Arturo's

09/27/09

Welcome Home!

by TheKid at Citysearch

This is the greeting you will generally receive when walking into this excellent example of old-New York family style italian dining. The Chef is what I call an over achiever, the specials are far more delicious then what you might expect to find at a "Pizza Bar". Although the Pizza is very good the real values are the sandwiches, salads and Clams Arturo. THEN THERE IS THE JAZZ! With no cover charge! It is simply the best in NYC. The Harry Whitaker Trio is usually in session and always has special artists sitting in. The waiters sing as well. Jimmy, who is more of a host then waiter, is by far the last great waiter in NYC. He remembers your particulars, comps and deserves the highest tips you can pay. As mentioned by others, you can also eat at the bar. Tony your bartender, who looks like Al Pacino, fills all drink orders. He also takes bar food orders and closes out every cash receipt himself, without a hitch. The crowd literally varies in age from the ancient to the very young, but the patrons are generally the 30-somethings and the NYU hip. Every local NYC celeb knows about this place and occasionally as well as inconspicuously drops in. Did I mention the KITCHEN IS OPEN LATE and they DELIVER! Arturo recently left us but Here's to Arturo’s forever!!

From: TheKid!

• Pros: Good Food Good Jazz
• Cons: Often crowded

07/28/09

Never Again. Awful.

by somanystars at Citysearch

This used to be my "Cheers," but never before have I allowed myself to be treated so poorly, with such disrespect, by restaurant staff who so overtly (and so tactlessly) insist that I bring in new patrons. I was once a regular, but I will never be back. If you want real jazz music, go to a real jazz venue. If you want real pizza, go to a real pizza place. This restaurant is neither one of the above--and it doesn't appreciate its regulars.

• Pros: average pizza, live music, BUT...
• Cons: rude staff, long lines

06/10/09

Worst management I've ever encountered.

by frednwilma at Citysearch

My husband and I enjoyed a nice dinner. The bathroom looked like a crime scene with its dirty bathtub, but that didn't ruin my night. I noticed i had been charged 4 times and called and asked to speak to a manger. The manger refused to give me his name, and told me they were a restuarant, not a bank and I shouldn't "live on the edge" with my money and should learn to manage my money better. I was shocked he would make this assumption when he should have been apologizing for charging me four times and rectifying the problem. Its not his business, but I happen make a good living as a surgeon and know how to manage my finances. That doesn't mean I am willing to overpay for a meal 4 times. Ridiculous conversation. 20 min and he still wouldn't help or give me his name. I'll stick to Lombardi's, food is better and they treat customers with a modicum of respect. I'll never go back and I reccomend no one else does, especially if you want to use credit.

• Pros: Decent food
• Cons: Food not worth the trouble

03/17/09

From an Italian satisfied costumer

by 08111951 at Citysearch

Great pizza, godd jazz and italian kindness. Absolutely enjoable place to go. Every time in NYC a must for me and my family

• Pros: THE BEST PIZZA IN NYC!!
• Cons: Houston St is not Park Avenue

08/31/08

Skip it - go to John's on Bleeker

by iceman611 at Citysearch

Without exaggeration my worst NYC dining experience in 13 months living here. First, something nice: the live music was a pleasant surprise. However, the pizza was flavorless (except for the charcoal); Toppings were frozen or canned; Service was missing in action; and the Decor truly putrid. Go to John's on Bleeker a few blocks away.

• Pros: Music
• Cons: Everything else

06/04/08

great thin crust coal oven pizza

by ktobiassen at Citysearch

This is one of my favorite old-school Italian spots in the city, especially for the coal oven pizza. I usually get the pizza, because I love that really thin crust and the garlicy sauce (I sometimes ask for extra sauce.) I've had friends who worked here, and they gave me a great insider tip: the same size ball of dough is used for the medium and large pies. So that means the large pies have thinner crust, and the smaller size pie has a thicker crust. Order according to your preference. The stuffed sole is also good, as are the other "Italian Specialties" -- although probably nothing to write home about. This has been a family-run place since the 1950s (and yes, the same family). Like most families, it is a little dysfunctional. Delivery and in-restaurant service are usually pretty slow, but it can't be beat if you've got some time and you're looking for a taste of good old-fashioned, old-school NY.

• Pros: great pizza, authentic old-school vibe
• Cons: slow and sometimes odd service

05/03/08

Figure out your delivery zone please

by mcarman at Citysearch

Long time fan of this place to dine in, but back to back bad experiences have prompted this disappointed review... the last time i went in the service was exhausting, even to someone like myself who as a former waitress has virtually unlimited patience and understanding... three times we ask for drinks? We never actually figure out who our server is, and wait interminably for soggy pizza, silverware, plates and finally the check. It was embarrassing honestly, after raving about how wonderful the place is .. but the most frustrating thing is twice to call within the advertised "8 block delivery radius" and be told that they won't deliver there. When asked what exactly their delivery zone is i get a slew of addresses with a zone like a jigsaw puzzle that is subject to change based on the availability of their delivery staff... please Arturos. I live 7 blocks away on any map and you can't bring me a pie? Too many other good pizza places in the west village for this, sorry.

• Pros: if you have the time for a leisurely pizza lunch or dinner, the atmosphere is great
• Cons: you need plenty of time for the slow service, delivery zone inconsistent and teensy

05/03/08

Great food, bad service

by fairy333 at Citysearch

Kind of cramped place, but it is kind of homey and cozy, which is how you shoudl feel while eatin so, thats cool. Theres also live music, which can be loud if your sitting right next to it, but its not so bad and it goes with the whole ambience fo the place. Or waiter looked like a patron off of a bar stool in the front ( oh yes they have a full bar, always a pro) Jeans, messy hair, baseball cap, th ewhole nine, he forgot abou us like 4 times, another girl had to take our app's. The mexican guys were theones doign all of the work, ( cleanrin the tables, bringing things out,and wraping our food) we saw the waiter/bar patron guy twice, and he left us sittinghtere with our jackets on for 20 mins before comming over and asking us if we were waiting for coffee : / we then told him we wanted the bill, and he stayed close by to wait for that one. The food was delicious though, I am always very iffy abot ordering maccaroni, but it was sooooo good, we had some pizza ( yuckkkkk, very chewy-if you want good pizza go to brooklyn) but the voka sauce was out of this world!!! All in all I liked the atmosphere, loved the food but the service sucked. I almost wish i gave the mexican guy the 20$ tip.

• Pros: yummy food, live music, cool ambience
• Cons: bad service, chewy pizza

03/01/08

Totally Burned Delivery

by sunnygirl00 at Citysearch

Ordered a calzone to be delivered. The top of the calzone was black and burned. I MEAN BLACK. I can't believe they would send this out!!! I will never order or go here again.

$20 just thrown in the trash-----------thanks arturo's

11/25/07

Best brick oven pizza

by pastrymistress212 at Citysearch

I simply love their crispy brick oven pizza with all the toppings. Fun live jazz music and resonable priced cocktails.

Best night to go is on a Tuesday less of a wait for a table. Great staff good service even when crowded.

Fun place very retrospective part of Greenwhich Village. Arturos reminds me of how Greenwhich Village use to be years ago.

• Pros: Real brock oven pizza ! Good Jazz