Paola's Reviews

I guess you might consider this stereotyping, but I generally find Italian people and Italian restaurants to be warm, and convivial. Being a Midwesterner who is not used to the kind of walking that most New Yorkers take for granted, I walked from my hotel on East 54th and Madison to 94th and Madison. 40 blocks. By the time I got to Paola's, I was beside myself !! I was originally headed for a different place, but decided to try this, noting that when I looked it up on Google, it got good reviews, not insignificant in a city that must have hundreds of great Italian restaurants. I walked in and was hardly acknowledged, much less greeted. I wanted to turn around and walk out but I desperately needed to sit down. It just made me sad. My server was professional but that's it. He wasn't rude or mean. He just wasn't very interested in me (Trust me--it's not what you think. I don't consider myself needy.) The place was NOT busy, even if I was inclined to excuse him because of that. I ordered halibut which came with spinach and some cooked cherry tomatoes. It was $34. Okay, this is New York. The halibut was well prepared, extremely simple and very good. My overall mood for this trip was sad because I was attending a memorial for one of my best friends that died last November. So maybe I did expect too much and maybe I WAS NEEDY. But the absolute loveliest person to me was one of the bus boys, with a ready smile and a concern that I felt. I would never add this to my list of must go to restaurants. Even if it IS Italian. And I rated it AVERAGE less as a reflection of its food, but from my contention that a restaurant of this caliber should provide a sense of what they stand for from the moment you walk through the door.

Food is okay, but horrifically overpriced. $30 for a past dish I could make at home for $3? $80 for a bottle of wine I could buy at the store for $15? If the food were something special, one might deal with it. But it is only tolerable. This place is just another example of greed in the restaurant industry getting out of hand.

This restaurant is so consistent - we go often as a couple and the service and the food is so good every time

Paola's is a wonderful balance between very fine Italian cuisine and a comfortable neighborhood setting. There really is a Paola and she is present in the restaurant most of the time. The pastas are particularly good and the staff is stable and well-trained. Highly recommend-there is also a very nice bar for drinks or for dining if you wish.

A few months back we ate at Paola’s and we were wowed by the food. Last night had the opportunity to eat at Paola’s before attending an event at the 92Y two avenues away. And we were wowed again. We ordered the chicken liver special over polenta and the Jewish Style Roman artichokes as appetizers and the branzino filet special and the grilled shrimp over corn relish from the main menu. All were very tasty and the liver dish is worth a detour. Forget foie gras - this dish is the version of poultry liver you must try. Paola’s is not inexpensive. Including an espresso, the 4 dishes and a bottle of Pellegrino - no wine or dessert - the tab was approximately $160 with tax and tip. However, with a lux dining room - I love the white table linens and fresh flowers on each table - and attentive enough service, combined with a first rate, top notch kutchen, I strongly recommend Paola’s for dining in this part of the UES.

I stopped for lunch..solo..the fettuccine bolognese was just okay...and the portion small for the price. Wait staff did not come around to fill my water glass...on a hot day and sitting outdoors.

I have been going to Paola's since it was a storefront eatery in the 80s. The "new" location has not fallen off in terms of quality and service. Sure it is crowded and noisey, but it's New York so what would you expect. If you want space and quiet, visit Des Moines. I had a tomato salad appetizer that was perfect. Plump, ripe tomatoes with a balanced bite of blue cheese. Fantastic mushroom and truffle pasta, infused with flavor. A relatively affordable Greco di Tufo and I was a very happy customer.

Paola's is associated with the Hotel Wales, where I was staying, and cannot be beat for convenience. The staff is very welcoming. The food ranged from good to very good. I had linguine alle vongole, which had a delicious sauce, but was too salty and the clams were a bit tough. My companions had other pasta dishes and I tasted the one with tomato sauce and pesto. Very good. They also shared an appetizer of tomatos and mozzarella and enjoyed it. They had profiteroles and tiramisu for dessert. We ordered the least expensive wine, which was $50 for a good white. The dinner with tip was $250 for 4 people, which is a little high even for New York, I think. It was a lovely evening and they couldn't have been nicer, but as far as value for money goes, you could do better. If money is no object, it's an excellent restaurant.

Outstanding food and service, this is definitely our go to choice for delicious food on the Upper East Side.

Rude, unprofessional service, the waiter rushed us to order as fast as possible in an unpleasant way. While we were eating, another waiter cleaned up the table next to ours, for a very long time, crowding me and making it difficult to continue eating. Then another guy poured the water on the table and on my leg, looked annoyed, did not apologize and walked away. We had a brunch: eggs, french toast, sausages and bacon and it wasn't great. The berries were tasty and fresh, but the french toast was dry and the sausages greasy. Coffee was bad. Price was fair. Would definitely not go back.

A tale of mixed emotions The service is 0/10 waited over half an hour for some bread to arrive, waited at least 20 min for some bottled water, they were not busy , plenty of empty tables, they were just not paying attention, NOW the good part The food was good , I had scallopini it was tender really nice The prices are reasonable, the service, awful, classy restaurants know who has ordered what at the table ( we were 4) they couldn’t get the meal and what they ordered aligned They seemed to be in hurry but why , that’s not what people are looking for in this type of mid/ upper range Get your act together

We had an early dinner here July 12 on an impulse because the outdoor seating looked inviting. The food was a revelation. I had the best gaspacho soup I've ever tasted and then had the pasta special, linguine in a light tomato sauce with half a Maine lobster. The lobster was the sweetest I've had in a while and the pasta was cooked perfectly al dente. My wife's salad and son's pasta were equally delicious. The service was excellent. The wine list was very good, and we had an excellent Verdicchio that was very reasonably priced. Prices overall are reasonable. On this trip to Manhattan we ate at some excellent restaurants, including one with two Michelin stars, and Paola's was our consensus favorite. We will return

Food was great. We had pasta and also ordered a pizza to go. Both were perfectly cooked and seasoned and very good. This is close to the Guggenheim so it is very conveniently located. Tables were at a comfortable distance, all the staff was wearing a mask and we were asked to show proof of vaccination. The host apologized, but it made me very comfortable knowing that they asked for it. I will sure go back next time we are in NYC!

It’s the best place! Paola did it again , amazing place, decorations, so beautiful, woods and brick, perfect combination! Food so good, service impeccable, Ramon and Jesus were so professional, very gentle. We had best cacio e Pepe, and artichoke Roman style. We love the new place . Excellent. Thanks

it was a pleasant dining experience not just because of my friends but because of the sumptuous dinner we had. We had large selection of main entree and appetizers. Been here multiple times, and they are getting better all the time.

We eat at Paola's for lunch or dinner almost every week. The food is traditional Italian with a bias towards Roman dishes. The Carciofi all Romana (Roman artichokes) are a special you will not want to miss. The other stand out feature at Paola's is the atmosphere. The room is quiet and comfortable, even when full of diners. If you love Italian wine, the wine list is also very strong with plenty of great choices at different price points. Paola's is always a great choice.

We went for Sunday brunch and I enjoyed my first “cranberry” mimosa (or two). They easily substituted the gorgonzola for goat cheese and the salad was delicious. The rolls are also crusty and warm. For entrees, we enjoyed the pasta Bolognese and the ravioli special. We lingered over our meal and were never rushed, which was important because we were eating with an elderly family member who rarely leaves the house. This will be a go to restaurant for us in the future.

The food at Paola's is really good. The staff is attentive. The restaurant itself is very noisy, too loud to have a comfortable conversation. Tables are very close together. There's a bar where people eat, so there are tables next to the bar. It just wasn't very comfortable. Fine dining prices for an average experience.

Had an enjoyable lunch with my wife and Mom and Dad who are both in their late eighties. The atmosphere was comfortable, the restaurant wasn't too croweded and the staff was very gracious. My problem was the service was very uneven. Our table must have had a half dozen servers and they never quite got it together. Three of the four meals were served at one time, and fourth was served a full ten minutes later, and was the wrong dish. My wife's meal was supposed to have bacon, they forgot the bacon, and brought it ten minutes later (with apologies). Things like this happened throughout the meal. Outside of that the food was quite good, the staff were all pleasant, but there was a basic disfunction to the whole operation. Overall a disappointment.

Tucked away on a cosy side street, Paola's Restaurant is a charming little gem that serves up delicious homemade Italian cuisine in an intimate, inviting space. From the moment you step inside, the warm lighting and rustic decor create a relaxing ambience that sets the tone for a memorable dining experience. Such a wonderful restaurant!

The atmosphere is warm in this wood-paneled, upper east side establishment. What is surprising is how good the authentic Italian food is. We had a terrific meal. The Carciofi alla Giuda (deep fried artichokes) were perfectly done, crispy not greasy. It is hard to find better in Rome. My wife and son had the mushroom pasta with summer truffles. They loved it. My Veal Milanesa was one of the best I have had in New York. We shared two desserts, a Crostino di Mele and a Lemon Tart. Both were well prepared in the traditional Italian manner. This place is a neighborhood gem. It is warm. It is busy. It has atmosphere, but it is not noisy. It is a great place for a dinner with friends or family.

I went there with my friend, we sat at the bar and it was the best decision ever! We got all the care and love from Beata (the bartender) and some great cocktails and meal! I can totally recommend ravioli with truffles 😍I love the atmosphere there, dimmed lights... Its my favorite place to eat so fat in NY!

We had dinner here last week in NYC on the recommendation of a friend who knew Paola and her family. To say they were gracious hosts would be a gross understatement. I felt like I was having dinner at the family table. The food was unbelievably good. The pasta (all home made) literally defined "al dente". One simple pasta course was simply linguine with cracked pepper and cheese. This was delicious. We also had Ravioli di Fagiano with pheasant filling and a braised veal reduction(I think). The ravioli were light and the dough was literally translucent. For the entrees we had Branzino, lightly grilled with a lemon butter sauce, Brasato Di Manzo(short ribs that were off the chain delicious), and a grilled veal chop that was at least 14 oz. It was done perfectly. We also had a salad course which was a salad with shaved brussel sprouts, pecorino cheese and granny smith apples. The dressing was delicious and I am not usually one who likes that kind of salad but this was absolutely delicious. I would highly recommend this place not only for the food but because these people make you feel like you are part of the family.

We had a pleasant meal at Paola's. It's clearly very popular and was crowded throughout our visit. Each of our entrees was tasty, The most memorable part of the meal was a lemon custard. The wine list is a bit pricey.

I've been going to Paola's forever (since it was first a tiny restaurant on E85th Street in the 1980's). Since they moved to Madison Avenue and then Vico closed across the street, they've become jerks. They don't even answer the phone some nights, and when they do, they put you on hold....they hung up on me twice a few nights ago. I won't go back any more. Bad attitude. Food not even that good any more, it's become an impersonal factory. Such a shame. Wait until a couple new restaurants open across the street, they will wish they were nicer and weren't so arrogant!

We have heard rave reviews about Paola's from friends. On Christmas Eve, dinner prior to Midnight Mass, it did not deliver. The fried artichokes, highly recommended were perfectly cooked and looked beautiful, but lacked flavor and seasoning. My simple caesar salad gets an award for the smallest in NYC. It too lacked seasoning and flavor. My wife had the halibut. It arrived way overcooked. The skin, while crispy, masked the severe dryness of over-doneness. My trofie pasta with pesto was cooked perfectly. However, the anticipated fragrant sauce, which one eats with one's nose as well as pallet, was minuscule; perhaps ladled over the trofie with an eye dropper? As for ambience, it was very crowded at 8:30 pm and very hot. There is no sound-proofing and 30 conversations bounce back at you omni-directionally. Tables are crowded together. If you have a booming voice and very narrow shoulders, this is your place.

Paola's has some of the freshest and lighest Italian food in NYC..you never feel that you are over loaded with heavy food....my pasta was delicious and filled with clams. The meatball appetizer was shared by the table and everyone enjoyed. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly and happy to give you whatever you want. Chocolate cake with vanilla gelato topped off the meal. It was really wonderful!

fantastic service, food, drinks, host, friendly local fellow diners, this place really is a gem, I have nothing bad to say about it, would definitely return

Lovely setting and prompt service. That said, the pasta dish I ordered for lunch was no better than average and available elsewhere for about half the price --- how's that for being succinct! Will I return? Unlikely.

We stopped by Paola's last month while working in NYC and discovered an amazing menu with lots of homemade dishes. We were greeted by the friendly staff and after considering all the delicious sounding choices we ordered. The food was some of the best Italian cuisine we had ever had the pleasure of eating (And we've been to Florence as well as Rome) we ended our meal with an espresso and a slice of Ricotta and Mascarpone cheesecake(Which I highly recommend)The service was impeccable,the wine flowed and Paola herself made it a point to ask us how everything tasted. If you want a reasonably priced, luxurious meal in a setting that adds to the experience then Paola's is a clear choice in my book ! I will be going again next time i'm in NYC and I can't wait !

A very varied and well-prepared menu. Cuisine is presented in a strong presentation. Wines are strong.A great resource for the area.

We always take guests here and it never disappoints. We have kids and the servers are very good to them. Last night I had the sword fish and it was AMAZING!

Very disappointed!!! It had always been a favorite of mine. No more. While eating my salad, our entrees were about to be served. We were nursing a bottle of wine , leisurely anticipating an equally relaxing dinner and the entire evening was ruined. My order was not served as ordered, our dinner was rushed and I am done. For the price( and the food was fine), so not worth it. . Never again. There are too many alternatives, And I don’t need to feel rushed. Done!!!

The lovely establishment let my friend and I come in between lunch and dinner to enjoy our own long lunch with no other diners. WE stayed for 4 hours catching up AND had a delicious meal. Make this your post museum stop!

We had lunch here after a trip to the Guggenheim. We felt safe, appropriately distancing and all protocols in place. Delicious chicken ceasar salad and chicken parm.

Restaurant was full and quite noisy. Service was excellent and old-style professional (no waiters telling you their names). Endive salad with walnuts and Gorgonzola was tasty and the agnolotti with veal and spinach in a sticky veal reduction with black truffles was sublime! This may become a new favorite Upper East Side place.

We had an excellent dinner there on a busy Friday night and the meal and service was tops. It is next to the Hotel Wales and Sarabeth's on Madison and 92nd.

This neighborhood restaurant came with a lot of recommendations which unfortunately were not for fill, the service was slow and not organized, we got the food but not the drinks , Very disappointing

The menu is well-balanced, and clearly seasonal with interesting twists on traditional Italian food, but not so precious as some kitchens go for. The Roman style artichokes are fantastic as was the octopus salad. Orecchiette with chicken sausage and other ingredients including pesto was well balanced- the pesto was lighter and didn't dominate. My husband had The Best Strawberry Shortcake ever. He about swooned.

I recently at Paola's for dinner with 5 female friend's and colleagues. I had the mozzarella salad, squash ravioli and creme caramel. All of the food was fantastic. The service was very good for the first 2 courses of the meal, but then it seemed that we were completely forgotten about by the waiter. We sat with our dessert menus for an eternity. During this time we froze to death. The AC was cranked up (in October!) and blowing right on us. While waiting for our dessert, the owner sauntered by. He is an elderly male and he made an inappropriate comment about wishing to take us all up to his room in the hotel! We could have done without that.

Overpriced and poorly served - we orders 4 entrees for brunch and one came after about 15 minutes, the others after 30 minutes (and getting up to inquire). 1. Pizza was very good (but personal size for $27..not that good) 2. Caesar salad at $20 was the size of a side salad at most NYC restaurants 3. Omelette was fine, but small (again) 4. Pasta dish was very flavorful, but again small for $30 Not sure why folks go back to this place - either on Madison a avenue.

Every once in a while you come across a restaurant that has it all. The food can be great but service or atmosphere lousy. This place has it all. Every dish we ordered was excellent; our waiter was attentive & the bus service was regular never letting our table remain messy or without fresh water & wine. Open airy atmosphere; Cold Seafood Salad was perfect as was every homemade pasta dish we each tried. And they made it seem like it was everyday routine. We cant wait to return here & recommend it highly.

Wonderful food and upbeat lively ambiance. A restaurant that almost feels like a private club, with many regulars who they know. Very fresh, homemade food with purveyors often listed. Homemade pasta's, desserts, very nice bread especially the multi grain served with olive oil. A fun place to be with or without kids - mine love it for a special occasion. Gracious Chef/Owner host.

The four of us tried this upper east side local. The food was excellent fine pasta and wine. Aubergine a speciality a good night

Even on a Sunday evening, this lovely, lively restaurant is filled with patrons. The roasted artichokes are a good as critiqued elsewhere. The Cinghiale ragu pappardelle is rich and flavorful. The short ribs with polenta is also very hearty and delicious. We shared the creme caramel, which was perfect and ‘a must’. The Prosecco was not very dry and a good choice by the glass, likewise the Montepulciano and the Super Tuscan were well paired with our meals. The evening was also improved by enjoyable conversation with fellow diners who we met for the first time.

This placed catered so well to my wife’s food issues, very welcoming. All 4 of our dishes were great. Friendly staff, decent decor, very clean, diverse menu and bar.

This is a solid Italian place in the area but good enough. Pleasant setting. Like outdoor during summer months but limited seating. Service has been uneven. Food can be miss or hit. Salmone always delicious and safe choice. Polpettine alla Romana during the last visit were served barely hot. Tried many pastas and they are usually great. Was not thrilled with deserts either their presentation or taste-wise.

I recently had the opportunity to eat with friends at this Italian restaurant near Central Park. The food was excellent with a very good selection of items. It is very crowded and reservations are recommended. Service was outstanding. A full bar and wine menu, too.

We really enjoyed our dinner at Paola’s Restaurant. Service was implacable. Everyone really enjoyed our dinners. We highly recommend the shrimp spaghetti, the bolognese, veal, duck with risotto and spaghetti colored with squid ink. You can’t go wrong here. It is an outstanding restaurant.

This once elegant restaurant is now moved a few blocks away from madison ave and is now literally in the street in one of the worst blocks of the upper east side… I personally witnessed a homeless man go past a table set and ready for someone and pick up a wine glass, put it to his lips , pretend to drink from it, and set it back on the table! Not one waiter noticed that and I had to go and tell them so that they changed the glass for the people that sat there 5 mins after…ugh!! It was just so awful sitting on a dirty sidewalk eating very expensive food from what used to be one of the more elegant restaurants in NYC! I was horribly disappointed and wouldn’t dream of going back until they move from this terrible location next to piles of garbage bags and homeless people walking right next to the table( which is sad in itself) I can’t even give this one star!!!

Fine Italian ccuisine. Portions tend to be on the small side. While service is good, waiters tend to rush you through even though restaurant was not busy.

Near the Guggenheim Museum.... The restaurant has a nice atmosphere.....but it stays around. The service is unattendable, and poco worried as the customers. The masses are of medium quality, they are not bad, but they do not come to please. Not worth the visit.

Friendly restaurant with excellent food and service. Salads, appetizers, pasta, main courses, and desserts are all uniformly great. A but pricey, but not a surprise for that neighborhood.

A wonderfully simple restaurant with a good menu and wine list. I found this place around the corner from the Hotel I was staying in. It was warm and welcoming. The team found a table for me quickly and attended to all me needs equally quickly without rushing someone eating on their own. Looking around the restaurant the tables had couples throubh to larger groups of 6 or more. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the experience. I enjoyed my rather simple linguini with oil and chili and the red wine that accompanied my meal. All up a good experience. Recommended.

Paola's was welcoming on a cold, blustery NYC day. The room had a nice energy and the wait staff was attentive. The Caesar salad was substantial enough to share with a generous slice of Parmigiano-Reggiano. We enjoyed two pasta dishes - rigatoni with porcini mushrooms and sausage and fettuccini bolognese. It was not stuffy, nor were folks exceptionally dressed. It was a perfect mid-day break in the City.

Reception despite an unsuccessful telephone mediation process to avoid this process About the

Our son is being treated at Mount Sinai Hospital here in New York, and we were looking forward to a break from the stress. Even though we arrived at 6:30 on a Saturday night, it took the staff only five minutes to setup the one vacant table that would seat three. It seemed we were in the middle of the aisle, but it turned out to be ideal. Our server was outstanding as was the salmon, chicken thigh plate, and the duck ragu. I’d also recommend the flourless chocolate cake for desert. I don’t think you would be disappointed.

Lunch at Paola's a few days ago was pleasant but very average for a mid-priced NYC restaurant. One of the nice features is that the noise level is muted as the diners are mainly older local residents. The lunch menu is somewhat limited but on inquiry about fish other than salmon the kitchen accommodatingly offered branzino, they intended for their dinner menu. The food is good, but not of the quality one would go out of the way to savor. One drawback, service was indifferent.

Many folks of an interesting age and nearby residents. Unfortunately, many restaurants in this area have closed, leaving far fewer options. Very busy restaurant, but did not appear to impact service or meal preparation. Great appetizers of soft shell crab, pasta with asparagus very good, special veal preparation tender and flavorful. Cocktails generous and perfect. Profiteroles yummy. Attentive service to senior patrons, most are early diners, so I expect there’s a different crowd after 8:00pm. Seniors are chatty dining neighbors and most interesting. Very pleasant.

Any pasta here is first rate... Cornish hen is our favorite Try the garlic knots Very noisy since the food is consistently good...it’s quite popular

Delicious Italian food in a classic restaurant. Our favorites include the Liver and Onions, Anatra (roasted duck) and the hearts of artichoke. Yum!

I really liked Paola’s for its imaginative pastas, unusual appetizers, fine wine list and attentive service. After a long, cold walk, we were pleased to find this warm, elegant restaurant with a neighborhood feel. All three of us ordered pasta and were very pleased. I had the trofie home made pasta genovese; my sister in law had the pasta with duck ragu and my brother had the rigatone with spicy sausage. All three selections were tasty and just large enough to share. Our favorite appetizer was a small skillet of mushrooms with warm goat cheese and honey. A Montepulciano went well with our meals. We shared one big tiramisu for dessert. The prices are not bad for the neighborhood and for the quality of the fare. I will return there the next time I am in New York.

We had dinner here after an event at The Guggenheim last week. It's a very short walk in a beautiful area. The food and service were both excellent!!!

On a recent visit to the city that I love, I could not stay away from this special restaurant! An attractive space with room between tables, a staff that is superb and delicious Italian food. I loved the attention given, the attractive clientele so first a quiet late dinner, then lunch and dinner again. Great neighborhood to explore Cynthia West Palm Beach

A beautiful space for this extra tasty real italien restaurant. No tourists around us , we felt we are in the right place at the right time. Everything , from the pasta and meat to the deserts , was wonderful.

We only sat outside and had a couple of glasses of wine at this restaurant, but the waiter (Carmine) was so nice to us! He also brought us a plate of fresh parm and olives which was absolutely delicious! If the small plate we had was indicative of the food on the main menu, it's probably awesome!

Terrible service or perhaps I should say no service at all. Massimo, who is a waiter prances around as though he were the owner. If you are young, and wearing all the proper labels he will faun all over you. Though there were many, many empty tables today I had only two choices. Sit in the gutter, which is out of the question or sit in the doorway of a store next door at a table that bears no resemblance to their tables. This is the third of fourth time I have given them a try at lunch. No more! Food is adequate. If you are lucky you might be able to get a pizza Margherita that isn’t burned! Quite costly but it is New York City and it is Madison Avenue. Perhaps if the service were better, friendlier, more pleasant the price would not matter

Paola’s never disappoints - it was jammed on a weekday evening and a tad noisy but the food is worth the din. The warm mozzarella to start and the caprino were delicious. The Sancerre white wine perfect. Good friendly service.

The food here is very good and it's good value but it gets noisy in here pretty fast, so not a place to go for an intimate dinner.

This elegant Italian restaurant is next door to our Hotel Wales, good choice to celebrate my birthday with family. We were grateful for the gluten free options along with delicious veal piccata. Dessert was flourless chocolate cake/vanilla gelato which included a candle & a song from the staff!

Paoli's was a truly wonderful and lovely experience ... from the warm reception to the service and superb meal! The next time we are in town, we will return assured we will have a repeat performance. Lovely!

My second visit to paola's and it was just as good as the first. The wait staff is excellent and very friendly. The food is outstanding. I had the pappardelle with duck ragu, a hearty flavorful dish that was delicious. The portion was small, but the taste made up for that. The grilled calamari appetizer is a must. Overall a very good dining experience.

Neighborhood restaurant,.. a very special neighborhood restaurant in a very special neighborhood, Carnegie Hill. It’s the very upper east side on Madison Avenue close to Museum Mile, but you would never know it. There is nothing on the menu that I wouldn’t recommend but I particularly like the seafood salad, the pappardelle with duck ragu, and the veal chop. When my wife was interviewing for a position at a hospital here I spent three days in the Wales Hotel and eat lunch here daily. Eight years later we still keep coming here.

I went here for the first time with friends last week. What a great neighborhood restaurant. It's cozy, but elegant. The wait staff is very well trained; efficient without being meddlesome. And the food was excellent! I had the Angel Hair Pasta Limone with Shrimp. It was delicious! And the lemon zest was jut the right amount. That said, it was a tad pricey. This place is "off the beaten path." No tourists or theater goers, just local New Yorkers who know where to find outstanding Italian food.

This is an old favorite. One of us lived above this restaurant when the eponymous owner and her brother opened it on East 85th Street many years ago. It has been in its current location for some time, but we had never been to Paola's since it moved. We decided to try to it again after many years. We were very pleased we did. First a note about our reservation. We went onto Open Table but the site showed our only options were very early or quite late. That afternoon, we called and had no difficulty booking a table, so don't rely on Open Table but call to see if you can reserve here. The restaurant is lively, and a bit noisy. We were seated promptly and drink orders taken. Bread came and was very good. The menu is extensive with pastas and meats. Paola was making her own pastas long before it became "a thing." The place is still at it. The pastas we had were all outstanding. You will not go wrong with pasta, either to begin the meal or as a main course. Other mains that were sampled among us were also excellent. The wine list is extensive, heavily focused on Italy, appropriately. We skipped dessert but enjoyed some grappa to bring the evening to a close. Our meal was well and professionally served. When we sought to go to Paola's it was in part an exercise in nostalgia for one of us, but the meal itself was anything but . . . . Our meal showed that our memories of the quality of the old Paola's were accurate and they are not memories but the contemporary reality. This remains many years after it started and years after it moved to larger quarters a fine restaurant. In New York, it probably qualifies as a good neighborhood spot (albeit in a very wealthy neighborhood, and it is priced accordingly), but almost anywhere else it would be one of the top tables in town. We would love to have something like it in Washington.

Paola's is a wonderful place. It is heaven for a gluten-free diner. The wait staff are experienced, knowledgeable, and friendly. The gluten-free pasta is excellent. The Caesar salad was terrific and FRESH. The Pino Grigio was superb. Highly recommended

This is our regular restaurant for birthdays etc because it consistently delivers extremely good food. The fried baby artichokes are sublime. Last night I had the duck breast with truffles and it was fabulous. I am so glad they are in our neighborhood.

We sat with friends at a table outdoors. Service was attentive but not overbearing. The food was uniformly delicious. My agnolotti al tartufo, veal and spinach filled ravioli was very flavorful and robust. Our friends ordered the Bronzino e vignarola, which they said was beautifully prepared and delicious. As it was a Wednesday evening, we were able to catch up with old friends, and the staff was gracious about our relaxed pace. Try it, you'll be pleased.

Attracted by the reviews we went to lunch in this restaurant, very kind staff especially nice guy with Sicilian origins who welcomed us. We ate well, the only thing I can criticize is the mint in pasta to the norm, but everything else was delicious, especially the desserts, delicious!

A great place to have dinner. Cozy atmosphere, effficient service, delicious plates. From the moment you enter the restaurant till the moment you leave you feel that everything is as it should. We recommend this place to all. You will relly enjoy it.

While the new(er) location is cozy and cute, our meal was a pretty unimpressive one. The lentil soup was ok, but bland, and the chicken Milanese was extremely tough. My husband did enjoy his pasta dish, but indicated it was nothing special. The menu is also EXTREMELY limited if you don’t eat pork. The male servers were fine, but the woman of Latinx descent was wonderful. While I get that everything is expensive these days, Paola’s really takes advantage. $10 for a Peroni? $35 for an overdone piece of chicken? Absurd. It’s highly unlikely we’ll be back.

Wow! Did not expect such great food! We had a Caesar salad and a burratta appetizer...both delicious. Entrees of simple pasta with tomato sauce an onions and the eggplant parm were excellent! A shared gelato dessert was also good. Even the Cosmo I had was great. Definitely a winner!

The very definition of a wonderful neighborhood Italian restaurant. Terrific pastas (try the pappardelle with duck ragu or wild boar ragu, or the amatriciana or the spicy sausage), veal scaloppine, veal chop and other traditional, heart warming Italian dishes. And they deliver!

Great neighborhood Italian spot. Had a single dinner at the bar and couldn't have been happier. Vibrant and full of locals. I'll definitely be back!

We had a drink at the bar while we waited for the rest of our party and the drinks were great. The glassware at the bar was heavy and bulky but the drinks were great. Once seated our salad, entree & desserts were AWESOME and the service was top notch! We did feel a little rushed to leave once we were finished. All in all we had a great experience at Paola's.

This wonderful restaurant consistently serves delicious food in a space with tremendous character. What a treat to come here several times a year! You will not be disappointed with any dish from starters to desserts. Only downside might be a dinner for two which is way too close to the next table. Not a venue for a confidential conversation or romantic night out, but for anything else it's well worth a visit.

A great Italian restaurant which we were eagerly wanting to go and finally got to go. It is a bit off midtown in the UES in the 90s, but worth the ride. The place is a large corner building with very high ceilings. Well decorated with nice tables although too close to each other, and you can hear your neighbor's conversation. It is noisy so people talk loudly. The food was.very good. We started with a nice Italian wine Dolcetto D'Alba and ordered the polpettine and the caprino, both appetizers, which very good. The carpino mushrooms were spectacular. As main dish to share we ordered linguine ala console, delicious. The little clams were well cooked, not chewy, and very tasty. The pasta was excellent. Everything fairly priced. We will go back to try other dishes in the menu.

Went there whilst rounding around the Madison Upper East side. Average Menu in terms of variety, extremely expensive, no value. Good service Don't really reccomend

hands down one of the best italian restaurant in New york city. Great selection of classic italian dishes without all the bells and whistles. high quality ingredients and fantastic service. Don't hesitate. GO!

My husband and I had just arrived for a business meeting and were staying at a small hotel nearby. Since we did not know the cab drive time at rush hour, we did not make reservations for dinner. Walked over to Paola's and though they were quite busy, they seated us within ten minutes. The creative spin on traditional Italian food was excellent. Service was snappy. I would just say that the quarters are crammed! If you are looking for a romantic dinner, this would not be the place. Hard to hear even across the table and the guests seated next to you are as close as any dinner companion would be.

With a lovely atmosphere and nice menu, this Carnegie Hill establishment is frequented by locals and travelers alike. Great service! Has a very nice bar. Ask for a table by the window for a more intimate feel.

Brunch was nice on Sunday. We were trying to avoid traffic congestion midtown during the Puerto Rican day Parade. So we found "Paola" to meet our out-of-town friends. It was the perfect locale. Quiet on a summer Sunday! We chose to stay indoors. Place was not busy and we could have a pleasant conversation I would say it attracts a more mature and demure audience. Not your hip and fancy place. More like your neighborhood hangout. They have outdoor tables as well. Service was courteous. Coffee almost as good as in Italy and my French Toast dish prepared to my satisfaction. I guess pouring maple syrup on anything makes it yummy!!! As for drinks, their Bellini's were so so. I recommend that they make them with fresh peach purée since peaches are in season. Just sayin...

We went while we were on vacation in NYC because it was recommended by friends of friends who live in the area. It was very busy and crowded on a Thursday night. It was very loud but there were outside tables and it was a pleasant evening. We would not recommend it for a quiet dinner. The menu was extensive and everything we tried was very good. The menu and the wine were a little expensive but probably normal for NYC upper east side.

Some of the waiters could so with a refresher course but the rest of them and the food more than make up for it. Very homely, great bar, big selection of delicious specialties.

Never go there. Mediocre food, terrible service. We went early before going to a show. There were only 6 diners besides us. They never came by to check if we needed anything, then it took 25 minutes to get the check. They kept saying their system was down. When the check finally arrived, they didn’t adjust the bill in any way, didn’t even comp the appetizer. Worst dining experience ever in NYC!!

Festive, beautiful room. Nice atmosphere, just the right amount of sound. Meals are reliable, well presented, and delicious. Menu could use some sprucing up every now and then. Excellent wine selection, reasonably priced. I like the Branzino, lemon and asparagus pasta, arugula salad, and roman artichokes. If young children bother you, avoid Fridays and Saturdays at 6-8pm.

The appetizers are simply delicious. My favorites are the mushrooms, mozzarella, insalata di barbe and meatballs. I haven't tried the rest but they're probably great. Entrees: grilled shrimp over corn and arugula is my go to dish. Any of the homemade raviolis are incredible.

We have been having dinner at Paola's many times and it was very good. However n Sunday night my friend got very sick with food poisoning from her salmon. A phone call to the manager Armando to complain was very upsetting. He told me "anyone could call and say they got food poisoning" and " Maybe your friend is allergic to salmon". Why on earth would she order salmon if she was allergic to it? All in all his response was defensive and rude and he did not offer any compensation . I don't know if we will ever go back after that.

One of the few remaining “civilized” restaurants, Paola’s is an upscale respite for those of us who are over 30. With many locals dining there regularly, there is a warm but not clubby vibe. The menu is extensive, covering several pages. Having dined and celebrated many occasions at Paola’s, my family intends to go back many times in the future.

Cute white table cloth looking restaurant near the Wales hotel. We stopped for appetizers and drinks and sat at the bar. Great wine list, even by the glass. New inside, lots of windows and light. Great spot!

We had dinner with friends at Paola's on a Tuesday and boy, was it packed. We had to wait 45 minutes for our table, which is perhaps a bit too long. The food was good Americanised Italian. My Brüssel sprouts salad was interesting. The bis of pasta was ok, but perhaps a bit overcooked. The restaurant seems to have a great following from locals who seem to adore it. Book well in advance

We visited this restaurant based on the strength of the menu and reviews and were not disappointed. The pastas, wine, desserts were delicious, innovative without being ostentatious and service was attentive and timely. The restaurant was packed for a late Sunday evening by what looked like many regulars. I will count myself among them soon enough. Do not miss this gem, it is a hit.

exellent service and great food tasting ,, fresh pasta delicius ,, i order duck breast ,, was a perfect cooked ,,, delicius dessert

This is a nice looking restaurant with a red rose on top of each table. I started off with the combined Beef & Pork Meatballs (3) with a savory tomato sauce, ricotta and pecorino cheese, delicious. For My main course I had the Cornish Hen. I have had delicious Cornish Hens elsewhere, where it was served juicy. Here, it is slightly moist, but not as flavorful as the others.

Although the room is beautiful and formal, the first and lasting impression you get at Paola’s is that this is a family run operation: you are showed to your table by a young woman dressed like she woke up late for an 8 am class. Other members of the extended family float in and out holding animated discussions at the bar. Don’t be fooled: this amateurish opening is a total misdirect from the world class food served at Paola’s. High end ingredients deliciously served at moderate prices make Paola’s one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten in and their kitchen is well worth a detour to its UES location. Nominally Italian, our meal had no pasta or red sauce. There are many, many pasta dishes to choose from and next time we may try them. Our first visit, dinner, however, consisted of the shell steak special, served with sautéed spinach and roasted potatoes; and, the grilled shrimp entree, served over grilled corn kernels. Our shared app was the watermelon tomato salad with balsamic. One glass of Malbec, a side of grilled asparagus, coffee, and, one dessert, an absolutely delicious stewed fig/ice cream composition completed our tour of the menu. Price: under $200 incl. tax and tip (for two). Service is energetic and we were fortunate that one of the staff kept a particularly close eye on our table. We didn’t want to leave but DaVinci’s St. Jerome at the Met beckoned. We can’t wait to return.

When you find a restaurant like Paola's you keep going because the food is always delicious, and never a disappointment. The space is very pleasing, and the staff is always friendly. On our many visits, we have had some variability on the quality of the table service. Additionally, Paola's is far better for parties of three or more since the two person seating is very cramped and you end up sharing your conversation with patrons on both sides! That being said, it is always a pleasure to dine here. Families are well accommodated as the atmosphere is more casual than some of Manhattan's higher end restaurants.

I have eaten lunch several times at Paola's and the food and the service have always been top rate. It is a large space, so there is no problem getting a table at lunch time without a reservation.

My family and I have been coming here for several years and the food is always superb. Not to mention the wonderful wait staff and service. I have been fortunate enough to travel to the finest restaurants and hotels in the world - and I can tell you that the food here is just as good - or better. You will not be disappointed. If you love fine Italian cuisine, a lovely atmosphere and a friendly, efficient wait staff - look no further. Enjoy - Debbie K.

Popular Upper East restaurant that offers italian food at its very best. Although crowded still a pleasant atmosphere. We tried the di barbe sallad and the pasta cavatelli alla barese together with a good wine. Very tasty and perfectly spiced. The service was also very good. This is a restaurant worth visiting again.

Nice neighborhood restaurant that has a tendency to be very noisy because of the hard surfaces. Nice local crowd. Good kitchen. Waiters are in a hurry and they rush you........sort of like an old fashioned deli. By the way, it's not a bargain and there are more enjoyable places to go in the neighborhood. Again, good food but an only "fair" experience

The physical space of this restaurant is a bit imposing as it is one huge room with very high ceilings. Thus it is a noisy place and the tables are quite close to each other. Thus it is not a place for a quiet dinner, whispering sweet nothings to each other. It is a place for an energetic meal that is consistently good. A recent Friday night revealed the place to be packed for dinner. Both the meatball and chicken liver appetizers are great, and could actually make a meal with an additional salad. The poached fig dessert blows the rather tasteless tiramisu away.

We found Paola's while walking by and are glad we did! We were served immediately without reservations even though it was quite busy. The service was attentive and professional. It's was late so we ordered a light dinner calamari to share, tomato-watermelon salad(best ever!) and pasta bolognese. Finished with variety of delicious desserts. It had such a friendly vibe with happy people of all ages that seemed to know each other. No pretensions and fantastic, fresh food!

This is a pretty decent Italian restaurant which does not serve your traditional red sauce meals. We are repeat customers but have been turned off by the miniscule small tables for two lined up with mere inches between. The service can be attentive and nice one moment, and absent the next. The noise levels after 7 are horrible. If this is your scene great. If not ,don't go, or do what we've done Our answer is to get there before 5:30 when it's more civilized and quiet. If you are a twosome, ask for a larger table when making a reservation. They usually accommodate this request when you come in early. For larger parties table sizes are OK and more well spaced, altho there is still a high noise level after 7.

Professional, white table cloth, and Carnegie hill standard. The waitstaff was excellent-- though a very busy and noisy Saturday night -- a waiter who wasn't ours helped us. Given prices and menu I expected the Brussel sprouts and cauliflower croquettes to have much more flavor. The pasta was fine. I'll go again.

Least expensive lunch dish over $20. Now they have outdoor tables. Otherwise noisy as are most NYC restaurants.

My husband loves eating at the bar at Paola's which is fine by me as the acoustics are quite noisy so at least by sitting right next to him, we can have a conversation. All the food is quite good and the servers are all very nice. For pasta, their rigatoni with sausage and mushrooms is delicious. I love their beet salad with hazelnuts and goat cheese, and also their tuna tartar. Haven't had their duck in awhile but last time that I had it, it was also delicious.I deducted one star due to the noise level. It's actually quieter eating outside even with the buses going by on Madison Avenue.

Dark paneled walls, low-noise level, and excellent Italian food makes Paola's a good bet for a lovely evening out. The clientele is mostly local, well-heeled Carnegie Hill residents yet the restaurant is not stuffy or pretentious. The locals are out for a nice evening in their neighborhood. You might even spot a celebrity as I did one of the nights I was there. Dishes I've enjoyed there were the pappardelle with duck ragu, hearty flavorful dish, the excellent endive and watercress salad, and the very good chicken Milanese. It is even fun to sit at the bar if you don't take a table.

We had a late lunch here (330pm) and it was quiet and service was great. We shared all plates including lobster salad, calamari, prosciutto, and pastas and each dish was superb. Would highly recommend the pasta with mushroom and truffle shavings. Just superb. The lobster salad was also amazing. Walking distance to Guggenheim museum

Paola's is an Italian restaurant (as one would presume from the name) located in the same block as the Hotel Wales, where we were staying. The ambience is very pleasant, with orange roses on every table all year around. The food was delicious, so we ate there twice. The first time was for dinner, the second for lunch. For lunch I had vitello tonnato, which is surprisingly not often found even in Italian restaurants. It was just what I was hoping for. My wife had spaghetti pomodoro & basilico, which was equally good. Including a glass of wine, the tab came to $70 before tip.

The food is very very good, and the service is impeccable. However, the room has a very high ceiling, and when it's crowded, the noise level makes it difficult to hear your dining companions.

We arrived at 10AM on Sunday and so had a very different experience from the few negative reviews. Friendly attentive staff, but the treat was the authentic Italian cooking for brunch. I had poached eggs with truffled mushrooms and polenta. Excellent mushrooms with real shavings of black truffle, not just a flavored oil. And the polenta could not have been better, with its creamy texture under the sautéd mushrooms. My partner loved the french toast, but there were a variety of interesting salads, pastas and choices not normally found on a brunch menu. We were in the Carnegie Hill neighborhood and happy to find such good cooking on Madison. Wouldn't travel to find this place but will return when in the neighborhood.

We had a late lunch for two at this pleasant Italian restaurant. We were placed outside. It wasn't busy at all. There must have been more waiters than customers but it still took a full 5 minutes before we were even offered a menu and when we were our waiter was brusque and disinterested. The food was good (8/10 for both my pasta and my wife's pizza). I ordered an Americano coffee and got a stale brew coffee. Some of the staff were pleasant but our waiter just couldn't be bothered. A bit disappointing really.

What a fantastic experience! The food was great, I loved my calamari, the others had salads, (beet, tomato, and ceasar) and judging from the empty plates they were equally happy. I had the special pasta with black truffles, it was great, but I also gazed enviously at my friends duck. She did not offer to share since she didn't want to miss a bite. Desserts lived up to the rest of the meal, my tiramisu was perfect, not soggy with coffee, but a lovely Melvin of flavors and very fresh tasting. The bread service (complimentary) included two different fresh wonderful breads. Portion sizes are European. Just right, but not large, there are unlikely to be leftovers. Best of all was the service. Attentive but unobtrusive. We were there with friends whom we had not seen for a long time. We arrived at 6:30...and left after 10! We were not rushed, it felt as though we were in Italy, and as though we were honored guests. We will be back!

Food was excellent. Service was great! I ordered the Pasta alla Genovese. It was truly delicious- reminiscent of my Genoese grandmother’s cooking. The restaurant is very small- tables are packed close together, but we were comfortable. Highly recommend!

This nice-enough upscale neighborhood Italian restaurant in sleepy Carnegie Hill serves competent but otherwise unremarkable food, at jaw-dropping prices. For those staying in the area (for museums, mostly) and willing to do a bit of research and take a cab will find far better Italian fare for far more reasonable prices.

I love their Italian food very tasty and will a unique flavour , the dessertwas my favorite Tartufo which i love so much , excellent place to enjoy the great food with family or friends

I was referred to this restaurant by a friend of mine.Being of Roman descent and having lived there for several years I was anxious to try it. We arrived there on a Sunday evening at 5 . The hostess seated us next to a wooden post where they also keep the spare chair. We overlooked that and ordered the prosciutto and mozzarella antipasti which were good. Next came the cacio e Pepe and the bucatini all' amatriciana. The pasta dishes were excellent and authentic. The reason for the rating was the non existent service. It took 15 minutes for the waiter to appear for our drink order. Mind you there were maybe 20 patrons at the time so they were far from busy. With the exception of the busboy we never saw our waiter until the dishes were served.Nobody ever came over to ask us if we were enjoying our dinner.Maybe we were not dressed to their liking or they only cater to the regulars. We paid as everyone else and no reason to be snubbed like this. I really wanted to love this restaurant but will not return.

Had lunch with a friend and we had four different dishes. All of them delicious and fresh. Very friendly staff with good knowledge of dishes. Do try the artichokes! Best to make a reservation too

Stopped here for a drink on the way to an evening event and returned for dessert. Sat at the bar and enjoyed a couple appetizers and some well-crafted cocktails.

We went as a family of 4 and the bill was $300.00. For $14.00 I was served about 1 ounce of arugula with a small slice of cheese. You couldn't even call it a side salad. The fried artichokes were delicious and large, But there were only three on the plate and they had the audacity to charge $18.00. Our third appetizer also $18.00 was the burrata cheese special. The cheese was not fresh and tasted sour. All the pasta entrees were small, ordinary and extremely over priced. I would never eat here again. So disappointing. On a positive note, the wait staff was friendly and very attentive

Awesome little Italian restaurant you won't want to miss. Fabulous service and amazing food. Every course was fantastic and such attentive staff. The owner must have checked on us four times during dinner just to make sure everything was perfect. Loved our meal, the setting and the service. Can't wait to come back

New Years day and we were looking for a great place to eat before the Grandkids and Parents left for home. Paola's was a great choice. The food was beautifully prepared, service great and an excellent selection of foods and wine. We took on the waiters suggestion of an entrée to share and was very happy we did. This is NOT a family restaurant at first look, but I'm sure that can accommodate. Well worth booking in advance as they get busy at Dinner Service.

Tables are close together and service is efficient, often to the point of briskness, but the food delivers! Simple arugula salad with ribbons of Parmesan was perfectly dressed and the agnolotti with veal and spinach and some black truffle on top were sublime! My husband enjoyed his artichokes and the gnocchi with veal ragu were delicious. Definitely make a reservation as this place seems to always be filled!

With friends and family we went to this family-run restaurant on 91st and Madison. It came highly-recommended and it certainly lived up to our expectations. The atmosphere is warm, the waiters are attentive and the food is excellent. And while the prices are a tad on the high side, the outlay is very much worth it. The veal is exquisite but do leave room for the tiramisu!

Nice neighborhood restaurant that is very noisy because of the hard surfaces. We reserved for 8pm and it wasn't until 9pm that noise level dropped to a comfortable level. Were we to go back, we'd reserve for 9pm. Nice local crowd. Good kitchen. Service is adequate. By the way, it's not a bargain. We don't live in the neighborhood so we're not likely to return for a while

We checked out Paola's on a busy Monday evening. Busy Monday? Yes - and that's the point. The dining room was nearly full of apparently happy customers. The place had a great buzz about it, so we stayed, happy that we had a table booked. The cuisine is classic Italian - excellent classic Italian. Excellent pasta dishes. Roman Jewish artichokes - one of my all time favorites. Enough veal dishes to keep anyone happy. We did our best to avoid the tempting desserts. Good wine list as well as "by the glass" choices. All the time we were in the midst of what appeared to be a heavily local, neighborhood crowd - people who know what they like and have been enjoying Paola's for a long time. It's a good sign. We were happy and will go back soon.

A friend invited me to lunch at Paola's. I am a lifelong New Yorker and did not know this gem of an Italian restaurant existed. The dinning room is spacious and bright. The menu includes specials of the day and a wide variety regular menu. The waiters were friendly, non-intrusive, and competent. The food was scrumptious. I had grilled salmon. Bread was plentiful and delicious. I highly recommend this establishment.

Went in quite late on a Friday night with no reservation but they got us in after a couple of minutes wait, very glad we did. All the meals were excellent and my gluten free spaghetti bolognese was especially nice. Very friendly staff and the whole place had a good vibe about it. Would have gone back more often but felt we should give other places in NYC a chance for the rest of the week!

For a neighborhood restaurant Paola's feels like a more special place, and that's very nice! The service is very good and so is the food. We found a couple bottles of wine (Greco di Tufo) that were not excessively priced. Burrata carried the day for our first course, and very good. We enjoyed a variety of entrees: salmon, Bolognese and lamb. All were nicely prepared, tasted delicious and left us with just enough room to enjoy some great desserts. You won't feel rushed here, and you'll enjoy the ambience of a confident restaurant in the mid-90s.

i had an amzing octopus salad. it was cooked to perfection! there pastas are very good too....the service is quick and friendly

Paola's is a lovely room --- a local gem. Service is very accommodating. However, for a white tablecloth restaurant, it is surprising noisy.....but the food is excellent, so let's not quibble.

Good but not great. Certainly not much in the way of house-made pasta or an inspired Italian wine list. Was hoping to find a "real" New York neighborhood experience but instead found the food and atmosphere to be very average. Will keep looking! Service was good but not terribly attentive.

We want there with our grandchildren who love real pasta.We ordered the veal Milanese , which was great! The service was great, everybody was trying to make all of us happy all the time. the Pino grigio was very good. We will come back!!!

Thought that the food was outstanding especially the fried artichokes a Roman speciality. The main courses of pasta with veggies, veal tomato and lamb shank with polenta were quite good but not exceptional. We all had zabaglione with fresh berries and an Italian sweet sherry. As a nice end to the meal. An excellent choice for terrific northern Italian food in manhattan.

We had fun at Central Park and the kids were getting hungry. We found this little restaurant. Four different pasta dishes, all fantastic. No further comment. No doubt, a recommendation

Great location, imitation of Italian food - overpriced - nice wine selection however very poorly informed staff. Find a different lunch place.

The hostess sat us at a table near a column. The restaurant was fairly empty when we got there. I guess this was the start of what was to come. The service was horrible. I had to flag the waiter to get another glass of wine, took even longer to take our order. When our dinner arrived, do you think the waiter would come back to see if everything was okay or ask if we needed anything? Did not happen!!!! The only attentive person was the bus boy. That is why it was reflected in our tip. Do yourself a favor and don't go there.

We visited here with an elderly relative who was extremely rude and demanding of the staff. Every person was kind and tried to satisfy her demands. We were very appreciative of Staff’s kindness. More importantly, the spaghetti with asparagus and lemon zest was Fantastic! We will be back (without our relative). Thank you Paola’s.

They gave us a dinner at this splendid restaurant because my sisters had been there and the owner is from where I am. Hospitality like never before, and when you are on the other side of the world it is even more beautiful. Romolo was an exceptional host and the dishes were excellent with exceptional wine pairings. Absolutely worth a visit.

NYC pricing but very fresh very good pasta tasted home made! Very tasty food and desserts. Very friendly wait staff.

We used to go to Paola's when it was a lovely smallish restaurant at a different location, where you could have very tasty Italian fare, meet the owner, have an enjoyable evening at a reasonable price. That was, apparently, years ago. This Paola's is a big restaurant catering to the not too discriminating Upper East Side crowd. It is clearly very popular. The six of us each ordered the full three course dinner with two bottles of Toscana wine. I had the chicken liver starter, which was awful. Then the pappardelle with lamb. There was hardly any pasta in the small bowl it came in with chunks of tasteless pieces of lamb. One of us ordered the salmon dish, which they failed to bring together with the others. No exaggeration: it took more than five minutes to bring her salmon, which was not cooked as she had asked. So it had to go back to the kitchen. The tiramisu I had was acceptable. The bill for two came to more than two hundred.

Paola's is one of the best restaurants in New York, upper east side. Dinner last night was great, from calamari and Caesar salad to the salmon and homemade pasta with marinara. Terrific wine not too outrageous in price, and wonderful waiter. Got everything right! Ambience just perfect crowded but not unbearable. Highly recommend, Nancy and Morey of NJ

Paola's offers a warm and inviting ambience and delicious food from starters to dessert. The staff are all highly professional, and remember their guests from one visit to the next. You will thoroughly enjoy anything you order. A highly recommended treat!

Average food. Very slow, neglectful service. My wife was quite clear and I agree.. we shall never return.

This is an excellent neighborhood restaurant with quality delicious food. From simple pastas to delicious fish, chicken, and meat dishes. The neighborhood vibe is nice too - lots of families and couples. But take note that the prices are not cheap.

Attractive, small restaurant that has been there a while. Drawbacks are it is tiny, tables close together and very noisy. Plus - the food is good, the service professional and the place is nicely decorated. The flan, called something else, was very good as was the mushroom appetizer. The appetizer menu is extensive and if you are not a big eater just order appetizers. More than enough to eat.

After reading so many good reviews on here, decided to take visit with a party of five last minute. We did not have reservations but they were kind enough to set up another table outside. All five dishes were delicious and perfectly cooked. I had the salmon dish which was excellent. The rest of the party had different pasta dishes. We did have desserts... the chocolate flourless cake, chocolate mousse and the seasonal berries. All delightful! The service was high quality and the staff was very attentive, professional and happy. We are staying in NYC for the week and would definitely return before we leave.. but make a reservation first :-)

We stopped in at Paola's close to 9:30 after attending a play. Although we didn't have reservations, we were given a nice table. Service was professional and warm. Although we had only a pasta course (delicious!) and wine, we were made to feel comfortable and welcome. A large group of young women arrived after us and I noted how efficiently they were served, all ordering different drinks and different course combinations. I claim no expertise in Italian food, but this was certainly a delicious and pleasant evening.

My wife and I walked into Paola's on a weekday night. Even though the restaurant looked pretty full, they found a table for us without any wait. The restaurant is pretty small and the noise level is a little high. It looks always crowded and lively. My wife had Ravioli and I had Branzino on the special menu. The food was fine, and service was good. But I think there are better restaurants in the neighborhood.

This is a wonderful find in the upper east side. Although the menu is limited, our group of six found more than enough choices. The portion sizes were generous, and the food was delicious, so we all tried each other's picks. Every one was a winner. The service was exceptional. Plus, it has a beautifully stocked bar.

Paola's is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in NYC, and better yet, it is in the neighborhood! It's a wonderful warm space, great fresh food (homemade pasta, fish, meats), and a lovely wine list that is reasonably priced. On top of that, the service is friendly and very efficient. Here is what I would recommend ordering: the octopus starter, the fungi pasta, the Tuscan lamb, finished with a cheese cake accompanied by marinated cherries. And after all that, a wonderful, and yes, I mean wonderful, grappa.

While Italian restaurants are often a dime a dozen in major cities, it’s rare to get a meal that is truly prepared with delicacy and attention to detail. Paola’s menu is worth traveling out of your neighborhood for and a great off the normal beaten path restaurant that will make you happy you came. The home made pasta, fresh fish and meat dishes and even offering vegetarian/vegan options make this a place worth bring friends, family and loved ones.

Since the last time I visited here, is the wait staff has gotten much friendlier and much more attentive. The food in my opinion has improved since. Love the eggplant Parmegan that they specialize in on Sundays

Paola's is named for chef-owner Paola Bottero, who not surprisingly serves outstanding Italian food. Paola is assisted by her son Stefano, her manager and business partner, and they work very well together.The restaurant has moved twice since starting out in 1983,but has always stayed on the Upper East Side. Paola's first venue was a tiny place on East 83rd Street, then moved a block away. The restaurant is now in spacious quarters on Madison Avenue, and is always full. You always need a reservation. Paola is originally from Rome, and her family roots are from Liguria, an area on Italy's western flank near Genoa. In addition to its seafood and scenic towns, Liguria is known for its superb seafood. Naturally she has pasta, but the pasta wiith vongole (little clams) is superb. Seafood salad is dressed beautifully, and the veal shank is matchless. Octopus (polpo) at Paola's is always tasty, never rubbery. Try the branzino, which is very subtly spiced and always fresh. The restaurant has lovely high ceilings and plenty of windows, so you don't feel dark or claustrophobic. Service is attentive, and the wine list is well chosen. I have known Paola for years, but in this case I don't think her operation has ever been better. She even offers take out.

The Calamari was great. The Saltimbocca Alla Romana was delicious. Service for the most part was very good. The only glitch is that the waiter didn't give a serving spoon for the Calamari. The Cannoli was a little too sweet for my taste. But I would definitely go to Paola's Restaurant again