Vinus and Marc

I didn’t like Venus and Marc. The food was meh and despite it’s classy interior it still felt like a dive bar. Lipstick on a pig is a term that comes to mind.
That said, there was nothing particularly wrong with it if you like that atmosphere. So this rating is incredibly subjective and I would suggest trying it yourself and making your own decision.
However, if you are looking for an upscale restaurant you won’t find one and if that atmosphere is what you want I think you would be better served elsewhere.

Love the façade of this place and the inner décor. I came here for a friend’s birthday Happy Hour on a Monday night. Happy Hour until 7pm. We sat at a table, but since people were coming and going at different times, the staff was nice enough to give separate checks to our whole party. They added on the gratuity automatically because it was a group of more than 6, but that was fine. I had the veggie burger with a quinoa patty which was excellent. It came with a side of veggies. I had green beans, zucchini, and asparagus, and peas. I don’t eat peas, but everything else was so good! Their specialty cocktails were on point, but they are pricey, even at HH, it’s around $ 10. However, the vibe, staff, food, and drinks are stellar, so it’s worth it to come here once in awhile and splurge.

This is a real gem. Nothing better in the neighborhood. Great interior, great drinks, great music, fantastic food (try deviled eggs!) and great service. Frank the owner knows how to run a place. We will keep going back

Came here for brunch with my parents. We got a cute little table with plush chairs by the window so we could people watch and look at the construction going on with the 2^nd avenue subway. We were a little nervous as it was empty when we walked in, but we’re definitely happy that we did. It also was pretty full by the time we left.
There is a deal where you can get 2 small pitchers of drinks with your meal but you can’t share your pitchers with anyone which kinda sucks. The pithers are pretty mini as well.
That being said, the food was on point. I had fried fish and fried eggs, which was super delicious. The fish was quite tender. My mom got the eggs benedict and she said it was delicious.
My dad got a dish with rice and beans, with some eggs, avo, salsa and chorizo. He really loved it and said it hit the spot perfectly for him.
What really made the trip though was the service. Our server was the friendliest lady we’d ever met and really took her time explaining everything on the menu to us, recommending different sauces we put on our dishes and making sure our water was constantly filled. She brought a various assortment of bread over with different jams and butter and even brought a second basket over to us after we devoured our first one.
Overall this place was a little pricey, but it was definitely a great spot in the upper east side and would come here again.

Great place to unwind! Great food! Great coctails! Wonderful staff!!! And great atmosphere! A hidden gem on 2^nd avenue!

I passed by Vinus and Marc many times thinking it is another drinking hole. I was wrong! The food is sophisticated and amazing! I had a pork chop and it was done to perfection. For dessert, prune and tequila ice cream with grilled peaches. To die for.

Other reviews are correct, very much a hidden gem amongst the UES subway construction. Wonderful food made with quality ingredients. We ordered the seafood stuffed avocado, steak and eggs, cheeseburger and the triple decker breakfast sandwich. The best brunch steak and eggs in the UES. Boozy brunch is recommended, mimosas are good and not made with cheap orange juice. Décor is inviting and the bathrooms are spotless. Waitstaff is quick and friendly. We plan on coming back, often.

Vibe feels more like a lounge than a restaurant, but the food can be quite good. The rosemary nuts are a revelation, though pricey. My branzino was perfectly cooked and seasoned, and was served over delicious truffle-​flavored farro. I had an excellent Spanish white wine.

This gem of a restaurant is hidden by the 2^nd Avenue Subway line construction. I found the restaurant by doing research on Unilocal.Comfortable tables and chairs, very relaxed atmosphere.
We ate dinner here after a concert at the 92 Street Y. Food is delicious. I ordered the Duck Breast with Mashed Potatoes and Mixed Vegetables. All the ingredients were fresh, well seasoned and cooked to perfection.
The Burgers with Seasoned French Fries were great too. Cooked as ordered.
We found the the kitchen to be very accommodating. My niece ordered The Crabcake BLT (without the crab cake, she is allergic to shellfish). They made her a delicious BLT and only charged her half price for the sandwich.
Wait staff is top notch. Right on the money without being over solicitous.
If you are in the area looking for a great meal, you should stop in and try it too. We will be back.

Service — poor; the resto must have been having an off night. There weren’t many patrons, but only 2 waitresses. Both waited our table and kept asking the same questions twice (asking for drink order, food order, check all twice). Also the waitress that too our order first (starter, salad, and entrée) asked if we wanted them all at once. We said no, whenever they are ready, please bring them out. Sure enough they all came at the same time and entrée was cold.
Food — had the flavors, but totally miscalculated; ordered butternut squash ravioli for starter. I liked the taste but cinnamon was overpowering. For salad we ordered the grilled calamari. Too much salt and not enough of a grill taste. For entrée we got steak frites. Again, way too salty and was also served cold.
I don’t think I’d go back, but I think they would prob have a better performance than this.

I’ve lived a block away from this place for a year and can’t believe I’ve never gone. Great food, great atmosphere and great prices.
My husband and I love to go out and split all three courses so we can actually have a three course meal without leaving stuffed or going broke, and their options were perfect for this. A lot of choices in all three categories, and we loved everything we had.
My husband and I split a charcuterie plate to start — which was INSANELY MASSIVE and only $ 22. Three cheeses in massive hunks, and piles of three different meats. When it came out we were sure we’d read the price wrong, but it was really only $ 22. It came with some cranberry chutney, which was delicious, and some rosemary nuts (which I’ve now attempted and failed to make at home because they were so good).
We also split the duck, which was great. perhaps a bit overcooked, but the flavor was great so it didn’t bother me.
We also split the chocolate tart, which was the most amazing dessert I’ve had in the longest time. It was decadent — so i’m glad i split it with someone. It came topped with caramel icecream, which they make in house (as they do all of their icecream) and that was really wonderful.
We both had early meetings so we didn’t have any of the wine or cocktails, but their menu was extensive and looked great. I can’t wait to try them next time.
Anyway, we’re planning on coming back and coming back often.

Had brunch at Vinus and Marc today for the first time and had a wonderful experience. My wife had the seafood stuffed avocado, which she loved, and I had the bison & venison, which was also quite good. The Bloody Mary’s were delicious.
The place has a great atmosphere and very friendly staff. Met and chatted with the owner, Frank Locker, who was a lovely fellow. He makes everything from scratch from the freshest ingredients, and it shows.
Can’t to come back for dinner. I recommend giving Vinus and Marc a try in you are in the neighborhood!

One of the best charcuterie/​cheese plates I’ve ever had. Had both Bronzino and Salmon dishes — both great. Great and knowledgeable service. All a pleasant surprise.

Updating to a solid 5, because they have a *fantastic* brunch.
V&M is just a great little spot that’s been hidden away by the second avenue subway construction. I hope they haven’t suffered for it, but they usually look pretty crowded.
The cocktails are all pretty good (my favorite is the Bloody Hot — a pretty spicy bloody mary).
The brunch menu is also really good — we’ve had the Bandeja Latina twice, and while it may appear to be pricey for a brunch item, it’s a good portion of excellent sausage, bacon, rice and pico de gallo, with two runny eggs. It’s excellent, especially with that Bloody Hot.
The Chilaquiles and Deviled Eggs are also top-​notch.
Excellent service, excellent décor, great food and drink — that’s a solid 5 in my books.

This place was ok I enjoyed the crab cake sandwhich and French toast the best !! I also enjoyed their pitcher belinis and mimosas. I enjoyed that they made them with sparkling white wine in comparison to champagne. Will define ky come back since the service was excellent !

Great place for brunch. The owner is quite friendly and chatted with us for a while. Service is great, and the boozy brunch was a great deal. Cocktails were great!
The menu has a large variety, savory and sweet. I highly recommend the salmon with prosciutto and salmon Benedict.
Great atmosphere. The music selection was impressive!

Came in for post-​dinner drinks and dessert during last weekend’s deep freeze, and was very impressed with both! My wife and I had two very different cocktails, and they were both done very well, so kudos to the bartender.
DRINKS: I went with the «baby vamp,» which the menu translated to mean «an attractive or popular female.» Well, ladies and gents, she was *good*. Very nice combination of bitters with the sweeter ingredients, and all-​in-​all a solid cocktail. My wife went with the mulled cider (don’t see it on the regular menu, so may just be a seasonal drink) with rum. Also excellently mixed.
FOOD: if their vanilla ginger cheesecake is *any* kind of reflection of the rest of their menu, then this place has some really good food. At dinner we had already devoured a chocolate mousse, but when we tasted this, it didn’t stand a chance and it was gone within minutes. If anything, get the vanilla ginger cheesecake.
SERVICE: excellent service, and the owner came over and chatted us up for a while too. Nice guy.
AMBIANCE: a classic, cool vibe, with comfortable chairs and a cross between a lounge and restaurant type feel. I appreciated that it wasn’t so loud you couldn’t hear the other person speak. Great place to have dinner (or drinks!) and catch up.

I went here for the first time with friends on NYE. We went for drinks and didn’t order any food, so I cannot comment on how that is. The drinks however, are FANTASTIC and the service is great! I can’t wait to go back and try more drinks – they are expertly handcrafted.

Love this place. Very cozy, outstanding food (I wasnt expecting that) good prices, and best of all, very close to home.

We moved to the area a few months ago and had seen this place a few times, but never tried it until two nights ago. SO happy we decided to try something new in the area :) It’s a really cute place (love the lighting, the fireplace in the back (not sure if it’s real), and whole the ambiance). We sat at the bar and met the bartender Shawn– such a nice guy and made the experience great! I got the veggie burger and my boyfriend got chicken. BEST veggie burger I have ever had– it was cooked perfectly, had a little crunch and the veggies were delicious. My boyfriend’s chicken with yummy too, but the jalapeño mashed potatoes served under it were AMAZING! So freaking good. Shawn was great– told us about the brunch options and the yummy desserts they had available. We are def going back this Sunday for brunch and to hang out with Shawn again :) Can’t wait to go back!

Went here for an early dinner with friends. The variety on the menu is extremely impressive — had the salmon entrée with lentils and spinach and it was A1! My friends had the bison burger and the roasted chicken — which they both enjoyed!
The daytime bartender was very helpful in outlining the happy hour offers and very attentive to our table. I will definitely return as the menu is far superior to the other offerings in the neighborhood.

My birthday was December 5^th. In preparation for the big day, I was looking into a million venues. And then, after typing in to Google Search «beautiful bars Upper East Side», I came across Vinus and Marc. The pictures were okay, but of course, nothing beats seeing a venue in person. Danielle, the day time floor manager/​server, suggested I come in and I did just that.
I knew it was THE PLACE. Throughout the weeks, she would call to make sure I did not have additional questions and to confirm my reservation was still good.
The Bar: it is small and quaint. Very similar to a Louisiana speak-​easy. The walls are that old fashioned red velvet that has that neo-​goth/​yesteryear quality. There is a bar that runs the lengths of the establishment and tables. Around the tables are red velvet chairs that are beyond comfortable and if you are as lucky as we were to be situated in the back, there is a tiny little electric fireplace to give you an extra cozy feel. It never gets super loud. I could hear every conversation.
My Reservation: Oh my gosh — these people made it a PLEASURE. I asked if I could bring in a birthday cake. They said SURE! There was no plating fee. In fact, the manager at the bar stayed a little later on Saturday to make sure my guests were attended to.
The Service: Top notch. All servers were beyond nice. Emily and her night time crew attended to my guests with little wait and for most of the evening I felt like we were the only ones there (and we were not).
Menu: We stuck to the drinks, but my friends and I had many mixed drinks that were tasty and beautifully prepared. Too strong? Not a problem — quick fix. Need a little more? They were on that.
All in all, Vinus and Marc made my birthday an incredibly special experience and I am forever grateful for that. Thank you guys. I hope you read this.

Walked in on a Friday night and immediately the bartender tended to my friend and I. Lovely attentive service! I got a nasty drink (Baby Vamp), despite the bartender’s warning lol When I got one of my favorite drinks (Amaretto Sour) it was not good. The place was pretty empty when we got there around 7:15, but over time people started coming in. Place has a nice Red and Gold décor, with comfy looking couches. I didn’t order food, but from what other people were ordering the food smelled delicious.

Last time i was here the bartender crossed the line and said some rather inappropriate things. I will not be back

Friday night bartender truly made the night. I ordered a few drinks and the bar didn’t always have the right items in stock, but the bartender always made it work. Can’t even imagine what he would do with all the right ingredients.
Also a solid floor manager making sure everyone was having a good night. And it didn’t hurt that she was real easy on the eyes.
Overall, a solid joint.

One of the best burgers I have had in a long time! Had great service and the helping of fries was huge!

Our favorite bar in our neighborhood-​good food great ambiance and friendly people. And not The Gilroy or The Milton or The Louise or any other pretentious (and shortlived) attempt at manufacturing a historical feel.

Amazing guac and cheese platter! Perfect on a relaxing Sunday with a glass of Pinot noir. Sat right by the window at a 4 person table in comfy red chairs

Went with my wife for brunch and another time for diner. The food is ok though nothing special. I had a burger and my wife a salad. The price is a bit high for what it is but nothing outrageous. The place is rather dark so I think it is actually a good place for cocktails, and a romantic evening. Would go back when I am around there but don’t think I would get out of my way to go.

Came in for brunch on a Sunday at 1pm. Didn’t have a reservation, but we were able to get a booth along the wall for 4 people. The first thing that was strange was that that table for the booth wasn’t big enough — there was at solid 1 foot gap between the wall and the table. The table was definitely made for two people, but they put it in a booth for 4. A bit awkward, but we got over it.
The waiter was very friendly and explained the menu to us. We didn’t opt for the bottomless, and I ordered the burger (cooked medium). We were then served our drinks and some complimentary biscuits that were decent, but very dry at the same time.
The food came out in a relatively quick manner, and the portion sizes were spot on. The burger was on the thin side, and definitely overcooked, but I decided to eat it rather than send it back. It came with cheese and bacon and good portion of fries, all plusses in my book, but the burger itself was still a bit of a mess and under seasoned.
The biggest disappointment with this meal was that after everyone was finished, we sat for (no joke) 20 – 30 minutes before anyone came by to clear our plates or ask if we needed anything. They definitely could have used another server out there on the floor. And we weren’t in a corner table or out of view — the waiters had to walk by us every time they left the bar or kitchen.
I wanted to give this place two stars, but my other guests said they enjoyed their food. The staff was nice, but just overworked. The place was crowded, so looks like they have a steady flow of brunch customers.

Went for brunch. All our food was of incredible quality. I had the steak & eggs with the jalapeño mashed potatoes which was so good. My girlfriend had the vegetarian quesadilla which came with scrambled eggs that were amazing.
Five drinks are all poured very full and great as well. We will definitely be back. Probably our favorite brunch on the UES!

3.5 stars but rounding down because I just wasn’t in love with the venue. Solid bar in Yorkville if you’re looking to have a chill night. Can’t speak to the food/​brunch here, but I gather that’s actually the draw of Vinus and Marc. Maybe next time.
Came here on a Tuesday around 9 and it was pretty empty. The upside? Prime seating to watch the baseball game they had on. I didn’t go specifically to watch sports (I was actually surprised to see that they had a TV), but that was a nice surprise. Chatted with the bartenders for a bit while waiting for my friend to arrive, and one periodically stepped out of the conversation to give patrons hugs. Not sure if they were regulars or friends of his, but I give major props to any employee who values developing relationships with loyal customers.
Onto the drinks. Really nothing remarkable. The cocktails here are certainly better than whatever’s on the menu at your average bar, but compared to other cocktail bars in the area (the Milton, the Infirmary, the Gilroy), these are just meh. I ordered the «Dewdropper» (Bourbon, nocino, sweet vermouth, Brooklyn Hemispherical Black Mission Fig bitters) which was only okay. In theory, these ingredients could work quite well together. Nocino is an Italian liquer made from walnuts, so I was definitely on board with trying the bourbon/​nocino/​fig bitters flavor profile. Maybe the ratios were off? Too much vermouth? I also quickly realized that I wasn’t really in the mood for bourbon, which certainly had something to do with my ambivalence towards the drink. It really wasn’t bad though, I’ve just had much better.
Lastly, the ambiance here strikes an interesting, somewhat discordant balance (that’s kind of an oxymoron but whatever) between chill and upscale. You’ve got luxurious-​looking red chairs and booths, but then there’s a TV showing the game. The décor just seems confused.

The cocktails are ok, maybe I just ordered the wrong one. Service is great! The steak frites and the charcuterie plate is amazing! I would definitely come back here. The bartender is so nice and I love the velvet red chairs

To update: Vinus & Marc have a $ 30 brunch special! Get a signature dish (steak & eggs are included) and get 5 bellinis, mimosas, screwdrivers or bloody Marys. The music picked up for a nice weekend crowd and the tv is on. Happy happy!
Ran here to brunch in the rain and don’t regret it!
The biscuits while we wait is a plus!

This old-​fashioned, saloon-​style joint was pretty dead at the start of HH on a Wednesday, but filled up a bit as the night went on. There was only one bartender/​waitress (Jennifer) working the entire bar, but she was fantastic! She was accommodating and attentive, but not overbearing.
During HH, they have $ 2 oysters, $ 10 specialty cocktails (normally $ 12), $ 7 select wines, and $ 6 well drinks. Note that they no longer offer the $ 12 meat and cheese platter during HH, as noted in many previous reviews. The regular price for said platter is $ 22, which is still okay; it’s a large platter with lots of meat, not a whole lot of cheese (all were mild, hard cheeses), bread, strawberry jam, and spicy, mixed nuts. It’s a good dish for sharing. We also got some guac, which was nothing to write home about, but the tortilla chips were really crunchy and delicious!
My only gripe with this place is that all our kitchen orders took forever! We had to ask to follow up with the kitchen about multiple food orders, which we were told once that they forgot about entirely. For a slow Wednesday night, it really shouldn’t take 30 minutes to put some meat and cheese on a plate. But we weren’t in a rush and Jennifer kept the drinks flowing, so we were happy.
TBH, I probably won’t make the trek uptown again to come to Vinus & Marc, but if I ever find myself in the area, I might stop by for a drink.

I had a reservation for this place at about 1:15PM on a Sunday afternoon for brunch. We were running slightly behind so a quick call to the restaurant secured our table for another 15 minutes. Walk in to the restaurant and it’s so beautifully decorated! Black and red everywhere. The table was awesome, the red velvet seats were very comfortable and nice to look at. They did have a tv up and running with the baseball game running but the volume was shut off.
We ordered the seafood stuffed avocado and the waffles. Along side the spiced punch and a few other cocktails. The food was very good but wasn’t the most incredible we’ve ever had. the waffles… square shaped and cut in to triangles.
Now on to the sad part… I asked them for a whiskey sour with egg white and they said they don’t/can’t make it that way. Noooooooooooo! Dinged a star for that one. Otherwise, service was top notch, food was good (not great) and atmosphere was amazing. Great date spot. 4 cocktails, two brunch entrees and 20% tip = $ 110. They have a boozy brunch option for $ 30 which includes a brunch entrée, unlimited cocktails for 2 hours (max of 5 drinks per guest). We didn’t go that route because we weren’t in the mood for generic brunch cocktails.

Came here for lunch on a work day since I’m near the area and was thoroughly impressed. We were one of the only people in there so the waitress (I wish I remembered her name!) was super friendly and accommodating!
The food was so flavorful and very well prepared. I got the prix fixe lunch special for $ 19 (great value) and it included the soup of the day or salad and an entrée. Their soup of the day was a risotto/​potato based soup. Very herby — I could get enough. I got a veggie burger for my meal and it was one of the better ones I’ve ever had! It stayed together, was served with a perfectly toasted bun and had some mayo/​herb sauce with it — yum yum yum!
Overall, great food here and I definitely recommend it!