DA RAFFAELE Reviews

We had a great meal in a cozy and warm restaurant on a rainy night. The service was perfect as was the food. My wife and I felt like we were back in Italy. Great neighborhood restaurant!

Birthday celebration and the food was excellent. The staff was friendly and efficient. Highly recommend

We had dinner here recently. I picked it out based on good reviews from Yelp, and it was not disappointing. We mostly ordered from the daily special menu. My whole fish was excellent, and this appetizer made of half a lemon shell was excellent! The service was good and very quiet environment. I would recommend this!

Delicious traditional Italian food served in a gorgeous setting. The waitstaff and kitchen are outstanding. A new favorite near the UN.

Started off nicely with a friendly greeting by the owner in this pretty white tablecloth place. But after 5-10 minutes, we had to ask for a bread basket. It was just the style I like too, but, unfortunately, the bread which should have had a crispy crust, did not. It was soft. Asked for a good a wine by the glass with body and was told to order a 'special' barbaresco, $4 more than other wine by the glass on the menu. After we saw other tables who came in after us getting complimentary stuffed rice balls, we asked if we were getting this too. The waiter said 'of course.' Sure! We then ordered two 'specials' appetizers, a stuffed artichoke for $16 and a sardines Sicilian style for $18. Didn't particularly like either. I like sardines grilled. They weren't. The stuffing in the artichoke was a dense mess at the bottom by the choke. Pastas were a pappardelle with zucchini and ricotta. It lacked any flavor. The other was a spaghetti parmesan with black pepper and artichoke. This was delicious in taste, except that some pieces of artichoke were too tough to chew. We finally decided to try the 'special' tiramisu. It was mostly cream with little coffee flavor. Ordered an espresso and ask if I could have a biscotti (not on the menu) to dip into it. Got the check and got charged $7 for a few biscotti. And cookies. Why are some restaurants penny wide and pound foolish? You might have convinced to come back again and spend another $150 per couple, but not now.

I couldn't wait for Da Raffale's to reopen after being closed for 5 months because of COVID-19 and NYC restaurant restrictions. Last night, I enjoyed dining outdoors at a candlelight table set-up for diners. The calamari baby quid appetizer was delicious. Pasta Fagioli (beans with pasta, sausage & smoked mozzarella - and my main dish: Spaghetti with parmesan, pecorino cheese and black pepper and artichokes outstanding. Looking at the dinner menu it presents a tantalizing choice of pasta, meat, fish, seafood and vegetable dishes that salute classic Southern Italian recipes with a modern touch. The lunch menu also features pizza. The big surprise was meeting Rafffaele, the chef & owner, a happy and respectful guy who's famous for preparing meals on the Upper East-side for Frank Sinatra and his wife Barbara. I'll be back.

We showed up late (2:30) for lunch but were warmly welcomed by the chef. He provided us with wonderful buratta and tomato salads followed by house-made pasta with ragu of veal and fresh peas--perfection! Only my husband hd the courage for dessert--a lovely mango mouse with meringue and cake. All was delicious, fresh, and the service impeccable.

Innovative yet classically based food prepared by the consummate Chef/Host, Raffaelle Esposito who makes every diner feel at home. Appetizers are wide ranging and main courses cover the gamut from delicious pastas to fresh fish and meat dishes. Wines by the glass are very fairly priced, as are bottles. Homemade Tartuffo for dessert is a welcome treat and the atmosphere is warm, welcoming and easily accessible even for wheelchairs. A great addition to the neighborhood and a triumphant return for Raffaelle who recently moved back to NYC from Florida.

Though I liked the charm of this place on my initial visit, two subsequent visits have really been disappointing. The atmosphere is charming. There seem to be regulars that must enjoy the place. The menu is extensive, with numerous tempting sounding options. The quirky service is provided by the chef-owner, who has been in the ‘hood for many years, and his right hand man. However, the food prepared is just not adequate. My last swordfish was covered in sauce as to make the protein unrecognizable. The grilled seafood was dry and was not good enough to finish. Topping the list of problems was the special “deboned” quail. We asked ?”deboned”? with a positive response. Well, there was nothing deboned about it and the taste was just OK. The positive ambience features are just not enough to overcome the food presentations that we have experienced.

We had a last minute business lunch here recently, well past the usual lunch service. We had terrific, friendly service and the food-- mostly salads- was very good. We had a light meal because it was so warm that day, but there were many tempting entries on their menu.

The food and the service were good. Be sure to ask the price of the specials before you order them. This restaurant gouges its customers on anything where a price is not listed. This includes the specials as well as their grossly overpriced cocktails. I really wanted to give these guys a positive review but I just cannot when I feel ripped.

Great food, service, atmosphere and value - from someone who “grew-up” in a restaurant - you feel like your eating in your house - but the food is better and you don’t have to clean up:)))

When it comes to Italian food, well, let's just say that I'm fairly picky. With restaurants, you definitely have different types of Italian. There's the high end, Milanese or Genoese style - fancy and expensive. Then there's your rustic, Tuscan or Campania style - hearty and simple. Finally, there's your "American"-style - pasta and plenty. Da Raffaele though doesn't fit precisely into any one of those styles, but instead takes the best of each and creates a delicious experience with the right amount of food and flavor for a reasonable price, even for midtown Manhattan. The night that I was there with a friend, we started with soup not that it was particularly a soup night, but when I called home to hear that my wife was making pasta fagoli that evening that was what I wanted and they had it. The neat thing about pasta fagoli is that it is one of those dishes that every Italian chef makes their own way. I absolutely love the way my wife makes hers, but never know what to expect when trying it out. Da Raffaele's version was wonderful and completely different. Very soupy, rather than thick, it had greens and thin slices of Italian sausage with the beans and pasta. Still, it had that core taste of pasta fagoli and I would definitely recommend it to anyone. For dinner, we tried the special fish entrees. He had swordfish with a white wine and lemon sauce (chef held the capers and olives for him) and I had tuna over lentils. We also got a side of escarole with beans. My friend finished up his plate and, as a New Englander who knows good fish, noted that his swordfish was done to perfection. My tuna was flawless - chef made sure that it was seared on all sides, but rare (really raw and uncooked) in the interior as you should do a good cut of tuna. Matched with the lentils, it was a combination that I hadn't had before, but would be willing to do again. The greens and beans were sauted just right with a good olive oil and garlic flavor. So, want to have the best of any style of Italian and you are in midtown Manhattan, go to Da Raffaele.

I took my girlfriend here last night, and I have to say that it is a fantastic date spot. We'll definitely be back at some point! The decor is charming, and as many of the reviews on here say, the owner is hand-on and makes a point to greet all of the folks who come in. Actually, he was the one to take our orders! I got the octopus carpaccio for an appetizer and the grilled seafood for my entree - she got the salmon. Both were fantastic, and as I noted to her during the meal, the portions were that happy medium between not enough and food-coma. I enjoyed the atmosphere, too. It's a small, cozy spot with good food and not so much noise that you can't hold a conversation. The service was prompt and friendly, and the prices are not so bad given the quality of the food and experience. Highly, highly recommended.

Third visit. Once again, a truly excellent evening. Many items on the menu, with delicious specials too. The minestrone was superb, again, and all three entrees for our party of three were delicious. Tartufo was wonderful. Service was flawless. We are lucky to have this restaurant close to our apartment. It's quiet and friendly. After a couple of visits the owner/chef greets you by name. Da Rafaele is an understated gem in our neighborhood.

After spending the day sightseeing outside in cold, blustery weather and ending with our tour of the UN, this restaurant was the perfect ending. Excellent service, food, and wine for my friend and our daughters!

Very good food. Chicken with porcine mushrooms was very good. Wines by the glass were OK. Service was excellent. It was a little noisy

Totally refurbished space with well-spaced tables and easy access for all. Inventive Italian menu with classic roots and modern interpretations. Chef/Owner exudes warmth and manifests a genuine willingness to please his guests. Contemporary, appealing setting is casually elegant and prices are extremely competitive for both the neighborhood, and the quality. Rafaelle has just opened although a prior incarnation of this restaurant was hugely popular until the Chef relocated to Florida for the past five years. Lucky is midtown to have this one back in our midst.

This place is a must for Italian food! Italian staff, authentic & excellent food! High end restaurant including pricing, however definitely worth it! Beautiful setup indoors, wide variety of dishes (as well as 6-7 daily specials!) Will definitely go back next time in town!

We chose Da Raffaele for my birthday celebration, and it was the perfect choice. From the moment you walk in, you feel like you’re being welcomed into someone’s home. I truly can’t say enough about the kindness we encountered, and the fantastic service throughout our entire meal. You can feel and taste the love in every aspect of your experience here. Everything was just delicious - each dish perfectly seasoned and perfectly executed. I could eat here again and again without complaint. The wine list truly paid attention to the Italian roots of the restaurants proprietor with several options from Gavi, Italy (my favorite for really good white wine). From drinks to appetizers to dinner to dessert, nothing about this experience was disappointing. If you are ever in the area, or even if you’re not, add this to your list of places to eat in NYC. There aren’t many tables, so I’d definitely suggest making a reservation.

Excellent Italian cuisine, with a good range of entrees, and a good selection of pastas, salads and hors d'oeuvres. A fairly intimate space, with friendly and courteous service.

We recently visited Da Raffaele Ristorante, which was within walking distance from our hotel. We were pleasantly surprised at this cozy Italian restaurant with great ambiance and warm atmosphere. The selections were creative and delicious! The Owner/Chef Raffaele checked on us at the end of our meal and you could feel his pride and enthusiasm in his cooking! The service was fast and very attentive to our needs. We would recommend this place to anyone looking for a great Italian meal, in a cozy space.

Charming little restaurant with handmade colorful ceramic plates on the walls. Dinner for four including two out-of-town guests who were as impressed with the food and service as we were. We shared two special appetizers" zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta and artichoke hearts. Main dishes included chicken sorrentino, cooked to perfection; seafood risotto; pappardelle with peas and meatballs stuffed with mozzarella over spaghetti. Service is attentive but not intrusive. The waiter repeated the specials three different times when we asked him to. We sat for two and half hours and had to ask for the check.

We were in the area and was looking for a place to eat and just happen to passed by when the original restaurant we were going did not open yet. It was a cute place and not crowded or noisy. The food was fantastic. The service was prompt and the price was very reasonable for the quality of the food. The baby octopus appetizer was amazing. I will definitely come back if i am in the area again. Great food.

Warm and cozy, very atmospheric small restaurant near the UN and Beekman Place. Raffaele, the owner and chef, is very hands on, which makes this both a very pleasant personal experience and a superb and authentic Italian meal. My only regret is that I didn't manage to find this place sooner.

A great little Italian restaurant hidden in mid-town east on first avenue. Don’t know how we missed it all these years. Very personal service, and delicious food. Definitely a place we will be coming back to many times.

Loved this restaurant when it was on First between 57th and 58th. Even better that you have reopened only a block or two away from me. Wonderful food!

Lovely neighborhood find - service was wonderful, just like being back in Italy. Food was very good, especially the burrata. Portion were very large. We shared the burrata and then each took home half our mains. We also shared a pasta so maybe we ordered too much. The pasta we shared was PENNONI Large penne stuffed with cauliflower, cabbage, sausage & parmesan cheese sauce - very good but would have been too much for an entree on its own. I had the fish of the day and my friend had POLLO CON CARCIOFI Chicken breast sautéed with artichoke, fennel, dry tomatoes in a very delicate sauce.

How we looked forward to our first NYC meal after a covid hiatus in our visits. Unfortunately Da Raffaele did not meet our expectations. At first we were charmed by the atmosphere with the 2 older waiters welcoming us. Then we got the food. My paccheri appetizer was chewy. My entre was the first time in my life I have not enjoyed a duck. I love duck but not this bland hunk. My wife's dishes was ok, but not interesting enough to list.

I have eaten here three times in the last three weeks and each time I have really enjoyed my meal. The owner serves as host and is quite welcoming, offering me the same table each time in a very gracious European Italian way. There are obviously local regulars who frequent Da Raffaele, and he knows them by name and what they most likely would enjoy. I have not found many restaurants in NYC with this level of personal service, and the old world feel is wonderful. The food and drink are very authentic, well-prepared, and there are always several specials in addition to the regular menu. Highly recommended!

I was staying local to this restaurant. Found menu, welcome and ambience very good. I went as a solo diner and felt welcome and attended to. Menu offtered lots of choice and I enjoyed the food.

So Delicious I wanted to lick the plate… this is one of the best Italian Restaurants since I have visited Italy… the flavors were fantastic, food melts in your mouth, the Artichoke Appetizer is so good, the choices were very good and service was excellent.. I had the Beet Salad and Chicken dish with Artichokes.. it was delicious.. servings are very nice size and dinners come with a vegetable but I also ordered a side of spinach.. my partner order a special… Aaron was excellent at keeping us happy and checking on table…

I am not from Nyc , but casually i went in this place during my vacation and i found out a really good atmosphere and great food !! thank you

The small and potentially charming Italian enclave on the east side has good food, brittle service and NO atmosphere due to their confusion that they may be a “sports bar”. There are two bar seats at the check out counter; there is no real bar and yet sports are televised and projected to the dining room to ruin any atmosphere that may exist. It just ruins any vibe you may have for a charming Italian dinner in this potentially authentic Italian specialty.