(212) 489-7212

322 W 46th St (nr. Eighth Ave.)
New York, NY 10036 40.76 -73.9888

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Neighborhoods: Clinton, Midtown

ORSORESTAURANT.COM

Years in business

Established in 1983

Hours:

Mon-Tue and Thu-Fri, noon-midnight

Wed and Sat-Sun, 11:30am-midnight

Last updated 4.14.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Visa, MasterCard

Catering Services:

Banquets

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Lunch Spot, Date Spot, Theater District Dining

Cuisine:

Italian

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Orso

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

Italian restaurant in Times Square is a favorite among native New Yorkers and tourists alike.

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
Although reservations are highly recommended, it can be somewhat difficult to obtain a pre-theatre reservation, 8 p.m. or lunch is a safer bet.
ambiance
50.0% positive
  1. “Noisy, limited menu, poor winelist, no decor- and difficult to get a reservation.”
  2. “Romantic atmosphere and fantastic food.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “My mushroom ravioli in nutmeg cream sauce was perfect -- exactly the right touch of nutmeg.”
drinks
0.0% positive
  1. “We also had to poor our own wine, and once the food finally came, he never checked on us once!”
food quality
80.0% positive
  1. “My dinner companions also enjoyed their chicken and veal dishes.”
  2. “My boyfriend had the most delicious pizza ever.”
  3. “The food was mediocre and overpriced.”
  4. “My mushroom ravioli in nutmeg cream sauce was perfect -- exactly the right touch of nutmeg.”
  5. “Very good waiter and good food”
  6. “Since they change their menu daily, based on what's good at the market, the mushroom ravioi was not on the menu on my next visit but the food was just as good.”
  7. “Romantic atmosphere and fantastic food.”
  8. “The food was okay, nothing outstanding, but fine for the price.”
  9. “The food and service were wonderful.”
  10. “We also had to poor our own wine, and once the food finally came, he never checked on us once!”
menu variety
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “Our waiter Michael was friendly, courteous and very helpful in answering questions regarding items listed on the menu.”
  2. “Noisy, limited menu, poor winelist, no decor- and difficult to get a reservation.”
  3. “Since they change their menu daily, based on what's good at the market, the mushroom ravioi was not on the menu on my next visit but the food was just as good.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “This is my favorite New York's pre theater restaurant and also a spot I've seen some minor celebrities post theater.”
service
60.0% positive
  1. “We had probably the most obnoxious waiter in all NY.”
  2. “The food and service were wonderful.”
  3. “Our waiter Michael was friendly, courteous and very helpful in answering questions regarding items listed on the menu.”
  4. “Very good waiter and good food”
  5. “From the minute we walked into the restaurant we received nothing but an obnoxious attitude from the staff.”
value
50.0% positive
  1. “little pricey but certainly worth a visit.”
  2. “The food was mediocre and overpriced.”
  3. “The fact that there are plenty of wonderful restaurants in New York City to choose from, you would think they would try harder to please their customers I wouldn't waste your money here.”
  4. “The food was okay, nothing outstanding, but fine for the price.”
wait time
0.0% positive
  1. “From the minute we walked into the restaurant we received nothing but an obnoxious attitude from the staff.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/07/11

Try the Bolognese, it is amazing

by TheTripChick at Citysearch

This is actually our second time at Orso, and I am absolutely ashamed that I didn't get around to reviewing it before now. Perhaps subconsciously I don't want it to get overrun with folks flocking there due to their STELLAR food and service....and did I mention that I don't share well?

This time, we started with the Trevisano Salad: apples, grapes, goat cheese and walnuts. It was a great melding of flavors and started the meal out beautifully.

Next, I decided to forgo the typical fish I normally order and went with the rigatoni alla Bolognese. I love a good Bolognese and this one exceeded my expectations. Paired with the slight chewiness of the rigatoni, it was perfect. So much so that I continued eating after I was full, as there was no way I was going to let any of that meaty goodness go to waste.

To finish, we ordered the caramel gelato. It had a nice toasty caramel flavor and was a great ending to our meal. Orso is on our short list of places we'll return to again and again.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

09/02/08

Very good waiter and good food

by skydiver333 at Citysearch

Our waiter Michael was friendly, courteous and very helpful in answering questions regarding items listed on the menu. He helped make the evening an enjoyable one. We ordered the risotto with fish. The risotto was done perfectly--firm to the taste--not soft or starchy. The fish was moist and tasty. A little pricey but certainly worth a visit.

  • Pros: Service and food
  • Cons: pricey
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/18/07

ALWAYS GREAT

by stephschoch at Citysearch

HAVE LOVED ORSO FOR YEARS. DELICIOUS PIZZA& WINE & COMPANY. INTIMATE ATMOSPHERE. ALWAYS MAKE RESERVATIONS.

1 Star Rating: Poor

12/10/05

Overpriced with attitude!

by snowman909 at Citysearch

From the minute we walked into the restaurant we received nothing but an obnoxious attitude from the staff. The food choices were limited - only one type of soup available. If you enjoy eating like a pig, this is the place for you. We asked for bread plates when the bread was brought to the table and the server's response was "management has decided not to offer bread plates." What??? The food was mediocre and overpriced. You could do so much better with your money. Not recommended!

  • Pros: None
  • Cons: Attitude, Overpriced, No bread plates!
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/29/03

Wonderful

by bnluver82 at Citysearch

My boyfriend took me after a matinee, and we had the most wonderful time. Reservations should be made well in advance because it is small, but it is definately worth it. Romantic atmosphere and fantastic food. My boyfriend had the most delicious pizza ever.

  • Pros: Not rushed

The Details on Orso

Place Categories:

  • overpriced food
  • obnoxious waiter
  • delicious pizza
  • very helpful waiter michael
  • delicious wine
  • wonderful service
  • enjoyed dinner companions
  • favorite spot
  • wonderful restaurants
  • perfect mushroom ravioli
  • outstanding nothing
  • favorite pre theater restaurant
  • romantic atmosphere
  • little pricey worth
  • loved orso
  • obnoxious attitude
  • poor winelist