Gemma
New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 505-9100
- Price:
- $$$$
- Cross Street:
- Between 2nd Street and 3rd Street
- Directions:
- 6 at Bleecker St; B, D; F, V at Broadway-Lafayette St
- Hours:
- Daily 7am-12am
Editorial Review for Gemma – by Kathleen Squires
The Scene
If the Phantom of the Opera retired to a Tuscan villa, this is what his living room might look like: candelabra chandeliers, stalactites of dripping wax, rough-hewn wooden tables, shiny copper pots and piles of logs ready to feed a roaring oven. The dramatic setting feels just as convivial and sceney as sister spot La Bottega, and has little of the door attitude of its other relation, the Waverly Inn.
The Food
Even though the surroundings upstage the countrified Italian food, some dishes positively grip the palate, such as crisp zucchini flowers stuffed with gooey ricotta, a perfectly seasoned, wood oven-roasted Fiorentina steak and a Caprese salad with a creamy burrata that walks the line between cheese and butter. Miscues include an artichoke salad oversaturated with truffle oil and a sausage and onion pizza sagging under its weighty toppings. For dessert, a sweet calzone filled with Nutella and ricotta is worthy of an encore.
Hits: A vast menu that runs the gamut from light snacking to gut-busting meals.
Misses: That a high-priced hotel and trendy restaurant exists on the Bowery reinforces that a certain part of the city's past is dead.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
What to DrinkThere's a great selection of Italian wines, but nice values from other regions, too, like a crisp Cote de Provence rose for $35.
The ExtrasHave a handcrafted cocktail amid Victorian charm before or after dinner at the hotel's popular bar.
ParkingThere is valet parking for guests of the Bowery Hotel.
Know Before You GoReservations are only taken for Bowery Hotel guests; otherwise, it's a first-come, first-serve, and a long wait.
User Reviews for Gemma
08/29/2008 Posted by mlpnj
We have been to this restaurant several times and feel the food is good and the service not so good. The wait staff was friendly, but often apologized for having to wait for food/bread/wine/water. The hostess was a brat and on more then one occasion. She was dismissive, too immature and unprofessional for the job. The dining experience should begin at the door. We would return for the food, but be embarrassed to bring guests with us.
08/25/2008 Posted by hottfussnyc
Had dinner here last Friday night. It's a cute Italian place. Liked the ambience a lot. Food was h i t or miss--I thought the arugula salad and the rigatoni dish with prosciutto was amazing. The margherite pizza was blah to me. Gelati was heavenly--i think they get it from some gelati place downtown. Service was decent. No complaints. If you come, stay away from the pizza and get anything else I guess. I'd come again, but wouldn't wait if there's a line (we didn't have to wait on Friday night at 8 pm--but maybe cuz a lot of people were out of town. they dont take rsvps).
Pros: gelati and rigatoni pasta dish
Cons: pizza dish
Users Like You Also Viewed
Crave Ceviche Bar (Temporarily Closed)
946 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10022
Toloache
251 West 50th Street
New York, NY 10019
