The soft drink I ordered was watered down. I returned it. The appetizer was OK, the seafood my date had food was not fresh! I had a burger. It was mostly bun and Harley getting meat. And I paid $20 for parking. The atmosphere is beautiful as well as as a view, they should improve their service and their.
Kevin
We had the best time! The food, service, and ambiance were incredible! We can't wait to go back!
Kristen
Antonio was fabulous. He lowered the music for my business meal and recommended some Delicious tapas that the surgeon and I enjoyed for our business meal . Decor was great, very clean and a great location too. Would definitely Go again!
Ziandry Peralta
I’m visiting my mom from Los Angeles, and as we planned a night out together, I wanted to support a local spot. There’s always something new whenever I return home, and this time it was Chez Messy, just around the corner from the 157th Street train station. Perched up upon a small staircase, this two-floor restaurant is intimate, cozy, and deeply sultry.
Nestled in the heart of Uptown New York City, a neighborhood known for its Dominican roots and growing diversity, Chez Messy shines as a Spanish Caribbean infused gem that took my breath away. The space feels both refined and familiar, elegant yet soulful. As I sat waiting for my mother, I opened the menu, and immediately everything called my name.
Our server Joshua was an absolute delight, attentive, kind, and confident in every recommendation. Antonio, the owner and floor manager, greeted us with charm and poise. Dressed in a sharp suit, he exuded pride and grace, the embodiment of someone who deeply loves what he has created. What touched me most was realizing that this Spanish Caribbean dream of a restaurant is owned and operated by Dominicans. As someone who has traveled the world and eaten in countless hidden gems tucked along cobblestone streets, I can say this place holds its own among the best.
We started with a crisp glass of Albariño and dove into the pulpo and mofonguitos filled with ropa vieja. Let me start by saying I’m not typically a red meat superfan, but that evening I was completely transformed. The ropa vieja was tender, savory, juicy, and full of flavor. The plantain cups that held it were subtly sweet, creating a beautiful harmony between bold and delicate notes.
The pulpo was perfection, tender octopus paired with a light touch of vinegar and oil, thinly sliced onions, capers, and cherry tomatoes that burst like little jewels of freshness. It was bright, balanced, and refreshing, a perfect prelude to what would become an unforgettable meal.
Then came a surprise from Antonio, the avocado salad and batatas bravas, further inviting us into the full Chez Messy experience. I’ve had batatas bravas in Spain and beyond, but these were divine. Perfectly crisp on the outside, soft and creamy on the inside, with seasoning that danced on the palate. The avocado salad was heaven itself, silky avocado paired with slivers of almonds and a hint of citrus, perhaps grapefruit, creating a beautifully layered bite that was both rich and refreshing.
By the time our entrée arrived, filet mignon and shrimp in cream sauce, medium rare, we were already swept away. The filet was tender and bursting with flavor, the shrimp perfectly cooked, and the cream sauce was so delicious that I found myself tempted to lick the plate.
Everything about our experience at Chez Messy was divine, from the impeccable service to the romantic, dark, and dreamy ambiance, the vibrant music that moved through the air, and the drinks that sparkled as much as the conversation.
Chez Messy is where you go when you want great food in a wonderful location, when you want to feel inspired, seen, and transported. It is a love letter to Spanish Caribbean flavor and Dominican pride, wrapped in elegance and joy.
This place deserves to be full every night, though a part of me secretly wants to keep it all to myself.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lauren Domio
Always a great experience and delicious tapas. Staff is friendly and attentive. I love this local spot!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lesyk Konecky
Food is great, drinks are pretty good, service is a bit slow. They only had one server for 6+ tables that night, I would’ve had one of the two bartenders help out instead of standing there on their phones. Food was great, bone marrow needs more toast
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Fernando Iglesias
Came for brunch and ended staying till dinner. Great service, food & presentation were on point and ambiance was chill. Great place to g9 catch up with friends
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tiaisha Tirado
This place is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with such warmth and hospitality that you immediately feel at home. Antonio and his staff go above and beyond to make sure you’re taken care of. There truly amazing welcoming, attentive, and passionate about making every guest’s experience special.
The food? Outstanding. Every dish is packed with flavor and clearly made with care. The drinks are just as impressive perfectly balanced and crafted to complement the meal. Whether you’re coming in for a casual bite, a night out with friends, or a special occasion, this restaurant delivers on every level.
Highly recommend it’s one of those rare spots you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Beatrice Torres
Everything about this place is absolutely amazing! The food is bursting with flavor, the drinks are crafted perfectly, and the ambiance is lovely. The staff is warm, attentive, and genuinely makes the experience even better. From start to finish, it’s nothing short of perfection. I can’t recommend it enough. This has easily become one of my favorite spots!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sara Martinez
I LOVED THIS PLACE, From everyone, the staff , the bartender, the bouncer , the music , this is such a good place and it’s my favorite place now !!!! 10/10
An unmatched restaurant in the city is Chez Messy in Washington Heights. The service team is warm and welcoming. They have a mouth-watering menu that only Chef Xavier can cook up. You cannot go wrong with their blend of cocktails; it will have you screaming “ mas.” If you love octopus, a must-have is Pulpo à la Vinaigrette. The music and disco lights create a mesmerizing ambience. Come experience the talk of the town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bang Bang Shrimp
Tim Vida
I live in the neighborhood and a place like this is gold. However, while the food, decor and staff are great the music (which is actually very good) is just way too loud. I love the night club-ish look they are going for but for a pleasant dinner experience the music needs to be notched down a bit. You can not hear the person you are sitting with and that makes this place less desirable for a date. Not really sure what they are thinking - even the very young couple next to us were annoyed. Such a small tweak and this place would be amazing. I might go back alone and sit at the bar but unless they decide to keep the music at a reasonable decible level then I will need to keep going further downtown. My suspicion is that the manager/maitre d (who is very hospitable btw) keeps the music loud because he is not dining and wants the place to feel like a club - this is a huge mistake. I really hope they take this review seriously. I have heard this complaint from others as well and after experiencing it myself I have to agree 100%
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 4
Jerry Carlson
A hidden gem in Upper Manhattan. This cozy spot offers first rate food and live music on selected nights. Elegantly attired manager Antonio runs a tight team. Spread the word!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ahmad Johnson
RAY is THE BEST DH IN THE WORLD
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Deb Navins
Live a 10 min walk away Just by chance we tried the place out on a Wednesday night. LOVED IT! LOVED IT! Great food, service, and... CLASSIC SALSA BAND. We had the charcuterie board and bang bang shrimp which were great. Wine was excellent. Dessert was tres leches with cinnamon crunch cereal which was cute. Wait staffer was knowledgeable and trained. They are really trying very hard to provide a great experience. I can't wait to tell all of friends and return with them!
The soft drink I ordered was watered down. I returned it. The appetizer was OK, the seafood my date had food was not fresh! I had a burger. It was mostly bun and Harley getting meat. And I paid $20 for parking. The atmosphere is beautiful as well as as a view, they should improve their service and their.
We had the best time! The food, service, and ambiance were incredible! We can't wait to go back!
Antonio was fabulous. He lowered the music for my business meal and recommended some Delicious tapas that the surgeon and I enjoyed for our business meal . Decor was great, very clean and a great location too. Would definitely Go again!
I’m visiting my mom from Los Angeles, and as we planned a night out together, I wanted to support a local spot. There’s always something new whenever I return home, and this time it was Chez Messy, just around the corner from the 157th Street train station. Perched up upon a small staircase, this two-floor restaurant is intimate, cozy, and deeply sultry.
Nestled in the heart of Uptown New York City, a neighborhood known for its Dominican roots and growing diversity, Chez Messy shines as a Spanish Caribbean infused gem that took my breath away. The space feels both refined and familiar, elegant yet soulful. As I sat waiting for my mother, I opened the menu, and immediately everything called my name.
Our server Joshua was an absolute delight, attentive, kind, and confident in every recommendation. Antonio, the owner and floor manager, greeted us with charm and poise. Dressed in a sharp suit, he exuded pride and grace, the embodiment of someone who deeply loves what he has created. What touched me most was realizing that this Spanish Caribbean dream of a restaurant is owned and operated by Dominicans. As someone who has traveled the world and eaten in countless hidden gems tucked along cobblestone streets, I can say this place holds its own among the best.
We started with a crisp glass of Albariño and dove into the pulpo and mofonguitos filled with ropa vieja. Let me start by saying I’m not typically a red meat superfan, but that evening I was completely transformed. The ropa vieja was tender, savory, juicy, and full of flavor. The plantain cups that held it were subtly sweet, creating a beautiful harmony between bold and delicate notes.
The pulpo was perfection, tender octopus paired with a light touch of vinegar and oil, thinly sliced onions, capers, and cherry tomatoes that burst like little jewels of freshness. It was bright, balanced, and refreshing, a perfect prelude to what would become an unforgettable meal.
Then came a surprise from Antonio, the avocado salad and batatas bravas, further inviting us into the full Chez Messy experience. I’ve had batatas bravas in Spain and beyond, but these were divine. Perfectly crisp on the outside, soft and creamy on the inside, with seasoning that danced on the palate. The avocado salad was heaven itself, silky avocado paired with slivers of almonds and a hint of citrus, perhaps grapefruit, creating a beautifully layered bite that was both rich and refreshing.
By the time our entrée arrived, filet mignon and shrimp in cream sauce, medium rare, we were already swept away. The filet was tender and bursting with flavor, the shrimp perfectly cooked, and the cream sauce was so delicious that I found myself tempted to lick the plate.
Everything about our experience at Chez Messy was divine, from the impeccable service to the romantic, dark, and dreamy ambiance, the vibrant music that moved through the air, and the drinks that sparkled as much as the conversation.
Chez Messy is where you go when you want great food in a wonderful location, when you want to feel inspired, seen, and transported. It is a love letter to Spanish Caribbean flavor and Dominican pride, wrapped in elegance and joy.
This place deserves to be full every night, though a part of me secretly wants to keep it all to myself.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Always a great experience and delicious tapas. Staff is friendly and attentive. I love this local spot!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food is great, drinks are pretty good, service is a bit slow. They only had one server for 6+ tables that night, I would’ve had one of the two bartenders help out instead of standing there on their phones. Food was great, bone marrow needs more toast
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Came for brunch and ended staying till dinner. Great service, food & presentation were on point and ambiance was chill. Great place to g9 catch up with friends
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with such warmth and hospitality that you immediately feel at home. Antonio and his staff go above and beyond to make sure you’re taken care of. There truly amazing welcoming, attentive, and passionate about making every guest’s experience special.
The food? Outstanding. Every dish is packed with flavor and clearly made with care. The drinks are just as impressive perfectly balanced and crafted to complement the meal. Whether you’re coming in for a casual bite, a night out with friends, or a special occasion, this restaurant delivers on every level.
Highly recommend it’s one of those rare spots you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everything about this place is absolutely amazing! The food is bursting with flavor, the drinks are crafted perfectly, and the ambiance is lovely. The staff is warm, attentive, and genuinely makes the experience even better. From start to finish, it’s nothing short of perfection. I can’t recommend it enough. This has easily become one of my favorite spots!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I LOVED THIS PLACE, From everyone, the staff , the bartender, the bouncer , the music , this is such a good place and it’s my favorite place now !!!! 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
An unmatched restaurant in the city is Chez Messy in Washington Heights. The service team is warm and welcoming. They have a mouth-watering menu that only Chef Xavier can cook up. You cannot go wrong with their blend of cocktails; it will have you screaming “ mas.” If you love octopus, a must-have is Pulpo à la Vinaigrette. The music and disco lights create a mesmerizing ambience. Come experience the talk of the town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bang Bang Shrimp
I live in the neighborhood and a place like this is gold. However, while the food, decor and staff are great the music (which is actually very good) is just way too loud. I love the night club-ish look they are going for but for a pleasant dinner experience the music needs to be notched down a bit. You can not hear the person you are sitting with and that makes this place less desirable for a date. Not really sure what they are thinking - even the very young couple next to us were annoyed. Such a small tweak and this place would be amazing. I might go back alone and sit at the bar but unless they decide to keep the music at a reasonable decible level then I will need to keep going further downtown. My suspicion is that the manager/maitre d (who is very hospitable btw) keeps the music loud because he is not dining and wants the place to feel like a club - this is a huge mistake. I really hope they take this review seriously. I have heard this complaint from others as well and after experiencing it myself I have to agree 100%
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 4
A hidden gem in Upper Manhattan. This cozy spot offers first rate food and live music on selected nights. Elegantly attired manager Antonio runs a tight team. Spread the word!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
RAY is THE BEST DH IN THE WORLD
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Live a 10 min walk away
Just by chance we tried the place out on a Wednesday night. LOVED IT! LOVED IT! Great food, service, and... CLASSIC SALSA BAND. We had the charcuterie board and bang bang shrimp which were great. Wine was excellent. Dessert was tres leches with cinnamon crunch cereal which was cute. Wait staffer was knowledgeable and trained. They are really trying very hard to provide a great experience. I can't wait to tell all of friends and return with them!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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