This food here truly reminds me of Italy. Everything is amazing and different to other typical New York Italian places you find in the upper east side - this isn't a vodka penne type of place - it's zucchini blossoms and other delicious more authentic Italian dishes. Highly highly recommend. They have a spacious bar area up front so try for a walk in if you can't get a reservation - you won't regret it! read more

This restaurant didn't meet my expectations (especially with all of the high reviews). The food was mediocre and bland and the service was questionable. I have never been to an Italian place with such poor customer service (esp as an Italian woman). The bread came out cold and the waiter was snappy to us. Please note that this restaurant has a serving style where the waiter will serve the dish directly on your plate and not leave the shareable dish on the table, which I had never experienced before. Super disappointed after I have had really excellent Italian at significantly cheaper places. Customers walked up to our table as we were finishing eating and audibly asked for our table. Overall very unpleasant and the interior was not very beautiful considering the price point (fake plants). However, the hostesses were wonderful and very sweet! read more

In a neighborhood with more Italian restaurants than in Italy (UES) L'incontro is a reasonably priced restaurant that serves the basics, a good choice if you want to enjoy a meal worth the price--a rarity these days The service is very good, and customer friendly, a rarity these days Give it a shot! read more

A true family Italian trattoria tucked away on the Upper East Side! We enjoyed our dinner here to celebrate my birthday but had a few things to comment on that could have been better -- the space is lovely (decorated beautifully with lights and garland on the ceiling for Christmas). It did take them several minutes to clear our table and get us seated when we arrived (the place was jam packed), and I think the A/C was off when we first arrived because it was extremely warm back there for the first 20-30min, but it eventually kicked on and got more comfortable. The had a nice wine selection and had two off-menu mocktails (which, being pregnant, I appreciated) and the menu felt very authentic to true Italian cuisine. I will say, I wish they could have printed out a list of their specials, because there were at least 20 of them and our waiter rattled them off so quickly that it was hard to keep track/make a decision. He also told us we had to order all our dishes at once for the kitchen, which made us feel a little rushed and resulted in us not getting quite as much food as we had hoped... still, the fresh bread/sun-dried tomato spread, the wild boar & mushroom meatballs and ricotta-stuffed pesto tortellini special were all absolutely delicious (if not very small -- just two meatballs and six tortellini total). Our waiter also brought out a candle with our pistachio crème brûlée (which was not on the house, but tasted divine) and sang a quick "Happy Birthday." I would love to go back and spend a bit more time looking over the menu/ask for the specials again so they we could have tried more dishes, because everything we saw them bring out looked amazing. We also noticed many patrons hugging the staff and could tell they clearly have a loyal following and a true family feel to the restaurant. Very cute Italian spot! read more

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Wow.. haven't had a taste of queens in the upper east side like this. Both dishes were amazing.. the pasta texture was unique to the sauce. The lamb in the rigatoni was beyond delicious. Indescribably delicious.. We also had the cesar salad and it was amazing. Loved the anchovy taste. The lettuce was crispy and fresh and the dressing was light and well dressed. Wow.. haven't been amazed in a while but this place took me away. We also had the tiramisu - it was good but not special We were sitting by the bar in the high top table and the waiter was attentive and so great to us. Ambiance was loud but fun! read more

L’incontro - Rigatoni al Rag di Vitello and Tagliarini with Pomodorini - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

A welcome addition to the Upper East Side, this vibey spot which hails from Astoria originally has posted up in the UES and is immediately becoming one of the best spots for italian in the neighborhood. The restaurant itself is large, vibey, and a great place to have a date or to bring a larger party to catch up with friends. The pasta itself is certainly handmade and had unique offerings that won't make you regret spending a pretty penny on pasta (though the price range is standard for Manhattan/UES). You can't go wrong with most of their menu here, just order what calls out to you. Also we tried their pistachio creme brulee and it was delicious, my friend loved it so much she thinks about it from time to time and recommends it to any person who thinks about coming here haha. read more

I went to their location in Astoria countless times over the years and was glad to visit the new location on the UES. The restaurant is nicely decorated and felt more modern than the original. The prices felt quite a bit higher but I guess that's to be expected. Overall, I enjoyed my experience and found the food to be quite good. There were a few items that were better than others. Here's what I ordered. Caesar salad - this was a good rendition with an eggless Caesar dressing that was anchovy forward and very fresh lettuce. The size was generous and could be split amongst two people. Bread- their complimentary bread came with a delicious sun-dried tomato spread. They asked if you wanted more too! Eggplant rollatini- this was a true highlight! The eggplant was perfectly cooked and tender, and was not breaded which I appreciated and it was stuffed with cheese and spinach and topped with tomato sauce. The portion size was very small with two small pieces, but I definitely loved it. Chicken Parmesan - I found this to be just fine. It was my least favorite item that we ordered. The portion was a nice size but Tony Di Napoli and Becco make better chicken parm. Beef short ribs- the short ribs and accompanying polenta were delicious but I found the portion to be small for the price. All in all, I'm glad that this restaurant is in the neighborhood! read more

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This place is awesome! I always wanted to try the chef/owner Rocco's restaurant in Astoria but never had a chance. I finally was able to try his new restaurant L'inconto and it was great!!!! The food was delicious and the service and staff were amazing. The lobster salad was so good. The olive oil that they used was top notch! He takes special care on every dish that comes to the table. The egg yolk ravioli and cacio e pepe were also very good. The veal chop parmigiana, steak for two and short rib were also highlights of the dinner. We were able to meet Rocco and he made a special gelato for dessert from his Abruzzo region in Italy. I can't wait to go back, everything was perfect. read more

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Recommended to me by a former teammate/classmate, we decided to try this gem on the UES. Plenty of choices on the menu plus a slew of nightly specials. We started with the mussels in a white sauce accompanied by grilled bread. The mussels were plump and you could smell the char on the bread. Excellent start. We then had the chicken parm (huge portion), braised short rib over polenta, and the pumpkin ravioli. Homemade pasta. For desert, we tried the crème brûlée (one of the best we've had) and the Napoleon. Will be coming back because there are some many options that we want to try. read more

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Beautiful restaurant. Great service and good food. Came on a Thursday and it was pretty packed. The bread is amazing. Would recommend the lobster pasta and tiramisu for dessert. read more

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We came here for dessert, and I'm already planning my next trip for dinner! We had a pistachio crème brûlée, which was the perfect balance between salt and sweet. Paired this with the cannoli which had chocolate chips in the cream. The restaurant itself was whimsical and very romantic Pro tip! If you didn't get a reservation, as for a seat at the bar since those are walk in read more

L’incontro - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Dining at its finest. We opted to do family style since there were alot of us. The food is outrageous delicious The drinks were beautifully made with the garnishes. I can't wait to go back. Absolutely amazing and the staff insanely on top of service read more

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A good place for martinis and feeling like royalty. Hospitality in this restaurant is out of this world, the staff was the most friendly I've encountered in a long time. We had a reservation and upon arrival we waited about 15 minutes to be seated but the service at the table was outstanding. We had the dirty martini and pistachio martini, both delicious, as any good martini, both served cold and strong. For food we had the carpaccio di manso, the oxtail pasta both small for the price but good in flavor. I wanted to try their squid ink fettuccini but it was not available, the server told us it can pass months that is not available, a boomer because that was the whole reason we booked a reservation. I settled for a tomato pasta and it was just ok. Not sure if a dish that's rarely available should be on the menu, because it does not make me want to book again out of uncertainty. They had about 10 to 15 specials of the day but no menu to see them or the prices, not easy to remember that many specials when told just once. I felt overwhelmed by the amount of information, the place was full and very busy, I didn't want to ask the server to repeat the entire list again, instead I disregarded completely the specials. Not a great part of the experience. For dessert we ordered the pistachio creme brûlée and it was our favorite dish. Totally worth it. The pistachio martini was also incredible, so if you go order anything with pistachio and you will end up happy. If we come again it will be for the drinks and great service. The food was average but It was fun to try. read more

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Impeccable restaurant!!! Ordered seafood salad and fresh pasta, which was absolutely perfect! I am happy to return to try everything else!!! Ordered pistachio martini, which was odd and very neutral. My friend returned it for an olive martini, my fave! Gorgeous decor too! Beautiful glass lamps above bar. Very friendly, attentive, and helpful service! read more

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Spectacular addition to the UES dining scene. Delicious delightful and amazing ambiance

Run, don't walk, to this magnificent gem of an Italian restaurant on the UES. Impeccable service, atmosphere and most importantly , the food. Large portions, served piping hot . Every detail from start to finish was on point. Carlo, Maître d', was welcoming and charming . Thank you for a lovely evening ! read more

A lovely meal! Hard to get a reservation during dinner time so jump on it when you want one! I'll start by saying our waiter was so poised and had a great presence. I went with 2 friends and we shared everything. I've never had a restaurant split the food into 3 portions for us to all have even amounts of each item. That was so great! Beyond that the food was tasty and fresh. Small portions but splitting the way we did allowed us to try a lot without being stuffed. For starters the sundried tomato tapenade for the bread was unreal. I can't count how much bread I had... The poached apples in the salad were perfection. The pastas were a perfect al dente. The chicken parm had a flavourful, thick sauce. And the desserts were light and not too sweet. Overall not too expensive for all we ordered and just a solid good meal. read more

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The outdoor presentation always caught my eye and sometimes I peek through the window and notice a full house. I usually don't dine above 60th street on Upper East Side but I made an exception dined here last night. The hostess recommended the chicken parm and spaghetti. My girl knows her stuff. That was a great filling dish. I really love the sauce it's kinda sweet. The chicken parm was a bit different I believe the recipes originate from a different part of Italy and not the common one many places in New York originate from. It's not as heavy as other Italian places I've dined at. Kinda petite mass wise but delicately cheesy while gracious. The group seems like a bunch of bored downtown people or nosey people west of Lexington leaving their guarded sleepy digs and I might be reaching but it seems like Long Islanders come here for a night out in the city because the sister location is from there? Idk. It's probably the most sexy restaurant on the ratty bar driven second Avenue that's cosplaying the west village? I read the article WSJ. To end the night off I had Tiramisu it was light and fluffy. I wish the drink menu had glass bottles of coke and not tap. But you can't have it all. I'll come back if I'm ever in the mood for something local and want to feel like a grownup. Oh wait I got it. This is the former Nello's older sister. Not as youthful and sexy but attractive. Casa Tua on Madison might have a rival just maybe but the scenes are completely different: Madison and 2nd Ave are day and night and the Upper East Side is about being seen but this place isn't a bad place to be scene just hurry to your Mercedes before a bar goer nearby pukes on you read more

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Really lovely spot with even better hospitality, thank you Alfredo, I owe you one! I ordered the tuna tartare - very fresh and delicious with watermelon. Yum. I had lobster ravioli which was on special. Also delicious. Great wine selections, I loved the two different whites I had. (The Sauvignon blanc from NZ is incredible) The lemon gelato was the perfect end to the meal as well as a next-level amaro. Definitely give this place a try, you won't be disappointed! I sat in the front near the bar but the back main dining room looked cheerful and cute. I will be back next time I'm in the city! Thank you! read more

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We were looking forward to trying this well known Queens import. Then bar was hopping at 6 pm. The crowd at that time was, as expected, geriatric combined with young families. The music was offputting- it was elevator music from hell. The staff were lovely. We were started off with excellent bread with a tomato spread. Cocktails and wine were OK. The red wine is stored on display against the walls and is a bit warmer than ideal. We shared an excellent arugula, pear and Gorgonzola salad to start. My wife's chicken parmigiana was enormous and pretty good. I had the rigatoni with veal ragu. It was very flavorful but a bit gristly. Nice place with a nice festive vibe. There's a a lot of competition. 3.8 stars. read more

We finally stopped by L'incontro and we were so excited! This restaurant is new, opened about 3 months ago and it is already packed! We got a 6pm reservation and when we arrived, it was completely full! This restaurant was previously located in Astoria, and have moved now moved to upper east side! We ordered the calamari and the meatballs to start, lately I've been always craving calamari, and this was excellent! I love calamari that is not completely drenched in breading and this was a perfect ratio. And the meatballs had a hint of truffle, which were so tender and delicious. Followed by the veal chop parmigiana (for 2) and the ragu (which I substituted for the spaghetti instead of rigatoni). Note that this restaurant makes all their pasta from scratch! Which I love even more! Overall it was a very relaxing evening and we got to enjoy the specials of this amazing restaurant. We are very much looking forward to returning! read more

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Everything was excellent, from the cocktails to the apps to the pastas. Rocco came out of the kitchen multiple times and seemed to know half the patrons! read more

Every time we go to L'incontro it surpasses the last time we went. The food, service and ambiance are outstanding. We had a few special pastas and they were so flavorful. The Dover Sole was exceptional. We ended the meal with St. Joseph pastry made by Rocco himself, what a treat. read more

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L'Incontro is a wonderful, upscale addition to the UES. The menu is interesting and diverse and I can't wait to go back again to try dishes we didn't get to this evening. For appetizers we had the Beet salad, which was traditional but still very good, we also had the fried squash blossoms which were light and delicious and we had a whipped ricotta on toast which was chilled and piped onto the toast. Also delicious but actually it was too much ricotta if that is possible;) Entrees we had the ricotta gnocchi which were light, fluffy, creamy but could have used a hint more truffle. They are known for their chicken parmigiana which not sure how high that dish can be elevated but it was very very tasty. Last but certainly not least we had their spaghetti in tomato water which is essentially pasta in a light tomato broth. One would think this would be relatively plain, but the flavor... let's just say I could have eaten a whole pot of this pasta!! If you go it is a must. We were stuffed so just shared a chocolate gelato for dessert and coffee but it was a wonderful finish to the meal. read more

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L'Incontro has been on me and my boyfriend's list of places to try since we learned the restaurant was opening on the UES and it did not disappoint!! My sister was in town visiting so we decided to make a reservation (highly recommend folks making a reservation as the place gets packed!) I loved everything about L'Incontro from the ambiance to the food. When you enter the restaurant you immediately see the cute little bar which was super packed with guests, the interior seems much bigger than it appears on the outside. The entire staff was very friendly and we did not have to wait but a few minutes to be seated. Our drink order was taken in a quick fashion and we were walked through the specials of the evening. The food was out of this world!! Here is what we had: Appetizers: - Calamari (so crispy and not chewy at all) - Raviolo (very small, but excellent!) Main course: - Fettuccine al Noro di Seppia ( the squid ink pasta was cooked to perfection and the lobster was unbelievable!) - Gnocchi di Ricotta (like little clouds and the cream sauce was everything!) - Tortaloni (I do not eat meat, but my boyfriend said that the veal inside the pasta was fantastic!) Dessert: - Tiramisu (so moist and delectable!! Must try) The chef brought us out these amazing little shots that were so good! (Cheers Chef Rocco!) I was over the moon delighted by the dining experience overall and will definitely be back! If you are wanting a fun night out with great food checkout L'Incontro by Rocco, you will not be disappointed. read more

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I've visited L'Incontro by Rocco twice since they relocated to the UES. The food quality remains consistent with what was expected at their previous location in Astoria. The quality of the food and creativity demonstrated by Rocco is fantastic. There is a nice small bar in the front (beer/wine only) that is perfect for either dining or a pre meal drink. The staff is experienced and prompt. The only "issue" is the size of the space. Tables are closer together (similar to most other restaurants on the UES and throughout manhattan) and can be on the louder side. I'd recommend making a reservation to ensure you get a spot and getting a table for 4 in the middle of the restaurant which gives you a little bit more space from other diners. I didn't take photos of dessert but can vouch for the cannoli, semifreddo and gelati. read more

L’incontro - Seafood bolognese - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

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Rocco is at it again, except on the Upper East Side. After 25 years in Astoria, Rocco's world renowned Tratoria L'Incontro is no more, despite that its last day was as busy as its first day and all its days in between. Landlords take note. Always be nice to your tenants. But I digress... L'Incontro by Rocco is a reimagined version of the original with all the je ne sais quoi that made the original a success for over two and a half decades. My gastronomical partner in crime and I happened to be standing on NYC's 82 St and 2nd Ave. corner looking east, when we noticed L'Incontro by Rocco. Earlier in the day coincidentally, we learned that the original closed and the culinary maestro reopened a new temple dedicated to the gods of gastronomy. On our inaugural visit--their third day open--of what will most certainly be many, many, more visits, we ordered a feast that consisted of the evening's special porterhouse for due, a mashed potato and broccoli au gratin puree, beet salad and Italian inspired Napoleon. We washed it all down with a bottle vinno rosso Symmetry. The menu is well-priced, crisp and concise. Their wine cellar is a curated with an excellent representation of all that's relevant. The staff is friendly, attentive and professional and many are familiar. How was our overal experience you may ask? Put it this way, if the M15 bus ran us over while recrossing Second Avenue, we would have passed to the netherworld in total happiness and content as provided by our hypothetical last meal. Book your reservation soon, while you still can.... read more

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What is there to say that hasn't already been said. Chef Rocco has done it again and this time in Manhattan. Same name same great food. The pastas are a must here all made in house with seasonal ingredients. Wild boar ragu is something you'll only get in Tuscany so if you can find it here -- get it! read more

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Popped in for an impromptu dinner at the bar. Overall, had a nice time but I think for the price the food is a bit overpriced esp for other Italian spots in the area. I enjoyed my spicy lobster pasta but it needed to have more kick. It wasn't really spicy and needed more heat to be called that on the menu. The ravioli was good. The real winner was the pistachio creme brûlée. Wow! That was so so so good. I will need to try it again to see if since their initial opening days they have ramped things up a bit. read more

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Honestly, I did not love this restaurant. On a positive note, the restaurant is beautiful. The service was very good,--helpful, friendly and attentive. However, the waiter did forget my salad and while my companion and I were halfway through dessert and coffee, the manager came over and told us that another party was waiting for our table. This was interesting because we are not slow eaters or lingerers, and, if the restaurant needed the table, it would have been nice if they had told us that before we ordered dessert and coffee. However, we honestly didn't take much offense because we knew we were unlikely to ever return. For us, the food was just okay. We enjoyed the Mezza Luna and zucchini blossoms. But I didn't like the texture or the sauce of the gnocchi and we were not blown away by the desserts or the chicken parm. The restaurant was bustling and seemed to have a lot of neighborhood regulars who seemed to really like it. So it's possible that we may have ordered the wrong things. It may be worth trying and seeing for yourself. For us though, it was a miss. read more

So happy to see this restaurant is thriving on the upper east side after being a mainstay in astoria for so many decades. Every dish was a hit, the serving was top notch and the dining room was lively. The owner Rocco makes the rounds around the restaurant to make sure everyone feels special. He's been doing this awhile and this restaurant proves he's mastered his craft read more

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Rocco has left Astoria and now in the city. This is one of the best Italian restaurants in the city that no one talks about. The service always stands out is 5 start worthy of an upscale restaurant. Rocco is always there and will stop by your table to say hello. The food is great. You won't go wrong with whatever you order. read more

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All I have to say is, the staff alone is so welcoming and friendly! They make you feel like you are part of their family. The food was delicious! We enjoyed everything! They also have amazing specials! Would love to return! read more

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I have to start off by saying that we loved Rocco's original restaurant in Astoria and loved everything about it, it was sad that he had to leave the area. Now on to this new spot. I'll have to say that they haven't missed a beat. The food is still some of the best Italian food you will ever have. Granted the portions are not huge, but this isn't family style, it's fine dining and that's exactly what you get, a damn fine and tasty meal. This new location is smaller than the original Astoria spot, but they do now have a full bar in the front of the restaurant if you want to sit and enjoy a drink and some food. And as always Rocco the owner is the best, so friendly and welcoming. Just all around great food, not cheap, but great all the same. This is a great addition to the upper Eastside food scene. read more

We had a wonderful time here. It does have that fancy classic Italian vibe when you walk in and the service was superb along with it. Everything we had was really really good but the Ragu was EASILY the best thing we had. It was perfection. The sauce was perfectly savory and sweet and the veal and pancetta really added to it. Eggplant Rolatini was a great appetizer. The chicken parm was good but their pasta was so good that I would 100% skip it next time and get another pasta. Tiramisu was ELITE. Also Rocco himself came to our table and he just seems like an awesome dude and talked with him a bit. Sat with people at their table and truly added to the fun experience! Come to this place if you haven't yet! read more

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Everything went well. Great service, ambiance and food. Rocco, your mom's lasagna is the bomb! Love the pistachio martini and chicken parm. read more

I had an amazing birthday dinner at L'incontro by Rocco. Our reservation was for 5pm on a Tuesday (the new normal for dining with an 11 month old!) and we had the restaurant to ourselves! The service was amazing, they were fabulous with our baby, and our waiter Guillermo was fantastic. The food was delicious - we had the ricotta toast and stuffed artichokes to start - delish. The Caesar salad was very light and crisp, and the chicken parmesan and the oxtail parpadelle were great. Oh, and a cannoli with a candle for dessert! The decor inside was beautiful as well! read more

Those 5 stars are real my people. NO LIE..This place deserves it. Lets begin with the staff. Every waiter is a seasoned professional. They're tone and mannerisms are of people that been in the game for a minute. I take 4 sips of my water..boom a refill. I finish an app...boom...new fresh cutlery. Like clock work. The vibe in there is new. Very updated. Not the biggest place but thats ok. It jus means you have more quality control. I did the specials tonight. Started with the wild-bore meatballs fire. Only sad part is theres only 2 in the order. Followed by Arugula salad with sliced pears fire!!!! And im allergic to pears but idgf. Cus im really bout it. Then did the veal ravioli with some sauce. Idk too fancy too remember but it was amazing. Also all pasta is made in house!!! Honestly dont know how this place doesn't have michelen stars already. But if you want to show your date you know good food this is the place to pull-up too. read more

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Phenomenal new addition to the UES. I started off with the wild boar meatballs in a mushroom sauce - perfectly cooked and presentation 10/10. Then for my main I ordered the rigatoni. It comes tossed in an unreal veal and pancetta ragu. Even the free starter bread (you don't see that in NYC much anymore) with the homemade tapenade was amazing. L'incontro has secured a spot in the Italian night rotation. Well done. read more

L’incontro - Rigatoni al Ragú di Vitello - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

The service is outstanding and the food is even better. You cannot go wrong with anything on the menu.