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Heidi's House
Categories: Restaurants Tapas/Small Plates Restaurants Tapas Bars Tapas/Small Plates, Tapas Bars [Edit]
308 E 78th StManhattan, NY 10075
Neighbourhoods: Yorkville, Upper East Side
(212) 249-0069
- Nearest Transit:
-
77 St (4, 6, 6X)
86 St (4, 5, 6, 6X)
- Hours:
Mon, Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
Tue-Thu 5 pm - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 1:30 am
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
98 reviews for Heidi's House
Review Highlights
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"I especially loved the date pudding." In 9 reviews -
"Great mac and cheese here." In 25 reviews -
"Must recommend the shrimp tacos - totally delectable & the..." In 8 reviews
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98 reviews in English
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Review from joyce k.
4/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Tuesday night 7pm with my favorite out of town guests, mom and sister! My mom doesn't like hyped Ippudo 2 hour wait places, so I took her right after work to this tiny little getaway to get a seat. Mom and sister stayed with me a week and Heidi's House was their favorite spot.
AMBIANCE. Tiny. It is literally the size of my studio apartment. Quiet enough to hear each other and catch up. Nobody rushes you to hurry up and clear out even if the wait is long. The bathroom has actual wash cloths and has dried roses hanging. It is quaint and homey.. it is crowded but not obnoxious like a bar. In the past I have tried to eat here around 8 or 9 and the wait was about an hour. Heidi was nice enough to take down our number and call us when a table becomes availble, as long as we are courteous enough to pick up the phone and let her know if we decided to eat elsewhere.
FOOD: And of course the food was DELICIOUS. These "tapas" are not only large, they are decadent and flavorful so a little goes a long way. Between the 3 of us, we ordered 1 bottle of wine and 3 items off the menu and we felt full.
Please be aware that the menu online doesn't reflect accurate prices.
Shrimp Tacos ($12)- My mom's FAVORITE. SUPER delicious. I can't really eat cilantro and I could have actually easily taken it off but I gave my helping to my mom because she loved it so much.
Mac N Cheese ($13)- We didn't have any special add-ins. My mom and sister agree this is the best mac and cheese they have ever had. Yummy crusty top and rich cheesy goodness underneath. Mmmmmmmmm
SPECIAL: Gnocchi with sautéed mushrooms, baby arugula, and Parmesan ($16). The Gnocci was almost falling apart from being sooo babybutt soft. I am still partial to my UVA Truffle Gnocci but this was also very good.
Cheapest bottle of wine ($21)- You cannot really find a cheaper bottle of wine at any other winebar. Goood prices!
Food was delicious, wine well priced. Intimate atmosphere. Great place to take it easy and catch up..I will be back again. Loved it.Listed in: The UES...Eat and Drink then…
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Review from Cara A.
5/13/2012
March 2012. I might have walked past Heidi's and kept going. I might have seen reviews, but thought it was just another over-hyped UES "gem."
But when I noticed mention of the guacamole, AND macaroni and cheese, AND date pudding, AND chocolate souffle in several yelp reviews, I knew I'd found him.
Cippy! The delightful man who used to work at the Bar @ Etats-Unis (I'm still sad they closed) and then briefly at Le Rendez-Vous (I still don't know what the fuck happened there). How I missed his simply prepared foods, and his warm smile.
I've been to Heidi's several times now, and it's kind of like coming home. But... not all the way. Maybe it's because the tiny kitchen isn't behind the bar, as it was in the previous two establishments, but behind a closed door. So you can't see the awesomeness of your souffle being prepared before your eyes. Maybe it's the crowd (and I use that word for a reason). Maybe it's lack of vegetarian salads on the menu. (Remember the Boston lettuce and blue cheese salad, Cippy? Where'd it go?)
Still, I imagine I'll frequent Heidi's for the mac and cheese alone. And, of course, they have a lovely selection of both wines and beers, to suit most any drinker.
Did I mention the friendly service? There's that. And I swear the owner/manager(?) looks like Heidi Klum's older sister. Hence the name?
Yeah, find me there early on a weeknight and we'll get happy. I'll just make sure to eat my greens at lunch. -
Review from Emily S.
New York, NY
4/29/2012
What a cute little spot on the UES!! From start to finish, this cozy tapas place has got it goin' on! Don't pass on the tartar or the lobster mac...Amazing! And Heidi even serves you with a smile! Oh, and incredible prices on the wine! Yay Heidi! Oh, and hats off to Freddie-- the fantastic multitasking man behind the bar! A+ guys!
P.S. I will now assume I'm Heidi's BFF... -
Review from Ashley B.
4/25/2012
Heidi's House always come up when searching for a good place to eat on the UES, but for some reason I always passed over it. However, it is certainly worth a try.
The restaurant is tiny, maybe seats 25 people between small tables and the bar. The ambiance is cozy. It is usually crowded and they don't take reservations. Although, they will take your phone number and call you when a table is ready, since there is absolutely no place to wait other than the sidewalk. If you don't want to wait, I recommend trying it on the early or late side and maybe you'll get lucky!
The service is good. The server never rushes you even with people waiting for tables.
They have both a good wine and beer list. Everything I've had from here is simple, good, comfort food. They usually have a pasta of the day. The crab dip and mac n cheese are definite winners. -
Review from Lauren R.
Manhattan, NY
4/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
I have lived in the neighborhood for 5 years and just got around to visiting with a friend last night. What a strange, awful, confusing experience it was!
I arrived and grabbed one of the small tables for my friend and I. Once she arrived, we ordered a bottle of wine and were asked if we were ready to order. We weren't. I noted to the waitress that we would order in a bit, but she repeatedly came over and asked if we were ready to order. The vibe was definitely that we were being rushed, which is odd since there is a rack of boardgames stacked against the wall. it's clearly not meant to be McDonalds, so I don't understand the rush to order and get out of a restaurant that also provides you with boardgames....
After the 4th attempt by the waitress to take our order, we asked for 2 appetizers. One of the appetizers we received was the incorrect order. No big deal as far as I'm concerned, but a mistake nonetheless.
The waitress, and now Heidi (the crazy owner who had just arrived), repeatedly tried to remove a plate from the table which STILL had food on it. Three separate times I asked for them to leave the plate, until Heidi took it upon herself to just clear it from the table without a word. Again, why are paying customers being rushed out of a wine bar as if we're dining at a fast food restaurant?
Next time Heidi came through, I requested a refill on our water. She replied with an overly loud and sarcastic "WHAT DID YOU ASK ME FOR?", to which i replied "water please" She came back over and kept asking if there was a problem. We told her there was no problem, and she became increasingly irritated and passive aggressive towards us.
Finally, when we received our bill, she said that she didn't understand what our problem was. At this point, she's speaking VERY LOUDLY and the entire restaurant is now quiet watching her interact with us. Again, I replied that there was no problem and she said "no I'm pretty sure you have a problem" to me. Now at this point, I just lost my patience with feeling like a criminal at this lame wine bar for no reason!
My response was to let her know that we were rushed to order our food, received the wrong order (and I also indicated this was not a big deal, mistakes are made), our plate was taken away before we were finished with it, and that she was rude when we asked for more water and that she was being rude at that very moment by singling us out and berating us in front of the entire restaurant. She countered with a very loud, passive aggressive, fake apology. We just wanted to LEAVE at this point, of course. I said, "fine no problem" and then she let out a "wow" and shook her head to the people at the bar. ARE YOU SERIOUS, HEIDI???! this is how you treat a paying customer?! I can't believe this woman runs a business.
Wait, there's more.... she followed us outside of the restaurant and as we were halfway down the block told us not to come back. Don't worry Heidi, I won't ever return. And I'll be sure to tell everyone I know who lives in the neighborhood how TERRIBLE AND AWFUL your restaurant is. -
Review from Eva G.
5/7/2012
A small, very neighborhood-friendly, mixed-cuisine wine bar. We got the mac & cheese with lobster. Eat it fast while it's hot (in my experience, only Boston Market has mac & cheese that stays buttery after sitting around. Tell me if I'm wrong). We also ordered the paella. Note: the socarrat of the mac & cheese was more defined than in the paella (which is plated, so it probably didn't have much time to develop a crust). The paella wasn't that great because the seafood and chorizo were overcooked. The chocolate souffle had been called "the best" in NY, but it's really just a a super rich molten chocolate lava cake; you need to share this. If you want a warm happy place to hang out after work, this is good. But after 8pm, you'll have to wait outside for seats.
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Review from Eva W.
4/1/2012
Needed an eating place after bikram. Found this tiny establishment that seats about 25. Surprisingly good beer selection for its size.
Guacamole was fresh, but the avocado chunks were too large. Paella entree was too mushy but had an abundant selection of goodies inside. Strip steak was way too fatty and a bit overcooked. The accompanying ramps and artichokes were really good though.
My dining partner adamantly insisted the waitress was high.. -
Review from Criza S.
New York, NY
4/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is great! Small, cozy and a friendly staff. The food is ever better. My friend and I had the shrimp tacos ( 3 pieces but generous with the shrimps), the bruchetta (crunchy with fresh cherry tomatoes on top..not your typical bruchetta..really good), and the mac and cheese w/ bacon ( cheesy w/ a nice touch of saltiness from the bacon). All were given great reviews from this site. And for dessert, we had to try the date pudding...the icing on the cake! Highly recommend this place for catch up with a friend or two or a romantic date night. Will come back to try the other food on the menu.
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Review from Firas M.
Manhattan, NY
5/9/2012
Food is good but service is super awful. It took an hour and 10 minutes to bring out 2 dishes. The owner was drunk and didn't seam to care when you ask her about food delay!!! It's a spooky little whole in the wall!! May be order out dinner but order at lunch time!! It may be ready by then
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Review from Mary W.
Manhattan, NY
5/16/2012
Cutest dinner/wine/dessert spot ever. Great for a date or to catch up with a friend. It's tiny, so be prepared to wait a bit and sit close to strangers.. but it's well worth it! The bread pudding is unreal and the fact that it's run by an adorable couple makes me love it even more.
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Review from Yan T.
3/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
What a find this place is! And I'm glad the UES side-street location ensures that it doesn't blow up because it's tiny, with just a handful of "squeeze-in" tables and some seats at the bar.
Heidi's is very cute and unpretentious, boasting a well-chosen list of wines and beers. You're sure to find something here. I had a white Languedoc that was really interesting and unusual. Great choice. And the food is just awesome. We stuck with small plates and everything hit the spot:
Shrimp tacos: very generous on the shrimp, which are lightly grilled to perfection.
Guacamole: super-fresh, thick chunks, better than most Mexican places in NY.
Tuna tartare: a thick mound of raw tuna heaven in a guacamole reduction.
If I lived closer I'd be here all the time. Great place. -
Review from Jessica W.
Manhattan, NY
4/1/2012
Well isn't this just a little hidden gem on the UES! I went after work on a Thursday & had read enough reviews beforehand to know what I was getting into. Surprisingly, as tiny as the place is, it looked less like a shack than I was expecting. By 5:15pm, the place was already half filled & by 7:30pm it was packed. There's seating at the bar, plus a few smaller high-tops along the wall, so it's the perfect spot to grab a drink (or 3) with a friend.
I split a bottle of Cotes du Rhone & the guacamole, both hit the spot. The chef is hidden behind a sliding door, so it was endearing to catch a glimpse of him freshly making everything. I'm still baffled by the guacamole as it was completely green (where were the tomatoes & onions?), but I was too busy racing to the finish to spend more time pondering. Top 3 guacamoles I've had. I promised myself that next time I go, which will be soon, I'm unabashedly indulging in the lobster mac & cheese. -
Review from Sheenon O.
Los Angeles, CA
amazing mac and cheese and the thai beef salad is also amazing. My good friend lives around the corner from this place and I couldn't believe she was holding out on this gem. Our server was from Denmark, which I loved. Europeans have a very relaxed way of serving which I actually enjoy. I hate to be rushed to eat. Otherwise why the hell would you go out to eat.....if you are in a rush go to McDonald's. Well, this was not our experience here. I was able to enjoy a few glasses of wine and some great food and even better company. Thank you I will most certainly make a point of coming here again.
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Review from Garth E.
3/9/2012
This is one of those restaurants that you might only ever find in New York. Tiny restaurant, almost a hole in the wall, with a relatively small menu, and tons of character.
I've only been here once, but form what I gather you're fairly likely to have a wait. Once you give your name and number to the host, make your way to a bar around the corner and hang out until your table is ready. Good times.
They have a standard menu and then specials written on the chalkboard. I had the pork chop special, which was very well prepared and served over spinach and polenta. Simple and excellent. My friend had a cheeseburger that was very good, the star of the burger, however, were the tomatoes. They were sweet and flavorful, bright red, and definitely tasted fresh. Especially impressive considering this meal happened in the middle of January.
Definitely not the place to go if you have a big group, but it simply can't be beat for a delicious and intimate dinner. -
Review from Eric C.
3/12/2012
Tiny.
Shrimp tacos good.
Mac & cheese overrated (not cheesy enough).
Burger tasty.
Date pudding is fucking amazing. GET THIS. -
Review from Meredith M.
San Francisco, CA
2/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
This teeny, tiny UES gem hidden down 78th feels like a french cottage and gets very busy during happy hour. If it's between 4 and 6pm I'll venture north to meet one of my domesticated girlfriends for a glass of wine and some lobster mac n cheese. Anytime after 6, don't bother as you most likely will not find a seat.
Their mac n cheese makes my top 5 for Manhattan (Cask still takes the cake, or cheese, at #1), mainly because of their options; tuffle oil, lobster, chorizo or broccoli? Incredible! We also munched on their crab cakes and cheese plate. Everything was just delightful. -
Review from a r.
Des Moines, IA
2/27/2012
Food : We ordered a bunch of things. The shrimp tacos were fantastic - super fresh, great flavor and the tacos were freshly made and soft. The guacamole and chips were good too - the chips were noteworthy since they were freshly made. After that things went somewhat downhill. The crab dip was average - nothing special as the taste of cream overpowered the crab. The tuna tartar was great - but the freshness did not come through as it did in the shrimp tacos. The macaroni with chorizo was not good - don't really like pasta so maybe biased. But it did not taste good. The date pudding was as good as advertised.
Drink : Standard wine list - had a couple of reds which were ok. The pear cider is nice - light and refreshing.
Decor : Its a small place but we liked that - intimate and cozy. It will get crowded but that's any decent place in New York.
Service : We went early so got place easily. Service was very attentive and good. No complaints there.
Overall : We had gone with high expectations and this came up average. Not sure if its a place we will visit again. If you do go, definitely have the shrimp tacos and date pudding. -
Review from Ali C.
Manhattan, NY
4/18/2012
Came here once with my boyfriend. I LOVED this place. The atmosphere is cute - small and dark, and they have board games. The wine was completely delicious, although very overpriced ($14/glass!). We ordered a mixed fish pasta dish - one of fish listed was missing, one of the fish was not fresh, the rest of was fine. I would come back for wine after dinner, probably not the food.
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Review from Sara B.
2/13/2012
I rarely feel like restaurants on the Upper East Side have much character or charm, but Heidi's House was pretty adorable. It was tiny and quaint, and felt like eating in someone's cottage. (I think someone said this already, but there is just no better way to describe it!) The food was homey and delicious, but was also creative enough to still feel interesting.
Given its yelp classification as a tapas bar, we went expecting small plates and were initially annoyed and confused to see a list of items hovering in the $15 to $20 range, as that seemed awfully high for a little nibble. It turned out, though, that none of the plates, including the "snacks," were in any way small and that we ended up with an abundance of tasty food. The final tab still seemed a little high, but we could have easily gotten by with less food.
We shared several things, including the crab dip and the baked mac and cheese which were both homey and delicious. The mac and cheese was obviously made without the "help" of processed cheese, and had a great crust on the top. The tuna tartar with grapefruit was fresh and tasty, although I would have preferred it with something more delicate than the thick slices of bread it was served with. The paella was also very flavorful and full of seafood, but it would've been even better if it had had a crispy, socarrat crust. I'm not a desert person at all, but I am still dreaming about the date pudding which, like the menu advertises, was neither date-like nor a traditional pudding, but rather a rich, gooey, caramelly bread-pudding.
I think I need to go back at least once to see if I truly love it, but for now I'm definitely a fan. -
Review from Jeffrey M.
Danville, CA
4/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
Everything people say is true. If you want a different, delicious, interesting meal this is it.
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Review from Kelly R.
2/2/2012
My husband and I walked in here at around 7pm on a Wednesday night and grabbed the last two spots at the bar. We both ordered the wild mushroom ravioli ($15). I got the pear cider and he got a glass of white wine.
Our food was out in a jiffy! We were so surprised how fast it was. The ravioli was to die for, but when we left, my husband made a beeline for the pizza place down the street, because he was still hungry. Yeah, the portions were not very big.
I luuurved my pear cider! Probably because it had added sugar, and thus more calories than a soda...
Husband loved his wine, and I thought it was pretty tasty, too.
Our bartender/waiter was great. He just oozed professional-waiter-who-really-knows-his-stuff vibes, while still being friendly and cool.
I think the titular Heidi was there? And she was swearing a lot and being really crude....has anyone else seen this? It was the only off note in an an otherwise super charming place.
If you want to come here, make a plan B for dining in the neighborhood before you swing by here to see if there are any seats! -
Review from Michele C.
Manhattan, NY
3/17/2012
OMGoodness! Yes, GOODNESS! this place is A-MAZING! we started with the shrimp tacos and the guac. HELLO! everything was exceptional...then came the magnificent MAC 'n CHEESE! holy moly. as if that wasnt enough, the chocolate souffle. oh my, yes. the chocolate souffle. i haven't had a meal this good...EVER! def try heidi's house. and when you do, please send our regards to heidi and freddie :)
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Review from Veen D.
Manhattan, NY
4/11/2012
A teensy tapas spot with wonderful, warm service. It's like you walked into someone's tiny living room and they cooked you dinner in their little kitchen. A bit of a wait but definitely worth it. I would say a great place to take your friends to share the experience, but your odds of getting a seat are much better if you came with one dining companion instead of three or four. The paella was delicious and loaded with generous portions of lobster, shrimp and scallops. Also interesting - while I didn't try them, I noticed there were quite a few entrees and drinks that were gluten-free on the menu.
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Review from Kitana Q.
Manhattan, NY
1/28/2012
Cozy, cute, tiny restaurant tucked away on the side of a street. Great food, amazing date pudding, and eclectic selection of drinks. Long waits of 1h+ on a Fri night with lingering diners, so call ahead and put your name on a list for the evening.
1. Food: Shrimp tacos, seafood + bacon paella, and date pudding. Dishes were small, but so well flavored. Large juicy shrimps lovingly spiced and garnished with a dash of herbs in toasted soft-shell tacos. Juicy paella with lobster, scallops, thick slabs of bacon, and... the only food con so far, the hardest and toughest chorizos ever. Date pudding, wow. Perfectly toasted and crispy on the rim, moist velvety richness on the inside, with a caramely sauce drizzled about, and freshly made whipped cream. Delicious. I will one day come just for this dish, by myself.
2. Service: the host was quite personable, and understanding about the long wait times. Waited overall 1h 45m for the table, and placed our order before we sat. Dishes take about thirty minutes or more to cook, so plan accordingly.
3. Ambiance: Dimly lit, tightly packed with bar seating and a few tables. Brick wall with shelves stocked with wine. Cozy, cute gem, but quite loud. Couples and dates abound. -
Review from Jason P.
When you walk into Heidi's House, it feels exactly like that, a small cottage-like rustic ambiance with the wood trimmings, dark lighting, and a cozy feel. It gives you the impression that you are in someone's house rather than a full-fledged restaurant. Seating is very limited with four 2-person tables, one 4-person table, and 6-8 seats at the bar. It's very narrow, with seats back to back to each other, making it ideal for couples. If you have a large group, I'd advise saving this place for a more intimate gathering. Near the back, is a Shoji, a japanese-like paper sliding door that leads to the small 10'x10' kitchen. Inside, two Spanish guys operate the mini-kitchen. I don't know how they do everything in that small space, but their food is delicious and well-worth it!!
You may notice that the Yelp community has classified Heidi's as a tapas bar, but I feel like it's far from that. The prices to portion sizing is more of your average-sized, rather than tastings of items.
The Shrimp Tacos ($10.00) are definitely worth trying. Three soft corn tortillas filled with 4-5 small shrimp that are sauteed with julienne yellow peppers, then topped with cilantro. These tacos are very tasty, the shrimp are plump and moist. It bothers me when restaurants make the mistake of overcooking them to oblivion. And don't forget to squeeze the lime wedge to give it some acidity, and drizzle some of their delicious spicy green salsa that gives it a little heat.
The Macaroni & Cheese ($12.00) is always the talk of the town when you mention Heidi's. We got ours with Chorizo Sausage (+$5.00). It takes about 20 minutes to bake and broil, so plan on some appetizers or to do some waiting. The top was nice and crusted, which my guess is from being thrown on the broiler for a little while. The mac and cheese is cooked in a stone pot so the walls of the macaroni were crispy as well. Small chunks of chorizo sausage added a subtle saltiness to this otherwise creamy mac and cheese. The chorizo did not have a significant spice to the meat, but it was still very good. However, I'd probably try the Mac & Cheese with lobster, or just go for the plain. One minor dislike that I had, was that the macaroni & cheese was slightly oily, possibly from the chorizo sausage. You will especially notice the greasiness when you get to the bottom of the stone pot. Besides that, you're in for one delicious mac & cheese, but Dumont still reigns supreme as my go-to spot for superb macaroni and cheese.
Bottles of beer range from $6-$14 and glasses of wine range from $6-$19. One of the big hits that we really enjoyed was the Gavi (glass - $8), which is a very smooth semi-sweet white wine from Italy. For beer drinkers, the Left Hand Milk Stout (bottle - $6.00) is a good choice if you like your malty beers, akin to Guinness, but not as malty.
Table service was great. We were expecting to meet Heidi, as we hear that she is there most days, but instead, one Spanish guy by the name of Freddy seemed to be handling everything in front, from seating customers, taking their orders, operating the bar, serving tables, refilling glasses and procuring the bill. Between rounds, he would sit at the bar and chat with a customer.
I will definitely be back to try their paella and other dishes. Most of the customers seemed to be regulars. Each of them seemed to rave to their neighbor about their favorite dish at least once during their meal, and how they come or will be going to Heidi's at least once a month. I could definitely relate and agree with such a claim, as Heidi's serves some delicious eats. You just need to come and check it out yourself!Listed in: Taco Time!
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Review from merisa t.
11/14/2011
You people are all cray-cray! Are we drinking the same wine? No, I know we are not, because y'all are drinking the crazy wine, which, yes, of course, they do sell on the Upper East Side. The wine they serve here is NOT good. And it's cheap (for them, not you). Since I've gotten my new sexy phone, I have an annoying habit of looking up wines to find the price per bottle to see just how ridiculous the markup is. For real, I try not to think about it and just order a nice glass of wine and enjoy it, but after several cloyingly BAD glasses of wine (different ones) here, I had to know. I couldn't help it. And lo and behold, most of the bottles hover around $9. That's LESS than the price of one glass - which at Heidi's are upwards of $12. Redonk.
And YES, the food takes FOREVER. They don't warn you about it. But if you complain, they side-eye you and are like, "It's food, it takes time to cook." And then you're like, "I know you think you can fool me because my oven is where I keep my shoes, but does it really take an hour?!" And they're like, "In our kitchen it does, because we are cheap and we have ONE person doing the cooking and the cleaning and the candlestick making!" Sometimes it's worth it (the date pudding is AMAZING) and sometimes it's not (the guacamole with triscuits, the mac 'n cheese).
Also, not a fan of Ms. Heidi herself. One time, my buddy and I were at the bar, testing out our smarts with Trivial Pursuit (just the cards, not the board; we brought our own, but they have a bunch of games at the front) and she basically demanded we ask her stuff. We did, she knew all the answers. So, fine, we get it - she's smart. But come on, nobody likes a showoff. Also, it seems she likes to be all flibbertigibbet and talk about how fabulous she is with all the customers...while her husband does all the work. That's just mean.
The space is so cute though, everyone is right about that. Tucked on a side street and impossibly tiny, it's cozy and romantic and would be perfect for a date...if only everything else didn't suck so much. -
Review from Carol W.
Manhattan, NY
5/2/2012
A wine bar is a place to go to have a glass of wine-not water. If you are going to drink water, choose a different place other than Heidi's. It is a small, cozy neighborhood place like Cheers but much smaller. I love the place and adore Heidi and her husband Ed. They did all the work themselves. The location use to be a dry cleaner and it is unreal what a wonderful comfortable place they created. The cuisine has the same personality as the place itself. Delicious dishes that are warm and comforting like the mac and cheese, the paella-every dish is sensational. I have met many new friends hanging out there. This is just what the Upper East Side needed. An intelligent couple finally created a place we were all looking for but did not know we could find. Accolades to Heidi and Ed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
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Review from Moneek M.
12/19/2011
Great place!
Went here last week and had a fabulous meal in very nice atmosphere.
We had the mac and cheese, which was delicious and not greasy like some places. We also tried the bread pudding for dessert which was phenomenal!
I would definitely recommend trying this place out, but be sure to give yourself a lot of time. They don't take reservations and the place is very small so that wait is usually long. Also it seems like all meals are made to order so give yourself time for dinner as well, this is not the place to grab a quick bite to eat... but worth a try if you love a good mac and cheese and have some time. -
Review from Sudie G.
3/5/2012
Teensy place with the most delicious shrimp tacos and date pudding! Its all the way in the UES, but I wouldnt mind treakking there for the food..
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Review from Mark R.
Brooklyn, NY
12/6/2011
Fantastic.
If you can get in.
It's tiny--maybe only 20 people can eat there at a time, so get ready for a 1 hour wait minimum on weekends.
But you'll have an experience you'll remember for years. Intimate setting, warm atmosphere, personalize service from Heidi (make sure you talk to her!), and a simple menu to choose from that keeps things from getting complicated. We had the specials hangar steak and gnocchi, but were drooling at every dish our fellow dining companions ordered, too.
My advice--go on a mon/ tues night when you can get Heidi to yourself. Enjoy... -
Review from Adam O.
San Diego, CA
11/16/2011
I visited NYC for 2 days. Landed at 10:00 pm, did not get into the city until 11:00 pm. My wife took the train from Baltimore, she met me at 11:45. We were worried it would be hard to get a good meal after 12 on the Upper East Side. WRONG.
This is the world record holder for deliciousness-per-square-foot. Sure it is small, and sure it may be slow if busy because one man does it all in the back of the house, but who cares? Grab a beer or wine and enjoy the company.
My wife posted her review right after we ate, and I concur with everything she said. (See Kate O. below) Heidi is a genuine person, and our conversation was almost the same we would have with a dear friend because she listens, jokes, and talks some shit! We both commented on her wonderful personality after, and felt in some wired way that we had a new friend, and I am not a warm and fuzzy person to begin with. Plus, it is great story that she and her husband just decided to open this place up because it was her dream. She came from a professorial background and had no restaurant experience before this place. (She is from Minnesota I think, sorry Heidi you should not have kept re-filling my wife and I's glasses at 2:00 am or else I would remember!) If I could FedEx her Vietnamese Beef Salad to San Diego I would do it.
Go because the food is that damn good - in my top 25 meals of my life. I am 36, so that is a lot of meals.
Go because Heidi is the type of person who deserves support - she is taking an chance on her dream and she is killing it with this spot.
Go because you know you want the Vietnamese Beef Salad and mac n' cheese.
Go because you will have to talk to strangers, and will realize after that you should do it more often.
Go because . . . [fill in the blank yourself after you GO!] -
Review from Chris L.
10/14/2011
For the first year or so I lived in the neighborhood, I had only walked past Heidi's House during the daytime, and didn't think much of it. Another quaint little cafe for the Upper East Side ladies who lunch to do their thing? With specials on the board for homey pasta dishes, so it would seem. Then I stumbled across the reviews on Yelp, and it looked like Heidi's House might have more to offer.
In an area full of ultra-chic wine bars (Uva, Pil Pil, Vero- within a 2-block radius), Heidi's House stands out as completely unpretentious and, in fact, kitschy. The place is simply kind of weird. It's not even ten feet wide, perpetually crowded, and decorated with such tasteful pieces of Americana as a plastic infant doll head mounted on a microscope. The wine list is simple, yet well-chosen- I don't think there's anything significantly above $60/bottle on the menu. And, since just about everything is available by the glass, the staff is always happy to let you try a sip before you commit.
The food also stands out. The date pudding is my favorite dessert anywhere (dangerous to have a block away from where I live)- an endlessly satisfying, butterscotch cake/pudding blob that will fill you up for days at a time. The pasta dishes are mostly quite good, with fancy mac & cheese that people seem to love, and gnocchi that's not quite as good as Uva's (not to disrespect Heidi or her House, but the black truffle gnocchi at Uva is a tough act to follow). Cheese and charcuterie options are pretty solid, too.
Go there hungry, thirsty, and social. You'll likely have to wait a few minutes for a table, so you'll be crammed somewhere in a corner or sharing a table temporarily. It's a notably communal atmosphere, with people tending to be very willing (by NYC standards) to reorganize the seating of their parties to accomodate those around them. I love to see places like this flourish, as it makes the Upper East Side a little bit more livable and less sterile for its residents. -
Review from Stephanie S.
New York, NY
1/3/2012
I live on the same block as Heidi's and hadn't had a chance to try it - crazy, since I've been watching the crowds hanging on the sidewalk outside this tiny place for months.
I'm not sure about an experience "you'll remember for years," as per another review, but the place is definitely remarkable. Affordable (and creative) beer and wine lists and a varied menu (including less expensive starters that can be a meal all by themselves). Between us, my friend and I had the shrimp tacos, tuna tartare and a burger - and he wanted to stay for the souffle. All excellent.
Given that Heidi's has so few seats, we went at 6pm and were able to get the last table, so I would definitely recommend trying to get there early. It's worth it! -
Review from kathleen s.
New York, NY
10/11/2011
I love the mac n' cheese. LOVE it. I also love the choice of wines and the french press coffee (although cappucino would be better). However, I'm usually looking for a quiet place for dinner and this ain't it. Its very tiny and cute, but usually Heidi (who is delightful if not a bit overbearing) is having a conversation with someone at the bar or even someone across the bar at a table--which makes it hard for you to talk to the person you''re dining with. I do come back for the mac n cheese, but I gotta be in the right mood. I know some people like this kind of friendly, chatty atmosphere and if thats you--go and enjoy.
I did think it was sweet that as I was passing by the other night and showing the place to a friend, one of the employees came running out to see if we needed a table. They ARE nice. -
Review from Mary S.
10/19/2011
Heidi's House is a cute little restaurant/bar owned and operated by Heidi herself. Its' homey feel puts you at ease--that is until the crowds start rolling in and it becomes PACKED. A tiny joint like this can't handle more than 50 people, that's for sure.
The food is good though. I had the crab dip (amazing, very cheesy), the shrimp tacos (just OK-a bit bland) and the lobster mac-n-cheese (divine, although hyped up by fellow Yelpers)
Prices are reasonable. Heidi's House is def worth checking out if you're in the area. -
Review from J C.
Manhattan, NY
9/23/2011
Gluten-free mac option! With lobster too!!! Even without the good wines and nicely balanced steak salad we shared as well, this place is top on my list.
It's tiny; great for 2 people, only one spot for 3 or 4.
It's eclectic; Japanese rice doors section off the kitchen, while it seems a Mexican artisan must have made the large mirror that sits behind the bar.
It's so worth the wait for a seat; downtown charm has moved into the neighborhood.Listed in: UES: Good, Bad & Ugly, Thoughtful Gluten-free Items
-
Review from P M.
New York, NY
11/3/2011
My neighborhood favorite. What a gem of a place! Everything I've tried here is excellent. And prices are reasonable enough to go often, which I do (though in general I don't try the same restaurant twice - it's NYC after all! but this is an exception).
I especially love the shrimp tacos, the paella (which doesn't taste like traditional paella but comes with such a good amount of seafood, it gives me a very tasty protein fix!) and the date pudding.
It's a small place and they don't take reservations, so you will probably have to wait for a table. But they will take your phone number and call you which is fair. So happy to have this newish addition in the nabe! -
Review from Dave T.
Manhattan, NY
11/27/2011
This place was absolutely great. A cute little date spot with good wine and good food.
The only down side is that it is very small and hard to get into. But the waitstaff was more than accommodating and let us put our name down and gave us a call when our table was ready. I would highly recommend! -
Review from Jiahui L.
Manhattan, NY
11/17/2011
Food:
~Lobster mac and cheese (5 stars): I don't usually get mac and cheese, but we had to try this, and it was totally worth it! Made to order, it was baked and had a wonderful cheesy crust on top and was perfectly smooth without being watery on the inside. Lobster chunks were fresh (just a tad sweet).
~Paella (4 stars): this was a special. Rice was actually soft! Lots of flavor and came with a LOT of seafood. Some of the seafood was a tad overcooked (shrimp), but the scallops were just right.
~Hanger steak (4 stars): had to return to the kitchen because it was more medium than medium-rare, but when it came back, it was indeed medium-rare. Good texture with a just slightly sweet mushroom sauce.
~Bread pudding (5 stars): not too sweet, with a perfect combination of crispy crust and soft interior.
Wine: great selection. Knowledgable staff.
Wait time: seated immediately for 3 at 8pm on a weekday night. Place was pretty full though (I think we took the last table). Wouldn't recommend coming with more than 4 people, and not on a weekend unless you come early. Food came out at a moderate pace.
Highly recommend! -
Review from Tonya B.
Manhattan, NY
1/6/2012
FINALLY were able to get a table at Heidi's, after walking by a packed house for months, disappointed. We had some fun and will return (if there is ever another table open!)
The tuna tartare appetizer was nice and rather large in portion size. The tuna may not have been the absolute best I've ever eaten (and I've eaten a LOT of sushi grade tuna), but it seemed fresh enough and paired well with its accompaniments on the plate. Then we tried the two pasta specials of the day: lobster and asparagus gnocci, and fettuchini with lamb ragout. Both were flavorful, the lamb in particular. The gnocci was an interesting "home cooking" take on gnocci, as they were more like mashed potato puffs than a potato pasta. But good nonetheless.
Most interestingly, the beer selection is really incredible. Yes, the wines were good too, but others have already commented on the wine. We were pleasantly surprised at the unique selections of bottled beers and the indepth knowledge of the bartender (who was actually off-duty, but still willing to help us at the request of our waitress). A great place to try a beer that's a little different, be served by friendly people, and enjoy some home cooking while you're there!
