We finally found a good, reasonably priced mom and pop Italian restaurant in the NYC metro and the name is Cataldo's!. After searching the streets of Manhattan and Brooklyn and on Yelp for a week looking for a good value, I stumbled upon Cataldo's. It looked promising because one of the featured photos was of a delicious stuffed artichoke (below - $12) just like my grandma used to make ... YUM! Unfortunately, they were out when we arrived and were not expecting a produce delivery for two days ... DRAT!
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We finally found a good, reasonably priced mom and pop Italian restaurant in the NYC metro and the name is Cataldo's!
After searching the streets of Manhattan and Brooklyn and on Yelp for a week looking for a good value, I stumbled upon Cataldo's. It looked promising because one of the featured photos was of a delicious stuffed artichoke (below - $12) just like my grandma used to make ... YUM! Unfortunately, they were out when we arrived and were not expecting a produce delivery for two days ... DRAT!
When we arrived, we were warmly greeted by Vito (a co-owner with his brother) and his family. Vito and his brother Salvatore are originally from Sicily, just an hour's drive from my wife's hometown in Northwestern Sicily, so they know how good food should be prepared and enjoyed.
The prices are very reasonable, particularly in NYC, with pizzas and pastas in the $10-$14 range and veal (with a side of pasta) running $12 to $16. They offer several wine options in a multitude of colors and varieties with glasses starting at $6 and bottles in the low $20s.
On our first visit, we started with the insalata Mozzarella Caprese ($8), not the "traditional" insalata Caprese with mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, and basil, but a salad with a couple small mozzarella balls and sliced tomato, mostly arugula, and a few olives. I was not overly impressed for the $8 price tag. My wife ordered the Pizza Quattro Formaggio ($13), a wood-fired pie of 12+ inches smothered in four types of cheese (mozzarella, ricotta, gorgonzola and fontina) and baked to a golden brown. The pizza and Caprese are the only reason they will not get my highest rating. The pizza was good, not great, and not on the same level as true pizza Napoletana. I had the Vitello (veal) alla Parmigiana ($12), three good size veal cutlets breaded and fried, then smothered in marinara, topped with mozzarella, and baked to a golden brown. It came with a side of Spaghetti alla Bolognese, their meat sauce, which was as good as any I have had. A bottle of Chianti ($24) brought the tab to around $60 for an excellent meal, about the same price as we paid for garbage at a West Village German restaurant the night before. An excellent value!
We came back a second time two nights later, always a good sign, my wife having the Tortellini alla Panna ($12) instead of pizza and me the Veal Saltimbocca alla Romana ($16) ... buonissimo! The tortellini were likely not homemade, but were very good and the cream sauce rich and delicious. The veal saltimbocca was divine, likely the best I have had, including in Rome (hence the name - Romana). Lightly breaded veal cutlets atop a bed of spinach and covered with prosciutto crudo then baked in a light white wine, butter, and lemon sauce infused with rosemary ... MAMA MIA! The accompanying spaghetti was topped with the same sauce and with a little freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano on top, it was exquisite ... the best $16 I have spent in a long time!
Being our last night in NYC and Brooklyn, we splurged and shared a piece of cheesecake ($5). Made with ricotta rather than cream cheese, it was typically Italian and not as sweet as its NYC cousin, but very good nonetheless.
I never did get to try the stuffed artichoke, but the food was wonderful, the service and hospitality excellent, the setting quaint and warm, and the value exceptional. We made some new friends and enjoyed the excellent food, surely to return on our next trip to Brooklyn and NYC.
CombatCritic Gives Cataldo's 9 Bombs Out Of 10 As One Of The Best Values (BANG FOR THE BUCK) in NYC and Brooklyn ... More Bombs Are Better!
Family-run. Hidden Gem.. Here's what I love about Cataldo's:
1. delicious food - eggplant parmigiano and pizza (with artichoke, mushroom and spinach?) are delicious!
2. Just-right price tag - definitely a plus!
3. cozy, cute deco with laid-back ness
4. Friendly staff who actually remember your face - not overpoweringly attentive and not distant. It's a family business I heard.
5. It is possible to enjoy a quiet, relaxed good meal with plenty of space and easy quietness around you in Cataldo's. Often time I find restaurant with blasting noise which makes conversation a mouth-spitting contest, but not at Cataldo's.
Have a great time there!
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This is truly an amazing place. Incredible Italian Food. Homemade taste like you were eating at your family's home. Excellent marinara sauce (perfect in my opinion). Sal and Russ & family really know their stuff and they treat everyone that walks in like family. They have wood fired brick oven pizza that is perfect. Usually we get the Pugliese (broccoli rabe and sausage) which is exactly what we got this time (lol). They have a lot of great pizza but that's my favorite. Fried calamari is always incredible. We also had chicken parm and penne alla vodka, and salmon with broccoli. I finished off with one of their daily specials Rigatoni Norma (rigatoni with fried eggplant and ricotta cheese). Wow it was so good i came again the same week for the same dish (and the Pugliese pizza and Fried calamari LOL). Finished off with an expresso with sambuca. I have know Sal for many years and he really knows his stuff. Pasta always al dente (little firm, which is the only way you should eat pasta), marinara sauce is always perfect (just like when mom makes it), as is everything they make there. Also, don't forget they make the best Italian sandwiches. My favorite is the mixed seafood (fried shrimp & calamari) with marinara sauce (i like it spicy so i add crushed red pepper). Good size portions and reasonable pricing make this the go to spot in the area. Try for yourself you won't be disappointed. Highly recommend. Buon Appetito!
Great Italian restaurant in Prospect Heights. Casual atmosphere with a nice selection to choose from. Its good for a quick sandwich to go or sit down for a nice meal. Owned and operated by a really nice and friendly family.
Went here for dinner after our first choice had a long wait and ended up with some DELICIOUS penne vodka! Don’t come here expecting a fancy dinner, but you will get good family-style Italian cooking. Also, the prices are fantastic and don’t break the bank.
I love coming to this restaurant as it is always peaceful and I can always ensure i’m going to have a wonderful experience. The service is always quick and I feel the love in every meal I have.
We love Cataldo's! Tonight we had arugula salad, baked clams, fettuccine alfredo with shrimp, and cavatelli Pugilese (homemade cavatelli with sausage and broccoli rabe). Absolutely fresh and delicious. Sigh, and the black and white mousse dessert... yum. Always friendly service. Family owned and operated!
One of my favorite meals is a Cataldos Veal Parmigiana hero, house salad, and a cappuccino. Love sitting here for lunch, love ordering delivery for dinner.
Excellent food and service. If you are looking for a local, family-friendly Italian place, this is it. The lasagna is good (pictured) but my favorite might be the chicken sorrentina.
Update 1/2018- chicken picatta w/pasta, really good and a nice portion.
Wow! Really good, home cooked comfort food. Been here several times and will return many times.
Friendly staff, clean and a nice spot to chill out.
Brilliant italian restaurant. Exactly what you would expect - 100% italian food. Ordered manicotti and was not disappointed! Will definitely come back again 👌🏻
Absolutely delicious, if you want a classic Italian meal this is where you go
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