04/04/09

A Gem Near Times Square Serving Excellent Italian Food

by ABuzzard

Went to Osteria Al Doge tonight to dine with a date and it fulfilled and surpassed all my expectations! It had been two years since I had last dined there and it is as great as I remember. Our first interaction was with the hostess, although we didn't have a reservation and walked in off the street she went out of her way to arrange a table for us with only a few minutes notice. After being seated our waitress approached, the immensely charming and constantly smiling Maria, who made us feel immediately comfortable and at home. When I asked for a wine suggestion she suggested a bottle that turned out to be superb! After ordering our mains we settled in to chat and enjoy the atmosphere. In my experience restaurants can be vibrant or can drain the life out of the evening depending on the staff and decor. Everywhere around us people were truly enjoying themselves, smiles abounded, conversations were lively, La Dolce Vita was certainly alive here!. Our courses arrived and each was delicately balanced, abounding in flavors that weren't weighed down with heavy oils or sauces, pure, simple, and obviously made with the best ingredients available. The whole time the staff was attentive to our needs neither rushing us (we were there for three hours), nor making us feel unattended at any time. This is certainly hard to find in New York where more often than not the waiters try to speed towards dropping the check and turning the table. We finished our dessert and said goodbye to the table next to us who we had shared a few laughs with. As we made for the door there was our waitress Maria, still smiling and exuding such a positevly wonderful energy that my date and I were helpless in resisting a big goofy smile that carried us out the door and down the block! I highly recommend this place for a date, dinner with friends, or a party I'm sure you will love it!

• Pros: Great Service, Staff, and Atmosphere

12/05/08

Good choice for pre-theatre dinner

by madlibrarian

Although it was crowded and noisy for pre-show dinner like most theater districts places, I found Doge worthwhile for two reasons: tasty food and the good service. My friend and I both ordered pasta dishes, which were cooked al dente (and in properly salted water!). Nothing was drowning in sauce and everything tasted of fresh ingredients. The staff clearly understood their mission -- to serve us a nice dinner and gets to the show on time. We especially appreciated their timing. Drinks, entres, dessert, check all came just as they needed to. We never felt like we going to be late or rushed out the door. Would I pick this place if I wanted a leisurely meal over a few bottles of wine? No. Wrong neighborhood entirely. Will I go back the next I'm looking for a good pre-show dinner? Definitely.

• Pros: Good food, fast service
• Cons: Crowded

07/01/08

Great ambience!!

by JessAtl

After much deliberation, I finally chose to take my visiting family to this Italian favorite of my roommate. I needed the ambience to be good since we would be spending a lot of time catching up, the noise level needed to be accommodating to conversation, especially for my hard-of-hearing dad, and the food needed to be good! This restaurant delivered on all. I was a little skeptical because of its touristy location, but I would recommend this place to everyone. I'm surprised at the price level according to Citsearch- I'd put it in the lower range... most entree's are between 18-25- very reasonable for a midtown restaurant. The service was a bit terse, but oh well, it's New York. I had the salmon, my dad had the penne, my mother had the eggplant mezzalunas, and my brother had the lasagna- all were delicious. For dessert, we indulged in the tiramisu, fresh berries w/ ice cream, and fruit tart... again, all were very good.

• Pros: Ambience, menu variety
• Cons: Service, bread basket

12/04/07

Won't return again

by vjhonson

Expected fine food and good service. We were very satisfied with our dinner, service was prompt, but our waiter , Daniel, had a terrible attitude. He seemed annoyed with us. We were a group of 10 people,women and young adults. It put a damper on our experience. Won't return to the restaurant again.

• Pros: Close to area attractions
• Cons: Evening ruined by our waiter

03/02/06

Our lost secret

by enthusiast

As theatre goers Osteria al Doge is a regular and pleasant stop. The food and service has remained consistently good over the years. The brodeto and carpaccio di tonno was great as usual, my wife had the halibut which was amazing.

Our favorite theatre district stop seems to have been discovered by quite a crowd. It can at times be very busy but remains charming.

• Pros: Good food, Good service, Well priced
• Cons: Very busy

09/30/05

Went Downhill

by kristinkrause

Used to really like this place for pre theater or Birdland jazz shows. THe most recent visit was terrible. Saturday night at 7:00PM and it was a ghost town so apparently I am not the first to be disappointed. The food just wasn't good anymore,bland and not fresh. A 50% decline from previous visits..too bad

• Pros: atmosphere, location
• Cons: food

09/16/05

Great Food and Charming Space

by hollyleas

We arrived with a reservation to dine before a broadway show. The ambiance is an old world type of charm with subtle music and rustique design. The service was attentive and the wine selection was quite extensive. I was really surprised that this high quality restaurant did not carry Bombay Sapphire Gin, but beyond that the drink menu was reasonably priced. The pizza we had was very fresh and delightfully quick in receiving. The chocolate molten cake presented with style and was one of the best I have had in the city. Great experience yet not pretentious.

• Pros: Quaint, Charming, Good Service
• Cons: Need Bombay Sapphire

09/15/05

Vacation Reminder

by antonia51b

Osteria al Doge was recommended to us by friends for pre-theatre. Got there a little late but they kept our table. The place is busy and a little noisy but a charming atmosphere.

The staff got to us promptly and recommended a venetian fish stew for my wife and a homemade pasta with lamb ragout for myself, both wonderful. The visit reminded me of our vacation in Italy. We shall definately be back and pass the word on to our friends.

• Pros: Great food, Lots of parking, very cosy
• Cons: little loud

12/02/04

Overrated!

by lmanning

The pasta is average, the pizza and salads are below average. I try to discourage my clients from ordering from Osteria because the service is terrible, and the person who answers the phone is abusive. I don't imagine they get many return take out orders as a result of this person. Note that if they make a mistake on your order, they will not correct it. I have removed this menu from our database.

10/02/04

Enjoy the Night

by contempler

This restaurant deserves it's high rating. The waitress was informative and pleasant. The specials for the evening included a halibut prepared in a balsamic, lemon and mint sauce. This dish was perfectly prepared and attractively served. The fish was cooked (not seared) yet moist retaining its delicate taste and texture. The dessert offerings were a perfect ending. It is always enjoyable a when everyone around you seems to be having a good time. Not just another Mid-town Italian pasta house.