Island: Unimposing with more than a touch of genuine

Tucked within the bustling Madison Avenue between 92nd and 93rd street lies this very unimposing restaurant with a small sign that reads: Island. Despite its charming exterior however this is no “island” to be taken lightly. Within the elegance, snobbery, and elitism of the Upper East Side and its private oh I’m sorry “independent” schools, this restaurant stands out with its ability to cater to these difficult crowds while also actually producing a good meal. See I once attended one of those schools and have had the opportunity to eat in that area many times, most times however I have been disappointed with what was offered (cough “Sarabeths” cough). Now there are also gems on this same strip, like Vico, whose truffle menu is unbelievable. But the subject of this post is a second gem in that area, Island. Island is designed like many urban restaurants with its bar filling most of the entrance way, expanding into the restaurant as you walk further and further in. I know the Coffee Straws Team has been throwing around the terms “neighborhood” and “family” or “friendly” atmosphere but we really do enjoy places that exude that type of environment, Island is no exception. The servers are friendly and deeply understanding when you have dietary or allergy needs.

Now before continuing I must give some context, I was with a party of seven and we were there celebrating my sisters high school graduation. There were many dietary and allergy driven requests within our group and each request was followed through by our server including the answer to the question: from which animal did the cheese on one particular dish come from.

Overall the food was good. I ordered a rigatoni dish with Italian sausage and was very satisfied with not just the quality but also the proportions of ingredients. We also livened the event with two bottle of prosecco (Italian champaign). Now there is one concern for us “just-out-of-college” crowd and that is the prices. This is no cheap eats place, but one must remember the neighborhood in which it resides, the Upper East Side, therefore its $20-$30 price range makes more sense, especially considering that what you order will not disappoint. But given the prices this place operates with I would reserve it for the special occasions, such as a graduation dinner.

The Ranking (for explanation, see “Review Key”):

Food: 4 Stars (The food is reminiscent of an elegant restaurant but with a neighborhood feel).

Price: $$$traws, Expensive (minimum $30-$40 for a two course dinner and a drink).

Atmosphere: Friendly and bustling (but can be packed at the bar/entrance).

Overall: Four Straws (Worth the price for special occasions and I have been told by regulars that the food has never disappointed).

The Details:

Website: http://islandnewyorkcity.com/index.html

Location: 1305 Madison Ave, Between 92nd $ 93rd, Manhattan, New York.

Phone: (212) 996-1200

Reservation: We did not need one for seven people, but it was a Wednesday night. For the weekend I might make one just to be safe.

Dress: Casual.

Hours:

Weekdays: 12:00pm-11:00pm

Saturday: 11:30am- 11:00pm

Sunday: 10:30am- 10:00pm.