John's Restaurant

03/15/08

Do Not Support This Restaurant!

by elskin at Citysearch

This is the kind of place where the waiters are scared of the owner, who is this old italian dude. This makes for an uncomfortable setting. This is one of the reasons I will never go there again.

My spaghetti was undercooked, almost raw, and there was no balance on my plate (like just a few spaghetti strings and mountains of eggplant). The tomatosauce did not have any flavor whatsoever.

My boyfriend wanted to add a few shrimps to his fettucine alfredo... a few minutes later the owner walked over and in the most disgusting way confronted my boyfriend with what he had asked of the waiter (seriously, who wants just plain fettucine alfredo??). The he added "we charge 3 dollars per shrimp, how many shrimps you want?" I lost my appetite right there. I thought the owner could have handled this way differently. He didn't have to worry about his money. Most places just add a flat fee of like 5-10 bucks if you add something to the plate. My boyfriend who is not the one to back down said "give me 8".

As you can tell, he now ended up with a plate of pasta for 45 bucks. I also tasted it and it was nothing but cream. It was so yucky. There was no flavor, no garlic, no salt, nothing, just cream, think half n half.

We ended up with a 100 dollar bill for what was supposed to be a casual italian week night meal.

I will never visit this place again, nor will I ever recommend it. Save your money!

• Pros: Nothing
• Cons: The owner, the chefs, the food, the prices.

02/08/07

Great Italian Food!

by kirstenhhi at Citysearch

I have been to John's about three times, and every time the food and service has been very good. I really like the salad app that is large enough for two people and all the pasta dishes I have ever had there were superb. The only draw back is there is really no bar to wait for to get a drink while you wait for a table. There is a small bar but to stand around it you will find yourself getting in the way of all the servers bustling by. either make reservations, or drink somewhere else first.

• Pros: food, service
• Cons: no bar area

01/11/07

Mediocre everything

by dinergrrl at Citysearch

A friend of mine gave me the Diner's Deck Downtown for Xmas, so I decided to try someplace new. The description and previous reviews here made me hopeful for a good experience. When I entered, the manager came and greeted us with a smile at the door and seated us right away. We were a bit early for the main dinner crowd.

Our waiter came over and pleasantly told us all the specials, but neglected to give us the prices. There was no sheet inside the menu listing the specials, so we had to keep asking him the price of any we were interested in. We did mention the appetizer we wanted, but that we weren't ready to order the rest of the meal. He disappeared and neglected to tell us that the waiters share equally in servicing tables. We kept looking for him, until another waiter came over to our order.

Apparently that delayed our appetizer from being put in, while another couple had already been seated beside us, now munching happily on their appetizer. Our stuffed mushrooms were lukewarm, when they arrived, not terribly tasty and looked like someone threw them on a plate too large for the 4 bite size pieces. The main courses were better, I got the home made meat sauce and pasta special which was very good. My date's salmon was also excellent.

While we were eating, the rest of the dinner crowd arrived and service became non-existent. We tried desperately to get the attention of any waiter, but they pretended we were invisible and kept bussing bread and taking new orders from the tables just seated. The couple at the table next to us (the one's that came in after we did) left long before we got our check as well as our change.

We did not order alcohol with the meal so we were quite surprised when our bill for $55 arrived. With an additional $10 tip, I would have to say that this is not a place to which either of us would return. I don't think the value is there, and the service and food was inconsistent.

11/15/06

OLD WORLD ITALIAN CHARM

by lord_william at Citysearch

This is a hidden gem among Italian restaurants in NYC. John's has been here since 1908 and to enter is like taking a step back in time. The decor is old school Italian - the wonderful aroma hits you immediately. Very romantic and perfect for a first date. Tables are set with a soft glowing candle. The food is resonably priced and served in large portions that feel like a home made meal. I brought some business associates here from Tempe, Arizona and they absolutely loved it! You certainly don't get Italian food like this in the desert! It's away from the touristy mid-town and spots in Little Italy .... Enjoy!

11/09/06

Best Italian Joint in NYC

by joeval57 at Citysearch

If you want fancy, don't go here, but if you want to go to a great italian joint and have a great meal, John's is the place. The Spedino is to die for. The rest of the menu is excellent. Mike the owner is freindly and makes you feel right at home. This place is right out of a 1940's movie. The best place to hang out and have a meal with the boys (and girls). A true NYC gem!

• Pros: Great food and Atmosphere
• Cons: None

07/25/06

Don't Waste Your Time!!!

by hotdebi at Citysearch

I came to John's with high expectations after reading a review in my hometown newspaper. Unfortunately, my family's experience there left a lot to be desired. We started with an order of baked clams that were perfectly awful - strong, fishy, and rubbery minced clams packed into the shells and camouflaged with bread crumbs. These were so bad that we had to send them back. The owner came over to our table and apologized and agreed with us that the clams were poorly prepared. Without our asking, he prepared and brought over a second plate of clams. He said that he'd prepared these himself, and that we would not be charged for either order. Sadly, these clams were just as bad as the first batch, but we politely ate them. The clams were followed by a very mediocre Veal Parmesan and a pallid Lemon Chicken dish that tasted steamed. The side of pasta was undercoked, undersalted, and served in a puddle of watery tomato sauce. The worst insult came when we were presented with the bill, with the clam charge intact. We did not want to argue, so quickly paid our bill. However, this was a dismal dining experience. I have had FAR better meals at busy restaurants like Carmine's, and I'd urge you to steer clear of this sham of a restaurant.

03/03/06

Great food, pls put dishes in the back!!

by iluvgreatfood at Citysearch

I went to eat here last night with my boyfriend and I must say that this is going in my book as one of my favorites. The food is very tasteful umm umm finger licking good.

The only bad part was the dishes and utensils are right in the middle of the room so your candle lit, romantic evening is constantly interrupted with dishes being slammed and bus boys and waiters running to the middle of the floor to freshen up the next table for then next batch of customers.

I have been to places where the ambiance is alot better but not the food. If you want a great place to eat for a reasonable price this is your spot.

• Pros: inexpensive, soft nice music, owner is very nice
• Cons: slamming dishes

05/22/05

Great homestyle Italian food!

by judy31333 at Citysearch

I've been going for several years and have always had a great meal at John's. I recently had the 2-1/2 lb. lobster fra diavolo which was awesome, and my friend had the Tuscan meat sauce (slow-cooked for hours until the meat falls off the bone!) on pappardelle. I always like to start off with a couple of the colossal shrimp (unbelievably huge) and the avocado bruschetta. This place is comfortable no matter if you're a couple or a large group. Portions are large and prices are reasonable - a very good value. And I would definitely recommend saving a little room for the chocolate cheesecake. Yum!

• Pros: good value

02/08/05

Perfect

by toomey32 at Citysearch

My parents came into town and I took them to John's. First time for me. We couldn't have been happier. Impeccable in all ways.

07/26/04

In the mood for flavorful Italian?

by melamed at Citysearch

Then John's the place to go. They've been there forever and the food is outstanding. From the ossobuco to mozzarela and everything else inbetween. They cut no corners of quality and flavor.

The ambiance is in the front, and the romance/privacy is in the back. If you are looking for fancy decor then go elsewhere. Here is were you get quality, service and a full belly.