Leonardo Da Vinci Italian Ristorante

(212) 772-7809

1574 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10028 40.775 -73.9538

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Yorkville, Midtown

Hours:

Sun-Thu 4pm-11pm

Fri-Sat 4pm-12am

Last updated 9.11.08

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Cuisine:

Italian

What People Are Saying About Leonardo Da Vinci Italian Ristorante

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

Italian dining with exquisite flavors and family recipes captured by native chef.

ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “and this being the case, I return to Da Vinci's because of the superb spread, wonderful wine selection, and the ambiance.”
  2. “The ambience is outstanding the service is great.”
  3. “It's almost always empty, despite a good location and a really great”
  4. “Nice atmosphere, cute room.”
  5. “The place has very nice, homey atmosphere and the owner came out to talk with everyone on many occasions.”
  6. “My girlfriend and I went for appetizers a week or two ago, it was a Friday, the decor and ambience for the Upper Eastside was certainly reasonable for a weekend night, and they were playing Sinatra.”
  7. “We have been back several times and now not only the food is great but the ambience is very relaxing & romantic with great italian music on the background”
  8. “Alas, Chef Gabriele did exactly that and managed to create a cozy, elegant, epicurean's dream of a restaurant on the Upper East Side which far exceeded my hopes/expectations as to what he could re-create outside of Italy.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “and if you are a chocolate lover, or just a dessert lover in general, indulge in the white chocolate mousse- it is the perfect texture (i usually think mousse can be a little anticlimactic, so i was pleasantly surprised).”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “My personal favorite dishes were Gnocchi Bolognese, Wild Boar Stew with red wine, olives and tomatoes and Three cheese tortellini.”
  2. “have been going there for a month now and the food is incredible and the wine selection fantastic.”
  3. “We sat at the bar and enjoyed a bottle of wine, the funghi crostini, salami and procuitto, and a salad with their delicious bread.”
  4. “would recommend this restaurant to those looking for a true Tuscan meal (accompanied by a bottle from their wine list) and a relaxing dining experience-- opposed to an over-sauced carb-filled pile-o-pasta and clumped cheese practically thrown at you, wh”
  5. “However, the overall presentation, wine and friendly staff were terrific.”
  6. “and this being the case, I return to Da Vinci's because of the superb spread, wonderful wine selection, and the ambiance.”
  7. “Coupled with a great wine list (with the rare treat of numerous good wines by the glass).”
food quality
69.0500020980835% positive
  1. “The Traditional Bolognese Sauce is authentic EXCELLENCE.”
  2. “So is his papardelle with a duck sauce and the selection of delicious ravioli makes you go there over and over again just to have a chance to try all off them.”
  3. “Both dishes were mediocre at best.”
  4. “have eaten all around Italy and thought this food was authentic and very comparable to that of Tuscany.”
  5. “The first time we went we had a full meal.”
  6. “Had dinner there last night with my sister---it was the worst meal we have ever eaten anywhere.”
  7. “finally found an outstanding, authentic Tuscan restaurant after having tried and tried and you are no longer in the neighborhood!”
  8. “We were one of the first ones to visit this restaurant when it first opened and thought the food was excellent.”
  9. “He was shouting that he is a top chef from Italy and stupid Americans know nothing about food.”
  10. “thought the food was just mediocre though.”
  11. “Although it has gotten many more 5 star reviews than bad reviews, I am just surprised with seeing some of the bitter (sometimes illiterate) bs written about great food.”
  12. “The goat cheese salad, caprese, chicken saltimbocca and the meat lasagna were all superb.”
  13. “We are lucky to live close by but would come back time after time for the great food and service.”
  14. “the food is bad and the service is bad as well”
  15. “Awesome experience, nice people, good service, good food and even great touch with having a jazz band playing once in a while.”
  16. “sister waited about 1 ;30 for a pasta dish ,the waiter was very stupid a disrespecful calling me bella”
  17. “anyone PLEASE this is the worst 'Italian food " the service is very bad me and my”
  18. “Finally a restaurant with real tuscan food , I dont know what the bad review are yapping about , the ravioli are perfectly delicious and on the menu I didnt find anything that I dont like , Web site like this sometime give frredom of writing to the wrong ”
  19. “had some of the boar, and it was good (strong and unusal flavor), I'm happy I ordered the lasagna, because it might be my new favorite dish!”
  20. “have worked in a variety of restaurants in New York for the past twenty years, which certainly does not make me an expert, but I can honestly say I've never seen anything so dreadful masquerade as authentic anything.”
  21. “The food is amazing.”
  22. “The portions were good, the price was more than fair and the food was outstanding.”
  23. “got five turgid little mounds of overcooked pasta that contained what tasted like mushrooms and iodine, this covered by tasteless white paste that looked, and I believe tasted, like Elmer's glue.”
  24. “Amazing Italian food”
  25. “My personal favorite dishes were Gnocchi Bolognese, Wild Boar Stew with red wine, olives and tomatoes and Three cheese tortellini.”
  26. “beautiful, fresh, authentic italian- for those who can appreciate amazingly cooked food”
  27. “would recommend this restaurant to those looking for a true Tuscan meal (accompanied by a bottle from their wine list) and a relaxing dining experience-- opposed to an over-sauced carb-filled pile-o-pasta and clumped cheese practically thrown at you, wh”
  28. “when I let him have it---I told him I was born in Italy and that as an Italian I feel safe in saying his food was plain horrible and nothing authentic about it.”
  29. “It's been years since I've tasted such authentic food.”
  30. “We have been back several times and now not only the food is great but the ambience is very relaxing & romantic with great italian music on the background”
  31. “the bread is baked there, the seasonings perfectly compliment the dishes (i had the tuna with zucchini and arrugula, and some sort of tomato/fish dipping sauce for the bread).”
  32. “I've now been twice and have had nothing short of outstanding food and service.”
  33. “had eaten at the restaurant part once and experienced poor service and overcooked food and now I can add nasty ownership to the list.”
  34. “Had an amazing meal at Leonard Da Vinci the other night.”
  35. “Possibly the worst Italian food I've ever had in this city.”
  36. “The chef is from Italy and has brought a lot of authentic influence back from there.”
  37. “The food was good too.”
  38. “Me and my friends have been going there for the past 3 weeks and each time got excellent service and the food is always amazing!”
  39. “have been going there for a month now and the food is incredible and the wine selection fantastic.”
  40. “We sat at the bar and enjoyed a bottle of wine, the funghi crostini, salami and procuitto, and a salad with their delicious bread.”
  41. “The food was over cooked and just plain awful.”
  42. “The lasagna is so rich and delicious!”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The service was friendly and attentive, if slightly confused about the menu (she thought Nero D'valo was Nero Diabalo).”
  2. “Finally a restaurant with real tuscan food , I dont know what the bad review are yapping about , the ravioli are perfectly delicious and on the menu I didnt find anything that I dont like , Web site like this sometime give frredom of writing to the wrong ”
  3. “and this being the case, I return to Da Vinci's because of the superb spread, wonderful wine selection, and the ambiance.”
  4. “have worked in a variety of restaurants in New York for the past twenty years, which certainly does not make me an expert, but I can honestly say I've never seen anything so dreadful masquerade as authentic anything.”
  5. “have been going there for a month now and the food is incredible and the wine selection fantastic.”
  6. “So is his papardelle with a duck sauce and the selection of delicious ravioli makes you go there over and over again just to have a chance to try all off them.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “and this being the case, I return to Da Vinci's because of the superb spread, wonderful wine selection, and the ambiance.”
  2. “We are lucky to live close by but would come back time after time for the great food and service.”
service
64.7100019454956% positive
  1. “What kind of terrible waiter pronounces it "pro-SKOO-toe"?”
  2. “The staff is friendly and the Chef has, on more than one occasion, recognized and greeted me warmly.”
  3. “anyone PLEASE this is the worst 'Italian food " the service is very bad me and my”
  4. “Me and my friends have been going there for the past 3 weeks and each time got excellent service and the food is always amazing!”
  5. “For a restaurant with such high prices, you'd expect knowledgeable waiters.”
  6. “sister waited about 1 ;30 for a pasta dish ,the waiter was very stupid a disrespecful calling me bella”
  7. “had eaten at the restaurant part once and experienced poor service and overcooked food and now I can add nasty ownership to the list.”
  8. “The service was friendly and attentive, if slightly confused about the menu (she thought Nero D'valo was Nero Diabalo).”
  9. “However, the overall presentation, wine and friendly staff were terrific.”
  10. “We are lucky to live close by but would come back time after time for the great food and service.”
  11. “Awesome experience, nice people, good service, good food and even great touch with having a jazz band playing once in a while.”
  12. “The ambience is outstanding the service is great.”
  13. “the food is bad and the service is bad as well”
  14. “am not interested in tuning out annoying children or having a pretentious waiter act as if I am inconveniencing them with my business--none of which i have had to do at this restaurant.”
  15. “Great service, very nice staff”
  16. “Finally a restaurant with real tuscan food , I dont know what the bad review are yapping about , the ravioli are perfectly delicious and on the menu I didnt find anything that I dont like , Web site like this sometime give frredom of writing to the wrong ”
  17. “I've now been twice and have had nothing short of outstanding food and service.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “The portions were good, the price was more than fair and the food was outstanding.”
  2. “For a restaurant with such high prices, you'd expect knowledgeable waiters.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/24/09

NEW YORK'S BEST KEPT SECRET

by TeamPlayer2

Oh No! I went to Leonardo Da Vinci restaurant today and you're gone! Chef Gabriele, where are you? Your place was the best kept secret of New York City. This is Beth from CBS! You'd better e-mail and let us know when you re-open! Regards from CBS friends.

  • Pros: fantastic food, service and ambience
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/23/09

PERFECT. A MUST for Authentic Italian Food Lovers

by Epicureantreasurehunter

WHEN ARE YOU RE-OPENING?

I finally found an outstanding, authentic Tuscan restaurant after having tried and tried and you are no longer in the neighborhood! Having returned from an amazing epicurean tour of Tuscany, Italy in 2006; I'd been desperate to recreate that gastronomic experience. Leonardo Da Vinci restaurant and Chef Gabriele Bagni are the "real thing"...as good as it gets. I had gone to Locanda da Vinci, in the town of Vinci, Tuscany, as I am a travel writer. It is Chef Gabriele's family's five star hotel and restaurant. He is the 16th generation of a family of Tuscan chefs. Locanda da Vinci is paradise...a medieval convent with early Caravaggio frescos on the walls as well as Il Cavaliere murals. At the of my visit, Chef Bagni told me he would be opening a small place in New York City in March, 2007 and I couldn't wait. Alas, Chef Gabriele did exactly that and managed to create a cozy, elegant, epicurean's dream of a restaurant on the Upper East Side which far exceeded my hopes/expectations as to what he could re-create outside of Italy. From the outside, elegant but modest, and on the inside, he recreated some of the stone work and style of the convent/hotel Locanda Da Vinci. This place was a MUST for "foodies" and wine enthusiasts. I can't believe The New Yorker, TimeOut etc. "missed the boat". I never saw a review in one of those publications. My personal favorite dishes were Gnocchi Bolognese, Wild Boar Stew with red wine, olives and tomatoes and Three cheese tortellini. Oh yes and The Filet Mignon a la Toscana is to die for. Chef Gabriele personally visits each table, makes suggestions, describes wines (a wine connoisseur to boot). I must have brought every friend I have to this restaurant and was so very disappointed when they had to close. I heard that the Chef was quite ill but that he would re-open in Hoboken, New Jersey sometime in 2009. I'll swim there if I have to! Waiting with baited breath!

  • Pros: Thumbs up all the way.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/19/08

Incredible Italian Food

by PRrestaurant

I am in awe with seeing the few bad reviews that this restaurant has had. Although it has gotten many more 5 star reviews than bad reviews, I am just surprised with seeing some of the bitter (sometimes illiterate) bs written about great food. The goat cheese salad, caprese, chicken saltimbocca and the meat lasagna were all superb. The chef is from Italy and has brought a lot of authentic influence back from there. I have eaten all around Italy and thought this food was authentic and very comparable to that of Tuscany. Awesome experience, nice people, good service, good food and even great touch with having a jazz band playing once in a while.

  • Pros: Food, entertainment, service, prices!
  • Cons: nothing
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/30/08

Brilliance!

by sclaba

I don't have an Italian Grandmother... But I do have Leonardo Da Vinci Restorante close by,

which is the next best thing!!

We have sat at the bar a number of times and sampled almost everything on the Bar/Tasting Menu. We've tried all of the skewered meats (tuna chicken & steak) and loved each one. For me, the only thing better than Fresh Mozzarella, and some perfectly sliced Prosciutto for an appetizer, is Fresh Mozzarella, and some perfectly sliced Prosciutto for Dinner. Suffice to say, the Mozzarella is very good as is the Prosciutto!

The Traditional Bolognese Sauce is authentic EXCELLENCE.

An all around wonderful experience. We're going back and bringing friends!

I have to say.... mr. rickyrage, the vaginatarian, who wrote the uber-goober diatribe review.... stick to boston market and fast food pizza b/c your clearly an epicurianidiot.

  • Pros: The Food, the food ... and... the food
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/18/08

beautiful, fresh, authentic italian- for those who can appreciate amazingly cooked food

by pickyfoodie55

if you are a lover of food, and by that, i mean really good, melt in your mouth, give you goose bumps, lick your plate clean food, then i can only say that you should make it a point to try out this restaurant. the bread is baked there, the seasonings perfectly compliment the dishes (i had the tuna with zucchini and arrugula, and some sort of tomato/fish dipping sauce for the bread). and being a cook myself, i am a pretty harsh critic- i have to say i really did feel like i could be back in italy.

and if you are a chocolate lover, or just a dessert lover in general, indulge in the white chocolate mousse- it is the perfect texture (i usually think mousse can be a little anticlimactic, so i was pleasantly surprised).

i could go on, but you should experience the food yourself...

needless to say, i will be back.

  • Pros: beautiful food

The Details on Leonardo Da Vinci Italian Ristorante

Place Categories:

  • great italian food
  • great excellent service
  • outstanding authentic tuscan restaurant
  • knowledgeable waiter
  • beautiful authentic italian
  • favorite dish
  • worst meal
  • all superb meat lasagna
  • friendly staff
  • very bad service
  • very nice homey atmosphere
  • outstanding ambience
  • plain horrible nothing
  • all superb goat cheese salad
  • best kept secret
  • modest outside
  • delicious ravioli
  • certainly reasonable decor
  • good wines
  • superb ambiance
  • authentic influence
  • good location
  • really great layoutdesign
  • nice cute room
  • good desserts
Advertisement

Lists In Manhattan

Recent Reviews In Manhattan

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Curry Dream

66 W. 39th St, New York, NY

4 Star Rating: Recommended

Libation

137 Ludlow St., New York, NY

4 Star Rating: Recommended

Blackstones Pub & Restaurant

245 E 55th St, New York, NY

1 Star Rating: Poor

Garage Restaurant and Cafe

99 7th Avenue South, New York, NY

Advertisement