Nicola's Restaurant Reviews

We have eaten here many times over the years. The food never fails to please.the portions are generous.the prices are consistent with upper east side eateries. We were there on a Wednesday night and the place was packed. The pastas are made in house and perfectly cooked. The ingredients are fresh. The noise level is a bit high and that is why I'm not sure about it being the place to conduct business. It is however the place for very good Italian food. This particular evening the service was a bit rushed.

You are greeted by freshly planted flowers outside, and the inside is just as welcoming. The lighting is soft and the decor very attractive. Servers are in abundance, but respectful. The menu is very varied, and the food very well prepared. We all ended up ordering fish and it was very fresh and excellent. Salads were large and easily shared. The wines by the glass were numerous and the cocktails well made.

Beautiful authentic northern Italian cuisine just like nonno and nonna used to make it. The atmosphere is cosy and feels like you stepped back in time. Romano and the waiters are amazing and nothing is too much.

We were there for dinner last night with four friends And could hear each other speaking. The food was really delicious. The Mushroom starter was absolutely delicious and so was the Dover Sole. It was cooked to perfection. The Veal Chop was also very good

After many years we went back and enjoyed the friendly atmosphere in a environment which seems settled and not too noisy. The service is good and so is the food. If you are looking for a classic northern italian menu thats the right place.

This Italian restaurant has been in NYC since the 1970’s. At that time it was THE place to dine. It still has the same decor which is now worn and dated. It is basically a neighborhood restaurant and if they don’t know you, you will be placed in Siberia. I recently had a reservation for 2 and the restaurant was nearly empty and yet we were placed at a very undesirable table. There are better Italian restaurants on the Upper Eastside where you will get better treatment and service and better food.

Atmosphere was very loud. Difficult to hear the conversation of the people at my table. The waiters were polite, knowledgeable. The aisle between the chairs was so narrow, a person walked right into the chair of one of our friends. Then the waiter practically sat on his lap taking a picture of a nearby table. When we finished eating, we were sitting a little, having a conversation, and the owner (I assume) came over and said if you do not want anything else, I need your table. WOW That says a lot! A $300+ bill for 3 people could receive a little more courtesy.

The food sucks. The manager sucks. The service sucks. Overpriced and very rude staff. I wouldn’t recommend this restaurant to barn animals

Beware! The decor is warm and comfortable, tables a bit too close together, nice stain glass touches. The menu seemed reasonable within the higher range--main course in the 20s and 30s range. The fish as "market price" and the waiter rattled on about 6 different fish dishes, mostly simply made. He did not quote their prices. When the bill came, we discovered that one of the fish dishes was $38 and the other $68!!! We were outrageous and asked the waiter why he hadn't mentioned that this particular dish was so high and he replied, "You should have asked." So I spoke with the Maitre D', and he repeated the very same words "You should have asked." I explained that I was being put in an embarrassing position: asking for the price of a dish in the company of others is uncomfortable, and now I was put in an even more embarrassing spot where my host was stuck with paying an unreasonably high price for a piece of fish. The maitre d' repeated his mantra, "You should have asked," which made me realize that this is a restaurant policy to catch the unaware. BTW, that piece of fish was not great. It was just OK, a bit overcooked, but that is not the point here, of course. It is the restaurant's MO that is highly suspected. They know that if they reveal that the dish is $68 most patrons would pass on it. Another point: when I spoke with the Maitre D' (and once before when he had come to the table) he touched my arm and my shoulder to a total of 5 times. It is unacceptable. I do not wish to be touched by every serving person. It's not a friendly gesture, but rather one that cross boundaries of my space.

There were three couples and everyone was very happy with their food choices. There was a comprehensive menu as well as a long list of specials. Everything sounded great & in fact everything was absolutely delicious. The halibut was cooked perfectly & so was the amazing Vesl Chop with a Wild Mushroom sauce. The staff were attentive and friendly. This restaurant is one on my list to go back to

The food was good but extremely overpriced. Additionally, I & others had a terrible experience when dining there last night. The manager, Sami(?) behaved in a hurtfully rude, belittling, & arrogant manner. After a little over an hour, as my friend & I were finishing dessert & coffee, he asked us, as well as 2 women at the next table (tourists from Denmark), to leave (he wanted our tables for a party of 3). We were handed our bill & a worker cleared our table of all dishes & cutlery as we were sitting there. When I tried speaking to the manager, he rudely brushed me off. The restaurant seems to be disdainful of women dining alone & overly interested in money & quick turnovers. I imagine that regulars, who spend big bucks on a weekly basis, get better treatment. Folks who just want to go out for a relaxing dinner on occasion & tourists especially, should stay away.

We enjoyed our food. We were there with regular patrons. Service was cordial, definitely not warm and friendly. This is a pricey place, with okay food, but the object is to "see" to be "seen;" I don't get it. You may come and hobnob with me at Papaya King.

Nicola's was founded about 40 yeas ago by one of the original waiters at Elaine's - an establishment that encouraged many Italian waiters to start their own business. It remains because their proprietors own the building and avoid paying rent, concentrating instead on food, drink and their loyal customers. If you like watching celebrities, Nicola's is a perfect spot. We have watched Gov. George Pataki, Rudy Giuliani, Senator Chuck Schumer and Gina Lollobrigida. They all come here to avoid the limelight and enjoy the food - more or less anonymously. The one time I barged in to say hi to George Pataki, he was friendly as could be. I was sad he dropped out of the presidential race when he did. Nearly all of the managers at Nicola's come from Parma, Italy. Parma is also the name of an affiliated restaurant on 79th Street, and Parma ham is legendary. They have it on the menu if you want some with melon. Their Blue Point oysters are surprisingly good, and fresher than most. Go for the veal chop, either broiled or braised in a Cognac sauce. Dover sole is very well prepared here, and you can get soft shelled crabs well beyond the normal fishing season. There are a few detractors, usually under the age of 30, who come wearing blue jeans and comment on the elderly crowd. Nicola's is known to be picky with guests they do not know - like many Manhattan restaurants. The wine list needs work, and the menu rarely changes. A few of the best employees have retired. But the location, the workers and the food remains solid and dependable. This is no Delmonico's, San Pietro or Caravaggio - just a neighborhood restaurant to enjoy with family and friends.

Someone's review online described this place as a private club, and after being there, it did sort of give me the feeling that it was like an Italian Friar's Club. Being refugees in NYC during hurricane Sandy, we were not all dressed up, but we got there early at 6pm on a weekday and had no problem getting a table. As the place was filling up we did notice that the crowd seemed like well heeled regulars, many of them older and in suits and ties. We both really enjoyed our meals and are used to going out to eat, particularly this week because we are displaced. This was hands down the best food on the Upper East Side. My husband asked if they would make a stuffed veal chop with mushroom gravy which was not on the menu and they did it happily and it was delicious and on par with his favorite place back home. I had a pasta primavera with a light tomatoe sauce that was the BEST sauce I've had in a LONG time. And I eat a lot of pasta! So I will suffer a little stuffiness any day of the week to have that pasta again! The wait staff was top notch no nonsense Italian. The bill was $125 before tip, no dessert but we each had at least two drinks. I thought it was worth it. I wouldn't go here with a noisy group though, although I was only here once, so who knows.

I really like this restaurant. It's small yet quite cozy. You can eat inside or out. The owner is usually there and is always talking to his customers.

This restaurant caters to a primarily older clientele. On the night we visited the service was very good and they accommodated all our special requests....certainly makes dining more enjoyable. The atmosphere is a blast from the past....very comfortable seating and tables not on top of one another. I found the food to be average. The five of us had one cocktail, 2 glasses of wine, one Virgin Mary and one coke. We shared 3 chopped salads that were average....not a dressing that I found to be very tasty. We ate lightly.....two chicken parmesan, one eggplant (appetizer size) and one other entrée plus one tartufo, and 2 coffee. The complimentary cookies were a nice gesture. Restaurant was full so obviously it has appeal to a large number of people. Cost $268 including tip.

Just happened upon this place and we were pleasantly surprised. The sign outside does nothing for the atmosphere, which is very cozy, old Italian. Food was delicious - especially the Bolognese.

Over-rated. Nicola's reputation is that's it appeals to regulars. Yep. As a first time attendee, we were seated near the entrance just before 8:00 pm and watched as diners walked in. Air kisses for women. Big hand shakes for men. Some full kisses for some women. But the menu and decor are both dated. If you want innovative Italian food, and some fresh decor, turn south, head to Chelsea, SoHo, or Tribeca. Consider losing the old autographed celebrity prints. Over-priced. We love Italian cuisine. But Nicola!s food is just OK. Special appetizers for $20. Special entrees >$40. Tiramisu was pretty bland. Order off the menu instead. We will be exploring other Italian restaurants before returning to Nicola's.

Like other reviews, it should be said that this restaurant fits into the upper crust east side clientele. Cozy, with a bar to your right as you walk in, attentive wait staff, and unusually delicious pasta offerings with fresh vegetables/homemade sauces. Only complaint would be that the beet salad didn't seem to have fresh beets. Just didn't have the zing I've experienced in other upscale restaurants.

The service combined with wonderful food explains why the restaurant was packed on a week day night. The menu is a combination of old fashioned and current style lighter Italian. Whichever you pick it is delicious and generous portion.

Nicola's is a good restaurant to make your neighborhood place. It's cozy and serves consistently good food. It won't knock your socks off but you know you will have a good dinner. I didn't have it this visit, but the veal picatta looked very good. I had a special chicken dish that was in a red sauce with asparagus. It was nice and light. The help was very good and professional. There was a good crowd this past Saturday night, with a mixed age group. It seems like this is a regular place for a lot of people.

Well what a surprise...,great service... Interesting menu...He had the crab meat to start I had the special salad..,,Chicken scarpara delicious his meal was excellent.. We split a Tartufo.... The food was well prepared and the cold appetizer were chilled and the entire was pipping hot... We will be back

We joined friends who live nearby and made a reservation for an otherwise sold out event. Place was packed, waiters seemed a bit impatient, menu was nothing special. We had fish, which was overcooked and bland. Price was exorbitant compared to quality of food. Price for two with ust one meal without wine: over $150. Definitely not worthwhile.

I went to Nicola's for a business meet. The owner/ manager has a major attitude and unless he knows you could not care less if you are happy. The food is not bad but overpriced for a neighborhood restaurant. With all the other great Italian places in town this place forgot to rejuvenate itself 20 plus years ago. Service overall is not very good unless they know you.

Nicola's is a great place on the Upper East Side. The ambiance is very cool, and the food was excellent. I was most impressed with the service, though. They were very eager to please. I definitely recommend Nicola's.

New York City is made of neighborhoods and this Italian neighborhood restaurant on the Upper East Side has been around a very long time and hasn't missed a beat. Having just returned to my old home town, please allow me to advise that Nicola's still cooks and serves pasta with the best of them, and their other dishes aren't too shabby either. The atmosphere is neighborhood clubby casual. If you want to experience the non tourist New York City I suggest you make a reservation and enjoy yourself.

I've been going to Nicola's since 1982, and, to this day, it still has the best Northern Italian food in New York, perhaps the entire United States. There is nothing on their menu that isn't fantastic. The waiters are total pros, and anticipate your needs before you do. My favorite dishes have, and continue to be: - Veal Scaloppine Emiliana - Cannelloni - Dover Sole - Squid Salad - Tiramisu These dishes are the finest you'll get ANYWHERE on earth - and worth going for any single one of them. Prices are competitive with high-end Manhattan establishments. This remains one of my two favorite restaurants in the world.

We have eaten at this upper east side restaurant several times with friends who live nearby. The restaurant specializes in fish as well as pasta of course. We recommend the chopped salad, Halibut however they prepare it, and any seafood risotto they recommend. They have a good selection of veal and chicken dishes also.The service, ambience and cuisine are superior and a reservation is strongly recommended. We plan on returning whenever we visit NYC.K Meloff Toronto

This place has a good vibe and we walked in without a reservation and were made to feel very welcome. Tables are close together and it's very popular with families and groups of all sizes and ages. The tricolor salad was tasty, but I wished they had included the ribbons of Parmesan that are often served on top. The manicotti was excellent as was the pounded chicken cutlet in a lemony sauce served with green beans on the side. My spouse enjoyed a salad of shrimp, tomatoes and green beans in a balsamic vinaigrette. Wonderful service and the perfect spot for Sunday night dinner. Every table was occupied soon after we arrived.

A surprisingly limited menu was the biggest disappointment, followed by some of the food. The lobster tails were coated in a cheese-like sauce, which was just as well as they had been away from the sea for a very, very long time. Mashed potatoes were only 2/3 warm -- the outer edge was refrigerator cold. The steak was a good quality meat but, to my taste, over-peppered. The "three chocolate" dessert was, like the restaurant, OK but nothing to write home about.

Sometimes you just click with a restaurant - the food, the staff, the atmosphere. For us, Nicola is that sort of place. We had spent the afternoon with our young granddaughters and were eager for a good dinner that was tasty, calming, and an antidote to stress. We stopped at Nicola just because it looked promising. It was. We had a lovely dinner - a warm welcome, excellent service, and really good Italian food. Not Italian of the red gravy and enormous plate of pasta sort, but more genuine Italian - food done with finesse and style. I think one of the most significant recommendations of Nicola was that it appeared to have a large number of families enjoying dinner together on a Sunday evening. This is not the fancy fancy, the Right Clothes and High Style, Upper East Side "place you must be seen." It's family in the best way. It's good. We will go back.

Excellent preparation of Italian standards, much better than would be expected from an upper east side neighborhood place. Eggplant parmigiana, pastas, squid salad are all great, as is the red snapper. Waiters have been there forever. This is the kind of comfortable, high quality local restaurant that makes it great to live in NYC.

This upper east-side restaurant has been in business a long time and in NYC that means everything. Know that I've eaten there several times over the past 30 years and it's always the same. The veal chop is special and highly recommended. Frankly all the food is quite good and not sure if you can make a serious mistake. Wine selection is fine. The service is more "typical" of NYC but if you were a regular that would likely make some difference. This is indeed the kind of place that does just that, makes you a regular. Even the ambiance is what you think of when you picture "upper east-side Italian" in your imagination. You won't be disappointed.

Some of the best old-school Italian food you will get in NYC. The pastas are always perfect and the seafood is without reproach.

As soon as I entered, l immediately recognized that it was the kind of restaurant where regulars are very welcome and everybody else is tolerated. Still the drink was well made so I decided to order food. After being ignored by the bartender, I was ready to walk out but hunger got the better of me. I'm glad I stayed because the food was perfect.

Both restaurants are owned by the same daughter of the original owner, and we compared the two restaurants within the last week. Both have the same sort of old fashion decor with some fairly good art and colored glass images. Both have waitstaff's, very attentive and knowledgeable, who seem to have worked there forever. Both feature traditional Italian food, and here Nichola is clearly superior at the moment. We started with excellent mushrooms and a lentil/vegetable soup both beautifully prepared. We shared a seafood dish of mussels, scallops and whitefish, delicately prepared in a white sauce. The tiramisu was absolute perfection one of the best either of us has ever had and much better than the same dish at Parma. Both restaurants serve a dance rather tasteless bread and cookies as book ends of the meal. The wine by the glass list is generic and not very inspired. My companion did not care for her first glasss but they were more than willing to replace it at no cost, a very loyalty inspiring policy. The restaurant is quite noisy and it is clear that they have a very devoted clientele. Based on tonight's meal, they deserve it. We will be back here, but will not return to Parma.

This is a good, neighborhood Italian restaurant. The salads are great. Pasta is good. Lasagna is good. Fresh fish. It is a little expensive. Watch the price of the specials and the bar bill. For that reason, it's average and not good.

We have explored all the wonderful restaurants in our weekend neighborhood over the last thirteen years. Nicola's recently clicked with us and we enjoy the food and atmosphere. This year we have taken our family and friends and they all felt well fed and cared for with out any prevention. The wait staff is genuine and quietly serves their dishes. The food is always served hot , which is the way it should be. The pasta are all cooked al dente ,is the way it should be always. You can not go wrong with any selections Enjoy... Make reservations

Best baked clams I've had and chicken parm. Special pasta dish was delicious. Outstanding service. Very accommodating.

I joined a number of other friends for dinner at Nicola's (had never been there). The service was excellent, my "special" appetizer (an array of different kinds of mushrooms) was excellent, my entrée (veal) was good but not great, so in general I was pleased. On the downside, the restaurant (quite full) was very noisy and the prices were higher than they should have been relative to the overall experience.

Fabulous neighborhood restaurant to which we've been going for 30+ years. Terrific. Yes, it's a club but it's a club you join by simply going. We took our children and we took our grandchildren when they were kids. Now they are grown and some are living in the City and we're taking them again. Simply wonderful...........and yes, the food is actually very good

Am a regular customer....went for dinner...totally aragent waiter...never serviced us properly....took order wrong.....argued with us...and then ignored us........maybe good for older clientale...........no water....no refill of coffee................no thank you....and overcharge on bill..............good luck here..............Never Again!

Our friends suggested we meet there fo dinner and we were not disappointed. It's two blocks from the subway at 86th and Lex so it's easy to get there for those of us who love the subway. The food was incredible and the service was just right - not pushy and not scarce. The specials were delicious and the wine list was very nice.

Honestly impressed by the excellent reviews about this family neighborhood restaurant, we keep coming back, year after year for about 2 decades, as some of our best friends live nearby, but every time we leave feeling dissatisfied. The place seems always jammed with people on Saturday nights starting 8PM, regardless of season. Reservations are a must. It is true that the long running appetizers seem inspired (though you can count on finding them there years later as there seems to be no impetus to create new things or improvise). I always thought their soups were mediocre and their main entrées overdone, swimming in cheese. Service seemed polite, efficient and timely. Tartuffe, was standard and delicious, as was the cappuccino. Prices probably about 25% more than deserved for the location, ambiance, crowd, about $80 for a meal per person, including a drink. The experience, just slightly better than average, and for a stiff price. If it was not for our friends next door, we would not be coming back.

Granted, the host's welcome was warm and he accommodated us immediately despite our lack of reservation. But that was the highlight of he evening. The decor and lighting were tired and dull. A bathroom sanitizing smell was the freshest thing in the dining room. The wine list was a plastic photo album of pictures of wine bottles. The $60 bottle of wine, one of only 8 choices, was barely drinkable. . The clams were sad and rubbery, the bacon an afterthought. My liver was tasty enough, no thanks to the ragged pile of hastily fried onions. My husbands' swordfish drowned in a chunky mess of tomatoes. The espresso was acidic and boiling hot. The tiramisu was all bland cream. Blech. Never again.

Very nice family type restaurant with very good food.A bit pricey but par for the course in NYC. Long wait on Saturday night even with a reservation.After 10:00 pm they give you the rush act to get you out. Service good/excellent.

Good atmosphere! Food delicious. Pleases me and more than delights fussie spouse!! Good service .. Spouse says he has never had a bad meal there and we are treated well😍💝🍷

Like many in "the neighborhood", we brought our children up here and their children as well. A few years ago, our daughter brought her 3 boys (then 17, 15, 13) to the City and insisted on coming here so she could have Veal Emeliana (sp?). The boys packed away pasta then an entree, then a dessert.........nobody eats like teen aged boys. They were very happy and Pat, who has run Nicola's from the start, watched and smiled like a proud grandparent. It's a couple of years later and Pat has retired.......and we will miss him.......but Nicola's is in wonderful caring hands of some of the guys we've known all these years. What a wonderful place. What a wonderful club to belong to. For me, the only change is that I eat salmon these days rather than the veal chop and asparagus rather than pasta. Nicola's is to 84th Street what Gino's was to 61st Street. Same concept, actually better food.

Squid salad and then a broiled veal chop.Terrific. Have been eating here for 30+ years and, yes, it is like a private club. We prefer to sit at a particular table way in the back on the left side. Most of the ""regulars"" have their favorite places. But unlike most clubs, you quickly develop membership status here by coming a few times. Most of us have early onset medicare.

Very pleasant italian restaurant with a good menu -- the specials are best. The service staff seems like they have been there forever and take good care of everyone.

When I think of the1970's I remember a simpler time at a slower pace, without selfies and when people took time to enjoy a meal. Typically when in Manhattan I'm dining on the West Side after a Broadway production but last night following a visit to the Met I had to leave my comfort zone and explore the Upper East Side. I was rewarded by finding Nicola's with its inviting but unpretentious open front door that promises a familiar neighborhood experience. Offering traditional favorites like clams marinara, linguini al pesto and a variety of veal scaloppine the evening was relaxed with the feeling of being in a familiar setting even for the first night. Our waiter was able to tempt us into having the cheese cake for dessert and even my calorie conscious date admitted that it was worth the indulgence. The service is friendly and attentive and I recommend it as a way to enjoy a quiet night on the east side with good food and at a budget friendly price.

An old favorite for many east siders that really is like a fancy diner. Food is just fair with typical Italian dishes on the menu... which has been unchanged for last few decades! Service is also just ok with waiters that have been there since time began. There are so many establishments on the upper east side i would not recommend this unless you are desperate. Will probably be here another few decades unless someone takes it over and brings some freshness to the place.

Clubby, warm inviting, smart kitchen with understood menu of quality. Expensive, yes but the meal is the nightly event here and in a world of rushed, hurried,pricey turnover this is a throwback .

Had a wonderful time here with great service. Walked there from our hotel passing Rockefeller Center to take a snap of the Christmas tree. A slight rain in the air so when we gat there we were warmly greeted by our host. Seated in the back, very cozy table with attentive wait staff. Food was fantastic. Basic Italian fare. I got the Veal Martini and wasn’t disappointed. I would recommend for groups.

We literally stumbled upon Nicola's in a quiet neighborhood a short walk from the Metropolitan Museum of Art where we had spent the entire day. What a great place to unwind and have an excellent meal. We were among the first people there at 5:30pm on a weekday. Service was attentive but not overbearing and all the staff made us feel at home. The entrees (both veal) were delicious and nicely presented. Good appetizer, salad and/or soup selections. This place was a wonderful overall experience after a long day on our feet.

There were 8 of us and we should have asked the price of specials, but neglected to this time. 2 of us found it so tasteless, we could not finish it; yet the price was 30% over the regular menu prices...for swordfish! Wait staff's response? "We don't set the prices." The waiters (there was no female wait staff) were cavalier at best - interrupting our conversation, knocking into us while serving, removing unfinished dishes without asking. We called the manager over when the hand written bill added to $20 more than it should have been. We can see why the staff was so careless about their responsibilities as he was no better. You sure don't get what you pay for at Nicola's; it's living on its laurels and they hav faded badly.

Fabulous neighborhood restaurant to which we've been going for 30+ years. Last night Dale & I shared soft shell crabs as an appetizer then she had pasta and I had broiled salmon. Terrific. Yes, it's a club but it's a club you join by simply going.

This restaurant is old school – properly dressed waiters not rushing you, a hand written check, real spacing between the tables – and very good Italian American food served in large to very large portions. We chose Nicolas because our host, a local, has difficulty hearing in busy venues, had eaten here before and knew Nicolas to be a quiet New York hangout. We agreed – the food is somewhere between very good and excellent. I had the eggplant parmesan side as a starter, super light. My main was a carbonara almost perfectly prepared – no creamy goop, the pasta was almost al dente, someday a restaurant in the US will remember that is the way pasta should be prepared. My wife had two sides as her main – the aforementioned eggplant and a mix of mushrooms, she is part hobbit and thought they were great. Our friend had the veal marsala, properly prepared with the added touch of salad fixings on top, beans on the side, a huge portion. Dessert was ricotta cheesecake – not as good as the one my wife makes but close – the waiter was pushing the apple pie a la mode, did not seem right with that meal. We lingered, discussing the self-important locals who seemed to strut sitting down, who had and who had not had facial surgery, important topics one and all and no one rushed us to leave. This place is not cheap – the tab, with coffee and two drinks (large pours) was $180 or so, that said, Nicolas is a wonderful throwback restaurant with excellent food. We would go back in a heartbeat.

We took our mother to Nicola's as it is in her neighborhood and we heard good things about it. The service was disappointing, Her fish was hot and mine was cold, and our waiter disappeared and I had to find the manager to get our bill. For a bowl of soup, two salmon and a bottle of Pelligrino a bill of 141 seems overpriced. By the way no prices are on the menu so good luck even knowing whether they are charging you the right amount. Really wanted to like this place as it is so convenient but will not be going back.

Nicola's is a great neighborhood restaurant and for "members of the club".....this is a club you can join by going back over and over again. Like many, we brought our children up here and their children as well. Last night, our daughter brought her 3 boys (17, 15, 13) to the City and insisted on coming here so she could have Veal Emeliana (sp?). The boys packed away pasta then an entree ...........then a dessert.........nobody eats like teen aged boys. Everyone was very happy and Pat, who has run Nicola's from the start, looks around and smiles like a proud grandparent.

An upper east side classic Italian restaurant with outstanding service and fresh food. The room has that old school feel which makes it a cozy environment in which to possibly spot a NY politician or two. Food is fresh and always delicious.

The staff was very patient and we didn't feel rushed (even though we stayed talking long after we finished eating). Portions were not large, so we had plenty of room for the dessert (don't miss the Italian style cheesecake).

I ordered a veal chop medium. Served medium rare to raw. Sent back to cook more. Came back out undercooked AGAIN! Also ordered spinach. They brought me green beans.

I love the ambiance in this restaurant as well as the food and service. We enjoy sitting at the bar for a cocktail before dinner. The food is wonderful with good specials. One of my favorites in NYC.

Start with squid salad or a half order of pasta. Try the veal chop. Nicola's is a great neighborhood Italian restaurant and much like a club.........but unlike most clubs, you develop membership by coming a few times. And, by the way, there are plenty of people who come from afar.

I went to this restaurant in January 2014. It is a very traditional Italian restaurant in terms of decor and style. The menu had a lot of great choices in terms of seafood, beef, and pasta dishes. The bread and salad were excellent, and my lasagna was outstanding. They had a nice wine list, but I don't think any of us had wine. It was not inexpensive, but we really enjoyed the food.

This is a very traditional Italian restaurant. The setting is cozy, the staff attentive and the food is superb. The Italian wines are first-rate. The crabmeat cocktail gives new meaning to “lump crabmeat!” It was truly unparalleled as was the pasta and the veal scalloping Marsala. By all means save room for the tortufo. It is enough for four servings.

I wish I had read minnesotamusic's review before I went, but I was there earlier. Was there for a business dinner I was hosting, so I usually don't ask for specials prices under the circumstances. There were 6 of us and, although the food wasn't that bad, the service was so embarrassing, I was more focussed on getting out of there than on entertaining my clients. I am wary of hand written checks and, sure enough, this one was overstated by $50. I discreetly left the table to talk to the manager. He put his hand on my shoulder (we are not friends), laughed, and said he would fix it. No apology; in fact, he acted as if it were my fault, not theirs. For the first time ever, I did not leave a tip, and told the manager why in advance. If this restaurant ever had a prime, it is well past it.

Perhaps the chef quit on short notice, taking all the recipes and ingredients with him, because tonight everything we ordered was just dull and flavorless. Really could have found tastier food at a fast food place. Expensive mistake.

Nicola's is a great neighborhood restaurant........a club you can join by coming back enough times.....an Italian restaurant with terrific pasta but where they will cook your "gluten free pasta" in a separate pot if you bring it to them. Nice people. Great food.

The staff was pushy with dishes and wines. The service was rushed, And the meals were disappointing. Not a repeat visit for sure.

Dale & I, our children, our grandchildren all love it at Nicola's. I like the squid salad as an appetizer then a veal chop. Dale likes whatever appetizer strikes her then a half order of gluten free pasta carbonara. Staff is great. Most of the time we bump into old friends as, at its heart, Nicola's is a neighborhood Italian restaurant with clients who have been coming for more than 35 years.

Nicola's is my "club." I have been going there since 1991 and now dine there twice a week. Romano Riccaboni is the manager, and Rocco is the executive chef. Over the years I have seen management and waiters come and go, but the current team is possibly the best. Originally the management came from the city of Parma in Italy; the chef comes from Apulia, and much of the wait staff hails from Ecuador. This is not a typical red sauce Italian restaurant; the pasta is quite good, but I go there for the succulent fish, particularly the halibut and the swordfish. Veal dishes are well prepared, and I always have vitello scallopini alla Marsala - prepared with Florio Marsala, never inexpensive domestic Marsalas.