Let's first begin by defining our terms:
West Side is anything West of College Ave. Do not argue this point, you will be exposed as a dumbass. Want to argue? Do yourself a favor, look at the google map and tell me a single city other than Manhattan that does not have a river dividing the city that is better bi-sected.
Let's secondarily look at what we mean by "west side" restaurant. Well we have three or four areas where these little 'straunts are lurking around. We've got the Westloop area, the Candlewood area, the Plaza West area and the fastfood corridor of Claflin/Anderson. I am also including Grand Mere (Mr. K's/Colbert's) in West Side discussion.
I am also going to categorize as that was a decent idea and there is such diversity that it isn't really fair to compare some of these.
Best $100+ Restaurant on West Side
Four Olives
No real competition, but this place is pretty good. A real contender for best top end restaurant in Manhattan. The location is absolute dog crap and really inexcusable, the staff is solid but not outstanding. Some of the items on the menu are pretty lazy, like I am 99% sure the salad is bought at Ray's in the mixed greens bag that I buy each week and then tossed straight into my salad bowl and there is not flawless execution on parts of a meal (rice over or undercooked, greens bordering on raw at times) but the wine list is excellent, the cheese list is the best for miles and the execution of what matters most (the meat) is always on point.
Best Dinner
Little Apple Brewery
There are some real negatives here, and it is incredibly overrated by a lot of people, but the steaks are solid, the burger is underrated, and their new "white menu" is quite good. Their beers are ok, the townie crowd with the numbered mugs at the bar is endearing.
Runner Up Best Dinner
The Patio
The mojitos are legit. The service is decent. The menu is limited, but with a few very solid items. I usually stick to the Cuban side of the menu, but the Jambalaya is better than the Hut's (no longer an issue) and the Bacon wrapped Chorizo Meatloaf is a viable competitor to the more conservative signature dish of Harry's across town. The real problem here is that the name references a "patio," when in reality there is a covered area next to dumpsters, a highway and a parking lot for the DMV.
Third Best Dinner
Aroy Thai
This place is not that good, better and cheaper than Baan Thai, but still pretty meh. Jesus Christ west side. You are a mess.
Best Lunch
La Hacienda
There is an entire thread dedicated to this. It is not a viable "sit down" for dinner place as it does not feature table service, but carry out or lunch counter is the BITB.
Runner-up Lunch
Mr. K's
It has a few nice apps, the booze is decent and cocktails are pretty cheap. The menu is a little weird and the kitchen is mostly microwave or toaster oven driven.
3rd best lunch: Radina's? Early Edition
I guess. Maybe one of the 3 Chinese buffets fits here.
