Gradisca Reviews

The atmosphere is relaxing and cozy. The staff were friendly and provided superior service. The food was absolutely delicious. I can’t wait to go back. Excellent

this place is 'special"...the people are so warm & friendly...a traditional Italian place w homemade tortellini you can get your hands on prepping! ha great wine..great veal*

Had an absolutely wonderful dinner here with my sister and niece. We were lucky to get a last minute booking on open table - especially since a few minutes after we arrived the place filled up. The food was excellent and the service was even better. They helped us select an excellent wine and our serve was especially attentive to my 10 year old niece. The atmosphere here is warm and cozy. The diners next to us were regulars -- I would be too if I lived closer :-)

I had researched ahead of my weekend in NYC for the best pasta carbonara. Gradisca received high praises, so I put it on my list. I wasn't sure how my day was going to unfold and didn't want to make reservations ahead of time. Shortly after 8pm, I decided to make a reservation for that night. Being a solo traveler, I had no problem getting a reservation for 9:15. I arrived at the restaurant on-time and was immediately shown two options for seating. I chose a small, corner table in their dining room (as opposed to the bar area). The restaurant was very full and other patrons were clearly enjoying their meal. My waiter was attentive and very pleasant. I chose the beef carpaccio for my starter and the carbonara as a main. I was served bread and delicious marinated olives while I waited. The carpaccio was very good; topped with arugula and a truffle sauce. Perfect for a light starter. The carbonara was phenomenal! Even better than what I've had in Italy! The noodles were coated lightly in the egg and cheese, not dry at all. The flavor was perfect and I didn't need to add salt or pepper (which is odd for me!). The portion doesn't look very big due to the type of plate they use, but it was a very good sized amount of pasta. I was full but the food was so good I couldn't leave a bite left on the plate. Next time I'll skip the starter so I don't get full so quickly. From now on, every other carbonara will be measured against this one. I can't wait until my next trip to NYC to visit again. There are quite a few dishes on the menu I'd like to try, but I'll never stray from the carbonara. Next time I'll have to visit with a friend so I can try their meal and still have my own!

The food is very innovative and to reflect the true italian food. The assistance of the staff has been exquisite. The premises is a perfect point of econunter, between italian romanticism and energia newyorkese. Optimal chosen of wines. When they are to New York, it Gradisca is my point of referance between of glamour and good taste...

One of the best Italian meals I have had in a very long time. We went with a group of 5 friends, and we were seated immediately around 6:30. The table was awkward for us, so the staff gladly moved us to a different table. It's very nice but not always common to feel welcomed in a NYC restaurant, and the rest of the night's service was excellent too! And the food was beautiful. This is a smaller restaurant, and the ambiance made the experience that much more enjoyable. We shared our appetizers and they were all delicious. Try the Piadina Romagnola with the aged prosciutto, but you may also enjoy the Polenta in Due Maniere, or the Calamari stewed with onions and potatoes. Even the old standby Caprese salad was beautiful, with a very large portion of mozzarella. Nothing disappointed here. One might say that the portions are not large but none of us felt cheated. In particular, the Primi Piatti pasta dishes were ALL a delight. Try the Tortellini or the Lasagne di Crespelle alla Bolognese, in a bechamel sauce. Wow. THe Secondi Piatti were equally enjoyable. Try the mahi mahi filet, or the braised wagyu beef cheeks in barolo wine. But leave some room for the deserts, particularly the panna cotta. We will definitely return. This is a great authentic NYC Italian small restaurant find.

We felt like Italian, and our business partners we were visiting in midtown, recommended Gradisca. The place is nice, service, friendly. We sat in the back, as you could tell those by the door were getting the cold air from outside. We were there on a business dinner, but most of the folks in the restaurant looked to be locals from the area. (Oh, should say, we saw Grandma making the fresh pasta on the way to our table...). To start, we shared the Piadina Cacio Spinaci, (flatbread with cheese and spinach), it was so good, we also order the flatbread with mozzarella and tomato. We also shared the Polpettine, which was good. The wine list covers almost every region of Italy, and hits the various price points, low to high. For the Main's, we had the Tortellini in Brody o alla Panna, which was very good, but super rich. The Pappardelle con Ragu d'Agnello, which was very nice, you can really appreciate the freshness of the pasta, just the right amount of ragu too. We finished with Tiramisu and the Panna Cotta. This was an enjoyable dinner.

I visited a friend in Manhattan and was brought here for dinner. What a treat! The chicken cutlet with black truffle sauce was mind blowing! The pasta is also home made, and so delicious. I can't wait to go back and try more dishes!

A lovely neighborhood gem serving straightforward Italian. Three different variations of the Italian Spritz are available and I enjoyed the McQueen: a nice mix of vodka, aperol, prosecco, soda and lime. My starter was a just right portion of arugula, almonds and thinly sliced parmesan cheese lightly drizzled with a deep balsamic. My main of carbonara pasta was served with a pasta shape I don't usually encounter called calamarta (a large hollow wheel shape). Sauce was good but the next time I return I'll be ordering the chicken cutlet with prosciutto in a black truffle sauce. It was the best entree on the table, hands down our favorite. To finish espressos and a plate of biscotti with dipping sauces Service is low key and generally efficient. They did forget to bring a side but quickly and with apologies took it off our bill. Final important note, they do have gluten-free pastas available upon request, certainly good to know for those with dietary restrictions.

Had dinner here on Saturday for the first time we really enjoyed the meatballs the sauce was amazing. I ordered the gnocchi was a bit over cooked but was still tasty. The wait staff were all very nice the wine was great. Would go back again.

My sister in law and her husband invited me to this restaurant while I was visiting New York. It had a very warm and welcoming atmosphere with friendly staff. The food was excellent and quantity was just right. At least two of the staff there seem to recognize my hosts from their previous visit. This came as a pleasant surprise to all of us and added a personal touch to the visit. I later learnt that my hosts hadn't visited the restaurant in a while.

Ate their last weekend and it was thoroughly delightful. Very welcoming and cozy. The staff were friendly and the service very good. The food is very good-especially the maltagliatti with truffle cream--outstanding. Was able to put my poor Italian to use with the very patient waitress! Food and atmospere feels like you're eating in Italy for the evening.

I start with the usual sentence my friend used to say when eating at gradisca: "Questo ristorante mi dà emozioni" (This restaurant makes me feel emotioned) I pretty know how good the italian food can be...so you really have to trust me when i say that it is difficult to find such excellent dishes! THERE'S NO COMPARISON! guys, just go there, if I start telling you how good was each dish, each glass of wine, each appetizer...if i star telling you about the warmness and friendly attitude we met..i could go on until boredom. enjoy gradisca! Ludovica, Daniele and Andrea, from MILANO

my new favorite Italian place!! it's so good, I don't really want to share with you all.....

i went here for a party of 10 people so i got to taste a lot of dishes. every dish was perfect. the pear dessert was something i've never had before and was so worth getting. different and very filling. the tiramisu was yummy and huge. i got noodles with sausage which was very good. wine was great. honestly..if i went again, i would get all the appetizers. they were better than the meals. great cozy place and perfect for a romantic night or rent out the back part of the restaurant for a big party or long table

Went here for dinner on a cold winter night. The place is one of those basement restaurants but nicely done! Very inviting. At least for us it was:-) I liked their bar, where we had a drink while we waited for our table. Food was good. I recommend any of the piadinas (pressed warm flat bread) and the pappardelle!

I came here due to it's easy walking distance from the meatpacking district where I was staying and the good reviews. Wow what an amazing experience! We arrived on time for our reservation but it was too full. This is understandable, it is a very small space with few tables. They led us to the bar where there were also no seats. So we just held our drinks there. The staff continually checked on us to make sure we were OK, and then gave my GF a free glass champagne with blueberries and raspberries when the wait increased. It was very good and very nice of them to do. The total wait time was probably about 20 minutes, not too bad and they were very nice to us during the wait. Once we sat down we were very pleased with the interior of the restaurant dining room, its cozy, candle lit, beautiful and intimate. It's loud in the restaurant in general but fun. The food..oh the food. So so so so good. You must try the badly-cut pasta. It has an amazing truffle sauce that will haunt your dreams. The tiramasu is creamy and fluffy, it tasted like a mix of a creme brule and a standard tiramasu. I loved everything I had there, and the prices are very reasonable. This is an amazing Italian restaurant and my favorite Italian in Manhattan. Don't miss this gem.

Some Italian colleagues suggested we dine there as the restaurant was featured on RAI. I think they wanted to see if it was as good as they said. It was! I returned for a second visit and have enjoyed everything, especially the homemade tortellini en brodo which I had on both visits. It's a attractive restaurant but a bit loud as can be expected in NYC. The owner was nice as was the server. My only complaint is that I wish they had some more reasonably priced wines. Given that, their list was excellent, however, with many wines you do not see in the states that often. I am looking forward to a third visit.

I last had trofie pasta with pesto and green beans in Genoa several years ago and had never seen it on a restaurant menu here in the U.S. Had it here and it was delicious. Also enjoyed their take on vitello tonnato (everyone does it slightly differently) with some baby arugula on top. My spouse's tortellini nonna were superb. This place has a warm vibe and we'll be back.

We live in North Jersey so we go to the city a lot and gradisca is my favorite restaurant. It is a little pricey but the appetizers are great; (we love the flatbreads!) and the pasta is scrumptious. My husband ordered a steak special the last time we were there and said it was as good as any he has had at other NY steakhouses. The service can be spotty at times, sometimes stupendous, sometimes a bit rushed. However, we still love to come here as often as we can as we feel it is like a mini vacation after a long week of work.

Arrive on a Saturday night to see a B rating in the window & it went downhill from there... Had a soft shell crab appetizer & it was soft of beer batter fish & chip style; was not good... Had the grouper off the menu.... was Horribly fishey, couldn't finish it... staff was pleasant but would not rush back... one in party had the pasta which they are know for & it was good but the sauce was just ok...

Enjoyed a family dinner this evening. First time for all of us. Energetic vibe, cool decor and nice choice of seating. We sat in back room which was great. Front room seems nice as well and there is a small outdoor seating area by front door. Great selection of appetizers and broad range of main courses and pastas. High quality and delicious. Worth noting that one of our guests requested a modification to a pasta dish. "The tortellini will only be served with cream sauce, no exceptions" was the response to a guest who cannot eat cream sauces and requested a red sauce or garlic and oil. Fair enough, it is the chefs prerogative. After first pour of wine, the rest was up to us to take care of. $200 bill for 4, including a bottle of wine.

Went there for dinner Sunday night. Food was very good and the service was quite good. No complaints there. Years ago, it used to be a smaller place and you got much more individualized attention, the waiters could barely speak English (Italian instead), it was cash-only, and pretty girls often got free drinks. Ah, well. Times have changed, and the place has expanded in size (and is more brightly lit). By the way, I will skip ordering wine next time. It's fairly tasteless and they pour (at most) about 1/3 of a glass. Looked more like 1/4 of a glass. It's a rip off.

A notch above most New York City Italian restaurants. The menu is interesting and the dishes are well-executed. A cozy spot in a Village townhouse.

A nice an assuming place. Good vibes, very good Italian food, friendly and helpful service. Nice wine selection. A resturant where one can feel relax and enjoy the wine and food. The server was very helpful in suggesting certain dishes for myself as I am a vegetarian

really italian, simple and even if we don't like the owner..............we are still going back because the staff is friendly and the food is very good............... prices are reasonable..........................

comfortable, unassuming and delicious, good wine list, wonderful handmade pasta and personable server. a great spot.

Gradisca is a lovely Italian restaurant. My meal was quite good, but a bit pricey, even for New York. My appetizer, main course and dessert were all very good. The portions were small, but well presented.

A New York City friend took us to Gradisca on October 13, 2007. The restaurant is in a nice area of Greenwich Village. We each decided to have a different antipasti to share. We had the Antipasto di Salumi, Polpettine di Carciofi and the Piadina (with prosciutto). All were freshly made and superb. Our waitress suggested the ravioli for dinner. This ravioli is freshly made at the front door by "Mama". It is stuffed with ricotta and herbs served in a light butter and sage sauce. It is unbelievably good. The dough is a little al dente as it should be. The sauce is light and full of flavor. The others had different pasta dishes that were equally as good. We had an order of dessert which that night was an Italian cherry gelato made in house. Great! Service is personal and very good. The wine list is heavilly Italian and is very reasonably priced.

A hot and humid NYC, a shell shocked English couple desperate for some peace from the hustle and bustle of midtown Manhattan. This was the back drop to our evening at Gradisca. Having been dropped off courtesy of our yellow cabbie, we knew from moment one we were in for a great evening. The setting for this restaurant could not have been more perfect and the staff could not have been more attentive. Kerb side dinning and wonderfully subtle lighting just added to the whole experience. Then to top it off, a fabulous bottle of red straight from the menu of a Roman trattoria we’d visited a year previously. The food? Just truly excellent from the starter to the desert. We cannot recommend this restaurant more highly.

Seven of us visited Gradisca in early December. We had not been in awhile and looked forward to some homemade pasta. Always pretty, we were seated in the back and initially the din was quite manageable. As the evening progressed however, the volume got worse and worse and by the end of dinner we could not hear ourselves and we left with hoarse voices. We ordered a bottle of wine at the recommendation of the waiter. The first bottle was corked and not drinkable. He replaced it. The meals themselves were inconsistent. The lasagna was delicious, but the paparadelle was fair, at best. The famous homemade tortellini panna, while very tasty, was the smallest portion of tortellini we had ever seen which was particularly irksome at a price point of $27. We left unsure what had happened to a restaurant we used to enjoy. Two weeks later I see they charged me 2x on my credit card and double charged us sales tax. When asked to divide the bill between the two families, they apparently put both charges on my card. I called the restaurant and gave all my information to a lovely woman who answered the phone. No one got back to me that same day. I reached out again the next day and she informs me that the manager wants me to give him my friend's credit card number and only then he will refund the charge in error. No real apology from management, no attempt at an accomodation, no "can we buy you lunch or a drink" or "discount your bill," absolutely nothing. They credited our account only once our friend called with his credit card number to pay the other check. Needless to say, we won't be back.

Stopped in about 715pm on a Tuesday night and were seated promptly (no reservation). The Italian hostess was charming, welcoming and uber friendly, as was the Italian server. Indeed, the bus boys/runners were super efficient and friendly, too. To the food - delicious. Polenta/meatball app was good - polenta ok, but meatball outstanding. Gnocci so fresh and homemade - best gnocci I've ever eaten. Chicken cotaletta with prosciutto was amazing, though the spinach tart side dish was only so so. Great wine - at normal prices (for house choices). Overall a rare wonderful experience where environment, food and service all align to near perfection (note service/hostess were absolute perfection).

I was super impressed with the quality of the food here. Italian dishes made with care and creativity. Delicious and well priced. Brazilian waitress Andressa very kind and knowledgeable. I will come back!

Gradisca is owned by a Bolognese (italy) family. Massimo welcomes you into a very worm athmosphere while his mother is making tortellini in front of your eyes...really amazing, it reminds me when I was little and my grandmother was making them !!! The food i great everything is home made. Chef John Creger got all the secrets of the Italian tradition but with a hint of international fantasy !!!! By the way ask for a dish with traditional balsamic vinegar Bonini

This place has been on my list for a while. Went here on a Saturday night--sat in the back where there was a large party that was LOUD which made it a bit hard to talk, even at the 2-person table with my husband. Front of the restaurant is quieter. You're given great olive oil, balsamic vinegar, olives, and fresh Italian bread. Always a plus. We had an arugula, hazelnut, citrus dressing salad with pear and cheese that was on the specials menu which was excellent and big portion. I had the mezzaluna pumpkin ravioli in sage butter with hen of the woods mushrooms that was excellent, light and airy. The mushrooms were very well cooked. My husband got the short ribs with polenta which were tender and delicious. The place glows red, a nice romantic environment but also good for a party which we were unlucky enough to overlap with. I imagine it's a lot more romantic on nights when there are no parties. Entrees are $25-$30 and salad was $14. As a New Yorker, there are very few restaurants at that price range we return to regularly--probably 3-4 on our favorites list. Gradisca is very good. Did it blow me away? Not really. Would I recommend it? Yes, if you like Italian, want to spend $100+ for dinner (2 entrees, 2 apps, 1 drink), and are in the Union Square area. A benefit is it takes reservations.

We had a fantastic meal at Gradisca, the staff were fun and friendly and the food was very good especially the pasta which is made fresh in-house. They offer a whole range of gluten free options which was a huge plus for two of our party. The restaurant is cosy and very authentically Italian - a great local spot for a meal out.

Cave like restaurant. A little warm when they keep the door open. But worth it. Food is fabulous. Often Mama is hand rolling pasta at a table near the door. The Caprese salad is to die for. Everything tastes authentically Italian. You can actually hear what other people in your party are saying. Worth going to.

this is what a good Italian is like! perfect house-made Pasta and the best Tiramisu, and the only place in NYC where they have the best desert wine in the world, the passito di pantelleria.

low key inside, but food was very good. I had the langustino and pasta and it was a light flavorful sauce. the caprese salad was also excellent.

Eight of us went to dinner last Saturday evening, hearing that pasta is their "calling card." All of us had some form of pasta as an entrée. To me, we had about $2 worth of pasta while being charged over $20. The portions were very small. The other pasta orders were about the same size. The food, to me, was just average. When I go to a restaurant that is advertised as a "neighborhood restaurant" I expect a decent size portion of food for the entree. The staff was friendly and accommodating. Not sure if I would make a return visit.

Gradisca is a charming neighborhood gem... I've lived around the corner for years and had never been but I'm certainly glad I found it! It's cozy and has a welcoming vibe. The waiters are engaging and kind while also very professional with thorough knowledge about the menu and wines. The food is great - not knock your socks off great but definitely won't disappoint. All in all its a lovely spot that is great for casual dinner with friends or to enjoy with out of town guests. I ordered the fish which was delicious and very large! However the pastas are the real stars here. All the appetizers were delicious and all are recommended.

My husband and I love Gradisca. The service and food are both fantastic. Everything we have eaten there has been great.

My husband and I shared an appetizer, then we shared two pasta dishes. The lamb ragu was luscious and the tortellini.... where do I start to describe the tortellini?! These were the most delicate, tiny and delicious tortellini I have ever had, and that includes during travels in Italy. I had the pleasure of watching 'Mama' make a serving (probably ours) before it was served. She rolled the dough, then cut it into tiny squares. Then she made quick work of stuffing and folding the perfect little tortellini. We chose the parmesan cream sauce rather than broth. It was light enough to not overwhelm the tortellini and to pair well with the rich lamb ragu. Our waiter was very helpful with our menu selections. My husband enjoyed learning a little about the building from the owner. Service was professional while the restaurant had a family owned and family friendly atmosphere.

Always love the place, homemade pasta and delicious dishes always. Great little family run business with amazing food

As soon as I walked in I fell in love with this place. I felt like I was just transported to Italy. The food was excellent as was the service, ambiance and drinks. I had the swordfish carpaccio and the gnocchi with truffle. I felt like the gnocchi just melted in my mouth, they were very fresh. My husband had the lamb ravioli, which he said was excellent. He also had the gorgonzola salad, which he didn't particularly care for. I didn't try it, so I can't say. We also had the panna cotta for dessert, which was just amazing. For cocktails I tried the Giulietta - excellent. We also had some wine and they have a nice selection of wine. I would definitely come back here and highly recommend this restaurant.

We visited Gradisca this weekend with friends. We thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of our meals - exceptional dishes from start to finish! We had the lovely special appetizer (beets, mozzarella, salad) and another salad (both superb) followed by homemade pasta entrees (phenomenal! freshly made ravioli and tortellini) and desserts (incredible tiramisu!). We had a lovely Calabrian red wine to accompany the meal. Luca, our server, was friendly, fun, helpful, and attentive. We were even offered to move from the back room which got noisy with various large dining parties to the front - so we enjoyed a more quiet ambiance so we could carry on a conversation. A totally enjoyable evening and we'll be returning soon! HIGHLY recommend.

Delicious off of the radar Italian. Gracious host, friendly, efficient, and professional wait staff. Cozy, not overwhelmingly noisy yet all tables were full. Each item we had from the menu was noteworthy for it's quality. Not your everyday trattoria. Price and portion size appropriate. Love it!

Consistently good food.I personally enjoy their carbonara did not find a better one in the city yet.The service is very efficient and courteous.

Used to love this place but something is wrong.just had an awful inedible meal. 2 or 4 dishes were sent back. What a shame. Hope they turn is around but I won't be back. If you go stick to pasta.good wine list

A fancy, sophisticated version of your Italian restaurant. The food definitely delivers, although pricier than its two siblings Malatesta and Piadina.

Small place in 13th street with a few tables outside/inside. Quiet and perfect location. Did not eat dinner, just an Tiramisu that was medium. OK, but nothing special. Cocktail was good, but "Irish Coffee" they can't make. Just added some whiskey in the coffee, no cream or brown sugar. Good service btw.

Sitting on the sidewalk enjoying a warm summer evening, with good wine and excellent food — I can’t imagine that being in Italy itself is any better. Nothing here was a _huge_ portion, but none of it was tiny either, and it was all top quality ingredients and preparation. And the presentation — see the pictures for that. I started with the “Crocchette” (chickpea ball fried(?) but completely no grease/oil) with a sauce. Then I went with a special of the day, black sea bass over ratatouille, which was two pieces of fish, skin on one side, cooked perfectly moist but getting the skin magically a little crispy. I ended with tiramisu , which was heavenly smooth and tasty. Some might say this place/chef is Michelin Star grade at a fraction of the price ... ... ...

reasonably priced wine and spirits. fantastic salds. great pasta and entrees. good sedrvice. charming location. we will be back.

Very cool authentic Italian restaurant with the best pasta I have ever had!! Went for the half portions so I could eat more options on the menu !! Great idea Wine amazing, venue amazing, staff super!! This will definitely be a return visit stop off for me next time I visit nyc.

Spent my girlfriend’s birthday at Gradisca last Thursday and we had a great time. I rarely go to dine in Italian restaurants in NY because I mostly prefer cook myself but Gradisca showed me that legit Italian cuisine can be found in the city. We had Tigelle with Prosciutto as appetizer and then their famous homemade tortellini. I also ordered their Brasato with Polenta and wow...it was fantastic. Their selection of appetizers and pasta is incredible and it showcase mostly dishes of Emilia-Romagna but not only. The service was also professional and fast, staff very kind.

Stumbled on this place while searching for a good restaurant. Decided to walk this street and there it was. Nice unpretentious interior with good wine selection and menu. Staff were really nice (they didnt hassle us as we waited for colleagues) and we all enjoyed the food which came in at a reasonable price (compared to more expensive meals in lesser restaurants in NYC). I willhappily visit again when next in New York

After walking for quite awhile, we finally stopped at a small Italian restaurant called Gradisca. It turned out to be a fantastic choice...nice decor and awesome food. We had an appetizer of buffalo mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto and with a truffle pesto on top. Yum! I was in heaven - we're talking full on taste bud ecstasy, one of the best appertizers I've ever had. I got the carbonara for an entree, which was also heavenly - rich, creamy, very nicely flavored. We were way too full for dessert, but I'd like to go back sometime and try the tiramisu.

Strange that my wife and I have been here at least 2 dozen times and its taken me this long to write a review.. had another astounding meal at Gradisca tonight.. it's just easy to say that nothing is ever less than awesome here.. pastas are the specialty, look for the ones made by "mama".. and keep an eye on the wine list for Super Tuscan reds for under $60, a total anomaly in the West Village and totally worth it.. thank goodness we live around the corner, we'll becoming back here for a long long time!

We came in with no expectations and were very pleasantly impressed by the wonderfully prepared food, rich wine selection and very professional and friendly service. We had several pasta and meat dishes, all were made to perfection. It is not an inexpensive choice but it’s worth it.

WOW... ...a passion martini with a perfect balance of pureed passion fruit & vodka. ...a well dressed arugula salad. ...fresh & tender octopus with white bean puree. ...melt-in-your-mouth seared ahi with more white beans and balsamic reduction. ...served up in an intimate setting filled with an animated crowd and hip music. And, the Italian accents coming from the attentive staff are just a treat.

We read about Gradisca in The New York Times and immediately made a reservation. Our meal exceeded our high expectations. The pasta was all home made, the sauces so flavorful, and the tiramisu was as delicious as the finest we had in Italy. A wonderful intimate dinner and excellent service.

Had a fantastic dinner last night. It is an easy going, no airs, no pretension kind of a place where you can just sit back and relax. Nothing fancy. No ambience. It has the vibe of an insider’s find or a neighborhood secret. Off the radar in the best sense of the word. Attentive service. The food was excellent across the board. Not down and dirty Italian. Definitely is a step up without overdoing it or being fancy though. Not an easy balance. Kudos to them. We all loved absolutely everything that came out of the kitchen. Most definitely will be back.

Quiet with attentive service. The flatbread, Piadina Mozzarella e Pomodoro, was an excellent starter and the Orecchiette Vongole e Cime di Rapa was tasty, though somewhat spicy, Wines by the glass that I tried, Soave and Pinot Nero, were well chosen and reasonably priced.

This place is NOT worth the hype. Went there on a Friday night, expecting great quality food and romantic ambiance and we were extremely disappointed. From the moment we got there we were rushed, and had no time to enjoy our expensive meal. The food quality was poor, and appeared as if they put little effort into making their dishes. The tacky disco music and the inpatient waitering staff was the icing on the cake. Don't waste your money, there are better places in the city.

Fantastic late dinner. We were the only ones in the restaurant after 10pm and they were closing at 11 but didn't make us feel rushed at all. The food was amazing and I asked the waiter to bring me a recommended wine and it was the best wine I'd ever had. All of the staff were extremely polite and the restaurant has a relaxing atmosphere. Definitely recommend for a couples night out.

the food was excellent; we ate on the little terrace on a beautiful tree lined street; the service was good and authentic, the dry martinis were especaily nice; its in a basement but as we ate outside cant comment on the interior. we will return

It's funny,you go out and you have a great meal and you say wow that was the best meal I've ever had.Well I've said that before with a couple other places.Well last night I took my wife to Gradisca and this place made the other meals I've had taste like something out of a microwave.I can't say enough about the food,ambiance and service.What a fresh and fantastic meal.Luca was our server extremely nice and helpful with food and wine selection.I can't believe I've never been here before.Our night here made my wife's night out very special a.

My wife and I have dined in this general neighborhood several times and thus walked by this restaurant on more than one occasion. Recently, on a beautiful September evening, intending to go somewhere else, we noticed an open table on their outdoor terrace and decided to give it a try. To call their menu unconventional Italian is an understatement. So, if you are looking for recognizable Italian dishes, for the most part, you will not find it here. That is a definite charm of this place, serving such unique offerings as mussels in lemon parsley sauce, lasagna made with crepes instead of noodles, bread salad, etc. It actually took us a while to decide what to eat and we didn't veer too far into the unknown. For appetizers, we chose the buffalo mozzarella with san daniele prosciutto with stewed peppers and a farro salad with sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts and parmigiano reggiano. Both were good, except the prosciutto was a little stringy. I've had better. The farro (grain) salad was different and enjoyable. For entrees, my wife had the buffalo ricotta lemon ravioli with shrimps and egg plant and I chose the potato gnocchi with fava beans, sausage and grated pecorino. The pastas were both homemade and melt-in-your mouth delicious. For dessert, the flourless chocolate cake and panna cotta with strawberries were both good, but the portions could have been a little more generous. Gradisca is definitely an upscale Italian restaurant with service to match. Again, certainly not your run-of-the-mill Italian eatery, but if you are looking for something adventurous, by all means give it a try.

we loved the restaurant. charming, intimate and romantic, we enjoyed fabulous salads, and the pasta is ridiculously good. the wine list is excellent, and the only drawback was I wanted to eat my daughter's pasta too. laid back service, if you are in a hurry or a fussy diner, go elsewhere, this isn't for you. the atmosphere is alll about relaxing and having wonderful food in a cozy atmosphere. a classic New York Italian experience. mainly locals there--highly recommend.

The starters were excellent, the entrees even better. We had a bottle of fantastic wine and excellent desert as well. Service was very polite and very efficient. 5 stars.

Delicious, cute, cozy, with great service. Pasta cooked al dengue, just how I like. The service is fantastic, polite and pleasant. They have great etiquette! You don't find that at many restaurants very often in NYC. It's great restaurant. A little loud but it's NY. Cute little bar, even to just go for a drink..

Ambience, food and service were all fantastic. Our waiter was very attentive and the home made to pastas were amazing. You can even watch them being made by hand near the kitchen. The beef cheeks were equally great along with our salad appetizers. The menu had many great looking options that we'll have to come back and try. We didn't drink but they do have a bar and a good wine list. Highly recommended.

Visited a few days ago with friends. We shared appetizers, three of us had pasta for our main course, and one had fish (cod) We all tasted everything....and everything was just fantastic. Great wine, and some shared desserts as well. This place is a gem. Service was also great and our waiter (Kruno?) was friendly and funny. I can't wait to return.

We've been wanting to try this restaurant for a while. The food is very good as is the service. The prices are higher than you'd expect. I'm not sure about the atmosphere they are trying to project, It seems more like a cafeteria than a nice restaurant. Floor, tables and chairs could use a good cleaning. I'd eat here again if I happened to be in the area but wouldn't make it a destination on it's own.

The owner's Mother, who lives in Italy, was hand rolling tortellini when we arrived at Gradisca. We thought, uh oh, this is just another ok wannabe, not our kind of place. We were wrong, and I'm happy to say so! It takes some doing to go to this restaurant. You have to call for a reservation, and our advice, definitely do this, and if you can't get a res, then go anyway, it is of a size where you should not have to wait forever for a table. And when you do get a table, prepare for several hours of the most delicious scents and flavors. We had yummy appetizers, Bocconcini, Noci di Cappesante, and could not help ourselves, both ordered Tagliolini Latini all’Astice con Pomodori Pachino e Bisque. We could barely talk over dinner other than when forcing ourselves to come up for air. The lobster dish was overflowing with meaty chunks of delicious lobster, and just barely bathed in bisque. It was the most elegantly delicious seafood pasts dish wither of us have ever had the pleasure of consuming. Being spoiled foodie San Franciscans, we were not prepared for having what turned out to be the best meal we have had since 2 summers ago in Rome. Make sure you check out their website, the design is Better than Botticelli! Our advice: go to Gradisca, asap, and then go back every time you are in NY.

Nice neighbourhood Italian restaurant. The lasagne was great, although the portion was too small. The tiramisu was really nice but huge. Bigger than the Lasagne. Service good. Good selection of Italian wines. Worth a visit

This little place was the perfect neighborhood restaurant, but with just enough sophistication. Tucked away on a cute little street filled with brownstones, this restaurant is the perfect place for a girls night out (what we did), taking a work group out, or just a couple's night. It's got a great vibe, casual but upscale. The homemade ravioli was delicious, in a buttery sagey sauce. The mixed greens salad was a little bland, though the greens were delicious. Could have been a bit more flavorful from a dressing perspective. Loved the wine list--all Italian, pages and pages of it, anywhere from $38 to $256 a bottle, so lots of great choices. This goes on my short list of great restaurants in NYC.

We discovered Gradisca on a walk down 13th Street and decided to give it a try for dinner. It was an inspired choice. The food is very well prepared. Excellent in-house fresh pasta. Very friendly service. Good wine selection. A cozy place to have lunch or dinner. We will go back.

pumpkin purée, truffle sauce, pine nuts... traditional Italian? much more "nuovo" than anything. Great if that's what you're looking for, but far from tradizionale.

This charming place, at one point a famous jazz spot, serves the best italian food in New York. The menu is simple and you can not go wrong no matter what you choose, from starters to desserts. The ambience is comfortable, warm and the staff will always make you feel welcome. Great for any occasion.

Tasty, creative and nice ambiance. We went there twice during our 7 days stay in New York. The first time because it was snowing and the place was near our hotel, the highly recommended Walker hotel. The second time to say our goodbye the this wonderful neighborhood and its great Italian restaurant.

Four of us had a great meal here on a Friday night. Our server was terrific, made great recommendations, and steered us to a terrific and reasonably priced Barolo. The two lasagna dishes were the best we’ve ever tasted. The other pastas were extremely fresh. The braised meat was very rich and tender. One of the best Italian meals we’ve had. The bad news is that you had to shout to be heard. We acclimated, and then as diners left by 10:00 it was a little better, except that the music that had been in the background was now very loud, blasting through bad speakers that made it worse. We asked if they could turn the music down, and were told that management wanted it loud on Friday and Saturday nights. So, if you want great food and a pleasant experience, don’t come here on a weekend. We went for the food and wine, and I would assume others do as well. Why detract from an exceptional great dining experience with such bad taste in ambience?

A very nice restaurant that serves delicious Italian food. The ambiance is nice, the service good and the food tasty. Very friendly staff! A must stop!

I had dinner here with my grown children and a guest from London. We were shouting to be heard across the small table! I suggest it's impossible to hold a conversation in this restaurant. I also found it wildly expensive for what it is. Sorry, but I wouldn't return.

We went to Gradisca on the first night of our trip to New York and I was very pleased with my find. The restaurant is dimly lit, cosy and bustling, even on a Wednesday. Our waiter was friendly and attentive and clearly passionate about the food. The menu was original and inspiring. To drink I had one of their Pomegranate Martinis - made with fresh pomegranate - delicious. What's more, I was given the shaker to refill my glass (most places in London will only give you enough to fill the martini glass). A nice touch! My starter was probably one of the best I've had. A pecorini cheese creme brulee with a fruit marmalade and thin, crispy bread. Delicious! My main was also very good - lobster and broccoli canneloni. Good portions too. I would definitely recommend this restaurant for a lovely and romantic night out.

There is an awning in front, dark wooden bar by the entrance, tables in the back. Painted in scarlet red, with plaster of paris splotchy walls - this is an old school NYC restaurant. Feels like I should have been on a date with my parents here in the 1970's. That said, it is really nice. There are very few oohs and ahhs for the decor - but what really matters - the food - is above reproach. Italian fare - the antipasta was good, so were the fried artichoke hearts, Cacio y pepe was good as was the veal rago and papardelle. Raddiccio heavy salad was yummy as were the sorbets and Italian pastries at the end of the meal. House wines (red and white) in big carafs were tasty too. We had a big group - maybe 14 people - it was affordable, pleasant and quite enough to hear one another. This is not (no longer) a destination, it won't raw envious looks from your foodie friends - but it is tasty, affordable and you can actually book a table. Would happily go back.

We had Xmas Eve dinner here. Loved all the waiters whose enthusiasm for the chef and his food was infectious. Had the lasagna which was great and not your usual style. The appetizers should not be missed. Try the cauliflower bread salad. Great dessert menu too. We had molten chocolate cake. Mmmmmm!

We found this gem by accident. The host were amazingly gracious when we decided to change tables. The service was nothing short of stellar five stars! The food was excellent, surprising, innovative, and quite reasonable given the high quality. 6 of us had three courses with a couple of bottles of great wine for around $500! I would go back here in a heartbeat!

What a great evening in a real Italian restaurant with excellent real Italian food, very friendly service and really nice ambiente. My Italian friend and I fully enjoyed our dinner there and felt at home from the very first second. Great hospitality - can’t wait to be back!

We had a great family dinner here for 5. I had Pappardelle with lamb which was excellent. Others had Lasagna and Gnocchi which they also really enjoyed. I ordered a pear Martini which was just what I was looking for. We had desserts which were also excellent. The atmosphere is cozy and the wait staff was excellent - attentive but not intrusive. It got a bit noisier as the tables filled up but not bad. I will dine here again when we get back to NY City. This restaurant is a little gem!

We arrived early, and while waiting for the rest of our party my boyfriend and I had a drink at the bar. Great drinks...and great conversation with the lovely Kadia, our bartender. Seven of us for dinner, the food was fantastic as usual as was the service, This place really is exceptional in every way.

We did take out from here and it was really great. We got a few dishes and shared. Cannot say enough about the thin chicken cutlet with prosciutto under the breading, topped off with a wonderful truffle sauce! We got the spaghetti carbonara which was standard. The mushroom risotto was excellent. The strip steak was good, but a bit fatty. We also got the brussel sprouts and the salad misto with shaved parmagean cheese on top. Great meal!

We had a nice dinner, and very much enjoyed each of the past dishes that we had. The restaurant is casual, and the wait staff very attentive and welcoming. It's no great value, but thats not surprising in the West Village. My nine-year-old ordered plain pasta with olive oil - that was $18. We might go back for a casual date, but not for a family meal where the price would get high fast.

I was thrilled when I walked in and saw the Italian "Nonna" making pasta by hand and greating all the guests with "Buona Sera." A great first impression for sure. We had a little wait for our table which was just fine as we enjoyed waiting at the (little) bar for an excellent, hand-crafted cocktail. The drinks were perfect. Once seated it took a little while for our waiter to get around to us. However, it was the week before Christmas and the place was packed. So while I was not thrilled with the service, I'm going to assume a major cause was the fact that they were simply slammed with a lot of large parties. They were very attentive with water, clearing plates and everything else. The menu is not huge but everything on it sounded fantastic. There is also a chef's choice where they provide a six course meal, but they were unable to do it due to how busy they were that night. So we decided to just order a number of dishes to share. The antipasti were hard to choose from as they all sounded amazing. The eggplant parmagiana dish was outstanding as was their meat and cheese plate with perfectly sliced prosciutto, mortadella and more. The gnocchi with black truffle sauce were amazing. Everything else we ordered was on the specials menu including sweet breads and pasta with baby clams. Everything was excellent. The wine list is excellent, but many of the better wines were simply priced out of this world. I wish they had a better selection of Brunello's, for example, in the $80 - $100 range. Overall, it was a great experience and I will definitely go back.

Not as good as the sister restaurants, Piadina and Malatesta

I first went to this restaurant about 5 years ago because my aunt came to town and my grandfather, who couldn't walk far, lived across the street. The atmosphere is warm and cozy, the staff were friendly and professional and I was floored by how good all the food was (there were seven of us and I tried a bit of everyone's dish). On top of this, they serve the best tiramisu I've ever had, and the portion is big enough for two. Since then, I go back for any special occasion, because it's a bit above my budget for a normal night out. I recommend this restaurant to anyone who ever comes to New York.

A very nice Italian dinner on New Years. All four entrees were very good and the room had a great buzz

We shared three appetizers, a tuna tartar, eggplant and octopus salad. All were excellent. The bolognese pasta entree was delicious. My skirt steak was cooked properly and very tasty and tender. My wife's meatball entree was good. Drinks were generous, beer was cold and the servers were friendly & professional. Nice outdoor seating good when not too hot. I'll be back.

One of the better Italian food restaurants in NYC. Their pasta dishes are excellent as is the service and attention provided by the staff. The wine list is also quite good and reasonably priced unless you go high end. I have already begun recommending the restaurant to friends and business associates. An excellent find for a smaller restaurant in a very competitive market.

Who cares, we came for the food anyway! We had the "flatbread" which was more like a quesadilla (delicious moz and prosciutto), the meat tortellini, and the ridiculously awesome chicken entree (truffle sauce made the dish!). The wine was aiiight at the suggestion of the waitress. You will be served by multiple ppl. God only knows who you are tipping, so likely they split. Dark atmosphere, tight space. Loud. We loved the food! If you are lucky, you will get there on a night where mama is in the kitchen making the pasta.

The food at Gradisca was amazing. Mozzarella in the caprici was to die for, pasta was delicious, but the thing that earned it 5 stars was the service. Our waiter was very helpful in choosing from all the great choices and throughout the meal was available without being obtrusive.

Although we've only dined here 4 or 5 times , we were remembered and greeted warmly by the staff. Mama's meat tortellini are light and delectable in a cream sauce with peas. To start, we shared a salad.

Home cooking with excellent service

Went with my mother who is a lover of good italian food. We had a lovely meal and finished it off with their delicious tiramisu. Will return soon.

We decided on an "non-turkey" thanksgiving dinner and so glad we did! The staff was so welcoming, the ambience warm and cozy and the homemade pasta was excellent - (as was everything else). We look forward to coming back!

lasagna was delicious.

Four of us went to dinner last week. The service and food was amazing! The creme brûlée starter a must... So good I will next return next time I'm in NYC loved it ..

Had a large party for dinner. The menu was very good and the food was of the highest quality. Fresh pasta was being made by when we walked in and they served us an excellent meal. This restaurant is worth the visit because it is located in a neighborhood and has the personality of the locals. Great experience!

Gradisca was such a fun place for 4 college friends to enjoy dinner while in NYC! The food and service were excellent! I had the lasagna. It was different than the traditional lasagna with red sauce, but still tasty. Definitely recommend reservations because it was packed!

This place was recommended by a friend that lives in NYC, so we went for dinner. We had no reservation and were able to get a table right away. They have both indoor and outdoor dining and the atmosphere and decor are very nice. The service was also pretty good. The pasta was hand made and delicious! My only complaint is that both my wife and mine portions were very small for the price. The exception was the Tarimisu--it was Awesome and a good size portion!!

Home made pastas - 'Mama's specials' (tonight it was home made ravioli with ricotta and buffola mozzarella - sauteed in butter with fresh sage) and an extensive wine list. A hidden gem close to union station. The service was impeccable - ( we did have to ask them to back off at one point so we could enjoy the moment) and you must MUST try the blood orange martini. Trust me on this.

For me Gradisca is more than an Italian restaurant. I'm from Bologna and when I'm in the restaurant I'm feeling at home. I suggest to try the cotoletta for sure!

Last year we started a tradition of coming to New York City for Thanksgiving. We found Gradisca online and they could seat a party of 9 so we took a flyer. Wow! Admittedly we weren't looking for turkey and stuffing so this authentic Italian restaurant sounded good to us. We walk in and there is an older Italian woman hand making stuffed ravioli at a table just past the entrance. The ambiance is warm and welcoming with muted lighting, exposed brick walls, and elegant without a trace of stuffiness. The food was SPECTACULAR. Most of us had freshly made pastas. They were cooked to perfection, al dente and the various sauces we chose tasted just like Italy. My son, however had a filet which was also cooked perfectly to order. The wine list was generous and not too pricey. Had a nice Chianti and a really wonderful Barolo. Had a couple of young kids with us (5 and 3) and they handled them with no problem. High chair for the baby and served the kids first while we leisurely proceeded through appetizers/salads to main course, to wonderful desserts. The review wouldn't be complete without talking about our waiter. From Italy, he hadn't been home in several years but he was wonderful to us. Attentive, charming, without being obtrusive. We went early because of the kids but it was filled by the time we got to dessert. But they didn't rush us and the service state first rate. The family consensus is we're going back next Thanksgiving (and maybe before then too).