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JS31

Joined 3 years ago

Best in New York. I went to this restaurant last night after hearing fantastic things about it. It is gorgeous on the inside! My friend I was with and I were seated past the kitchen in another area, which looked really cool because there were pictures of celebrities with Emilio autographs on the walls. I had the best bread I've ever had in my life there! Haha not kidding! And then I got chicken parm and it was AMAZING. I am still thinking about it today. Someone on here wrote that the portions were huge, but I disagree! I was able to finish my whole meal! I thought the portions were just right and not too much at all. This is truly my favorite restaurant now in New York and I will go back as often as I possibly can!!!! And Emilio was sitting at a table near mine, chatting with some friends of his I assume. He was really nice.

Everyone must go there!

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JPaucke

Joined 3 years ago

Great little Italian joint. Warm ambiance was low key, perfect with a little Sinatra and the like in the background. Portion was perfect, not too much like most places and taste was very, very good. Bread beginning and tiramisu dessert end was luscious. I highly recommend if you like great service, great food, reasonably priced $17-21 entree. I can't wait to return and try something else, as the tagliatelle bolognese was superb.

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DanaD52178

Joined 4 years ago

Our new favorite place!!!!!!. We happened to stumble upon this place by accident and we're so happy we did. The place is a treat! The decor has a shabby chic, warm feel to it and they play great Italian music (lots of Sinatra too) which adds to the ambiance. The food portions are big so you get your money's worth. They have the best bread and olive oil, the food tatses amazing and we leave feeling like we had a true NYC Italian experience. This place beats any Little Italy joint. Its romantic, but spacious at the same time....great for dates and we cant wait to go back!!!

Doesn't Recommend

patsy2000

Joined 4 years ago

This place is a rip-off -- comparable Italian can be found for much less. The food here is good, if unspectacular, Italian. However, the prices are absurd. I went with a friend, and we split an appetizer, each had an entree, had one bottle of wine, cappucinos, and shared a desert. The bill with tip was $200. The entrees were specials--I had chilean sea bass and she had lamb shank--and they were $35 each! To be fair, I should have asked the price when they were described, but I think when you charge twice as much for specials as you do for normal entrees a restaurant has a duty to state the price along with the description. I was left feeling cheated, and will never go here again.

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ask123

Joined 5 years ago

THERE IS NO FRIED SCENT WHATSOEVER - JUST GREAT FOOD!. I read a couple of reviews here citing a fried food odor that comes from the kitchen, and I thought I had to set the record straight. I have been going to Ballato for years and have NEVER noticed that. The only scent that's there is that of a normal Italian restaurant -- that is, the scent of delicious food coming from the kitchen. There is NO fried odor whatsoever. In fact, there are almost no fried foods on the menu. It seems that these other reviewers can't tell the difference between the scents of fried and un-fried foods. Also, the scent of food in no way "sticks" to your clothes. I have never left the restaurant smelling like food. One reviewer said s/he couldn't remove the odor even with dry cleaning. This seems preposterous to me. It couldn't be further from my experiences. I've never had that happen to me in the many years I have been going to this restaurant. The only thing you leave Ballato with is a full and satisfied stomach!

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Lesdeuxplateau

Joined 5 years ago

A GREAT FOOD EXPERIENCE BUT...... I try to go back several times with my wife, we have both love and would love to go more often, the simple creations of Emilio's food are mouthwatering - from a single plate of Spaghetti pasta to a Sausages and Broccoli old school...Oh God the heavens are opening !!!

But...two major issues are refraining us from going more often, and I think after all of my times there it was time to have people know. Have you smell your close when you walk out of the restaurant ?? Oh My God - it is like taking a bath in a fryer with potato chips. the smell is so strong it penetrates in to your close, ( not even the dry cleaner was able to take it off ).

Can we talk about the Bathroom now ?? Yes OK they are rustic and old but can they at list be cleaned more often ?

Definitively Emilio need to do some "Home Work", we are not the only couple that have notice that trust me !

Maybe a more efficient Air System ? Not sure.

Therefore - don't change the food please that's AWESOME !

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adam58a

Joined 5 years ago

Love it! Love it! Love it!. My favorite type of place. Small, family owned with incredible food! Best pasta pomodoro in the city (second to my wife's) and the ravioli is perfect. The front dining room is fairly small with a spectacular, authentic ambience. The owner (Emilio) is a great guy and is always there.

I recommend this place with the highest regard!

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dr_mich_admirer

Joined 5 years ago

A little piece of Italy in New York. There aren't enough superlatives to describe the positive features of this discrete gem. Emilio has created an intimite setting, that allows it's patrons to fall into their own romantic Italian fantasy world. Sitting deep in the corner of the restuarant you will get the feeling that its your own private seating. The interior has a rustic, weathered element that ironically adds sophistication. Emilio's presence in the restaurant either seated at a close by table enjoying some grappa with guests, or welcoming new customers adds its own class of ambience to the environment.

How can one describe the food? So incredibley fresh, the flavors explode on your taste buds. We savoured the ravioli in the marinara/arrabiatta sauce and the seafood linguini, which were both enhanced with a few glasses of chianti . They were arguabley the best pasta dishes either of us have ever enjoyed.

But Emilio's wasn't finished impressing, make sure to make room for dessert. The tiramisu is "heaven in your mouth", enjoyed with a decedent cappacino, this combination will numb the body with satisfaction.

If you are looking for a romantic lunch/dinner and you are lucky enough to be with someone that you will get lost in their eyes, Emilio's will not disappointment. Quite the contrary it will only enhance your experience and you will feel that you are the only two people in the restuarant. Time will stand still while you enjoy each other's company. Make sure you have the time to savour every minute of this dining experience, I'm sure before leaving you will promise to return. Pinky swear to be sure..;)

Buon Appetito!

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lenn47

Joined 6 years ago

BEST ITALIAN FOOD IN NYC. Ballatos is the best there is no other restaraunt compares from its homemade pasta from its warm crspy ficaccha bread the atmosphere is great emilio the owner makes you feel right at home being there everyday and making you feel welcome there they pasta is just delisous and everything is just amazing there if you want to go to the best italian restaraunt you have to go to emilio ballatos best in NYC

Doesn't Recommend

elehcim

Joined 7 years ago

OOOOverpriced.... Expecially the vine is overpriced. Too much! I'm italian, born and raised in Italy and believe me.. the food here is good, the vine is good but you really pay everything almost the double of the fair market value.