Puttanesca

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859 9th Ave
New York, NY 10019

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(212) 581-4177
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Puttanesca - New York, NY
Puttanesca - New York, NY
Reviews
( 15 )
( 10 )
( 4 )
( 6 )
( 19 )

Best

I took my family (8 of us) to Puttanesca for brunch on Mother's day and had no reservations. The place was very busy, as usual I learned, and I was afraid of not beeing able to ge...

Worst

This place is ok not horrible but not great. I heard about this place from a friend who gave it a little better of a review which made me want to give it a try. All around I say t...

Avoid the specials 2/12/2007

I recently dined at Puttanesca for the first and last time with a group of friends for a birthday dinner. The place seemed nice enough, and the menu sure seemed reasonable enough, with most entrees and pasta dishes ranging from $12 - 14 (some of the meats were a bit more). I decided to order the night's special, a risotto made with shrimp. Perhaps it is my fault for not explicitly asking the price of this item, however in my past experience at NYC restaurants specials are--at most--five or so dollars above and beyond the range of regular menu options. Much to my surprise, however, this risotto came in at $25, a whopping two times the average menu item! I wouldn't even have minded, had it been a top-notch risotto, but I have had much better quality risotto elsewhere in the city at that price or less. Pros: Regular menu prices, Good bread basket Cons: Dinner specials, Service more
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Very rude treatment 2/11/2007

I recently ate here for a birthday dinner in a group of ten. Although the menu is creative and the food is good for the price, I have never before been treated so rudely by a restaurant staff. We arrived for our dinner at 7pm and we practically being shoved out the door by 9. I actually had a ravioli on my fork en route to my mouth when the server asked me if I was finished. We were not asked if we wanted coffee or dessert, though an un-requested birthday tiramisu was brought to the table, for which we were actually charged on the bill. But the most unbelievable part: as soon as we paid the bill, the waiter took it from the table and not moments later returned and said, ""Can we get you anything else?"" I said ""no"" since we had already paid the bill and dessert was obviously not an option, and he said, ""Well if you can move it along then, we really need this table."" Of course I can understand if a group of ten stays at a table for 3 + hours on a Saturday night during the main seating, it can be a bit annoying to the management. But it was shocking that we were only welcome to stay 2 hours and then we got the boot. more
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Don't bother. Seriously. 1/11/2007

I ignored all the ""horrible service!"" warnings and decided to plan a dinner here for six or so friends because it was in a location convenient to all of us. Besides, how bad could the service really be? Really bad, I soon learned. It put a damper on the entire meal - we were constantly attempting to flag down our aloof waiter who seemed more interested in hanging out with the other servers than filling our water glasses, bringing us bread or taking our orders. We were so annoyed at having been treated like nuisances rather than customers that we could barely enjoy our meals (the food was decent, but not worth it). It's really sad that a place with so much promise (great location, nice space, good portions & food) suffers so much from hiring quite possibly the rudest staff in the city. There are so many other great Italian restaurants to choose from, where you won't be treated poorly. I, clearly, won't be back. Pros: Well, the food wasn't bad. Cons: Service. Service. Service. more
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Great Ambience- Spectacular for Birthday Dinners! 8/9/2006

Love this place. the food is delish..and the wine is even better! The ambience is relaxing yet fun and I rave about this place to everyone. The first time I went was for my friends Bachelorette party (pre festivities) and we reserved the private room. I truly recommend Puttanesca for a romantic meal as well as good food and spirits with a group of friends! ENJOY! more
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a place to be 8/6/2006

i've had a party couple weeks ago for the second time for my birthday with the same waiter/maybe manager we had the best time ever very professional people best place for parties with the right waiter thank u shorty waiter:) more
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Highly variable quality 4/21/2006

There are some dishes that they pull off well (lamb shanks) -- and some that were just terrible. My dining partner's chicken was dessicated, slightly burnt, undersalted and tasteless. He ended up eating about half of my lamb. Roasted beet salad was so-so. My glass of super Tuscan was pretty good; his glass of chianti was uninteresting. Dessert did sweeten the mood: the mousse was very rich and quite good. So the verdict? Mixed. Based on the dishes I ordered, I would recommend the restaurant. Based on my partner's food, I would warn folks to stay away. It's very much your luck of the draw, it seems. Service was sweet if a little slow at times, though this not at all the staff's fault. They are spread very thin and I suspect somewhat mistreated. Seating arrangements are tight. Pros: Good lamb, some good wines, good mousse Cons: terrible chicken, variable service, elbow 2 elbow seating more
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Keeper 3/3/2006

I am amazed by the poor reviews- I find this place to be standout Italian in an area flooded with Italian- great prices, great atmosphere, good service and a wonderful wine list. The service does sometimes lack focus and it is not ideal if you are in a hurry but I have never been treated rudely. There are a few Italian employees who may not speak the best English but for me that adds to the experience. We had a 3 hour brunch- they definitely do not rush you- and they kept the unlimited mimosas flowing the whole time. The dinner menu is diverse and top-notch as well. I go at least 3 times a month and have never been disappointed. Pros: decor, food, wine list more
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great prices, great food 1/25/2006

i can't beleive the quality of food given for such great prices. large room plus two smaller rooms to accomodate pre-theater and late night dinners. i've actually seen a few movie stars dinning at this restaurant such as christian stater. more
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Horrible Experience 1/14/2006

Our tiny table for two (dinner plates hung over edge) was right in the middle of one of the lanes of waiter traffic. I was back-to-back with the diner at the table behind me and wait staff had to hoist trays over our heads as they squeezed past us again and again. We were told that they were booked solid and no other table was available. I asked for seltzer with lime, no ice. Got club soda, filled with ice, no lime. Food was average and creme brulee was awful - the sugar was charred, not caramelized and smelled of kerosene. To my right, the hostess stood over a busboy and hissed ""rapido, rapido"" as he tried to clear and re-set a table for six. Terrible experience. Cons: terrible service, clastrophobic, minisule restroom more
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Great place for private parties 12/12/2005

I was there on sat. for my birthday and we had an excellent time. I had the best ravioli ever. The wine & the service was very good too. Moderate prices. A little noise but I think that was because of our party! Pros: great for birthdays, great for kids more
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Potential Private Party Disaster!! 11/9/2005

I had my reservation for my wedding rehearsal dinner for 40 people. A friend of mine had recommended this location for a private party and said the food was decent and price was competitive. When I called to confirm, they were rude and condescending - I can live with that. But the arrogant and unprofessionial ""manager"" told me I had misunderstood all conversations and that my room was booked to someone else. You can imagine the planning that goes into these types of evenings. I could understand an apology or a goof on their part - but they tried to turn it around like I had never made a reservation. The party planner (who works from his cell phone) never returns calls - and is never patient enough on the phone - ""just fax it"" is his favorite term. BE WARNED!! Rude and a bunch of amateures! Pros: Serves Food Cons: Rude, forgetful, unprofessional more
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Very Nice Meal 8/12/2005

Went here on a friend's reccomendation. Enjoyed a very nice Caesar Salad while my wife had arugula and goat cheese....both very tasty. We both opted for a pasta dish and they were served timely and fresh. We concluded with tiramisu & chocolate cake, both were delicious. We'd go back again more
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TERRIBLE 5/22/2005

I've been here once a couple of years ago and decided to try it again because everywhere else was packed. The food was so so a couple of years ago and it has gotten worse! Not only was the service terrible, the food was horrible. We got baked clams for an appetizer which I don't even think had any clams in it. The meal was horrible. My ginger ale was practically all ice. People at the next table were complaining how horrible their house wine was. I would NEVER go back. more
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Great Italian Food 9/26/2004

Went here last night and enjoyed a wonderful dinner outside. I don't understand the other negative reviews of the service because we had amazing waiter. He described the specials in great detail and gave wine and appertizer suggestions. When I clumsely spilt my boyfriend's wine, another glass came right away on the house. The food was simple and good. Pros: Food, Service, Prices more
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Good Neighborhood Restaurant 8/21/2004

I have eaten here several times now, and have regularly been impressed with the food, especially the pasta dishes. We did not have any problems with the service when we ate in, although we were there when it was not particularly busy. On weekend evenings, it is packed and I would imagine that the staff might be a little haggard. When one compares the quality of the food to some of the city's other italian restaurants, and then particularly when one factors in the very reasonable prices here, I feel that this restaurant comes out a winner. Perhaps the only negative thing that could be said is that, based on the other reviews, the service here is inconsistent. Pros: Good prices, Excellent food more
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Doesn't Get Much Better Than This! 7/25/2004

I live just around the corner from here and dine here frequently. I think this place is great! Excellent food (try the homemade pasta), friendly helpful attentive staff and reasonable prices. Highly recommend this restaurant. Pros: Great Food, Extensive Menu, Ambiance Cons: , Too Many Specials more
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Don't Go Out of Your Way 7/15/2004

The food here is above average and enjoyable, but it is nothing special to travel any great distance for. If you are in the area for some reason, and want to stop at a decent Italian restaurant, give it a try. You won't regret it, but you won't be amazed and eager to return either. I suggest going somewhere else for a good meal, and there is certainly no shortage of restaurants in the area to serve as alternatives. I certainly don't regret my visit, and I did enjoy my food, but with many better competitors in Italian cuisine in New York City, I don't plan to come back. more
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Very Dissapointed 6/14/2004

An unfriendly hostess greeted us and placed us in the main room of the restaurant where the tables were so close together that it was impossible for guests and waiter to move without bumping you. It took 2 requests to be moved by the even more unfriendly hostess. The food and service was average. I would not return. Pros: Value, location Cons: , average service, unfriendly hostess more
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Wonderful 11/26/2003

Came highly recommended from a native New Yorker...we're so glad that we went! Very good food, nice staff, beautifully simple and elegant decor, and wonderful dining experience. We went at lunch and loved it- Overall, an excellent Italian restaurant that is not too expensive! Pros: inexpensive, lovely more
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Try the Free Wine 11/18/2003

This is the sister restaurant of Mario Pia up near the theatre district and it's almost exactly the same. Decor is simple yet functional and although the staff are not the most attentive in the world, you don't feel rushed and the food is good, hot with decent portion sizes and a good selection to suit most tastes. They even managed to do take out too. Find a 'Where' or 'In' magazine and cut out the coupon for a free bottle of wine - makes for a very cheap meal out. Pros: Free Wine, Reasoanable Price, Free Wine!!!!! Cons: A Little Cramped, Staff more
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Menu for Puttanesca


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    Brick and bright-orange painted walls, tall windows and ceilings lend a courtyard feel to the busy dining room. Patrons are a mix of pre-theater and local regulars whose...

  • 8/14/2003 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM Tuesday 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM Wednesday 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM Thursday 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM Friday 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM Saturday 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM Sunday 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
  • Payments: American Express, Master Card, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Clinton, Midtown
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