Antica Ristorante
“I met Elio at Ancora Ristorante in New York after a long day of photographing a fashion show.”
“Amazing is not enough to describe the service, the authenticity, and the food of Ancora.”
“This place is fantastico, or rather Tony Fantastico!”
Antica Ristorante
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
PokéStop Nearby: Yes
Price range.
$$$ Price range $31-60
8 reviews
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Cute hotel restaurant with great customer service. I went there with my family and they welcome us with some salami, cheese, bread and red propers which were yummy. The food was decent but nothing out of the ordinary. We were pleased with it but not really amazed.
This place is unbelievably good. Tony will greet you and man what a guy true heart. Do not take a menu or you will be referred to as a 'tourist' lmao. The service is too notch, there are more staff then people eating. So attentive to detail. The food superb, i mean dang the best frigging red sauce I have ever had and let me splain I have had my share. The amuse buche or Anti Pasta before the meal is awesome goodness. Be warned those peppers while they look perfect and harmless are hot as hell!. The fresh pasta specials are the way to go here folks Forgetaboutit……Now one thing to bear in mind is the heaviness of your wallet before you enter this fine establishment and the feeling of it being much lighter when leaving but who the hell cares its freakin good!!!!!
This place was a disappointment considering the amazing reviews on service and food.
Venue (3/5) located in the lobby area of a hotel. The restrooms are on the 2nd floor (a bit annoying, but not a show stopper).
Overall the atmosphere was adaptable for all types of customers: dates, small groups, big groups, casual or dressy.
They have a backroom which could sit big groups.
Food: (2/5)
Appetizer antipasto (4/5) Parmesan and slices of some sort of salami (complimentary)
Calamari (1/5) soggy and not hot
Baked clams (1/5) all breading. The clam was very very small.
We ordered a pasta which was not as remember able.
The couple next to us had a porterhouse or rib eye on the bone. They raved about it. Maybe we
Should have gone with that, it looked good.
Service (1/5)
There was a mixup with some bills. The waiters and hostess ended up arguing so loudly the customers just stared at each other. Entertainment for us, but a bit uncomfortable in general.
The bus boys were almost too attentive, you had to wrestle your plates back because they still had food on them.
The bread guy looked at me pretty clueless when I asked him the bread types. He simply repeated which one do you want.
Food alone was 4 star worthy. I got blackened tuna which was among the dinner specials. It was a delicious piece of fish cooked perfectly rare, and the horseradish sauce paired really well with the seafood. But due to the lack of any veggie component in the dinner entrees I ordered a $9 plate of broccoli rabe which tasted quite plain. Service was not up to par. At first the waiter was attentive, but as the evening progressed it was clear that our table was not given equal attention, possibly because we only ordered 1 glass of wine among the 3 of us. Food took forever to come. After we received our food nobody ever came to check on us. I really didn't think it was a smart move for the owners to ignore 3 people who work a block away and pass by this restaurant every day, while doing their best to take care of tourists/customers who only come to this restaurant for special occasions.
If I came back in my next life as a mobster, I hope that I'm Italian. The Japanese are all tatted up, seem to have btch resting face, and never talk… but the Italians have corner tables, amazing tomato sauce covered food, and restaurants with affectionate greetings and hearty laughs. I would also stake out a place at Antica because of their distinctively warm, friendly service.
Don't get me wrong, the food is also good… but the service is what stands out. It's not like the service at Colicchio & Sons where everything is almost like a choreographed dance; Antica's staff just want you to enjoy your meal at their establishment.
Ok on to the food:
A series of free appetizers – You start off with a series of complimentary generously portioned apps (watch out – they can be spicy)
Insalata Antinori – Solid dish with beets and goat cheese. it's straightforward and is exactly what I expected.
Branzino – the star of the meal because they prepare the dish right by your table. The fish is fresh and light, particularly after you drizzle lemon on it
Lobster Ravioli – my friend ordered this dish and it was perfect on a chilly day
Come here if you're in the neighborhood!
Good find, huge portions but as much as the atmosphere and the staff seem authentic, the food just isn't (which doesnt mean it's not good). Great service, romantic feel with candle lights and very decent pasta dishes and risotto. A good option when in the neighborhood.
Antica
I came to Antica on a Thursday during lunch hour with a party of about 12. We had made a reservation a few weeks out and were seated in the back green house which was nice, especially considering we were such a large group and celebrating a retirement.
The menu had something for everyone including Italian American classics. You're not going to find Roman Cacio e Pepe or Napoli pizza on this menu, but your traditional chicken parm, lobster ravioli, and penne with red sauce. We divulged in an appetizer sampler for the group and I was very impressed with the burrata which was smooth, creamy and a heavy portion.
I ordered the lobster ravioli which came with a decent size portion. I was pretty disappointed in the flavor of the lobster. It almost seemed like it was canned, there were barely any fresh chunks and it was kind of gooey. The pasta itself appeared homemade and the sauce was a good balance. But overall I was not impressed especially given the prices and caliber of this restaurant. I ended up eating around the lobster which was a total waste.
My friend had the salmon entree which was cooked well but bland and overall boring. I expected most entrees to come with a side of pasta but not here. Our guest of honor ordered a chicken dish that included three small pieces with some broccoli. Her plate appeared lacking.
They did a good job of keeping the wine flowing, coffee filled up, and ensuring we ordered dessert. But when it came to asking for additional bread or butter, I had to repeat myself about 3-4x. On the service front they were big on the show but in terms of food and attention didn't quite hit the mark.
If location wasn't an issue I would have chosen a number of other, either authentic or unique Italian spots in the city. But Antica met our needs for what we were looking to achieve. I will most likely not be back.
Also, kind of a nuisance that the bathroom is upstairs in the hotel. We had a senior citizen with us in a wheelchair as well as 3 young children and it did not help.
Antica remains at the top of its game and then some! This place is pure bliss. My man wanted to do a double date with his best bud, and Antica instantly came to mind – he's always had a sweet spot for Antica, and now I know why. He has lunch there very VERY often for business, but we've been here for dinner (as per last review) as well – I'm hard to please, but this place passed my test with flying colors. It's the unicorn of all Italian restaurants in the city!
This restaurant deserves the highest praise and all other restaurants should strive for excellence by using Antica as their guidance.
Elio and all his staff are so warm and attentive. With the elegant background and such knowledgeable staff, you really can't go wrong with this place. Elio, a personal thank you for your hospitality and superb service!!!!
We don't get a menu here – they have menus, but we like to hear the list of everything they can make anyway. It's almost overwhelming, but I love the excitement! I opted for the chicken parm since I took a gluten pull and was ready to roll. A little bread crumb won't kill me (the itch later that night somewhat did, but worth it!)
I would've ordered a seafood dish again, like the last time, but I wanted to try a different dish. And oh MY, my chicken parm was FINGER LICKIN' GOOD. The appetizers were amazing- what's up with that mouth watering raspberry dressing for the salad? Mmm mmm nmmmMmmmm!!!!! Baked clams were my favorite as part of the appetizer- it was baked to perfection with sprinkles of heavenly garlic. Everyone at dinner was THRILLED with their food and impeccable service.
Date night? Special occasion? Family gathering? Romantic outdoor seating? PERFECTION? Well, Antica is the place for you. They treat you like family here- don't shy away from asking for recommendations!