02/08/09

Our new favorite place!!!!!!

by DanaD52178

We happened to stumble upon this place by accident and we're so happy we did. The place is a treat! The decor has a shabby chic, warm feel to it and they play great Italian music (lots of Sinatra too) which adds to the ambiance. The food portions are big so you get your money's worth. They have the best bread and olive oil, the food tatses amazing and we leave feeling like we had a true NYC Italian experience. This place beats any Little Italy joint. Its romantic, but spacious at the same time....great for dates and we cant wait to go back!!!

• Pros: food portions and quality, ambiance, friendly service, no wait for a table
• Cons: a bit pricey but worth it

01/31/09

This place is a rip-off -- comparable Italian can be found for much less

by patsy2000

The food here is good, if unspectacular, Italian. However, the prices are absurd. I went with a friend, and we split an appetizer, each had an entree, had one bottle of wine, cappucinos, and shared a desert. The bill with tip was $200. The entrees were specials--I had chilean sea bass and she had lamb shank--and they were $35 each! To be fair, I should have asked the price when they were described, but I think when you charge twice as much for specials as you do for normal entrees a restaurant has a duty to state the price along with the description. I was left feeling cheated, and will never go here again.

• Pros: food
• Cons: price

12/14/08

THERE IS NO FRIED SCENT WHATSOEVER - JUST GREAT FOOD!

by ask123

I read a couple of reviews here citing a fried food odor that comes from the kitchen, and I thought I had to set the record straight. I have been going to Ballato for years and have NEVER noticed that. The only scent that's there is that of a normal Italian restaurant -- that is, the scent of delicious food coming from the kitchen. There is NO fried odor whatsoever. In fact, there are almost no fried foods on the menu. It seems that these other reviewers can't tell the difference between the scents of fried and un-fried foods. Also, the scent of food in no way "sticks" to your clothes. I have never left the restaurant smelling like food. One reviewer said s/he couldn't remove the odor even with dry cleaning. This seems preposterous to me. It couldn't be further from my experiences. I've never had that happen to me in the many years I have been going to this restaurant. The only thing you leave Ballato with is a full and satisfied stomach!

• Pros: amazing food; friendly owner who is present each and every night; not crowded -- still under the radar after all of these decades thanks to no listing in Zagat's
• Cons: the menu is a bit pricey but not out of the ordinary for this quality level of food

12/02/08

A GREAT FOOD EXPERIENCE BUT.....

by Lesdeuxplateau

I try to go back several times with my wife, we have both love and would love to go more often, the simple creations of Emilio's food are mouthwatering - from a single plate of Spaghetti pasta to a Sausages and Broccoli old school...Oh God the heavens are opening !!!

But...two major issues are refraining us from going more often, and I think after all of my times there it was time to have people know. Have you smell your close when you walk out of the restaurant ?? Oh My God - it is like taking a bath in a fryer with potato chips. the smell is so strong it penetrates in to your close, ( not even the dry cleaner was able to take it off ).

Can we talk about the Bathroom now ?? Yes OK they are rustic and old but can they at list be cleaned more often ?

Definitively Emilio need to do some "Home Work", we are not the only couple that have notice that trust me !

Maybe a more efficient Air System ? Not sure.

Therefore - don't change the food please that's AWESOME !

• Cons: KITCHEN GREASE SMELL - BATHROOM CLEANLESS

10/23/08

Love it! Love it! Love it!

by adam58a

My favorite type of place. Small, family owned with incredible food! Best pasta pomodoro in the city (second to my wife's) and the ravioli is perfect. The front dining room is fairly small with a spectacular, authentic ambience. The owner (Emilio) is a great guy and is always there.

I recommend this place with the highest regard!

01/06/08

A little piece of Italy in New York

by dr_mich_admirer

There aren't enough superlatives to describe the positive features of this discrete gem. Emilio has created an intimite setting, that allows it's patrons to fall into their own romantic Italian fantasy world. Sitting deep in the corner of the restuarant you will get the feeling that its your own private seating. The interior has a rustic, weathered element that ironically adds sophistication. Emilio's presence in the restaurant either seated at a close by table enjoying some grappa with guests, or welcoming new customers adds its own class of ambience to the environment.

How can one describe the food? So incredibley fresh, the flavors explode on your taste buds. We savoured the ravioli in the marinara/arrabiatta sauce and the seafood linguini, which were both enhanced with a few glasses of chianti . They were arguabley the best pasta dishes either of us have ever enjoyed.

But Emilio's wasn't finished impressing, make sure to make room for dessert. The tiramisu is "heaven in your mouth", enjoyed with a decedent cappacino, this combination will numb the body with satisfaction.

If you are looking for a romantic lunch/dinner and you are lucky enough to be with someone that you will get lost in their eyes, Emilio's will not disappointment. Quite the contrary it will only enhance your experience and you will feel that you are the only two people in the restuarant. Time will stand still while you enjoy each other's company. Make sure you have the time to savour every minute of this dining experience, I'm sure before leaving you will promise to return. Pinky swear to be sure..;)

Buon Appetito!

• Pros: Emilio, embiance, food, wine list, comfort, size
• Cons: impossible to say anything bad about this place

12/25/07

BEST ITALIAN FOOD IN NYC

by lenn47

Ballatos is the best there is no other restaraunt compares from its homemade pasta from its warm crspy ficaccha bread the atmosphere is great emilio the owner makes you feel right at home being there everyday and making you feel welcome there they pasta is just delisous and everything is just amazing there if you want to go to the best italian restaraunt you have to go to emilio ballatos best in NYC

• Pros: Best food in NYC and best wines and the greatest ficahaa ive ever tasted
• Cons: nothing is wrong with this place the best there is

11/22/06

OOOOverpriced...

by elehcim

Expecially the vine is overpriced. Too much! I'm italian, born and raised in Italy and believe me.. the food here is good, the vine is good but you really pay everything almost the double of the fair market value.

• Pros: Real italian table setting.
• Cons: PRICE! ! ! ! ! !

10/26/06

A genuine Italian romantic lunch

by ryanromero

I reserved a lunch date for my girlfriend's birthday at this beautiful SOHO restaurant. The place was pretty much empty when I got there, but that made it better - more quiet, more romantic and with a sense that we were in a Italy. The bread was awesome, the food entrees were amazing. I recommend this place to those couples out there who need to getaway and enjoy a genuine Italian dish with quality flavors.

• Pros: Ambience, Quiet lunches, Great starter bread and genuine Italian cooking
• Cons: None

05/25/06

WHAT HAPPEN HERE ???

by mangiafuoco

This is my second time having dinner in this restaurant.

This time was very very bad !

Slow service, got expensive as Hell and no much to offer on the menu.

The portions of the food are also much smaller than I remember and I do eat out a lot !

Sorry, not the same good time as the first !

• Pros: none
• Cons: BATHROOM SINK