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Vai

Vai

(Now Closed)
Italian Restaurant and Mediterranean Restaurant$$$$
Upper West Side, New York
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Tips and Reviews icon40 Tips and reviews
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  • Jason A.heart icon on user image
    Jason AndrisMarch 4, 2015
    If you're a foodie & enjoy good wines, this place is a must. Parsnip & crab soup is outstanding, Brussels sprouts are great; & the Chorizo risotto is rich. Some tasty items complements of the Chef too
  • Howard
    HowardSeptember 26, 2013
    Great neighborhood find. Great food and I especially liked that the chef comes out of the kitchen often to make sure everyone is enjoying their food. This is a special place!!
  • Trae F.heart icon on user image
    Trae FSeptember 14, 2015
    We had a fantastic meal. The burrata was amazing and the veal pappardelle was perfection. Finished with the milk chocolate crema which was fantastic.
  • Will H.heart icon on user image
    Will HarahanJuly 5, 2012
    Been here 10+ times
    The best kept secret about this restaurant are the items not on the menu. Namely the veal chop & truffle pizzetta. Vincent (the owner) is always a great host.
  • Gothamist
    GothamistAugust 1, 2014
    The burrata ravioli is doused in a loaded truffle oil and aged parmigiano sauce. While the $19 dish is small, it is also remarkably rich; don't leave your Lactaid pills at home, kids. Read more
  • Lola
    LolaDecember 28, 2011
    Everything we had was excellent. Octopus and the shrimp apps were amazing. Two of us had special of the night. Delish. Veal was amazing. Lobster was spicy but very good! And the owner is hot!
  • Ann C.
    Ann ChaoJune 15, 2012
    Burrata ravioli was delicious. Very creamy though, may not be to everyone's taste. Service was excellent and we got unlimited bread and two free mini desserts alongside our choc mousse.
  • Adrian R.
    Adrian RymillFebruary 22, 2014
    The steak tartar was absolutely delicious with a sublime background of truffle and mustard, a brilliant sharing dish to start with
  • Michael F.heart icon on user image
    Michael Fox-RabinovitzFebruary 16, 2015
    Great octopus appetizer, burrata pasta is superb, excellent sicilian white wine
  • Ginger S.
    Ginger StanleyJune 4, 2015
    Charred octopus and hamachi tuna tartare are amazing!!! Best octopus in NYC!
  • Robert
    RobertSeptember 21, 2013
    Great restaurant. Owner is very nice and Chef Phil is amazing. Enjoyed everything to the last drop.
  • Jeffrey G.heart icon on user image
    Jeffrey GlueckJanuary 1, 2016
    Wonderful atmosphere for Upper West Side. Avoid the crab spaghettini as crab is frozen. Fish dishes seem yummy.
  • Fabiana T.heart icon on user image
    Fabiana TakMarch 29, 2015
    The octopus is delicious! Try it if you have a chance to dinner at Vai.
  • Simon T.
    Simon Talling-SmithJuly 11, 2013
    Still prefer the atmosphere of the old Vai but the food is nonetheless excellent. Try the scallops entree.
  • Charmi V.heart icon on user image
    Charmi VijapuraOctober 31, 2016
    Great place and the owner Vincent is awesome!! Yummy vegetarian options 😋
  • F C.
    F ChMarch 4, 2014
    The truffle burrata ravioli and the tagliatele are amazing.
  • Diego G.heart icon on user image
    Diego GallegosNovember 9, 2014
    burrata ravioli, white chocolate cheesecake... amazing!!!!!
  • Sarah S.
    Sarah SheldonJanuary 14, 2010
    Go for a charming dinner in the UWS. Order a bottle of wine and some appetizers (mushroom risotto) and sit down for a great conversation
  • Fabiana T.heart icon on user image
    Fabiana TakAugust 10, 2015
    Service is excellent. The octopus is very tasty.
  • Lisa M.
    Lisa MSeptember 9, 2013
    Had dinner outside and sampled a bit of everything. And happily everything was good'
  • Tadalf
    TadalfFebruary 19, 2010
    will have dinner with my friend Maria to try the Grilled Calamari and Mezz Rigatoni with spicy sausage, tomato and Rcotta salata.
  • galaxia s.
    galaxia siandreOctober 5, 2012
    Omg delicious! Kristen amazing bartender!!
  • Kash G.heart icon on user image
    Kash GuhaMarch 24, 2013
    2 words...Burata Ravioli #wow
  • Evan
    EvanNovember 3, 2012
    Been here 10+ times
    Always order the Hamachi and donuts.
  • Michael C.
    Michael ClarkApril 14, 2012
    Crispy Artichokes are the bomb.
  • Kenrick C.
    Kenrick CatoApril 7, 2013
    Everything is yummy!
  • Debra J.
    Debra JenniferMay 21, 2010
    sit outside, and order the mushroom risotto or mushroom pizza.. to die for...
  • Gabriel K.
    Gabriel KerrNovember 8, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    Amazing food and drink!
  • Shane Marshall B.
    Shane Marshall BrownApril 10, 2010
    What an amazing dinner! Chef and owner Vincent was so attentive!
  • Olivia O.
    Olivia OranJanuary 9, 2013
    Himachi, Brussels, octopus
  • Nathan
    NathanDecember 5, 2016
    Overpriced for what it is – over $20 for pasta slightly better than Romano's Macaroni Grill.
  • Catherine D.
    Catherine DevineApril 29, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    passionfruit semi-freddo was fabulous
  • Tanuj P.
    Tanuj ParikhJanuary 7, 2012
    Get the scallops.
  • John C.
    John CouleurDecember 13, 2009
    Loved the caper sauce with the calamari and the passionatta
  • Hungry Domaine ~.
    Hungry Domaine ~May 24, 2010
    The Fingerling Gratin is off the charts! Read more
  • Katie S.
    Katie StippecJune 16, 2010
    Ricotta Ravioli. AMAZING.
  • Adam K.
    Adam KleinFebruary 3, 2010
    Order the Crudo.
  • Piper F.
    Piper FlusserSeptember 8, 2010
    Very inconsistent service and food, have been several times and 2 out of 3 times had to send to food back. Not worth the dough
  • Roger S.
    Roger SchonfeldFebruary 13, 2010
    I recommend avoiding the awful service and mediocre food at this restaurant. The owner is personally hateful.
  • Paulo Gustavo A.heart icon on user image
    Comida sensacional! Não tem escolha errada! Pode acreditar!!
Photos45 Photos