(212) 677-9466
205 E 4th St
New York,
NY
10003
40.724
-73.9839
Neighborhoods: Alphabet City, East Village, Downtown
Hours:
Mon-Wed 5pm-12am
Thu and Sun 12pm-3pm, 5pm-12am
Fri-Sat 12pm-3pm, 12pm-1am
Last updated 9.11.08
What People Are Saying About Assenzio
Featured Review
Erin Behan
Contributor
In Short – Light-green walls, a distinctive copper bar and small wooden tables and chairs give a fresh, updated feeling to the smallish dining room. The moderately priced menu includes antipasti such as the Sardinian cheese plate with honey. Fennel, artichoke and arugula grace various salads, while pasta dishes range from potato dumpling to penne and black tagliolini. The traditionally prepared suckling pig and braised wild boar are among the entrees.
Editor's Tips
- What to Drink:
- Try the namesake drink, assenzio (Italian for "absinthe"). The legal brand Absente is served in traditional fashion, with flaming sugar cubes.
| ambiance | 93.75% positive |
|
|---|---|---|
| dessert | 100.0% positive |
|
| drinks | 100.0% positive |
|
| food quality | 88.33000183105469% positive |
|
| menu variety | 83.33000183105469% positive |
|
| overall | 0.0% positive |
|
| return potential | 0.0% positive |
|
| service | 65.63000202178955% positive |
|
| value | 100.0% positive |
|
| wait time | 100.0% positive |
|
Amazing!
by hmorris6 at Citysearch
One word: Polenta. The most amazing I have ever had, including when I went to Italy. Their use of wild boar instead of beef is incredible (and healthier might I add). I come back to this place almost every time I am in New York.
- Pros: Polenta
- Cons: Too far away from home
Great Find!
by fornickels at Citysearch
GREAT restaurant. We wandered in with no reservation. The place was full but we waited, the owner gave us shots of grappa on the house for waiting. The food was all around delicious. Pastas were well cooked and seasoned, the fish was excellent. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and personable. Bartender was very forthcoming with suggestions and information about the liquors (grappa) and wines. Will definitely go back!
- Pros: great food, great drinks
- Cons: may have to wait for a table
Best Porchetto in town
by kat65 at Citysearch
Finally we have found a fine Italian restaurant that doesn't drain our resources. The cozy but unpretentious atmosphere of Assenzio made for a relaxing dinner. Under new management, the restaurant is hosted by Massimo who is gracious and friendly but not invasive. From the diverse wine selection we selected a glass of Dolcetto D'Alba that was excellent. The appetizer menu looked good based on what we saw on other patrons' plates. Instead, we had the salad special with arucola, grilled portabella mushrooms and ricotta salata. It was delectable. The highlight of the dinner for us was the porchetto with mirto (roasted young pork with myrtle) and the fresh seabass special. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and capped it off with a Mirto, a Sardinian liquor, definitely worth a try.
- Pros: Great food with great service
- Cons: Nothing
Excellent food and and a great atmosphere
by sienna9 at Citysearch
I went back to Assenzio after a long absence and wondered why I had stayed away for so long. the food, especially anything with truffle, was fantastic and the service is really friendly. It may be the most laid-back restaurant in the East Village, which is saying something. The wine list could use a little updating, but otherwise, I've no complaints.
Terrible and rude service
by citylove94 at Citysearch
I will never return to this restaurant again. The staff was rude from the beginning and purposely did not even tell me the specials. I didn't even realize until the same waiter explained the specials in detail to the next table. The stuffed chicken was the driest I have ever tasted. The snapper was so fishy that it was unpalatable. The rigatoni with eggplant was oily with COLD mozzarella on top. Our water was NEVER refilled. My friends and I were seated at a table near the bar and felt uncomfortable throughout dinner as the staff stood less than 4 feet away and looked at us the entire time, as if they never had minorities in their restaurant. There are many great Italian restaurants in the East Village with better wine lists, service, and food...I have never had a worst experience.
- Cons: Terrible food and service
The Details on Assenzio
Place Categories:
- delicious food
- attentive service
- full place
- great atmosphere
- very knowledgeable waiter
- unapologetic manager
- full kitchen staff
- perfect everything
- wonderful pastas
- reliably delicious appetizer menu
- authentic countrystyle sardinainitalian meal
- not best italian restaurant
- good wine
- love salads
- like felt
- excellent papardella
- terrible nyc dining
- not bad minute wait
- great vibe
- cold mozzarella
- great ambiance
- extremely fresh worthy chocolate mousse
- perfect assenzio
- excellent dolcetto dalba
- nice traditional italian restaurant

