Upland

We had a business lunch with a group downstairs and it was great! The venue is wonderful and the food was delicious. Loved the pear salad and chicken dish with corn. All of the food was great and I loved the ambiance. I will return with friends and family again.

Heads up: the entrance is on 26^th St. – not Park Ave S.
Loved the décor – dimly lit, rustic look/​feeling, vibrant, high ceilings. And unpretentious.
Came here for dinner with a girlfriend. We split 3 appetizers, 1 pasta and 1 meat entrée, as well as a bottle of rose. It was MORE than enough. Could’ve done without the extra appetizer but honestly, they were all so delicious so no regrets.
Appetizers:
— Whole crispy mushroom with cloumage and herbs: probably my favorite thing! It’s a little strange looking (you can browse the photos on Unilocal) but it’s delicious. It’s a large head of mushroom that’s very crispy along the edges and meaty near the center. Drizzle some meyer lemon and go to town. We asked for cloumage on the side – recommend it since the lemon juice is really all you need to bring out flavors. Only available on dinner menu!
— Beef tartare: very interesting as it comes with egg yolk and topped with farro. The texture is interesting and it was delicious.
— Crispy duck wings: there are three of these and they fall off the bone. It was a tad bit too salty for my taste but the flavors work well – lemon, olive oil and yuzu kosho.
Pasta:
— Estrella: highly recommend. The pasta was star shaped, long tubes and cooked al dente. The sauce is chicken liver, sherry and rosemary. Not usually a fan of liver but this was so delicious and complex.
Main:
— Porchetta: Loved the crispy skin. This dish was interesting. It came with shaved cauliflower, pickled currants, soft herbs and sesame. It worked well even though the creamy sauce threw me off at first. Recommend!
On more thing. The service is exceptional! Everyone is so helpful and friendly. Our waitress was great and gave recommendations without overwhelming us with the whole menu. The restaurant manager (?) also came to check on us 3x! 1) to see how we were doing, 2) compliment our dish choices and talked about his favorites and 3) cleared our table and checked in to see if we needed anything. He was really engaged with everyone at the restaurant. Definitely recommend going and definitely will come back for lunch. Heard the burger is AMAZING.

Good food and ambiance. Helpful service. Would go here again.
I had the Brussels sprouts pizza, the side order of carrots, the mushroom plate («hen of the woods»), and a seven leaf Caesar salad. All were great, although my favorites were the mushroom and the pizza.

Came to Upland both times for brunch and thought it was solid. The first time, my boyfriend and I shared the doughnuts to start which were highly recommended by our waiter. These were delicious! For an entrée, I had the eggs benny which was good but not the best I had ever had. My boyfriend got the Eggs in Hell which he really enjoyed. It is not overly spicy. The next time I had the baccala which was a very unique brunch entrée. It was a salted cod cake (not fishy really) and a fried egg on top. Really enjoyed this. Coffee is solid here as well. Despite it being known as very hard to get into, I walked right in for a party of two and was able to be seated right away! I am excited to come back for dinner.

Upland has been on my «to eat» list for quite some time now. I remember when they were the new kid on the block and NY Times mentioned that Upland’s owner and impresario in chief was Stephen Starr — the man behind restaurants such as Morimoto and Buddakan. Upland feels fancy, without feeling sterile or unwelcoming.
The back of the bar has shelves with perfectly lined up jars filled with preserved lemons. Each jar sits in front of three tiny LEDs lights and the effect given is one of a very warm and glowing wall. The way it illuminates both the bar and main dining room is unique, creative and beautiful. Plus the way it plays with the copper trimmings of the bar and other decorative pieces around the tables is nothing short of stunning.
I was beyond excited to finally have the opportunity to check Upland out when a business lunch came up and we needed to pick a nearby restaurant suitable to talk shop. I work across the street from Upland and having already been disappointed by Park Avenue Spring/​Winter/​Summer/​Fall and recently-​ish enjoyed Hillstone, my coworker and I decided on Upland since neither of us had been.
The menu here is simple, but solid. Upland’s chef, Justin Smillie, really liked to play around with Italian flavors but create dishes inspired by classic urbane Californian cuisine staples (unfortunately not San Diego-​an cuisine, no burritos with french fries in em’ here kids! Lol).
They boast a very worldly 500-​bottle wine list (with several of them being priced at $ 50 and below, which is impressive given the caliber of this restaurant), but I enjoyed a simple glass of white to go with my light and classic pasta dish.
My coworker enjoyed their Grilled Chicken Sandwich (came served with brussel petals, parmigiano + dijonnaise), my business associate from another company absolutely loved his Upland Cheeseburger (this is only cooked well-​done because the burger itself is composed of 2 rather thin patties — all grass fed beef with melted American cheese, peppadew peppers, fresh chopped greens and avocado).
I went with their Bucatini Cacio e Pepe which came with a generous amount of pecorino romano cheese and black pepper. Cacio e Pepe is such a simple, yet light dish (which I’ve also made successfully myself with regular spaghetti) but with bucatini (also known as perciatelli, is a thick spaghetti-​like pasta with a hole running through the center) is was even better. This isn’t a pasta type that I often see in restaurants and while the portion size initially looks like it could be better, it’s a very dense and filling type of strand pasta and it was cooked absolutely perfectly al dente.
Service here was warm, friendly and efficient. Everything about my dining experience here was flawless… except that I was too full to have a go at their desert menu. I look forward to coming back here again soon because their Roasted Porchetta + egg sandwich has my name all over it and so does their brunch menu :).

I enjoyed a delicious brunch with my family here recently. I had the «eggs in hell» which were very tasty. Service was warm and attentive, and the ambiance was very chic as well. I hope to return for dinner.

I had been looking forward to my reservation at Upland for a while because of all the positive reviews the restaurant has been receiving but after my dinner there last night I’m wondering what all the hype is about it. The ambience was lovely, sort of a combination of New York trendy with California rustic and the service was professional and attentive so my opinion of the experience was definitely not colored by factors like noise or service. I went with my father and he was also pretty underwhelmed by the quality of the food.
To start we ordered the seared octopus and the grilled veal chops. The octopus was overcooked and chewy and the veal was fatty and difficult to eat. Then we split a portion of the cacio e pepe, which was fine but nothing special and we both agreed we could have done without ordering it. As a main course I ordered the porchetta and my father ordered the special which was a duck breast. The pork was overcooked, dry, and extremely tough. The vegetables that accompanied it weren’t memorable (I literally can’t even remember what they were). My dad’s duck was so flavorless and dry that it more closely resembled a cut of lean beef. For dessert we ordered the honeycrisp apple costata which again, was dry.
On a positive note, the Bill Pay Buck cocktail was delicious and I thought the wine we selected (a Sancerre) was very nice also. But all in all pretty mediocre and not worth the price tag.

really great bar service. complimentary bread is delicious and nice touch. the bar is so much fun I met two different sets of people. hen of the mushrooms, apple crisp, and steak tartare. want to come back for the liver pasta and skirt steak. yum! stephen starr always epic

Had dinner at Upland last night and made reservations online through Open Table. All in all our experience was pleasant. The service was very good, the place was very chic, the food was very good. Highlights:
1. The COCKTAILS. I had ordered the Mischief Managed and it was elegantly executed.
2. The potato bread for the table with chive and meyer lemon butter. The butter went well with the brioche texture of the bread.
3. The HEN OF THE WOODS mushroom appetizer. It was huge and well satisfying. My only preference is that I would have like regular lemon opposed to meyer lemon. You need sharp acidity to cut through the mushroom flavor.
4. The HAZELNUT CHOCOLATE CAKE. Pleasantly sweet but not too sweet, and oddly enough, we were able to finish it regardless of how much we ate during first and second course!
My advice: try Upland once, but I don’t think food sold me enough to come back for a second visit. Our main course dishes were good, but not mindblowing.

Why a great spot for brunch. This may become one of our new go to brunch spots (hey… If it’s good enough for the Obama girls…)
The plan is spacious and full without feeling crowded. I really liked the vibe. People were trying to enjoy weekend brunch with good food and relaxation, NOT just trying to get as drunk as possible on cheap mimosas.
I had the Porcetta sandwich would have been perfect if it wasn’t so messy and hard to eat. It was too hard to eat as a sandwich without falling apart and equally hard to cut without pieces flying out. Also, I love arugula which is advertised as being in the sandwich be as you see from the picture there were literally four pieces. That being said the meat was great, the bread good, and the eggs cooked promptly.
We were seated immediately with a reservation and service was attentive throughout the meal.

This place has a up-​scale, casual feel to it. In a way, it sort of seemed like high-​end picnic décor. The walls with bottles of wine, glasses and jars of mysterious fruit molding in liquid was neat from afar but then upclose, you can see the jars decomposing. I heard good things about this place and was expecting a bit more. I ordered the estrella pasta with chicken liver which was O.K. but there was nothing special about the sauce or seasonings. My friend ordered the eggs benedict which was small and without any side additions like homefries at other brunch spots. To be honest, I expected as much from a place like this in terms of portions. The pasta was a decent amount but definitely had better elsewhere.

Ordered: Brussel Sprout Pizza and Beef Tartare. both were the best things to go into my mouth that day.
Normally would not get a brussel sprout pizza but it blew my mind. There is some lemon juice drizzled all over the pizza that gives it a great flavor. The beef tartare was incredible. It is topped with a light crunchy something that gives the dish and awesome texture. Highly recommend both of these!

Meh. I don’t get the hype at all. Space is very cute, reminded me of an upscale picnic indoors. Food was subpar quite frankly. I will say, the bread basket was very good. My husband got the margarita pizza which was burned on the bottom a lot and I got the quiche Lorraine which they serve lukewarm. I sent it back because it was like runny, not hot quiche, though multiple people said that’s how they serve it. The manager brought it out once they cooked it longer and said, «Here’s a new take on quiche Lorraine» which I thought was rude and unnecessary; sorry I don’t like my food cold in the middle. I’d rather eat elsewhere for $ 50+ brunch.

*****PROBABLY THE BEST DINNER I’VE HAD IN NYC*****
Granted, I’m not really familiar with the *really nice* places in NY. But everything here was absolutely terrific.
Bread (complimentary appetizer): Delicious, wish I could get more without having to dine here. Crispy crust, nicely lightly salted, and warm and the soft inside. Plain bread is one of my favorite foods and this was top-​of-​the-​line.
Whole Crispy Mushroom ($ 18): Mushrooms are one of my favorite foods, and this was unlike any other mushroom I’ve had before (maybe it’s really a crispR mushroom…*cheesy science joke aside*…). While its not filling, the Hen of the Woods is quite large for an app and as it name would suggest, the crispiest mushroom I’ve had. The one way I might improve this dish was the sauce that came with it… I thought it overpowered the delicate taste of the mushroom, and with its unique texture, it probably doesn’t need a sauce. But if Upland insists, I would recommend something more mild to allow the terrific taste of the mushroom to shine.
Spicy Soppressata (~$ 19): Seriously one of the best small pizzas I’ve had. The soppressata was extremely flavorful, both on the pizza or plucked and eaten alone. All the ingredients were top of the line and cooked perfectly. Was also absolutely delicious the next day warmed up, which isn’t true about a lot of pizza. I would totally get pies take-​out even at this price because they are so delicious.
Pappardelle ($ 24): Terrific rendition of a relatively simple dish. Not overly heavy, perfect amount of sauce to coat the pasta while still feeling clean and unified.
Slow Cooked Lamb Neck ($ 37): This was perfectly cooked and I relished each tender bite of the delicious meat.
Really nice setting with a lively bar and positive vibes abounding the room with lemon jars extending high in the dining room. Unique and trendy, but comfortable and classy.
FINAL VERDICT: Get a reservation and come on down. I recommend (Bread +) Mushroom + Pizza + Pasta + Meat for plenty of food for two!

Let me just say. order the bucatini cacio e pepe and don’t look back. Seriously. It’s THAT amazing. I always rave about the cacio e pepe from eataly but since learning about all the sticks of butter that they use well… nevermind! My friend ordered the papardelle with spicy sausage ragu which was tasty as well. I definitely want to come back for their brunch and dinner. Definitely a solid lunch option. also wasn’t too crowded and were able to get a table right away.

Well… I think I just found my new favorite Flatiron spot! I wish I knew about this spot when I used to go to school nearby. Still better late than never!
Upland is a beautiful restaurant, glowing with a charming and welcoming ambiance. The inspiration draws from Chef Justin Smillie love of cooking while growing up in California. The tables are decorated quaintly with rustic elements and the walls are warmly lit with jars full of illuminated peaches. Our group sat down pre-​Knicks game and ordered a few things to share.
Our server was personable and very friendly– gave us great suggestions to try as this was all our first visit. After we each ordered our spirits, we decided on trying the following:
— Spicy soppressata — made with tomato, mozzarella + fennel — This was really fulfilling for 4 people to share. I surprisingly really enjoyed this even though I’m not a huge fan of spicy.
— Beef tartare — made with black trumpet mushroom, puffed farro, anchovy + egg yolk — by far my favorite. We really loved the puffed farro which added a very interesting texture to the already amazing tartare.
— Pappardelle — spicy sausage ragù, kale + parmigiano — Although this is such a classic dish, this was made wonderfully and we finished everything.
We couldn’t decide what we liked best out of what we ordered, but I can assure you all three plates were cleaned and empty by the time our server came back. He knew we had to make it for our Knicks game and he was super accomodating! Numerous friends recommended this to us to try and we are very very happy that we came. Everything about the restaurant was excellent! We were all really happy with our meals and cannot wait to return. Chef Justin Smillie’s passion for food and cooking is truly reflected by how lovely Upland is.

This place is lovely. The space is just beautiful and wonderfully lit. Bottles and jars adorn the perimeter (in a classy way.)
I’ve been here twice; once for lunch & once for drinks. For lunch (on a Wed. at noon), we didn’t have a reservation and were sat immediately. My spicy salami pizza was delicious. For drinks on a Thursday after work, it was as crowded as can be. It was difficult to find a spot by the bar for 3. Drinks are good but a bit pricey. I recommend making a reservation if you plan on coming for dinner. Service was always prompt.
I will be back here again.

This is one of my favorite brunch spots for the fun décor and classic menu. I’ll certainly recommend this to anyone doing a little advanced brunch planning since getting a table is not easy. I could only get a table at 11AM for 2ppl on Sunday a week before and when I arrived, the hungry mob was already lined up. They do have walk-​ins at that time for what looks like the bar seating only.
Service was friendly and helpful to point out their favorite items. We started with the donuts because it’s Sunday brunch and rules don’t apply. It comes with three so my friend and I shared one before our orders came out and saved the rest for the end.
I had the burger and it was delicious. My friend has the eggs in hell and it looked to be a nice light egg dish. (well compared to my burger).
At noon, we sounded the alarm for some mimosas and finished off our meals and donuts. Points off because we were rushed so terribly at the end. There is a wait for a table and they do expect a quick turnover. That being said, our brunch lasted an hour and a half so beware, of darting eyes and lots of hovering over the check.

I had been hearing rave reviews from my coworkers about this place and I finally decided to try this place for lunch and I was disappointed because the food was just okay.
PROS:
— Bill Pay Buck cocktail $ 15 [Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Aperol, Ginger, Lime] — probably the best thing I had the whole meal. I really like the ginger and lime in the drink. 4 STARS
THE OKAY:
— Sausage + Kale Pizza $ 19 (young pecorino, stracciatella + parmigiano) — The cheese is very strong. One thing I didn’t like about this pizza was that the SAUSAGE was very DRY. I do not recommend getting this. 3 STARS
— Crispy Duck Wings $ 18 (lemon, olive oil + yuzu kosho) — there are only 3 pieces. If you want 4 duck wings its $ 24. It was definitely very crispy however I think the Asians make the duck better because 1) its juicier 2) its more moist. The duck wings here are a bit on the dry side. 3.5 STARS
CONS:
— OVERPRICED for mediocre food.
— The guy who led us to our seats forgot to give us our lunch menu. He only offered us the drinks menu. I had to flag a waiter down for the lunch menu. I noticed the guy who sat next to us 5 minutes later was given both menus so there was definitely a lap in service.

A solid place in the landscape of the Flatiron restaurants. When I first came here a few months ago for a business lunch, I had a great experience and I recently came back for a Friday leisure lunch. Upland has a great modern, upscale feel, and as someone who’s somewhat OCD about order and symmetry, the rows of jars of smoked mozzarella and wine bottles lining the walls really appealed to me. Maybe a little too much.
The menu focuses mostly on fresh Italian, with a bit of American and even Asian flair here and there. The Upland burger is one of the better double-​patty burgers I’ve had in a while. You would think that two patties would be a little too overwhelming, but they use thinner patties, which was great, and with the toppings (avocado/​peppers) and crispy shoestring fries, it’s one of the better burgers I’ve had in the city. It’s on the steeper side at $ 20, but overall, a satisfying meal, especially for lunch. You shouldn’t come out of your way here for it, but it’s a good choice for an above-​average burger.
This past visit, we went a little deeper into the menu, sharing the duck wings and the sausage and kale pizza. The duck wings weren’t very pretty, since they looked kinda like half-​eaten drumsticks, but the meat, which was seasoned with yuzu and lemon, was very tender and delicious, with that rich flavor that only duck has. The sausage and kale pizza was great too, as the richness of the sausage paired really well with the bitterness of the roasted kale. Moreover, the crust of the pizza was crispy and hot, and the cheese quotient was just right. Better than the a lot of the pizza/​flatbreads I’ve had at actual pizza joints.
In general, the prices are a bit higher, but you can be assured that the preparation and choice of ingredients are better than most, so personally, I can let it slide. The service is pretty efficient, but not really particularly warm or friendly. The waitstaff seems very focused on churning out as many table services as possible. That being said, I’ve always had a good experience, so it’s absolutely fine. The place is often busy, so I’m sympathetic to the need to multi-​task, provided the overall level of service doesn’t suffer as a result. I would definitely recommend this place for a nice lunch and I’ll definitely be back to try the dinner offerings and the cocktail menu.