10/11/09

WORST SERVICE/ATTITUDES

by gdurante

I couldn't agree more about the nasty attitudes at Lupa. We made a reservation over 2 months ago for 7 people and the only time we could get was for 9:30. 6 out of the 7 people arrived promptly but were told we could not be seated until everyone was physically present (which was ridiculous considering we all had to wait outside since there was nowhere to stand other than on top of the poor table of people that were sitting by the door). When the 7th person arrived we were told our table was given away and it would be at least another 45 minutes until another table would be available. No one had the decency to let our party know this was going to happen. When we said we were leaving they were extremely aggravated (as if we were inconveniencing them). We ended up at a restaurant a few blocks down called "Scuderia" with wonderful, attentive service and great food! I would not waste your money at "LUPA"-the food might be good but the service is horrific!

• Pros: None
• Cons: Nasty Attitudes

10/07/09

a disgrace!

by Michelle eats out

Do NOT bother with lupa. I was actually shocked at the way the staff and gm was treating my party of 5. Trying to make a birthday special for someone turned into a birthday nightmare! Besides serving us disgusting clams out of a can and trying to charge $15 for them; they rushed us out of the restaurant before we even brought out the bday cake . The bill for 5 came out to $386 and you think these people would appreciate their customers. They politely told us to f*ck off and in return, i do the same.

• Pros: zilch
• Cons: horrible service, worst gm, small plates

08/23/09

Self Convincing

by TonyArdmore

WIth every time I eat at a famous chef restaurant, I become more and more convinced that folks deceive themselves into believing that the food before them is something remarkable. This is my second time at Lupa. No better than the first.

The portions and the prices: Please - eight paper thin slices of Speck - $10 - that's about $100 per pound.

Spaghetti Carbonara - no more than one cup - at best $16. You can buy eight pounds of imported pasta at Chelsea Market for that price. - But it's not just the price - it's the miniscule bowl!

Main Course - ok. The pork shoulder was, to my taste, far too perfumed. - But, my daughter liked it.

The Lamb with egg ! Come on! It sounds "deep", but it was ridiculous. The lamb was fine. but the egg salad on top was pure nonesense that had nothing to do with anything other than to make people being over charged think they were getting something to ooh and aah over.

In the end, the whole thing was something like Mario's orange whatchamacalls. Get over the show and do something real.

• Pros: pleasant service
• Cons: over-priced

03/23/09

Wonderful dining experience

by marinaselepouchin

On a Sunday evening my friend and I spontaneously met up on SoHo to grab a bite to eat. I have been wanting to go to Lupa but have had a hard time getting a reservation on a days notice. On a whim we decided to try...the place was packed, but luck was on our side as the hostess was able to seat us right away at a table that was just cleared. Another women checked our coats and bags, she was so cheerful and friendly. We really felt that we were appreciated for our business. The meal was fantastic and our waitress was kind and friendly, not overbearing. The atmosphere was lovely and it was one of those truly enjoyable dining experiences. The coat check lady came to us with our coats, no prompting necessary. Great atmosphere, fantastic food, and exception service!

• Pros: service was excellent
• Cons: can be hard to get a reservation

03/13/09

Lupa, the she-wolf gets it right

by dshapusa

We are just back from Rome and where we have essentially ate our way across the city, so going to an Italian restaurant in New York is definitely taking our chances. BTW, there is no bad pasta in Rome, but there is terrible Pizza.

Lupa, the she wolf, symbol of Rome, is wonderful bistro, on Thompson Street, nyc, that gets it right. The waiters are extremely knowledgeable, (do you know the difference between Borsci and Lucano digestifs) and are actually helpful, rare in New York.

Appetizers are served in soup bowls and are tasty and distinctive. I liked the Winter Squash alla Romana. Pastas are bountiful and have interesting twists; the Bavette Cacio has a bread crumb topping. The major compliant is that the selection is small. The main courses fish or meat are seasoned just so. Sorry, Vegans need not apply. While the wine list is not cheap the variety is amazing and half carafes are available. Desserts are definitely Italian style and even the Tartufo, an ice cream bombe, has a certain savior faire.

Italians entertain at restaurants not usually at home and Lupa always has several large groups going at one time. Rather than assign a single waiter to a large table teams of waiters work together and that way everyone gets served together.

Warning the front room is noisy and reservations are not only a must, but weekend reservations are hard to get. Dinner for two with an inexpensive wine comes to about $140.

see ditmas estates

• Pros: great food
• Cons: crowded

03/10/09

Bad bland food

by CSMobileUser2

This food is bad and bland enough said. Its scene is very phony. The service is mediocre and people only go because Mario Batali owns the place. Nothing special at all. Go around the corner to bar piti. All

02/24/09

Insanely good Italian food

by blondebombshel1

Fresh, tasty greens and sizzling pancetta in the Misticanza salad. Delightful light lemon sauce on perfect al dente linguine with fresh lobster. Excellent Italian wine selection. I wish I could eat here every night...

Reservations definitely recommended - we went on a Monday night at 9:30 and it was still super busy!

12/16/08

Same Batali at half the price

by mr_meursault

This is another excellent restaurant from Mario Batali. I love Babbo and don't mind waiting a month for the reservation, but when you are in the mood for good food today and not looking to mortgage your house to get it, this is the place to go. The veal tongue appetizer is phenomenal. Most of the pasta dishes and entrees are excellent. I am told that the tartuffo desert is wonderful. The wine list is good and reasonably priced. Every time I come here, I leave satisfied.

07/28/08

Come Here for the Good Stuff

by chiway

I've never been that big on Italian food growing up the in the States. To me it was all the same. Pasta, tomato sauce, meatballs, boring. But these days, post-Mario Batali, the culinary atmosphere is one where the American palate is dared to try new things and refine itself, and one where Italian food in America can be truly intriguing. Still, Italian food this good for these prices is so difficult to find. I spent 6 weeks in Italy and Lupa rivals even some of the better meals I've had in the home country of Lupa's cuisine. Boldly authentic and just so damn good, this is a place I need to go to more. P.S. Mario Batali is my hero.

07/13/08

Super!

by ggunn

After reading in City Search that this was a "The Best Italian Food," I was psyched to go for some good Italian. The angry critics at city search, who never cease to find fault with any place, gave me pause. Turns out, there's a reason that professional food critics exist - this restaurant is great. The atmosphere is super comfortable. The service was informal and intelligent. Every thing I tasted was awesome, and just different enough to edge this place above the generic Italian food that's so easy to find in this city. I found it to be overall quite reasonable as well. The pork saltimbocca was delicious, cooked beautifully. All the pastas were fantastic, with inventive use of ingredients that tasted familiar yet new. The biscotti & zibibbo for dessert was lightweight and tasty.