Giambelli 50 Restaurant
(212) 688-2760
46 E 50th St
New York,
NY
10022
40.7577
-73.9752
Neighborhoods: Midtown Center, Midtown
Reviews & Ratings for Giambelli 50 Restaurant
11 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 11 reviews
Disappointed Beyond Belief
by danandpam
March 21, 2009
I stopped by to have dessert and coffee with my fiance on a Saturday night.
The creepy restaurant was ninety percent empty and it was near ten p.m., but the manager offered to seat us anyway. We asked him for two coffees and a tiaramisu. His shocking reply: "You must order two desserts. If you want one dessert, you can sit at the bar."
We protested, but he insisted: either order two desserts, sit at the bar, or leave. "It wouldn't be worth the price of laundering the tablecloth to serve you at this booth," he said.
We chose to leave. And, I can assure you we will never return.
The sad part is that this place was my fiance's father's favorite - which is why we stopped in. We even sat in the booth they used to share when my fiance was a child. She was certainly disappointed.
It's a shame that we will only associate this terrible experience with the name: "Giambelli's."
What a bunch of jerks.
- Cons: Management is terrible
Stay Away
by AftonC
February 06, 2008
This restaurant was recommended by the Barclay Hotel, They must get a kick back. restaurant was empty and we were seated right away. Had to ask waiter 3 times for a drink that was ordered. We were a party of 6, one of the meals came out with the pasta not cooked enough, a few minutes before al dente. the meal was sent back to the kitchen and came back dried out, not a new plate of pasta. I don't know what they did but it was terrible, couldn't eat it. Other meals were ok but nothing special. As we were leaving we weren't happy and they made a remark that we should have asked for a new meal. Did we have to ask for a new meal that was cooked? We did send it back. Italian restaurant - I think not. Left hungry!
Avoid altogether!
by sandz_2b
January 16, 2008
I am being generous by giving this restaurant 1 star; the only thing I liked was the little lady that greeted us at the door; I think she lures everyone in with her sweetness. But as soon as we entered, everything after that was downhill. In all seriousness, the food is extremely overrated and the service was absolutely terrible. There must have been 10 waiters and busboys standing around and not one offered us a refill on our drinks or even asked how our meal was throughout the 1 hour we were there. We were totally ignored the entire time. My husband's small portion of lasagne was wet and soggy and that was the first time I had chicken cacciatore with bits and pieces of chicken meat mixed with mushrooms. We didn't want to stick around for dessert. And when the bill came and it included a line for a captain's tip, I cracked up laughing. What captain?? did I blink and miss him and if so why does he deserve anything? There was no maitre d' at the door and the coat check girl sat us at our table. Be prepared to pay $$$$ as well. I wouldn't have mind paying if the service and food were good, but we were extremely disappointed. We only ate here because it was close to our hotel (and also the hotel did not recommend it so I should have known) but for the extra cab fare, try truly authentic Italian food at extremely reasonable prices and generous portions in Little Italy. You will not be disappointed there but you certainly will be at Giambelli's.
- Pros: None
- Cons: Overpriced and overrated; worst service experienced
Editorial Review by Marcella Veneziale
by Contributor
August 09, 2007
Traditional, luxurious dishes on a nearly book-length menu feature pricey ingredients from sinfully-rich cheeses to calf's liver and truffles.
Relaxing Italian Cuisine
by alexisburgess
April 05, 2007
I have been here a few times. The service is alway wonderful and the food is just as good. The restaurant is casual and perfect for friendly dinners or business dinners. I've been there for both. They have a wonderful private room upstairs, if you're having a small dinner party.
- Pros: Service, Food
Classic and Delicious
by lecherocks
August 18, 2006
This place is a little slice of heaven. Prepare for an outstanding meal, impecable service, and a relaxing atmosphere. It's no accident that they've been in business for half a century. Northern Italian dishes prepare with fine ingredients and lots of care. Delicious, delicious, delicious. I'm going again tomorrow.
- Pros: Food, ambience, the works
- Cons: None whatsover
Delightfully warm and friendly restuarant with excellent and authentic italian.
by greenz3bra
July 12, 2006
Enjoyed Giambelli's twice and have been floored each time. It is rather pricey-but it's New York we're talking about here. The second time we went there was a large crowd of parents and kids (who ran wild the whole time we were there) that limited the enjoyability of the meal somewhat. Food wise it was amazing. I guess if you've had a bad experience then you might have ordered the wrong thing. Had the gandolette-an herb and cheese filled pasta covered in the world's most amazing cream sauce. It is the type of dish I dreamed about for two years in between my first and second meal at the restaurant. Try the caprese (mozerella and tomatoes) if it's summer time. Wonderful fresh flavors-perfect to begin the meal.
Gambelli himself makes the meal and experience wonderful. He sat my parties both times and personally stopped by to ask about our meals. After my second experience with all the disruption he met us at the door, apologizing profusely and handed my friend and I a bunch of roses. A lovely, classy gesture to end an amazing meal.
- Pros: Food, Gambelli himself, location
- Cons: ambience and decor is a bit spartan
Disappointing
by tlopez99
December 25, 2005
Recommended by a friend for our visit to NYC. Had reservations and while waiting to be seated tried to get a drink at the bar. Obviously, the female bartender wasn't interested in serving three ladies as she ignored completely while serving every male and couple in sight. Once seated the service didn't improve. Our waiter informed us to order quickly because the kitchen was busy and promptly disappeared to never return. Had to flag someone down to order another glass of lously house chianti. I figured asking for wine list might be too difficult for them. As for the food... veal saltimbocca was good as was the manicotti, but the seafood dish was horrible and fishy smelling. Even the bread wasn't great. Overall, it was a terrible experience and we were treated very poorly.
- Cons: service, food, ambiance
Less staff better food
by kaweeks1
May 12, 2005
Had dinner here and had the chicken with peppers and mushrooms, Salad and a Coke $54. I about choked when I saw the bill. I like another reviewer don't mind paying for good food. The food was just fair at best, I've had much better food at other places. I think most of the expense is taken up by the many servers they have on staff. There were 6 servers standing around watching me eat but they never asked if I needed anything or even offered me water.
- Cons: over priced, medicore food, over staffed
Delightful Experience!
by MFPipkin
November 19, 2002
We arrived with a group of twelve and, rather than reviewing the menu, we asked the waiter to have the chef prepare a meal for all of us. The selection was outstanding and delicious.
- Pros: Great food, Very good location
