ama

The Scene – White-washed walls with glowing pale rose lights provide a serene and peaceful setting. And the narrow, single-room dining room with tables lining each wall creates close, yet comfortable quarters where diners can anxiously await the dishes being served to neighbors. Service is warm and engaging. – – The Food – The simple setting leaves all the focus on the food, which centers around the regional dishes of the southern Italian region of Puglia. Charcoal-grilled octopus tangled with slivers of onion, and red and yellow beets dotted with goat cheese and…

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Editor's Tips

The Extras:: Owner Donatella Arpaia also co-owns davidburke & donatella on the Upper East Side.
What to Drink:: The wine list boasts budget-friendly selections fron every region in Italy. The fresh, herbal Vitiano bianco is a good choice for the lighter dishes, or ask Ama's expert sommelier to help you make the perfect choice.

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User Reviews (22)

ambiance	91.66999816894531% positive	“Great wine list, great service and a really warm atmosphere.” “But alas, looks and reviews do not overcome mediocre food, poor service and bland atmosphere.” “Not really sure where the bad reviews came from, but the food was really good and though low key the atmosphere was great.” “Found the staff attentive, the food excellent, and the atmosphere very pleasant.” “Really great food and atmosphere!” “The wine list was absolutely right on par with everything and the setting was so romantic.”
dessert	100.0% positive	“got the pork chop, which came with a delicious mushroom and cream sauce, but the meat itself was at least half fat.” “From beginning to end, excellent, beginning with wine, through appetizer, entrees - I had lamb sweetbreads and my partner had a chicken dish - and our desert was a chocolate ice cream with warm chocolate cake, absolutely wonderful.”
drinks	71.4300012588501% positive	“From beginning to end, excellent, beginning with wine, through appetizer, entrees - I had lamb sweetbreads and my partner had a chicken dish - and our desert was a chocolate ice cream with warm chocolate cake, absolutely wonderful.” “One of the drinks was completely wrong, and when it was sent back, he gave my friend a nasty look and said nothing as he took it, like he couldn't believe she had sent it back.” “The wine list was absolutely right on par with everything and the setting was so romantic.” “Great wine list, great service and a really warm atmosphere.” “have been to Ama a couple of times for snacks and cocktails but never for a full meal.” “Great wine list, great place for either a date or to catch up with friends.” “The wine list is swell and the tomato/mozzarella salad was perfection.”
food quality	90.38000106811523% positive	“Let the waiters recommended you dishes , they really know what they are selling.” “The wine list is swell and the tomato/mozzarella salad was perfection.” “Found the staff attentive, the food excellent, and the atmosphere very pleasant.” “Really great food and atmosphere!” “Not really sure where the bad reviews came from, but the food was really good and though low key the atmosphere was great.” “From beginning to end, excellent, beginning with wine, through appetizer, entrees - I had lamb sweetbreads and my partner had a chicken dish - and our desert was a chocolate ice cream with warm chocolate cake, absolutely wonderful.” “For the main course, the homemade pasta with "sunday ragu" was perfect- surprisingly light and flavorful!” “have been to Ama a couple of times for snacks and cocktails but never for a full meal.” “would definitely recommend the orecchiette saporite for you meat lovers.” “The food is fresh and incredible.” “the pasta here is tasty and the calzone appetizer is amazing!” “The fish of the day was the most flavorful, well cooked, and overall fabulous fish I have ever eaten.” “But alas, looks and reviews do not overcome mediocre food, poor service and bland atmosphere.” “(They even brought fresh whole lemons with my fish which is rare in the US.)” “got the pork chop, which came with a delicious mushroom and cream sauce, but the meat itself was at least half fat.” “I found the food excellent, the octopus salad is to die for as well as the Zucchini Blossoms ( is a special ).” “Best hummus spread I have ever had, which they serve with their bread basket.” “Not a place focused on 'see and be scene', but great food.” “Being that the parents were in town, I was hoping to have a very good meal, but when 5 people ordered appetizers and dinners.” “Excellent food, average service” “Terrible service, mediocre food.” “Ama has great regional cuisine and stands out compared to some of the other italian restaurants in the village.” “excellent food” “The food was delicious and exquisite!” “The place is nice, the service is not bad but the food is average.” “my neighbor's whole baked fish looked great as well.”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“Go early if you want a little more attention from the owner who is happy to help you with the menu.”
overall	100.0% positive	“jakemec you must be honest Ama ia a great restaurant” “would go back and although it is a little cramped, I think it is a great place to gather friends.” “Great wine list, great place for either a date or to catch up with friends.” “All in all, its a great restaurant, but I would suggest that you make a reservation before going.”
return potential	100.0% positive	“Highly recommend it and can't wait to go back!” “would go back and although it is a little cramped, I think it is a great place to gather friends.”
service	81.25% positive	“The service was very friendly and welcoming” “Terrible service, mediocre food.” “Let the waiters recommended you dishes , they really know what they are selling.” “Excellent food, average service” “Being that the parents were in town, I was hoping to have a very good meal, but when 5 people ordered appetizers and dinners.” “But alas, looks and reviews do not overcome mediocre food, poor service and bland atmosphere.” “The place is nice, the service is not bad but the food is average.” “Nice environment in SoHo, with good service and real Italian ownership.” “the wait staff was also nice, contrary to a previous review.” “Found the staff attentive, the food excellent, and the atmosphere very pleasant.” “Food was amazing - amiance great - service was subpar.” “Great wine list, great service and a really warm atmosphere.” “It seems that Mom (or Pop) stuck their cute daughters in the front, without first saying to them "those people-they're what we call customers-be nice to them-they are actually paying us” “Everything great but the service.” “waited tables for eight years, and especially for such a big party, I would have expected better (at least polite) service.” “made a reservation and then received an absolutely rude phone call from the restaurant the day of my reservation telling me they don't know how i made the reservation and that they are all booked.”
value	100.0% positive	“There are plenty of other wonderful Italian places in the city in the same price range, like In Vino on 4th.” “wouldnt go here if ur looking for huge portions but this place is awsome for the "good things come in small packege" belivers.”

08/14/08

True Italian, but it ain't cheap!

by madmax64

Nice environment in SoHo, with good service and real Italian ownership. The food portions are "French style" (i.e., on the small side), which is fine, but the prices are also "a la French" (i.e., exorbitant). A dinner for two can easily set you back $140, which I don't think is worth it. Still, a good experience once in a while, or you can just have a drink at their bar and move to one of the other eateries nearby.

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06/16/08

Incredible simple fish

by savvyjayne1

I have been to Ama a couple of times for snacks and cocktails but never for a full meal. The fish of the day was the most flavorful, well cooked, and overall fabulous fish I have ever eaten. (Including my many visits to Italy and Greece.) The wine list is swell and the tomato/mozzarella salad was perfection. The rest of my party of 5 for lunch was very pleased as well with their various pastas. Authentic and well priced for such quality food and cooking. (They even brought fresh whole lemons with my fish which is rare in the US.) Woke up today planning when I can go back. Hopefully, this week!

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01/26/08

Really great food and atmosphere!

by spride

Not really sure where the bad reviews came from, but the food was really good and though low key the atmosphere was great. Was really one of those restaurants that make the NY restaurant scene great. Not a place focused on 'see and be scene', but great food.

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10/23/07

Great Food, Amazing Date Place!

by olpal

I brought my girlfriend here for a date, we saw them on citysearch and decided to try it. We were extremely happy that we picked this place to dine! The food was delicious and exquisite! The wine list was absolutely right on par with everything and the setting was so romantic. We had a great time there and were extremely happy with our meal! We're definitely big fans and will be going back very soon!

Pros: Food and wine were amazing!
Cons: Service was a tad slow but not too bad

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07/29/07

Disappointing from start to finish

by jackofall

I had been wanting to try Ama for quite some time, having walked by many times and been attracted by the decor, and based on some of the reviews online. But alas, looks and reviews do not overcome mediocre food, poor service and bland atmosphere. We had the octopus & artichokes as starters, and Veal & fish of the day as mains. All was consistently boring and tasteless. The single waiter covering the whole restaurant was overworked, and the owner who was helping him was apathetic and distracted. Perhaps we caught them on a bad night, but that of course does not excuse the food. With so many other great restaurants in the neighborhood, this one just doesn't stack up.

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Editor's Tips

08/14/08

True Italian, but it ain't cheap!

by madmax64

06/16/08

Incredible simple fish

by savvyjayne1

01/26/08

Really great food and atmosphere!

by spride

10/23/07

Great Food, Amazing Date Place!

by olpal

07/29/07

Disappointing from start to finish

by jackofall

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