Otto

It was ok..not to be snobbish because i am not a critic,writer and/or chef but i love to dine and i appreciate good food and good service. That being said. The atmosphere was fun, busy and noisy. The staff was almost non existent and not very helpful considering the "non-traditional" style menu. It is tapas style. Which is fine but... anyway, the food was good. I think the only way to enjoy this type of menu and atmosphere is with a noisy group of good friends:)

Love love love otto. The staff is so gracious and knowledgable. The sommelier is top notch. What every restaurant should aim to be. The atmoshere is close to perfection of what a pizza restaurant should be... it's dark, it's loud, it's comfortable, it's fun. The pizzas are very creative, though crusts don't hold a candle to franny's, or lil' frankies or even gonzo for that matter. But it somehow all works together splendidly. Don't get me wrong, the pizzas are great, and everything else in the restaurant more than makes up for the above-average-below superior-crusts. Highly recommended.

The eggplant pasta was cold by the time it was delivered, but at least the one delicious dessert is the ice cream - the stracciatella hazelnut ice cream is out of this world.

Food is great, wines are excellent, and atmosphere is great, if you like loud, exhuberant energy and occasionally raucous table-neighbors. Ask for recommendations from the staff - they know their stuff, and are helpful in guiding you well. Festive and fun, with children welcome, dining at Otto has a laid back if a little crowded feel. (If you're looking for quiet and intimate - and more expensive - opt instead for Mario's other restaurant, Babbo.) Value is ok - for the prices of the pasta dishes, I expected more than 3/4 cup serving. But ultimately, the flavor is what wins the value argument - 3/4 cup of excellent fare could arguably be worth the few extra dollars. Also, I second the recommendation mentioned previously - the olive oil gelato is supurb.

Dined their on 1/8/06...and AS ALWAYS mario aims to please. We were a party of 8, seated within minutes and treated like Roman Kings. Salads, pizza, and gelati were all AS ALWAYS fab! I ordered the margherita pizza and while I've had better at pete and eldas in nj...i loved this also. It's a go go go go and kudos to mo mo molto mario.

Otto gets a 9.5 on my scale for awesome restaurants to go to when in NYC. Great place to take a first date. Cool atmosphere, nice staff, and the food is fresh and delicious. Not to leave out the wine, the wine is out of this world. The wine director at Otto really knows his stuff. I highly recomend Otto to anyone that is hungry and in the area. By the way, try the olive oil gelato, it's fantastic.

Mario Batali has redefined the restaurant business and has recreated what it was like to sit around in your italian grandmothers house, drinking wine and snacking on the finest foods from italy. The wine list is encyclopedic and the bartenders are like old friends. Where else can you drop in and be served without reservations! My wife and I sometimes visit after having had dinner at another restaurant. We just crave the atmosphere. Bravo Mario for your maniacal attention to detail!