Maria Pia

Took my mother here after reading reviews on this site. Was a little cramped, but food was good. The crab cake appetizer is very good and so is the chocolate torte with hazelnut gelato for dessert. Very reasonably priced. I have been reccomending it to lots of friends. Will definitely return.

Arrived on time for my reservation and was seated immediately. After just looking at the wine list for a second a server was next to me to see if I cared for a glass. I wasn't but ordered water instead. Offered regular water or sparkling water. The food....oh my lord the food. My sister had the caesar salad and like others have said, would have licked the plate clean if it wasn't for me telling her to calm down. I had the Chicken Parmigiana with angel hair pasta and the chicken was huge! We were both offered Cracked Pepper or freshly grated cheese. I couldn't finish my meal and was disappointed that I couldn't. Now onto Dessert--Where to even begin. They have a huge selection but we both couldn't say no to the Warm Chocolate Torte with Hazelnut Icecream. The presentation of the food was gorgeous. With a sprig of mint and a white chocolate stick adding a dash of color. The hazelnut icecream was sandwiched between a piece of cookie. All since of class went out the window and I was actually considering licking the plate clean this time. The servers were efficient and were always available on the floor. But it never felt like they were hovering over you which was nice especially in such a small area. Just a great experience for us on our first day ever in New York City...and they had us out in time for us to catch our musical, Wicked.

Good food, good prices, excellent service. Little noisy inside. Hazelnut tiramisu was fabulous. Pre fix dinners are a great deal. Give it a try.

While spending a week in New York, I had opportunities to dine at many restaurants. Without a doubt, this was one of the best. I ordered the liver and onions, and if I had been in the privacy of my own home I may have licked the plate. It was better than candy. My dining companions had three varied pasta dishes and raved about the sauces. Portions were generous. My only suggestion would be to turn up the air conditioning. . .it was quite warm in the resraurant.

After a long day at work my mother and I decided to have a meal before the long trek uptown to Harlem. In the mood for Italian I found Maria Pia here on Menupages, and liked the menu and the prices. As with any new restaurant you are going to try, you hope for the best, it' s New York and really how bad could it be? Right? Well let's just say that from start to finish this was one of the most divine dinning experiences I have had in the city. The wine selection is extensive, the appetizers and salads were tasty, the caesar salad, flawless. Our main courses were to die for, mother had the FEGATO alla VENEZIANA, liver and onions, (not a choice I would have made, uck) but she said that the dish was the closest in taste and quality she's had since ordering the very same thing in Venice. I had the TORTELLINI alla NONNA, bite sized tortellini stuffed with meat in a creamy, buttery alfredo-like sauce with fresh peas and prosciutto. Talk about wanting to like my plate clean, (and if I was home I would have!) my goodness, it was heaven! And the piece de resistance, the end all to be all, the proverbial straw that broke to camels back, was the PANNA COTTA, served simply with mixed berries and mint, that was offered as a choice with the prix fix dinner, (my mother’s meal). The dessert elicited these immortal words from her lips, that by the way, prompted the manager to send over two complimentary glasses of a sweet after dinner wine, and I quote, "This makes me want to tap dance on the table!" If you love Italian cuisine, good wine, lovely atmosphere, and mouth watering food, then I beg of you to visit Maria Pia!!!! You will tell everyone you know, and be a regular customer if you are ever in the neighborhood.

Read the reviews and decided to try the restaurant. It was everything that was said about it and more. Definitely a plus for the theater district. Would not hesitate to recommend it.

Took some out of town guests there after reading everybody else's reviews. Was definitely NOT disappointed. The service was top-notch and the food was DELICIOUS. Pasta was al dente , portions were generous and the meats were fresh . You've got to try the chocolate torte w/ hazelnut ice cream. Hands-down the BEST I've ever had (incl. restaurants in L.A.) The atmosphere was cozy with background chatter. Everyone had an awesome time.