Acappella
“After finalizing your meal with your choice of Grappa – you leave looking forward to your returning visit to Acappella.”
“Old-school northern Italian restaurant that caters to the big-bellied, big-appetite men of Wall Street.”
“I had the polenta with mushroom appetizer.”
Acappella
Takes Reservations: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$$$ Price range Above $61
8 reviews
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Mixed review here. In terms of the food, my fiancé gives it a 4 and I give it a 2. I had the (very expensive – $56) lamb chops, which were bloody raw (supposed to be mid rare). My fiancé had the Chilean sea bass, which was beautifully cooked. It was probably the best cooked fish we've ever had. Delicate, light, a little buttery (in a non-buttery way). Just full of flavor. Delicious.
The service is a little over the top but in a good, amusing way. They are very purposefully gregarious when seating you and and delivering food, but otherwise leave you alone. The owner/GM is a true character. His picture on the website perfectly characterizes him. He is entertaining and friendly. He comes across as if he's performing on stage, but you can tell he cares deeply that you enjoy your experience.
The complimentary Parmesan and bruschetta pre-meal are nice touches.
Bottom line, for the price of the meal, you should expect near perfection. They just missed the mark. I'd try it again if they lowered their prices. Otherwise, there are plenty of great Italian restaurants in this city that won't break the bank.
This was one of the best meals we have had in a really long time. It ranks high up there for sure. We sat down and they came out with complimentary bites- eggplant crunchies, cured meats, a nugget of parmesan cut to order right in front of you, and bruschetta. I could not really understand too well what the server was saying as he spoke with a thick accent; however we were so pleased with what we ordered which were all off the menu. I ordered the pasta special of the night – pappardelle in a cream sauce with freshly shaved truffles. We also ordered the veal chop. We ordered a mixed appetizer which came with prosciutto, portabella, fresh mozzarella (they drizzle the olive oil & balsamic order in front of you). The pasta was perfectly cooked- al dente and creamy and bursting of truffle flavor. It had to be perfect. I later learned how much it was and for the price I would not expect any less. The veal chop was better than any steak we've ordered at any restaurant of recent memory. It was seasoned to perfection and seared perfectly. Last came dessert where they poured us complimentary grappa, a first for both of us. I love this 10x more than limoncello as a prelude dessert. It was strong and tasted like raisin but not quite strangely enough. I had a form of strawberry parfait and my husband the cheesecake. I recommend the strawberry but my husband would tell you the cheesecake. Two thumbs up for EVERYTHING we got!
UPDATE TO COMMENT BELOW: I NEVER RECEIVED THAT GIFT CERTIFICATE. Yes, i did give my correct address – it's been over half a year, so it's safe to say that they don't follow through or keep their word. This is to discredit that comment left on my review.
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They really tried to capitalize on Valentine's Day this year. The restaurant was cramped to make double occupancy. We had reservations for 7:30 and got there at 7- we were promptly seated. The restaurant was already packed, but nothing like what one of the other reviewers said – just yet. I noticed that towards the end of our dinner, the waiting area looked like a hot mess and people were just staring at diners, annoyed that they had to wait. I don't blame them.
The pre fixe Valentine's Day dinner was $80 for 3-course, $90 for 4-course, and $120 with lobster. We had the 4-course, and while the food was great, we were rushed. I rarely had a chance to look through the appetizers when someone came by and asked if we knew what we were getting. I get it – it's a limited menu for pre-fixe, but .. c'mon. THAT is ridiculous!
The owners were running around, grinning ear to ear, likely from being overjoyed with how much money they were going to make by making a somewhat upscale restaurant into a McDonald's that night.
Needless to say, we are not going back. The food is good but not good enough to go back to a place where it's like a zoo. I'm sure it's not like this on other nights, but the burn was deep enough for me to never want to return.
Best service in downtown. Good menu, wide selection of specials that change from one visit to the next. Dessert presentations are great.
My best friend took me here for Christmas. It came very highly recommended so I had high expectations. It was actually fairly quiet when we arrived, perhaps because of the holiday. We were welcomed with open arms (I believe my buddy has been here a few times before). As an FYI-it's on the corner right by the subway stop. Anyway, you walk inside and there's a small bar, old shaggy carpet, older furniture that reminds you of your grandmothers dining room, some beautiful old paintings on the wall giving it a museum-like feel, and at the time they were playing Frank Sinatra. Really old school Italian feel. The place is fairly small, 19 tables total I believe. Anyway, they showed us to our table in the back and quickly brought over some fresh pecorino cheese, charcuterie, and zucchini. All were very tasty. A few waiters came over to see what type of liquor/wine we could start with. We ordered a round of cocktails to start and chatted for a bit before the waiter eventually came back over and told us about the specials which all sounded so mouth watering wow, I wanted everything, I was transfixed. He started off the specials menu with a fresh portabella mushroom app and actually came over with the mushrooms! It was paired with roasted peppers, fresh mozzarella in a tasty brown sauce. My buddy combined a few apps to get a delicious platter of oysters Rockefeller, Portabella mushrooms, and a crab thing. Everything looked AMAZING. They handed us a menu, but I basically allowed the waiter to pick some things for me. My buddy said they would make whatever I liked as long as they had it. For the primo course I ordered their pasta sampler which came with: a lobster ravioli, porcini mushroom ravioli and ziti cooked in a vodka penne like sauce with grappa. Outstanding! For the secondo course, I ordered scallops, which were very unique. Four scallops on top of large sea shells with leeks in a unique brown sauce (entree not on the menu). They were decent. They rattled off a few desert ideas, all Italian. I had a custard like cream with raspberries and strawberries. It was tasty! The manager also brought over fig grappa. That was awesome.
Definitely not a cheap place but you get some excellent customer service from the wait staff, they'll make you just about anything you like, the food is good and I did like the ambiance a lot.
The staff was super friendly. The food was amazing! This restaurant reminds me how much i miss a real fine dining experience. I had an Amazon locals deal (that why i was dragged downtown lol), and they still treated me the same way if not nicer, unlike other restaurant who may treat you differently when you have a deal coupon. I will definitely come back!
Ok, the food. The mushroom appetizer they gave us, YUM! It's more addictive than Spinkles chips. We had the trio pasta special as appetizer, they were the BEST. The pasta was very chewy and delicious. The manager basically fry the pasta in front of us. We also had the grill shrimp. I can just taste the freshness of the shrimp. We also had seafood risotto, not a big fan of the risotto itself because it was a llittle mushy. But the mussels and clams were nicely done.
Went here with my family for dinner to celebrate my grad school graduation. The entrance is mere steps from the Chambers Street 123 station and the blinds were drawn so I wasn't sure what to expect but inside is beautiful and quiet. Staff was very attentive and our waiter was very personable and offered some very entertaining stories as he waited on us. It def has an old school Italian vibe, staff dressed is formal attire, which I like and food was excellent. The menu is very deep and the specials were just that. A great place to celebrate a special occasion.
My Acappella review is based strictly on a dessert experience so is therefore limited in its scope. (What is this, a project plan or a review?)
Disclaimer out of the way, let's go!
The dining room of Acappella has a presence lurking on the wall that best captures the confidence, pride and accomplishments of Northern Italy during the Renaissance and in turn the dessert I enjoyed. It's a rather large portrait of Federico da Montefeltro, Lord and then Duke of Urbino, the quintessential Renaissance man and exemplar of the ending dark ages.
He'll watch over you as the staff of Acapella lavishes attention upon your party. I imagine him springing to life if service is not up to his impeccably high standards as dining room order is restored.
Flambe dessert is a house specialty and worth every minute of anticipation as it is prepared table side. It's a feast for the senses as you'll smell the fresh lemon and orange peels, watch with trepidation as the sugar and grand marnier mix together into a flaming pyre of pleasure.
Your guide on this journey will smile, engage in some banter, and next add raspberries (with other fruits available). He'll mix and stir until a delectable syrup is formed.
But what then?
Enter a cup of gelato, the perfect cold base to house a warm syrup. It's a thunderstorm of flavor waiting to explode and the first bite did not disappoint.
I was tempted to applaud but maintained my cool.
Dramatic flair never tasted so good. I'll be back for more.