D’Amore Winebar & Ristorante
“East Harlem is out of my way, but It is well worth the trip.It is very cozy.”
“Who would have ever thought I'd run into such a cute Italian wine Bar in East Harlem?”
“The owner, Raffaele, is trying to create an atmosphere where everyone can be totally at ease and also mingle with fellow diners if you so choose.”
D’Amore Winebar & Ristorante
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Happy Hour: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
Rate and write a review Cancel reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
They served us a warm salad – best risk we've ever taken!
This tiny place is worth a visit. It is here that I discovered wine is not disgusting. The sommelier really will hand pick something to your taste.
We ordered mostly the specials and everyone was very happy with their meal. The aforementioned salad was just brilliant, warm lettuce what??? it was one of those moments when your eyes open wide as you're chewing cause it's so unbelievably tasty.
We were looking for somewhere to grab a drink after dinner and found this place on Yelp as being nearby. We walked over and it was not easy to find because the sign is small and unassuming. But once we went in, we saw that it was a cute, little wine bar. I wouldn't consider this a place to travel to, but if you are in the area, definitely stop in.
Summary: Intimate atmosphere with good selection of wines and traditional Italian cuisine. Food quality is solid and prices are pretty reasonable. Raffaele is a very hospitable owner whom actively connects with his clientele. An oasis of Italian culture in the heart of Spanish Harlem.
My wife and I discovered D'Amore via Yelp when trying to plan our Spring trip to NYC. We were going to be exploring the Upper East Side and needed a place to do dinner and drinks so D'Amore seemed like a perfect spot. We found it right across the street from the 116th St subway station and made our way inside. Immediately we were enveloped in silence, warmth, and and a dim-lighted mystique. The restaurant is pretty narrow and extends back into the dining room area behind the long bar. Upon entry we were immediately greeted and told we could sit wherever we'd like.
After we picked a table in the back corner a server brought us some water and the menus. We started by perusing the wine menu and opted for a Quart of the Malbec to start. It was smooth and full bodied, but my wife wasn't as big of a fan. Then out of the back came Raffaele to greet us and get to know us a little bit. My wife and I inquired about what wine he would recommend next based on her interests and he brought us out samples of the Lambrusco, which is a chilled red wine with a light effervescence that is more fruity than bold. She liked it, so we got a quart of that next.
Soon we were getting hungry so we decided to start ordering some food. Here is what we got:
Classica Al Pomodoro – A classic bruschetta on four pieces of toasted bread with chopped tomato and olive oil. Nice textures. A good start to the meal.
Prosciutto & Taleggio – My wife ordered this sandwich because she is big into the contrasting sweet-savory flavors. This provided that with the fig jam, creamy cheese, and salty prosciutto. It was quite good.
Spaghetti alla Chitarra with Shrimp – The spaghetti was nice and firm, the shrimp well cooked, and the sauce very tasty.
Chocolate Lava Cake – Well executed. The warm cake with molten chocolate (which oozed out when punctured) was excellently balanced by the cool vanilla ice cream. Not overly sweet, but also not without its dose of sugar.
Raffaele has a great establishment here. My best to him and his staff (whom were quite attentive throughout the meal). The prices are reasonable and we would definitely consider coming back again if in the neighborhood.
Italian food for those who don't cook and maybe never had a fresh tomato. Ergo they tried one at Damore and that combined with the charming owner's Italian accent utterly transported them to an imaginary Italy.
H.L. Mencken said, "American have a libido for the ugly."
While this certainly explains all of the mediocre colonial paintings (we were rebelling so we had to wing it) – it doesn't explain mediocre, expensive food.
The vibe is cute. In a bay ridge Brooklyn trying to park slope sort of way. Even after the refurb it still sort of dank.
Been here for brunch, wine, pizza it's all basic. And, basic like the pizza/flatbread is a thin slice of cracker with cheese for $14. The espresso is good. The bread is ok. The ingredients are fresh and quality. But, the creativity is nothing special and the execution is just not there.
My guy likes the place – a little. I have no idea why. But even he picked up Mexican takeout an hour later.
It's different for the neighborhood but that's where all the magic ends.
I just devoured the Pollo al Mattone for dinner … and miss it already! The 4 simple ingredients of grilled Cornish hen, sautéed spinach, roasted potatoes and red wine sauce reduction were transformed into a balanced, classic, and subtly flavored dish – I literally reveled in every morsel!
With its low-key entrance in an average part of East Harlem, D'amore feels like a well-kept secret: breathe in the aroma of the fresh sauces, take in the symphonic clamoring of the kitchenware – and you'll be in love too.
LOVE this place. The venue is intimate and warm, the owner is a hilarious Italian guy who takes the time to talk to each guest and make you feel at home. The food is excellent (try the sweet sausage sandwich).
Love this place! Went for a double date last week. The food is excellent (true, authentic Italian), the wine is delicious (many imported from Italy), and the waiter/bar tender is very friendly and helpful. The decor is adorable, a tiny place with a bar up front and a few small tables in the back. The prices are VERY reasonable for the quality of the food and overall atmosphere.
Very cozy and romantic place, great for a date or cozy hang out. Don't let the outside storefront or neighborhood fool you, worth the trip up here for sure!
Yeah, I agree. It's that good. It may seem out of place given the location but it's convenient – right around the corner from the 116th st. 6 train. The bar is immediately at the front when you walk in and the dining area is in the back. I have only experienced the bar area thus far. As for the rest of the place, its a very nicely decorated interior (in my inartistic opinion). Very chill vibe – great for a date or casual outing.
I've mostly had wine here and I do like that they leave the bottle that you ordered right in front of you. It's nice to get a reminder of what you are drinking but also…well…it's there if you want more!
I do not have a lot of experience with the food but did order the Gamberi al Limone – which was awesome. Essentially it's shrimp in a tomato and lemon based sauce with some bread for dipping on the side. Good stuff.
Now to the best part – the owner. He's amazingly nice and friendly and seems to greet/engage in conversation with most that walk in! And people love him! He makes the place what it is, in my view.
Worth checking out – I think the amount of people present can be variable so not sure which nights are "happening" vs. Laid back.