The East Pole Reviews

A lot of hype and as much confusion when it comes to being served. A nice place, far to loud. A good menu with great tasting food , which unfortunately is not served as ordered. They are trying hard to make it work and the waiters are really friendly. Its just missing the professionalism of an upscale restaurant. Still great if you enjoy the hype and the scene.

Nice bar and restaurant with a good menu and attentive service, friendly staff. Great gastro burger...... One thing bothered me, we had drinks at the bar before moving to our reserved table and were asked to close the bar tab (couldnt be transferred to the table due to 'a different system') I assume this was to capture the 20% tip at the bar and then another at the table when that check came ? Anyway, I didnt like it and the waitress was rigid about it. I refused to go back, so it cost them $ 300 or more...... despite my fellow diners wanting to.....

The Family went to East Pole in Manhattan for Saturday brunch. We were blown away by the Pumpkin Bread, the waffles. The eggs Benedict , the omellette and the salmon dish. Oh and the Bloody Marys were awesome with the fresh horse radish. Wish we could go back tomorrow but will be on a plane😥 The wait staff rocked

I really recommend this place for a drink, it’s cozy and they have good service. I have been there for lunch as well but It wasn’t that good, the staff were not very attentive in the dining area, also they refused to serve the burger split in two plates, which sadly was over cooked. The fries were nice. But really nice place for drinks at the bar.

The east pole has a small but inviting bar. The food is wonderful. Its perfect for date night. Great Local restaurant on the UES.

As a New Yorker, now living in FL, there’s nothing more fun than going back to your favorite restaurant in your old neighborhood. The East Pole is just that. Situated on 65th Street between Park and Lexington the location seems always perfect. When alone I sit at the intimate bar and immediately feel part of what’s happening. With friends I love the back room for catching up. The food and attention given by the waiters are superb. Go, relax, enjoy the food and feel like you live around the corner. Cynthia D. West Palm Beach,

If you're looking for a loud social spot that is as much bar as restaurant (with table seats) then this is your place! Food was ok but not particularly memorable. As with other reviews it's best to stick with the creative vegetable dishes. I had a ribeye and it was so so. Can't recall what my other guests had and I'm sure they can't remember either. I would suggest to just go tapas style and look for the most creative parts of the menu and probably avoid everyone getting mains. Might be good for a group party if you reserve enough in advance. Be careful with the unmistakable maitre d, he's nice but he's the boss and you MUST play by his rules / be kind to get the table you want or get it timely. I think the restaurant is fun but average quality for the price.

I had brunch here with a friend on a Sunday and it was the perfect NYC Sunday Brunch experience. The service was thorough and efficient while at the same time being laidback and friendly. The food was excellent and perfectly done, even with a couple of special preparation requests thrown in. My only suggestion would be that servers pour less coffee in the over-sized cups as it can get a little cold towards the bottom if you don't drink it quickly enough! Overall, I highly recommend this spot, especially for out of towners looking to enjoy a "neighborhood" experience in a beautiful area.

We did not make a reservation, but felt very welcome from the first minute. We had shrimps as a starter and see bass for main course. Both were excellent prepared. The best dinner we had during our five days stay in NY.

I loved this place the first time I came here when it first opened. The next time the food and service were the same (excellent) but the noise level was too much. It was a real scene for the younger set. If you want to have a conversation come early.

Our group of 6 were seated on a communal table in the upstairs dining room. If conversation over dinner is important to you sitting upstairs is preferred. The downstairs noise level at least during our visit made oral communications at a normal tone impossible. We were promptly seated by a smart waiter who found it below his dignity to replenish our water glasses. Soup was served without spoons, request for salt had to be repeated several times, one soup plate sat squarely on another dish while being served. The wine list is good if a wee bit overpriced. Our food received generally raves around the table. The special of the day, goat stew, was tasty and faintly reminiscent and not unpleasantly so of goulash. If the service would have been better we could have called it an almost perfect meal.

We met family for a long awaited dinner and wanted a place that was quiet and out of the way, yet served great food. Walking into the place i was struck by the feeling of “neighborhood bar”, it had a great vibe. I loved the fact that large parties are seated at long farm tables on the second floor. The waiter was personable and made reasonable suggestions. The avocado toast was wonderful. The toast was crisp, the avocado rolls and the crab was nicely spiced. Unfortunately, that was the highlight. I had the scallops and was disappointed by three small bland scallops in a light cream sause served with a under cooked root vegetable. My son had a burger that he described as “almost 5Guys at three times the price”. One of our party had the chicken Kiev which was dry and salty. All in all this was a disappointment. We didn’t bother with desert.

Very limited menu. Food took forever to come out. Wife had chicken for $34 which was simply 2 pieces of fried chicken with sliced raw muchrooms and no sides at all. Too basic. I had bucatini which turned out to be noodles and cheese sauce only for $26. Ridiculous and totally uncreative. Menu description was misleading. Wine at $17 or more per glass with small pours also ridiculous. Too many other good restaurants around.

I had a drink, a main dish, dessert. I´m sure everything was good but all I remember is the perfect cappuccino. They have an dining area upstairs too.

This place has a great atmosphere (in my opinion) It is lively, modern, and upbeat, but perhaps a little loud for people trying to have a romantic meal. My boyfriend and I still had a great night though. I had the lemon and marscaprone risotto. While it was delicious, there was a bit too much lemon so when you had a decent amount of it, you could get a horrible tingling sensation.For my main I had the chicken Kiev. This was delicious, juicy and tender with a great broccoli puree. We also split a side of fries. They are giant wedges of potato,seasoned to perfection. One portion would probably be enough between two people.

Came for brunch. This is my second time. Food is good I enjoyed the avocado toast. I would pass on the desert. The service is sub par. All in all it is a good place for a Sunday brunch. I would recommend it.

I have been looking for a go-to restaurant in this neighborhood since Park Avenue moved to the Flatiron district several years ago. This, unfortunately, wasn't "it." I wanted to love this restaurant, with it's spare, tavern-y chic decor (which feels more like Brooklyn or, heck, a hip restaurant in Portland, ME, than the UES). Our experience started off well, with a friendly greeting by the host. But, the evening fell flat very quickly, due to a bustling, distracted staff (our server wasn't particularly articulate about the menu selections), an odd amuse bouche, which no one bothered to explain (tepid mini root vegetables; were the stalks intended to be eaten?), a wine list that was much more pricey than the list posted online; and a bland, uninspired meal (P.S. the duck was fatty). The dining room was filled with tourists from nearby hotels; the restaurant was cleared out pretty much by 10 PM. A disapointment. No buzz. Diners could do much worse, but I doubt we'll return.

In today's new world, I thought the service was very good and the food tasty. The restaurant has done a very good job with their outdoor seating. My only complain was that we had to wait over an hour for a table even though I had a reservation.

Six of us had appetizers and dinner at this restaurant. Service is fine and friendly, the restaurant is pleasant inside, but the food was not all we expected. Of the 10 or 12 different dishes we collectively had, most were average and only one or two were good. Since we covered a wide variety of foods- meat, fish, macro, etc, we probably saw most of what this restaurant could produce. For what it offers, and considering the price, there are many better area options.

Very nice, neighborhood restaurant with great food and friendly service. The ambiance of the candle lit tables and glowing lighting made for a relaxed atmosphere. Appetizers, meal and deserts were all very tasty.

Great atmosphere, good service and excellent food. Four of us, all had different dishes and everyone was happy. You must try the cheesecake! Good coffee too.

i really like this kitchen and bar, the east pole is really amazing... i can't believe that i didn't discover it sooner! i give it the highest recommendation

A popular restaurant on the upper east side of NYC means you have to deal with crowds always. I felt this place was expensive and built in a very tight space. If you want to meet your table neighbors on each side, this is definitely the place for you. We were talking to the 2 tables to my left and 1 table to the left of newly found friends during our dinner. The kale salad was tasty as was the broccoli. I ordered the macro dish as as a main course which was average. The highlight of the meal was the red wine and the Chocolate bread and butter pudding. The service was fast but waiters had a big of a "too cool for school" attitude. If you like a scene then this a hip place to go to on the upper east side.

A little gem of a place, gorgeous food, amazing friendly staff, just a cool local restaurant. I sat at the bar and had drinks and food. Loved it.

Quiet and cozy spot for brunch on the Upper East Side. I was their with a girlfriend and we enjoyed green juice, smoked salmon with ricotta and greens, and the avocado toast with soft boiled eggs. Meyer lemon custard for dessert. Delish.

A relaxed little neighborhoody oasis in a busy part of town. Met a friend here for lunch today. We couldn't decide whether to be virtuous and order a macrobiotic special or have the cheeseburger...so split the cheeseburger and a falafel salad. Both were delicious. Topped off the lunch with a high quality cappuccino. Comfortable banquette/booth seating, friendly service, good food, and semi reasonable prices. I would go back and try that Macro special next time. Completely pleasant experience.

I guess this is what passes for a trendy spot on the Upper East Side. I may be a bit cranky, but I found this place annoying in its pretentiousness. The noise level is uncomfortably high (why do they need to have music playing at a high volume when everyone in the resturant is shouting to make themselves heard?), the light is so dim that you need a flashlight to read the menu, the tables are small, the servers, while very nice when you got their attention, seem overwhelmed, and the prices are high. I expect to pay a multiple of the retail price for a bottle of wine, but $64 for a $17.50 wine seems a bit much to me. The food, on the other hand, is pretty good. A lot of sort of strange combinations of items that actually worked pretty well. A kale "caesar salad" with lots of anchovies, some bacon, a "6 minute egg," and kale was nothing like a caesar salad, but I thought it was pretty good. A papardelle dish with patty pans (whatever they are) and morels and peas, etc. was interesting and pretty good, although not spectacular. A ribeye steak (at $46) was deemed excellent.

We had the perfect plan for a girl's weekend. As we were staying on the UES and huge fans of Le Labo we agreed on a late lunch on a Saturday two blocks from the perfume store and fabricator for a late lunch. I called in advance to be sure we could leave our luggage during our 20 minute trip to Le Labo and was assured it wasn't a problem. We arrived to meet Tyrone who claimed to be the manager. He was hostile and rude and barked at us that we couldn't leave our luggage as agreed before storming upstairs. He caused such a scene that a patron seated at the bar offered to have her doorman help. Upon storming out, Tyrone left the hostess free to be helpful. We did as we had planned and returned very quickly for lunch around 3:00. We were disappointed to find that there were very few options that didn't involve eggs on the menu, but a sudden deluge kept us from exploring other options. The food was ok, but Tyine's temper tantrum cast a negative vibe over our experience. Fortunately we saw 'Fully Committed' and had other dining experiences that more than made up for this. Fig and Olive was our other chick a few blocks away. With a more creative menu and (one would assume) less drama, we wished we had gone there.

Young attentive staff try very hard to please at this comfortable Upper Eastside neighborhood restaurant. We've been for both lunch and dinner. The crowd at lunch leans more towards the ladies but in the evening the crowd is very eclectic. The food is light and fresh but even meat eaters will be satisfied.

We went there for Sunday brunch recently and loved it! Reservations are a must! Good, efficient service by friendly, professional staff (thanks again, William!). Very nice egg dishes, great bloody marys, very good coffee. It is possibly a little cramped, space-wise, but cosy. You can leave a suitcase at the entrance cloakroom (handy if you are off on a trip and wanting brunch before you go..). We will definitely return when next in that part of town!

Just ate here with friends and had such a fresh and imaginative dinner, I could have ordered everything on the menu! The choice of vegetables and freshness was reminiscent of the French countryside, down to the plate of radishes served upon arrival . Our table ordered a variety of different things - from burgers to a curried sea bass to corn gazpacho. Everything was perfectly seasoned and complimented with vegetables that were interesting but not overly complicated. Food allergies were easily accommodated since the dishes are so fresh and the servers familiar with the ingredients . The only glitch for us was the service was a little uneven - soup arrived a few times without spoons and wine took a while to come. But always friendly and helpful, and in such a warm environment it was no problem to just relax for a few minutes . Will be back - again and again - so I can taste all that I missed !

I live in the neighborhood and have wanted to try East Pole since it’s opening. Sitting down at the bar we decided on 2 glasses of wine $18.00 each. Bartender ignored us and seemed too interested with his own image in the mirror while fixing his hair then dipping hands into limes for others drinks without washing his hands. Totally turned off. Hostess was sweet but not enough to go back.

Modern cuisine has come to the upper east side with this hip eating spot. From bar bites such as shishito peppers, ceviches, and fish crudos— to heartier selections such as the winter special Long Island Duck breast entree, the Wild boar pappardelle, or the steak tartare appetizer on a delectable bed of parsnip purée served with sour dough toast—- this is one unique menu for the usually staid cuisine of this neighborhood. The sustainable, farm to table menu also keeps vegetarians happy with choices such as macro quinoa bowls, and root veg pot pies. The decor is stark, with no fussy flourishes but the food provides all the panache you need. I don’t see it as a British pub at all, as others have described— but rather a 21st century American eating establishment that celebrates clean eating with a flair.

We were in town for a weekend getaway to visit with our daughter and she provided a list of suggestions for places to go. When we first looked at The East Pole, the menu seemed a little different for brunch, so we looked elsewhere. As plans changed and we wanted to stay in the Upper East Side for our last day in the city, we gave The East Pole another look and decided to give it a try. Must say it was an excellent decision! Perfect UES location with a great vibe. And the different menu turned out to be an amazing change of pace. I enjoyed the smoked duck confit hash with poached eggs - amazing! Wife had the English Breakfast that was quite good. I would recommend giving it a try if you are looking for something a little different while in that part of town.

Dined at The East Pole recently in New York City. Ideally located for the East Side. The standard of welcome and service was excellent, the food was imaginative, well cooked and presented, the wine list was good and the portions just right. What a treasure of a restaurant.

OVERPRICED for what it is. Allude water is on the house it’s not and it just keeps coming. Sushi tiny portion for 18 dollars. It’s more expensive than Nobu for half the quality. The space is cozy . Get the pricing correct relative to quality portion and they could have a nice UES business.

A place for brunch midtown that takes reservations, indoor and outdoor seating. Great cocktails (elevated g&t) was delicious with the thyme sprigs...we had the avocado toast and eggs Benedict, great food..in a great setting with professional and pleasant servers. Will return after Sunday morning Mass at St Vincent Ferrer.

Reservation was made. Arrived 10 minutes early informed the hostess we had a theater time to meet. We waited 20 minutes for a table seating when restaurant didn’t appear busy. Service was extremely harried. Very pretty setting. Have eaten there before but possibly has taken a dive. Not worth the effort.

The food is good. But the service is poor. There were 4 of us for lunch. The restaurant is about half full. The service is slow. When the food came, the server had no idea who ordered what. There were 2 orders of frittata -- one with cheese and the other without. Only one came; and when we ask whether that is the one with cheese or without.. After some hesitation, the answer was with cheese. We told the server that there is another order of frittata.without cheese. While we were waiting for the other frittata, someone (from the kitchen?) came over, look at the frittata and informed us the one we have is without cheese. Then a good while later, the other frittata finally came. The restroom: It had an unpleasant order. And the lighting -- I have never seen a restroom so dimly lighted -- even with the 2 added candles in the restroom. Instead of adding candles, they should put in a BRIGHTER lite bulb. Nowadays, with LED bulbs, it doesn't cost much to put in a brighter light bulb.

I came here with my family and some friends and has an enjoyable experience. The restaurant has a nice feel to it and the decor is nice. The wait staff are friendly and competent. The food is above average but nothing special. The coat check girl is terrible at her job. Overall, I think it's a nice place but not worth the price.

Went for late brunch on Saturday afternoon while shopping near Bloomingdales - wife had gone with a friend and wanted me to try. The dishes are expensive but the food is really great.

Dined here today for lunch and we both had the burger, very tasty and cooked to perfection, wait staff attentive but not over friendly. We passed on the dessert and coffees as we were too full.

Good food especially for brunch! Been there several times now. Avocado toast Is very nice. Can it recommend the cucumber juice though....

This place is quite inconspicuous down several steps and unmarked... we went twice in 2 weeks as it is a the hustle-bustle and crowdedness of the Upper East Side. Food is local, fresh, with creative combinations that work--plus, there's something for everyone... carnivores, vegetarians, vegans, omnivores, seafood lovers...Highly recommended.

Had a business dinner here. The food was well presented and tasty - and, unusually for NYC, the portions were not ridiculous and there was an emphasis on healthy stuff. Service efficient too.

Avoid, as their food has greatly declined. This was our family's first visit in a few years and our first for brunch. Despite the restaurant's always-friendly and willing service, the food was a huge disappointment. Two of us ordered a grain and veggie plate. The grain was not seasoned at all, and in addition to being flavorless, was barely tepid. None of the veggies tasted very fresh, and the only other cooked veggie- the braised cabbage- was served cold and was also flavorless. One person ordered the eggs hollandaise, and their bacon was very burnt, and their roasted potatoes over-crispy and cold. We were in a rush so did not have time to send our meals back. We definitely won't be returning.

This place has a high quality brunch menu. We tried the Scottish egg, avocado toast and lobster roll. All 3 were amazing. The restaurant itself is quaint but a little snug. Overall, a strong NYC brunch option!

Went there for dinner on a Sunday night. My daughter enjoyed her fried oyster salad and my husband loved his lobster pot pie but my salad was really plain - was different types of lettuce and avacado. Dressing was boring. My striped bass was totally boring and not a great piece of fish - had a lot of that brown stuff that is on the underside of fish and that smelled fishy. The fist was really dry and tasteless. As I said, my family liked the things they ordered and I did enjoy a bit of my son's fried chicken but I was hungry and disappointed. The dessert was just okay - enjoyed the fruit pie. My family also ate the goat cheese - cheese cake. Would not return or recommend.

What a great place!!! Food was excellent! I would also like to thank Meg our waitress for excellent service, great suggestions and a great personalty!!!

The good (or great as it may be) we (2 couples) had a really nicely prepared breakfast/brunch and the Lobster Benedict was an unexpectedly nice pairing. The Scotch Egg was recommended and I was glad I tried but not sure I would get again, 'the meat' (only way to describe) surrounding the egg left me a bit wanting. The not so good, yes this is NYC and yes the restaurant was clean, well lit and service as expected... but $ 200 (including tip) for brunch (the girls did each have one mimosa) seems a bit pricey, at least for this traveler.

We had lunch there recently on a very hot humid day and flt we had landed in an oasis of fine food. This was seriously the best sushi-grade tuna stacked on dressed butter lettuce leaves with an amazing fennel-spiked vinaigrette I have ever had. My husband's chicken Paillard was yummy, and our daughter's salmon tartine with decadent layers of flavors was so good that we all were reaching for each-other's plates to sample everything. The service was wonderful as well. You feel pampered in this intimate, chic little restaurant. Go there!

We were recommend this restaurant by some friends of our who live in New York and have dinner here quite a lot. It is a busy restaurant so you will need to book in advance, it can be quite noisy so if you want a quite chat it's not an ideal location, but great if you are going with a group of friends. The food is excellent with a good choice for starters and main dishes. The service is good they give you plenty of time between courses.

Our visit here started off rocky-they double booked and couldn’t seat our party of 8, but after a half of our group decided to call it a night they were able to seat us right away, comped our first round of drinks and appetizers for the inconvenience. I had the special-the halibut, 2 others had the chicken Kiev and another had the pasta. We all cleaned our plates! Also shared the harissa carrots and shaved Brussel sprouts.

This spot was perfect for a meal after viewing the Diane Arbus exhibit at the Park Avenue Armory. Food was delicious, plentiful, and fresh. The service was delightful, and the environment was pleasant. We were there between lunch and dinner, so the restaurant was quiet.

This is not the place to go for a good conversation. Loud music and bad acoustics. Jovial, chic small place on the ground floor of a town house. Excellent pasta ragout. Very good burratta salad.

I’m always pleased to patronize a restaurant that supports local growers. This restaurant does a creative job at sourcing and combining ingredients. They have many fresh fish entrees but we were there on Sunday so we missed out on some additional menu items . Everything was delicious and beautifully presented. The scallops were amazing but the pasta was heavy.

quaint, comfortable seating! we enjoyed the fruit plate and the macro bowl. and we could hear each other talking! friendly staff.

I have eaten at East Pole on two visits to NYC over the past year and have enjoyed the seasonal vegetables that feature so prominently in the plates. On the most recent visit, fresh English peas with morel mushrooms, mint leaves and goats milk was a unique but delicious starter - with plenty of morels buried beneath to enjoy. The baby beet salad with burrata topped Swiss chard leaves - again fresh and flavorful. As a main course, the wild king salmon was perfectly cooked and crispy and the featured wines by the glass while not cheap are well curated with excellent quality and variety. The heirloom carrots with avocado are from last summer, just goes to show how the menu adapts with the season for variety. East Pole is not inexpensive but nor is the quality of ingredients. In my opinion it is a worthwhile experience if you enjoy tasting the freshest seasonal produce.

Food is good (and pricey) but the wine markups are what really nail you. $90+ for $20 retail bottles. And we did all of our subsequent pours.

Our party had brunch here and found it quite good. We can especially recommend the Eggs Benedict and the hamburger, also the duck hash. However, the duck-fat fries were pretty ordinary. Service was friendly and prompt.

The chicken to share was good and also the vegan soup and main dishes. The chocolate dessert wasn’t amazing. The cheese cake was good. Service was fine.

Love this place. The service from walking into the bar and to the table is very welcoming. Food is excellent and seasonal. The East Pole definitely has a downtown vibe which is a rare find on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. We dine here often

I loved the restaurant, had brunch and dinner there and food was delicious, healthy and looked amazing. Its on my favorite restaurants list, I recommend it!

After spending a morning running around the city attending to pre-wedding plans, the ladies decided to sit down for a relaxing brunch. The East Pole was a great choice. Lite fare offerings and also a substantial breakfast brunch if you are hungry. Eggs Florentine was delicious and salads were well seasoned. Everyone enjoyed their selections and even with drinks, it was moderately priced for NYC. Will return!

We have eaten here twice while visiting the city. We had great meals both times. The atmosphere is terrific. The first time we hung out in the bar for almost an hour waiting for out table, which was fine as it had a great vibe. The second time we ate earlier and we were seated right away. The service was exceptional. I is a great spot if you find yourself on the Upper East Side. I would go back

The East Pole offers an eclectic and quite diverse menu. Dishes are well-presented but servings are unusually small.

This is a fun spot with good food and wine on the upper east side. Reasonable hamburgers, excellent bacon. It appears that they have a nice selection of drinks plus their salads are popular at midday. Service is attentive.

The food is truly delicious. It is fresh, seasonal, let's the flavors speak for themselves. Great cocktails too. Try the Blood in the Afternoon. Strawberry rubarb pie was terrific.

Cosy atmosphere, very welcoming. The food was beautifully prepared and tasted delicious, even the pumpkin bread which would not generally be our pick.

This is a great neighborhood place to go for a drink (great bar scene) or for a really wonderful meal. The food is delicious with a well-rounded menu and great specials. The staff goes out of their way to be friendly and accommodating. The room, both upstairs and on the main level are homey and warm with just enough style to remind you that you are in NYC. You can't go wrong coming here. It is always a good time.

We stopped in for brunch on a Saturday, and thank goodness I thought to make a reservation! The place was packed! We weren't disappointed either. The service was very good, and the food was excellent. I had the lobster sandwich, and I'd have it again. My husband had an egg and cheese on sourdough sandwich that was the brunch special that day. We both enjoyed it very much and would come back again.

Now living in suburban Colorado... I grabbed the opportunity to visit Manhattan to take an old friend out for her birthday. She chose a little restaurant in her neighborhood and it was the perfect escape from the land of chain restaurants that I now exist in. My favorite part of the night was the exquisite, charming host dressed like a Sulton. Followed by an amazing lavender lemon cocktail, my night was made! A charming little restaurant, intimate seating on 2 levels, great menu, very well executed. My only complaint would lie with the waitress who was more concerned with the incoming private party than with the other guests. (this critique is for the management) we were seated on the upper level by the stairs, next to a private dining area reserved in the next room. The private party started arriving as we were seated and rather than moving into the room, they crowded on the landing, bumping into the tables and getting quite loud. 2 requests to the waitress to move them into the private area failed, however when we asked "The Sultan" as he seated another party, he very elaborately and efficiently moved the party into their own space and pulled the velvet curtains closed, once again perfecting the dining experience. The food was phenomenal! I loved every bite! I did not want to order a cheeseburger but really wanted to try the duck fat fries. We started with oysters and then the cauliflower for appetizers. I had the scallops (PERFECT) and my friend the Sea Bass we shared the side of fingerling potatoes Everything was wonderful. Wine list was limited, I was disappointed in the Sancerre, not very good for the price but the best option on the menu. Desserts were also not a strong point, I would skip as they distracted from the spectacular meal!

... to walk over here and have dinner. And it started out very promising. The restaurant is in an old townhouse and we were escorted to a quiet room upstairs. It was candlelit and cozy and felt like a neighborhood Upper East Side sort of place. I went for their version of a gin and tonic with the requisite rosemary sprig and a bunch of pink peppercorns floating around -- as an aside, I really don't get why so many NYC restaurants are putting things like peppercorns in drinks -- they are small enough to get sucked up in a straw but who wants that? So although the drink was very good I had to pay more attention to drinking it than I'd like. Food started off really promising when our waiter brought some radish chunks with an olive tapenade on them. I never would have thought of this, but it was a great combo! However, the rest of the food just wasn't that great. My chicken wasn't flavorful and just slightly overcooked. We had some brussels sprouts as a side and they were either steamed or boiled in some way and fairly tasteless. Honestly I cannot recall what entree hubby had but he was equally unimpressed. Our server was enthusiastic and only moderately attentive. There was a point where we had to keep an eye out and flag him down. True story -- when we got to the part where he asked about dessert we both had decided not to even give it a try and after we paid the bill we went and got Snickers bars and were super happy with that decision! We were certain those candy bars were far better than one of their desserts would have been.

We ate here almost everyday for a week and each time it was great. I tried pretty much all in their menu, the rib-eye, duck, oysters and the burrata are exceptional. The service is also just as good. Will go back once I am back in NYC.

We dined for the first time at East Pole during Christmas..The very interesting food choices were cooked to perfection and seasoned correctly.The service was both quick and attentive..It is a pleasure to have an organic style restaurant in the East 60's that caters to your food desires.

Very East Side sort of place with good, even imaginative, food. A bit crowded for weekend brunch, but the staff tries hard.

I was surprise with my food: this wonderful vegan dish as you can see! Lovely atmosphere! Looking forward to get back there.

We have been twice for dinner so far. On both occasions the whole experience was excellent. The food, the atmosphere, and the service were all outstanding. The dining area, which is separated from the bar area, is of moderate size and of nice design and layout, creating a lively atmosphere with a tolerable sound level. The music playing there is great also. The chef is very big on radishes, which for me is a good thing. The appetizer was preceded by a plate of marinated radishes which were delicious. On both visits as an appetizer I had the Long Island Fluke Crudo, Shaved Root Vegetables (some of which are radishes, of course) with Grilled Apple Vinaigrette, which was amazing and very light. On our most recent visit I had the Grilled Angus Ribeye with roasted mushrooms as my main course, plus a side of thick-cut “chips” (yes, they speak British). On our first visit I stuck to cocktails and they were perfectly concocted. On this second visit we had bottle of Lalande de Pomerol, which was really good with the ribeye (nice and earthy). This place is now firmly on our list of places to dine at for special occasions.

Wonderful little place for brunch/lunch. Hidden away on 65th St. E. its a great get away from the norm for a visitor. We were a table of 4 and had a delightful lunch. Food is very good, as is the service. And maybe you will get lucky like us and have Matt Lauer sit down right beside you. After lunch go for a nice walk down Madison and stop in at any of the shops for a browse.

Mid town location convenient to hotels, shopping and museums Very responsive staff Timely and responsive service Healthy choices, nicely prepared and presented Excellent experience

The bartenders are wonderful. Burrata is best I've ever eaten. Homemade pies are delicious. Great place for dinks, dinner or just dessert

I highly recommend the East Pole for a healthy breakfast. Try the green juice. The egg white frittata with snow peas, peas, mushrooms is really good. I also recommend the avocado toast.

Good atmosphere for business and for personal. Food was outstanding and wait staff very accommodating. The host had a bit of an attitude but that is forgotten once you are seated and enjoying the atmosphere, wine list and food.

Made a reservation for six people for brunch this past Saturday. We were seated right away, and Connor, our waiter, was attentive and delightful. Our table was upstairs and the decor was so refreshing. Food was delicious, however, a tad overpriced for brunch, but that's to be expected given the neighborhood. Cocktails were also a treat. Overall, a very pleasant dining experience.

Had lunch here on a frigid day and was pleasantly surprised by the great food, awesome service, and lovely atmosphere. Was expecting a pub type place and this far exceeded that expectation. I had the sea bass and my companion had the cheese and fruit plate. Both were excellent but still not quite as good as the attentive and friendly service we received from every single staff person we had contact with.

This is my third time at East Pole. The place has a rustic flair with its hardwood floors and an unassuming but pleasant and welcoming décor. Dinner is very busy and the vibe is energetic. It was very different at lunch today. I decided to enjoy a light lunch at the bar. Although there were very few patrons at the restaurant tables, there was still an inviting, positive and fun ambiance. I was warmly greeted by the hostess and the manager as I made my way to the bar. Bobby, the bartender was more than welcoming, accommodating and attentive to my needs as he kept filling my water glass. He recommended the salmon tartine with watercress. It was quite tasty, but it was challenging to cut through the toasted bread, even with a serrated knife. The owner/manager was friendly and personable as she sang along with the restaurant's fun and eclectic playlist. Despite the sparse clientele in this rustic setting, the restaurant was pleasant and my experience was one that I wouldn't mind repeating for either lunch or dinner.

In addition to its friendly atmosphere, I was pleasantly surprised to be able to truly enjoy dinner conversation as this restaurant actually has space between tables. Three of us came for dinner and we were seated in a comfortable, outward facing booth. It was clear from the start that this would be a terrific experience. Our waitress was friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. We enjoyed the Fried Chicken special --superb mash potatoes and chicken with a maple glaze, the burger--delish but the bun did get a bit soggy and the Block Island swordfish(A+). The house lettuce salad was perfect--absolutely loved the sesame vinagrette. Our only regret, no room for dessert.whose menu was beyond tempting including the pie of the day which was rasberry/peach. We will definitely return to this restaurant.

Oh Baby, this chef can cook! I had the hamburger and duck fat fries for lunch -- perfectly cooked and seasoned. Wonderful decor and terrific service. Interesting place -- one of the owners is related to a North Pole explorer. Checkout the upstairs dining area for actual explorer maps and memorabilia. And while you're upstairs, checkout the unusual nautical ceiling! I'll be back!!!

The East Pole, located on 65th between Lexington and Park avenues, has become a hot place for a younger crowd of well-dressed, well-heeled Upper East siders. The menu, like the space, is small, so choices are limited. A macro plate is featured, and it was enjoyed at our table, as were a nice Atlantic striped bass, a pork chop, and diver scallops. Our salad, while fresh, was just a tad under-dressed. The service is good, and reservations are definitely recommended. Just be prepared to pay a bit more than you might have expected.

Nothing makes me happier than finding a new resturant that gets it right...this small, charming fish bar is an instant success. With it’s cosy banquettes along one wall and long bar along the other....the mood lighting and low noise level....it is ideal! AND that before the food! A late night snack of fried oyster sliders at the bar were done to perfection with a superb sauce an a dab of purple slaw and a side order shoe string fries. Others were enjoying attractive fish dishes or oysters on the half shell. There was an interesting list of special house cocktails such as the Hemingway Daiquiri as well as a good assortment of wines by the glass. The great temptation is not to review this ‘find’, because it will become too crowded. But, it is so good that it will attract large crowds regardless. Try it out now before it is ‘discovered’. The staff are trained and friendly and the patron gracious and well dressed.....not one pair of torn jeans!

Chicken Kiev is to die for!!! Love the freshness of anything you order. Going back again this week! The venue is also lovely.

Great atmosphere, bistro-style hangout place with relaxed vibe. Food is comfort food with French influence, and was all quite delicious. Normal prices for NYC. Reservations recommended as this is a popular place with locals.

The idea of this place is better than the reality. The food is standard American steak and seafood. You enter via the bar, which is jammed with after work men in suits. The dining room is full of either young couples or singles craning to check out the crowd. My meal came after a long delay on a chipped plate. It should never have made it out of the kitchen. It would be a better experience if the management emphasized quality over quantity in terms of number of people let in at any time and had better cuisine. I shouldn't need to shout to my companion to be heard.

As much as we don't like the outside seating in NYC, our experience at The East Pole was a pleasant surprise. Small and cozy dining area, a few steps down from the street level, creates an inviting and romantic ambiance. We stopped there for breakfast at 9 AM on a Sunday. The menu at this time is not brunchy, but rather a regular breakfast variety with the addition of alcohol. Speaking of alcohol, the Bloody Maria cocktail was delicious and artfully served. Our food - soft scrambled eggs omelette and all-greens omelette - was equally yummy and fully enjoyable, and quite healthy at that. The service is not just average but very polished and friendly. Now, please pay attention. The East Pole for some reason doesn't have a sign neither an awning. The sign you may see in the pictures is gone, and so is the umbrella that featured the restaurant's name. Put in our server's words, it does create a kind of an old New York speakeasy of the roaring twenties, but so you don't get lost - it is the second building walking on the 65th street from Lexington towards Park, the north side of the street. Definitely recommended.

I enjoyed having dinner here with my son sitting outdoors for its atmosphere. The waiters were very polite and attentive. However, the food we ordered disappointed me as it was not at all what I expected. To illustrate, I ordered a kale Caesar salad. Caesar salada fans, like myself, know that one of the major ingredients of a good Caesar salad is the anchovies. Although present in the salad they were not enough and not as good. Then kale needs to be treated in a way that it can become a tasty salad, otherwise it is way too rough to eat. My second dish was a huge disappointment. The East pole hamburger. One would expect that if you put your restaurant 's name to a dish it is meant to be a signature dish, in other words really good. I asked for a medium hamburger and got an overcooked dry version that was nothing like what I expected. My son got a Kiev chicken that did not look like one; I missed the filling and in part the coating as well. Lastly the desert, a chocolate cake with caramel ice-cream was very good. In sum, I believe the restaurant has to improve its dishes, but there is potential. They have an interesting and varied menu, which is what attracted me there together with its location. But in the end I felt that it wasn't worth it.

Trying to locate a restaurant on the Upper East Side that can take you away from the West Village, Williamsburg, the Lower East Side or any other of New York's districts that are rammed with great places to eat has been something of a mission over many visits to the city. The search goes on, sadly. The East Pole had been very well reviewed, and I was hopeful. It is a pleasant-enough room, and it must be doing something right, because it was full to bursting on a Monday night. But, the whole experience left we somewhat cold. We were running a few minutes late for our reservation, and had rung in advance to let them know. Still, when we arrived our table wasn't ready, and we were told to wait at the bar. Fat chance. The bar offered nowhere to sit or even lean, and so we were left standing with no further information for over 20 minutes. We were on the verge of leaving, when our table became available. I accept that this was probably a one-off, and that the experience once at our table is more relevant. And that was fine. The menu is varied, if a bit uninspiring, and there is a good selection of wines - though they aren't cheap. Service was fast, and the food was competently cooked. But, it was distinctly unmemorable, and not worth the elevated prices when compared to the local, non-destination restaurants that one could visit if you are in this part of town. There will be no reason to return.

Having dined at East Pole for lunch last spring and enjoying it immensely, it was a perfect place to meet our friends for brunch. Although bustling with activity, the atmosphere was convivial and warm. Our server was very attentive without being obtrusive. The melt-in-your-mouth eggs florentine was the best that I ever had and the chocolate bread pudding was a large portion of chocolate confection. The waiter recommended a perfect white wine to complement the food. We were able to carry on meaty conversations without yelling and dined leisurely through cappuccinos for over two hours. When on the east side go to The East Pole.

It's always a pleasure to come to EP for dinner. This is our 3rd visit and we've not been disappointed. From the moment you arrive to the time to leave, everyone is friendly and attentive. The music is just there so no one has to shout to be heard. All is fresh, seasonal, delicious. An extensive wine list to accompany. Casual or dressy as you wish to make it.

I had a lovely dinner at The East Pole. The boar pasta is something to write home about. I've sent tons of people there to have this experience for themselves. I can't give the restaurant an excellent rating as there was a mix up with our reservation which had us waiting a little long, but they were friendly enough and fixed it as soon as they could.

Finally had the chance to try this place for brunch - was not a memorable meal, either good or bad. I personally enjoyed the 80s songs being played, although younger patrons might not recognize the music. My egg white frittata was ok, but the market vegetables - which were broccoli on this occasion - needed to be chopped much more finely. My friend was disappointed that the only egg dish on the menu that came with potato was the benedict, so instead the omlette was selected - said it was ok but heavy on the spinach. If I visit a second time, I might try the double burger - about half the patrons near us were ordering this. Service was decent, drinks were meh and prices were a bit on the high side. Overall it was ok but nothing special

This is an organic style restaurant with food locally sourced. A map even tells you where in New York State they buy honey. Nice sized portions . Excellent salads.Really superb service. Very noisy, active bar scene. Moderate prices. American food with a twist.

Everything was right: the size of the menu, the friendly service, well elaborated visual and wonderful balance of tastes. Great desert as well!

UES restaurant and bar in landmarked building with dark entrance. Look for the unlit "East Pole" sign at the stairway to entry. Main floor was packed and noisy, so we went up to second floor dining room, which was quieter and less crowded. Salads were large enough to share. The mains were very tasty but the fish and the pork chop were both rather small portions for the price. The pot pie was really good, and vegetarian. Had huge cups of coffee. Friendly reception and wait staff. Our waiter was born in Syracuse, NY, but is a New Yorker through and through now. Very pleasant.

We felt like it was a truly New Yorkers experi‎ence upstairs for Saturday brunch in this funky little restaurant. We loved the food, the service and the truly local 'feel'. we were thrilled that our New Yorker friends brought us to this true jewel of cuisine and sevice and fun !

I ate here while visiting friends in the UES. This was my 1st time eating here and I am glad I did! I had the best eggs Florentine I have ever eaten in my life! We also had an order of the banana bread with apple butter and Avocado toast, both also just as delicious. The craftsmanship of these plates were remarkable. Great tastes and great atmosphere. If you are into a nice morning alcoholic beverage, be sure to try the blood orange mimosa! There wasn't a single item we didn't enjoy. Expect to pay ~$200 for a group of 4 with drinks and appetizers. Really not that bad for where you are. Overall a great spot for breakfast with different, fresh options. A must stop if you love a good breakfast.

Met two couples for dinner on Sunday. I didn't recognize the name because this used to be 212. Still a neighborhood watering hole offering specialty drinks and bar snacks. Dinner was surprisingly good but not exactly dietetic, but then I could have ordered differently! The burrata mozzarella and beet salad was absolutely delicious. I shared the daily special: fried chicken and mashed potatoes. The chicken has been marinated in buttermilk and has a little drizzle of honey. Definitely southern fried chicken with a crispy crust. We shared three desserts : ice cream sundae, blueberry pie and chocolate bread pudding. All were delicious. It took someone from out of town to get me here ! The food is good at east side prices but very relaxing atmosphere.

I was in a part of town that I don't frequent much and opted for a place that had decent ratings and was as close as humanly possible. The menu looked FANTASTIC, but sadly the undercooked potatoes were the thing that stuck out to me and everything else was pretty average.

Very good food, service and ambiance, the waiter was very helpful and attentive, the food was serve on time and dinner was a success, would definitely go back

I visited the East Pole based on the reviews of the design of the restaurant. The interiors are finished in a sophisticated and understated way, while the skylight towards the back of the restaurant lets in lots of light and makes things a little more intimate. We visited for brunch, or breakfast based on the menu, which was nice, but nothing special at all. As far as cocktails go, the bloody mary was bland and uninteresting and the spicy maria was overpowered by the tequila. I would be interested in visiting for dinner but not sure if I can be persuaded to go back after such a disappointing meal.

Nice place, cozy, not stuffy. Friendly, attentive staff. Seated promptly. Nice feel inside, especially before it filled up. Nice bar area with a bartender that sets the right mood. Kale Caesar salad very large, delicious crunchy croutons, bacon, and whole anchovies; excellent choice. Grilled veggies looked good, got a thumbs up at the table, carrots in particular. My wife said her monkfish was "okay." My seafood pie had a flaky crust that was tasty, but the seafood was bland, and the veggies were slightly undercooked. My niece had the duck breast, which looked good, but she did not comment, leading me to believe it not get a rave review. Prices were as expected for the locale. Nice sized portions. Radish appetizer, served gratis, was delicious ... crunchy fresh radishes in a light sauce of some kind, perhaps pesto-based. Won't rush back on our next trip to NY, but worth a try if you are in the neighborhood.

Food was good. Coffee cup can be smaller and refilled so it is not room temperature, other wise food was good just as stated in the menu. The manager was serious, she was matter of fact performing her duties. The staff reflect her philosophy. Did their job. No holiday cheer or spirit. May be the staff do not celebrate Christmas. We only went there as we are visiting New York and we could have gone to any other place much closer to Time Square where we are staying.

We had lunch here on Easter Sunday. Sat by the barcounter. Lots of local people and a good ambiance. Also very good food - banana bread with apple butter, Maine lobster sandwich and goat cheese cheese cake. All very good and a very good barkeeper.

For some basic food and one drink you will pay 3 times the normal price. Te food (duck and potatoes) is not tasty , a little bit overcooked.

3 and a half stars. Pleasant service. French omelet was more spinach than egg. Tasty Bellini. Didn’t care for the Ube coffee. Pumpkin bread was good.

Our group had to wait a bit in the busy and narrow bar downstairs, but we were eventually seated at the front table in the room upstairs and were treated to a delicious late-night dinner.

Summary: If you eat at The East Pole, you'll be okay. The food is good, the wine list is good, and the people watching is even better. There are service issues, and all the raves about the food in other reviews confuses reality. Review: I liked The East Pole, and probably will go there again. On the evening I was there, the restaurant was packed. The two women serving as greeters and seaters were excellent. Bartenders were excellent, waiters seemed way overworked, impatient and testy at times. The small outdoor area is cute and perfect for a convivial conversation. You feel safe and secure in this clean, attractive restaurant. The food quality was okay. Nothing to rave about. Maybe I should try it again and order something different to give it a true test. Recommendation: go there to meet someone, have a drink at the bar and maybe they'll serve you a light meal at the bar. You'll have fun, be well served, and have no regrets.

Nice little outdoor dining spot. Very attentive waist staff and nice quality ingredients. Easy stop when out shopping. Small tight indoor space

We were going to a concert at Church of Saint Vincent Ferrer and we needed to find a restaurant that was close by. I found The East Pole on google maps and made reservations. What I loved the most about the restaurant was how friendly and professional the staff was. We were warmly greeted, our coats were checked, chairs were pulled out for us to sit. The waiter was friendly and attentive. It is an attractive restaurant, which clean lines, lots of wood, real candles. I think the prettiest and the best meal ordered at our table was the scallops, which was served on sliced broccoli. I ordered the pappardelle with wild boar ragout. It was very good, but a bit heavy. My father ordered the burger, which he said was overcooked and dry. I thought that was because he ordered it medium well but now after reading other reviews I am wondering if it was the cook. At the suggestion of our waiter we got a maple pumpkin tart thing to share which was delicious. The big disappointment was the price of the wines - they were so expensive, even by the glass. I almost never find myself on the Upper East Side, but if I go to another concert at Saint Vincent Ferrer, which is a beautiful church, I will give the East Pole another try. Or I just may drag husband up for a change of pace.

we went to this restaurant for dinner on March 5. We found that the decoration was a bit outdated ( like the decoration of a 1970 basement). They gave us a warm welcoming, which was great given the temperature outside! The service was just great, our waiter was attentive and gave us lots of useful info on the menu. My husband had the mexican standoff cocktail which was surprisingly spicy. My husband ordered the lamb stew and i had the pasta with wild boar. Both meals were good but not out of this world. They had an extensive wine list. Our concierge compared this restaurant with abc kitchen restaurant - ( we have been to abc kitchen and i can tell u that they are not in the same league in term of quality of food and the interior decoration- abc is top nuch)

I used t love this restaurant but the food has continued to go downhill, while the wait (regardless of reservation) has gotten longer and the bill higher. With all the good options in nyc I would not be fast to go back. I do love the east pole fish bar just a few blocks away.

Super cozy place with a menu that can accommodate a meat lover, vegetarian and gluten sensitive person perfectly. Great drink menu too.

This restaurant is just around the corner from my friends place, and we had heard mixed reviews. It was a Saturday evening, so it was very noisy and busy. The atmosphere, to us, was upscale diner. Tables very close together and uncomfortable chairs....they do have banquets so I would suggest those. Service was friendly and competent. Decent wine list by the glass, but small portions (like most new york restaurants actually) and expensive......17 dollars a glass. My friends all ordered meat dishes and they were ok in size....my scallop entree looked more the size of an appetizer ......I was hungry when I left.....All in all, food was tasty yes, but if you are hungry and want more of a dining experience, go somewhere else.

my daughter and I stopped here after going to the theater a few nights ago. We found the staff to be so charming and loved our outside table. We were first served radishes with olive tappenade which were delicious, then we shared white asparagus soup and lemon risotto.. I had a glass of wine.. The soup was tasty but maybe a little too thin.. the risotto was very very nice and so different from anything I have had before.. the wine was so good I asked the hostess to write it down for me, which she happily did! A very nice neighborhood spot!

Sat outside for brunch as it was a beautiful day. Service was excellent but the outdoor tables are in a very cramped space. The indoor rooms looked beautiful. Interesting drinks, we both had raspberry mint lemonade which was good. The burger was enormous and juicy. The home made pickle was neon green and unexpectedly sweet more than sour or tart. Not my fave. Steak fries were a whole huge potato, quartered lengthwise, and deep fried. I had rigatoni with broccoli rabe and crumbled sausage. It was decent but not worth ordering again. The duck fat home fried potato side was super. If I was in the neighborhood I would go back again-- I wouldn't be upset if this restaurant was in my neighborhood! But it is not a place that I would seek out otherwise.

East Pole had fantastic reviews in so many publications that we thought we would give it a try. However, this is not a typical New York breakfast place, and for the price, it is certainly not good value. The food was fine, the service was reasonable, and the location is rather suburban. If you are looking for a European style place for breakfast, you will not be disappointed. If however you are looking for a typical New York breakfast, there are far better places to visit.

All around, this was a great dining experience. Menu was varied and interesting. Every plate was packed with surprising flavours. Our server was outstanding - knew ever dish on the menu, had opinions about each, recommendations were genuine and responded to what were our likes and dislikes. All the staff was attentive and professional. The atmosphere was buzzing - a real mix of ages, but clearly a true Upper East Side neighbourhood restaurant vs. tourist choice. And, on a weekend when there was plenty of politics of intolerance and craziness going on, it was SO nice to be greeted by a very tall, very good looking, cross-dressed maitre d' who looked sensational in a black and white dress and confirmed that NYC is still a haven of tolerance and acceptance. One thing - the intro blurb on Google results says : "Creative pub bites & signature drinks from a British tavern sporting a spare-but-chic decor." The ambience and food is a pole(ar) opposite of a British tavern or pub bites. Not sure where this came from, but it is a disservice to what you should expect.

Nice atmosphere, good cocktails, professional service. No tablecloth. Food menu is limited, some dishes are very good (the pappardelle with wild boar sauce were surprisingly tasty), other dishes are good (the salmon), while other dishes not quite good (the endives and turnip salad was swimming in a sad watery yogurt sauce). Desserts are banal and overly sweet. All together, the East Pole is too expensive to be just a cute, average neighborhood restaurant (two starters, two second course and two glasses of wine won't be less that 180$).

As a Brooklyn girl, I am rarely on the UES. However, East Pole is a destination that is worth the uptown journey. The food is delicious and inventive, the atmosphere is wonderful, and the staff is absolutely lovely.

We had a wonderful long dinner here with friends that brought out many of the strengths of this restaurant. First, the highlights: Appetizers - beetroot hummus, crab and avocado toast Mains - orchiette pasta, duck In general, dishes were were both aesthetically appealing and delightfully flavorful. Options were diverse and satisfied our group’s diverse tastes including vegetarian and pescatarian friendly options. Prior folks have complained about the staff but we had a waiter who was both helpful and attentive. Definitely a place we would look forward to coming back to and trying more of their small but diverse menu!

Our recent visit to The East Pole Kitchen and Bar was, quite frankly, the most disappointing dining experience that we have had in New York City for quite some time. Don't go out of your way to find the establishment. Despite the wonderfully friendly host staff and wait staff, little could be done to save our overall dining experience because so many aspects were less than acceptable. Granted, all of the employees were trying very hard to make our visit enjoyable, but when the basic tenants of restaurant service are not met, it's really frustrating. (Our review is *** stars as opposed to ** because of the hostess and wait staff's efforts.) Now, New York City restaurant-goers expect for tables to be close, but the closeness of the tables here (especially the tables of two that run against the wall) is ridiculous. It is flat out uncomfortable to the point that the wait staff found it awkward to greet and serve their tables. (Employees who passed by throughout our hour-and-a-half visit constantly bumped into us and our table.) Our food, which was off of the brunch menu, was adequate at best, which came as a surprise to us as we could see the constant buzzing of the chefs in the kitchen--and there were many workers in the kitchen. With such a large staff, one would expect a better variety of selections and better execution of our ordered food. Our coffee was not fresh. One might argue that it was strong, but there's a difference between coffee that is not fresh and fresh coffee that is flavorful and full of body. (Why would coffee during brunch not be fresh?) When a restaurant can't make al dente pasta, that's a huge problem. Unfortunately, our rigatoni with broccoli rabe and sausage was not al dente and had a (regrettably) minimal amount of flavorful and well-prepared broccoli rabe--clearly out or proportion to the mound of overcooked pasta. The sausage was greasy and was more of more of sausage reduction in olive oil than chunks or slices of sausage. It had no flavor. The "dish" was certainly not worth the $20 + price. Although small and overcooked, our waffle was tasty and covered in fresh fruit.

We were in the upstairs bar. Enjoyed it. Bar staff v friendly and made good drinks. Snacks provided were also tasty and comparatively healthy to boot. Would certainly consider going back.

My son and I had a lovely dinner outside. Our dinner was delicious and relaxing! Good serve! I had the pork chop which was seasoned well, nice and thick, delicious but a bit dry. My son had the chicken Kiev...wonderful!!! We were glad we didn't skip dessert. Meyers lemon and Bee pollen custard is spectacular!!

It was cold when I walked in and was cold throughout the whole lunch even though we had a corner table. I had the lobster sandwich without the bread which was excellent. Prior to the entree a radish plate was brought over, in lieu of bread. A nice and tasty touch. I liked the meal a lot but felt that I could not savor the offerings because my teeth were chattering so much

This East Side restaurant is a real winner. From the amuse bouches to the end of the meal, service was exceptional, the wine list was great (they chilled our reds as requested), and the food was creative and well prepared. The flair in food preparation is great, the small patio and the long room is lovely and can be romantic. We were a group of five who found all the dishes -- from the sea food appetizers to beets with burrata, and calamari, superb. The charred eggplant puree with the calamari stood out as did the beet dish. All the entrees were tried were excellent. Our two foreign guests were foodies from Lima—a great food capital in the Americas and they found the seafood and fish dishes to be excellent, though perhaps not quite up to the quality of some highly rated Lima restaurants.

We went on a Sunday morning right when they opened at 11am (make a reservation). We were let in right away and gtreeted very cordially. Our male waitperson was prompt, attentive and very friendly. All the dishes and drnks were excellent. Also it is close to Central Park on a pretty tree lined street with brownstones and town houses. Highly recommended.

Beautiful, clean space with tons of natural light. Terrific menu featuring local food and unique offerings! Everything was fresh and delicious! I had the chicken pilliard with beans and kale and ate every bite. My friend had the kale salad the looked beautiful and my daughter had the goo beef burger. I loved the myers lemon and bee pollen custard. Very enjoyable experience!!!

This restaurant is owned by the same people that own Pizza Beach and Fat Radish. I have submitted a few photos of the restaurant and its glass ceiling, which is in the back of the restaurant. THE GOOD: I started the Saturday brunch off with Banana Bread with Apple Butter, $10, and Coffee, $5, (pictured below). They were quite good but the Banana Bread needed to be eaten in a certain manner to most enjoy the 4 slices. The outer edge of the bread (which is really more like a cake) was the most flavorful part, so I cut it off from the rest of the bread and ate it by itself. On the remaining part I applied the Apple Butter. It was like having two different delicious breads. THE BAD: The Eggs Florentine was served with spinach and Hollandaise Sauce, $17. It was served at room temperature so I sent it back and had them make a new one. If waiters had to pay the restaurant for items sent back and then redone due to that waiter's mishandling, we would be getting a lot less room temperature food (accompanied by an apology or an unbelievable answer for an explanation). The Eggs Florentine were very ordinary, and at $17, it is fair for me to say that it was a ripoff.

Farm-to-table is all the rage in NYC, but many of the restaurants seem more farm and less table. The East Pole separates itself by serving superior food, exquisitely prepared, at a (for NYC) fairly reasonable price. Not only are the vegetables fresh -- seafood, meat also superior. Good for omnivores as well as those with dietary needs. Reasoned selection of gluten-free food. A real find on the Upper East Side.

The French Toast was on Brioch which meant it was extra thick bread. This needs to be thoroughly cooked but mine showed the white bread in the middle. TERRIBLE! The thimble of syrup is not enough for half a slice, much less 2 slices. The coffee, at $5 bucks a cup, tasted like dirty water. The service was barely decent. Three plates were brought to our table not one of which was ours. The bacon side was good. My wife's eggs benedict was ok. The other various egg dishes they were serving other tables looked ok and maybe that's what should be ordered. I asked for the check, and it came 15 minutes later. Way overpriced for bad service and so-so food. What a rip!

We just went back to The East Pole for the second time and fell in love with it all over again. Rarely do I come across a restaurant that gets everything right the way this one does: the delicious, organic, and original food; the refreshingly friendly and excellent wait staff; the light, comfortable interior; and the cozy but hipper-than-its-UES-location vibe. Our first meal here was this past summer, for a 3-generation family brunch, and we just returned with our two adolescent kids and a NYC-based food-critic friend of mine. Our friend was an hour late, yet our wonderful waiter didn't blink an eye as we kept postponing our order. Remarkably, not a single sigh or look of impatience crossed his face - on the contrary, he was reassuring throughout the wait. I hope we made good on it afterward, ordering up a storm. Every dish at this place is delicious, but I'd highly recommend their signature Avocado Toast with soft boiled eggs and Smoked Salmon Tartine as well as the yummy raspberry lemonade. Our friend loved her Peeky Toe Crab Toast and hijiki salad, too. And she's a serious - and picky - foodie. If you're with a larger group, try to snag the round table at the back under the skylight. We'll be back!

A very cute place with a nice outside patio. We arrived about 7:45 and it got much busier as the night went on. The clientele is varied for fun people watching. We sat on the patio which is below street level - so I got a bit warm as the night went on - but all others were fine. Service was attentive and food arrived timely. I can highly recommend the Fish Potpie - which is actually lobster. My only disappointment was the limited wine selection - no oaky, dry Chardonnay - but the Pinot was very good. A definite recommend to others in the city.

This restaurant has tables that can just fit 4 people with hardly any room for the plates and drinks. Its crowded, noisy and the food came in small portions. The staff seem as though they are trying but the physical place is a tight squeeze.The a/c was just working in the back dining room and even when we requested that it be turned up as it was very humid ,the temperature hardly moved. Most of the main courses are meat and there was only 2 fish choices. The desserts showed blueberry/strawberry and raspberry pie as on dish but when my dish appeared there were only blueberries in it. The waiter took it away with a scowl on his face when i gave it back to him.

We arrived at the Eastside brunch spot early (10:15 AM) on a Sunday morning and found it nearly empty but 45 minutes later, it was packed. We chose The East Pole because of several interesting brunch items -- the confit duck hash with potatoes and vegetables and two poached eggs, the lemon ricotta waffle waffle, the East Pole Macro Bowl, smoothies and juices, and some yummy pumpkin bread. The pumpkin bread was just right -- not to sweet, not too spicy, with just the right amount of moisture and with a little pumpkin butter to make it even better. We also had the duck hash and an omelette with ricotta, greens, and fresh herbs. It was all tasty and we ate every bite.

Had brunch on the patio, a bit warm and umbrella did not cover us. I had waffles which were burnt on the edges so a bit dry and overpriced for 14.00. My daughter had a omlet with greens and ricotta cheese which was quite good.

This used to be 212 back in the day and I liked it back then, this place is even better. While it is a little upper east sidey it is in a good location and close to the park. They food is very good and the drinks are better. I prefer the brunch over the dinner. Also, think it is a good place to grab a drink after work. One of my favorite dishes is the fried oyster salad which they brought back on the menu. The service is not what it used to be. I was there once for brunch and they forgot to put in our order. The manager provided us with some appetizers in the meantime though it still took another 45 minutes to an hour to come out and while the food they brought out in the interim was comped , nothing else was. Overall this place is great and it holds a special spot in my heart - Definitely recommended.

We had a girls night Friday night at East Pole. From the first step down into the entrance we had smiles on our faces, greeted by the tall and handsome maitre de dressed beautifully with a gorgeous turban. The place was packed, but we had a lovely round table that was quiet perfect for 6 chatty women! The service was top notch, quick drinks, water glasses continuously re filled and a lovely water who was efficient but not rushed on a very busy Friday night. Every entree was perfectly prepared, not one person was disappointed with their choices.. Scallops, seafood pot pie and seafood stew were some of the entrees we had.. All in all it was a great night and dinner at East Pole!

My son made reservations at The South Pole for Sunday morning brunch during a recent visit to New York. It is an easy place to miss but well worth keeping your eyes open to find this jewel. We arrived at 10:30 am, which was when they opened. I had the pumpkin waffles; my husband had the florentine eggs with a side order of the home fries with black garlic and my son had the daily special, which was blueberry french toast on the day we were there. Everything was just perfection--food, service, ambience, etc. I would definitely recommend and will go again when visit NYC. I understand that reservations are a must as space is limited and it is very popular right now with locals.

East Pole, while noisy, has a greta upbeat vibe. The staff i knowledgeable and fairly attentive. The food choices are varied, I especially like their Chicken Kiev, Grilled Cheese With Pickles and Chocolate Bread Pudding.

Went here with a part of 15 for a group dinner. Seated upstairs in a private area which was perfect. Had our appetizers & starters for the group. Radishes, grilled cheese tiny sandwiches, beet salad etc. All were very good. Very nice wines by the bottle which were quite reasonable. A Barola and a white wine from Greece. Around $60 per bottle and very decent. I had the pork chop for dinner. Others had a ribeye, bass....Everyone seemed to like their dish. A couple had a fennel and fish "pie" which one person didn't like. I wouldn't have ordered it. The desserts were for the table. A brownie dessert and a pie (rhubarb) Nothing fantastic regarding the food but overall our service was great and we had a memorable evening.

So trip advisor rated this place as one of the top Sunday brunches in the City. The concierge called it “up and coming” (concierge speak for are you kidding?). Our experience was mixed. The hostess was quite mixed up. As it typical in NYC she would not seat just 2 of our party of four despite an empty house at 11:30 am. My daughter and her BF arrived minutes later. Then despite all four of our party being there she got confused when two other parties arrived concurrently and sat them first. Irritating but not material as the house was empty. The dining room has a small bar that you walk past and it is on the lower level of an Upper East Side brownstone on 65th and nice enough. There are 3-4 outdoor tables as well. Our concierge is correct, the place is up and coming but HAS NOT arrived yet as the best brunch in NYC, it is still clearly soring itself out. It has a limited farm to table menu which was nice and well-conceived. Our group ordered 3 eggs Florentine and one English breakfast. Everyone was quite satisfied with the presentations and the meals although my poached eggs were very much on the under cooked side but by comparison the other two orders we received which not so runny and seemed to be cooked correctly. The pastry bowl is small, but fresh baked and even at just a couple of bites the croissant was the best i have had outside of Paris. For dessert we enjoyed a cheese plate and a second pastry basket, the cheeses were tasty as was the homemade jam and hive honey but there was no explanation what the cheeses were and which local farms they came from thus undermining the farm to table experience. All in all a good experience but more of a small neighborhood place than something to go out of your way for.

I happened upon this small neighborhood spot and had a light late dinner on a Sunday evening. As a denizen of Seattle , my standards are high and this restaurant met them. Ordered comfort food- every Sunday night they do a variation on fried chicken - this one had nori in the crust. It was delicious - - not too spicy but with a bit of kick. Great mashed potatoes accompanying it. That and a very good cocktail was all I ate but everything about this restaurant seemed first class. Service was great, prices reasonable.

soup and grilled cheese comfort food were great as was their sundae with real cream and salted ice cream

While in NY for business I met a friend for dinner at The East Pole. I arrived early for our 7:15 pm reservation and was able to obtain a spot across from the restaurant where street parking is meter-free after 7pm. The hotel offers free coat check and the host and hostess were very welcoming. Tip: Use the coat check because the tables are close. We both ordered the Seared Diver Sea Scallops, Sweet Beet Puree, Creme Fraiche, Bok Choy, Salsa Verde for $29.00, as did a number of other diners at nearby tables. After tasting the first bite, I understood why; absolutely scrumptious. The atmosphere is nice and the service was impeccable. We perused the dessert menu, but did not indulge. I would definitely head back there if in the area again.

Very nice brunch place comfortable bright room moderate sound level, menu has something for everyone, donuts are great but a little pricey.

Two words, Scotch Egg. My family and I went here for brunch and had some amazing food. The best by far was the scotch egg that we planned to share but after tasting it we went ahead and ordered more for each person. As for the rest of the meal, the Avocado Toast, soft boiled eggs, house made hot sauce, cilantro and Full English Breakfast, two eggs any style, chipolatas, bacon, mushrooms, beans stood out as some of the better dishes. The service was very attentive and we would certainly come back for the great food. The biggest downside was the drinks. The sangria was overloaded with ice and not really very special and the bellini was rather weak.

We have been to east pole several times. It gets better and better. It is a great addition to the upper east side neighborhood. The bar is always busy and the food is so good people are eating at the bar. The chicken pork chop and all of the fish are all delicious. In addition they make a great hamburger. Great restaurant.

I spotted this restaurant online and made a reservation weeks in advance. I was treating my aunt and uncle to Sunday brunch. Although the restaurant is very well decorated, modern, clean and in a beautiful area of town, the food and service were okay. The banana bread was my favourite dish. The eggs, sides, and toast were very generic. Our server seemed nervous and forgot parts of our order. I had hoped for a more memorable experience.

This welcoming intimate restaurant serves food made from lovely fresh ingredients with an inventive edge. Open late and lovely service bring us back over and over. Fish dishes are especially good

Was staying locally and visited for dinner. Fab atmosphere and service was personal and friendly. We ordered the chicken for 2 which was good - but a little over cooked. But you MUST order the lemon custard desert. Sublime. Will return next time I’m in the area

I heard pretty good things about East Pole for some time so I was excited to try it. Unfortunately, we had a lousy night. Our server was inattentive, the menu and food were fair and the prices were high. For a $17 drink, I expected more than a shot. We were never brought bread, even though we asked for it. The portions are small, as I previously stated, the food was ok. Lamb steak was ok. The duchess got skate which wasn’t great and the other people got tuna and a mushroom dish. She wanted to eat “clean”. Flourless choc cake with vanilla ice cream was good but very rich. Tab was $120 per person including tip. I wouldn’t go there again...

We were pleasantly surprised by the offerings at East Pole. We shared a few dishes, all were very good. Lovely selection of vegetarian sides. Nice atmosphere and good service.

Love the East Pole! Just had dinner there for the 3rd time with friends and family. There is nothing great in the neighborhood, so it definitely fills a gap! The food is delicious. Make sure you try the roasted whole cauliflower - it's fabulous! The Chicken Kiev is wonderful, and so is the Sea bass. The waitstaff us friendly and efficient. My only complaint is that the bar and restaurant get very crowded and loud after 7:00pm so if you're looking for a quiet dinner this is not the place! I love the simplicity of the interior and the Farm to Table food. A real "winner" for the neighborhood!

Loving so many local restaurants, this is a strong contender for my dollars. Dining area has been reconfigured so there are fewer tables, therefore more intimacy at your table than the restaurant before. Food is good. Creative tastes and combinations. Service available and not invasive. Need a reservation. I will return for Chicken Kiev - I didn't order it but it looked so good and the table next to us were raving.

Went here for Sunday brunch and it was really lovely! Food was delicious (even if the portions were very large) and waiters were very friendly. Only complaint was from the outside it was not obvious that it was The East Pole so we had to walk in very awkwardly not actually knowing if it was the restaurant. Having said that it is the only restaurant on that part of the street.

Came up to NYC for the day and decided to try this eatery. Fortunately we ate early (11:45) because when we left there was quite a crowd. When we arrived we were seated immediately in the upstairs dining area near a skylight that provided natural light and seating toward the back so we weren't bumping into any other diners. The place is small and the seats are tight but we were comfortable at our table with five and easily could have had a sixth. Our waiter was pleasant, attentive and quick to the table. Three of us had the breakfast special which was delightful. One of us had the rigatoni which was so good I wish I had ordered it. And the last member of our party had the hamburger which was thoroughly enjoyed. I did like the fact that it was locally sourced food. It seemed high quality and nicely presented. I would recommend trying this eatery. It was very good.