I cannot possibly express how delicious this place is. Tiny, affordable, extensive (and affordable) wine list, and such nice staff!!! Seriously, out of this world good. Of all the places I have eaten in NYC, not only is this definitely the cutest, it was also the best. 5 Stars doesn't seem like enough. Truly fantastic!
Phenomenal dining experience!! The vino, tapas, pasta, and dessert were delightful! Not to mention the very sweet attentive wait staff! Would recommend to anyone looking for a true Italian delight!
Cosy atmosphere and wonderful service. The food is excellent and the prices are very acceptable having in mind the quality and place where this restaurant is. I am certainly visiting this place during my next visit to NY!
Perfect meal- small neighborhood space with a lot of character and attentive waitstaff. Exactly what we were looking for and our best (most delicious) meal of the week.
I have been in New York City for one year and this is the best high-quality Italian food that I have tried so far. As a nightlife club promoter I have had the chance to eat in many spots in the city and I haven't found real homemade food like this. I lived in Parma (Italy) last year and the "prosciutto" and parmesan cheese at this plac are the real ones. Also the manager (Fabio) treated us like all-life friends. He invited us to the second bottle of wine and described us every dish detail by detail. You can feel the passion and the dedication that the workers put to achieve those natural and strong flavors. They have fresh imported fish, a wide variety of meats and of course, the best pasta that you can eat in NY. Just looking forward to come back again.
Delicious food, excellent service, attentive owner. We would certainly return.
the real Italian cuisine and atmosphere!
Pierpaolo �
I just stumbled upon La Giaconda one afternoon and decided to give it a try. Needless to say, I've been back
Fresh, fantastic food. Lovely atmosphere. Intimate without being crowded.
Best linguini and white wine clam sauce I've had in the city. Tasted so fresh and home made and cooked perfectly al dente. Very cozy and great pri fixe weekday lunch. Will definitely return.
This is a pleasant, cozy Italian spot with delicious, well priced food. It is on a very busy street but offers a quiet peaceful environment. The linguine with shrimp and zucchini that I had for my entree was excellent and I had a bite of the tiramisu which was unbelievably good. The prices at this restaurant are also excellent (especially for Manhattan).
Everyone in our party loved their dishes! High quality authentic Italian. Very glad we gave this place a try while staying at a nearby hotel. It’s small, so if you have a large group (we were 7), definitely make a reservation. If you want recommendations, we had Fusilli alla Buttera; Lasagna; Bavette Al limone, gamberi e zucchine; Ravioli di ricotta, burro e salvia; Fettuccini Bolognese; and one of the specials that night. Like I said, everyone loved their meals!
Incredible hospitality, matched with incredible food for the price. If you're looking for that secret low key "hole in the wall" with great food this is it. Extraordinarily tender short ribs, perfectly aldente pasta, and a selection of deserts that manages to satisfy those of us at the table with a sweet tooth, without being too overbearing for those without. Highly recommended, definitely worth a revisit for us!
I got a response from the owner about my review below & I'm glad I did.
I will pass by the restaurant again today & by the owner's response I am looking forward to seeing the area clean & would happily eat at the restaurant if it is.
My original post:
"I passed by it and saw this disgusting display of garbage next to their outdoor seating.
Why in the world would anyone want to eat here when what we can see is stomach turning. Who knows what's going on in their kitchen."
I literally order take out here multiple times a week, for both lunch and dinner (usually get one entree for lunch and one to take home after I leave office). I have the lamb shank and risotto 3-4 times a week (best risotto and lamb is super moist and flavorful), and also like the pappardelle with short rib ragout.
Not only is everything they make fresh and delicious, but it’s absolutely mind blowing how great of a value it is even if you were in the surrounding boroughs, let alone in midtown east. If they had a more visible location I think they’d be a go-to for everyone in the neighborhood (as they should). They also make “family size” versions of several pastas and entrees, which are a tremendous value both for a family and even for 1-2 people to have during the week to heat up when you feel like having pasta throughout the day.
I can’t believe how they’re managing to turn a profit at the prices they charge — but I will keep returning, even if they go up. It’s definitely worth it.
Ordered an eggplant pasta dish which was pretty good. It can support a large part as we were a group of 16 person. It's a nice relaxed place with cool vibes . Definitely should order the chocolate cake for dessert as it was the highlight of the dinner.
Lovely restaurant with a cozy atmosphere, delicious food, and attentive wait staff. I highly recommend this establishment!
Came for the restaurant week lunch menu. Calamari and buffalo milk mozzarella were outstanding and fresh. Braised ribs were small but solid, lamb shank was divine. However one plate of risotto was fine, the other somehow not so much, overly drenched in olive oil. Regardless one of the better relatively affordable Italian restaurants I've been to in the city, would take visiting friends and family.
Excellent service. Restaurant week special. Veal scallopini was good, eggplant Parm was fresh, tiramisu needed more vanilla.
Great food, drinks and staff. Comfy and fancy spot. Very good Italian apps and dinner.
Came for restaurant week and was pleasantly surprised! I had the lamb chops with mushroom risotto and it was the best risotto I’ve ever had. The vibes were on point and the place feels close-knit. They also gave us duck sausage on the house!
Amazing food, ambience and service at a very reasonable price.
Lovely tiny restaurant. Had to wait around to get a table. Pasta dishes were really great flavours. I did get a salad thinking it was equivalent to a main, and found it to be very small and unfilling but tasty, luckily I was going halves on a pasta dish. Getting just mains this actually cost less than eating at Five Guys. Defo recommend it for couples and small groups.
Food: Not mind-blowing, but definitely good and worth the money.
Service: VERY good!
Atmosphere: Very good
Very delicious and reasonably priced considering the location. Everyone on our party was highly impressed.
Everything is fresh, feels homenade. The carpaccio 15 out of 10!
Pretty good! Great deal for Valentines Day! Shrimp and artichoke appetizer, lots of garlic. ALmond Pesto pasta, they said fusilli Pesto but it was Trofie, which I like better! Panna cotta for desert. I would return! Grazie!
Food and wine selections are outstanding! House made ravioli was delicious. Short Ribs were some of the best I have had. Staff is polite, and on point. Will definitely become a regular destination for the home cooked feel.
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