Scalinatella Restaurant
(212) 207-8280
201 E 61st St
(at Between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue)
New York,
NY
10021
40.7628
-73.9655
Neighborhoods: Upper East Side, Lenox Hill, Midtown
Hours:
Mon-Sat 12pm-3pm, 5pm-11:30pm
Sun 5pm-10:30pm
Price:
$$$$
What People Are Saying About Scalinatella Restaurant
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Regulars sneak down an unassuming stairway into this cavernous, brick-wrapped room for a distinguished dose of la dolce vita. European jetsetters exchange air kisses at the tiny bar, gregarious groups pass oversized antipasto platters and couples retreat to elegant candlelit corner tables. The mood is formal yet fun: Suited waiters toss pastas tableside while flirting with every woman in sight.
The Food
For more than a decade, Scalinatella has been famous for two things: superlative traditional Italian cooking and a colorful cast of deep-pocketed devotees who can afford it. Order like a regular, skipping the short, pedestrian menu in favor of recited signature specials: Exquisitely grilled balsamic-garlic "scotta dita" lamb, and gargantuan, tender veal chops slathered with porcini are worth the trip alone. Pastas and fish are exemplary: Light ragu-tossed tagliatelle, delicate ricotta ravioli and roasted Dover sole couldn't be more delicious. Only the accompanying bland polenta and carrot-broccoli melange seem uninspired.
User Reviews
Shambo
April 20, 2009
This restaurant was my worst New York dining experience ever. The service was somewhere between inattentive and indifferent, the food was mediocre at best, but worst of all the mediocre salad and entree I ordered off the "specials" were $26 and almost $60 respectively, more than two times nearly everything on the printed menu. It was both bad and a complete rip off.
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Twildeg
April 04, 2008
Expect to get a rude person when calling for reservation, actually two. Called the first time at 1:28 EST and was told to call back at 1:30, he doesn't have time for that right now? Then called back at 1:40 pm and was not greeted well either by a different person!!! I know they're from NEW YORK but damn!
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clbnatl
February 18, 2008
t was just after 9/11/01, but when my gf and i entered, everything could have been 9/11/59. the table at the rear of the restaurant was occupied by dark-haired men drinking water and waiting. The waiter arrived, and related about 20 specials (most of which, i think, they have every night), but he finished it up with "and if you want something else, let me know, we make it". we ordered, couldn't navigate through the wine list, and asked for something appropriate for each dish (reasonably priced). what came out was awesome. and at $50 a bottle, not too expensive. when the food arrived, it was exquisite, delicious, and i could not have been left wanting. but i am from Atlanta, so what do I know? the seafood stew was incredible, and my gf's shrimp outstanding. i've traveled to Italy extensively, and this is as good as it gets. Then the floor show began. it started when another group of men entered the restaurant and met the Polo-wearing guys at the end table. "Micheal, You know Joey and da boys?" and then several gallons of chianti arrived. and then the waiters kissed the hand of the newly arrived guy at the end table, the only one who wore a suit. I went to the bathroom. i had to run a gauntlet of fur to go, and then, when i went back to the table, I got a look at the owners: Jersey Wives. Lots of gold. Lots of rings. Holy (&@! it looked like a movie. apparently they were the wives of the guys at the end table. when i got back, my gf agreed: the entire restaurant was apparently a movie starring Joe Pesci being filmed that night. wow. i've been all over the planet. i've never seen anything that approached a movie scene as much as that. anyway. the place is awesome. food is delicious. wine is awesome. i cannot place enough superlatives on this place. if you want traditional fine Italian food without worrying about the price, this is the place. try to avoid the assassinations, but the food is worth the risk.
read full reviewThe Details on Scalinatella Restaurant
Know Before You Go:
Ask for prices on specials: Fish can surpass $40, and raising an eyebrow when seasonal ingredients are mentioned means they'll be added (along with $10) to your order.
The Extras:
If nothing on the menu strikes your fancy, ask for something that does. If the ingredients are on hand, the kitchen will finesse them into a meal.
What to Drink:
Of the handful high-dollar, northern Italian and California reds under $60, the best is a rich, ruby red Rosso di Montalcino "Poggione."
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Discover, Diners Club, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining, People Watching, Group Dining, Notable Wine List
