Il Gattopardo
“I too had the Paccheri alla Genovese and it changed my cooking life.”
“Cassata cake from Sicily is just a simple ricotta based dessert.”
“Started off with the burrata special – crazy good.”
Il Gattopardo
Takes Reservations: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$$ Price range $31-60
8 reviews
Rate and write a review Cancel reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
When an out of town friend dropped by and wanted to take me out to eat, I didn't expect this.
Quietly nestled behind the rush of MOMA this venue has every type of seating you could ask for,
Outdoor option includes patio seating for a quiet cafe feeling, garden patio if you like a bit of eau de flor.
Indoor seating options, at the bar zipping with life. Small tables for four very trendy feel. Felt like very clean and European.
Wine…whomever told you that cheap wine taste just as good as quality wine. . Was lying. Maybe it's the location but this was a great few glasses.
In the upper end of the pricing this place is good.
This place is pretty good however not my favorite nyc spot but I guess there are not that many options in midtown Manhattan. I Started out with the branzino crudo which was pretty good but not amazing, honestly a bit bland. I then had the shellfish pasta which was delicious!! My hubby started with the burrata special which he loved however the lasagna he ordered was so awful he sagas to send it back which he NEVER does. He got the pasta with Genovese sauce instead which he said was delicious. We shared a molten chocolate cake for dessert which was very good.
Delicious. Started off with the burrata special – crazy good. Then had the pacherri pasta which was phenomenal. Loved every bite.
Service was great, space was nice and can't wait to go back!
What an incredible experience! The food was to die for, the waiter extraordinarily nice and atmosphere incredible. It was very expensive but expected given its amazing location and quality of food served. Such an enjoyable night.
Dined out here with a large group for business. Overall a pleasant evening with some very nice dishes. This is a white table cloth restaurant so has that fine dining atmosphere. Staff and service was top notch. No gaps there.
For appetizers we chose a wide selection. I indulged in mussels, fresh mozzarella and frisée salad. The best dish was the veal and beef meatballs wrapped in cabbage.
For main entree I stayed in the veal theme and ordered the veal braciola. It wasn't quite as good as my Mom's but it was worthy of 4 stars. Flavor and texture were very good and sides of parsnip purée and steamed green beans were light and flavorful.
Opted out of dessert but the mini biscotti sliced thin as the after dinner service were delicious.
Really nice wine menu focused on Italian wines. Space was cozy and inviting with a boutique style feel.
Il Gattopardo, you're invading my dreams…
I went to this restaurant completely on a tip. I always have these people, you "haveta" try "X" restaurant, the Jalapeño Poppers changed my life! Yeah… I think not. When my Italian friends tell me to put a Italian restaurant on my short list, there isn't any questions asked. I changed my reservation to Il Gattopardo. While making the reservation I told the hostess we're celebrating so please give us a nice, quite table.
We walk in and are greeted with Prosecco? Now that was just a classy move.
A very professional waiter greets us. He starts explaining the specials. I tell him its my first time here and I want to try the pasta, the specialty of the house. I'd also like to match my Italian wine to this dish. Very well sir and off he goes.
In Italy, every town is know for something. They make a special pasta by hand in Italian region of Emilia. And not by machine. People would revolt and be mocked if they put their name on this pasta made in a machine. It's what we call Tortellini. The Italians use women with delicate features to roll by hand each Tortellini. la passione!
This is what I'm looking for at Il Gattopardo, la passione.
While waiting, the chef sent out a small order of Arancini di Riso commonly referred to as rice balls. (Lotsa love being shown to us, very classy)
I started with the poached baby octopus over polenta. Swooning!
Served with fresh tomato sauce, this was a hearty dish.
Now comes the star of the show, the Paccheri alla Genovese. I'm looking at this dish, its made with love. The fresh Paccheri was made Al dente. Now Al dente to some Italian restaurants is very hard. Not so with the Il Gattopardo Paccheri. Think of a really wide ziti shape, that's Paccheri. The made in house Paccheri was firm with a little grab. I've been to places, their pasta is too hard. This was made just right.
The alla Genovese is what is making my knees buckle, I've been saying for years that NYC Italian restaurants make Italian food more creamy, more French. The alla Genovese portion of this dish was rustic. Executed perfectly, the entire dish was just spot on. Great Italian food that you will not be disappointed. I highly recommend the Paccheri alla Genovese.
I'm pretty packed out at this point, I'm going to order an espresso and call it a night.
Our waiter recommends the cassata cake. I ask if its a Brooklyn cassata or a recipe from Sicily? It's more Sicilian sir and our speciality. Oh baby…
Cassata cake from Brooklyn is not an every day dessert. It's more for birthdays and other celebrations. Cassata cake from Sicily is just a simple ricotta based dessert. And man oh man do they get their cassata on at Il Gattopardo. Not overly sweet but just the right amount of everything makes this dessert a grand slam.
Just a bit of history, Il Gattopardo used to be Gov Rockefellers house! And this place is huge!
Walking out, we're greeted by John Carlo and a bag of biscotti? We start talking, I thank him for the Prosecco and the wonderful meal we had.
Its what we do us Italians, we keep giving. Thanks for the wonderful service and food, it made for a perfect night.
10 yelp stars for Il Gattopardo
Last time I came here (which was in October 2014) I had the pleasure of dining for dinner. This time around, I enjoyed a delicious brunch!
The restaurant itself is located in a "basement" area and has two floors. The upper level is for dinner dining and the lower level is for brunch. They created an atrium in between 2 buildings and have tables with umbrellas to give it the brunch vibe.
I had the French Toast which had apples cooked down in cinnamon and sugar. My relative ordered the vongole pasta which is absolutely delicious. It has clams and the pasta is cooked a perfect al dente.
The waitors and restaurant manager are all very knowledgeable and you will receive the best service.
Last time I was here, I also had their steak. Absolutely amazing. Meat was cooked medium rare and was juicy and tender.
I always make it a priority to visit this restaurant everytime I am in NY
This review is for VISITORS: I do not pretend living in Tennessee to have the breadth of knowledge of true Italian food that Yelpers in NYC have.
One of the reasons I love Yelp is a) I would have never found this place on my own. And it was 500 feet from my hotel! And b) just read Bill's post below. He ordered dinner for me!
I too had the Paccheri alla Genovese and it changed my cooking life. I will learn to make this. Much like duck ragu, I had no idea this was even a thing. But I will learn it. Just go there and order it. Don't overthink it.
The space is gorgeous, best service imaginable, and order the Cassata cake for dessert. This is not a time to get cute.