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Blu Ember
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Blu Ember
8.5
Blu Ember, inside The Westin, leans into New American cooking with an Asian-influenced menu, from seafood pasta and pork cheek to steaks and a signature burger. Locals use it for polished brunches and composed dinners when they want something more refined than the neighborhood’s casual spots.
Must-Try Dishes:
BluEmber Burger, Seafood Pasta, Prime Ribeye Steak 12oz
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 9.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: A hotel dining room serving New American plates with Asian flourishes and strong cocktails.
Who should go: Brunch groups or couples wanting polished New American plates
When to visit: Weekend brunch or early dinner for calmer, brighter dining
What to order: BluEmber Burger, Seafood Pasta, Prime Ribeye Steak
Insider tip: Reserve brunch and ask about outdoor or window seating on nice days.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Garage and valet options through The Westin; limited street parking that gets competitive after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual; polished jeans and a nice top are fine, but many diners lean slightly dressy for brunch and date nights.
Noise level: Moderate, with a brighter hum during brunch and a softer, conversation-friendly tone at early dinner.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes without a reservation, longer during peak brunch-to-dinner turnover.
Weekday lunch: Typically seated immediately unless a hotel event is in progress.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several solid options, including salads, veggie-forward starters, and adaptable pasta dishes.
Vegan options: Limited but workable; expect 1–2 intentionally plant-based items plus customizable sides.
Gluten-free options: Good accommodation; many proteins and salads can be prepared gluten-free, and staff is used to modifying dishes.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The polished hotel dining room, attentive service, and balanced noise level create an easy, low-pressure environment for conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weekdays or early dinner hours, but weekend brunch and hotel peak times fill fast. Walk-ins should be prepared for a short lobby wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for children around 8+. The room is calm but not formal, and servers are accommodating with menu adjustments. Younger kids are welcome but may find the pacing more suited to adults.
Best For
Better for: Refined plates, strong brunch execution, and a quieter, more composed setting than most casual Flushing spots.
Skip if: You want fast, budget-friendly meals or a more high-energy, street-level dining vibe typical of neighborhood eateries.
Blu Ember
8.6
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Birthday & Celebration Central
Girls Night Out Approved
Trendy Table Hotspots
Blu Ember is a Westin LaGuardia–adjacent dining room where wagyu-forward plates, sushi, and dishes like seabass Tom Kha and Acquerello risotto are served under soaring ceilings and lush greenery. It functions as a destination for celebrations and stylish nights out that still feel rooted in Flushing’s growing fine-dining scene.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seabass Tom Kha with Coconut and Charred Tomato, Acquerello Risotto with Wild Mushrooms and Black Truffle, 40-oz Prime Tomahawk Steak
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 9.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: High-gloss dining room marrying wagyu, sushi, and Southeast Asian–leaning plates.
Who should go: Diners wanting polished, cocktail-driven nights near LaGuardia.
When to visit: Weekend evenings for full energy without the latest rush.
What to order: Seabass Tom Kha, Acquerello truffle risotto, 40-oz tomahawk.
Insider tip: Request a terrace-adjacent table to enjoy both the room’s drama and a peek at the skyline.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Hotel garage parking is available at the Westin (paid, typically $10–$18), with limited metered street parking that becomes difficult after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual with a polished lean; dark denim is fine, but most diners opt for dressier tops and evening wear.
Noise level: Moderate-to-lively; conversations are doable at smaller tables, but peak weekend service brings a buzzy dining room.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes if you walk in; reservations strongly recommended due to pre-flight and celebration traffic.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, though business travelers can fill key time slots.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid range of dishes including vegetable-forward small plates and customizable sushi options.
Vegan options: Limited but workable; the kitchen can adapt certain items with advance notice.
Gluten-free options: Multiple menu items can be prepared gluten-free, including select sushi and seafood dishes; notify the server when ordering.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The dramatic room, polished plating, and strong cocktail program create an impressive backdrop without feeling overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possibly during weekday lunch or early dinner. On weekends or celebration-heavy nights, walk-ins often face meaningful waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids who can handle a refined setting; not ideal for toddlers. High chairs may be available through the hotel.
Best For
Better for: High-impact ambience, celebratory dinners, polished seafood and wagyu plates, and a stylish scene that blends hotel luxury with Flushing energy.
Skip if: You want a quiet, low-key meal or strictly traditional Chinese fine dining without fusion influences or modern presentation.
Blu Ember
8.7
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Birthday & Celebration Central
Girls Night Out Approved
Trendy Table Hotspots
Blu Ember, inside the Westin Flushing LaGuardia, is a sprawling, design-forward dining room where steaks, sushi, and tom kha sea bass share space with a sleek cocktail bar and patio. It reads more like a Manhattan opening than an airport hotel restaurant, drawing dressed-up crowds before flights, events, and nights out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tom kha sea bass, Korean lettuce wraps with wagyu bacon, Golden Amber sushi roll
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 9.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Upscale, Westin-born dining room blending steakhouse, sushi, and Asian flavors.
Who should go: Diners wanting polished, scene-y dinners near LaGuardia.
When to visit: Weekend evenings for full-room energy and bar buzz.
What to order: Tom kha sea bass, wagyu lettuce wraps, Golden Amber roll.
Insider tip: Pair an early reservation with a stroll through the Westin lobby and bar to extend the night.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet is typically available through the Westin’s main entrance, with hotel garage self-parking as the most reliable option; street parking is limited and tight during evenings and weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning stylish; most guests dress up for photos and celebrations, though polished jeans and a nice top are acceptable.
Noise level: Moderate-to-loud during peak dinner hours with bar energy and music; quieter on weeknights and earlier seatings.
Weekend wait: Expect 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially for larger groups or prime-time tables.
Weekday lunch: Generally no wait; walk-ins are seated quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several strong options including salads, vegetable-forward sides, and select sushi rolls.
Vegan options: Limited; a couple of adaptable dishes but not a full vegan lineup.
Gluten-free options: Multiple dishes can be prepared gluten-free, and staff is accustomed to modifying sushi and entrees upon request.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—its stylish design, polished service, and spacious layout create an upscale atmosphere that feels special without being overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes, but weekends fill up fast. Arriving early or checking bar and patio seating significantly improves your chances.
Is it kid-friendly? Appropriate for older kids and teens who enjoy polished dining; not ideal for toddlers or restless younger children due to the lively, nightlife-leaning vibe.
Best For
Better for: Scene-forward dinners, cocktails, and celebratory nights where ambiance, presentation, and variety—steak, sushi, Asian-influenced plates—matter as much as the meal.
Skip if: You want a quiet, minimalist dining experience, strictly traditional cuisine, or a budget-friendly meal.