Hands down the best Italian place I've ever had. This local gem is something everyone has to try! Every dish was delicious and is packed with such rich flavors that make you savor every bite. Our server checked in on the perfect times and made us feel like we were eating at home with lively conversation. They also have so many celebrities up on the wall that have been there, so plenty of entertainment around the area to talk about while enjoying the food! Will be the first Italian place we go to when we visit again! read more

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i dont trust anyone that calls this the best italian food in NY. You shouldn't either. Not only is the food mediocre but be careful eating here. I was meeting friends and arrived early. I asked the men sitting outside if I could grab a drink. They pointed me around the corner to a speakeasy bar connected to Emilio's. I paid for 2 drinks and while walking out gave the bartender the receipt and a cash tip. A few days later, i checked my bank statement and a 30% tip was added to my bill. Sleazeball move. But back to the food not being good. The bolognese tasted like it was poured from a can and the pork chops with cherry peppers had zero zip. Everyone raves about the chicken or veal parm. We got that too. It was fine. However, i don't put much stock into frying a chicken cutlet, putting tomato sauce on top and melting mozz over it. If you cant cook that, close up shop. Thank god Emilio's can at least do that because everything else was trash. read more

I'm not going to lie, I had high expectations for Emilio's, and somehow they exceeded every one of them. I loved the vibe and atmosphere, but most of all, I loved the food. Starting with the entrees, they have the best veal parm and chicken parm I've ever had. Perfection doesn't even feel like a strong enough word. The bolognese was equally impressive, with a rich, flavorful ragu that was absolutely delicious. The appetizers were just as memorable and really showcased the quality of the food. The vongole clams were incredible. I've never seen or had them prepared quite like this anywhere else, and they'll definitely be something I crave. The mushrooms were excellent, the mixed house salad provided a nice balance, and the mozzarella with prosciutto was amazing. I especially loved the addition of the roasted red peppers. And how could I forget the table bread and olive oil? Yum, yum, yum. I typically don't care for Italian olive oil because I find it a bit too bitter and usually prefer Greek olive oil, but this was by far the best Italian olive oil I've ever had. It paired perfectly with the fresh, delicious bread and was impossible to stop eating. To finish, we had the tiramisu and cannolis, and both were outstanding. You can really taste the quality in everything they serve here. From start to finish, this meal was impressive. Emilio's delivered on every level, and I can't wait to come back. read more

Emilios Ballato - Bolognese - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Beautiful Italian food in space adorned with wall to wall celebrity fans! Great focaccia bread, meatballs on point, and the pasta is fresh - well at least it tasted that way! Price points a lil too high for the portions, my only complaint... read more

Walked into Emilio's Ballato like I was auditioning for The Sopranos. First thing they drop on the table -- Italian bread so good I almost canceled my order and just fought the basket. Real men don't skip bread. Then came the Cotoletta... a pan-fried veal chop the size of my ego after two glasses of Amarone. Crispy, juicy, and now officially one of my favorite dishes in NYC. Paired it with a bottle of Tre Scalini Amarone della Valpolicella that hit smoother than Sinatra on a Sunday. Finished strong like a champion: Tiramisu. Cannoli. Olive oil cake. No survivors. Meanwhile, I'm surrounded by celebrity photos on the wall... and for one night, I felt like I belonged up there too. Mostly because I ate like three people. Old-school Italian. First-come, long waits, but worth every minute. Top-notch service. No rushing. Just red sauce, great wine, and pure NYC magic. Came hungry. Left Italian. read more

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Emilio's Ballato 55 E. Houston St. New York, NY 10012 This restaurant is high profile. Several celebrities have frequented this spot and the dining area has photos of all the icons who visited. There is usually a line; all customers are required to wait outside because there is no indoor lobby. The focaccia bread was one of the best starters I ever had. It especially went well with olive oil. The cutlet was gigantic. It was pounded thin with crispy edges. While there was a decent ratio of sauce, it was too sweet for my taste. For the most part, I enjoyed the cutlet. However, a major disadvantage is that pasta is not included; I would have to buy a separate entrée. There is not even an option to purchase a side of pasta for an up charge. I would have comprised and paid an additional cost even though the lone cutlet was a whopping $42. #emiliosballato #emiliosballatonyc #chickenparm read more

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I have had this place on my list for years and never found the chance to go. Dropped by today and it did not disappoint. I somehow missed that they close from 4-5pm to switch service. I walked in at 3:30 and the owner still let me order. We had the clams (GLORIOUS), spaghetti polpette, and the chicken. All of these went so perfect together along with our house red wine (super Tuscan). Service was quick and friendly. The place feels very old school New York Italian and warm. They don't take reservations so you have to make sure you're willing to wait a bit but I promise it's worth it. Great location! read more

Emilios Ballato - Chicken - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Food and service were good. Its a little on the pricier side. I'll have to try more and update my review as I was only able to try 2 dishes and a dessert. read more

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Went early on a Sunday to relax & to try the famous meatball dish. I was the only table. The waiter kept disappearing - could not get a second glass of wine or dessert and when he did appear, he was not pleasant. Also who I believed to be the owner was at a table counting what appeared to coins. He paid no attention to the fact that I was trying to get service. It's a nice place but the men there seemed to be uncaring to a single woman out to Sunday lunch on her own. To them I was invisible. read more

This place was exactly what I imagined an old-school, traditional Italian joint in NYC would be like! The decor is classic, filled with framed pictures of the owner posing with the countless celebrities who have dined there. The entire atmosphere is set by the owner, who sits right outside the entrance like a gatekeeper, seemingly deciding who gets to enter and who doesn't. It was quite an experience--it genuinely felt like a scene right out of a movie where a mob boss would go for dinner! Now, onto the food... it was phenomenal. The focaccia bread served to start was absolutely to die for--honestly, the best I have ever had in my life. The tomato version was noticeably fluffier and tastier than the plain one. The courses that followed were equally mouth-watering. I thoroughly enjoyed the Tagliatelle Bolognese and the meatballs. Seriously, how does the East Coast get Italian food so right, while the West Coast representation is so lacking? We definitely lucked out! After a late show, we arrived and were seated right away. The patrons at the table next to us quickly assured us that getting a table usually involves an hours-long wait. Despite that warning, based on this unforgettable experience, we will absolutely try again on our next visit to the Big Apple. read more

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If you are looking for an old school , red sauce Italian place, look no further. I read about long waits, but we lucked out. We went on a Monday night and only had a 15 minute wait. Baked clams, Broccoli Rabe, Tagliatelle alla Bolognese, pork chop, were all flavorful and cooked perfectly. I would have loved to had tried more, perhaps on another visit. It's small, but comfortable and the service was terrific. Can't wait to go back. read more

Yes, it's very good. And it takes a lot to get this guy of mixed Italian heritage excited for an Italian joint. Everything was really done perfectly. Chicken scarp wings, tripe, fresh pastas, veal and chicken parms, hunk of halibut oreganata, even the broccoli was friggen delish. Even meatballs- which are a comfort food you are accustomed to loving however your matriarch made them... even they were great. Sauce is very good. Not easy to get right. Crowded and buzzing - respect shown, respect given. Tight quarters, settle in and prepare to mangia. We were a table of six, sat promptly, so didn't mind squeezing in. read more

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Chicken parm slapppped Popped in on a Friday night. Seated immediately. Extremely fast service. Food was YUMMY. defs get the tiramisu. House red was also good. Vibes were very traditional Italian. Portions were huge. Come hungry ! read more

Emilios Ballato - Chicken parm - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Amazing food service was top notch and the ambiance was old school Italian just like I like it!! Bravo

I recently visited Emilio's Ballato for my anniversary dinner. Being a Native New Yorker, I'm still left wondering why I hadn't heard about this establishment sooner. It serves as a reminder that there are a plethora of good dining options, (and some not so good,) in NYC. Luckily, for Emilio's Ballato, they fall in the former category. We arrived on a Friday evening just before 6pm. There was quite a line at this time, so I do recommend arriving shortly before they open to avoid a long wait (ours was about 1 hr. 20 min.) Once a table opened for us, we entered into a small and bustling (yet super chill,) dining space. As many other Yelpers noted, there are pictures of celebrities hung like wallpaper throughout the room. Before I get to MHO of the food, (which was good without a doubt,) I think what I appreciated the most about this restaurant was the service. It's not to say that it was 5 star, high-end dining establishment service by any means. BUT, it was cordial, attentive (w/o being intrusive,) and not once did we feel rushed. This is what REALLY made the difference to me. After waiting in line for as long as we did, (which we hardly ever do for any restaurant,) not once did we feel pressured to "wrap it up," so they could seat the next group of people waiting in line to dine. So while I mentioned that the food was good, I think it was this that stood out to me when all was said and done. Now, on to the food! We enjoyed their Fried Calamari, which was truly one of the best I've tasted. The batter was seasoned well and super light, and the calamari itself was perfectly tender. We also tried their famous meatballs. The texture was perfect, but I do admit, I'm partial to mine when it comes to the flavor profile. My husband had the Shrimp fra Diavolo over Linguine, and I enjoyed the Chicken Parm, both of which were prepared very well. Portions were plentiful, and we did take some of our meal to go. As if we had room for more food, (which we really didn't,) we ordered the Italian Cheesecake and their Tiramisu. While my husband preferred the cheesecake, I thought their Tiramisu was stellar. Finished the meal off with a glass of Grappa and a Cappuccino. Would I go back? I definitely would, but I'd try to get there earlier to beat the crowd. read more

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Hands Down the best Italian food I've had in a long time. Amazing service in the vibe is second to none! read more

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Walked by this place on Friday night with a friend as we were on our way to the San Genaro feast. I was starving and my friend had mentioned that this was a great place that always has a line outside and at this point, there were no lines so we decided to walk in. The place was small but it gave very popular with the celebrities! The walls were covered in pictures of celebrities dining in and I spotted a New York Time s Article framed up too as I washed in. I thought the place def gave Italian Restaurant vibes. We were seated immediately. The waiter came over and asked us if we'd ever ate there before which we replied no. We asked what could he recommend- he gave us 6 must haves but we were always trying to leave some space for treats at the feasts so we went with: Burrata and Cesar salad to start... there was also focaccia bread with olive oil that our waiter brought out for us (so frkn good) and for pastas we had the Spicy penne and my friends had the bolognese pasta. We both really enjoyed our meals. I did think the prices for the appetizers were pricey $32 for a small side Cesar salad was wild but I said it has to be one of the best for this price - it most def was not - was pretty basic for the price. That would be my only con but otherwise id def go back again. read more

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My husband and I were in NYC for a few days and had to pop in and try Emilio's. The owner greeted us and offered us a table. Staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. The food, OMG...the food was phenomenal! If you're headed to NYC and have time to stop in, I highly suggest you do. read more

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Another great visit to Emilio's Ballato! Very great chicken parm and cool atmosphere with all the celeb pics. Family is pretty nice too read more

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From the moment you walk up to the restaurant. You're greeted by what I thought was a bouncer that turned out to be the Owner. I try to give him $100. But he says we don't do that here which you gotta love. I asked him how the food was, and he said why don't you try it and decide for yourself. Another great ANSWER. Let's start with the ambience . It's like you. Jump in a Time Machine, and go back into 1970. Very very cool. Service was absolutely exceptional. Now the Food, we ordered the meatballs, which were good. Not great. It could be because we were there almost a closing time because it was so late. We only ordered one meal and a few appetizers . The salad was phenomenal. The bread was good. It would've been nicer if it was warm, but still very good. The veal Antonio I believe is what it's called is perfectly cooked and breaded. Then it's smothered, and what appear to be a vodka sauce which is and pieces of prosciutto ham. It was truly a work of Art, and one of the best meals I've ever had. Only downside of I had to wait outside for about 30 minutes to get in, but that's not a bad deal. When in Rome. read more

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As an Italian American of Napoli heritage we grow up eating the basic italian fare no special olive dishes or heavily spiced dishes. A calabrian chili was never talked about in my home. So it was only fitting i took my parents out to try it out. I think i can summarize the food in one simple statement that mom made.... " i feel like we didn't go out to eat, feels like we just ate at home" That has to be the ultimate compliment for any Italian American restaurant read more

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Ambiance is beautiful, cozy Italian spot with photos adorning the walls. The staff is pretty much the family who owns it and are always very welcoming and personable, and the food is outstanding. Would recommend if you are looking for authentic and delicious Italian food. No reservations and sometimes has a long wait so be smart about when you go! read more

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On a Friday night, there was a crowd outside waiting to get in. My friend and I waited maybe 15 minutes because we decide to share the table with two others so we could sit at the next open table, a table for four. (The staff kindly waited on us as two separate tables.) The restaurant was smaller than I thought it'd be, but the seating was pretty spacious and there was plenty of elbow room. The food came out within maybe 10 minutes; it felt like time had barely passed after we placed our order. The complimentary bread was one of best I've ever had. There was a focaccia bread and a focaccia with tomato sauce on it. I almost wanted to ask for more. The Petto Di Pollo Alla Parmigiana had cheese on top that reminded me of pizza flavor-wise. The cheese was definitely the highlight of the dish. The Penne Alla Arrabiata had the perfect amount of spice, and it was a unique type of spice that was almost what you could describe as tart. read more

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So glad we made it to this place. I can see why it would be a favorite and must try. Get there early, stand in line, and be amazed. Very small place, but it's special for sure. Very genuine and authentic cuisine. read more

Emilios Ballato - Front door - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Fantastic, family run, italian resturant in lower Manhattan. There's usually a line outside to get in, but it's worth the wait! For an appetizer I'd highly recommend the baked clams and sides of meatballs. The baked clams might be the best I've ever had. The bread to start is also very good. For dinner I got the chicken parm, which as you can tell from every other review, is fire. My wife and I also split the cacio e pepe spaghetti, which was also delicious. They have a nice wine list and some cocktail options as well. The atmosphere is quant and has photos of family and celebrities all over the walls. Definitely a celebrity hot spot. Service was great and fast. Overall I highly recommend this spot. (Side note, if your in fort lauderdale try chef Anthony's restaurant Vitolos) read more

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Amazing service, food, and atmosphere. Best Italian food since we went to Italy. I would go there again and again. I wish Emilios Ballato was in California. read more

Emilios Ballato - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Wow! I don't get all the hate for Emilio's....so here's my experience. Arrived at 4:50 on Thursday. Was seated by 5:05 and noted there were still 2 tables available. The inside is small but very charming... We ordered: meatballs-very good, not dry, salty which is how I like them Caesar Salad w/anchovy-not good-waste of money. Was a few pieces of romaine and could barely taste the dressing Mozzarella Carrozza-was very, very good. Chicken parm-was delish-but was mostly full so took it home. Reheated nicely. My friend had the pasta special-I forget the name but it had onions, pancetta and something else. She really liked it. Dessert-affogato. It was ok- 5 stars for food-minus .5 for the salad and service read more

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Came here on a weekday Monday night around 9:45 pm and was able to be seated right away - there were several tables opened. I loved all the dishes I ordered. I ordered calamari (they weren't on the menu) and was surprised to find them a peppery kick. Not sure if it was from the sauce or the seasoning, but they were one of my favorite fried calamari dishes I've ever ordered in a restaurant. The chicken parm was a decent portion and loved the sauce on them. Like with all my other dishes, the linguine with clams in white wine sauce was also amazing! Also speaking for me personally, I didn't have any problems with the service here! They were polite and helpful when I had questions about the menu read more

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Spot is average, rushed the tables, hot, tight so many other spots for good Italian food. They care more about turning over tables than the actual experience, skip it. read more

The owner, Emilio Vitolo Sr., is a Gentle Giant, and you can't help but fall in LOVE with him and his amazing restaurant. The food is second to none, and I can't wait to go back! There are tons of places to eat while in NYC, so do NOT miss going to Emilios Ballato in SoHo. Simply the BEST! read more

Going to Emilios Ballato is an experience. No reservations at this NYC institution, but we managed to wrangle a table on a Sunday evening in August. Three gentlemen, who may have doubled as bouncers in a previous life, were sitting out front, with one of them being the owner. He directed us where to stand, and within 5 minutes, we were in! If you find yourself there at a busier time (e.g., NOT the summer, NOT a Sunday night), be prepared to wait, but just know, it is worth it. It's a narrow space (supposedly there is a back room for VIPs and spillover), with the walls covered with memorabilia of those who have dined at Emilios. And yes, it is just about EVERYONE! There is a reason this restaurant has been open since 1956! To quote food writer Jeff Gordinier, Ballato's is like "Rao's, but you can get in." Tables are small, but we were gifted a generously sized table for 4 (there were 3 of us, and they really COULD have squeezed us elsewhere). You are treated to a wonderful bread basket of Focaccia with Olive Oil while you peruse the menu. The 3 of us shared: - Meatballs. We ordered 2 for the 3 of us. They are big. They are light. They may be among the best meatballs I've had in recent memory. And I do not take my meatballs lightly. - Vitolo Antonio. NOT on the menu. That's right. Not on the menu. It is a traditional veal Parmesan with vodka sauce, and I could swear more than one or two types of cheeses. And don't hold me to it, but there may have been some Prosciutto. And it is ENORMOUS. More than enough for the 3 of us, and I had to stop myself from gnawing at the bone. - Rigatoni in a light red cream sauce. Again, another hearty portion, and it was more than enough. Finished with 1 Affogato and 1 cup of Cappuccino. I don't eat Veal Parm often these days. My favorite has always been at Sinatra's in Las Vegas (at the Encore Hotel). But it has been a while, so I'll leave it at Emilio's Ballato's version as being on par, if not better. The vodka sauce ... Mama Mia! read more

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Gross. The owner sits up front acting like he's Tony Soprano, yelling at people as they walk in. I ordered the chicken parmigiana and it was sliced too thin, tough, and way too salty. I also ordered two items off the specials menu that never showed up , honestly, thank god, because they probably would've been bad too. The clams oreganata was gross, and the pasta was just okay at best. Total waste of time and money. I don't get the hype around this place at all. read more

Arrived at 7:30 on a Tuesday as a party of 2 and waited less than 30 minutes to be seated. Our table was uncomfortably small and they asked us to sit before it had even been cleared from the previous party. After a rough start, the food more than made up for it. Loved the complimentary bread, Tagliatelle Bolognese, Chicken Parm (the best I've ever had!) and Tiramisu. The Meatball and Caesar Salad weren't as memorable. Our server was initially a bit gruff, but than warmed up - comping us wine and dessert as an apology for the suboptimal table. Definitely some of the best no frills Italian in NYC! read more

Food was great. Didn't take long to be seated. Service was fast and friendly. Chicken parm was delicious. Vodka sauce was the right choice for substitution. Pasta was done perfectly and the potatoes were a great side option. read more

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A classic red sauce Italian spot with soul warming dishes All dishes are recognizable and sizable in a cozy dining room (you will become friends with your table neighbors) so definitely recommend trying. Do I think this restaurant is worth a 3 hour wait? No. But do I think it's worth having a 5pm dinner when you are seated right away? 100% read more

Emilios Ballato - Chicken parm - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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We arrived to Emilios Ballato shortly after opening on a Tuesday and were seated right away. The restaurant is a decent size and feels very old school Italian. The staff were immediately kind, quick, and attentive as soon as we sat down. The specials for the day included fired calamari, a salad of melon, figs, and prosciutto and homemade cheese ravioli with tomato sauce. We opted for the calamari, Caesar salad, spaghetti and meatballs, and a chicken parm. Everything we had was fresh, flavorful, and well made. The sauce was delicious and we could tell it was homemade. The highlight for me was the meatballs which were some of the softest and juiciest ones I've ever had. I'll definitely be back if I want fresh and delicious Italian food in NYC. read more

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Went on a Friday night on a whim around 8:30pm and stood in line for about 40 minutes before we were seated. The standouts were the veal parm and clams casino - we also got the vodka rigatoni which was good but not great. The vibe in there is truly spectacular though so I wouldn't hesitate to go back. read more

Emilios Ballato - Veal parm - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

LOVE... this place, so grateful to have found the most amazing Italian food we've had. Ever! This will 110% be a staple in our annual NYC trip! read more

Finally crossed Ballato's off the list - honestly, I should have gone years ago before it was this hyped; then again, they've never been known for the food so I didn't make it a priority. My boyfriend and I got in line at 5:30 PM on a Thursday and sat at 6:12 PM. We had glasses of the house red and shared: + Chicken parm - really nice and crispy, would get this again + Caesar salad - solid + Spaghetti and meatballs - great + Tiramisu - tasty Food was overall good, if a little salty. You can do much better for Italian in this town, but everyone should come here at least once, just for the experience. Service was great. 3.5 stars for the food, but the ambiance and history brings it to a 4. read more

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This place lived up to the hype!!! Went with 7 people on a Sunday for brunch and we were able to walk right in. We even had our own private room in the back. LOVED the veal and chicken Parma and the penne ale vodka omgggg read more

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