron neighborhood that still is relatively unknown to the rest of the masses. While part of me wants it to stay that way, I can't help but highlight the good times that make it worth visiting. Ultimately, the place has very tasty food, cool service, and an ambiance that makes for a casual date, lunch hour with gourmet style food.
Since the place is tucked between the obstruction of neighboring building stairwells, the actual restaurant thrives on its lack of external attention, focusing on the ambiance inside. The charm is evident when one comes through the doors, noticing the full bar, side of tables, low ceilings, and relatively tasteful decor adorning the walls throughout the place. Service is equally good and is even better when you're a frequent customer as most of the staff remembers faces very well.
Prices are not super cheap, but then again the food quality here is vastly superior to any nearby deli. Appetizers / tapas have been on the smaller, pricier side, but still relatively good. Even at a palsy $10, the cup sized mac&cheese is pretty good, even if its small in portion. My favorites here so far have been their burgers and sandwiches, which have been juicy and delicious. -
Review from Tim L.
10/31/2007
Just a few steps down from work this place was my first lunch spot. The thing that sold me is the breakfast all day. As mentioned previously the eggs benedict is certainly excellent!
The staff are laid back cool yet still provide attentive service without overcrowding your eating experience.
Yes the owner has a wonderfully awesome 'stache which I hope never disappears.
They also do some great Tully's take out coffee.
*EDIT*
I had to come back and redo this review, they're revamping the menu and so far it's been for the better! When they first opened there were no burgers, now they have some great tasting burgers and some really amazing fries!
The atmosphere keeps getting better here and I'm now starting to be afraid of drawing attention to this place because I love it so.
In fact when I sit inside I always cheer when the people outside look in and decide to keep walking. YES MY LITTLE SECRET. At the same time the owner is great and more business means the success of this place so I'm torn. Consider me bipolar. YES come visit this place but please keep it the quaint neighborhood hang out and don't share it with anyone else ;)
*ANOTHER EDIT* - 12/06/2007
It was time for a change...the mustache is officially gone..however the great menu items keep coming.
There's the Hen House chicken burger of which the chicken burger itself is made in house.
The Cowboy burger...blue cheese and bacon? You can't go wrong with that.
All you people I told to keep this place a quaint neighborhood dig? Well it seems the cat is out of the bag. It's always busy now when I come here. Luckily I manage to squeeze in a seat all the time. -
Review from Ruth M.
Oakland, CA
6/9/2008
Wow, now I feel truly cool. I'm the fifth Yelper on an excellent (and apparently unknown) New York cafe.
I interned at a building with a backdoor to Cafe 50. My project manager took me here once, and it was pretty cool. Very tasty, as expensive as everything else in the area, and very welcoming. I didn't go here often, but it was always fun. And it felt a good bit healthier than some of the other dining options in the area.
Worth checking out. -
Review from S L.
New York, NY
6/30/2008
I came here on a Sunday for brunch and I left very very pleased. I usually never finish my food but I ate every last morsel. Sampled the brioche french toast with fruit compote which came with a delightful light cream. French toast was good consistency, not chewy, not too thin, just right.
I also tried the ham omelette which tasted very fresh and light. It came with a reallly good potato frittata that was baked just right. I thought the ingredients they used were very fresh.
Ambience is nice as well. Airy and not too loud.
Breakfast food is my favorite and I would definitely come back here to eat brunch again. -
Review from Eva G.
6/21/2010 3 photos
So we tried here for the http://restaurant.com coupon. The mac & cheese was not too heavy; they use sharp white cheddar. It's nice eaten hot. The sliders were alright, but not saucy enough. The pork tostadas were my favorite, with tender seasoned pulled pork and guacamole.
What's nice was that when we told them we're sharing these apps, they split everything into separate plates. Service was decent.
For the amount that we paid, it was a nice deal. But the pre-discounted bill would've been a bit much, though. -
Review from Loretta P.
Astoria, NY
8/3/2008
I went in today for brunch. The place was almost empty when we got there at 2 pm (we sleep late, what can I say?). The coffee was really strong but it had a nice flavor (I usually like weaker coffee, but it was good). I ordered the salmon and goat cheese omelet, which was very good, though I do think they could have given me some more goat cheese than they did. My friend got some eggs and potatoes, which he liked, and then we split an order of the french toast, which was really out of this world. Really, just go in for the french toast.
The service was good, not too in-your-face but there when you needed some more water. The decor is really appealing, just like all the other reviews say. Go on in for brunch sometime. I think you'll like it. -
Review from Erin M.
Brooklyn, NY
8/14/2008
I love this place!
It's right around the corner from my office and it's perfect for relaxed client meetings lunches or dinner / happy hour with friends.
The menu is fairly simple, but delicious and I am never disappointed. For all the times I've been there I never felt like the price didn't match the meal. They have good micro brews on tap and a fantastically friendly wait staff.
Went there today and was throughly entertained by Geoffry. I want him to be my friend now :) -
Review from Jessica H.
Gaines, MI
1/1/2009
I am not sure how to feel about Cafe 50 West....
We went here for brunch, and the mimosas were great. I ordered the brioche french toast, and it was excellent. However, the service was awful. Our waiter rarely came by to check to see if we needed more water/coffee/tea/more mimosas, and he just wasn't very friendly.
But maybe he was just having a bad day. So I'd eat here again because the food is good, but I certainly wouldn't go back for the service. -
Review from katie s.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 8/15/2008
Ok went back for lunch and to get the captain lawrence (which was tapped ;[ ) and had a much better time.
Try the bookmaker! It's the best fucking $15 sandwich you can do to yourself! And try the pinkus!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/2/2008
I needed somewhere good to meet a friend, and walked by. I am not usually into the "ambiance" of a… Read more »
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Review from Ro N.
New York, NY
12/7/2009
After the Ladies' Night Brooklyn-rama - I totally didn't plan my 2 drink minimum to exceed to 8.
ECK...
as you know I felt like crap and looked it too.
Woke up with super dehydrated skin and dry eyes - totally not the look I was going for and especially when I had a gig.
The gig was around the Flatiron and since I only had 3 hrs of sleep...thinking about what to eat required too much energy.
I ended up just walking over here, since it was the closest thing on a slushie day to find something good to eat.
Being in the condition and the state of mind that I was in...I decided to order their sliders.
Cute...but hey, what's tiny that's not cute?
Ummm, don't answer that!
It was decent, but I felt the buns should have been toasted a little bit more.
This place wasn't too crazy busy with brunchers (I believe because the brunch was sans alcohol special) but I feel like this place has potential.
The guy who brought me my order was nice and great, so definitely
Worth going back... -
Review from carey y.
New York, NY
4/22/2011
I bought a 'Pay $25 for $50 worth of food/drinks' coupon online for this restaurant and asked my dining pal to meet me for lunch. When I arrived, there was literally no one there except 2 people eating sandwiches. No one at the bar. No one at the hostess stand. No one. I waited for about 5 minutes and eventually the adorable bartender came out to seat me. After finding out how bad he is at his job, his adorableness faded pretty quickly. Harsh? Yes, but also true. He offered me a taste of red wine while I waited for my friend, which I accepted happily. That was pretty much the end of his attentiveness. For the rest of the meal, we had to constantly remind him that we'd ordered a glass of wine, a cocktail, an appetizer or a cappuccino. He hung out behind the bar ignoring us and the 2 other tables that now had people at them, texting on his iphone like a 16 year old at the diner table.
It quickly became clear that this restaurant probably offered the 50% off coupon because they are in grave danger of going out of business. They were out of about 6 items on the menu and apparently, as our waiter informed us, that's very common. We decided to share the sliders and the spinach/artichoke dip. The dip was actually surprisingly good, with big chunks of artichoke and not too much goo. The pita was fresh and warm and perfect to stuff with the dip. The sliders were 'eh'. Fine, but certainly not worth any real praise. When we asked about dessert, we were told all they had was apple pie which we passed up, but 5 minutes later the next table over had a chocolate mousse. Hmmm. Weird. Anyway, the best part of our meal was actually the cappuccino at the end. Maybe because it was really a good one, but more likely it was because it signified the end of a not very good meal. Without the coupon and plus tip, this would have cost us about $55. Given the whole experience however, it wasn't even worth the 50%. -
Review from Warren C.
New York, NY
3/27/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Exactly what I was looking for: reasonably priced (~$13 for an omelette or French toast), really fresh and good food, and a chill vibe. I've lived in flatiron for 7 yrs now and this just became my new go to brunch spot. Kinda similar vibe to Almond (also on 22nd) but less heavy. Get the french toast. Huge bonus: no waiting in line.
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Review from Karin G.
6/19/2009
Wanted a very low key close by place for dinner.
This place? cute but not a bistro. More like a pub with an big menu. Decor, ok not that great, acoustics, horrible. 30 people sounded like 300.
The food was basically good and what we expected~my bf liked his sliders and my bacon wrapped figs were yummy but way overpriced for the quantity. He hated his pork sammy.
There was only one waitress,she was very nice but very busy, worked fast as she could while the bar keeps chatted behind the bar to the bar patrons.
Notably, tho, was a gentleman who I think was one of the bus staff who actually pitched in to help her, took our second drink orders, brought our food right out, cleared the table, got our check and just generally worked his ass off doing things that I bet he is not paid to do.
They should keep him happy, he's one of their few great assets, -
Review from andrew G.
Brooklyn, NY
4/14/2009
I was stumped to find a brunch place where a few generations of my family could get together. After some Yelping around, I had this conversation:
Transcript of phone call with Cafe 50 West:
Me: Hi, can I make a reservation for 4 people, for Brunch tomorrow at 3 PM (Sunday)?
Cafe 50: Sure, no problem.
Me: Second question - this is random, but is the restaurant quiet at all at that time?
Cafe 50: Oh yeah, super quiet.
Me: Also, and its okay to say no to this, we're taking our slightly hard of hearing mother - is there a quiet corner you can stick us in? is this a bad idea for us to come?
Cafe 50: No worries at all, we have a quiet spot, and I can turn down the music for you when you arrive. I'll take care of you myself. (Name withheld)
Me: (Stunned speechless - this is pub) oh okay, thanks.
Scene 2: 3 PM The Next day
Int. Cafe 50, enter harried looking children with mother. Place is mobbed. Hostesse seats them underneath the speaker. Which is blaring, "Sexy Back". Thirty something son looks conflicted b/w love for song, and horror at what he's just inflicted on family.
Me: Oh man, I'm sorry. I thought it would be a little quieter.
Mom: what?
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Come on, you don't have to quiet - just don't say you are. We'd have come back with just the young folk.
----- Review---------
The brunch menu is perfectly serviceable for the price. Nothing totally stands out. The service was - despite the phone call setup - actually great, attentive and sweet. The triple chocolate pudding was pretty ff'ing great.
The food is nothing to write home about, but Nothing to complain about either. Everything was decent. This is a totally safe choice. Unless you bring your hard of hearing older relative. -
Review from Jeannine M.
New York, NY
11/16/2009
I agree with Jennifer S. (not just cause I'm one of her brunching friends) on the convenience of the location and appeal of the unlimited mimosas. Food was decent, although make sure you ask whether the fruit is fresh. (Take heed on my pancake misorder - I got a pile of frozen bluberries on top of so-so pancakes).
Either way I recommend coming here for the beverage offering and the less hectic atmosphere. It's a nice, easy spot (no wait, takes reservations, etc.) when compared to some of the popular brunch haunts around town. -
Review from Kaitlyn K.
Jersey City, NJ
3/17/2010
This place has like 6 tables. There is a large table in the back that could presumably have been split into 2, but it was instead being used for 1 group. There are other smaller tables along a banquette, and one large 4 seater in the window, and that's it. The bar is expansive and nice, though, and that is where I sat.
Aside from a server who refused to stop by and take our order in the beginning, the service was impeccable after that. No one questioned how many of the $15 unlimited bloody mary's we had. You could refill with another brunch beverage (I switched to mimosas after 2 bloodies). The food was great, with vegetarian and even vegan options.
I would definitely recommend this place to meet friends and to drink. -
Review from Michael M.
New York, NY
10/9/2009
I've only been here for brunch. It is one of the nicer places that includes an all-you-can-drink brunch option and does so at a reasonable price.
The food is good to great for brunch depending on what you get. I would stay with omelets or an egg dish instead of a burger. The service is a bit spotty depending on the amount of people, which can vary greatly.
It usually isn't too packed and there is a small amount of outdoor seating. There is also a large table in the back for groups of around 10 or so.
It's a good choice for brunch, but there are a few places not too far away in the same area that I would go to first before here. However, if you end up here, you will leave satisfied, but not in love. -
Review from Glenda B.
New York, NY
1/15/2010
Had drinks at the bar with a client a few weeks ago and found it comfy and right in line.
My colleague and I met the client there for a lunch yesterday and all four of our party agreed the vegan butternut squash soup was out of this world, the toasted garlic bread on the side delicious, and our food was all amazing - some of us had big salads (salmon), others sandwiches - was all good and yummy. Really nice service also!
I think the place is great and I am looking forward to returning.
