I had a great experience at Upper West. I planned a work happy hour here, and everyone loved it! Amazing decor with Christmas decorations and a beautifully adorned Christmas tree. The servers were very attentive and checked in frequently. The food was delicious! I recommend the barbecue ribs and the mussels. Cocktails were well-crafted and potent. I will definitely be back again!

Holiday get together Dinner with the usual suspects , What a great time we had and last night movie showing was An American In Paris . Loved it!! We indulged in Paloma's , Pinot Noir the chargrilled avocado, blue cheese chips , Hamachi carpaccio , My husband had the pork loin which was amazing , two of us ladies had the short rib always tender and delicious the sauce on the short rib is a silky smooth not salty just perfect wine reduction and the other husband had the salmon, all plates cleaned and boxes for the ladies, key lime pie, bread pudding , coconut basil gelato , cafe afogoto for me . We realized that we've had every appetizer on the menu except for the mussels due to my garlic sensitivity , it's extensive at least 10 different items and some of the items make great "small plates " for small eaters . Oh... they use goat cheese also in their mashed AMAZING flavor and smooth as silk texture , We loved the blue cheese chips so much the husbands are asking me to make at home ! What type of blue do you use? See you soon Fred and Upper West Staff! Happy Thanksgiving Bonnie & crew

Unforgettable Bourbon Tasting and Perfectly Paired Cuisine at Upper West! Upper West is a hidden gem! From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was inviting, sophisticated, and just the right touch of modern elegance. We came for a bourbon tasting, and we were blown away by their selection--each pour was expertly chosen and had incredible depth. The steak was cooked to perfection, tender and full of flavor, while the tuna was fresh, beautifully seasoned, and an ideal balance to the richness of the bourbon. To top it all off, the dessert was a showstopper--each bite felt like pure indulgence. For anyone looking for a spot with amazing food, a stunning drink selection, and a vibe that feels special but unpretentious, The Upper West is a must-visit.

Upper West is a hidden gem in Santa Monica, offering New American cuisine. Service is attentive, and cocktails are crafted with care, making it a fantastic spot for date nights or group gatherings. While it's a bit pricey and parking can be tricky, the food, ambiance, and experience make it well worth a visit.

Pretty decent place in a lowkey random area. I was not a fan of the chopped salad - it was the same few ingredients (heavy on the celery) chopped so small you didn't have to chew it before swallowing. The serving sizes are huge, but it was a bit much since there was not a lot going on in this salad. The Arnold Palmers were refreshing and there were ample refills. Our servers were super friendly and attentive! This seems like a cool place to hang out with a big group of coworkers as opposed to one on one.

We discovered Upper West while looking for a place to hold a party to celebrate my daughter's graduation from law school. I wanted it to be special, so we went to check it out and talk with the owner, Fred. Fred is amazing. He is friendly and helpful and he worked with us very closely to set up an amazing night. We took over the main part of the restaurant and the bar. He worked with the DJ and helped make the night very special. The restaurant is spectacular. Very nicely decorated with art from local artists that Fred rotates periodically. The bar is huge and inviting and well stocked. The tables are comfortable and the atmosphere is also warm and inviting. The staff are friendly and attentive and it feels like you're eating in your favorite local place. (For some people, it really is their local favorite!) The food for the party was buffet with passed appetizers. The food was spectacular and perfectly cooked. Beef perfect, salmon perfect....Nothing like the buffet dinner you would expect at a graduation party. Apps: mini burgers, spicy ahi tuna crunchy rice, lamb & fennel sausage Flat bread, and burrata toast. Main: Chopped salad, spring veggie fusilli pesto, marinated flank steak, blackened salmon, pan roasted Pittman farms chicken, and roasted cauliflower, grilled artichoke hearts. Everything we had is on the regular menu. I would recommend every one of those and more. There were mini desserts with & berries, all delicious. It was an open bar and all of their drinks were amazing. Go there! Enjoy yourself! (We're going there tonight! LOL!)

We were celebrating a graduation and chose to have an early dinner. As soon as we arrived, we were greeted very warmly by our host as well as all of our servers. They paid special attention to congratulate our graduate too. The restaurant is spacious and very comfortable with lovely lighting and adequate noise levels. Everything we ordered was superbly delicious and well seasoned. The servings were perfectly proportioned. I enjoyed that there was a variety of dishes to try for everyone. I would like to mention that if you have room for dessert, the bread pudding with popcorn ice cream was fantastic and a must to try.

Love, love, love Upper West! This was my favorite neighborhood bar and restaurant when I lived in Santa Monica in 2015-16. I've been there many times, and it's always great. When I arrived tonight at 5:30, the owner/manager warmly greeted me, and found me the perfect seat at the bar. My friend joined me, and we spent the next two hours laughing and catching up on everything. We both had the refreshing cucumber martinis. I had the excellent Vegetable Coconut Curry with Forbidden Rice, and she had the Veggie Burger with Fries. Metered street parking is plentiful nearby. You only need to pay for parking until 6 pm; after that, it's free. Give it a try. The service, food, drinks and ambiance can't be beat. Affordable menu prices, too.

I think this place has been around throughout my time living in California. it's always a great choice for a slightly fancier dinner, but one to that is still approachable for families. We decided to come here for Christmas, and bring our two-year-old. The restaurant was decorated beautifully, the staff and front of house were five star. The menu is easy to navigate, and has plenty of choices for any picky eater. We didn't have a dish we didn't like. Flatbread, pork, short rib. It was all really good. Our waiter was nice enough to give some suggestions as well as drink pairings. Overall great experience, and would love to come back and taste more of the menu on other nights, where we are feeling like dressing up a bit.