Stopped in for one round of drinks. My husband had a peroni and I had the grimm hazy ipa. Both were good. The bartender was friendly. We checked out the menu and it looked great although we weren't ready to eat just yet. read more

Grotta Azzurra - Bar - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Not my favorite spot for Italian, but its not the worst either. I've been here a handful of times now. First time was for brunch and honestly, the brunch menu wasn't anything special - very basic options. I came here with a group so it would have been weird if I didn't order food. I got the eggs benny and it was just okay, nothing to rave about. The second time I came was for dinner and I got the gnocchi w/ bolognese sauce. It was overall good, but I felt that the gnocchi itself was a bit too soft/mushy for my preference. Service is always very good here though. The staff is very friendly and on top of their game. I'd come here for drinks, on HH. But it's never super packed any time that I go, so it's definitely not people's first choice for drinks. read more

Grotta Azzurra - gnocchi w/ bolognese sauce - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Carlos was amazing server! Excellent food, beverages and dessert. Absolute fun time!!!

Lunch special alert ‼ While strolling through little Italy, we stumbled across this place with a good lunch special! It was $18.99 for a main and a side, and so we got the: 1. Chicken parm with rigatoni 2. Cod with penne The chicken parm was delicious and the cod was SOOOOO soft-- just melts in your mouth. I would definitely come back here read more

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I have no idea why this place has such low stars because my experience was fantastic. The pizza and garlic bread were absolutely amazing--perfectly cooked and packed with flavor. The server was wonderful, attentive, and friendly, which only added to the great vibe. The atmosphere downstairs in the cellar was very calming especially after a long rainy day. The cozy setting combined with Italian jazz playing in the background made it feel like a little escape to Italy. I loved everything about this spot and can't recommend it enough. If you're in Little Italy, don't miss out on this gem! read more

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Charus and I came here for lunch. We were going to go somewhere else but we been here before and decided that we liked the food that we could come again. We took advantage of their lunch special, they had a happy hour going but they didn't tell us about until we asked about it. I ordered the chicken parmigiana and vodka pasta. The food was delicious and tasty. It came out piping out. I like the flavor of the breading of the chicken parm. I just wish the parm had breading on both sides. I like the flavor of the vodka sauce. The combo worked go together. Charus got the fish oreganata. The sauce was delicious and taste. It tasted so good, I kept sticking pieces of bread to sneak some sauces. The fish was tasty but a bit mushy. We got a few drinks and they were tasty. We ordered a white sangria and mezcaloma. We liked the mezcaloma the best. It was strong and had a good flavor. The sangria was a bit weak and too much. And the best part, they gave fresh warm bread for free!! read more

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Walking in the City of New York and found this place. Super cute and this place has a nice sit area inside and also another large room with bar and outside place. Service is excellent on point very attentive and the food is so good. Had apps baked clams and fried calamari. Ordered the prosciutto pizza was amazing. OMG the prosciutto was delicious. Bread and butter also with oils so fresh and so good. Hubby ordered a Bloody Mary and it was delicious. read more

At san Genaro festival no good at all ribeye steak only fat no meat at all service ok I would say read more

Grotta Azzurra - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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I came in the afternoon after shopping in soho and I loved the food, service, and ambiance. It was a beautiful summer day so I sat near the open door so I had an indoor/outdoor vibe. My service was so attentive and friendly. I had the fried calamari, romaine salad, and glass of red sangria. 10s 10s 10s across the board. The menu offers a good variety of signature Italian dishes so if you like Italian cuisine you won't be disappointed. read more

Grotta Azzurra - Red sangria - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

This place was good! We went on a weekday and there was no wait to sit outside. Service was SLOW. The bruschetta was really good. The penne was ok, nothing amazing. Sauce tasted fresh with good ingredients. The food is good and the prices are fair, but the service was slow. read more

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My friend bought a pulsd, and we went to go check this place out before a show. Saturday around 6:30 ish it wasn't packed, We got a seat by the corner door, and I could feel the draft. My friend ordered the calamari appetizer before I got there; it was bland and white I could tell by looking at it that it didn't have any flavor and even dipping it in the marinara sauce wasn't any help, so that was a No. I ordered the Fresh Atlantic Salmon, which is a filet that was supposed to come with a roasted potatoe and broccoli, but instead, it came with the potatoe, and what I'm thinking was spinach. Again, the food was bland. There was no flavor, but a little salt and pepper made it good to eat. The potatoe was good. We also had a bottle of wine that came with the meal. We ordered the cannoli as desert, and that wasn't tasty either. The cream tasted like it was non fat cream and the shell bland; again, no flavor. Needless to say, i didn't enjoy my meal. But the place is nice and the waiter was attentive. 5 min walk from the J line not too far. They have an outside seating area for the summer. read more

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Our waitress Gabriella was fantastic! She was so friendly and funny and had us in stitches laughing! We sat at the bar during a super busy day and she did a wonderful job. They have an awesome happy hour menu but getting to a table or even to the bar can be very tricky. When it's really cold outside, they do have the heater cranked so be prepared to shed and put on layers. read more

Has all the makings of a great feeling place but lacks with 4 large TV screens and lacks else where. Food was mediocre, we had the meatballs and spaghetti with the chicken parmigiana. Place was trying to go for an old world charm but the staff prevented that. Prices were fair with decent wine along with price. If you're looking for a good price place in little Italy that may remind you of an average place in your hometown, then this is your place. read more

Grotta Azzurra - Bar - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Good food, friendly staff and service. Nice family atmosphere. We make a point of going there every time we are in NYC. read more

The food here is amazing! The service is sometimes slow. My servers could only speak Spanish this time. It matter is hard to ask for service questions. The ambiance is beautiful!!! read more

The food was alright, nothing bad but also nothing spectacular. The prices were kind of really high for the small portion sizes given, $10 for a small plate of truffle fries (even holiday markets serve bigger portion sizes at same price), $20 personal pizza, $10 garlic bread, $25 average sized pasta, although surprisingly garlic bread turned out to be the best thing they had for the quantity and price match. Restaurant had a good ambiance to it but a little cramped and didn't feel to comfortable dining read more

Came here for Saturday brunch and was pleasantly surprised by the great brunch special! Comes with bottomless mimosas, coffee, and an entree for $24.95! Lots of seating available with wonderfully attentive service. They gave us some bread with olive oil while we waited for our food. I went with the smoked salmon benedict, which came with a fresh side salad. The eggs were cooked perfectly and the salmon was delicious! My partner went with the eggs marinara and enjoyed his meal. The servers kept the mimosas coming and let us stay and chat long after we finished our meal. A great low-key spot for weekend brunch! read more

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We stopped in here for happy hour. They have $5 glasses of wine and $8 cocktails on weekdays until 6pm. The raspberry mojito came in a large glass. It was light, not too sweet, and I loved the fresh mint. The lemoncello spritz was heavy on the Prosecco. I also got a glass of the house red wine. The pour wasn't huge, but the wine was well-balanced. The bar was pretty empty around 5:30 on a Friday, but it was a nice option for pre-dinner drinks. read more

Grotta Azzurra - Lemoncello spritz - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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This place is underrated. I have been here two times and it smacks every time. You do not need reservations here, there is always plenty of seating which is my favorite part. My favorite spot is in the corner table next to the window so you can people watch as you eat. It's nestled right in the front Little Italy sign so there are plenty of passerby's. Immediately when you are seated they provide some fresh bread. We ordered the classic lasagna and shrimp scampi, both delicious, fresh and arrived promptly. Our server was helpful and attentive. Reasonable priced, and plenty of wine and drinks available. There are three clean bathrooms here so you never have to wait in line. Overall, loved the dining, service and ambiance. I look forward to coming back! read more

Grotta Azzurra - Lasagna Classico - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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I'm sad to say I was a little bit disappointed. It was the San Gennaro festival and I originally had a Pulsed deal which they did not except on Sunday apparently (nowhere in the fin print did it say that so I guess they're just making up rules). The interior is absolutely beautiful and there is a lot of history in this restaurant as Frank Sinatra and the rat pack would eat here often after concerts. I ordered the chicken Parm since I was feeling pretty basic, and I substituted the potatoes and broccoli for spaghetti. It was OK, I just didn't love it. It's not something to rave about but in general I had a good dining experience. The staff were all great, and it was actually pretty dead, considering there was a festival outside but I guess maybe that's why it was dead. Either way not the most amazing food I've had but still good enough that I enjoyed 2 meals worth of leftovers! Little tip, if you go downstairs to the bathrooms, they are private bathrooms and I personally love that because privacy and cleanliness is everything! read more

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Came here during the street fair/food festival in little Italy. The place was nice, I sat at the bar & ordered my usual glass of pinōt griogio, I would stop by again if I'm just strolling through & in need read more

Grotta Azzurra - Menu 9/19/23 - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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This is where we ate on Mother's Day. Being Mother's Day, there were lots of mothers and their families there (noise level was higher than I like). I had Chicken Francaise and my husband had "some kind of fish". We both liked our meals. Each meal came with a side of pasta. It was a nice clean restaurant, not cramped at all. The service was very good. The meal included bread/butter on the table. The bread was delicious. I'd go back just for the bread alone! read more

Your not coming here for anything authentic, if your walking around just wander into this place your experience will just be okay. Came in with a friend to get a glass of wine and something quick to eat. The wine list wasn't impressive, a lot of the wines listed are just okay. Ended up going with a Pinot Grigio, I asked for something dry, it was semi sweet but I didn't want to say anything. My friend and I ordered a Margarita pizza to share. It was odd to see they put two different types of mozzarella. Shredded cheese with some fresh mozzarella on top. The shredded cheese melted weird, it came to the table cold and was just hard when the pizza was warm and the cheese should have been melted. Just an overall okay time. read more

Grotta Azzurra - Pinot Grigio - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Food was very...average. Nothing spectacular. Fried calamari was one of the most crispy calamari I've had. But couldn't really taste the octopus. My pasta was light, not much seasoning. The pork risotto-like dish (can't remember the name) was tender. The complimentary bread and butter was the part. One thing I would like to note is the ambiance. Low lighting and good windows with a bar area made this place a nice spot for a dinner date. read more

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Drink where good specially the vodka oj freshly squeezed and cold! Service was great very friendly very knowledgeable of their menu Music is nice can have conversation without being to stimulated read more

This place gives the lie to the cliché of "no good Italian food in little Italy." This place is good! Super-friendly and accommodating staff (I had reservations for 5 and there were 8 of us... "no problem!") I had the fried calamari appetizer. Really tasty, although it could have been a little warmer for my tastes. The filet of sole was just great... perfectly seasoned and exactly lemony enough. No need for adding anything. Portions were generous... I'd suggest ordering different meals and sharing for the best experience. The penne pasta dishes were also really good and were made to be shared. Peroni on tap. And a really nice atmosphere. A very homey Italian feeling, even though the staff isn't Italian. You won't care. read more

Came here for an Aperol Spritz and really enjoyed it. Loved the vibe inside and our bartender was great. Easy to stop here for a drink or food while in Little Italy. read more

Grotta Azzurra - Aperol Spritz - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

The service is good, and the food is superior. The pork scallopini was perfectly seasoned and served with a delicious sauce. We were so impressed, that after stopping there for some light refreshment in the afternoon, we returned a few hours later for dinner. The spooky "manekin" at the side entrance, dressed up in a fedora, and with his arm suspiciously positioned as if he is reaching for "something" inside of his suit coat...not to mention his cyanotic skin color is both spooky and whimsical at the same time. read more

Lovely people. Food was just fine. Place has been there forever and it's an old school experience. It was exactly what I expected.

As a local, I love this restaurant! The service is amazing and the lunch special is amazing - get the chicken franchase and garlic oil pasta - $19!!!! Everything is wonderful read more

Good service, good food, good prices. The opted for the lunch potion of choose two meal. I chose chicken parmigiana and pene ala vodka. The chicken was prepared nicely with a light breading and a nice marinara sauce and a generous amount of parmigiana cheese. My brother ordered fettuccine Alfredo. That is his go to meal and I have to say it was a home run. I tasted his fettuccine and it was perfectly cooked (al dente) the creamy Alfredo sauce was rich and creamy with a nice cheese flavor. We enjoyed our meal and would come back. read more

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My friends and I visited around christmas time. The ambiance was very warm, the calamari was very delicious. I had the 5 cheese ravioli and it wasn't good, it tasted frozen actually the frozen one I buy from costco is better. My friend had shrimp scampi and she said it was good. But my other friend had a chicken dish which she said was dry. read more

Grotta Azzurra - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Good food for restaurant week 2021 Let's dive in: Garlic bread (4/5): Ample garlic, well oiled and buttered Vegetable Calzone (3/5): I'm really not sure how I feel about this. The dough was not your normal pizza dough but instead one that more resembled a zeppole. I liked the dough but it wasn't what I expected. Normally calzones use a pizza dough that's a lot thinner. Inside was good -- spinach and cheese but was nothing in comparison to the breadiness of this dish. Fettuccini Al Burro: Creamy sauce but I wish there was more. Tasty pasta. Delivery / Customer Experience (1/5): We got this as delivery through Uber Eats and by the time this was on my table it wasn't warm. We were missing a salad and the only option for UberEats was to submit a request -- no live human to speak with. The restaurant said the issue was caused by UberEats not informing them it was the restaurant week deal. As a solution they said Uber Eats could pick up and deliver the salad, or they'd give us a free one next time. Basically, this isn't getting resolved tonight so no happy at all. TL;DR: Honestly probably would have been a positive experience in person but that wasn't the case. read more

I have been coming to Grotta Azura for many years and the food just keeps getting better and better. The ambiance is that of a classic steakhouse and the service (ask for Israel) is that of a 5 star restaurant but in a warm and casual setting. We have never had a bad meal (or a bad cocktail) in the 10+ years I have gone Thank you again Israel and Grotta Azura read more

You must understand if you're eating in little Italy, you're getting a tourist deal likely. That said this is my most reliable spot for a well priced meal when lazy in Soho. I got their lunch deal of $13 for an entree and pasta. Portions are just right imo, I've been coming here for years and can say am consistently pleased. Service can sometimes be a hit or miss in terms of going above and beyond but it's always that classic little Italy vibe. Recommend when having friends family visit who want that little Italy vibe. Obviously, authenticity and gourmetness should be found elsewhere, but also plan for that higher ticket price. read more

Grotta Azzurra - Penne Alla Vodka Chicken Parmigiana - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Came here for bottomless brunch using a Pulsd deal with a large-ish party with about 12 people. While it took a bit of time for everyone in our party to arrive, the service was somewhat disappointing. I kept trying to grab someone's attention to get some water for the table, but no one attended to me for over 20 minutes despite the restaurant not being very busy at the time. With the 60 minute bottomless brunch deal (where you are given special drinks), there is a limited menu with 6 items. None of the menu items were especially appealing to me. I ended up getting the breakfast sandwich without the bacon or salmon, and it just felt like a worse version of an overpriced bagel. None of my friends were impressed with their meals and even the drinks were alright (and there was a dramatic difference in the shades of the mimosas at times, not sure if they were being very watered down). Some people in our group chose not to do the brunch menu and ordered their own pasta entrees. I had a bite of my friends baked ziti and that tasted really good. If you want to go to a quieter brunch spot to be able to have good conversation, then this might be a good place to go but otherwise it is disappointing in terms of food and service. read more

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- really 3.5 - all star service - cool Italian soundtrack - shrimp scampi was kinda greasy - marinara for calamari was bland - I really did like the lasagna - they honor the pulsd deal, which is a huge plus - the house chardonnay is really good read more

Grotto Azzurra has never disappointed, ever! We both were looking forward to a nice meal in intimate surroundings and this restaurant did not disappoint. We opted to eat indoors after we both presented proof of vaccination of course. We got a great table in the corner between the windows allowing us to chat and also people watch lol I was starving and ordered the Calimari as a starter and damn if it wasn't GOOD!!!! I was loving it so much I was commenting that I must look like a greedy pig lol We both opted for a pasta dish...She went with penne a la vodka with chicken (it was incredibly good!) while I chose lasagna (excellent) Our drinks were great and we laughed and talked and really enjoyed the setting that this restaurant provides. Well worth getting acquainted with and you'll enjoy this place over and over... read more

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Came here as a party of six and I really liked how this place still has a three-course meal for lunch during restaurant week. The atmosphere is lovely and quiet, and I really liked the decor of our table. Lunch Ratings: 1st course :: Mussels Picantino :: I liked it. The mussels were pretty good and the soup is flavorful. They also give you a small mussel fork to get the meat off the shell and a spoon for the soup. I thought the 1st course was supposed to be an appetizer but this one is like an entree. 2nd course :: Lobster Ravioli :: I liked this dish. It's nice and creamy and you can literally taste the real lobsters. 3rd course :: Tiramisu :: This was the worst tiramisu I ever had and I didn't even finish it. It was dry and it didn't taste like real tiramisu... more like some sort of mediocre cake. 3rd course :: Cheesecake :: Looked good in the picture but it didnn't taste like cheesecake because it tasted like they used ricotta cheese to make this. So thumbs down on this one as well. The service was polite and friendly but slow. We literally waited more than 10 minutes between each course. 20% gratuity included in the bill regardless the party size. Minus 1 star for slow service and mediocre desserts. read more

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My friend and I came here to partake in the 2 course $14.95 lunch special which is available everyday. The decor is colorful and the ambiance is inviting. The place is quite spacious with great charm. We were given the choice of several types of bread and we went for the garlic bread, only to find out that we would be charged around $7 for it, which should have been clear from the start. Only the house bread is complimentary. The bread was pretty good - It was still warm with much garlic flavor, though it was a bit tough to chew. For my first course I had the spaghetti carbonara, which consisted of smoked pancetta and parmesan cream sauce. This was a decent helping and I enjoyed the rich, thick and tasty cream sauce. The pasta was cooked perfectly, however there wasn't that much pancetta. I had the Basa Oreganata for my second course and I loved it! The entree was white filet of fish in lemon white wine sauce topped with bread crumbs, along with grilled potatoes and medley of broccoli, carrots and cabbage on the side. The fish was delightfully tender and fresh, filled with awesome flavor from the sauce, which was light and savory. I could really taste both the lemon and the white wine. The potatoes came with the skin still on and were slightly browned which gave it a yummy crispiness. The broccoli and other vegetables were just okay though. There didn't seem to be a ton of seasoning. The service was fine. The waiter was nice and brought everything out in a timely manner. However, on the bill there was an added 20% tip even though we were only a party of 2. I understand that with a party of 6 or more, restaurants automatically include the gratuity but that wasn't the case here. I am not sure if they do this for every single meal, or if it was just for this meal because of the lunch special, but I didn't appreciate the gesture. The service wasn't that top notch to warrant that much of a tip. I don't think I will return, especially since there are so many other Italian restaurants nearby to try. read more

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