Bianca Restaurant

(212) 260-4666

5 Bleecker St
New York, NY 10012 40.7254 -73.9924

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Neighborhoods: NoHo, Downtown

Hours:

Monday To Thursday From 05:00 PM To 11:00 PM Friday To Saturday From 05:00 PM To 12:00 AM Sunday To Sunday From 05:00 PM To 10:30 PM

Price:

$$

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Cash

Restaurant Special Features:

Romantic Dining

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Italian

What People Are Saying About Bianca Restaurant

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

White walls, bright wood and exposed brick give a homey feeling to this snug East Village trattoria. Although the restaurant is carefully assembled and managed, the low prices and informal vibe have a mellowing effect. Service is warm and competent, if occasionally rushed. The regional Italian cooking is joyfully simple. Pillowy fried dough rectangles partner well with an array of salami as a starter; an intensely flavored appetizer of chicken livers in balsamic reduction is also delicious. Pastas can be little marvels of texture, exemplified by a basic yet remarkably good ricotta-filled…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
The nicely varied Italian wine list includes a grouping of a few dozen bottles less than $40, as well as an equal or greater number above that price.
ambiance
96.07999801635742% positive
  1. took 2 friends earlier this week, and we were all impressed by the lovely atmosphere, friendly service and yummy food.
  2. The food and service were excellent and not intrusive, and the atmosphere was ideal for an intimate and comfortable meal.
  3. Very good food w/ a menu to please everyone, friendly and informal service, nice ambience and an excellent value.
  4. Extremely cozy, if not a little claustrophbic!
  5. My boyfriend and I discovered this out-of-the-way, cash-only, cozy spot and have been reluctant to tell friends and family about it as we want it to remain our little secret!
  6. The restaurant is romantic and cozy.
  7. good italian food, cheap prices and cozy atmosphere.
  8. The atmosphere is perfect for a date - felt very comfortable.
  9. It's as close to perfect as I've found in Manhattan: romantic setting, friendly owner and wait staff, reasonably priced wine list and some of the best home-cooked Italian food I've ever had (I highly recommend the gnocci and the lasagna and the specials a
  10. From the ambience to the food, this was a great dining experience.
  11. Absolutely loved the atmosphere and the food was ridiculously delicious.
  12. The place is small but with a really nice ambience.
  13. This is a great neighborhood restaurant where the food is very good, as is the service and atmosphere.
  14. The atmosphere and wait staff were charming.
  15. The food's good, the prices are reasonable, the decor is pleasant.
  16. Small place, very cozy - down to the tables.
  17. Been there quite a few times for dinner with my baby koala and its romantic, but busy with delicious, cheap food.
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. The Gnocchi was the best we've ever had and the cream sauce was yummy, with just the right consistency.
  2. great lasagna, great desserts!
  3. Typical Emilia-Romagnan cuisine, from the flash-fried parsley, to the wonderful fish and excellent salads, to the very nice desserts (like tarfufo).
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. Both food and wine were definately affordable, especially considering the quality.
  2. We had a nice bottle of wine recommended by our server and thoroughly enjoyed the food.
  3. And there is a terrific wine bar next store for an after dinner drink.
  4. Plus, the bar next door is very nice too.
  5. He also helped us select a superb red wine.
  6. It's as close to perfect as I've found in Manhattan: romantic setting, friendly owner and wait staff, reasonably priced wine list and some of the best home-cooked Italian food I've ever had (I highly recommend the gnocci and the lasagna and the specials a
food quality
97.82999992370605% positive
  1. The Gnocchi was the best we've ever had and the cream sauce was yummy, with just the right consistency.
  2. The food was delicious, I had the filet mignon.
  3. Each of us had a different type of very fresh homemade pasta.
  4. The food is good although the portions are a little small.
  5. some of the best italian food i've had in manhattan, especially for the price.
  6. We had a nice bottle of wine recommended by our server and thoroughly enjoyed the food.
  7. Have been there twice and it is the best value for your dollar authentic Italian food that I have found in the city.
  8. The food was fantastic!
  9. Cute 'n tasty!
  10. The food was amazing and the service was what you would expect for a small and busy rest.
  11. My gnocchi was nice and fluffy, topped with a gorgonzola alfredo sauce.
  12. brought my wife here before a show at the 45 Bleecker St. Theatre, after a little research online, and it turned out to be the best Italian food we've probably ever had (at least, certainly the best we've had in NYC).
  13. This is a great neighborhood restaurant where the food is very good, as is the service and atmosphere.
  14. From the ambience to the food, this was a great dining experience.
  15. It's a bit cramped but adorable and the food is AMAZING for the money.
  16. Our meal would have been even cheaper if we knew that the portions were big enough to share.
  17. The food's good, the prices are reasonable, the decor is pleasant.
  18. Been there quite a few times for dinner with my baby koala and its romantic, but busy with delicious, cheap food.
  19. The servers were very attentive and our food was delivered to our table promptly.
  20. Delicious food, excellent service!
  21. The gramigna is by far the best dish in the house.
  22. It's as close to perfect as I've found in Manhattan: romantic setting, friendly owner and wait staff, reasonably priced wine list and some of the best home-cooked Italian food I've ever had (I highly recommend the gnocci and the lasagna and the specials a
  23. Whereas this is a nice place with pleasant staff, the pasta was very mediocre.
  24. The food and service were excellent and not intrusive, and the atmosphere was ideal for an intimate and comfortable meal.
  25. We ended up sharing because both dishes were fantastic.
  26. Both food and wine were definately affordable, especially considering the quality.
  27. Very good food w/ a menu to please everyone, friendly and informal service, nice ambience and an excellent value.
  28. I'm a vegan---but all of my friends love their cheese, meats, & seafood and they thoroughly enjoyed their meals.
  29. Best olive oil in town, very good (and simple) pasta dishes, the best spiedino di mare in NYC.
  30. The puff dough w/sliced Italian meats app is so good!
  31. Absolutely loved the atmosphere and the food was ridiculously delicious.
  32. was so impressed with this authentic Italian restaurant.
  33. good italian food, cheap prices and cozy atmosphere.
  34. The staff were utterly delightful and helpful, the food great - although my appetiser was a tad oily - and it's a lovely place for an intimate dinner.
  35. We just came back from Italy and wanted to compare "notes" on pasta - this place was highly recommended and had a rating of 9.4.
  36. Note that they only take cash but its worth every penny - No reservations accepted but Ive never had to wait more than 15 minutes for a table - Try the tuna salad and/or the salmon - lasagna is tasty too - I just made myself hungry.
  37. And rightfully so, the pastas are delicious and the prices are unheard of in NY!
  38. Her dish was wonderfully simple; the homemade pasta was al dente (as it should be) coated with a tomato sauce, fresh basil, and rich olive oil.
  39. Typical Emilia-Romagnan cuisine, from the flash-fried parsley, to the wonderful fish and excellent salads, to the very nice desserts (like tarfufo).
  40. took 2 friends earlier this week, and we were all impressed by the lovely atmosphere, friendly service and yummy food.
  41. The service was very attentive, the food was good (minus the chicken liver) and although the restaurant is really noisy with everyone chatting away and the tables being so close to each other - the only conversation I could hear was the one I was having.
  42. Seafood pasta was also very good.
  43. The food came quickly and my chicken was delicious, just seemed like they were a little understaffed for the night, or had a lot of people come in right after 8:00.
  44. highly recommend both dishes.
  45. The service is impeccable and the homemade pasta is delicious.
  46. The food was great.
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. Friendly service, great menu and reasonable prices.
  2. Other than that, really cute, charming restaurant with a surprisingly good menu!
  3. Very good food w/ a menu to please everyone, friendly and informal service, nice ambience and an excellent value.
  4. The waiter was extremely helpful when we had questions about the menu.
overall
94.44000244140625% positive
  1. Really a great restaurant.
  2. great little restaurant!
  3. Whereas this is a nice place with pleasant staff, the pasta was very mediocre.
  4. It's a great place to TEST a date.
  5. The staff were utterly delightful and helpful, the food great - although my appetiser was a tad oily - and it's a lovely place for an intimate dinner.
  6. This is a great neighborhood restaurant where the food is very good, as is the service and atmosphere.
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. You know the place is great when you talk about it a year later and still go back.
service
95.2400016784668% positive
  1. The service was fantastic eventhough we were not the typical village crowd.
  2. The crowd was friendly and reflected the best of real New York City.
  3. The food was amazing and the service was what you would expect for a small and busy rest.
  4. This is a great neighborhood restaurant where the food is very good, as is the service and atmosphere.
  5. The service is just as good as I have had at placed 3 times the price.
  6. The service was impeccable, very friendly and attentive wait staff.
  7. It's as close to perfect as I've found in Manhattan: romantic setting, friendly owner and wait staff, reasonably priced wine list and some of the best home-cooked Italian food I've ever had (I highly recommend the gnocci and the lasagna and the specials a
  8. The staff is pretty friendly.
  9. The staff is wonderful and makes the place feel like home.
  10. Friendly service, great menu and reasonable prices.
  11. The portions are huge, the service fast and friendly, and the prices are unheard of.
  12. took 2 friends earlier this week, and we were all impressed by the lovely atmosphere, friendly service and yummy food.
  13. Very good food w/ a menu to please everyone, friendly and informal service, nice ambience and an excellent value.
  14. The food came quickly and my chicken was delicious, just seemed like they were a little understaffed for the night, or had a lot of people come in right after 8:00.
  15. The service is impeccable and the homemade pasta is delicious.
  16. We had a nice bottle of wine recommended by our server and thoroughly enjoyed the food.
  17. Whereas this is a nice place with pleasant staff, the pasta was very mediocre.
  18. The staff was extremely helpful and accommodating.
  19. Service is friendly.
  20. The waiter was extremely helpful when we had questions about the menu.
  21. Awful service
  22. The staff was great, friendly and knowledgeable and the price can't be beat!
  23. Delicious food, excellent service!
  24. The servers were very attentive and our food was delivered to our table promptly.
  25. The atmosphere and wait staff were charming.
  26. The staff were utterly delightful and helpful, the food great - although my appetiser was a tad oily - and it's a lovely place for an intimate dinner.
  27. The food and service were excellent and not intrusive, and the atmosphere was ideal for an intimate and comfortable meal.
  28. The service was very attentive, the food was good (minus the chicken liver) and although the restaurant is really noisy with everyone chatting away and the tables being so close to each other - the only conversation I could hear was the one I was having.
value
97.10000038146973% positive
  1. Very good food w/ a menu to please everyone, friendly and informal service, nice ambience and an excellent value.
  2. The staff was great, friendly and knowledgeable and the price can't be beat!
  3. The food's good, the prices are reasonable, the decor is pleasant.
  4. The portions are huge, the service fast and friendly, and the prices are unheard of.
  5. He admitted I should have been told it would cost $11 extra for my "mozzarella on top" request but wouldn't do anything about it; he felt that our $40/person meals represented a good value so we shouldn't care.
  6. The prices are great, too.
  7. It was THE BEST italian I have had out in a long while at this price.
  8. The food is good although the portions are a little small.
  9. Both food and wine were definately affordable, especially considering the quality.
  10. The portions are huge -- neither my date or I could finish our portions.
  11. Note that they only take cash but its worth every penny - No reservations accepted but Ive never had to wait more than 15 minutes for a table - Try the tuna salad and/or the salmon - lasagna is tasty too - I just made myself hungry.
  12. Plus, the price is downright affordable.
  13. It's a bit cramped but adorable and the food is AMAZING for the money.
  14. Been there quite a few times for dinner with my baby koala and its romantic, but busy with delicious, cheap food.
  15. The prices for everything is very reasonable.
  16. Our meal would have been even cheaper if we knew that the portions were big enough to share.
  17. Portions are healthy and prices are very reasonable.
  18. some of the best italian food i've had in manhattan, especially for the price.
  19. The service is just as good as I have had at placed 3 times the price.
  20. Friendly service, great menu and reasonable prices.
  21. Have been there twice and it is the best value for your dollar authentic Italian food that I have found in the city.
  22. And rightfully so, the pastas are delicious and the prices are unheard of in NY!
  23. good italian food, cheap prices and cozy atmosphere.
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. It was THE BEST italian I have had out in a long while at this price.
  2. Note that they only take cash but its worth every penny - No reservations accepted but Ive never had to wait more than 15 minutes for a table - Try the tuna salad and/or the salmon - lasagna is tasty too - I just made myself hungry.
  3. It was one of the best meals we've had in the city for a long time.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/29/11

FANTASTIC

by BWilliam

I have been several times service/food are always exceptional. GO! You are cheating yourself if you don't...

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/14/10

Love this place@

by jofire

Good food, great prices, great ambiance.

What's not to love, cash only policy is my only complaint.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/03/10

You've Probably Walked Right By

by JoanneHCheng

A note to everyone: they take reservations if you are a group of 8 or more for early seating only (say 6PM). Don't even bother trying to head there with a big group unless its past 11PM and even then its still SO busy. And rightfully so, the pastas are delicious and the prices are unheard of in NY! The gramigna is by far the best dish in the house. It certainly looks like hamburger helper but the taste . . . . worth the wait for a table any day.

  • Pros: Pasta Made Fresh In House
  • Cons: No reservations in this small space
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/08/10

Has become one of my Favorite!

by MLevey

I became aware of this quaint little place from a friend who was visiting town. I was there last night for my third time and don't have one complaint. They don't take reservations so you may have to wait a little or not at all. If there is a wait you can wonder next store to the bar and grab a drink. Service is great because they do a perfect job of remembering everyone and their names. Food is fantastic, I had the Gnocchi while my date had the Ravioli. We ended up sharing because both dishes were fantastic. Check came and even though I have been here prior I was still shocked how affordable the pricing compared to how much you received. Great place for a date or just to grab a bite with some friends.

  • Pros: Food, Amazing pricing and the Staff
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/12/09

One of the best

by DGBK

Just a great hidden away place. Have been there twice and it is the best value for your dollar authentic Italian food that I have found in the city. Just remember its cash only and be prepared

  • Pros: nice atmosphere, good food
  • Cons: none that I can think of

The Details on Bianca Restaurant

Place Categories:

  • good homecooked italian food
  • friendly service
  • friendly wait staff
  • very reasonable cheap prices
  • nice small place
  • favorite italian restaurant
  • great lasagna
  • best gnocchi
  • great dining experience
  • fantastic pasta dishes
  • cozy date spot
  • huge portions
  • excellent value
  • ridiculously delicious atmosphere
  • cheap food
  • delicious pasta
  • definately affordable wine
  • nice ambience
  • warm inside
  • very fresh homemade pasta
  • loved tagliatelle bolognese
  • not great gnocci
  • very nice desserts
  • surprisingly good menu
  • thoroughly enjoyed meals
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