Risotteria Melotti NYC Reviews

I’ve walked past this place about 500 times and always intended to try it. Finally I made it there last week and really enjoyed it. I’m not going to totally rave about it as I thought is was really good but not excellent. I got the Risotto all pescatore and although it was tasty, the fish was really rubbery and over cooked. The good news is that they have great wines and great selections and my friends mushroom risotto tasted better than mine, so I would go back and try something else. The service was quite slow but in a very nice non rushed way, so make time to enjoy this cosy little gem.

Fifteen kinds of risotto are offered. In addition there's antipasti, insalate, and dessert. Small, very friendly place that has recently opened. It's a keeper! Excellent food, service. The night we were there the other diners were mainly Italian--and that's a sign of how special this place is.

For the few of you reading my reviews of East Village restaurants, my daughter moved here this fall 2014. We love eating, and living in East Village provides soooo many choices, within walking distance. This weekend visiting her, we have a craving for Italian food. So after a terrible experience at SUPPER last night, it was refreshing to come here to RISOTTERIA MELOTTI. First, the olive oil for the bread was amazingly fresh. The house red I ordered was very very good; like our trip to Italy with the great house wines. We ordered the black truffle risotto and requested they add mixed mushrooms (you could see the generous shaved truffles); and the scallops with pureed basil and parmigiano cheese. I have to admit that I wanted the truffle risotto so we shared. Mmmmm! If you have been to Milan, Italy and have experienced how insanely good their risotto is, then you must come to RISOTTERIA MELOTTI! Not only is the interior nicely decorated, my daughter noticed the Italian warmth and friendliness of our server just like when we were in Italy this past summer for 2 weeks. We told our server that the truffle risotto was (almost) as good as the risotto in Milan (pretty damn close). She happens to be from Milan, and understood what we meant! Our other server was also Italian. It really felt like we were back in Italy!! We had to pass on the dessert tonight, but did have a fabulous espresso! Here's a bonus: it is gluten free! AND organic! RISOTTERIA MELOTTI, MOLTO BENE!! We will be back!

If you're in a "Risotto Mood", this is the place to go! Obviously, there are some other foods available, but risotto is the main thrust. And it is wonderful. You can choose from many different treatments of the risotto - some a bit more involved than others - but they're all delicious. The only drawback to the restaurant, as is true of so many other NYC restaurants, is that you end up sitting about two inches away from the next table. You can't move your arms very wildly, but you may be privy to some wild conversations from nearby tables!

Delicious gluten free food and drinks!!! The atmosphere is also amazing!! I loved the calamari! Obviously the risotto is incredible!! I can't wait to go back!!

Think the place and the atmosphere are good but we just didn't like the food. Not very Italian, more Italian American style. Risotto with prosciutto was super salty and the one with gorgonzola was with too many walnuts. On top of all this place is super pricy!

I am from Italy. I ate a mushroom risotto, excellent quality! Coffee as good as in Italy! Tutto ottimo!! Gentili. Grazie

Gluten free paradise! This was an exceptional meal: we enjoyed fried calamari, arancini di riso, avocado salad and of course a wonderful risotto dish. Everything is gluten free and there was not one thing we didn’t like. Looking forward to coming back!

Ate here with a group. Given the seating, it is better for small groups or couples. The main seating area is a bench along one wall with tables and chairs across from it. The service was polite and efficient. Though small the kitchen did a good job getting the food out. We ate here due to food restrictions of one of our party. This restaurant is completely gluten free. As an Italian restaurant, they key in on risotto and other rice based options. We sampled many of the apps, and all were very good, especially the rice balls and the fritto misto. For lighter fare, their salad we fresh and a nice portion. As expected, the bread was a bit rubbery and not sure I enjoyed the rice cakes. Other than that, the only down side was the wine list. It was a bit limited and the house wine selections were not very good. If you need a gluten free place or are in the mood for risotto this would be a great stop.

Had lunch there this afternoon with other students from an Italian language class (instructor's choice). The risotto offerings were very substantial. Mine had sausage and peppers with cherry tomatoes. Other options were duck breast, shrimp, ham, speck, asparagus, raddicio...many with a variety of Italian cheeses. Salads were on the menu as possible side options. House and premium wines were available by the glass, as well as the bottle. I had pino grigio, which was very tasty....not at all bitter or acidic. The restaurant fronts a pleasant side street of the East Village....a very quiet and gentle space to sit in, particularly on a sunny day (colorful flowers from the window box make the street look like a stage set for a romantic film). Kitchen is open, so you can see the chef work his magic. The owner also runs a similar restaurant in Verona, Italy, so the style of the cooking is Veronese.

Excellent dinner and very professional and kind staff! Must try...recommended for anyone visiting this part of NYC!!!

I am an italian who travels a lot for work, and rarely eats italian food abroad. Disillusionment is almost bound to come. Even when the recipe is scrupolously followed, it takes just a small difference in the ingredients to make the dish not the same. Risotteria Melotti was an unexpected surprise. Mind you, do not expect the usual "italian" menu that you probably have in mind. The Melottis serve only rice-based dishes, with products straight from their farm south of Verona. I found the tradition respected at its fullest. "Risotto all'Isolana" is exactly the same as you'd taste in the country fair of the village that gave it its name, Isola della Scala. The sauce is just as if Mamma Rosetta had prepared it herself in the morning. Nicely matched with the wine, also of the area, a "Ripasso della Valpolicella". They also serve non-traditional dishes. I had a taste of their Risotto with lemon and shrimps, it has a twist in it that deserves more than a try (match it with a Lugana or a Soave, I promise you won't regret it). Cristina and Giulia have been fantastic hostesses, they welcomed me with the great smile I recognize in the people proud to show the fruit of their family's hard work. An authentic italian meal, in a place that felt like home.

Hidden on East Fifth Street in the East Village, is a small but wonderful risotteria, Risotteria Melotti. The Melotti family owns a farm in Italy and they use their own products in the restaurant. They sell the rice and rice pastas on the right side in the front of the restaurant, in case you want to take some home. As far as I can see, it is a gluten-free restaurant. They make their own rice bread and rice cakes which are really good. I have had the shrimp risotto and it was very tasty. They also have a brunch menu on the weekends and the omelettes come with great home fries. The salads are great. too. The decor is rustic. You must visit the ladies room, where the sink is a bucket with hole for the drain and the lampshade is a cheese grater.

Food was amazing. French friend polenta was spectacular. Everyone totally enjoyed their meal. Great atmosphere and company. A great night with a different twist. Highly recommend a meal fit you

Amazing italian food made by italians! The whole restaurant is gluten free but they don't advertise as such which means that their food, gluten free or not, is amazing :)

I was here on April 21st to celebrate my mother's birthday and I chose a Veronese restaurant to "feel at home" I booked months in advance to organize the birthday and everyone was very kind! We ate bruschetta, a mushroom risotto, my mother, and I an amarone risotto with Monte Veronese. Everything was excellent, it felt like eating on Isola della Scala. Well cooked risotto, vialone nano, and fresh products! Thanks to the waiter who "managed" the birthday with a Happy Birthday!!! My mother was very happy! Thanks a lot, guys!

We were recommended to eat here by my friend's mum who had eaten in the one in Milan, so we thought we'd check it out. We weren't disappointed, and were also surprised to see that they prided on being gluten free and had gluten free desserts! I had the vegetable risotto which actually came with plenty of vegetables, my friend had the basil risotto, and my boyfriend had the chicken one. We were all very happy, good portion sizes, tasty risotto - what's not to like? Restaurant was clean and tidy, wait staff friendly and helpful, and I didn't think it was that expensive. We shared the profiteroles, and the chocolate cake for dessert. The profiteroles were delicious and came with fresh strawberries, but the chocolate cake was a little too rich for me. You could tell they were made from gluten free products, but were still very tasty.

This fully gluten free place has amazing food with a focus on rice. Most of the dishes are rice based such as risotto and pasta. There are also some alternatives such as a burger, steak and salads for those that would like something else.

I am so happy we made reservations for Risotteria Melotti weeks before we left for NYC. This is a cute but very small restaurant that is 100% gluten free. I would make a reservation if you have 4 or more people. They only had two large tables that could fit 8 or 10 people, and those went quickly. Risotteria has this home made, cozy family feeling. Couple that feeling with yummy risotto, and we had the best winter meal while in NYC. Wine selection is great, and we had to make ourselves turn down appetizers so we would have enough room for dessert. Please make sure to get the little cream puffs. I never see gluten free cream puffs, so I had died and gone to heaven here.

First time ever to New York and we visited the nearby old Merchant's House Museum (worth the visit, if you're into history). We asked the lady curator for her favourite restaurant and she sent us to this Risotteria. How right she was ... risotto (the one with the vegetables and the one with the funghi) was excellent, as was the appetizer (eggplant-roles filled with ricotta cheese and tomato sauce). We even got a free taste of their new beetroot risotto. Our waitress (super friendly) talked English, French and Italian (the real thing) to us, which helped to create the full experience of the "real Italy" in the heart of Manhattan (not the "Little Italy"). On our last day, we went back to get another portion and had again a great experience! Hope they get their new resto in Rome started by next spring, so we'll be able to pay them a visit there!

If you like Risotto this is a great place. Good selection. Friendly service, great atmosphere and all in all a pleasant experience.

I was not a huge fan of risotto before experiencing the fare at Risotteria, but WOW they sure changed my mind. At first glance, I was shocked by the $20+ prices for a plate of rice. Yet, I left thinking who cares how much it cost, that was amazing! I opted for the al tartufo - risotto cooked with fresh black truffles and topped with a drizzle of truffle oil. As soon as the waiter set the the dish on the table in front of me, my olfactory senses were positively intoxicated (in the best way possible). Then, the waiter returned to the table to shave even more fresh truffle on top. I was in truffle heaven. My dining mates were equally as impressed with their vegetable and seafood risottos respectively. If you are a risotto fan (and maybe even if you are not) this place is definitely worth a try!

Very surprised to find the food cold, bland and unappetizing. I was looking forward to some comfort food such as a warm polenta dish but fried polenta looked like it was made hours before and just warmed up, It was tough and hard to cut with knife. Our risotto was not warm. Only desserts were excellent. Disappointing...

Loved it here, it's fabulous! We came here to celebrate my husband's birthday, it was wonderful. *The atmosphere is charming and the employees were personable, and knowledgeable about gluten-free. The team was so attentive, it felt so special. *It was celiac safe for me. No after effects. *We started with calamari, it was lightly breaded and served with a freshly prepared marinara, delicious! *My entree was alla pescatora, a black rice dish with tomato sauce, calamari, scallops, and shrimp. It's one of my favorite Italian dishes ever. It was creative and flavorful. *My husband enjoyed his entree, capesante, risotto with scallops and sundried tomatoes. It was very flavorful. * Dessert was also exceptional. We had profiteroles & nutella crepes. * I highly recommend dining here. *We will go back wherever we're in the area.

All gluten free, all ecological - and great risottos served by friendly and professional staff. Portions are just right, not the normal oversized American eat much, here you eat good and you wake away pleasantly satisfied (not stuffed). They also sell rice and rice based products from their Italian source (Melotti). Next time in New York, I'll be back!

As Italians we enjoyed the different approach and type of cuisine compared to other NYC venues. Interesting variety of risottos and attention to the problem of gluten and lactose free. However, the risottos are not cooked at the moment, in fact they were brought to us after only 10 minutes and were a bit 'burned. Quick and positive service but not optimal value for money, considering that it is still rice.

Crowded, happening spot - even on a Sunday evening - with a large selection of risotto dishes, including some that are adventuresome. We shared 5 different dishes and all the vegetarian ones were quite good, particularly the truffle dish. The omnivores among us thought the boar and duck dishes taste pretty much the same. The gorgonzola -walnut was the most interesting, in a good way. The little bit of focaccia they serve the table was not that great - the texture was all wrong, more cake-y than bread. The servings are also on the small side for the price, but the risotto is tasty!

With the full NYC vibe in effect, the staff and guests are top notch. Prepare for a wait at this intimate location...it's worth it! Try the calamari mushroom risotto -it's dairy free so it's the only time I'm able to eat it! The wine list is decent and there is a small selection of GF beer.

My husband and I an excellent experience here on a Friday night. I had risotto with scallops, basil, and sun-dried tomatoes. My husband had risotto with chicken, bacon, and asparagus. We split the prolifitoles for dessert. The food was delicious, and the portion sizes were perfect. We were not uncomfortably stuffed or hungry when we left. Service was prompt and courteous. I highly recommend making a reservation, as they were quite busy and there was a substantial line of people waiting when we left.

I am gluten free, so I was intrigued by the existence of this place. Everything was excellent, we had an appetizer and rissotto, and while all the desserts sounded excellent, I had the tiramisu because it is not every day I get to have gluten free tiramisu (unless I make it, and it doesn't even come close to this restaurant's tiramisu), and everything was delicious.

Ask coeliac, I often struggle to find a restaurant which caters for me. Going one step further, it is extremely rare to find a restaurant which is entirely 100% gluten free. This meant I was really excited to visit this restaurant and it did not disappoint. For starters, usually I have to ignore the bread on the table, however at Risotteria Melotti they have all gluten free breads made with rice flour alongside the most tasty rice cakes I've had. Such a treat! We both had risottos which were both great. I realise that the mains are meant to be the main event, however my most favourite course was dessert. Normally there aren't many options for me, let only any pastry so I was very excited when I saw the profiteroles on the menu. They were super tasty with a lovely chocolate sauce. Delicious! Great service, totally gluten free friendly. Highly recommended.

It has been a while I didn't show up there.A warm welcome,short line(the restaurant was full) and the beautiful Beatrice to highlight.Great food and wine experience,risotto con Amarone e Monte Veronese.Valpolicella Classico nicely combined. Grazie Beatrice,forza Hellas.

Have frequented this place since we found it. Works great for my wife who is gluten free. The place seems to always be sufficiently busy but never much wait. All risottos are delicious. Only annoyance is they rotate their menu with the season so there have been times I've gone back for something and it is gone... oh well, there are other great risottos.

Great rissotto dishes in cute intimate setting. Felt very genuine and real italian. Great for gluten free people!

Went here for dinner with some friends mid week. We didn't have a reservation but they managed to squeeze us in. We started with the Arancini of the day which did not disappoint and I followed this with an amazing Lemon and Shrimp Risotto. I rarely order risotto at a restaurant because it often disappoints - and now I can never order it again as its unlikely I will ever find a risotto quite as tasty, fresh and full of flavour as the one I had here. Highly recommend - suggest you book though as the place was packed.

This is a cozy little Italian family restaurant, apparently they also have locations in Italy and they grow the rice used in their food. They offer a number of different risottos, with the option to have rice-based pasta instead, and everything else is rice-based and gluten-free, including the bread and desserts (and you can even get a hamburger). We started with a delicious salad and an order of arancini, then tried two of their risottos. Very rich and generous servings, we could have split one; sadly, I was too full to try the tiramisu or the nutella crepe.

My wife tried a Risotto dish, even though she is avoiding carbs. It was worth it, she said. Very tasty. I We both tried the special soup of the day which was mushroom. Also, very tasty. I had a smoked salmon & cheese omelette. Usually I find omelettes are too well done for my taste, even when asking for it to be soft with no browning... but they made it perfectly. When the Italian speaking waiter didn't understand how I wanted it, he sent over the manager. This is quite a small restaurant with a rustic decor but we'd go again, if we were in the area. My wife even bought a few packets of rice based pasta to take home for our Gluten Free daughter. Everything in the restaurant if gluten free.

As a leading contributor to Trip Advisor it’s agree that I give a one star. We made a booking on Open Table for 7.45 on a Friday night. Arrived at 7.44 ….the waitress had just partially seated two people and it was obvious she had given away our table. She looked at the system and saw our reservation. Told us to wait 30 minutes and it was “the systems” fault! Seriously? She gave away our table. Really bad and not even an adequate apology. Would not return.

Went here with a friend who is celiac, and she could have everything on the menu! We started with their calamari, which was awesome. Didn't even miss the glutens/flour! And their risotto - oh, their risotto! I'm pretty sure songs have been written in praise of their food. We both loved our risottos! I have one with mushrooms, truffle and other yummy goodness. If I lived in NYC, I would visit weekly (or daily).

Cute little place for brunch. My friends recommend the omelettes but I ordered the black truffle risotto (which wasn't technically on the menu) and I have honestly failed to find more balanced and flavourful truffle risotto at 5 star hotels since.

My daughter is Celiac so she only can eat Gluten Free. We feasted on the meals and desserts. You would forget they are all GF! Truly the best hidden secret in NYC. Great ambiance, great food and even better price!!! PS. Bread basket included and reservations a must!!!!

You can believe me when I say how an authentic risotto should taste. I was born and raised in Italy in a region where risotto is a traditional dish. The Risotteria offer you classica and alternative risotto with a true Italian flavour. Bravi!

I consider myself a connoisseur of all things risotto and this is by far one of the best risotto dishes I had in my life! The menu had tons of options - seafood, meat and vegetarian and almost everything was gluten free. The restaurant is small, cozy and authentic - none of the get you in and out mentality. Even the Bellini was excellent. I recommend this place to anyone who loves the East Village and or Risotto. Truly amazing!

I might be a bit harsh because I have recently been to Italy traveling with my partner who is Celiac. We were given bread that was of a tapioca consistency (chewy) and rice cakes for the table. Gluten free bread from the grocery store would have been better. Most of us ordered the rice polenta appetizer. Not bad. We all ordered risotto for a main and it was OK. I had the truffle risotto. The texture of the rice was cooked perfectly but I wish there were more mushrooms. That was the case with the others. The protein was lacking. For the price I was expecting more. If you're timid about eating out and are Celiac then go here because everything is GF.

Voluptuous beyond belief is the Black Truffle Festival 2018 at Risotteria Melotti. Appetizers, main courses and, yes, even a desert, featuring summer black truffles from Umbria,each course on the menu paired with a lovely Italian wine that shows off the dish. Appetizer: shaved truffles, grilled Italian zucchini, grano padano cheese. Main course: Risotto with black truffle and grano padano, an entirely different taste experience. The wild grand finale: red rice cakes (from the owning family's farm in Verona) with a truffle zabaglione. Vouluptuous, sumptuous, but not overwhelming--and many vegan, gluten free, and vegetarian options as well. Through June 24--not to be missed.

Very good dishes all based on rice, specialty of the house as the name suggests. Arrived early compared to the resa, no problem. The risottos are excellent, the chocolate cake a treat. Recommend to the intolerant... and others!

My daughter has severe Celiac disease so when we attempt to eat out, it is a big deal to find a restaurant that caters to truly gluten-free dining. It is first and foremost about trust; trusting the establishment, the menu, the ingredients and the guarantee that there is no potential for cross-contamination. We tried Risotteria Melotti for dinner this past week. The staff fielded a dozen different inquiries from my daughter about the menu, the ingredients, etc. They did so patiently despite the fact that the restaurant was packed. Given my daughter is extremely sensitive to any form of gluten, this type of vetting is typical of our experience dining out. She was satisfied with the answers and took the plunge ... and I have to say the meal was divine. Delicious GF-breads, incredible RUCOLA E GRANA salad and my favorite dish, LIMONE E GAMBERI - a bite of lemon with the richness of amazing risotto, combined with perfectly prepared shrimp - fantastic! We finished the meal with the PROFITEROLES and a special of a POACHED PEAR in an other-worldly sauce. I can't say enough how delicious it all was, and the establishment itself - small, intimate and full of rustic charm. Risotteria Melotti should be on your must-visit list, whether you have gluten sensitivities or not. However, if you do have such sensitivities and/or have Celiac, you can dine here with complete confidence and enjoy one of the best plates of risotto you will ever experience. Thank you Risotteria - we will return!

An absolutely charming little Italian restaurant serving 100% gluten free food in East Village New York. Really good value for money for Manhattan, friendly service and delicious food. Can't recommend highly enough.

Come here for risotto heaven!! The decorations make you feel like you’re at a small restaurant in Italy, and the food is absolutely delicious. It’s 100% gluten-free, so safe for Celiacs. The Arborio rice they use comes straight from the family’s farm in Italy! Whether you’re gluten free or not, come here!

We had heard that this was one of the best risotto spots in the city, and after trying it out ourselves, we agree. We met a group of friends here on a snowy, cold night, so we really enjoyed the cozy space and warm delicious risotto. The staff was very accommodating especially with our large party. I only wish I could have sampled all the different risotto dishes since they all sounded so good, but I guess that's how the Melotti family get you to come back again and again.

Our second time to this quaint restaurant! Excellent service and wonderful gluten free food!! Unique and everything we have tried is wonderful!!

Food is good - and gluten free, which is great, especially for those with Celiac. - decor is nice, and the overall ambience is generally pleasant. Then there are the waiters, whose job (apparently) is to push wine sales. So wine glasses are aggressively refilled, then snatched away at the 1st possible instance. Quite a performance, and unfortunate because it's otherwise a good place, in the interest of making a few more $ selling some extra drinks.

We were looking for a restaurant with good gluten free options for two members of our family. We decided to try this place which is 100% g/f. The menu is mostly risotto based so you have to like rice. There are a few other items on the menu for those who want something else. The risotto is imported from Italy and there are many great choices. I highly recommend the duck ragu risotto which was amazingly good. We also tried the crab meat, seafood and truffle risotto. All good picks. The restaurant is intimate and service is extremely helpful and accommodating. One of our party needed a dairy free risotto and her request was happily accommodated. For dessert you must try the g/f profitteroles which were heavenly!

We stayed with our daughter and her partner in Manhattan and they suggested we do here as I love risotto. From the moment we walked in the door we were welcomed by the waiter who was so lovely. He was so helpful and friendly and guided us well through the menu. Between our table we had the truffle risotto ( which my son in law said it was the best thing he had ever put in his mouth) the special zucchini flower one, the duck raggute and I had the prawn with a lemon and white flavour. I love risotto as I said and have it wherever I go but I can honestly say that this risotto was the best I've ever had, including Italian restaurants. Every member of our table loved their meal the best.. we booked again for our last night together to re do the same dinner. I highly recommend this restaurant! 👍

Compared to other risotterias in town, this one served risottos that are more al dente. I go to risotterias mostly because I must eat gluten free. The night we went it was very crowded and noisy. Prices are a little high, even for New York

Our family of 4 stopped by mid-week around 6:30 and were easily able to get a table. We had an order of calamari which was fine - a bit chewy but crispy coating. I appreciated that the whole restaurant was Gluten Free. The bread was fine as a change from what most restaurants serve. We all ordered a risotto dish including my 15 year old who was a bit skeptical. We had the duck ragout, lemon shrimp, and fig wrapped in prosciutto. All were excellent and they were quite different from each other. We all cleaned our plates to the last grain of rice. The main “problem” with risotto IMO is that no matter how good it is there is essentially just one flavor on your plate. I would have been happy doing the dishes as sharing and putting some of each one on our plates but had to satisfy myself with just forkfuls of the other dishes. We ordered the Tiramisu and the Chocolate Cake for dessert. Both were excellent. The tiramisu isn’t quite typical - it was a looser consistency - but I’d take it any day. The cake was of the molten variety and yummy. I wish we had this restaurant near where we live.

Let's say it from an Italian woman on holiday in New York, the Melotti risotteria is really a corner of Italy in one of the coolest neighborhoods in New York certainly to visit, with friends, in pairs, for work. The quality of the products is excellent, the reception service is perfect, the advice !!!

Was the first meal my niece, who has to eat gluten free food, could enjoy and know she would not be ill afterwards. I had the prawn risotto. It was delicious. We went back the next night. Staff friendly and helpful.

Unpretentious and authentic restaurant. Pier, our Italian waiter, was the kindest person that ever worked in a restaurant and his recommendations were spot on. One could not go wrong with any of the antipasti. We had the fried polenta with caciottina and mushrooms and the sformato di risotto con asparagi. They were both excellent and so was the gluten free basket of bread. The vegetarian risotto was tasty, the risotto with Amarone was a heavier dish with a special taste and just as good. We found the rice to be expertly prepared. It was just right and not at all overcooked. The sbrisolona for dessert was beyond expectations if you are a fan of zabaglione. Will definitely be back.

Having Celiac makes eating out difficult. This place was great. Salad, two risotto dishes and then desert. Wow. I can’t wait to return. It’s in my top 5.

Excellent food, proper Italian restaurant, very kind staff. Both Risottos were delicious, as well as salads, tiramisu and coffee. Would definitely recommend.

I was traveling with my gluten free daughter and granddaughter and risotto is one of our favorite things so we had to go here when I found this restaurant on-line. I got the ALL'ISOLANA IN "PENTOLINO" (pork loin), and my daughter got the Chicken, Bacon, and Asparagus. Both were very good but my granddaughter got the Basil, sun-dried tomato and parmegan dish which was exceptional. Our server, Mateo, had just arrived from Italy about three weeks earlier and did a great job answering our questions and making the whole experience terrific. I ordered my dish based on his recommendation and was not disappointed. We would have gone back if the restaurant had been closer to our hotel.

Nice Cozy atmosphere, terrific food & choices, best variety of Risotto i ever had! Fine wines, small place, reasonable, location excellent, e 5th st lower east side, a real neighborhood spot, feels like being in Italy! nice desserts & cafes! also they serve Steak & Pasta! good breads Too! Reserve before, small place open lunch & dinner/takeout also!! Excellent!

As a coeliac, I researched gluten free restaurants in New York before leaving home (Melbourne, Australia). One of the restaurants I had chosen which my family unanimously voted was the best in the 7 nights of our stay and therefore was the one we decided would be our last night's dinner destination. They are a Soho qaint and warm family restaurant. The Melotti family grow their own rice in Verona Italy Everything was to die for except I wasn't a fan of the pita bread that came with the piaddina. Best rice cakes ~ tasted like popcorn. We took away a container with us. The hamburger was the best I've ever tasted (even better than a non gluten free burger).

Very good risotto but I had to very carefully to discern the taste of the ingredients that were in there. The salt was a bit too strong. I tasted the swordfish and the fennel - that was the special of the day to day (1-4-17) - but the salt was always in a way. That is my beef. Wine was very good. The bread was very good. The ambience was very good. Good service!!!!!! Id go there again, but next time I will say, less salt please... Also the soap dispenser did not work in the bathroom - annoying... Good restaurant. Please, watch your salt - this is not iIaly... people are very sensitive about salt. Love the ambience!

I've been eating at Risotteria Melotti since just after they opened and every time has been memorable. The food is authentic (forget most risotto - it's just rice with flavors), they grow their own rice on their family farm in Italy and the Italian rural atmosphere is charming, including the bathroom. The setting is intimate and the service is personal. Everyone who works there seems to love it. All in all, the food, service and atmosphere are irresistible and I recommend it to everyone. By the way, just about everything is made with rice, even the scrumptious desserts, so if you're gluten free, you found your go-to place. They do have non-rice options on the menu, too. At the moment I'm being held hostage by the black rice. Incredible flavor!

We decided to try this restaurant for my husband's birthday as he adores risotto. We had heard about it from friends from Verona who knew the owner. What a delightful place. The setting is charming and cozy. The staff is equally as charming and so eager to make you feel at home. The arancini (rice balls) were excellent as were our salads. Among the four of us, we had three different risotti and they were all fabulous. We were all thrilled with our meal which included an ice cream with rice as well. The staff was so happy to see us so happy. What a great way to celebrate. We'll be back. Grazie tanto e buona fortuna !!

My daughter suggested I ate here as she had visited before and I wasn't disappointed, the staff were friendly and polite, the service was speedy. I had the grilled shrimp and pesto pizza and it was delicious. The is a choice of normal or gluten free even the deserts are gluten free and I would certainly eat here again

Tucked away in the East Village, Risotto Melotti is a small, welcoming, utterly charming trip to Verona, where the family who owns it grows the rice that makes the panoply of risottos that are the specialty here--wild mushrooms, duck breast, etc.,etc. exceed your wildest dreams. From traditional (black truffle) to such exotica as wild berry, lemony shrimp (my happy choice) or shrimp with melon, you could savor a different one on many return visits. Service is gracious, portions just right, noise level is decent, and you'll never notice the absence of gluten (many vegan options as well.) With a glass of prosecco and an unusual rice-based dessert (crepes, rice cookies, even brown rice gelato,) you'll leave smiling. I was delighted to find this place.

The food was amazing, service was wonderful, atmosphere was so relaxing. The owner and staff is so friendly and welcoming. We will certainly be returning and hopefully become regulars.

Being a frequenter of the Scala island restaurant I was somewhat disappointed. Rice evidently precooked, small and cheap place. Discreet service but the final receipt with included tip (among other things added to their liking and disproportionate) determined an exaggerated price for what we consumed.

Cosy atmosphere in a nice neighborhood. But as being a full focus risotto place this didn’t impress us. We have had better risottos in other places. The food was good but nothing special. Serving sizes were also quite small for the price charged. Whine was good but the red was served to warm so was the water. So all and all an average experience.

We needed a restaurant that was walking distance to the Orpheum Theatre, since we had tickets to Stomp, that took reservations. Though we were not sure about a place whose entrées were mostly risotto, this restaurant turned out to be an excellent choice. (They do have non-risotto options and a good wine list, as well). If you like risotto you’ll love this place. Each of the dishes we selected were fresh-tasting, imaginative, creamy and rich. In addition to a large variety of risotto choices on the menu, they have daily specials too. A perfect pre-theater Italian dinner!

Just a tremendous experience. The fact they are 100% gluten free, and I am celiac is wonderful. Talk about having zero worry about cross contamination and/or having to quiz down the waiter, chef, etc. Just a very stressfree experience. The appetizers (we had bruchetta and a burratta/prosciutto were very good and it was nice to be able to share with my table mates. I had a risotto with prosciutto and peach jam. It was quite sweet, but was delicious. It was more of a dessert risotto (if such a thing exists) and was amazingly tasty. The wait staff was very helpful and timely. The atmosphere is good and I liked that they had a Melotti family history video running on a flat panel as well. Just a great story, experience, and meal. I look forward to eating here again in the future.

Love love this restaurant, quaint location, decor is amazing. Everytime we have the food we love everything. We've had burgers, seafood dishes, salads, steaks and it nevers disappoints.

The Melotti family has restaurants in Verona, Rome and this one on 2nd St in Manhattan. They use the rice they farm in the Verona region of Italy. The risotto is fantastic. I had the chicken bacon asparagus which had so much flavor and smooth texture. Others had the duck breast ragu and the fig jam wrapped in parma prosciutto. Both were also excellent. Great food, service, ambiance (small cozy space) for a reasonable price.

Delicious and light food served with an authentic Italian accent in a cozy space. Be sure to sample a couple of different risotto dishes (my favorite was the cheese with pear)and share an appetizer. The service was efficient and the Chianti was superb. If you want a more romantic space, ask for the corner table in the back.

Can't recommend this place enough! Delicious and light food served with an authentic Italian accent in a cozy space. Friendly service, great atmosphere and all in all a pleasant experience.

This authentic Italian Restaurant can make you the perfect Risotto with ingredients imported from Italy. Name your Risotto they make it for you!- Family friendly. Good service. I Recommend it! -Daniele Matteo, Food and Wine Editor.

It was a very fluctuating experience, ended in the worst way. Despite this place offers nothing short of delicious meals my family and I found ourselves forced to pay a 20% surcharge on the bill already very high, with the excuse that this increase is a "tip", but that in reality is an obligation according to the owner. Despite the nearly $300 bill (food + "tip") the owner of the place refused for a long time to give us change in cash, despite the fact that many bills were clearly visible in the cash register. The owner also because of the fact that I insisted on paying in cash took the liberty of telling me "if your son called Uber surely you can pay by card"; expressions absolutely unacceptable for a high-end club.

Found this place on a whim and was pleasantly surprised. Delicious risotto. I had the one with scallops, the flavors were amazing but the scallops were over cooked... I ate around them and still really enjoyed my meal. All of my friends cleaned their plates and were just about ready to lick them clean. I'm gluten free, Risotteria was an exceptional choice for a small-medium group of gf and non. The wine was good.. Only real issue was that I felt like the staff was always trying to sell the most expensive bottle of wine and most expensive plate.... Not the most popular or even what we were asking for-- perhaps not the most knowledgable server. Decent rose and whites... All around good pick!!

Ok, first off this place is entirely GLUTEN FREE! This is a nice surprise when it comes to having celiac disease. With that being said: my risotto was super salty. I tried the other kinds that my friends were eating thinking it was just mine... Nope... everyone's were super salty. The portion size they give you is just enough but you overly pay for it. The server was extremely kind and made sure we were taken care of. We ended on dessert with the tiramisu and some chocolate mousse. Those were VERY tasty. Overall, I don't think I would come back here unless someone really, really wanted to try it. I felt bloated the next day and knew exactly why.

We are a celiac family, and sometimes it is nice to just be able to relax and not have to ask a lot of questions about your food. This was the case at Risotteria Melotti in Noho. Everything, from the bread on the table to the fried calamari to the multiple Risotto dishes are all gluten-free made with risotto and rice flour from Italy. The food was not the best I've had, but the ability to order anything and relax was well worth it. My son had a risotto that was OK, I had a salad with shrimp and chicken. The bread was very good. We were unable to try the desserts, which are supposed to be excellent, and the table next to us had the best looking fried calamari I've seen in a long time. I will definitely return for the calamari and what looked like an amazing salmon dish as well

My daughter and I tried this lovely restaurant while in NYC. Neither of us are gluten-free but we travel to Italy frequently and are always looking to duplicate the experience in the US. This restaurant did the trick for us. The risotto was amazing. I had the fig risotto wrapped in prosciutto. An unusual presentation but the mix of flavors was wonderful. Our salads were very fresh and the perfect appetizers. The atmosphere is very cozy and the staff was very attentive. The price is very reasonable for NYC and the house wine by the 1/2 liter was excellent and economical. I hope that this restaurant is successful.

Wonderful food, excellent service! The waitstaff was gracious even though we arrived for a late dinner. The spinach risotto dish was fabulous.

Charming risotto-focused restaurant owned by a rice-farming family from outside Verona. The risottos are to die for -- all the rice is imported from Italy. Many varieties of risotto, plus rice-based pasta and appetizers (like rice polenta) and desserts. All gluten-free. Excellent Italian wine list. Small place, so try to reserve during peak hours.

Risotteria Melotti is such a cute spot in NYC. All of the risottos are gluten-free, which was great for dining with my Celiac girlfriend. Inside, it’s a small but intimate space. It feels almost like you’re dining in someone’s home because the kitchen is so close by. For my meal, I had the calcio and pepe risotto. It was delicious and extremely filling. After that, I absolutely had to have the tiramisu for dessert. I love tiramisu and this was no different. With the large portions, I could’ve shared my dessert, but my girlfriend wanted the Nutella crepe, which was also delicious. Overall, I highly recommend coming here.

Delicious risotto just like we had in Italy. Risotto rice is important from Verona. Cute little place, great service and mouthwatering chocolate cake. And all of it is 100% gluten free.

We visited this place after sampling a small dish that they were presenting to passers by one Sunday afternoon. The gluten free aspect is not important to us but I know to others it is. Regardless, the risotto here is remarkable. The riso is cooked just right, and the creative flair used in flavoring the dishes is wonderful. We had the shaved truffle dish and the amarone served in a crispy parmesan mold. Both were devilishly good. The salad of baby spinach and fennel was beautiful as well. The staff was friendly and made us feel very much at home. This risotteria is one of a kind. I highly recommend you go there immediately.

I loved this place! I went on a Sunday night with a party of 6. We had a great experience. From the first minute we walked in, the staff was super friendly and attentive. They had no problem letting us get started even though 2 of our party arrived 45 minutes late due to an airline delay. The food was amazing. We all had various types of risotto and bruschetta. They surprised us at the end with a tasty beverage treat due to our special celebration. I would recommend this place 100 times over. We will definitely be repeat customers. The staff, atmosphere, and food won us over. Thank you for making a great experience for us!

A great restaurant specializing in Risotto that is magnificent and truly authentic. The staff was friendly and efficient. The owner came to our table and asked is we were satisfied to which we exclaimed "delicioso" ! As an added bonus all is gluten free right down to the bread basket. I will certainly recommend this restaurant to all my friends and family.

living in a small town, you do not get to experience a menu like this. My wife has celiac and there was nothing to worry about here to eat. Food was delicious and prepared from field to table by the family.

Don't be hesitant because the menu is so heavily risotto. Risotteria Melotti's risottos are so varied and interesting and fantastically tasty that you can't go wrong. Yes, they have a few other items, but you'll kick yourself if you don't try one of their risottos. We live in Italy several months/year, and we have never had risottos this good. These Northern Italians know their stuff. Service was both warm and efficient. A lovely place, a fabulous time. Let's go back!

Family run small restaurant with exquisite rice dishes from Italy. Must come to place if you like risotto!

Friendly staff in a sea of unfriendly restaurants trying to make reservations. 100% gluten free. It feels like Italy with the love for food and family and passion for pleasing the guests. Food was spectacular and prices were very reasonable for nyc. Highly recommend especially for allergy sensitive dinners.

The best risotto i have ever had! Great service by Pietro! Very nice place with a great service and very tastefull food.

Regular customers of Risotteria Melotti in Florence in Via dei Servi, on holiday in New York City we could not help but come to taste their rice in USA sauce. And even if we took dishes not yet present in Italy, I must say that the quality of their dishes is always very high. I had a risotto Cacio e Pepe stratospheric, while the others, took dishes present in the Italian menu but absolutely all delicious. The risotto Melotti once again proved a guarantee and this time in a foreign land.

My brother-in-law found the restaurant and made reservations because he does not eat gluten. I was a bit skeptical, but my fears were quickly put to rest-the food was amazing! So glad to be able to enjoy a good dinner where everyone can order off the same menu and have the same great quality of food.

Risotteria Mellotti is a great, somewhat old fashioned, Italian place in downtown Manhattan. There was another restaurant which my family and I had been looking for simply called "Risotteria" which we were looking for when we found this, so if you were looking for the old Risotteria on Bleecker street, this is not the one. However Risotteria Mellotti is a very good place to eat, and it is also 100% gluten free. The bread and the chocolate lava cake were exceptionally good not even for being gluten free. The best part was the mushroom risotto which was amazing and flavorful. I would not recommend the calamari, however, because the marinara sauce is quite watery and there are multiple baby octopuses which we don't find too appetizing. The service was good, although there was only 1 server to man the whole place. The food is definitely worth it, and I would absolutely go again.

First time in the East Village and decided to celebrate with my family here. The food is amazing and very filling. Portions for the risotto are very large. We had the scallop risotto, the shrimp, and the duck, everyone enjoyed! We also also had the fritto miso which came with an awesome sauce, and polenta fries with spicy mayo! I would suggest here as a cute little spot for anyone to come visit. It's in a quiet area which is nice to because you can just relax and enjoy!

Hosted a small group dinner here on a Sunday evening. They took reservations and held our table! Thank you staff. Great appetizers, friendly and knowledgable staff, and excellent Italian wines from the Verona region that won't break the bank. Our group tried 7 different risotto dishes and every single one of them were absolutely wonderful. I loved the lemon and shrimp, but the table favorite was the duck risotto. Who would have thought? Would love to try their lobster risotto and will have to come back to try this place again. For a person with Celiac disease or a gluten intolerance rest assured everything here is gluten free - even the table breads. What a warm and friendly place.

We enjoyed two great meals at Risotteria Merlotti. Every aspect of our experience was top-notch. Service is attentive and friendly but not overbearing. Appetizers were generous and brimming with flavor. Each of the four risotto entrees we sampled were splendid -- mixing rich and complex flavors. Save room for dessert. They have found ways to make great gluten-free Italian desserts like panna cotta and tiramisu that don't taste like flimsy or strained imitations. The dining room is tightly packed and can get a bit loud, but that's a quibble. This is great food at an excellent value.

Exceptional service for the Gluten Free person in your life. While in New York venture to the lower East Side for a Rice based menu sure to delight. The fried polenta with wild mushroom and balsamic reduction appetizer was amazing. Enjoy v

Great experience, fabulous risotto, great service, excellent wines, well priced. Can’t miss with this spot! Will definitely come back.

This place was a real find! My husband is Celiac so finding a place to meet friends is often difficult. When you find one the food is often mediocre but safe. Risotteria Melotti is not just safe it is perfection! The ambiance was cozy and felt very Italian! Close tables,‘perfect lighting and easy conversation all around. Risotto is the signature dish and worthy of return trips to sample each one! Our server was friendly and not scripted which is always welcoming. A return is planned and wait-the desserts are also gluten free and extraordinary!

I tried "Risotto all'Isolana" last time I dined at Risotteria Melotti. Yummy! I'm Italian and risotto is one of my favorites dishes. This place knows how to make an authentic traditional North Italian meal and they nailed it. Can't wait to try the whole menu.

The Big 3s Ambience: street side dining with great cute tables Service: deft and efficient and appropriate as we were pretheater Food: incredible for a risotto place as we never find great risotto out because it's always premade; this came al dente each and every dish we ordered Unique: cacio e pepe risotto

i am not only gluten free, but dairy free and soy free as well and i don't eat red meat. eating out safely can be a challenge. risotteria melotti was highly recommended for gluten free diners as the entire restaurant is 100% gluten free. i called to see if they could safely accommodate my other allergies and they lovely girl who answered the phone said "we don't use soy and please just tell your server no dairy." that easy. it was like a breath of fresh air. we dined there the next night. our server, sarah, was just delightful. she didn't mind me asking her a lot of questions and making sure my food was correct (habit) and the food...i cannot say enough about how good it was. to begin with they bring a little basket of home made bread and rice cakes. these rice cakes are nothing like the ones you buy in the store. they were fabulous. when placing my order everyone knew what i could and could not have in each dish, by heart. the service was just outstanding. and i just cannot stop talking about how good the food is. my non-allergy suffering husband enjoyed it as well. i highly recommend risotteria melotti and i am not one who really gushes about food.

I first dined at this restaurant in Rome a few blocks off Piazza Navona. It was wonderful. I few months later, I found them in the city of New York as well! Great intimate setting with so many risotto options and an inexpensive but quality wine list. A must visit everytime I get to either city.

As an Italian and above all as a good connoisseur of risotto all'isolana I say FINALLY. Good quality and typical flavour. The presentation of the dish is beautiful (even the eye wants its part). The space is a little small, but I highly recommend it

Very nice restaurant, the italian owner and the staff do all the best to let you comfortable. All the Risotto plates are very well cooked and served. My friends and I, ordered some different kind of Risotto and we liked them all. the Risotto have a very peculiar ingredient and taste, and as many people already said, they are gluten free.

Not setting and service. The problem is the food. Rice. Rice. Rice. And more rice. Not that special. Expensive. For lots of rice.

Our family of 4; 2 with celiac enjoyed this restaurant for lunch. All entrees are gluten free. We each tried a different risotto: fungi, limone e gamberi, pollo/bacon/ e asparagi, pepperoni misit e salsiccia. Each was unique and wonderful. Each dish is prepared to order and is served fresh and hot. Perfect sized portion. We also enjoyed a bottle of wine from their nice selection. Risotto is grown on the Melotti family farm in Italy. Check arrived to the table higher than expected. When questioned, we were informed that we had been charged the dinner prices in error- had to knock off a star for that mistake.

I searched the web for top 10 best risotto restaurants in NYC. Risotteria Melotti was among the list. I called in to make a booking but they were fully booked and I had to come in person and wait for a queue. Within 30 minutes we had our table. The restuarant was nice and warm ambiance with 18 tables to be exact and well organized. The waiter was prompt to help us with the selections. We choose salmon carpaccio with rice cakes for appetizer and mushroom risotto with shrimp. The salmon was good. It wasn't long before we received our main dish. Normally after receiving the risotto the waiter would instantly returns to serve you the cheese & pepper if needed. In our case we had to wait few minutes before the waiter returned and asked if we like to add cheese & pepper. The shrimp looked like it was boiled and added to risotto! The mushrooms were finely chopped and tasted as if they were canned mushrooms. The risotto was too runny (liquidy) and tasted like Campbell's mushroom soup. Neither one of us tasted truffley taste of the wild mushrooms! As I mentioned, the mushrooms were chopped very small not diced as normal mushroom risotto should be. Now maybe the rice is homegrown but the mushrooms & cooking flavor as well as aroma is not there! There was no body whatsoever! It tasted as if it was coming out of a can! Sorry but its not there!!! Aside from that, the price was moderate. And the waiters were nice.

I could eat here every day for the rest of my life. From the rucola grana salad to the smoked salmon risotto to the sbrisolona dessert, every bite was fantastic. Thank you Risotteria Melotti.

Always a pleasure to dine here. This was a lunch visit and the truffle risotto I was looking for is on the dinner menu. No problem though. The chef was most accommodating much to my delight. Their truffle risotto is the closest match to the same dish we had in Milan. They grow their own rice, and I bought a bag as a gift for my daughter. Haven't tried it yet, but the cooking time is about 1/2 of that for the Arboria rice.

Very good option if you're a risotto lover. They have a varied menu from traditional porcini to wild berries risotto. You can also buy their rice to cook at home. Charming, authentic Italian atmosphere.

Concept seems great, but when we asked if they did Rissotto Milanese and the young waiter asked what that was, we became concerned ? We had their Arancini and it wasn't even clear that the filling was rice because it was completely overlooked and had become mush with some mozzarella. They served rice cakes ? We requested some bread and the waiter chose to ignore our request as he seemed to be on a different planet. Our young waiter tried to appear professional but came across as cocky. The took away our starter plates after first removing the cheap and nasty cutlery from our plates so we could reuse them for our main ?? Really !! My wife's main was served in a Parmesan basket which was nice. Other than that, this place should be avoided.

5 stars based on the quality of a gluten free menu with options. Quality of food was wonderful and the service was personal. The restaurant is typical of NY and small without much fanfare but really it’s the food your going for and that doesn’t disappoint.

A special place. The Melotti family owns a farm outside Verona where they grow their own organic rice. They serve it at three restaurants they own, one near Verona, one in Rome, and this one. I cannot claim to be a risotto connoisseur but we are quite fond of risotto, and the Melottti restaurant serves the best we ever have tasted, in a special environment. With an open kitchen and a Venetian server, we could almost pretend we were in Italy. And the Tiramisu is excellent.

There are very few GOOD and Reliable GF and corn free restaurants in the city. So when my daughter found this eatery we were thrilled! It had gotten rave reviews on her GF website. We had an amazing meal that all enjoyed/ she was the only GF person in our group of 4, but it didn't make a difference. Not only was the risotto delicious but their homemade bread was to die for!! I think we ate more then she did. Last but certainly not least the GF tiramisu was great!! This is a meal you wont soon forget!

After the delicious experience in Melotti Verona, we must to try it during vacations in NYC. Although place is rather a small we feel so warm and comfortable. We have enjoyed all vegetarian versions of risotto, while our baby’s favorite was rice bread)