Nello
“I had the Prosciutto & Melone appetizer and the Dover Sole entree.”
“The crowd here was well-heeled, high-end, sort of celebrity, but maybe not and rather chic.”
“Lovely intimate space, this is the upper east side people!!”
Nello
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$$$ Price range Above $61
8 reviews
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I came here 5 years ago and am still in shock over my experience. The employees were friendly enough, but it was clear that they were sizing us up as we walked to our seats. When we ordered our food the person I was dining with ordered a pasta dish with truffle oil. The waiter told us that they were out of that dish and in a hurried and pressuring way told my friend to get the other truffle pasta dish that they had and kept saying how much we would like it. Because my friend felt pressured he said ok. The dish came out with shaved truffles on it – right then we should have sent it back. The man didn't tell us the dish was one with fresh truffle. We finished our meal and when the bill came the single pasta dish was something like $150. Second mistake: we didn't fight paying this price because we were late for our train. The waiter was deceptive and sneaky and untrustworthy. Not going back.
Boy oh boy. I wish I'd read the reviews first, which seems to be a trending emotion with Nello.
Firstly, the food is good! It really is. But holy crap is it expensive. To be honest, money was not an issue – clearly the prices are on the menu, but the servers are connesuiers of upselling and being deceitful. For instance I asked for a glass of soda water and they charged the price of a small bottle, $12-15 if I'm not mistaken. Sneaky sneaky, Nello.
As far as the food, the octopus salad was phenomenal. The tagliatelle was simple and classic but so good. As was the octopus salad. It was classic Italian, with an elegant touch. The issue isn't the food or the ambiance, it's just the value and the ridiculous prices. My boyfriend and I have been fortunate to eat at different types of restaurants all over the world and never have we had a meal come to $400 for a simple dinner (no dessert, no bottle of wine). No bottle of wine because those prices were just atrocious. Now, I've worked in the service industry and I know about the large profit margin for wines and liquors. But the bottles they were selling for $100-150 dollars were being sold for $15 at the liquor store 5 blocks away
It's just not a pleasant dining experience knowing you are getting ripped off and the servers and manage to don't even pretend to care.
Yeah, I can say I've dined at Nello. Whoop.
Flies! Lots and lots and lots of flies. Throughout the entire meal there were flies everywhere, on everything, buzzing around annoying me and landing on my food.
The food wasn't really that good. It was ok, none of us walked away hungry. It was semi nice to start the meal with a mimosa. Although a little odd to sit down to it instead of being able to say "no thank you" when they attempt to serve you one. The asparagus with white truffles was just way too much truffle. There is such a think as too much of a good thing.
There were tons of staff standing around, but when you needed someone it was hard to get the attention of the right person. The rest would just kind of look past you. Can someone please bring us more wine? I don't really care who, I just need another glass to get through this meal (kidding. kind of).
I wouldn't recommend Nello's. Between the flies and the service it wouldn't even be worth it if the food was great.
I came here to meet some girlfriends who were in town on business. Their company was picking up the tab so no one cared about the cost but as a NYer – holy crap! All I got was an appetizer (artichoke, avocado, parmesan, truffle oil) and that was $25! It was delicious, don't get me wrong. But with that price tag it's not worth it.
You're treated by the staff with the utmost respect and class BUT… you'd think their ingredients were shipped from Mars. The waiter was very nice and actually gave us 4 complimentary glasses of champagne (after 2 rounds ourselves). We got there late and stayed late and a nice little bonus: John Cusack strolled in at 11:40pm with a date (didn't stay) but it was a nice ending to our evening.
All in all… there's no need to spend these exorbitant prices on fine Italian cuisine. It's obviously a restaurant for the upper class who want to be seen as "the upper class". Judge the photos of receipts for yourself. We were 4 girls and the total was $465 before tip and no desserts.
OMG avoid! Unless you are looking to be fleeced… Negative stars…
Well, I did it. I had dinner here with some out of towners who wanted to go here. I perused the reviews before going but insisted that I would have an open mind about the experience. So here it goes:
The space is absolutely beautiful and there are plenty of "Beautiful" people there if that is your sort of thing.
The service was outstanding. No chicanery with the specials and it was a pleasure to be waited on by a complete professional.
The food is good to excellent. I tasted 5 dishes along with mine and there was nothing I would call terrible. Some were good, others were outstanding.
The pricing is obscene. Completely crazy. Made my eyes bulge. Nice things cost money but it is just way too much for the type of cuisine.
Nice location on Madison Avenue with the potential of sitting outdoor a beautiful Summer evening. But, that is really all….. The Italian food, well, it is ok, but nothing particular. There are so many other Italian restaurants in New York that are far better! If you go there make sure you are there as a guest. If you pay for the lunch/dinner yourself, be prepared for a heart attack when the check arrives! Completely overpriced and almost comparable to a tourist trap! A place to avoid!
Excellent carciofi salad (artichoke) amazing pasta with truffles. I've never had a bad meal there, they have incredible authentic italian cuisinez The owner is an arrogant unpleasant snot, he should stay out of the restaurant because the food is exceptional. Pricey but alway always a great meal!