Married partners Cesare and Kevin claim in large letters on their website: "Food is our passion." I think it is safe to add hospitality to their list of passions as well. Their food was excellent and a large part of my 5 stars, of course, but never have I felt so welcomed and at home in a restaurant thanks to its two owners. Their warmth and friendliness truly elevated our night out to the next level. My girlfriend and I stopped in at about 7 on a Wednesday night. We didn't have a reservation but were able to be seated right away. The restaurant was mostly filled, dimly lit, with an eclectic mix of Italian bric a brac scattered about the room. The ambiance was intimate and just perfect. Both Kevin and Cesare were working the room, interacting with guests while taking orders and running food. I ordered a champagne cocktail and pistachio encrusted chicken off the list of specials, while my girlfriend had a smoked Negroni and pasta with mushrooms. We shared tiramisu for dessert. Everything we had was decadent and delicious. The tiny room features a bar just big enough for three bar stools, and a small stage that could fit a handful of musicians. While the food was great, I would be equally as happy to just sit at the bar enjoying live music and watching the happy dance of the diners at their tables. We're not from New York, so sadly we can't be regulars here, but we'll absolutely come back someday, and in the meantime we'll spread the word for people to put this one on their list. read more

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Your response unfortunately misrepresents what happened. It is simply not true that my husband left only four pieces of pasta, and we never asked or expected not to pay. Suggesting that my husband's complaint was an attempt to avoid paying is offensive. Our complaint was about the food and the way the situation was handled--not the money. A lasagna is a layered baked pasta dish with sheets of pasta, filling, sauce, and typically cheese. We never thought that we would have to explain that to an Italian restaurant owner in NYC. What I was served was not recognizable as lasagna and, in our opinion, the pasta was undercooked. We paid the bill. I simply shared my experience as a customer. Your response only reinforces our disappointment. read more

This is a hidden gem in the neighborhood! The staff is so friendly, it feels like you're eating at a relative's house. The decor inside is very unique and fun. I liked my pasta and had a nice glass of wine. Definitely a great Ma and Pa place to check out! read more

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Foodance is a cute, intimate Italian restaurant on the outside and in. I had high hopes it was going to be really good, according to our waiter stating fresh made pasta and homemade italian food as well as the rating on Yelp. I ordered the meatballs. The waiter brought us out the bread prior with a dipping sauce. The bread was not fresh, it was on the dry side with a hard crust. When I got my meatballs they looked really good. Upon tasting them I immediately felt they tasted like the frozen meatballs from our local SAM's club or grocery store which I only purchase when in a hurry, and they are mid. They were just okay, I was not impressed at all. We did tip our waiter well as he was excellent but I really hoped the food was going to be authentic. Our party all felt the same way about our dishes, just ok, but would not return. I'm sorry, I rarely write low reviews, but want to be honest. read more

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A little off the beaten path. Wonderful experience. Very romantic and great food and service. Delicious breads, great cocktails. They love pistachio and there are several pistachio related dishes and desserts. Pistachio pesto gnocchi was creamy and rich. Pear pizza yummy. Reservations recommended. Small enclosed outdoor seating area great for fresh air. read more

Foodance - Bread basket - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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A charming little restaurant tucked in the corner of 47th & 10th Ave. it's a great date night spot with indoor & outdoor dining. Beautiful to sit outside under the lights when the weather is nice. The staff were friendly and the vibe was warm. I was happy to see many vegetarian options. (The owner is vegetarian.) Also, a few vegan options too. I tried a vegetarian pasta with eggplant. Delish! It was fresh and I finished the whole plate! Originally thought I'd have leftovers. lol Will be back again soon! They have lunch specials 12-4pm and happy hour deals 4-6pm. A good spot to dine pre or post Broadway show. read more

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I love Fooddance! Their whole menu are authentic Italian dishes, with plenty of vegetarian, seafood, and meat options. I decided on the pistachio pesto gnocchi with burrata on top. This was the best gnocchi I've ever had! The pistachio pesto sauce was fresh and a beautiful vivid green color. The restaurant is super romantic at night with dim lighting and Italian music in the background. On the weekends there is live music, and they even a piano setup in the corner of the dining room. read more

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This was a nice little find thanks to a recommendation from my friend Carlos. My husband Jamie W and I discovered that a fellow gay married couple runs the place and waits on the tables. Once we entered, we were struck by the visual pizazz and perused an appetizing menu of authentic scratch-made Italian dishes (Photo 11). On a celebratory Saturday afternoon, we were seeing matinee and evening performances of nearby Broadway shows. That's what made the W 47th Street location between 9th and 10th ideal for us. A decorative bag of rustic bread chunks arrived at our table for easy dipping into a pool of fruity olive oil (Photo 7). That was quite addictive as we waited for our shared appetizer, the $18 Simona Salad, a Calabrian mix of tomatoes, mozzarella, Tropea red onions, olives, and sardines (Photo 10). The mix of fresh and briny ingredients worked quite seamlessly together. For his entree, Jamie ordered the $37 Baccala e Patate, a homestyle melange of cod, potatoes, grape tomatoes, onions, olives, celery, garlic, and fresh tomato sauce (Photo 5). It was definitely the type of dish an Italian mamma would proudly make in her kitchen. I went for the $26 Fresh Pasta Funghi, a simple yet satisfying plate of fresh Tuscan egg-based ribbon pasta mixed with mushrooms, fresh tomato sauce, garlic, and EVOO (Photo 9). Topped with grated Parmesan, it was quite a treat to have such a light-tasting pasta with such a nice complementary sauce. I had forgotten that I told the restaurant that it was Jamie's birthday when I made the reservation. At the end of the meal, one of the guys waved his arms at me to signal that he and his husband were coming with a complimentary birthday Panna Cotta and a birthday serenade (Photo 8). Unfortunately they wanted me to sing, too. Big mistake. FOOD - 5 stars...authentic Italian authentically made and quite satisfying AMBIANCE - 4.5 stars...lots of flair in the decor, a mite crowded SERVICE - 5 stars...lots of attention and good energy TOTAL - 5 stars... definitely coming back when we're back in NYC RELATED - Hungry in NYC? Here's my collection of bars and restaurants l've patronized and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2YS9ELS read more

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Very disappointing experience. We were planning a romantic dinner, I asked for Lasagna carbonara and Instead I was given an undercooked pasta. After claiming to the owner, I was offered a 50% discount on my plate, because I had eaten some, Any decent restaurant would have apologized on it and correct their error. It was not worth waft we paid for. On the plus side, the waiter, Bastian was great! Kudos for him! The owner was the problem, he never offered an apology. I Don't recommend this place. read more

We were looking for an authentic Italian dinner within easy reach of Times Square and the theater district, and this little gem was exactly what we hoped to find. Tucked a few blocks away from the crowds, the restaurant felt wonderfully quiet, quaint, and intimate, perfect escape from the energy of Midtown. The homemade pasta was clearly made fresh and had that tender, delicate texture you only get from a true Italian kitchen. The lemon pesto chicken was perfectly prepared and packed with flavor. One of the most memorable surprises was the savory cheesecake appetizer--creative, rich, and unlike anything we had tried before. Paired with a glass of Chianti, it made for a uniquely satisfying start to the meal. What truly elevated the experience was the service, friendly, attentive, and genuinely hospitable, making us feel more like guests in someone's home, complete with a lovable,friendly dog. If you're attending a Broadway show and want a peaceful, authentic Italian meal without sacrificing convenience, this restaurant is a fantastic choice. We would absolutely return on our next trip to New York. read more

This restaurant was amazing from the moment we walked in to the moment we left! This was our pick for dinner before our Broadway show. We arrived just as it opened and was immediately greeted by the owner/chef and his cute companion (his dog). No reservations, but he sat us at a cozy table near the window. I loved the decor throughout the restaurant and the music. Think Old Hollywood with lively music from that era. There's a small stage set up front with a piano- I believe there's live entertainment on the weekend evenings. I noticed the fine decor details of the table settings- dimly lit lamps and napkins engraved with the chef's name. The owner was our server and chef. The menu was amazing and we ordered one of his specials chicken cacciatore and bow tie pasta with sausage. But first drinks! We ordered the 1919 Collins and the Rossini. Absolutely gorgeous creations made and delivered to our table by the friendly bartender. They weren't only beautiful, but tasted fabulous. The complimentary homemade bread was set in a cute sack at our table and it was to die for! Square chunks of light and fluffy bread. Our meals- The chicken cacciatore- delicious and accompanied by potatoes instead of pasta. My only suggestion would be to pls use boneless chicken. I don't care for a drumstick or thigh on an upscale meal as there is less chicken. But nevertheless, flavors were on point. Bow tie pasta with sausage- yummy and finished in no time. If you're looking for authentic homemade Italian cuisine in a fun, happy atmosphere, this place is it!!! read more

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It was a beautiful spring evening and we'd just seen a world class Broadway show. We were cruising on the buzz of our own good moods, and our meal here kept that going to great satisfaction. The service was genuine and super friendly; I should mention that their English was surprisingly limited, but it was more than enough to get the job done. (They were nice enough that they wanted to know about us, but the language barrier made that less successful than intended.) Okay but the food was SO GOOD. Between us we got the Pasta e Polpette, the Fresh Pasta Funghi, and the Ravioli Cacio e Pepe. They were all great; the meatballs on mine were great, and the ravioli, my goodness, that was a dish I'd come back for. They also provided a cute sack of bread bites with a unique sauce that we loved. We also got desserts, even though we planned on doing that somewhere else afterward. Mine was a torta with chocolate ganache alongside a strange blob of pistachio gelato-paste. I may sound mocking but it was really good and I would get it again for sure. I feel really lucky that we found such a nice place for dinner on our happy night out! read more

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A total gem. How have I not heard of this before?? Come here if you're seeking homemade gnocchi, branzino pasta, fried zucchini blossoms, incredible cherry flan dessert, the cutest dog in Midtown, and the kindest owners from Italy. Everything we had was nonstop amazing and was the best we've had of its kind. Plus, their dog is the sweetest little babe! Great for dinner before a show. Recommending to everyone. 5 stars!!!! read more

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This place far exceeded my expectations. The food was sooooooo good. We went early and it was quiet and the owners were so nice. Try the burrata with the raspberry ice cream. I may never eat it with out that ever again. Incredible. The pasta was sooo good and the portions were perfect. I didn't feel heavy and yuck when I left but instead happily full and ready to walk more of the city. Tiramisu was also so good- perfectly soaked. I'd go back in a heartbeat. read more

Found this little gem in Hell's Kitchen. We love the eclectic decor - very quaint yet cool. We started our evening with a couple of excellent signature cocktails: tiramisu martini and smoked negroni. Our starters included the fracci salad and pera ripiena- scrumptious! We followed up with pasta al ragu bolognese and carbonara - absolutely delicious! Our server couldn't have been more attentive nor amazing. Simply put: This meal was just good and enjoyable food! I'm still thinking about our experience as I write this review - yummy! read more

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Took a date to Foodance based on Yelp . Cozy Italian place a little off the beaten and path. Service was friendly and unique decor. We ordered the chicken Milanese and pasta and meatballs and naturally the bread was complementary ( and amazing ). Food was great and we really enjoyed the dining experience - highly recommend. read more

Very cute spot. Elegant decor. Loved the waiter!! The pasta with bolognese was a shade bland. The pear pasta was good, a new taste. Kudos to them for serving such a dish. read more

I've now been here twice and would go back in a heartbeat. The food is so good and the waiter was so cute and delightful. The AC wasn't working and it was a hot day but he was so cute about it we didn't even care. We sat outside. Everything was delicious. We were told to come back on a Friday for their speak easy and live music around the corner. The waiter showed us a little video and said "it's pretty gay". Don't threaten me with a good time . We will be doing that soon !!! 10 out of 10 read more

Hell's kitchen is right, this was hell. The server was extremely rude to us and the food is what a guinea pig could eat. They then asked for a 20% tip without our knowledge, I would not tip 20% for a server who was like a ghost and rude. Every time we needed something our server always acted like it was a big deal. I do not recommend this. edit: this review is very real go there and find out yourself read more

This is a hidden gem of delightful Italian. I am actually scared to give away the secret. What this is. A small, quaint neighborhood restaurant that makes authentic Italian dishes. Nothing is too heavy, but uniquely well balanced flavor of amazingness. This is great for: a. 2nd dates b. Family gatherings (you might be able to buy out the place if you have enough people) c. late night pasta cravings Terrible for: a. break ups - the food is too good b. children c. If you expect something crazy fancy. read more

FINALLY! A warm, welcoming restaurant in the theater district. Every little detail was gorgeous, the food was wonderful, the drinks are lovely and pack a punch. It really is a lovely oasis with spectacular Italian fare. RUN, don't walk. read more

2 Stars because the service was good but how can they mess up the Tiramisu being an Italian restaurant. We even tried both options and both were below par taste wise. We walked in just for dessert and left disappointed. read more

The food is excellent. The atmosphere is awesome. Great theme. Great entertainment! The service is excellent! Its rare to find a place that "gets it right" with décor, live music, food, drink, charm, and even vegan options! The pastas are not heavy and overladen with cheese. The flavors are light and fresh! Its in Hell's Kitchen with Greenwich Village Charm (that is now hard to find). Great for being able to chat with your guests or for a romantic dinner. In a phrase: "Treat yourself to this place!" We are planning to be "regulars!" read more

Hey Neighbors! Please check out Foodance! My husband and I (22 year HK'ers) had one of the best meals tonight. I wanted to share with you all in support of a wonderful new Italian restaurant in the hood. Extremely authentic, the owner (from Italy) cooks to order for you with the freshest ingredients and it was simply amazing. I haven't had Italian this good since I was in Italy! Their liquor/beer/wine license is pending so it's BYOB. Please support them as they are a small business who recently opened and hasn't had much press or reviews. Pictured is their homemade blueberry gelato and homegrown spicy pepper they have on the table for your pasta! We ate the pasta too fast and didn't take a pic! read more

Foodance - Homemade Blueberry Gelato - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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This place is amazing! The food and drinks are top tear and the service was amazing! The owner is very passionate about his craft and it shows, the flavors are unlike any other! The atmosphere and ambiance is unbeatable! read more

Foodance - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Nice cozy home-style restaurant with friendly Calabrese chef-host Cesare. We had a nice pappardelle ai funghi, the pollo alla cacciatora (special), and the budino all'arancia siciliana with mango gelato. Homemade pasta, homemade gelato, fresh oranges, quality ingredients. Cesare is very friendly. There's a speakeasy space hidden in the back too! read more

Foodance - Pollo alla cacciatora - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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This is hands down the best meal I've had - ever. We started our lunch with their raspberry ice cream and burrata dish. The levels of flavor that were unveiled worked alongside one another perfectly - the tartness of the cold raspberry ice cream, the creaminess of the burrata, the sour/sweet balsamic glaze, and the sweet, succulent peach. We then tried their Fracci salad that consisted of arugula, pistachios, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, pear, carrots, and cherry tomatoes. Again, the flavor profiles worked wonderfully together. As someone who usually won't touch arugula because of its bitterness, this was the first dish that I've had where I enjoyed it so much I got thirds. The entrees were, of course, delicious as well. The cod was light but still extremely flavorful. It came with the most perfectly cooked potatoes that soaked up the tomato sauce flavors. The linguine with the bolognese sauce was just as good with rich, yummy red sauce, al dente pasta, aged parmigiana cheese, and well seasoned meat. Last but definitely not least is the service. Kevin and Caesar, who own the restaurant, are extremely kind people. They helped us decide what to get and talked about how they designed the place (which is gorgeous and homey) all by themselves. And they have the cutest dog (Gigi) I've ever seen that roams around the restaurant to greet customers. Overall, we had the most amazing experience here with delicious food and generous, compassionate service! Would definitely recommend this place to anyone who truly enjoys and appreciates food!!! read more

Foodance - Pasta al Ragu Bolognese and Baccal E Patate - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Stopped by Foodance before going upstate to visit my dear friends. Today I learned that the dancer turned chef. This amazing chef from Rome, Italy has what it takes to make this work. Being at Foodance is like being at home. Service is impeccable, setting is Italian,fresh flowers everywhere. Today I was told there's a piano player on weekends. I had the Swordfish, with asparagus and roasted potato's. I love this place it reminds me of a small cabaret it has that vibe. Simple, elegant and fun read more

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We found this quaint Italian restaurant from a recommendation. So on this rare drizzly day, we walked into a small intimate setting that had about 30 seats inside and a few outside. The owner warmly greeted us and sat us promptly. We were very hungry at this point of the evening (7 PM) My go to is Lasagna and my friend's was Pasta Ragu Bolognese. The beauty of this dinner was not in overstuffing of cheeses, but the quality and finesse of the spices. Both were flavorful. We believe that this was in part to entice the patrons with dessert. Entice they did as we enjoyed a pear tart and a chocolate almond concoction that satisfied your palette! For us, it was worth the price and time! read more

From appetizers to dessert this little cozy gem in Hell's Kitchen is worth the visit. If you're looking for a taste of Italy reserve your seat. Kevin and his husband Cesare are soooo charming, they go the extra mile to make you feel like you're part of the family. Shhhh, there's a speakeasy in the back. Looking forward to our next visit. read more

Foodance - Dessert - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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A wonderful Italian restaurant with great food and service, run by Cesare and Kevin. Also has great entertainment.

The atmosphere inside of this restaurant is so fun and beautiful! I had the Pasta e Polpette, it was fantastic! 12/10! The meatballs were cooked to perfection and the pasta sauce with cheese was truly amazing. This honestly is the best food I've had in Hell's Kitchen and I've tried a lot in the past year of living in Hell's Kitchen. read more

5-stars: chill Italian music, very nice wait staff with efficient service, and EXCELLENT food! Pistachio pesto chicken-yum, Vegan lasagna-oh yeah, boiled pear-nice! read more

Wonderful food and drinks here. I love the Spaghetti and Pizza here. Good Italian food all around and around. Nice service and good vibes. I will be coming back to Food dance. read more

Excellent atmosphere and customer service, the food was very authentic and delicious. My only complaint would be the price to portion ratio. I had the Gnocchi with Buratta cheese but payed 26 dollars for what I thought wasn't anything mind blowing. Overall great experience only a small complaint, 4 stars well deserved. read more

The food was excellent, the service was great and the music and environment were spot on, we came up from DC for a few days and love to eat in places with a neighborhood vibe and this place has it. We will come back next time we're in town. read more

Amazing authentic Italian food. Great atmosphere for a first date. Wonderful staff and there's a speakeasy inside to continue the fun. 10/10 recommend for anyone visiting New York for the first time. The owner is always present and make you feel like family read more

Foodance - The meatballs didn't last 30 seconds - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

A TRUE gem of a restaurant in the Theater District/ hells kitchen area. We found this small Italian cafe to be Marvelous. The food was Beautiful and delightful. The atmosphere was artful and cozy without being pretentious. The service was what I can only describe as warm and genuine. The couple who owns this restaurant have CLEARLY poured their hearts into this restaurant and I want to recommend it over and over to anyone who might need a bite before or after a show. They also have a speakeasy style space with live entertainment, but we did not get a chance to check this out. read more

Foodance is the perfect place to go for a solo brunch on a Sunday in the early afternoon or for a nice date on a sunny Friday summer evening. The ingredients of the food are fresh, the staff is incredibly kind and accommodating, and the outside seating is perfect for relaxing over an ice cold Aperol Spritz. I highly recommended the Melanzana Parmigiana (Eggplant Parmesan) and asking for their complimentary bread. read more

Foodance - Melanzana Parmigiana - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Such a cute, quaint place. We just happened to walk by and gave it a shot and happy we did. Stopped in for drinks in the back room which was not crowded and we could have a nice conversation with good music. We tried their dessert first, which coupled with the welcoming and friendly service, made us decide to stay for dinner which also did not disappoint. I would come back. I had the homemade linguine with clams in white wine sauce special which was the perfect balance of light and flavorful. As a bonus, they had live piano music tonight. read more