F. Illi Ponte Ristorante

(212) 226-4621

39 Desbrosses St (at Washington St.)
New York, NY 10013 40.7234 -74.0106

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Neighborhoods: SoHo, Downtown

Hours:

Tue-Fri, 11:30am-3pm and 5:30pm-10:30pm

Sat, 5:30pm-10:30pm

Sun-Mon, closed

Price:

$$$

Last updated 4.14.11

Category:

Restaurants, Ethnic Food Markets

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Diners Club, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Special Occasion Dining, Private Rooms

Cuisine:

Italian

What People Are Saying About F. Illi Ponte Ristorante

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Exposed-brick walls, wooden ceiling beams, comfortably spaced tables and subdued lighting render this a romantic dinner spot, but the pleasantly chattering atmosphere makes you feel like you've landed in the cozy dining room of a friendly Italian family. The crowd is a mix of financial types from nearby Wall Street and special-occasioners gussied up for a night on the town. Service is friendly, if somewhat inattentive. – – The Food – On Ponte's upscale Italian menu, the two-pound signature lobster arrives "angry," swimming in spicy garlic butter. Meatier…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
Request the tables lining the dining room's back wall, which offer more privacy, as well as a magnificent view of the Hudson and the Jersey skyline.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. The atmosphere is comfortable with tasteful decor.
  2. Great Service, Great atmosphere, awesome food
  3. This awesome restaurant located overlooking the hudson river and the statue of liberty in the financial district is a real treat with food and crowd and ambiance!
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. Then we were asked if we would like our desert and coffee in the lounge.
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. The food excellent and the wine list full of great choices.
  2. Highly recommended if one is in the mood for comfort, cosiness and a relaxing evening with good food and wine.
  3. Then we were asked if we would like our desert and coffee in the lounge.
food quality
90.0% positive
  1. authentic italian meal
  2. Great food, excellent service - what more can you ask for?
  3. It was already cooked in a really tasty, spicy sauce.
  4. They really actually make you feel like family, and the food is fantastic.
  5. Not only was the food extremely well prepared, but the service friendly and attentive.
  6. Great Service, Great atmosphere, awesome food
  7. The food was delicious.
  8. haven't had such an authentic meal since dining at Da Guido in Siena, Italy!
  9. This awesome restaurant located overlooking the hudson river and the statue of liberty in the financial district is a real treat with food and crowd and ambiance!
  10. rarely enjoy Italian food but when I'm in NY I try to come here.
  11. Highly recommended if one is in the mood for comfort, cosiness and a relaxing evening with good food and wine.
  12. As a gourmet cook, I naturally appreciate good food, so when I dine out, it is usually at a top, restaurant with a longstanding reputation of having fine cuisine.
  13. this is a great place to enjoy a wonderful meal.
  14. The food excellent and the wine list full of great choices.
  15. Good food, terrible service
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. The food excellent and the wine list full of great choices.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. this is a great place to enjoy a wonderful meal.
  2. forgot how great this place is
  3. am so happy that I dined at this great restaurant.
service
91.66999816894531% positive
  1. Good food, terrible service
  2. the best service ever!
  3. Great food, excellent service - what more can you ask for?
  4. The service was perfect and the hostess was so nice when I asked her to find someone to sing happy birthday to my friend.
  5. Not only was the food extremely well prepared, but the service friendly and attentive.
  6. The staff is attentive, knowledgeable and personable.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/01/10

Romantic and Enchanting Date Spot

by iluvcitysearch

My boyfriend took me here for a special evening and it was amazing. We sat in a corner table by the windows over looking the water. It was quiet and romantic and we had such a lovely time. No one rushed us, and the waiter offered glasses of wine to compliment each course. I had the pollo alla ponte which was amazing, and my boyfriend had the steak and said he has never had better!!! Can't wait to go back!!!!

2 Star Rating: Below Average

12/23/09

Good food, terrible service

by brooklynkim

I was with a party of 20 and waited a ridiculous amount of time to be served a drink. After dinner, we moved to the bar and the bartender disappeared for at least 20 minutes and then had an argument with me. He continued to "fight" back with everyone in my group and went as far as to say he didn't care about not getting a tip. A real jerk. I called to complain to a manager and he was so not interested. I would never go back there.

  • Pros: Good food
  • Cons: Terrible service
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/30/09

Welcomed before dinner

by Kassim10

The atmosphere is comfortable with tasteful decor. The staff is attentive, knowledgeable and personable. The food excellent and the wine list full of great choices. We got there early and were greeted hospitably by the staff even though they were off for their own repast. They seated us and took great care of us. The food was delicious. I'd definitely go back, this being my second time, after about 10 years. The place is timeless in its charm and character.

  • Pros: great food, great service
  • Cons: none
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/24/08

i forgot how great this place is

by mariapaosona

i haven't been to this establishment in over a year; after visiting friends in tribeca we decided to have dinner. the view was heavenly; lobster great, and the service very good. if you really want to eat old school with friends, check this tribeca institution out. if on a date, great place to impress and get cozy. great for people that want to experience old new york city. thanks for a great evening.

  • Pros: great angry lobster
  • Cons: none
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/22/07

Great Service, Great atmosphere, awesome food

by dwk14009

I took 5 of my friends here for my one friend's birthday. It was awesome. The service was perfect and the hostess was so nice when I asked her to find someone to sing happy birthday to my friend. They really actually make you feel like family, and the food is fantastic. My friend wouldn't even let me try his lobster because it was "the best he's ever had."

Go here.. so much better than many new york trendy places.

  • Pros: Service, Food, Decor
  • Cons: Location, Not exactly cheap (but pretty good value for what you get)

The Details on F. Illi Ponte Ristorante

Place Categories:

  • good italian food
  • all loved service
  • personable staff
  • great place
  • good wine
  • great angry lobster
  • beautiful party room
  • authentic italian meal
  • great waiters
  • great taste
  • not authentic meal
  • like coffee
  • tasteful decor
  • enjoy wonderful meal
  • romantic beams
  • comfortable atmosphere
  • great care
  • great flare
  • best lambchops
  • great awesome food
  • recommended highly
  • yum yummm
  • really tasty spicy sauce
  • nice hostess
  • great restaurant
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