La Mela Ristorante
“Great size portions if you want to share family style or order stag and save your leftovers for lunch the next day.”
“I recommend going on an off hour or making a reservation way in advance if you don't feel like waiting or being turned away.”
“Try the family style menu but don't even try to tackle more than 3 courses with only 2 people.”
La Mela Ristorante
Takes Reservations: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
PokéStop Nearby: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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Came as a kid with a big group and sat behind the kitchen. Had what they were cooking and it was so delicious. They put a bottle of red, a bottle of white, some sodas out and then the food did not stop coming. My first food coma.
I've been told La Mela is one of the best italian restaurants in Little Italy.. I've ate here twice and i still cant seem to understand why people say that..
This past wkend we ate here for a friend's bday and i was reminded why i only tried this place once and made up my mind it was not a restaurant for me..
We had a party of 12. It was a big restaurant which can be a + and -. La Mela is huge, but with such huge space u should assume there are enough well trained employees.. Employees who do not have a problem w working at a large space and w a huge number of parties..
But that was not what we saw. We had a staff tell us, "tell me all ur drinks now so i wont hafto come back and get more drinks later.." Um. We're sorry for makin u do ur job.. At a huge restaurant w a huge party.. But isnt that what u signed up for when u got hired? Btw i ordered a sprite and the waiter gave me a sierra mist without checkin w me first..
The food was decent, we had calamaris, stuffed mushrooms and casino clams. Our pasta was not al dente (but it didnt bother me since i dont like my pasta that way) but it was drenched w sauce.. Too much sauce. And i dont like my pasta that way..
I would say the food is decent, but not the "best" italian food i've had. I've definitely had better, try Pepe Rosso on Mott Street and thas homemade pasta and it tastes great.. And their service is impeccable. But here at La Mela.. It was jus sad to hear a waiter say that.. We wont be back anytime soon
A real home feeling in little Italy!! I am not down there much and was excited to visit a friend in the area! We stopped in quickly to grab a bite to eat before on to the next and the staff was awesome!! Very friendly and conversational! We ordered a simple spaghetti and meatballs with a beer, the food was tasty and priced just right!! I loved to go back the next time I'm there for a more sit down, full dinner !
Great portions for lunch prices- I ordered the veal parm which had a delicious patty, perfectly cooked pasta, and a decent salad. I wasn't too impressed with the bread, and the presentation of food could use work. However this was a very laid back atmosphere, great for a casual family outing. I simply wasn't too impressed with my first time in Little Italy, although I hear it's similar in all Little Italy establishments.
It's been about 20 years since I ate here, before tonight, and I swear, neither the place or the food has changed a bit! I don't say this as a bad thing. In fact, quite the opposite. I love the fact that 20 years later i can come in order the 5 course family-style dinner and eat almost the same exact, fantastic food I ate back then. While I usually feel that restaurants need to change and embrace new trends in food there are some restaurants that I feel do best because they never change. La Mela is one of those restaurants. The food may not be the greatest but it is certainly in the style of home cooked comfort food which means it's flavorful, plentiful, and will leave you stuffed.
You can order ala cart or opt for 3, 4, or 5 course family style meals. I suggest the family meals which gives you a chance to taste a number of different dishes.
The atmosphere does leave a little to be desired. This certainly isn't one of the most romantic places around but it's perfect for when you want to go out and have a fun time. I definitely suggest this place for smaller groups. You'll have a lot of fun.
Ciao Bella!!!!
Okay, so I'll confess, that's Italian 101 for me in a nutshell. I can't state that I know anything further about the language but when it comes to O-MAZZZZING Italian cuisine, I now know without a doubt where to go……..when in Little Italy, NY!!!!
La Mela just gave me life and served it up bountifully upon a charcuterie platter!!!!!!
While visiting NY this past NYE, a simple Yelp search for the "best Italian food around" led us to this place and bearing the holiday in mind, we weren't certain of restaurant hours and so forth.
* Taxi —- check!
* Growling tummies —– double check!!
* Italian translator —— (sighs,….) not so much. -__-
Arrived and to speak candidly, there was no delay in finding this place whatsoever! Located on Mulberry – where pretty much all of the action is within this particular segment of town, we were compelled to "follow our noses" and our nostrils were immediately enveloped by the aroma of freshly made breads and pastas.
O yea! Papa's home….
Walking into this place, we were greeted from the front porch as if we were relatives that had traveled from afar and bear gifts of myrrh and frankincense. For what it's worth, this place is gi'normous and my observations indicate that parties can be served without any such need to acquire reservations.
No sooner than we entered were we seated and similar to Julia Roberts on "Eat, Pray, Love" —- the experience began.
Boasting a 5 course meal (consistent of gnocchi, tortellini and rigatoni) for all of $35.00 or so, we knew upon browsing the menu that we'd be leaving w/ doggy bags all the while requiring crutches. Instead of the aforementioned, I opted for the linguini with clams………..minus the linguini, as an appetizer.
Buon Dio!!!! (I just Wikipedia'd that…) – – THIS DISH DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!!
Served piping hot, and I MEAN HOT!, this dish arrived reminiscent of something sent straight from the heavens!
#the-last-supper
Bearing in mind that I was amid "family" and family doesn't judge, lol, I requested another round of bread (1 of 5 servings that evening) simply to sop up the savor from the sauce! As any REAL foodie knows, the TRUE testament to great cuisine is the sauce!!!
Upon finishing this course, we partook in ordering the chicken marsala as well as a trio of 3 homemade dishes served collectively as a combination platter. Consistent to this was: Gnocchi, Rigatoni and some other pasta dish served with enough cheese to make any local farmer blush.
Admittedly, I'm lactose intolerant but this go round, I just had to take one for the team!!! Tag on a few glasses of wine and yes………some more bread and I was ready to kiss the chef!
Shortly thereafter and bearing in mind that we were only a party of 2, our table was joined by a party of 4. Ironically however, there was nothing awkward about this as they simply asked what we'd ordered and our party magically wafted into a table of 6!!!
Ora e una festa!!!! (Now it's a party!!!)
The bill (for 2) equated to no more than $60.00 for a smorgasbord of delectables and no sooner than I can crunch my way to a flatter stomach, I definitely envision our expedient return!
Excellent job guys! EXXXXXXCELLENT!!!!! (……kisses fingers)
Ok so it's Little Italy.. I realize most of these restaurants on this block are pretty much the same. We were given the recommendation of La Mela from a family member.
The inside isn't much to look at, luckily we were in the right place at the right time to grab a table on the street in front of La Mela. If you can sit on the street, it's the way to go. We were seated and served promptly.
The portions were served family style. Perfect for us since we usually share everything anyway. We decided on the calamari and the rigatoni bolognese. I didn't try the calamari but I was told it was in the realm of the best he has ever had. Which is saying a lot… I thought the rigatoni was so good. I wish new the recipe for the sauce! If we were in the neighbor hood again we would definitely return.
I have been here literally 20 times. My mother makes fun of me because every time I come to NYC I come here.
When you come here, you know exactly know what you are getting. Great food and a lot of it. Get the family style. You have 2 decisions, red or white wine and how when to stop eating.
They have awesome cheesy pictures of everything and of celebrities that have frequented the place.
They ogle the ladies in their Italian ways, its part of the charm.
Come here.