Apizz

My husband found this gem of a restaurant for our first anniversary dinner. We called ahead and though they didn't have any reservations open, the maitre'd suggested we stop by anyway. We lucked out and got a table by the bar not too long after arriving thanks to a no-show. We would have preferred a table in the main section of the restaurant but we were just thrilled to have a table at 8:30PM on Saturday night. The restaurant smelled wonderful and did not disappoint in the least. My husband was desperate for the whole fish so we built our menu choices around that. We got a lovely spinach salad with cannelini beans and pistachios and the gorgeous butterflied shrimp with chorizo sitting in a broth of lemony garlic. For the entrees we got the whole striped bass on a bed of rosemary (so delicious!) and the famous meatballs, which we struggled to finish as the serving size was quite generous. The wine selection was very good and we decided to order by the glass to try a few different ones. I do think it would be nice if they had a few more bottles on the lower end of the price range. The service was absolutely wonderful, attentive and friendly. Our waiter, Evan, was professional and genuine and made the meal that much more enjoyable. I highly recommend this and we'll definitely be back!

loved the butternut squash ravioli!!

We went here after reading several favorable reviews and were very disappointed. The food was mediocre and the servings were far too small. We're not the type of people that need to have "big plates" but I don't want to feel insulted or cheated either...

Went here last friday night. I had a reservation for 4, but we had5 with us and they were accomodating with giving us a larger table. The food quality is good. But portions were small and way over priced for what it is. Service wise, they seemed a bit lost. Lots of people standing around, but it seemed like it took a while to get anything. I would come back to hang out in the bar area, but not to dine.

A ladyfriend and I went here on a friday night. We were seated right away without a reservation at 8pm (though it had been raining outside for the last several hours). I liked the bread--soft body, hard crust--and its unusual accompaniments--a light ricotta and a warm marinara. We both liked our glasses of Montelpuciano, which were poured generously. We considered ordering a bottle, but their list is on the expensive side ($40+). We skipped appetizers and went straight to the entrees: ravioli with butternut squash for her and the meatballs (a/k/a the softballs) for me. Her ravioli were creamy and her squash was sweet--a little too sweet overall for her taste, she was looking for a more savory dish. My meatballs were amazing: tender and succulent, and the accompanying combination of fresh ricotta and chunky pomodoro was perfect. The two meatballs were huge: the waiter likened their size to baseballs but I'd say they were closer to softballs. I shared some of my balls with her, and I managed to finish the rest myself, but just barely and only because I was riveted by the dish. I would have mopped up the sauce with the table bread but I had already slipped into a food coma by the time I was done with the meatballs. The service was good: friendly host, attentive waiter, and the busboy refilled my water without me having to ask or wait for it. The ambiance was great: exposed brick with wall mirrors and wood paneling, a warm and inviting environment. Our table was not crammed next to the ones besides us, which made the experience more comfortable, as did the classy votive candle on our table. The only blemish on this establishment's record is that it's on the pricey side for an LES italian spot. Still, it's worth it. I'll definitely be coming back.

The atmosphere far outpaces the food. The Pizza is basically an Appetizer that would normally serve as a stand-in at "high end" restaurants (and bars) in major metros for the past 10+ years. Nothing special here and underwhelming for Pizza (i.e. think catered food). All food was simply overflavored and too salty. (We had the Pizza LES followed by Ravioli and Veal meatballs). Absentee owner with factory line workers handling everything from maitre d', to Bartender, to "chef" to server. No fault on them as table service was good, but perhaps it would help to be a classically trained chef/cook to realize if something tastes the way it should and represents it's area of origin? But it's all about the buck in NYC right? Good for B&T crowd and people in the neighborhood who know nothing about how Italian food.

I went with me best girlfriend on a Saturday night. I was very excited based on the reviews so I had high expecations. The food was amazing but our waitress was not. We waited a long time between appetizer, entree, and dessert. She rarely came back to check on us and the Maitre D had to place our dessert order. I felt that because we were only a table of two and did not order drinks, we did not get the same service as some of the other tables. Although the food was amazing, I probably would not go back for a long time due to the lack of service. Based on the cost of the entrees, and the fact that they were only moderately busy, the service should have been impeccable. Our tab was still $80 and I have been to less expensive restaurants with great food and great service.