Café 50 West

Such a great place! We went yesterday with a Groupon and we will be back. The food was great– the $ 50 we had from Groupon was enough to take our entire entrees home with us. I am a connoisseur of spinach artichoke dip and this one was fabulous! The pita it was served with was hot and yummy. A great selection for the vegetarian and meat eater to both enjoy. There were not any compromises made in picking this spot.
Drinks were great. The bartenders were extremely friendly, and the music was so good I had to add the station they were rocking my own Pandora– Balkan Beat Box. I would also suggest trying their jalapeño infused tequila. It is just the right amount of spice!

The food is fine, the drinks are drinkable, but Café 50 is just… meh. The service can be incredibly slow. I’m typically not one to complain or really care about this criteria, but I have waited an unacceptable amount of time for a drink on more than one occasion.
Yet I continue to come here because it’s just so ridiculously close to my office. Never too crowded, decent prices. Go for convenience. Otherwise, pick another spot.

the sliders here and pretty good — and different than a lot of the others ive had before. they had some cilantro and tomatoes with the cheese instead of the standard all american approach with ketchup and onions. Thumbs up. i would go again (since they always have groupon and living social deals anyway).
three stars, you say? our waitress was pretty drunk and dancing everywhere. They blasted music when they wanted us to leave– so we did. ill go here earlier than 8PM next time to avoid the rudeness.

Lemme just preface this by calling attention to the fact that our server was either a) working her very first shift b) extremely high and hungover c) just plain stupid or d) all of the above.
I met up with a girlfriend for brunch one Sunday and specifically picked Café 50 West based on its Unilocal reviews for its bottomless brunch, outdoor seating, and proximity to our train stops. I got there first and the place was empty with the exception of one table. When my gf showed up we went in and stood somewhat awkwardly around until one of the four employees pretending we didn’t exist finally greeted us. I didn’t see any outdoor seating as I had expected so we asked to sit at the table closest to the open front of the room. That was fine but not really outdoor seating… so where is the outdoor seating? Is it just a myth? Still don’t know.
So chica asks us what we’d like to drink and I ask for a water and let her know I’d like to do the bottomless brunch so I’ll have my first (of hopefully many) mimosa and my gf dittos that. Chica tells us that they don’t have any champagne but they sent the bussers out to get it so would we like a screwdriver or bloody mary instead as we wait for the arrival and chilling of the champagne. (Ummm did you not know that you advertise Sat & Sun as bottomless brunch days? Why wouldn’t you make sure you are fully stocked for the morning sometime like the night before? Ok. Whatever.) Vodka was a little more than I’d had in mind since I was to later attend the Met’s vs. Yankees game and had a whole day/​evening of boozing before me but I said «What the hell, if I’m paying for a bottomless booze brunch, I might as well get it started.» and my homegirl agreed.
So we order our food and await our screwdrivers and sit and chit chat and catch up on life. A few minutes later, as the bussers were walking in with boxes of champagne, our food arrived. I was surprised at how quick it came out buuuuut considering we were the only order on the line, it’s not that surprising at all. When u also take into consideration how shitty it tasted, it’s no wonder it came out so quick. Matter of fact, it came out so quick we still didn’t have our screwdrivers… it’d only been about 15 minutes since we ordered them. :sigh:
My eggs benedict came out with the sauce on despite me asking for the sauce on the side, but whatever, I’ll live. Well that is until I tried to eat it. The damn english muffin was hard as a rock, literally couldn’t even cut it with a knife and inedible. The hollandaise was not tasty. The egg and salmon were the only edible components. The saving grace was the side salad, especially the dressing on it. Fucking. Delicious.
My homegirl thought her food was ok. Not horrible but not spectacular. Maybe it would have tasted better if we ever actually got served some godforsaken alcohol to wash it down with!
So finally our plates are cleared and the bill is dropped and we sit and chit-​chat some more and after about 10 minutes of us not touching the bill our ever so attentive and thoughtful: eyeroll:server must’ve remembered we never got what we came for and brought us each a HALF glass of screwdriver «on the house». Jeez. How nice.
Well that half screwdriver wasn’t enough to get me drunk and it sure as hell wasn’t enough to salvage chicas tip. Sorry beezy, you ruined my pre-​game, now I gotta spend twice as much on overpriced booze at the stadium!

As I’m walking out the door to head to brunch, the boy asks me what restaurant I’m going to. I tell him somewhere I haven’t been before, Café 50 West. He starts laughing and tells me, «Have fun! The service sucks and they never have anything on the menu.» How right he was.
I met up with two friends from out of town. When Friend #1 orders the shrimp omelet, the waitress tells him they do not have any shrimp. I immediately start laughing. It’s fine, my friend’s cool, he simply orders something else. Friend #2 orders plain ol granola, and I get the eggs benedict. Our food comes out in a bit and the waitress places a hot plate in front of myself and Friend #1. Then she says, «oh my gosh I’m so sorry, I totally forgot to tell you we’re out of granola.» Umm, excuse me? You wait until you serve the rest of the table with hot food to tell someone you don’t have what she ordered? Good thing my friends are laid back. Friend #2 just went with it and enjoyed her coffee.
The sad thing is, my food was actually pretty good. Too bad I will not be going back.

Really just ok.
The bartender here is really cool dude. They are kind of laid back, and the bar is a huge piece of faux wood with a sequoia tree look/​feel.
Since I had a big breakfast, I wanted something light for lunch.
The small falaffel platter, was just ok. with 6 or 7 small balls, a dollop of hummus, some pickled type salad, and about 5 small triangles of pita bread. It was average at best, and the some of the falaffel had some very hard crunchy things that I almost busted a tooth on. OUCH… not good.
(as we know, that happens sometimes with fried chick pea… but this was OUCH…) Anyway… I’d go back with a group of friends for a beer, but that’s probably it. Another patron walked in with an online discount, so maybe for a deal, I might also give some of their other menu items a try.

Nothing says «look at me! look at me!» like grabbing the front table near the door. In this place it’s even separated from the rest of the tables. Obviously feeling superior, we sat here.
About 8 bloody maries (mary’s? sheesh) later, I had no complaints about the food. Everything was A-​OK.
Well, except for the fact that they were out of the tostadas… and the mac and cheese… and the sliders… and the hummus. You get the point. After ordering 5 different things off the menu, I finally told the waitress to just bring me whatever they actually had.
I then proceeded to do some damage to the free drink special. Well, damage is relative because each bloody mary was about 5% vodka. No matter, I’ll make up for it in quantity. Keep ‘em comin.
Waitress was of the bubbly variety. Just when I thought they were getting annoyed with how long we were staying, they actually brought out a couple free samples of other drinks for the table. Thanks!

Ended up here after not being able to find anywhere to sit at the last bar. Way laid back. Plenty of tables and bar stools to choose from. Ok, well it was a Wednesday night, but still worth noting.
Drinks are strong. Now, when they are strong I usually say ‘tasty’ when I still like them. They were just plain up strong, child. Then again I came with regulars so I guess the bartenders were just taking care of us as guests. Done.
And… that’s all I got.

I really don’t know what to say about this place– it was ‘A-​OK’ I guess you can say.
I got the smoked salmon benedict while my friend got the brioche french toast. The french toast looked good– but from reaction it wasn’t anything spectacular.
My smoked salmon benedict was good– but my eggs were a bit undercooked (I hate non-​cooked egg whites). The hollandaise sauce was light and the muffin was crispy.
I wouls say this place deserves 3 stars in that the ambiance/​décor of the place was a lot better than the food.
My sweet potato fries (which i got in place of the home fries) were burnt as well!
I probably wouldn’t come back here– but I wouldn’t say you should rule out this place overall.
If you’re in the area and looking for some simple breakfast– this would be a good option.

I am a little afraid to review this place, as it is such a great thing that I kind of don’t want to share, but I truly LOVE my fellow Unilocalers, so I will share my good thing. The food here is out of this world! I had the Poached eggs and my friend had the vegetable omelet-​check the pictures, the food is not only reasonable, but pretty. We got the brunch unlimited $ 15 brunch beverage special-​we had a carafe of mimosas with a straw-​again if you don’t believe me, check the picture. I am coming back again and again-​this is my new hangout-​so if you are one of my Unilocaler fans and are wanting to see a picture of me, well… just come here on the weekend-​you will see me here lushing it up!
Enjoy your brunch!

I understand why brunch is so popular here… $ 15 unlimited drinks (2 hour limit). The table next to ours had about 10 people, so the restaurant just gave them two bottles of champagne to tie them over — smart move.
This place is really great for groups. We didn’t make a reservation, so got shoved to the front. Had the eggs with smoked salmon and onion jam — yummy! The pile high plate filled me up!
Service was as fast as it could be with one server… granted, the groups did their lingering, so they probably didn’t need too many servers. It took 15 minutes before we finally took our check and credit card to the bar to get processed. Otherwise, a great place for groups.

My first visit to Café 50 West was Saturday Brunch this past week with some friends, and I was pleasantly surprised. The food was great, the drinks were tasty, and the staff was very friendly! I read several Unilocal!reviews indicating that Café 50 West is great for groups, and I totally agree. The shape of the restaurant is so that the back of the place is perfect for groups (just make sure you call ahead to reserve this space). We had a medium-​sized group on Saturday (~10 folks), so the staff set up a roomy table for us in the back where we could relax, spread out, and enjoy our time there.
THE FOOD
I tried a ham and cheese omelet, which was served with a small salad and home fries. Very tasty! Vinny ordered a burger (which looked dry to me), but he said it was good. I had food envy for the Mac & Cheese, so my friend who ordered it let me try some. Delicious!!! And, like at least one other Unilocal!reviewer stated, the Mac & Cheese is big enough for a meal in itself.
THE DRINKS
Since it was Saturday Brunch, we had the option of $ 15 all-​you-​can-​drink brunch drinks (Bloody Marys, Mimosas, Bellinis, etc.). I drank Bloody Marys primarily, and they were good. I had a sip of Vinny’s Bellini, and it was yummy as well. The bar staff did run out of a couple of items, but they sent one of the waiters out to pick up what they were missing! I was very impressed byt his.
If you haven’t tried Café 50 West, then put it on your list. I ‘d definitely return for another visit.

Bad luck or a sign of things to come: is Café 50 West slipping? I was there on a Saturday at 6pm and there was NO WINE! Let me say that again, on a Manhattan Saturday night there was NO WINE! Except for a random bottle of prosecco, nothing else was left in the restaurant. We were told their wine was not delivered, but anyone with a brain knows that no one waits for the entire stock to go to zero before ordering. And even if so, couldn’t Café 50 West go to a liquor store…
There was beer and spirits, and we decided to eat. The food was very nice. But still, no wine? It’s Saturday and this is New York City!!!
I wonder if Café 50 will be around in a week or two?

So we tried here for the
coupon. The mac & cheese was not too heavy; they use sharp white cheddar. It’s nice eaten hot. The sliders were alright, but not saucy enough. The pork tostadas were my favorite, with tender seasoned pulled pork and guacamole.
What’s nice was that when we told them we’re sharing these apps, they split everything into separate plates. Service was decent.
For the amount that we paid, it was a nice deal. But the pre-​discounted bill would’ve been a bit much, though.

Went in there on a tuesday night. There was a nice blend of open tables and a pretty crowded bar, giving it a certain life and energy on a weeknight.
Went in there with a
certificate, which was awesome to save $ 20 on the meal. Anyway, me and my friend went in there and split a couple sandwiches. The steak sandwich was really good, and the bread was just really really good. I wouldnt believe you if you told me the bread isnt all fresh-​baked. The pork sandwich was a little odd, somehow it got soggy. It tasted good, and luckily the sandwiches are grilled/​pressed to fix this otherwise disaster issue.
Café 50 gained a star back with good butternut squash soup and sweet potato fries. The service was very fast, and our water was always full. (I’m a real stickler for water refills).
I think the menu had a lot of interesting dishes, so I think I’d definitely return again, with another
certificate. Otherwise, this place may be a little pricey for my taste.

Had drinks at the bar with a client a few weeks ago and found it comfy and right in line.
My colleague and I met the client there for a lunch yesterday and all four of our party agreed the vegan butternut squash soup was out of this world, the toasted garlic bread on the side delicious, and our food was all amazing — some of us had big salads (salmon), others sandwiches — was all good and yummy. Really nice service also!
I think the place is great and I am looking forward to returning.

I agree with Jennifer S. (not just cause I’m one of her brunching friends) on the convenience of the location and appeal of the unlimited mimosas. Food was decent, although make sure you ask whether the fruit is fresh. (Take heed on my pancake misorder — I got a pile of frozen bluberries on top of so-​so pancakes).
Either way I recommend coming here for the beverage offering and the less hectic atmosphere. It’s a nice, easy spot (no wait, takes reservations, etc.) when compared to some of the popular brunch haunts around town.

For some reason I decided it would be a good idea to:
1. Run halfway to Café 50 West in the rain from the Meat Packing District
2. Once there, drink every possible form of alcohol until 4 AM
3. Dance to Michael Jackson numbers and get the footwork all wrong
4. Pay 13 dollars for a SoCo and lime shot
5. Stare at the blinding lights emanating from the car park opposite the café.
It wasn’t. A good idea, I mean.

Café 50 West is one of the few delights in the Flatiron neighborhood that still is relatively unknown to the rest of the masses. While part of me wants it to stay that way, I can’t help but highlight the good times that make it worth visiting. Ultimately, the place has very tasty food, cool service, and an ambiance that makes for a casual date, lunch hour with gourmet style food.
Since the place is tucked between the obstruction of neighboring building stairwells, the actual restaurant thrives on its lack of external attention, focusing on the ambiance inside. The charm is evident when one comes through the doors, noticing the full bar, side of tables, low ceilings, and relatively tasteful décor adorning the walls throughout the place. Service is equally good and is even better when you’re a frequent customer as most of the staff remembers faces very well.
Prices are not super cheap, but then again the food quality here is vastly superior to any nearby deli. Appetizers /​tapas have been on the smaller, pricier side, but still relatively good. Even at a palsy $ 10, the cup sized mac&cheese is pretty good, even if its small in portion. My favorites here so far have been their burgers and sandwiches, which have been juicy and delicious.

Just a few steps down from work this place was my first lunch spot. The thing that sold me is the breakfast all day. As mentioned previously the eggs benedict is certainly excellent!
The staff are laid back cool yet still provide attentive service without overcrowding your eating experience.
Yes the owner has a wonderfully awesome ‘stache which I hope never disappears.
They also do some great Tully’s take out coffee.
*EDIT*
I had to come back and redo this review, they’re revamping the menu and so far it’s been for the better! When they first opened there were no burgers, now they have some great tasting burgers and some really amazing fries!
The atmosphere keeps getting better here and I’m now starting to be afraid of drawing attention to this place because I love it so.
In fact when I sit inside I always cheer when the people outside look in and decide to keep walking. YES MY LITTLE SECRET. At the same time the owner is great and more business means the success of this place so I’m torn. Consider me bipolar. YES come visit this place but please keep it the quaint neighborhood hang out and don’t share it with anyone else ;)
*ANOTHER EDIT* — 12/​06/​2007
It was time for a change… the mustache is officially gone. however the great menu items keep coming.
There’s the Hen House chicken burger of which the chicken burger itself is made in house.
The Cowboy burger… blue cheese and bacon? You can’t go wrong with that.
All you people I told to keep this place a quaint neighborhood dig? Well it seems the cat is out of the bag. It’s always busy now when I come here. Luckily I manage to squeeze in a seat all the time.